BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

'ello, mates!

Now, 'ere's a dishy London bus that still is a right rum go, guv'nor!

In 1956, London bus riders boarded the first ROUTEMASTER, a bus that would not only become a London icon, but a British one as well.

As much a stalwart part of London as the once-commonplace red telephone boxes, these stately and handsome red buses have long since become a beloved London icon.

In 2005, "THE BUS WE LOVED: LONDON'S AFFAIR WITH THE ROUTEMASTER", by Travis Elborough appeared in British bookstores.

This book, which I purchased off eBay a few years back for under $10, is one that I enthusiastically recommend to any bus enthusiast who has even the slightest interest in classic London buses; from this book, I learned much about this iconic London bus that I had not known previously.

As I type these words, I have a large number of vintage toy and model Routemasters in my vintage toy London/British bus collection; the rarest one is a tin litho friction toy, that replicates the ROUTEMASTER in its earliest guise.

"Blimey, Mate! This 'ere bus is a right bloomin' go!"

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A fascinating, detailed history of the legendary ROUTEMASTER.....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AEC_Routemaster

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This site is a must for any and all ROUTEMASTER fans.....

http://www.routemasterbuses.com/

(courtesy: RoutemasterBuses.com)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

See also:

http://www.routemaster-bus.org.uk/

(courtesy: Routemaster Bus Home Page)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"VARIATIONS ON THE ROUTEMASTER THEME"; here is an excellent article (w/illustrations) by Basil Hancock......

http://www.brindale.co.uk/ach/prv_site/external_links/routemaster_variations.htm

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Another interesting page.....

http://www.prv.org.uk/

(courtesy: Park Royal Vehicles Site)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"ROUTEMASTER: The Next Generation"......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Routemaster

*The curving bodywork surrounding the rear stairwell reminds me of a modern version of the curving rear stairways of the "ST" types, which were commonplace on London streets during the 1930's and 1940's)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Enjoying well-deserved retirements at the awe-inspiring London Transport Museum.......

http://world.nycsubway.org/perl/show?23640

http://world.nycsubway.org/perl/show?23642

http://world.nycsubway.org/perl/show?94065

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Another interesting page.......

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/new-routemaster

(courtesy: Transport For London)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Home page for the Routemaster Association.......

http://routemaster.org.uk/pages/history

(courtesy: The Routemaster Association)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Follow the adventures of RM848.......

http://www.davesbuses.co.uk/history-of-the-routemaster

(courtesy: Dave's Buses)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

An interesting page on the 1957 Leyland Routemaster prototype.......

http://www.londonbusmuseum.com/museum-exhibits/double-deck-buses/leyland-routemaster-rml-3/

(courtesy: London Bus Museum)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The now-classic GIBSON ticket machine was standard equipment for London bus conductors for decades; a few years back, I was able to add one of these interesting old relics to my London bus collection.......

http://www.ticketmachinewebsite.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=27209551

(courtesy: Ticket Machine Website)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Where have the years gone.........??

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/classic/routemaster-bus-happy-60th-birthday/

(courtesy: The Telegraph)

[Q65A]

And here is a link to the operator's manual for the Routemaster's successor (NBFL = New Bus For London):

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/168205/response/429214/attach/3/NBFL%20Operator%20Manual%20AL%20Rev%201%20email.pdf

Personally, I always liked the looks of the RM. Maybe growing up with Matchbox and Corgi vehicles has something to do with this. By the time I got to London, the RM was gone, and instead I rode the upper level of the "9 to Hammersmith" aboard a double decked Volvo B7.