Route History

Date
Gar
Mon-Fri
Sat
Sun
25.01.20
NS401+
1sd
1sd
--
Date of introduction
Gar
Mon-Fri
Sat
Sun
03.10.34
CF
3STL
3STL
6STL
 
TL
7ST
7ST
7ST

ARCHWAY STATION - Tufnell Park Stn - Kentish Town - Camden Town - Hampstead Road - Warren Street Stn - Great Portland Street - Oxford Circus - Marble Arch - Hyde Park Corner - Victoria - Vauxhall - Oval - Camberwell Green - Peckham - New Cross - Brockley Cross - Brockley Rise - Catford - Southend Road - Beckenham - ELMERS END GREEN ( Mon-Sat ) -----
Elmers End Road - WEST WICKHAM Wheatsheaf ( Suns )
Prior to this date had been Route 536

Extracted from 1934 historical map drawn by Mike Harris
busmap.co.uk


07.11.34
P
--
--
14ST
 
TL
30STL
7ST
30STL
8ST
38STL

ARCHWAY  -  ELMERS END GREEN ( Mon-Sat )  -  WEST WICKHAM (Suns )
Daily Chalk Farm (CF) allocation withdrawn
Sunday only Old Kent Road (P) introduced
City Omnibus operation acquired thus the increased allocation

17.04.35
CF
--
--
26STL
 
TL
30STL
7ST
30STL
8ST
26STL

ARCHWAY  -  ELMERS END GREEN ( Mon-Sat )  -  WEST WICKHAM (Suns )
Sunday only Old Kent Road (P) replaced by reintroduced Chalk Farm (CF)

08.04.36
CF
--
--
18STL
 
TL
37STL
38STL
17STL

ARCHWAY STATION - ELMERS END GREEN
Withdrawn between Elmers End Green and West Wickham - this section replaced by existing Route 78

07.10.36
CF
--
--
16STL
 
TL
37STL
37STL
15STL

ARCHWAY STATION - CATFORD GARAGE ( Suns ) - Bromley - Bromley South - Southlands Road - Cowper Road - BROMLEY Chatterton Arms ( Mon-Sat ) - Bromley Common - Keston - Leaves Green - Biggin Hill - WESTERHAM HILL ( Mon-Sat am journey )
Withdrawn between Catford Garage and Elmers End
Mon-Sat extended from Catford Garage to Bromley and one am journey extended to Westerham Hill

13.01.37
CF
--
--
16STL
 
TB
--
--
15STL
 
TL
37STL
37STL
--

ARCHWAY  -  CATFORD GARAGE ( Suns )  -  BROMLEY COMMON ( Mon-Sat )  -  WESTERHAM HILL ( Mon-Sat journey )
Sunday Catford (TL) allocation transferred to Bromley (TB)

24.03.37
CF
--
--
17STL
 
TB
--
--
17STL
 
TL
37STL
37STL
--

ARCHWAY STATION - CATFORD GARAGE ( Sun am) - BROMLEY Chatterton Arms ( Mon-Sat / Sun pm) -WESTERHAM HILL ( Mon-Sat am journey )
Sunday pm extended fro Catford Garage to Bromley

08.09.37
AL
23STL
23STL
10STL
 
CF
--
--
10STL

ARCHWAY STATION - Hyde Park Corner -  Sloane Square - Chelsea Bridge Road - Chelsea Bridge - Queens Road - Cedars Road - North Side - CLAPHAM COMMON Old Town
Diverted at Hyde Park Corner to Clapham Common instead of Bromley - replacing Tram 32 which ran between Chelsea Bridge and Clapham
Catford to Bromley / Westerham Hill replaced by New 89
Catford (TL) allocations withdrawn - replaced mainly by New Route 89 and Route 94
Daily Merton (AL) allocation introduced - the vacant space provided by the loss of Route 5

29.11.37
AL
25STL
28STL
10STL
 
B
3STL
--
--
 
CF
--
--
10STL

ARCHWAY  -  CLAPHAM COMON
Mon-Fri Battersea (B) allocation introduced

05.01.38
AL
23STL
23STL
10STL
 
B
5STL
5STL
--
 
CF
--
--
10STL

ARCHWAY  -  CLAPHAM COMON
Saturday Battersea (B) allocation introduced

04.05.38
AL
28STL
27STL
--
 
B
9STL
9STL
14STL
 
CF
--
--
15STL

ARCHWAY STATION - Clapham Common - Kings Avenue - Streatham Hill Stn - Leigham Court Road - Crown Point - Central Hill - CRYSTAL PALACE Parade
Daily extended from Clapham Common to Crystal Palace over previously unserved roads

12.10.38
AL
28STL
27STL
14STL
 
B
9STL
9STL
--
 
CF
--
--
15STL

ARCHWAY  -  CRYSTAL PALACE
Sunday Battersea (B) replaced by Merton (AL)

13.12.39
AL
13STL
13STL
11STL
 
B
13STL
13STL
11STL

ARCHWAY  -  CRYSTAL PALACE
Sunday only Chalk Farm (CF) replaced by Battersea (B)

20.03.40
AL
15STL
16STL
11STL
 
GM
15STL
15STL
11STL

ARCHWAY  -  CRYSTAL PALACE
Daily Battersea (B) allocation replaced by Gillingham Street (GM)

27.10.43
AL
14STL
13STL
7STL
 
GM
16STL
16STL
7STL

ARCHWAY STATION ( Mon-Fri / Sat am ) - OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat pm / Sun ) - CRYSTAL PALACE
Sat pm and Sunday withdrawn between Oxford Circus and Archway

09.01.46
AL
--
--
7D
 
CF
12STL
11STL
--
 
GM
20STL
15STL
7STL
 
Q
14STL
14STL
--

ARCHWAY STATION ( Mon-Fri / Sat am ) - OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat pm / Sun ) - CRYSTAL PALACE
Mon-Sat Merton (AL) replaced by Chalk Farm (CF)
Mon-Sat Camberwell (Q) allocation introduced

13.03.46
CF
12STL
11STL
--
 
GM
15STL
5RT
15STL
14STL
 
Q
14STL
14STL
--

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat pm / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Fri / Sat am )
Sunday only Merton (AL) replaced by increase at Gillingham Street (GM)

12.11.47
GM
20STL
9STD
22STL
10STD
22STL
 
Q
17STL
16STL
--

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat pm / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Fri / Sat am ) 
Chalk Farm (CF) allocation withdrawn

 

 

Between 1948 and 1949 buses were loaned to LT to cover shortages after the war, this Bristol based at Camberwell (Q) is seen at the
Old Town

 


11.01.50
GM
36RT
32RT
22RT
 
Q
17RTL
16RTL
--

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat pm / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Fri / Sat am ) 
Type change as above.

02.05.51
GM
36RT
32RT
11RT
 
Q
21RTL
16RTL
11RTL

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat pm / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Fri / Sat am ) 
Sunday Camberwell (Q) allocation introduced

14.05.52
CA
--
--
11RTL
 
GM
36RT
32RT
10RT
 
Q
27RTL
16RTL
--

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat pm / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Fri / Sat am ) 
Sunday Camberwell (Q) transferred to Clapham (CA)

07.10.53
GM
36RT
32RT
10RT
 
Q
21RTL
16RTL
11RTL

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat pm / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Fri / Sat am )
Sunday only Clapham (CA) withdrawn in favour of reintroduced Camberwell (Q)

RTL411

RTL411(Q) seen at ?

Photographer unknown


06.01.54
GM
36RT
25RT
11RT
 
N
27RT
22RT
10RT

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat pm / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Fri / Sat am )
Camberwell (Q) transferred to Norwood (N).

21.03.54
CA
--
--
11RTL
 
GM
36RT
25RT
--
 
N
27RT
22RT
10RT

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat pm / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Fri / Sat am )
Sunday (GM) withdrawn in favour of re-introduced Clapham (CA) allocation.

30.04.58
GM
33RT
17RT
9RT
 
N
28RT
29RT
12RT

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat pm / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Fri / Sat am ) 
Sunday (GM) re-introduced and Clapham (CA) allocation withdrawn.

Scanned from April 1958 Red Book - the complete book is available from the Sales List
A study of this timetable reveals that Victoria (GM) garage journeys left line of route at both Hyde Park Corner and Royal Hospital Road
Also compare journey   times mid-day Saturday  to early morning - 1 extra minute !
19.08.59
GM
33RTL
19RTL
14RTL
 
N
25RT
19RT
7RT

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat pm / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Fri / Sat am )
RT replaced by RTL at Victoria (GM)

RTL533

RTL533 Sloane Street

PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN


11.05.60
GM
34RTL
19RTL
14RTL
 
N
25RT
19RT
7RT
This entry has been taken from the May 1960 allocation book which is available for sale
01.11.64
GM
34RM
17RM
11RM
 
N
24RM
18RM
7RM

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat pm / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Fri / Sat am )
Routemaster operation commenced.

24.01.70
GM
31RM
16RM
7RM
 
N
27RM
16RM
6RM

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat evgs / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Sat except evgs)
Saturday afternoons extended from Oxford Circus to Archway.


10.03.73
GM
26RM
16RM
6RM
 
N
27RM+
16RM
6RM
    1RM/2B
1RM/3
   

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat evgs / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Sat except evgs)
Cross linked buses introduced

01.03.75
GM
26RM
15RM
5RM
 
N
29RM
15RM
6RM

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat evgs / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Sat except evgs)
New schedule

 

RM2077 shows the original display for Archway Station when seen at Knightsbridge

busmap.co.uk

 


15.05.76
GM101+
26RM
19RM
6RM
 
N41+
29RM
14RM
7RM

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat evgs / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Sat except evgs)
New schedule

 

 

RT3799 drafted in to help out because of a shortage of serviceable Routemasters
Seen in Sloane Street shortly to terminate at Sloane Square which was the changeoverpoint for GM Garage thus probably a staff cut or late meal relief

busmap.co.uk

 


15.01.77
GM101+
26RM
19RM
6RM
 
N1+
29RM
14RM
7RM

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat evgs / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Sat except evgs)
Diverted southbound from Gt Portland St via 3 and 53.

28.10.78
GM101+
21RM
12RM
4RM
 
N1+
22RM+
14RM
5RM
    1RM/3    

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat evgs / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Sat except evgs)
Busplan 2 cuts

24.04.81
CA1+
44RM
21RM
21RM
 
GM101+
--
5RM
3RM

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat evgs / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Sat except evgs)
Norwood closed for building work - allocation transferred to Clapham (CA) - Mon-Fri GM allocation withdrawn.

04.09.82
CA1+
39RM
22RM
8RM

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat evgs / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Sat except evgs) 
Victoria (GM) allocation withdrawn.

07.02.87
AK1+
13RM
3RM
4L
 
BN171+
26RM
22RM
6M

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat evgs / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Sat except evgs) 
Rerouted at Clapham Park via Brixton Garage (swapped routeing with 118) to facilitate easier crew changing for Brixton Garage.
Sunday service converted to One Person Operation.

L220

 

L220 Selfridges

busmap.co.uk

 


11.07.87
AK1+
13RM
3RM
--
 
BN171+
13RML
3RM
13RML
9RM
9M

CRYSTAL PALACE  -  OXFORD CIRCUS ( Sat evgs / Sun )  -  ARCHWAY ( Mon-Sat except evgs) 
RML type introduced and Sunday Streatham (AK) allocation withdrawn.

21.11.87
AK1+
7RM
--
--
 
BN171+
24RML
20RML
9M

OXFORD CIRCUS - CRYSTAL PALACE
Withdrawn between Oxford Circus and Archway - this section replaced by new 135.

 

 

Experimental Dennis Dominator H3
is seen at Crystal Palace

 


04.02.89
AK1+
7RML
--
--
 
BN171+
25RML
20RML
9D/M

OXFORD CIRCUS - CRYSTAL PALACE
RML type replace RM at Streatham

DMS2328 Park Lane

busmap.co.uk


21.07.90
AK1+
7RML
--
9D/M
 
BN171+
25RML
22RML
--

OXFORD CIRCUS  -  CRYSTAL PALACE
Sunday Brixton (BN) allocation transferred to Streatham (AK)

M1093

M1093 Streatham Hill

busmap.co.uk

 


02.02.91
BN171+
20RML
21RML
--

OXFORD CIRCUS - STREATHAM HILL Telford Avenue (Mon-Sat except evgs)
Withdrawn between Brixton Garage and Crystal Palace and throughout evenings and Sundays at which times route was converted to One Person Operation and re-numbered 137A.

09.10.93
BN171+
20RML+
22RML
--
    2RM/159    

OXFORD CIRCUS - STREATHAM HILL Telford Avenue (Mon-Sat except evgs)
Crosslink with 159 introduced

RML2735

RML2375 Clapham Common Station

busmap.co.uk

 


25.04.98
BN171+
23RML
20RML
10M

OXFORD CIRCUS - STREATHAM HILL Telford Avenue
Reintroduced evenings and Sundays replacing Clapham Common to Oxford Circus section of Route 137A

18.09.99
BN171+
25RML
21RML
--
 
N141+
--
--
14L

OXFORD CIRCUS - STREATHAM HILL Telford Avenue
Sunday Brixton (BN) allocation transferred to Norwood (N)

01.09.01
BN171+
27RML
21RML
11RML

OXFORD CIRCUS - STREATHAM HILL Telford Avenue
Sunday N allocation withdrawn in favour of crew RML at Brixton (BN)

10.07.04
BN171+
36DW
25DW
14DW

OXFORD CIRCUS - STREATHAM HILL Telford Avenue
Converted to OPO operation

DW74 Marble Arch

18.09.04
BN171+
36DW
25DW
14DW

OXFORD CIRCUS - STREATHAM HILL Telford Avenue
Contract renewal

12.02.11
BN171+
27DW
25DW
17DW

STREATHAM HILL - MARBLE ARCH
Withdrawn between Marble Arch and Oxford Circus during Cross Rail works.

17.09.11
BN171+
27DW
25DW
17DW

STREATHAM HILL - MARBLE ARCH
Contract renewal

05.05.12
BN171+
30DW
25DW
17DW

STREATHAM HILL -OXFORD CIRCUS
Service restored between Marble Arch and Oxford Circus

16.12.14
BN171+
31LT
25LT
17LT

STREATHAM HILL - OXFORD CIRCUS
Progressive introduction of LT type.

LT188 Marble Arch

17.09.16
BN171+
31LT
25LT
17LT

STREATHAM HILL - OXFORD CIRCUS
Contract renewal

21.01.17
BN171+
8LT
6LT
4LT
 
N301+
23LT
19LT
13LT

STREATHAM HILL -OXFORD CIRCUS
Most of daily allocation moved to Norwood (N) to make room at BN for new 333 contract

15.07.17
BN171+
8LT
6LT
4LT
 
N301+
23LT
19LT
13LT

STREATHAM HILL  -  MARBLE ARCH
Withdrawn between Marble Arch and Oxford Circus

12.09.20
BN171+
14LT
19LT
9LT
 
N301+
15LT
14LT
13LT

STREATHAM HILL  -  MARBLE ARCH
Alllocation move to make room at Norwood for Route 202 

18.09.21
BN171+
14LT
19LT
9LT
 
N301+
15LT
14LT
13LT

STREATHAM HILL  -  MARBLE ARCH
Contract extended for two years

19.08.23
BN171+
20LT
18LT
6LT
 
N301+
9LT
9LT
17LT

STREATHAM HILL  -  MARBLE ARCH
Allocation balance revised

19.08.23
BN171+
28LT
23LT
18LT

STREATHAM HILL  -  MARBLE ARCH
Contract renewal
Norwood (N) allocation moved to Brixton (BN) with the loss of Route133
and 333

Taken from 2018 map drawn by Mike Harris
busmap.co.uk

Current Blind



137

 

Operating Garages

BN Brixton
Changeover point outside garage

GM Gillingham Street, Victoria
Changeover point Sloane Square
137 changeovers were done at Sloane Square but this changed for a time to HPCR when the Sloane Square inspectors box was closed during the daytime becoming Mon-Fri peak hours only.
Thank you to an ex GM driver for this info

N Norwood
Changeover point Crown Point

January 2017 changeover is at BN Garage

AK Streatham
Changeover point Brixton Garage.

Q Camberwell
Changeover point unknown.

CA Clapham
Changeover point outside garage

AL Merton
Changeover point unknown.

CF Chalk Farm
Changeover point Camden Town

 

=====================================================================================================================================================

Live visual

 

 

© Ian Armstrong 2024
Date of edit   Monday, 22.01.24