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:
BEA 55
March 1967 new, licensed, Blue & White BEA livery [photo]
May 1970 Aldenham repaint to orange/white (last)
1973 British Airways merger
1973-1974 repaint to British airways blue/white
March 1978 BA, in service at Heathrow
August 1978 SE BA, moved to Stonebridge

RMA 58
June 1979 bought by London Transport
1979 Fulwell, stored at Fulwell, BA blue/white
October 1979 Hounslow staff bus, Hounslow - Aldenham
October 1985 Hounslow transferred to BEL
July 1987 bought by Verwood Transport, Poole
fitted with front box
February 1988 in service with Verwood
January 1989 sold to Spence (Southend)
September 1989 sold to Brakell (Cheam)
November 1991 sold to Blue Triangle of Bootle [photo]
May 1992 repainted red/blue/cream
0655 May 1994 bought by Merseyrider
October 1994 acquired by by MTL Merseybus
February 1995 privately purchased
on loan to Merseyrider unit of MTL
1995 accident: repaired,
repainted in Liverpool Corp. green/cream [photo]
used on Liverpool Heritage services.
1998 used on LUPTS tour to Crich
2005 in Ensignbus Museum Collection [photo]

Technical Specifications:

Date of first registration: March 1967
Chassis: AEC Routemaster
Chassis number: R2RH22861
Engine: AEC
Fuel: Diesel
Body: Park Royal
Body Number: tbc
Seating: H32/24F