On Saturday whilst watching the swans with their orange jewellery I noticed Ian Twine looking the other way and commenting 'Now, that's made my day!' He was gesticulating at the A13 where a curious vehicle was heading west into London. 'It's Supercar!' he said...
And there it was, a curious hybrid between a red London Double Decker Bus, a Tube Train and and Overhead Train...
As a Public Transport Enthusiast, Ian was quite excited at this special occasion. He has even sent me some blurb about the history of the beast...
"New in late 1973 and allocated to Turnham Green garage DMS1515 was just another member of the DMS class of Fleetline that London Transport were taking delivery of. Withdrawal came in August 1980 where by this time the bus was operating out of Elmers End. Following storage at Aldenham pending a decision on its future it was reinstated as a trainer later in the year, a role it performed for nigh on ten years which was longer than it had managed in service. Following a short period in store, the bus was then selected to be rebuilt to promote the range of Travelcards. The idea was to have the front section and chassis of the bus, the middle section of a tube car with the rear to be a representation of a Networker train that were currently in the course of delivery to Network Southeast. The resulting rebuild came into being in early 1991 and certainly turned heads wherever it went. It was never used for the carriage of passenger and after its role with London Underground was relinquished it spent a further period in storage until purchase for preservation."
Well, there you have it... it has never been truer to say that you never know what you may encounter whilst over Rainham Marshes!
16-4-13