It was a joy to watch this! Impossible to take in that it is more than 40 years since the RTs retired... The newspaper article about the end of RTs at Catford and Bromley was of particular interest: during my teen years we lived in Burnt Ash Lane, Bromley on the 94 route. Happy days! Thanks for uploading.
Congratulations Mick. Wow, you've waited a long time to get KGU back on the road, longer even than we've known each other! She looks and sounds fabulous and I can't wait to see her 'in the flesh'. Very well done and I hope you make many more happy memories with her.
Thanks for bringing back some great memories of the RT ,you have made a fantastic job of restoration it looks as good as new. I drove these great buses in the 1960s from Elmersend garage ( ED) Route 12 great days.
A fabulous video. Loved it. It brought back memories of riding at the front overlooking the bonnet as a boy and the seat at the back on the top deck too. Never dreamed that I'd drive one but I did. Training bus was an RTW then in service RT, RM, RML and then the OMO standing single deckers .Great filming and of course a wonderful bus. Thanks, you must be one happy man.
Hi Michael, Enjoyed your video of your beautifully restored LT ,AEC Regent MkIII ,RT class, here in Christchurch,New Zealand, we have a ex Green Line RT, which was used Matchbox as a staff bus( of many Lesley production s used up to the early 1980s ) , the RT came here for the 1974 Commonwealth Games , and was the British teams bus was painted up as union Jack, after the cames it was given to The Tramway Society at Museum called Ferrymead and is popular with for hiring with the public the RT is paint in red and cream , do Enjoy your video's keep the great work.
My family emigrated to Cape Town from London in 1958 when I was a toddler. But when I went to school I used to catch an RT to and from school every day as Cape Town's "Golden Arrow" Bus Service used to run them. I remember the smells, the sounds, the feel of the window winders, the wood blocks on the platform, the white tape on the poles, the sound of the conductor's ticket punch as he hit it against the poles calling "fares please", the huge leather money pouch and ticket machine on his waist, so many things. I remember hiding in the suitcase compartment under the stairs when I had lost my huge one penny bus fare. RT's, red phone boxes, Big Ben and black London taxis are global symbols of London. You only realise how important they are in one's life when you have spent a big chunk of it away. I came home to London in 2000 and one of the first things I did was ride the number 10 which, at least then, was still an RT.
I've just come across your channel Michael and the restoration of the RT is absolutely superb. SO many memories of travelling on an RT when they were sadly on the way out in the 70s, I adored the gearbox whine and the sound of the RT AEC engine ticking over, even the sound when they approached a bus stop! I have nothing but admiration for your expertise! Thank you for preserving your collection of RTs and RTLs, not to mention the Routemasters!
What a fantastic video my good man that brought back wonderful memories of when I was young just great to see your enthusiasm with the old busses good luck and thanks 😊 😀 👍
I used to catch the 120 from Hounslow Heath to Southall and get off at Heston where my grandparents lived…. I was about 10 years old and would sit behind the driver on the outward journey and upstairs at the front on the way back so I could marvel at how the driver took a tight turn at a pub called The Rising Sun and couldn’t believe he didn’t hit the building. Just loved the RT with its pre-select gears and that never to be forgotten sound and smell, if only I could do it one more time I’d be happy.
Didn’t we have something “unique” in the world. Buses like the RT and the RM fully overhauled every four years at ALDENHAM bus overhaul works. Built by AEC and PARK ROYAL VEHICLES. Something to be Proud of❤️
She looks absolutely magnificent and a credit to you- brings back many memories of the way buses were and should be. My old Dad was a driver at Bow for many, many years and drove trolley buses, RTWs, RTLs RTs, RMs and the later one man things. He disliked the one buses because he had to deal with public! Well done.
Greetings from Spain. Well done on finishing the restoration. I remember the sound of those engines from my youth. Took a bus to and from work and over to Nan and Grandad. Use to prefer to sit near the upper rear seats, as that had arm rests. My father drove on the very last day of the RT service from Barking Garage.
A great bus. I love the RT, worked out of Catford Garage as a conductor in 68 to 71 and worked the 94's which was always my favourite route so chuffed to see the last of the 94's on the clipping in your fare chart window. I've done a lot of different things since my time on the buses but nothing as enjoyable or socially educational. Thanks a lot.
Dear Mike, MANY thanks for this nice trip! I'm a clock and watchmaker who has at least a Citroën Dyane, 1.st model/year of 1967, which I revived in 3 month full time work over the summer 2019 to summer 2020 (got the swiss MRT/ contrôle technique in Sion, capital of the canton of Valais) She is from the Bretagne, St. Malo, where I got her 1. hand of a lawyer. She died, and her son sold the car to me. 35'000 KM (real! I know, I was wondering/unbelievingly too) I agree with you fully, that the RT's are also for me the beautifullest London/british buses! I like also your approach to "show" and "let you listen" to that wonderful Diesel 6 cylinder motor! Same with me, I like just to stand near of my Dyane (named: Jana) and listen to the motor Got you there! xD (a 18 HP, 425ccm, 2 cylinder boxer, 4T, 100Km/h max. and 4 to max. 5L consumption to 100Km, quite nice in our overpriced petrol time)! All need a LOT of work, I think I can just grasp, what you have worked on that beauty! (mine will still need a new paint, but technics are fine) I met in 2018 a british couple here in Brig. They invited me to stay for a couple of weeks in thier home in Oxfordshire. Now as this Corona-craziness is getting away, I'm hoping to make that visit soon (this summer?) In which region are you? (if it is allowed to ask) Perhaps I can stop by for an afternoon admiring your buses?! Of course I will go/visit britain with my Dyane. You will laugh! It's my 1.st (life) and my only car! I already went to my parents in Hannover. 2'500Km and everything was fine with her! PS: as a incandescent lamp "lover", are your bulbs (saloon) true lamps?! (or LED's? I hope not!) (before the crazy E.U. put that ban on it, only 1% of ALL electricity WORLD wide was going into illumination... Can't be the true reason they took that away from us... Best wishes and cordial! Géréon email@gereon-schloesser.ch - web: gereon-schloesser.ch
This brings back many memories of going to school on the 232, and at weekends into South Harrow on the 140. Fabulous engineering by A.E.C.- simply the best. My late Dad was an inspector at Park Royal Vehicles who built many of the bodies for the RTs and I think all the bodies for the Routemasters too. Hearty congratulations on a job well done.
Hi Mike, Lovely to see the bus active again, and you as well. I hope when things improve we might get a chance to meet up at some point. I've got a lot of people to catch up with this year if I can fit it all in. Cheers, Chris Hall.
What a lovely old Bus. You must be so pleased to actually own such a wonderful piece of History. I remember primarily the 118 and 130s. My Nan lived in Acre Lane and I think the Fare for a Child was 3 farthings from Brixton Town Hall up Acre Lane to Sandhurst Court. Thanks for sharing.
What a great iconic bus you have, well done for getting her back on the road. Brings back lots of memories of travelling to school on one of these from Bromley garage in the seventies.
I used to go to school on an RT to Rye, E Sussex from Northiam. The bus company was John Dengate of Beckly and was painted green which was their colour.
Good to share the joy you have after the first run ! Bet you felt like a king out on the road, and who could blame you ! My own ambition is to drive a Bristol Lodekka, but i can't ever see that coming to reality - i have driven VR's, Atlanteans, Optares and all kinds of coaches and buses, but i missed out the older Lodekkas and K series ( which is much like your bus in general appearance ) i used the former two types as a school kid and when i joined the working class passenger until both were phased out for the VR's and other such beasties. i always liked buses, and it ran in the family - dad was a driver, brother a conductor, and then i ended up with the job later in life. Passed my PCV at Bath depot in a Leyland Leopard ( i called it mistakenly a 'Tiger' in someone elses bus video comments ) no, it was def a Leopard !! My bus mania never left, but now, instead of a car, i have an Iveco 17 seater.
Really nice to see this on the road and the patina of those seats fits right in. I remember as a kid with my mum crossing in front of one these that was idling away on a hot summer's day and I reached up and grabbed that rad cap and I can tell you more fifty plus years later I have not made that mistake again... Cheers!
Hi Michael what a fantastic job you've done that RT. And also that engine sounds lovely. Brings back memories when I was a kid I use to go to school on a RT everyday. It was the noise it made and smell. Let's hope in the summer we can go to bus rallies would love to have a ride-on it if you're there. Loved the ride today brilliant. 👍
GREAT SO NICE TO SEE THESE OLD BUSES ON THE ROAD. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK WELL DONE ON THE RESTORE AND GOOD CAMERA WORK TOO. SHAME THESE BUSES WERE NOT BACK IN SERVICE. WHAT A DAY THAT WOULD BE OLD BUSES IN SERVICE 60S 70S 80S 90S BUSES WHAT ADAY TO RREEMMEEMMBBEERR THANKS AGAIN KEEP THE VIDEOS COMING WELL DONE
Lovely restoration, it sounds great too! I used to drive an AEC Regent Mk3, built in 1949, registered in 1951, I did a hire with it, and took it to shows. The main difference I noticed was the one I drove had a big, round heater on the bulkhead behind the cab.
Proud Mary looks wonderful! Have just watched parts 1-4, and subscribed for more. Thanks for sharing your bus and enthusiasm, it`s great to see such a worthwhile project come to fruition.
Well done, looks and sounds great !! I remember the first time driving an RT in 1973 prior to being accepted to train as a bus driver with London Country. The separate movement of the body compared to the chassis was a strange experience. Passed my test...never drove one in service but went on to become an instructor and taught many others.....Lovely vehicles....again, well done !!
Lovely restoration ol' chap!. I went to school on those RTs in the 70s.Route 197/197As. From Norwood Junction to Caterham Valley or Thornton Heath on the 197As. I still remember the characterful 1st gear whine of those RTs..Good work n enjoy Your passion.🙂👍🏾
Nice. I must have missed this one with Blue Line - they had MLL836 and OLD535 as well as one of the RLHs But I did see it running with City/U&D It must have been a nightmare maintaining all the various sorts of vehicles Blue Line ran.
You have done a magnificent job and this is now a beautiful RT superbly restored. I look forward to a ride when normality resumes. I don't live too far away from you on the West Norfolk coast and anticipate the return to London bus running days. All the best with your bus adventures.
Fantastic that you're keeping these old buses alive. My grandad used to be a bus driver and I remember seeing the scene in on the buses where they took the bus on the skid pan and my grandad said they actually had to put double decker buses into skids as part of their training. Doubt H&S would allow that today.
Yes, the years before Thatcher sacrificed britains industries for the MONEY/banks in London/ or the fiancial system in britain. In germany "we" had Merkel. She destroyed also nearly everything in connection with the machinery industries/ car builders (key industries) The Kaufmann/ Morgentau/ Coudenhove-Kalergi plans are in function (in short: transform germany into a farmers' state). Or: keep the germans down, the russians out and the americans in... Or see Mr. Klaus Schwab's of the W.E.F. 2020 "you will own nothing and be happy about it" (book: The Great Reset, kind of a 2nd "mein kampf" (NO I'm not kidding! SERIOUS!) NEVERTHELESS: the RT's are a very fine part of fine british engineering! Best regards, Géréon
A very nice job. I used to live in Romford and remember Upminster and District well, together with Super Coaches. At one time they had an RLH too. I look forward to seeing your RT at shows when they recommence.
I think it looks better with the 'used' seats. A proper old bus. As a kid I always used to like to sit in the front seats on the left, so I could pretend I'm driving. In the days when boys wanted to be bus and train drivers.
This is terrific Michael. Even better that I live very near to you! Hopefully you’ll take the buses out when lockdown ends and I can see one on the roads!
I like the suspension springs exposed st the sides like that and how you can see the beam axle, much like a vintage car, yet you have 10 stud wheels like today's trucks.
I was straining to see whether, just above the driver's windscreen, it reads, in white capitals - MAXIMUM HEADROOM 14' 6" It was on all the Country Area 'buses. There was also a fold-down blind behind the driver, like the one existing here on the nearside. I remember when the traffickators were discontinued for the RM flashers. The traffickator boxes remained, sealed up.
I love all your videos thank you for taking the time to making the videos would you ever open you collection of vehicles to the public as I would love to see them all in person
Hi very nicely restored so do you still need psv or hgv to drive it and as its over 40 years old do you still have to pay for tax and do you still need to mot it thanks I would like to see some of the old Southend transport buses still on the road having been restored and preserved
What garage was this RT bus from? I remember my dad driving these, from the Priory Road Garage, number 25, 23 and 5's. I remember going on them and we paid 2p for the ride. And the day out to Margate that was organised by the Garage, seeing the shows with Guest Starts Mud.. they sang under the moon of love..~Trooper
Only a person who "gets" buses will get this....amazing....what was, is still on the road. Amazing, 40 years later and it just shines out on the road.
The sound of that engine evokes memories of going to school on the 212 or 233. The bus looks great - well done.
...and going to school on the 321...Watford Jct. tp Rickmansworth (Scots Hill). (Also 306 &311 leavesden Road to Watford Jct).
For me it’s The 12, 122, 124, 176 & 185. In my childhood Sydenham & Lewisham only had the new RMs on the 36 group and the 141.
Yes! 228, 229, 51 and 161 for me. Chis to CVTHS.
65 from kingston to richmond and 85 kingston to putney bdge
It was a joy to watch this! Impossible to take in that it is more than 40 years since the RTs retired... The newspaper article about the end of RTs at Catford and Bromley was of particular interest: during my teen years we lived in Burnt Ash Lane, Bromley on the 94 route. Happy days!
Thanks for uploading.
Congratulations Mick. Wow, you've waited a long time to get KGU back on the road, longer even than we've known each other! She looks and sounds fabulous and I can't wait to see her 'in the flesh'. Very well done and I hope you make many more happy memories with her.
Thanks for bringing back some great memories of the RT ,you have made a fantastic job of restoration it looks as good as new. I drove these great buses in the 1960s from Elmersend garage ( ED) Route 12 great days.
Wonderful to see! Amazing to think that the basic design is 82 years old!
A fabulous video. Loved it. It brought back memories of riding at the front overlooking the bonnet as a boy and the seat at the back on the top deck too. Never dreamed that I'd drive
one but I did. Training bus was an RTW then in service RT, RM, RML and then the OMO standing single deckers .Great filming and of course a wonderful bus. Thanks, you must be one happy man.
Hi Michael. Great job on the RT. Thanks for posting. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it.
Hi Michael,
Enjoyed your video of your beautifully restored LT ,AEC Regent MkIII ,RT class, here in Christchurch,New Zealand, we have a ex Green Line RT, which was used Matchbox as a staff bus( of many Lesley production s used up to the early 1980s ) , the RT came here for the 1974 Commonwealth Games , and was the British teams bus was painted up as union Jack, after the cames it was given to The Tramway Society at Museum called Ferrymead and is popular with for hiring with the public the RT is paint in red and cream , do Enjoy your video's keep the great work.
My family emigrated to Cape Town from London in 1958 when I was a toddler. But when I went to school I used to catch an RT to and from school every day as Cape Town's "Golden Arrow" Bus Service used to run them. I remember the smells, the sounds, the feel of the window winders, the wood blocks on the platform, the white tape on the poles, the sound of the conductor's ticket punch as he hit it against the poles calling "fares please", the huge leather money pouch and ticket machine on his waist, so many things. I remember hiding in the suitcase compartment under the stairs when I had lost my huge one penny bus fare. RT's, red phone boxes, Big Ben and black London taxis are global symbols of London. You only realise how important they are in one's life when you have spent a big chunk of it away. I came home to London in 2000 and one of the first things I did was ride the number 10 which, at least then, was still an RT.
Well done Mike! Lovely end result & her engine sounds sweet enough too! Hope I can get to see KGU sometime soon.
I've just come across your channel Michael and the restoration of the RT is absolutely superb. SO many memories of travelling on an RT when they were sadly on the way out in the 70s, I adored the gearbox whine and the sound of the RT AEC engine ticking over, even the sound when they approached a bus stop! I have nothing but admiration for your expertise! Thank you for preserving your collection of RTs and RTLs, not to mention the Routemasters!
Congratulations Michael she looks brilliant and sounds like she would have done when she was built all those years ago.
Great to see another RT brought back alive, your hard work is visible!
What a fantastic video my good man that brought back wonderful memories of when I was young just great to see your enthusiasm with the old busses good luck and thanks 😊 😀 👍
Fantastic! So glad you mentioned the 'smell.' Almost as important as the sound!
I used to catch the 120 from Hounslow Heath to Southall and get off at Heston where my grandparents lived…. I was about 10 years old and would sit behind the driver on the outward journey and upstairs at the front on the way back so I could marvel at how the driver took a tight turn at a pub called The Rising Sun and couldn’t believe he didn’t hit the building. Just loved the RT with its pre-select gears and that never to be forgotten sound and smell, if only I could do it one more time I’d be happy.
Didn’t we have something “unique” in the world. Buses like the RT and the RM fully overhauled every four years at ALDENHAM bus overhaul works. Built by AEC and PARK ROYAL VEHICLES. Something to be Proud of❤️
nice too see an RT on the road again brings back memories from when i was a conductor on them at footscray garage in the very early 70's
She looks absolutely magnificent and a credit to you- brings back many memories of the way buses were and should be. My old Dad was a driver at Bow for many, many years and drove trolley buses, RTWs, RTLs RTs, RMs and the later one man things. He disliked the one buses because he had to deal with public! Well done.
Greetings from Spain.
Well done on finishing the restoration.
I remember the sound of those engines from my youth. Took a bus to and from work and over to Nan and Grandad. Use to prefer to sit near the upper rear seats, as that had arm rests.
My father drove on the very last day of the RT service from Barking Garage.
Your RT looks superb, I love the sound of the AEC engine.
Hi Mick, that was brilliant, KGU is looking the best ever!! You look delighted yourself, and rightly so!! I’m looking forward to seeing her again.
A great bus. I love the RT, worked out of Catford Garage as a conductor in 68 to 71 and worked the 94's which was always my favourite route so chuffed to see the last of the 94's on the clipping in your fare chart window. I've done a lot of different things since my time on the buses but nothing as enjoyable or socially educational. Thanks a lot.
Dear Mike,
MANY thanks for this nice trip!
I'm a clock and watchmaker who has at least a Citroën Dyane, 1.st model/year of 1967, which I revived in 3 month full time work over the summer 2019 to summer 2020 (got the swiss MRT/ contrôle technique in Sion, capital of the canton of Valais)
She is from the Bretagne, St. Malo, where I got her 1. hand of a lawyer. She died, and her son sold the car to me. 35'000 KM (real! I know, I was wondering/unbelievingly too)
I agree with you fully, that the RT's are also for me the beautifullest London/british buses!
I like also your approach to "show" and "let you listen" to that wonderful Diesel 6 cylinder motor!
Same with me, I like just to stand near of my Dyane (named: Jana) and listen to the motor
Got you there! xD
(a 18 HP, 425ccm, 2 cylinder boxer, 4T, 100Km/h max. and 4 to max. 5L consumption to 100Km, quite nice in our overpriced petrol time)!
All need a LOT of work, I think I can just grasp, what you have worked on that beauty!
(mine will still need a new paint, but technics are fine)
I met in 2018 a british couple here in Brig. They invited me to stay for a couple of weeks in thier home in Oxfordshire.
Now as this Corona-craziness is getting away, I'm hoping to make that visit soon (this summer?)
In which region are you? (if it is allowed to ask) Perhaps I can stop by for an afternoon admiring your buses?!
Of course I will go/visit britain with my Dyane.
You will laugh! It's my 1.st (life) and my only car!
I already went to my parents in Hannover. 2'500Km and everything was fine with her!
PS: as a incandescent lamp "lover", are your bulbs (saloon) true lamps?! (or LED's? I hope not!)
(before the crazy E.U. put that ban on it, only 1% of ALL electricity WORLD wide was going into illumination... Can't be the true reason they took that away from us...
Best wishes and cordial!
Géréon
email@gereon-schloesser.ch - web: gereon-schloesser.ch
This brings back many memories of going to school on the 232, and at weekends into South Harrow on the 140. Fabulous engineering by A.E.C.- simply the best.
My late Dad was an inspector at Park Royal Vehicles who built many of the bodies for the RTs and I think all the bodies for the Routemasters too. Hearty congratulations on a job well done.
Just wonderful. Spent my youth riding these buses and this brings back so many fond memories.
Its mad how his buses start right up from siting years and the buses at the bus station sat for 5 minutes take loads of cranking to fire up 😂
I bet that old bus could tell some stories!
Still more reliable than the new buses and not as costly to keep on the road if maintained and looked after nice video pleasure to watch
Hi Mike,
Lovely to see the bus active again, and you as well.
I hope when things improve we might get a chance to meet up at some point.
I've got a lot of people to catch up with this year if I can fit it all in.
Cheers, Chris Hall.
Hi Mike, you must be really thrilled getting KGU back on the road again. I must say the bus looks and sounds the part. Well done.
Congratulation for this top restauration. For me the RT is the non-plus-ultra in buses, and this is an excellent example.
What a lovely old Bus. You must be so pleased to actually own such a wonderful piece of History. I remember primarily the 118 and 130s. My Nan lived in Acre Lane and I think the Fare for a Child was 3 farthings from Brixton Town Hall up Acre Lane to Sandhurst Court. Thanks for sharing.
RTs remind me of my early childhood in North London. Never forget the sound of the RT Engine.. I remember there were Green Country RTs too.
What a great iconic bus you have, well done for getting her back on the road. Brings back lots of memories of travelling to school on one of these from Bromley garage in the seventies.
I used to go to school on an RT to Rye, E Sussex from Northiam. The bus company was John Dengate of Beckly and was painted green which was their colour.
Superb, Mick. Lovely part of the world in an RT. Can't beat that!
I know a Fen road when I see a Fen road, I'm over here in Norfolk with KSX713N. Well done getting back on the road...
Good to share the joy you have after the first run ! Bet you felt like a king out on the road, and who could blame you ! My own ambition is to drive a Bristol Lodekka, but i can't ever see that coming to reality - i have driven VR's, Atlanteans, Optares and all kinds of coaches and buses, but i missed out the older Lodekkas and K series ( which is much like your bus in general appearance ) i used the former two types as a school kid and when i joined the working class passenger until both were phased out for the VR's and other such beasties.
i always liked buses, and it ran in the family - dad was a driver, brother a conductor, and then i ended up with the job later in life.
Passed my PCV at Bath depot in a Leyland Leopard ( i called it mistakenly a 'Tiger' in someone elses bus video comments ) no, it was def a Leopard !!
My bus mania never left, but now, instead of a car, i have an Iveco 17 seater.
Really nice to see this on the road and the patina of those seats fits right in. I remember as a kid with my mum crossing in front of one these that was idling away on a hot summer's day and I reached up and grabbed that rad cap and I can tell you more fifty plus years later I have not made that mistake again... Cheers!
10:46, like a throw backin time, what an amazing sight!!!!!
Hi Michael what a fantastic job you've done that RT. And also that engine sounds lovely. Brings back memories when I was a kid I use to go to school on a RT everyday. It was the noise it made and smell. Let's hope in the summer we can go to bus rallies would love to have a ride-on it if you're there. Loved the ride today brilliant. 👍
Absolutely brilliant!I love the looks of the rt,Well done for preserving part of the country's transport heritage.👍🙂❤
Well what can I say...... Fantastic video realy enjoyed Mike loved watching 👍
GREAT SO NICE TO SEE THESE OLD BUSES ON THE ROAD. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK WELL DONE ON THE RESTORE AND GOOD CAMERA WORK TOO. SHAME THESE BUSES WERE NOT BACK IN SERVICE. WHAT A DAY THAT WOULD BE OLD BUSES IN SERVICE 60S 70S 80S 90S BUSES WHAT ADAY TO RREEMMEEMMBBEERR THANKS AGAIN KEEP THE VIDEOS COMING WELL DONE
Lovely restoration, it sounds great too!
I used to drive an AEC Regent Mk3, built in 1949, registered in 1951, I did a hire with it, and took it to shows.
The main difference I noticed was the one I drove had a big, round heater on the bulkhead behind the cab.
Beautiful to see. Thank you for sharing 😊
It’s been a long time in the making, but KGU is back on the road and a real credit to all of your efforts. Hope to catch up with you and KGU one day.
I seen bits of your videos here and there and always enjoyed them. Mick, it’s a credit to you. Happy motoring in this beauty.
Yes as a child, I can remember RT's having a certain smell. i have fond memories of riding on these buses.
Proud Mary looks wonderful! Have just watched parts 1-4, and subscribed for more. Thanks for sharing your bus and enthusiasm, it`s great to see such a worthwhile project come to fruition.
Superb job, one of the best buses that were on the Essex roads at Brentwood in the early 60’s - central and Country Area RT’s.
Well done, looks and sounds great !! I remember the first time driving an RT in 1973 prior to being accepted to train as a bus driver with London Country. The separate movement of the body compared to the chassis was a strange experience. Passed my test...never drove one in service but went on to become an instructor and taught many others.....Lovely vehicles....again, well done !!
Lovely restoration ol' chap!.
I went to school on those RTs in the 70s.Route 197/197As. From Norwood Junction to Caterham Valley or Thornton Heath on the 197As.
I still remember the characterful 1st gear whine of those RTs..Good work n enjoy Your passion.🙂👍🏾
That's Lovely - The red that those busses wore suits them (I do believe some wore a green paint aswell)
Nice. I must have missed this one with Blue Line - they had MLL836 and OLD535 as well as one of the RLHs But I did see it running with City/U&D It must have been a nightmare maintaining all the various sorts of vehicles Blue Line ran.
You have done a magnificent job and this is now a beautiful RT superbly restored. I look forward to a ride when normality resumes. I don't live too far away from you on the West Norfolk coast and anticipate the return to London bus running days. All the best with your bus adventures.
What!? No USB ports?
Seriously, I'm so envious, hopefully, if I win big in the lottery...I'm buying one.
Well done 👍
Well done. But I did see a blind showing 62 Hayes Stn. Hayes was RF on the 138 and RT on the 51 Sundays only to Farnborough Hospital.
I remember the RTs on the 119 bus route to school.
Beautiful. I remember the sounds so well 70 years ago.
Fantastic that you're keeping these old buses alive. My grandad used to be a bus driver and I remember seeing the scene in on the buses where they took the bus on the skid pan and my grandad said they actually had to put double decker buses into skids as part of their training. Doubt H&S would allow that today.
A thing of beauty, perfectly conceived and exquisitely designed. When Britain was ‘great’ and there was pride.
Yes, the years before Thatcher sacrificed britains industries for the MONEY/banks in London/ or the fiancial system in britain.
In germany "we" had Merkel. She destroyed also nearly everything in connection with the machinery industries/ car builders (key industries)
The Kaufmann/ Morgentau/ Coudenhove-Kalergi plans are in function (in short: transform germany into a farmers' state). Or: keep the germans down, the russians out and the americans in...
Or see Mr. Klaus Schwab's of the W.E.F. 2020 "you will own nothing and be happy about it" (book: The Great Reset, kind of a 2nd "mein kampf" (NO I'm not kidding! SERIOUS!)
NEVERTHELESS: the RT's are a very fine part of fine british engineering!
Best regards,
Géréon
A very nice job. I used to live in Romford and remember Upminster and District well, together with Super Coaches. At one time they had an RLH too. I look forward to seeing your RT at shows when they recommence.
I loved the sound and feel of the RTW's. My then local No6 route From Hackney Wick was all RTW's.
I think it looks better with the 'used' seats. A proper old bus.
As a kid I always used to like to sit in the front seats on the left, so I could pretend I'm driving. In the days when boys wanted to be bus and train drivers.
You've made a great job on this RT. Love your videos keep them coming.
Lovely. Takes me back to getting the 94, 146 and occasional 119 to and fro school. The only bit of school I did like
This is terrific Michael. Even better that I live very near to you! Hopefully you’ll take the buses out when lockdown ends and I can see one on the roads!
Nice, I remember riding in a double decker over 40 years ago when I was on leave from Germany.
I like the suspension springs exposed st the sides like that and how you can see the beam axle, much like a vintage car, yet you have 10 stud wheels like today's trucks.
thank you beautiful bus
Wonderful news. I have shared this to The RT appreciation society on Facebook so your joyous video gets a bigger audience
I took the 65 between kingston and Richmond many a time through the 60s and 70s
I was straining to see whether, just above the driver's windscreen, it reads, in white capitals - MAXIMUM HEADROOM 14' 6" It was on all the Country Area 'buses. There was also a fold-down blind behind the driver, like the one existing here on the nearside. I remember when the traffickators were discontinued for the RM flashers. The traffickator boxes remained, sealed up.
You have done a very good Job with this bus this is very nice bus
Lovely! Thank-you!
Please, does anyone know her Garage, and possibly, route, allocation?
Classic interior and design.Oliver Twist era art deco lamps etc.plush magic bus carpets...
Hi Michael was wondering what the next Project will be will it be the RTW or the RF.
Yep! It's a cop in my 1961 abc spotter's book. RT2233 KGU 162.
That’s Outwell/Upwell, about 10 minutes from me!
I love all your videos thank you for taking the time to making the videos would you ever open you collection of vehicles to the public as I would love to see them all in person
What a gem! Do you know what routes she ran on? It amuses me that there is a good chance that I rode on her at some time.
She looks awesome m8 well done m8
Lovely stuff!!..............
Hi very nicely restored so do you still need psv or hgv to drive it and as its over 40 years old do you still have to pay for tax and do you still need to mot it thanks I would like to see some of the old Southend transport buses still on the road having been restored and preserved
Nothing quite like an RT
That unmistakeable rhythmic whine when in neutral.
Hi Mike. Any new updates? Hope all is ok.
Great video I would love to buy one
She sounds smooth but the engine does seem to be working hard though
I always adores the rt like the rm they always are amazing to see than the bridge master tho its a shame nobody cares oldies anymore
What garage was this RT bus from? I remember my dad driving these, from the Priory Road Garage, number 25, 23 and 5's. I remember going on them and we paid 2p for the ride. And the day out to Margate that was organised by the Garage, seeing the shows with Guest Starts Mud.. they sang under the moon of love..~Trooper
The British Scotty Kilmer!
Hi Mike great video Reg
G' blimey don't time fly...
It were 40 years the buses did on the road, and now here we are another 40 years and over have gone by...🤔🧐😵
great vid, you deserve a haircut now
Bravo !!!
Is that Jack Harper from on the buses ? 😂😂