AEC Routemaster RM8 (VLT8) in London Transport Red with Solid White Roundel, working on Route 21 to Sidcup Garage, circa 1976.

Development of the Routemaster bus started back in 1947, with design by London Transport (LT), and construction being undertaken at LT’s Chiswick Works, assisted by Park Royal Vehicles, and using mechanical units provided by sister company AEC. The prototype emerged in 1954, and the first production examples entered service in 1959. From then until 1968, some 2,876 Routemasters of varying types and configurations (including RMs, RMCs, RMLs, RCLs, RMFs and RMAs) were constructed. They remained in regular service until the end of 2005, although some can still be found in action on heritage routes within London. In fact, some 1,280 examples are known to survive in the UK and around the world.

Our model depicts RM8 (registration VLT8), which was the first production Routemaster bus to be produced by AEC/Park Royal. It made its first public appearance at the Commercial Motor Show in September 1958, but was not formally transferred to London Transport until March 1961. Although technically regarded as the first production example, RM8 actually spent the first 18 years of its existence being used as the testing bed for subsequent modifications for the RM type. Consequently, RM8 did not enter normal service with London Transport until March 1976, working out of Sidcup Garage. It is this period that our model represents.

RM8 entered preservation in 1985 after just nine years in normal service. Today it is in the care of the RM8 Club.

• Colours/details of final model may vary from illustration
• Authentically detailed die-cast model from EFE Road
• Complementary to OO scale model railways (1:76 scale)