David Element's Bus Web Page 3...
PRESERVED
BUSES - RM50
STL2377
RTL139
RTW29
RM1037
RML2760
- Merely
a small sample of the splendid array of almost 100 vintage buses which
were seen on display during the RM50
celebration at Finsbury Park on 24th - 25th July 2004, an event at which
nine out of the first ten Routemasters
were present. The long Routemaster RML2760 was
technically still in service as a Stagecoach London 'showbus', and it is unthinkable that this vehicle will
escape preservation as the final member of the class and one in
substantially original condition at that. At a mere 37 years of age this
was a relative youngster when compared with the pre-Second World War STL. The RTL and eight
foot wide RTW
buses were built by Leyland rather than AEC in 1949-50 and as non-standard
members of the RT
family they were relatively early withdrawals. RM2037 is a
standard production Routemaster dating from
1964. With the exception of two shortened 'Heritage' versions of routes 9
and 15 which have been introduced recently to keep at least a token number
(10) of reconditioned Routemasters in service,
these iconic buses will have disappeared from London's streets by the 9th
of December 2005, the date when route 159 is converted to one man
operation. This is despite a strong groundswell of protest from the many
London citizens who realize their value as an efficient mode of transport
and also recognise their appeal to tourists. It is impossible to believe
that any modern design will ever be able to match the wonderful track
record of the RT and RM buses and their crews.
The
proud owners of these vehicles when these photographs were taken were as
follows:
- STL2377,
RTL139 - London Bus Preservation Trust
- RTW29 -
Ray Adams
- RM2037
- Keith Rose
- RML2760
- Stagecoach London
The
marvellous condition of these buses (and also the numerous other examples which
have been omitted due to lack of available space) is a fine testimonial to the
loving care and attention of their respective owners. It is believed that
shares in a particular shade of red paint rose in value shortly before this
event. Some of the buses were probably still a bit sticky to the touch!
Publications:
- David has published two 21 x 28cm
high quality full colour portrait format hardback books entitled: 'London's
Buses... The Bus Photographs of David Element' and ‘The Year
of the Bus’. Both are available from: https://www.bobbooks.co.uk/bookshop/search/1/15/45089. David’s books may be previewed in
full on-line and any potential purchasers are advised to take full
advantage of this facility prior to buying them.
- It is suggested that anyone with an
interest in the history of these (or any other London) buses should use
the following link: http://www.countrybus.org/
or: http://londonbusesbyadam.zenfolio.com/. For a broader range of transport
images see Marcel Gommers' web site at: http://www.bus-and-coach-photos.com.
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Contact: david.element@ukgateway.net