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 |
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