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...Routemaster buses will be taken out of service in London today. So i figured it'd make a good photo thread... The open platformed, rear entry buses, conducter-manned buses known as Routemasters are now almost a memory on the streets of London. A global symbol of a world city comes to a virtual end on Friday 9 December 2005 when the last Routemaster leaves route 159 around 1pm.www.routemaster.org.uk/www.savetheroutemaster.com/index.php?id=rmhome
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A very sad day. It was superb that they kept so many in everyday use (and the everyday use was understandably extreme!) despite there age. I remember travelling from Bayswater to Whitehall in the late 80's to work on either a number 12 or 88 (and back home again at end of day). To me having a Bus with a conductor is far better as they can advice/tell you the stop you require for a certain point. In 1990 I remember there being articles in London mags saying Routemasters will be defunct by 1992 and then in 92, they said will only last another 2 years and so on... Plus when in came into Service in '59 I believe it was only supposed to have lasted 10 years! So the Routemaster held out well I think, yes? Many a happy memory of this wounderful vehicle
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It's a bit like the Mini in that aspect. I love the sound of those big diesels and the really cool cab design thing, but i never got the chance to jump off the back of one
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I did ... loads of times ;D That was the beauty of 'em; with the open back end... ..if you missed the bus at the stop you just ran to the nearest traffic lights (and hoped they'ed be red ) then run through the traffic and jump on! I even perfected runing across the Strand, amongst the traffic (as the bus had to slow down for Trafalgar square) and jumping on! Thus I could get a better seat before it actually filled up at the Trafalgar square stop.
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End of an era...arthurbrown
@GUEST
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The ridiculous thing about it is the new 'bendy' busses which have replaced them use MORE fuel, carry FEWER passengers and are much LESS reliable.
With the RM's it was possible to replace any part in minutes, including full road-side engine swaps if necessary.
The routemaster was also perfectly proportioned for London's streets. Merc bendy-busses are designed for open-plan european cities, not the tight confines of central london. Where the bendy bus passes my office (junction of Tottenham Court Road & Euston Road) they pretty much have to mount the pavement (right across the pedestrian crossing!). Crazyness.
Right.... I'm off down the auctions with a fistful of cash to pick me up something for my 'summer holiday' ;D
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I'll miss it, especially as they take up halfthe space of those blinkin' bendy buses!
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"Drift baby, drift"On the Chiswick skid pan
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Alaways good to have an excuse to post a shot of the Smoke City Routemaster!
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;D ;D ;D A 'roof chopped' Routemaster, that is superb.... ....ideal for lowbridges?
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Ha Ha - I was armed ready to post those pics rmad One of the local hot-rod guys helped build it, and was a member of the Smoke City Wheelers, rumours are abound as to what went on inside of-an evening at hot rod shows ;D Sad to hear the demise of the Routemaster
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Shortcut
Posted a lot
I won't be there when you cross the road, so always use the Green Cross Code.
Posts: 3,037
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We had a local route when i was a kid with a great big hill. Long after all the other routes had changed to the modern busses the 166 route was still a Routemaster as the newer busses couldn't get up the hill when fully laden! Eventually even newer busses with bigger engines arrived and the RM was phased out. Some friends later went to Niagra Falls, where they use an RM to ferry people around in a tourist stylee, it was a 166! complete with their local stop on the destination board!
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This space available to rent. Reach literally dozens of people. Cheap rates!
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The ridiculous thing about it is the new 'bendy' busses which have replaced them use MORE fuel, carry FEWER passengers and are much LESS reliable. With the RM's it was possible to replace any part in minutes, including full road-side engine swaps if necessary. It's a sad day....the Routematers are solid proof that newer doesn't necessarily mean better. If it ain't broke, etc etc....
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My fleet: Suzuki GSX-R600Y SRAD with bald, melted tyres A borrowed Mondeo
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I believe it's because of 'disabled access' laws that the original routemaster is being taken out of service
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ImpManiac
Part of things
Imps... Imps... Imps...
Posts: 868
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I'll miss it, especially as they take up halfthe space of those blinkin' bendy buses! Right with you there, rmad. Apparently, Ken has killed the Routemaster. He personally ordered them to be taken out of service. Yes, Ken, who introduced the congestion charge! He really is out of his mind! How can buses that occupy at least twice as much space on the road and are nowhere near as manoevreable (spelling?) be good for congestion? Especially if, when they break down, it takes longer (and costs more) to repair? And carry fewer passengers? Plus they had a tendency to catch fire! And are not safe if they need to mount the pavement to get around corners! Can someone point out the logic to me? Routemasters had already been fitted with cleaner engines. BONKERZ!! I'm
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1966 Singer Chamois sprint/hillclimb car in white over blue two tone 1975 Triumph Stag long term project (over 20 years so far) in colour TBA 2003 Vauxhall Vectra GSi 3.2 in black sapphire
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I was waiting for someone to blame 'Red Ken', however on this occasion (and don't want to get political about some of his other actions ) was not to blame. Unless he's changed his tune? Last I heard he was trying to come to a compromise to keep some Routemasters on (and not just the 2 heritage routes).
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CiBi
Part of things
Posts: 83
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Also without the "ROUTEMASTER" we wouldn't have had ... Stan , Jack & Blakey !!!! God "On the Buses" Was a hilarious comedy ......
Chris
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Article on msn Very sad to see them go.
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At least some are being kept on to run on the two heritage routes. Better than nothing I suppose. Still ... `safety and accessibility` ... what a load of rubbish. One day they will make society so safe and accessible ... ... people will just not bother leaving the house due to a lack of interest.
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Last Edit: Dec 9, 2005 17:05:07 GMT by superden
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ImpManiac
Part of things
Imps... Imps... Imps...
Posts: 868
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I was waiting for someone to blame 'Red Ken', however on this occasion (and don't want to get political about some of his other actions ) was not to blame. Unless he's changed his tune? Last I heard he was trying to come to a compromise to keep some Routemasters on (and not just the 2 heritage routes). Interesting! On the Breakfast News on BBC1 this morning, they were saying that Ken had ordered the buses to be taken out of service. Maybe I misunderstood - I did not see the whole article and it WAS early. There may be some truth in what you heard. Much of the pressure to get rid of conductors, etc., is coming from the bus companies wanting to cut their costs. Whatever, it is a real shame that London is about to lose the iconic Routemaster. A mobile landmark. Let's hope we see some at transport festivals in the future. I'm
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1966 Singer Chamois sprint/hillclimb car in white over blue two tone 1975 Triumph Stag long term project (over 20 years so far) in colour TBA 2003 Vauxhall Vectra GSi 3.2 in black sapphire
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