The AEC Routemaster was specifically designed for London
Symbol of London
The Routemaster bus is famous for it's reliability and it's open doorway which allow people to hop on and off in slow moving traffic where ever they wanted. It gives you a wonderful sense of freedom when you suddenly realised you could swap to a different bus or go by tube, or jump off and buy a newspaper, or just get off because you'd seen a shop or tourist site you'd like to visit. People also liked the bus because they had conductors (ticket sellers) who were often personalities and offered tourist advice.photo by Dimity B Creative Commons
History of the Routemaster
The Routemaster bus was developed during the years of 1947-1956 , the brief being to replace London's trolleybuses, which had themselves replaced trams in London, and also the older diesel RT buses. 2875 were built and all but 115 were ordered by London Transport. In 1998 over 600 Routemasters were operating in London. Most surviving Routemasters are 72 seat 30 foot long RML class models, these can be identified by an extra shorter window halfway along both upper and lower decks.Routemasters operated outside London on the Greenline service had enclosed rear platforms, as an open platform would not of been safe at the higher speeds obtainable on traffic-free roads.
Routemaster and Bus Websites
- Routemaster Association
- Main Routemaster Website
- Routemaster Photos Website
- Routemaster UK photo collections within this site cover Routemasters & other Heritage vehicles across the UK.
- London Transport Museum
- London Transport Museum Covent Garden Buses & Tube trains a must visit
- Routemaster Photos
- Photo database of Routemasters, RTs, RFs and similar classic vehicles
- Oxford Bus Museum
- The Official Oxford Bus Museum Website, I'm a member here, try to arrive by rail Oxford to Worcester Line
- Buses on Screen
- This is a celebration of buses as they've been depicted on screen over the years, on film and on TV
- The AEC Regal
- AEC Regal, a marque which flourished in various forms for about 30 years starting in 1929
- Routemasters - Last Stop!
- Photographers Jet and Ralf Obergfell created LastStop! - a visual journey of the Routemasters final months. Through a mixture of still life, portrait and documentary photography, jet and ralf obergfell offer fresh perspectives on the vehicles iconic contours.
- Routemasters Appaeraing in Films or Onscreen
- Brilliant collection of screen shots of the Routemaster appearing in Movies,Films and in Television Series(over a hundred!)
Routemaster Books
Routemaster on Wikipedia
The AEC Routemaster is a model of double-decker bus that was built by Associated Equipment Company (AEC) in 1954 (in production from 1958) and produced until 1968. Primarily front-engined, rear open platform buses, a small number of variants were produced with doors and/or front entrances. Introduced by London Transport in 1956, the Routemaster saw continuous service in London until 2005, and currently remains on two heritage routes in central London.
The Routemaster was developed by AEC in partnership with London Transport, the customer for nearly all new Routemasters, delivered in traditional red or green "country" colours, although small numbers were also delivered to British European Airways and the Northern General Transport Company. In all, 2,876 Routemasters were built,Routemaster.org FAQ with approximately 1,000 still in existence.
A pioneering design, the Routemaster outlasted several of its replacement types in London, survived the privatisation of the former London Transport bus operators, and was used by other operators around the UK. In modern UK public transport bus operation, the unique features of the standard Routemaster were both praised and criticised. The open platform, while exposed to the elements, allowed boarding and alighting away from stops; and the presence of a conductor allowed minimal boarding time and optimal security, although the presence of conductors produced greater labour costs.
The traditional red Routemaster has become one of the famous features of London, with much tourist paraphernalia continuing to bear Routemaster imagery, and with examples still in existence around the world. Despite its fame, the previous London bus classes the Routemaster replaced (the RT-type AEC Regent and Leyland Titan RTL and RTW counterparts) are often mistaken for Routemasters by the public and by the media.BBC - h2g2 - The Routemaster Bus - Big, Red and Shiny
London Bus in Australia
RTL 547 in Sidney (Not a Routemaster, note the radiator)
Routemaster Videos
curated content from YouTube
Routemaster in the Falklands
Routemaster Toys
The Disliked Bendy Bus
Boris Johnson has vowed that his first act as Mayor of London will be to scrap bendy buses and replace them with a modern-day Routemaster.
Mr Johnson said that the controversial buses were abused by fare dodgers and highly dangerous to cyclists.
London Bus Poster
How to Recognise a Routemaster
Distinguishing a Routemaster from an RT
Many people think all old Red Buses are Routemasters but in fact there were many more RTs produced. The front radiator is the easiest way to tell them apart. The Routemaster has a wide split radiator grill and the Identification of type RM1111 (Route Master 1111).
The RT's have a tall narrow split radiator grill and are numbered RT1111.
The RT, which served from 1939 to 1979, and of which 4,825 were built, the most numerous class of London bus (just 2,760 Routemasters were built for London). The RT had a 7½ft wide chassis, the Routemaster's was 8ft. There were a number of places in London right up to 1979 that could only be served by RTs because the Routemaster was too wide.
RT's are rather gaunt and stern looking in comparison with the more rounded Routemaster.
RT Bus
(photo Wikipedia Commons by Elsie)
The AEC Regent III RT was a double-decker bus produced jointly between AEC and London Transport. It was the standard red London bus during the 1950s. It was narrower than the Routemaster and was thus be used on certain routes where the Routemaster was too wide
Routemaster Heritage Route 9 and 15
Yes you can still travel on a Routemaster in London
Route 9 : Buses run between Royal Albert Hall via Trafalgar Square to Aldwych
Route 15 : Trafalgar Square to Tower Hill
Even if you are not mad about buses this is the best way to visit London (try and get the front seats on the top deck)
Check London Transport for details
Jeremy Clarkson Blows up a Routemaster Bus
Jeremy presents a successful Motoring Programme on British TV called Top Gear. He hates buses that get in the way of his luxury sports car and decided to blow one up for his DVD. Unfortunately he chose to destroy one of the only 500 remaining Routemasters in the country. Andrew Morgan, chairman of the Routemaster Association, said: "It's just sacrilege and a very sad thing to do. Routemasters on Film and on Television
Reference http://www.busesonscreen.net/
- 28 Days Later (2002, Christopher Eccleston)
- 102 Dalmatians (2000, Glenn Close) with a Dalmatian Colored Routemaster!
- Summer Holiday (1963, Cliff Richard)
Does not feature Routemasters but instead Three RTs, RT2305 (KGU334), RT2366 (KGU395) and RT4326 (NLE990) RT1881 with a fake registration number (WLB991) - Live and Let Die 1973 James bond with Roger Moore
AEC Regent III RT type double-decker. This has the famous scene where the top deck is removed when Roger Moore drives under a low bridge. Roger Moore took bus driving lessons for the film.
How to Visit London - Advice for Tourists
Travelcards for buses and tube
You can buy one, three, seven day travel cards. You can save even more money by buying the off-peak version.
Apart from saving you money the travel cards also you a lot of hassle, as you chnage from bus to tube to bus again freely without having to queue for tickets.
Tip: take a ride on the overground Docklands Light Railway which gives you magnificient views of London (use your travelcard)
Modern Routemaster Design Proposal for 2011
One of two winning designs
Best Routemaster Bus books (UK)
Routemaster books on Amazon.co.uk in order of popularity
- Routemaster Omnibus
- The Routemaster was more than just a bus. It was a symbol of all that was great about Britain and in particular about London, which it served faithfully for an unmatchable fifty years.
- Buses Yearbook 2009
- Enduringly popular and eagerly awaited, Buses Yearbook almost has a cult following; it is simply the best round up of current, topical and varied features of interest to all road transport enthusiasts.
- The Bus We Loved: London's Affair with the Routemaster: Travis Elborough: Amazon.co.uk: Books
- This quirky book looks at the Routemaster in a completely different way to other publications relating to this iconic bus... a light-hearted read that will amuse as well as tell the story of one of London's best loved buses
Routemaster Bus at Ascot Station close to Ascot Racecourse
Creative Commons by Chris J. Dixon
This was not taken during Royal Ascot when the square would be crowded with elegant racegoers. The pub just seen to the right is the the first and last halt of those determined to have a great day out.
Routemaster in London Transport Museum Covent Garden
London Transport Museum Covent Garden a Mecca for Transport fans
The splendid Routemaster, an icon of this great city sadly no longer in regular use- although some still survive as tourist buses. At the London Transport Museum
Photo by Basher Eyre under Creative Commons
Buses in the News : Atheist Bus in London
Didn't know buses could be religious!
UK Routemaster and Bus Books, Toys and Models
A Row Of Wonderful Routemaster Buses
Photo by Elsie Esq. Engine of Dismantled Routemaster Bus
Photo by wetwebwork A Bright Green Routemaster
Elsie says I think this is one of the finest bus liveries EVER.CUV 23 Route 368 Grays and Stifford Clays to Chadwell St Marys
Elsie Esq.
Routemaster and RT Bus Photo Gallery
PWL 413 of Oxford Bus Museum Leaving Abingdon Air Show 2009 AEC Regent III 1950
Walkers Crisp Routemaster Advert with Gary Lineker
Gary Lineker maybe doesn't know that he is not the star in the Advert
How to Tell a Routemaster Bus from an RT Bus
Photo and description to distinguish a Routemaster Bus from an RT Bus
The Routemaster has a wider radiator and a more streamlined cowling. The older RT has a tall radiator and a gaunter more austere look. The Routemaster has twin headlights set into the cowling, the RT has single headlights on stalks.See the comparison image below
Modern Bus Photo Gallery
Green Park and Ride bus in St Aldates Oxford August 2009.ALX400
Sinclair C5 Electric Vehicle in a Carpark in Basingstoke
What's this got to do with Routemaster's you might well ask!
None really , but one of the reasons the C5 was a failure was that it could not be seen by trucks and buses London Transport Museum at Covent Garden
Very Handy for Tourists with Uninterested Wives - Lots to see/shop near by!!
Routemaster next to a smart Greenline. (The Greenlines ran fron the city to the country)
Routemaster Buses in the News
- 11 Nov 2009 Strongman Pulls Routemaster Bus with His Hair
Manjit Singh, a 59-year-old from Leicester, attached a clamp to his thick ponytail and bore the pain of pulling a seven ton vintage routemaster 21.2 metres through Battersea Park to set a new world record .
Routemaster procession at Showbus 2006, Duxford
Hiring a Routemaster Bus For a Wedding
Hiring a Routemaster Bus For a Corporate Event
- routemasterhire.com
- They own
RML 2548 1966-2005
RML 2374 1965-2007
RML 2390 1966-2007
Using a Routemaster bus is not only one of the most fun and enjoyable ways of transporting your guests or clients in or around London but it also helps reduce congestion and emissions on London roads. One bus can carry 72 seated guests, which equates to nearly 15 Black London taxis and with parking at practically every London venue being non-existent, a vintage Routemaster is the perfect solution.
Passenger Feedback
I am a bus fan but not an expert so please be kind!
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Reply
- Kate-Phizackerley Kate-Phizackerley Nov 21, 2009 @ 1:46 pm
- I think we all still miss them. Blessed.
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Reply
- Stazjia Stazjia Nov 3, 2009 @ 9:55 am
- I loved the old Routemaster buses. Years ago, I worked near Oxford Circus and would usually jump on the bus as the traffic lights there. If I'd gone to the bus stop, I'd have missed it. Like most Londoners, I loved the way we could jump on and off at lights or zebra crossings. Blessed by an Angel.
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Reply
- thesuccess thesuccess May 25, 2009 @ 12:14 pm | in reply to Oosquid
- I must get down there thanks for the tip!
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Reply
- Oosquid Oosquid Apr 12, 2009 @ 5:34 am
- Wow, you know your Routemasters. There are a number of RM's parked in Norwood bus garage (SE27) including RM6 which I believe was the first to actually enter service. Great lens 5stars.
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Reply
- Zion Zion Oct 31, 2008 @ 12:03 pm
- Wow! This is a great info for all of us.
I really like your lens! so I gave you 5*.. how about that?!...
Please try to stop by my lens. I would really much appreciate if you could rate mine too!
Thank you so much!
Zion
http://www.squidoo.com/effective-best-acne-treatment-info
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