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PRESERVED BUSES 2 - AEC REGENT (RT) BUSES 3
Worcester Park Running Day August 10th 2008
'Pre-War' RT113 splendidly turned out in wartime livery and showing the rear roofbox peculiar to the first 151 buses in this class. These were actually of little practical use. During wartime the bus would have carried anti-shrapnel netting over the windows to protect passengers from bomb blasts. Further RT building was delayed until after WW2 (to an upgraded and more robust design) and some experimentation with damaged buses resulted in an early attempt at one-man only RT operation (RT97), the removal of the front and rear roofboxes and a modified blind display (RT110). Eventually almost 7,000 RT family buses were built, predominantly by AEC and Leyland (RTL, RTW) and some with rather different bodies were also built by Cravens (these were early withdrawals although two have been preserved). This class was a genuine and successful attempt at standardisation. Most of the pre-war buses (only RT1 could accurately be described thus) had fairly short service lives but several have survived to this day in preservation. Another early example (RT8) has recently been rescued from abroad by Ensignbus. During major services the bodies were often swapped and this meant that the earlier roofbox examples were spread fairly randomly throughout the number series. These roofbox buses and the Leyland RTLs and RTWs were considered to be non-standard and many of these were exported, often to Ceylon (Sri Lanka). The final London Transport RT buses were withdrawn in April 1979, 40 years after the introduction of RT1.
More roofboxes on the 93. RT113 again - the eyes have it! The white mudguards were intended to improve visibilty during the blackouts. Rather more subdued post-war livery on RT190 - the cream upper deck surrounds of most RTs were painted red in around 1950. The front window of the cab was modified on the post-war buses and there are also differences in the layout of the lights and the route indicator blinds.
Wide-bodied Leyland RTW75 (built 1949) showing the comparatively wide 8ft body, originally a matter of some controversy limiting these higher capacity buses to restricted routes, but also acting as a blueprint for the later Routemasters of the same width. The photographer remembers these buses on the 39 route (quite possibly including this one) and also being used for Wimbledon Tennis special services. This superb restoration was by Blue Triangle (perhaps less appropriate for a Leyland than an AEC!), now re-branded as 'The London Bus Company'.
RTW467 - the last survivor of this wide-bodied sub-class in London Transport service
RT3871 - a preservation era stalwart owned by the London Bus Company. The branding is in complete sympathy with the original styling.
RT1702 - another regular at preservation events.
RT2794 - clocked at 19mph by a speed camera during a ride by the photographer! RT1702 brings up the rear.
RT2794 - down from Liverpool for the day. Low-bridge Ensignbus RLH61 is parked behind waiting for its turn on the roster. This company has performed sterling work in ensuring the preservation of vintage buses. Equally worthy of mention are the London Transport and Cobham Bus Museums and all of the private owners responsible for the restoration and conservation of the wonderful array of vehicles displayed on 10th August.
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