View latest data
.com - London Transport Service Vehicles on the web
You are not logged in.
Log-in Register
News
Fleet Data
Locations
Pictures
Articles
Forum
An all-new version of this website is now available at www.ltsv.com/sv/. These pages are no longer being updated.

< View previous picture - View next picture >

Photographer / Copyright
James Mair
Images should not be reused without permission.

View vehicle details
4687F N289KCL

Location Link/s
Hounslow Garage

Date added to site
07/04/2020

Printer-friendly version of this page
Details: While the dominance of the Ford Transit in the central fleet could make them seem a bit boring, there were a few oddities to keep things interesting. Seen at Hounslow Bus Garage during an open day, this is 4687F, the unique London Buses Mobile Control Centre. Normally kept at Aldgate Bus Station during the day, it would be used during events and incidents, while it is believed that it was often taken to Trafalgar Square at night to assist people using the night bus services that radiated from there. The 'Bus information' sign above the windows was removable, an alternative showing 'Mobile Control Centre', while comparison with that photo will also show that the fleetname was changed from 'London Transport Buses' to just 'London Buses'. Or it might have been the other way round! 4687F was a long-wheelbase, high-roof Transit Mk5 van with an unusual configuration. The nearside had three windows, making it look like a minibus. The middle window had a sliding section, which could be opened when the vehicle was in use as an information point. The rear featured side-hinged doors with tall windows, while the offside had just the driver's window, making it appear to be a van from that aspect. James caught the van with its door open, and inside can be seen a desk and chair, and some leaflet racks. One final feature to note is the socket (for a shore supply of electricity) close to the nearside front wheel. 4687F was replaced by Mk6 Transit 5040F (with a broadly similar configuration) in late 2000, although it was retained for other functions until it was withdrawn and exported in 2003.

Comments Log-in to add your own comments
Posted ByCommentsDate/Time