Reversing into the site of the former bus garage, having just arrived with an 'RLH40' recreation of the final London Country RLH operated service of route 461 forty years earlier. The brick pillar on the far left is believed to be from the original garage.
Early 2008: a major refurbishment included repanelling most of the exterior, re-instating 2 windows downstairs and the front blindbox, and reconfiguring the interior.
April 1982: A new uniform issuing bus, Leyland National number LNB 57, was introduced and 581 J was declared surplus. Used as an office for a while at Stevenage garage.
30th June 1978
Hatfield Bus Garage
Now wearing a National Bus Company 'mirrored N' logo over the former blindbox area, replacing the previous London Country 'flying polo mint'.
For the rest of the seventies, 581 J was driven to various London Country garages, where crews would be handed new uniforms over a small counter, which they could then try for size in the fitting room, left of the new hinged entrance door. Upstairs, hanger rails stored the new uniforms. 581 J visited Garston and St. Albans garages particularly often.
By May 1971: Converted into a uniform distribution vehicle. The work was carried out by Brewsters Coachworks of Wrotham, and involved removal of all bus seats, panelling over the rear platform and most of the windows. Fluorescent lights were provided, using electricity from a shore supply, and perspex skylights were fitted in the roof. The vehicle was given departmental number 581 J. The J suffix was used to signify service vehicles with AEC engines. Interestingly, 582 J and 583 J were both AEC Matador breakdown tenders, introduced at the same time.
31st July 1970: worked the last RLH service for London Country, a late night run on route 461A (more details).
1st January 1970: Transferred to the new London Country Bus Services organization, on the day of its formation
It remained in the LT Country area, based at either Amersham or Addlestone, until the end of its passenger carrying career.
Early 1960s
Somewhere on route 336; if you know the location please get in touch!
