As many of you know, 11th February 2012 was route 3's day to convert to a full hybrid allocation, making this the 4th route in London to have a full hybrid allocation. As many of you may know, route 3 happens to be my local route too. Going through Herne Hill. Anywho lets take a little investigation into what the 3 is about...
9500/LJ09OLP seen at Crystal Palace - Route 3. Note: This bus is from Route 156/344's batch and is a sub for 2436 which has been undelivered
Now, I am not going to type the full history of Route 3 as it dates back to 1st April 1908, if you want to see the full history please click here (Neils blog contains it). Anyway, for the past twelve years Route 3 has been using Trident/ALX400's (click here for post on those buses). It came as a shocker in August where it was confirmed that the 3 was bound to get E400 Hybrids as reports have suggested Abellio London bought Route's hybrids out of their own funds without TfL funding it. Wow... they really love their flagship route.
2437/SN61CYX seen at Crystal Palace Bus Station -Route 3
Route 3 runs between Oxford Circus to Crystal Palace via Brixton and holds a Peak Vehicle Requirement of 22. One interesting fact about route 3 is that it is London's best tourist route. Lets see why it holds that title. Route 3 starts off at Oxford Circus the heart of the shopping world in London, it works its way down Regent St where it passes Piccadilly Circus full of many many displays, it proceeds to Trafalgar Square where a lot of events are held, it turns down Whitehall where it passes the horse guards and Downing Street where the Prime Minister is based, upon the end of Whitehall lays Parliament Sq where a lot of protests are held. Route 3 travels along Millbank and turns up Lambeth Bridge where you get a splendid view of the River Thames and Lambeth Palace. The route proceeds down Lambeth Rd where you pass the Imperial War Museum at the end of it. Route 3 continues all the way to Brixton where it is centre of the black ethnicity in London and is famous for Lambeth Town Hall and Brixton Market. It proceeds to Dulwich Road where it passes Brockwell Lido, one of London's 10 remaining Lido's. It then passes through Herne Hill (same thing as Dulwich Road really), known for mainly having there own businesses without having too any public businesses like Pizza Hut etc... It also is home to the famous Brockwell Park which holds it own BMX track. The route proceeds past West Dulwich all the way up to Crystal Palace past Gipsy Hill. Crystal Palace is famous for a palace made out of Crystal some 100-200years ago. But after a fire the palace was destroyed and the remains are left there. Crystal Palace is also home to one of the most famous Atheletic Tracks and Sports Centre.
A comparision between the previous buses route 3 used to use, and the current hybrids. 9766/YN51KWA (Route 157) and 2418/SN61CXX (route 3)
This hybrid conversion saw Route 3 transfer from Beddington Cross Garage to Queenstown Battersea Garage. The running numbers for the 3 are QB601- QB622. The reason why the route transferred is that Queenstown Garage is closer to the route (Driver change overs are now at Kennington Church) and the garage has better maintenace facilities than Beddington Cross Garage.
2435/SN61CYV seen at Crystal Palace -Route 3. Note: This bus was my original bus to Oxford Street but at the stop Brixton Station somebody threw up on the 8th row seat on the upper deck left hand side. The bus was pulled out of service and I was forced to get on 9500 which was 30 secs behind. Later on 2417 subbed for 2435. Shame for 2435 to recieve this on its first day in service. Well you can't help being sick...
The hybrids for route 3 contain:
- A weight U.W 11915 KGS
-a horsepower of 185HP believe it or not...
-a Cummins ISB4.5EV 4.5Litres
-a 10.25metre body length
-a max speed of 40MPH
-60 seats.
2418/SN61CXX nearside
2418/SN61CXX seen at Oxford Circus - Route 3
Now for two videos between the old and the new
Below are two videos of the 3 both filmed this week. The first one is 9730/V330KGW supplied to us by Jack (LondonBuses1)- filmed between Brockwell Park and Crystal Palace Parade/College Road
The second one was filmed yesturday by myself of 2437/SN61CYX between Croxted Rd/Thurlow Park Rd and Crystal Palace
Now for some other shots!
Whilst I was on the route I recieved a text from Jack (Londonbuses1) saying that there were two hybrids on the 8. So I trenched down to the 8's second stop (Gt Titchfield St) to find 12149 on the route. Here it is below!
12149/ LX61DCU seen at Oxford Circus- Route 8. Note: This bus is from Route 15
Jack also text me yesturday ecstatic about 8014 which has gained the roundel. I saw this bus many times before I got a shot as its also one of my local routes... Well here it is below!
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I saw 8014 whilst in Herne Hill yesterday.
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