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Welcome to overground.org/routemasterb.us. We are working on a
photo database of all your webmaster's favourite London Transport buses
(red and green). This will be mainly about Routemasters, RTs, RFs and
similar classic vehicles - all now gone from the streets of London.
Duplicate slides, prints and photo CDs of approx 25.000 original colour
slides are available - contact the webmaster for details.
The End of the Routemaster...
In 2004, when RM1 celebrated it's 50th birthday, TfL announced the
conversion of many crew operated routes (they are operated by RMs and
RMLs) to "one person operation". 2875 Routemaster type buses were built
from 1954-1968. Over 600 (most of them refurbished) could still be
found in service in London in 2003 and large numbers are preserved or
used for a variety of purposes around the world.
The last route operated by Routemasters was the 159 (converted to "OPO"
in December 2005). Routes "lost to one man buses" in the past few
years: 2, 3, 10, 29, 88, 139. Routes "lost" in the last few months of
RM operation: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 22, 23, 36, 38,
73, 94, 98, 137, 159 and 390.
After getting (deservedly) a lot of bad publicity for the plan to oust
the Routemaster from London's streets TfL
introduced a very small number of RMs on two heritage (i.e. tourist)
routes in November 2005. 5 vehicles each will run on portions of the 9
and 15. The vehicles used will be of the "Marshall refurbished" type
(i.e. short RMs, not the lengthened RML type). Stagecoach Route (15):
Trafalgar Square - Strand - Fleet Street - Ludgate Hill - Cannon Street
- Eastcheap - Tower Hill. First Bus Route (9): Royal Albert Hall -
Kensington Road - Knightsbridge - Piccadilly - Trafalgar Square -
Strand - Aldwych.
Even the large number of rebuilt Routemasters for sightseeing duties
are all gone now (visit Edinburgh to see them!)... What a sad end
(well, we still got 10 RMs on routes 9 & 15, even though they only
run over short stretches of the real routes 9 & 15, don't operate
during rush hours or evenings and by-pass most of the sights...)! How
long will they last?
RM2217 was the last 159 Routemaster to arrive at Brixton Garage on December 9th. (Photo © routemasterb.us).
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A little earlier traffic in the street outside BN garage was still
moving. RM346 is continuing to the long closed Streatham Garage which
still serves as the route's southern terminus. (Photo ©
routemasterb.us).
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RM1145 with a heavy load of passengers and RM fans is heading past
Brixton Underground station on the same (last) day. (Photo ©
routemasterb.us).
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Earlier on the 9th: RML2730 in the fog opposite the first Streatham
pick-up stop. All regular 159 RMs carried the Heritage Routemaster
posters - a publicity ploy by TfL to soften the blow! (Photo ©
routemasterb.us).
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Streatham (AK) Garage bus stand with RM1292. (Photo © routemasterb.us).
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On the previous day various non-Arriva London South RMs operated along
the 159. Most in service but a few like RM938 shown here (I had the
privilege to be able to ride on it all day from South Croydon garage to
the old terminus at West Hampstead, where this photo was taken) just
came out in support of the sad occasion. This bus is owned by Tramlink
driver Ian Hoskins. (Photo © routemasterb.us).
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First London RM1913 (Westbourne Park garage) on heritage route 9
opposite the Royal Albert Hall terminus. This together with the other
19 (10 with Stagecoach London from Waterden Road garage) Marshall
refurbs are all still owned by TfL. (Photo © routemasterb.us).
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No, this isn't Islington. Privately preserved RM196 was photographed on
the Blackpool Central Promenade on 18.11.2005. Unlike RM1913 on the
left this vehicle still has it's original "ears" (indicators) and
wind-down windows. The body seems to be an early one without upper
front opening windows. (Photo © routemasterb.us).
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Hummelbahn Hamburg (a company registered in Rosengarten near
Hamburg) has two RMs to supplement its large fleet of ex Berlin
double deckers for sightseeing and private hire duties. Their base
is in the Hamburg sea port area: Ericusspitze, 5.11.2003. (Photo © routemasterb.us).
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The same vehicle showing off its moved-round platform. Downstairs
longitudinal seating has been installed throughout. RM2210 carries
Hummelbahn fleetnumber 1. (Photo © routemasterb.us). This company
and a few others operate ex Berlin double deckers in the city.
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RM98 also has its staircase moved the other side. Unfortunately, it is
very rare to see these two Routemasters running around Hamburg. The ex
Berlin double deckers can carry more passengers and as visible in this
photo getting spare parts for the old warhorses may be getting
difficult (or simply too expensive). (Photo © routemasterb.us).
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Another Routemaster route gone: RM1599 on route 15 at Cotton Street, 23.4.2003. (Photo © routemasterb.us).
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Upton Park garage had lots of interesting vehicles for route 15: Green
Line RMC1461 in Poplar High Street. This vehicle has now been presented
to the Cobham bus museum. (Photo © routemasterb.us).
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With the mass withdrawal of Routemasters having now started for the last time it is most satisfying
to see so-called modern low floor buses being replaced from London
service after only a very few years. Stagecoach TA15 (17015) is now
operating in and around Lancaster. Note the new "provincial" layout
with just a front door. Middle Walk, Blackpool, 17.8.2003. (Photo
© routemasterb.us).
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The end of the Routemaster in London is nigh - but it certainly isn't
at Niagara Falls (Ontario). RM 583 is seen here moving northbound
towards the Floral Clock, 5.7.2003. (Photo © Roger DuPuis).
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Double Deck Tours Ltd. bus no. 5 (ex RM 583) is seen on the same day in
the town of Niagara Falls, Ont., Canada. (Photo © Roger DuPuis).
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No. 19 (ex RM 1102) at the Floral Clock parking lot, 5.7.2003. (Photo © Roger DuPuis).
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No. 1 (ex RCL 2255) laying over between trips. (Photo © Roger DuPuis).
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Some selected Routemaster links:
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