The 69 number originates from the 69 tram, which followed the same route the 69 bus does now but only between Canning Town and Stratford. By the 1940s most of the current route was covered by a variety of trolleybus routes, including one numbered 669, but by the 1960s these had been replaced by the 69 motor bus, a very important route running from North Woolwich to Chingford; the section north of Walthamstow has subsequently become the 97.

Thus the route became North Woolwich - Canning Town - Stratford - Leyton - Walthamstow, with the route steadily getting busier the further north you got. It was only recently that the route was diverted away from North Woolwich to run to the City Airport instead — a harmless enough move, given the introduction of new route 474, though its purpose eludes me as few new links were created yet a lot of extra mileage is now run in the area.

Photo by Andrew Gronneberg.

Seen on layover at London City Airport are (above) TA 20 (S820 BWC) and (below) elusive TA 180 (W187 CNO). The differences between this original low height specification and the full height bodywork now specified can be made out with some care. Leyton garage, from which the 69 is operated, has examples from all three batches of Tridents built for Stagecoach London so far, the first batch of 50 being for routes 48, 55 and 56, followed by a batch for the 69 and finally one for the 58, although all are intermixed.

Photo by Gauvin Lewis.

TA 180 was quite late in delivery, on account of having been involved in an accident on its delivery run, returned to Alexander’s (the bodybuilder) and subsequently used for blind box experiments. The result was these illuminated panels either side of the blind display, which are illustrated well in this night-time shot. Unfortunately, Stagecoach has now rebranded itself, and the old logo has gone in favour of a swirly affair; hopefuly the panels will be replaced in due course! On account of its late delivery, TA 180, originally to have been registered V180 MEV in line with the rest of the batch, became the only Stagecoach London Trident to carry a W prefix registration.

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See also routes 97, 474, 48, 55, 56, 58