The last day of operation of Mortlake garage was thirty three years ago tonight, June 24 1983. In reality it finally came to a close in the early hours of June 25 when the last scheduled 9 returned just before 2am. As so many people (mainly staff) wanted to be on that poignant last trip, a spontaneously arranged `duplicate` went with it to carry `normal` passengers who might have otherwise been left behind..

Here, at the alighting stop outside the garage in Avondale Road, is RM 1325 as the duplicate (with me driving it) about to move into the garage to allow the following RM 1646 to properly be the official `last one`









And that should have been the end. But the Staff Bus that had always been there to take the crew of the last 9 home (but was often not required) now didn`t exist on a night when many people needed to get away from the garage. So I carried on in RM 1325 for a couple of hours to take many staff home in different directions and in so doing it became the last Mortlake bus on the road finally arriving at its new home, Stamford Brook, as dawn broke. A memorable evening!

Neil G

The last day of operation of Mortlake garage was thirty three years ago tonight, June 24 1983. In reality it finally came to a close in the early hours of June 25 when the last scheduled 9 returned just before 2am. As so many people (mainly staff) wanted to be on that poignant last trip, a spontaneously arranged `duplicate` went with it to carry `normal` passengers who might have otherwise been left behind..

Here, at the alighting stop outside the garage in Avondale Road, is RM 1325 as the duplicate (with me driving it) about to move into the garage to allow the following RM 1646 to properly be the official `last one`









And that should have been the end. But the Staff Bus that had always been there to take the crew of the last 9 home (but was often not required) now didn`t exist on a night when many people needed to get away from the garage. So I carried on in RM 1325 for a couple of hours to take many staff home in different directions and in so doing it became the last Mortlake bus on the road finally arriving at its new home, Stamford Brook, as dawn broke. A memorable evening!

My bus number (if any): RM967 (Driver/Restoration consultant)

Wow was it really 33 years ago, how time flies ! I remember that day well, I also remember you dropping me off at Victoria in RM 1325 to get a N98 home. I sadly did not get up in time later in the day to attend PD open day to witness the last MD in service. Seem to remember the following Sunday we were back at Mortlake doing some filming with RM 1, RM 2, RM 3 & FRM 1.

You driving it,

Me conducting it,

Paul A riding it!!


regards

Andrew

What a sad sight.

But Lovley pics Neil you have to do a book sir your pics are beautiful

My bus number (if any): lt60