The Very First...Ever! by debbielove
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Description
Greetings Folks,
Something that could be classed as a Legend but I'm gong to show it here. Taken at the London Bus Museum and must be said somewhat of a surprise, an item this Country managed not to scrap!
From the official history board now : When London Transport was set up in 1933 it found itself with a mixed fleet that costly and difficult to maintain..So, it set about designing a standard bus to fit all operating requirements.. The result was RT1, which was the prototype of nearly 7,000 buses, this was the largest ever standardised fleet of its kind in the world, it still is..
The original chassis was built in 1938, it was fitted with an ageing body until its rightful one was ready in April 1939..It was shown to the press and entered service in Putney Garages...
I continue here : Some parts were removed after the war (they were German!!) and replaced with ones that could be replaced as required.. She remained in regular service until 1954..
But!
Now restored,. as you can see by the notice in white on the side window, she runs regularly in London as she always did.. It costs £5 but no Oyster cards accepted!
And if you think this is impressive you wait!
Taken at the London Bus Museum, Cobham Hall, Brooklands..
Enjoy
Rob
P.S. Things getting out hand series wise, there wil now be Legends (of course), Def by Metal, (new) Brooklands (too much good stuff there), and a few odds and sods thrown in, but that will be other than.. Sorry lol
Comments (11)
Maxidyne
This IS impressive mate. The shape of things to come for well over 70 years, these AEC Regents paved the way for the later AEC Routmaster and Bristol Lodekka. More of these please.
jayfar
A super history and a smashing bus Rob.
neiwil
:-) couldn't help noticing the sign by the back wheel : Speed 30mph.....IN LONDON! A cool piece of transport history mate. I'm sure you could still catch an identical bus in India or some far flung place even today. Of course some smart Alec realised 7,000 buses meant 14,000 drivers and 'clippies' and so the front loading Atlantean was born, halving the wages bill. The very first Atlantean was trialled in Wallasey and we still have that. I'm with Mike...More of these please.
bebopdlx
I always thought these were so cool.
radioham
Many thanks No I am only an young 65 I do not know the buses that well But my Daughter's Boyfriend is in to them in a big way so I willallow him access to this great photo
Buffalo1
Looks like it's ready to make the route everyday. Such a good looking bus.
flavia49
excellent capture
blinkings
Hey did you know I had Reg Varney at my house for dinner! True story. My cousin managed Barry Crocker (who amongst other things did a character called Barry Mckenzie), and they brought Reg home when he was in Melbourne. I think I would have been about 6!
Faemike55
Very cool looking bus! Fabulous history about the system
goodoleboy
Excellent snap of the beautiful olde bus, mate. Looks brand new with that cool paint job. And, your PS is beyond my ken.
RodS
What a beauty! WE had a couple of these running around the Plaza area in Kansas City several years ago - don't know what happened to them.... I'm looking forward to your additional "odds and sods" Rob! Whatever you post will be fun and interesting as always!