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Blue
Triangle's RTW 75 (KGK 575) has become a
firm favourite since its debut on the last day of
the 8 on 4th June. This magnificently restored
eight-footer has had even further work done to it
since that date. Most noteworthy is the fitment
of a numberplate with authentic characters to the
correct size used when the vehicle was new in
1949. When the year letter suffix system was
introduced in 1964, the font size was reduced to
allow seven characters rather than the previous
six, and RT family vehicles were retro-fitted
accordingly upon overhaul. Thus the larger size
in this typescript (what is it called,
incidentally?) is something which is almost
impossible to find nowadays. The bus is seen at
Charing Cross at ten past twelve.
It will also be seen tomorrow on the Tottenham
farewell tour, and then on Friday when it
performs on the last day of the 73. |
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Sullivan Buses
joined in for the day, bringing their RM 1069 (69 CLT, right).
The Routemaster bearing this bonnet number was
new to Stonebridge (SE) garage for Stage 13 of
the trolleybus replacement programme. 3rd January
1962 was the date that this scheme replaced
trolleybus routes 645, 660 and 666 with
RM-operated services 245, 260 and 266 (all three
of which still exist in much their original form,
though all have been altered at either end in the
four decades since).The opportunity was also
taken at that time to convert trunk route 18 to
RM (that route, of course, is now cursed by bendy
buses).
RM 1069 is seen arriving at the 9's modern-day
terminus at Hammersmith bus station, alongside RM 2033 (ALM 33B, left),
one of Shepherds Bush's last surviving
Routemasters. |
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It wouldn't be
a proper Last Day without RT 3871 (LLU 670). Today the
Blue Triangle stalwart joined RTW 75 on the 9
road, and on Friday it will do the honours on
both the 390 and 73. I wouldn't be surprised if
it expands its repertoire to the one-day
extensions on the 390 to be performed to
Hammersmith under the number 10. What more can be
said about this old friend? With RTW 75 in view
behind it, the bus pauses at Hyde Park Corner on
its last journey westward, whereupon ensued a
photo-call featuring both vehicles. |
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Since its
repaint into Stagecoach national livery in time
for the last day of the 8, RML 2665 (SMK 665F) has had the
blue roof segment added to the white base. With
no more routes it can work on, it is used as a
special purpose vehicle, and what more special a
purpose can you get than commemorating the
withdrawal of London's last purpose-built bus? It
is seen in the evening peak rounding Hyde Park
Corner. |
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| There's
more to come tomorrow (Thursday 2nd September) as
Tottenham garage of Arriva London North runs three
specials on three of their traditional routes, the 41, 76
and 243. RM 5, RTW 75 and RTW 467 will run fifteen
minutes apart between 10 am and the evening. Thanks are due to Blue Triangle,
Sullivan Buses and Stagecoach East London for putting on
these much enjoyed specials today.
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