History:
The Routemaster or RM is without doubt one of the most famous types of bus ever to run in the capital. The original necessity was for vehicles to replace the Trolleybus which was due for replacement in 1959. Following a lot of research it had been decided to increase the capacity of London’s buses from 56, such as the RT, to 64. Using techniques that involved the bus being mounted on two sub frames the weight was kept to a very similar level to the RT.

The first pre-production RM’s had very different fronts which proved unsatisfactory and not in keep with the smooth lines of the RM. However following numerous changes and nearly 5 years of development the RM entered service. One of its first major toe holds was in Poplar in East London where they replaced Trolleybuses in 1959. By 1962 the entire Trolleybus fleet had been replaced almost exclusively by Routemasters. In this period RM8-879 were all built and entered service. Increasing the size of the RM was another contentious point, with both the Unions and Met Police being against the idea, however in 1961 a batch of 24, 30’ versions known as the RML or Routemaster Lengthened were built to trial, these took the numbers of RML880-904. Following this batch, whilst the trail went on with the longer versions, production continued on the standard length RM numbered RM905-1452 including our RM1348.

The batch between 1453-1520 were built as RMC’s or Routemaster Coaches these had the additions of deeper more comfortable seats, Green Line livery, powered rear doors, twin headlamps and interior luggage racks. Following this batch production again returned to the standard RM which ran through from the number RM1521-2217 which became the very last standard length RM built and included our RM1799.

The next batch to be built, were by many, seen as the zenith of RM design being RCL’s. These took the numbers from RCL2218-2260 and were built to replace the Green Line RT’s on the busy (but declining) routes from Essex into Aldgate. Interestingly our own RT3232 would’ve been one of the buses making way for our RCL2220!

Permission had now been granted to run the longer RML’s in Central London and the final production batch from RML2261-2760 were built to this specification, including our RML2405. Two batches of 50 of these RML’s were built for the Country Area and were delivered in Green being RML2306-2355 and RML2411-2460.

The final type of RM to be operated by London Transport is the RMA, Routemaster Airport, which originally ran for British European Airways bringing passengers into Central London from Heathrow before the Underground was extended there. These were acquired from BEA by LT and worked on some contracts as well as, trainers before they were sold off, our own RMA58 is one of this batch.

The Routemaster was gradually withdrawn from London in the 1980’s before a change of plan saw many of the longer versions (and some standard length ones) be refurbished in 1990-92 when they received new engines, lighting and seating. In 2000-01 some again had another refurbishment where they were fitted with more environmentally friendly engines and new gear boxes. However the policy changed in 2003 and the final 20 routes were given warning that at next change of contract the vehicles required would not be RM’s. One by one these routes have been withdrawn with the last the 159’s finishing on December 9 2005. However such is the popularity of this type of vehicle that around 16 will be retained to be used on a heritage route in Central London many others remain in private preservation or working on charters and sightseeing around the world.
For more on this class why not visit Ian’s Bus Stop

Vehicle Allocation History:

London Transport Board

May 1965 delivered to Aldenham unlicenced
May 1965 From Aldenham to Grays depot
June 1965 From Grays to Romford depot
22 December 1967 Romford delicenced
1 January 1968 Romford relicenced
3-10 January 1968 repaint at Aldenham
1 January 1970 transferred to London Country Bus Service

London Country Bus Services

January 1971 Romford delicenced for overhaul
February 1971 overhauled at Aldenham
February 1971 Romford relicenced
January 1972 Romford transferred to Reigate (RG, transferred to bus status)
June 1974 Delicenced at Reigate
July 1974 Relicenced at Reigate
March 1975 Delicenced at Reigate
May 1975 Reigate unlicenced to Leatherhead unlicenced
May 1975 repainted at Leatherhead garage
May 1975 Leatherhead back to Reigate
August 1975 Relicenced at Reigate
1 October 1977 Reigate to Chelsham
February 1978 Withdrawn at Chelsham
March 1979 sold to Wombwell Diesels (not collected, remained at Chelsham until transfer to Radlett Airfield for storage July 1979)

London Transport Executive

June 1979 acquired ex Wombwell Diesels [photo]
July 1979 stored at Radlett Airfield (ex CMw)
20 November 1979 official purchase date by LTE from Wombwell Diesels
5 February 1980 Return from Radlett Airfield to AECu
(was moved during January 1980)
11 July 1980 Back to Aldenham for overhaul
11 November 1980 After overhaul it went to Edmonton (platform doors removed)
29 June 1984 ownership to London Regional Transport

London Regional Transport

10 July 1984 Unlicenced at Edmonton for inspection
25/7/84 EMu.XVu
7/8/84 XVu.AECw
1/4/85 ownership to London Buses Ltd

London Buses Ltd

27 January 1986 Back to Aldenham for recertification
20 March 1986 From Aldenham to Battersea (Tours & Charter fleet)
24 April 1986 Licenced at Battersea
9 October 1986 ownership to LBL Tours & Charter [photo]

LBL Tours & Charter

15 October 1986 Battersea to Aldenham unlicenced (platform doors re-fitted) [photo]
11/86 Aldenham back to Battersea
2 April 1988 Battersea to Wandsworth (official date, in practice between 6-16th)
March 1991 converted to convertible opentop
18 May 1992 ownership to London Coaches Ltd

London Coaches Ltd (MBO)

June 1992 repainted into McDonald's livery (orange/yellow)
April 1994 yellow logos taken off, running all orange
1994 acquired by Pullman's Group

Pullman's Group (London Coaches Ltd)

November 1994 repainted to fleet livery (London Plus red/white)
April 1996 repainted in Tower of London livery (dark blue)
July 1997 repainted all red
4 December 1997 acquired by Arriva PLC

Arriva (Original Round London Sightseeing Tour)

November 2001 sold to Ensign, Purfleet [photo]

Ensign Bus Company
Retained in Class 6 condition and currently operational member of museum fleet.

Technical Specifications:

Date of first registration: May 1965
Chassis: AEC Routemaster
Chassis number: RCL2220
Engine: AEC AV690
Fuel: Diesel
Chassis/Body Code: tbc
Body: Park Royal
Body Number: B2220
Seating: 69 seats (40 upstairs & 29 downstairs)