BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POSTS/LINKS)

Excellent site..........

https://routemaster.org.uk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The "New Routemaster" pays homage to its iconic ancestor, by utilizing the classic "hop-on-hop-off" open rear platform.

The rounded "dome" roof profile at the rear is reminiscent of the "tunnel buses" once used by the GENERAL and LT to travvel through the Blackwall Tunnel under the Thames, before the tunnel was rebuilt to handle "conventional" double-deckers in later uears........

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

["12 HAMMERSMITH"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Historical trivia:

The now-defunct "GREEN LINE", which served suburban areas outside of London, also once operated "RMs".

These handsome buses were, in British terminology, "coaches", as they were not used in local "bus" work; their seating arrangement was also more "suburban" in nature.

The GREEN LINE "RMs" also featured rear platforms with air-operated folding doors, another feature not used on London Transport's red "RMs".......

"NYO"

["722 UPMINSTER"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Aldenham Works........

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

Once the most comprehensive bus overhaul works in the world, overhauling 50 buses a week for LT.

This was once a very complex and fascinating facility (note that the buses, for decades, had bodies that could be removed from the chassis, via massive overhead cranes)

Sadly, foolishly, it was closed back in the 1980s, and, today, not a trace remains of this huge and always-bustling complex...........

"NYO"

["256 HAMMERSMITH VIA CHINGFORD"[

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Imagine a bus museum* of this calibre in New York!

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

*The number of preserved buses is indeed incredible!

["43-FLEET STREET/VICTORIA STN"]

[Cyberider]

The "Works" sounded like quite an operation.

As for the museum, I thought NYC was doing a pretty good job preserving transit vehicles but looks like London has them beat, at least as far as buses are concerned.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Cyberider:

In addition to the magnificent London Bus Museum, there is also the spectacular London Transport Museum; this awe-inspiring museum features not only a fantastic collection of historic buses, but also, trolleybuses, trams AND "tube" trains!

Man, I could easily LIVE there!!!

Enjoy!

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

https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/visit

["UndergrounD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The iconic and timeless "Routemaster"........

www.busspotter.com/RM/RM.html

["RM 349"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Longevity and dedication......

Many years ago, it was not at all uncommon to see motormen and conductors (as well as engineers) still on the job, even though they were in their 70s.

In fact, when the last London trolleybuses pulled down its "booms" for the final time in 1962, both the driver and the conductor (who had worked together for many years and who were also very close friends) were then both in their 70s!

Back then, such men saw what they did each workday as MORE than just a JOB; it was, indeed, a dedicated WAY OF LIFE.

This lifelong dedication to hard work also was commonplace on London's buses; when the final "Routemasters" were retired in 2005, both the driver and the conductor had been on the job for FORTY-PLUS years!

Now THAT'S dedication!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"Appearances WERE indeed deceiving" (London Transport).......

Prior to to the introduction of the "RM" Routemaster, the bodies of the various classes of double-deckers were built by a number of different companies; buses were referred to by the make of their CHASSIS.

Here at home, when you saw an Old Look, a WHITE, a MACK, etc., the ENTIRE BUS was built by ONE builder.

In England, there were a number of builders of bus chassis, including:

LEYLAND

BRISTOL

DAIMLER

AEC

GUY

The bodies were manufactured by several prominent builders; it was not unusual for a chassis to carry the bodies of several different builders before retirement.

Interestingly, these same companies also built the bodies used by "tube" and main line railway rolling stock...........

"NYO"

['20A- CROYDON VIA EMBANKMENT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also interesting..........

Through to the "RM" (Routemaster") era, London's double-deckers (as well as single-deckers) were identified by metal plates on the nearside panel of the bonnet (hood)

The type of bus would be followed by the fleet number; as examples:

"G563"

"D882"

"B821"]

"RT432"

"RML3432"

"STL785"

'ST543"

"T932"

The study of vintage London buses (and coaches) indeed is still, to this day, a very complex and intriguing study, to be sure...........

"NYO"

['67 WAPPING-FINCHLEY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

British bus/coach body builders (historical)

As I had mentioned, a number of companies once built bodies for London's (and other operators in Britain) buses and coaches, including.........

METRO-CAMMELL (this builder also supplied the car bodies for many Underground (and main line) rolling stock.

PARK ROYAL

CRAVEN

WEYMANN

LPTB

"NYO"

["54A NEW HUNSTON-MORDEN STN"}

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Thankfully preserved today, the "one off"prototype "Fruitmaster" (Front entrance/rear engine Routemaster) was the only rear-engined "TM" built for London Transport.

Despite the fact that this unique bus was well liked by both drivers and passengers, no production models were ever ordered by London Transport.

I have several vintage toys in my collection based on this historic, one-of-a-kind bus............

www.busspotter.com/FRM/FRM.html

["PAY AS YOU ENTER"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

When they first entered service well over 60 years ago, these now-classic double-deckers were a "close relation" to the sole "FM"...........

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

["SEACOMBE-14"]