Routemaster RM
The Iconic Routemaster bus, known as the RM first designed in the 1950’s became an instant classic. It used a lightweight alloy body, wich produced a 64 seat bus for the same weight as the 56 seat RT model it replaced. It also differed from previous models by not using a seperate ladder chassis, but rather an alloy monocoque, to which 2 subframes were attached, the front to carry the engine and suspension, and the at the rear for the rear axle and rear suspension. It also had several other innovations from the period, such as independent front suspension, power steering, fully automatic gearbox and servoed hydraulic brakes.
The Routemaster was 8ft wide, 27 ft 6 inches long and 14 ft 4.5 inches tall, capable of seating 64 people in total with 28 downstairs, 36 upstairs. It weighed 7 tons 7cwt unladen or fully laden 11 tons 10cwt. The double decker used one of two engines, either the AEC AV590 9.6 litre or the Leyland 0600 9.8 litre diesel rated at 115 bhp.
Routemaster RML
Several years later the Routemaster RML was developed, a longer version of the routemaster, effectively made by adding an extra 2ft 4 inch section into the centre of the bus, increasing the length to an ever 30 feet. This was the higher capacity model designed for the increasingly busy major central London routes, as it could seat a total of 72 people. The RML can be identified by the small extra square central window in profile view of the bus, both in the bottom and top deck, that doesnt match all the other equally sized windows.
Other versions of the routemaster were developed, such as the RMC, or Routemaster “Coach” version, designed for longer journeys, with wider, more comfortable seats. It was quite often seen in different liveries other than the London red.
The RCL was based on the RML, designed to take over several London bus routes, andthe idea was to offer “Private Car Comfort” to commuters as cars were becoming more affordable, and has the more comfort orientated features of the RMC but in the RML’s longer bodyshell.
The Routemaster buses ran in London until 2005, when they were finally retired from service on the 8th December.