The Lengthy One, The 321 - Four

 PLEASE NOTE

Earlier, the fbbs travelled from Seaton to Llandudno for a short break c/o Daish's Holidays. The company informed them that Wifi was only available in communal rooms. In case this presents a problem, fbb has prepared and posted min-blogs to appear from Monday 9th Sept to Friday 13th Sept inclusive.

However, North Waiian matter may be added if practicable.

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Luton To Uxbridge In 1977 (2)

Todays episode takes us from St Albans to Watford.

Like yesterday;s time points, there have been numerous changes in the 44 years between then and now. And in this section we have a change of route and greater road and rail integrations.

In 1977, the "independent Girls School" time point is replaced by the far more useful ...

St Slbans Bus Garage

This was build in the 1930s and included a small bus station.

Additional outbuildings were progressively added ...

... until it was a very substantial site. 

But where was it? After hours of diligent research (?) fbb discovered it on the corner of St Peters Street (the main north south road in St Albans) and Grange Street.

Its replacement is a block of low rise (and possibly posh) maisonette type flats.

The flats and the garage are/were just across the road from a splendid church, also on St Peters Street. Can you guess the name of its Patron Saint?

The main, and by far the busiest stops in St Albans are strung out along St Peters Street.

But then London Transport country bus division avoids any thought of integrated transport. The 1977 route does not serve St Albans City bus and rail stations whilst today,s 321 does.

Neither does London Transport mention St Albans Abbey Station. This is the te terminus of the short single track line from Watford Junction and an elderly aerial view reveals you why fbb used to refer to it as Siy Albans Gasworks station!

It used to be quite a presentable terminus ...

... and is now electrified ...

... but somewhat more basic.

But you could alight from your 321 and complete the journey by train.

Chiswell Green Three Hammers

We will follow a direct route geographically but intertwined in a spaghetti of road colours and numbers.

Our route starts RED from St Albans, then ORANGE via Choiswell Green; turns GREEN, then back to RED to reach Watford.

Pretty much all of it is called Watford Road! 

The next 1977 time point is:-

Garston Bus Garage

This wad closed in yet another retrenchment by Arriva and, after months of dilapidation ...

... these historic premised have been demolished.

A little earlier in Watford was Leavesden Road bus garage ...

... also now expunged from history ... 

... after being replaced with flats and commercial premises.

Sigh!

And then to ...

Watford Junction Station

This has change a lot since the 1950s and fbb is short on memory as to exactly what form oy took in 1977.

fbb thinks that there were stands in the middle of the circulating area in 1977 ...

... removed to the side on safety grounds.

Watford Market

Back in the day, Watford used to have a real country market complete with animal pens straw and lots of animal poo. Ot took place in the High Street adjacent to the Rose and Crown pub.

Much of the High Street is now buses only and some sections are a bit unhelpfully processed on Google Streetview. Many buildings have changed and the Rose and Crown no longer exists.

fbb is guessing that the present Market Street was at ;east part of the market ...

... but the wide area for animals would have ben on the High Street itself.

So the 321 would stop roughly where the Uno bus is shown above.

The present 321 terminates in Watford with a short run to the hospital.

But our next concern is with the 322 which is the service that takes up the former 321 route as far as Rickmansworth or Maple Cross.

Until tomorrow?

Extra Llandudno content has been CANCELLED due to technical difficulties. It will appear NEXT WEEK.

 Next 321 blog : Friday 13th Sept