London visit in 2005

31st October 2005

56 photos.

18 years had elapsed since my last visits to London, in 1986 and 1987, and as might be expected the transport scene had changed totally in that time. New operators, new low floor buses, changed routes – yet the Routemasters were still there, albeit in their final months of service, and in far fewer numbers than they had been in the 1980s. So while my visits this time round were mainly to travel on RMs on their final day on routes 14 and 22 (July 22nd), and route 38 (October 28th), I also took the chance to photograph other vehicle types as well.

Apart from the RMs and newer buses, several classic London buses also took part in each of the last day events. While the RT family was well represented, examples of the RF, RLH, a lowbridge Bristol new to Hants and Dorset, and some preserved Routemasters were also turned out, including the rare RMF1254. Cobham Bus Museum provided an STL class bus in July, and an even older ST in October.

On the sightseeing circuit, the Big Bus Company vehicles were much in evidence. Very surprisingly I discovered they were running ex LT Fleetline DMS2390, which was almost the standard red bus type in South London during the mid 1980s. Indeed I had travelled on them several times on route 156, maybe even on this bus as well. The company also has some of the Leyland Titan T class buses, and even more impressive were larger buses living up to the company’s name. At first glance they looked like Northern Counties bodies, particularly on the upper deck front, but closer inspection revealed Duple-Metsec and Dennis badges on the front panels. The G9xx FVX registration (also used on ex Dublin Bus Olympians imported to the UK), narrow doorway, and three axles signified these vehicles as being of Far East origin.

In 1986 RM5, 6, and 9 were all still in service, and amazingly all three were still running in 2005, RM9 being observed on route 14 and the other two appearing on the 38. These buses had thus seen almost 47 years of service in London, which is remarkable by any standards. Alongside these veterans were seen Volvo double deckers with Wrights, East Lancs, Alexander and Plaxton bodies, and artics or bendi-buses in the form of Mercedes Citaros. A few single deckers were noted on outer suburban routes around Putney, such as the 39 and 493, and a good mix of vehicle types was also seen while covering the last RMs on the route to Clapton.