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 were constructed.
The RMCs were introduced in 1962 to work on London Transport’s Green Line cross-London and suburban services. They were a direct development of the standard RM, and while visually very similar, they differed in having twin headlamps, electrically operated platform doors, more comfortable seats with increased legroom, and the addition of luggage racks. A higher rear axle ratio, rear air suspension, and increased fuel capacity also set the RMCs apart from the RMs.
A total of 68 were built, seeing service with Green Line and later London Country, before all were bought back by London Transport. Many ended up as driver trainers, but seven were reinstated as passenger carriers in 1989 for the new X15 route; the latter remaining in traffic until the early 1990s, although some continued in use well into the 2000s.
RMC1490 entered Green Line service at Epping Garage in October 1962, and from then until the London Country takeover in 1970, worked out of Harlow, Hatfield and Guildford amongst other garages. In March 1973 it received an all-over London & Manchester Assurance advertising livery, and spent the next few years roving between Grays, Northfleet and Reigate garages. It received NBC green in 1977, but in June 1979 was bought back by London Transport to serve as a driver trainer.
In March 1989 RMC1490 was refurbished for the Route X15 service, receiving a striking red and gold paint scheme, which is how our new model is depicted. It joined the Stagecoach fleet in November 1993, later finding its way to Scotland, and seeing service in North Wales on Ffestiniog Railway special services before being bought for preservation in 1999. Its X15 livery was restored in 2017, the same year that it was acquired by current owner – Regional Transport of Shrewsbury.
- 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)
