Short lives
Neither the bus nor the route on which it was operating endured for long. MBS498 (VLW498G) was a 25-seat standee version of the troubled AEC Merlin family. Its LT lifetime lasted between 3/69 and 1/76, with much of that time spent in store. It was allocated to Cricklewood Garage (W) between 10/74 up to withdrawal in 1/76, during which period it helped out on the 616 limited stop service between Cricklewood and Oxford Circus. This service was inaugurated in 5/70, but had been reduced to a Monday-Friday peak hour operation by 10/74. The 616 was converted to double decker operation in 1/76 but was withdrawn in 4/81.
August 1975
Zorki 4 camera
Agfa CT18 film.
Short lives
Neither the bus nor the route on which it was operating endured for long. MBS498 (VLW498G) was a 25-seat standee version of the troubled AEC Merlin family. Its LT lifetime lasted between 3/69 and 1/76, with much of that time spent in store. It was allocated to Cricklewood Garage (W) between 10/74 up to withdrawal in 1/76, during which period it helped out on the 616 limited stop service between Cricklewood and Oxford Circus. This service was inaugurated in 5/70, but had been reduced to a Monday-Friday peak hour operation by 10/74. The 616 was converted to double decker operation in 1/76 but was withdrawn in 4/81.
August 1975
Zorki 4 camera
Agfa CT18 film.