Bus Shite

11,860 · January 30

On 29/01/2026 at 14:31, Joey spud said:

I received an aux cable through the post today and was pleased to see this rather tasteful stamp attached to the package.

Thinking about this surely stamps without a barcode are no longer useable and Google says this one dates from 2001.

Those stamps were tied in with a range of Corgi models, back when Corgi were actually interested in modelling buses. I have that Arriva Olympian.

12,521 · January 30

Need an Arriva Mercedes to go with that...?

11,938 · February 1

12,390 · February 6

17,360 · February 6

50 minutes ago, Inspector Morose said:

Brighton reg bus, and Hanningtons was a department store in Brighton founded in 1808, closed in 2001 after 192 years.

22,575 · February 7

Bus for sale on LeBonCoin €15000 - UK reg near Biarritz. One on the right apparently a Volvo based Olympian.

https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/utilitaires/3114714664

22,575 · February 7

Routemaster for sale near Angoulême. 1966 French registered.

https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/utilitaires/3058378615

3,716 · February 7

11 minutes ago, lesapandre said:

Routemaster for sale near Angoulême. 1966 French registered.

https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/utilitaires/3058378615

85,000 Euros? I know you have to have a go sometimes but that seems a bit excessive. Perhaps they'll throw in the plastic chairs and table?

22,575 · February 7

14 minutes ago, lisbon_road said:

85,000 Euros? I know you have to have a go sometimes but that seems a bit excessive. Perhaps they'll throw in the plastic chairs and table?

Running and driving on the road apparently so mobile rather than some static wreck. Fully fitted kitchen and 2023 pizza oven on ground floor - which I suppose goes some way to explaining the price. I've no idea what these make in roadworthy condition.

I saw one on the road in France last year - was filling up at a remote self-service petrol station when I stopped by.

A slightly bizarre sight seeing such a typical London bus on a French road - like it was somewhere in Metroland.

Set off after at quite a rate - after I'd filled up I did not catch up with it again. Wonderful things. So great when they were in London.

18,063 · February 7

2 hours ago, lisbon_road said:

85,000 Euros? I know you have to have a go sometimes but that seems a bit excessive. Perhaps they'll throw in the plastic chairs and table?

You do get Cliff Richard as well.

22,760 · February 7

5 hours ago, lesapandre said:

I've no idea what these make in roadworthy condition.

usually about £20K-£40K depending on exact condition

5 hours ago, lesapandre said:

so mobile rather than some static wreck

the Routemaster is an all aluminium monocoque construction, so they dont tend to "rot" like ordinary vehicles do, and they are very modular in their construction, so quite repairable, its part of the reason for their success and longevity in service

12,390 · February 8

11,938 · February 8

17,818 · February 8

Manchester, it was nice...

... I lie. It was a shithole.

Anyway, where was I? Ahh yes... back to The Motherland. A couple of weekends to cleanse the soul... two nights on the Central Line, two on the Northern Line and another box ticked in the shape of finally driving a Volvo Gemini that isn't a sodding hybrid- after eighteen years!

Last week's rides were Stockwell's SE91 on Saturday...

... Morden Wharf's SE55 on Sunday...

... and this weekend, Morden Wharf's WVL438 (Saturday) and WVL436 (today).

It's been a while but man is it good to be back.

Stockwell garage will never, ever get old... it truely is astounding.

Morden here is the Morden Wharf Garage cat.

And a smattering of other pictures from the last two weekends...

22,575 · February 8

These newer buses - if they are the ones I have been on - are interesting because upstairs with the reduced window and roof height they have much more the feel of an old cosy Routemaster. TfL have also gone back to moquette fabrics of classic design and faux wooden floors to heighten the effect.

I wonder is Morden ever gets taken out on a bus by mistake.

17,360 · February 8

Last November I used a bus from Victoria to Russell square. Well ok, 2 buses - but way less walking than the tube, as I had a weak ankle.

22,760 · February 9

2 hours ago, cms206 said:

It's been a while but man is it good to be back.

Stockwell garage will never, ever get old... it truely is astounding

do you think you could sneak me and REV in there for a cheeky photo or 2? :mrgreen: (if only it was still full of Routemasters...)

48,730 · February 9

19 hours ago, cms206 said:

I do find it strange seeing Yorkshire and Scottish reg numbers on London buses. I guess they were pre-registered at the factory; Plaxtons in Scarborough for Y and Alexander in Larbert for S and I also assume that the Northern Irish built Wrights got a London number (L) because Northern Ireland's registration system is independent of the one at Swansea.

I don't live a million miles away from Plaxtons and I do occasionally see London liveried buses either on test or out for delivery which is strange in the middle of rural Yorkshire.

24,031 · February 11

London is selling some old buses...

https://www.wilsonsauctions.com/auctions/commercial-vehicle-auction-2952/lots/250754

11,938 · February 11

22,760 · February 12

17 hours ago, Asimo said:

London is selling some old buses...

https://www.wilsonsauctions.com/auctions/commercial-vehicle-auction-2952/lots/250754

I am going to be keeping a close eye on those, as I am really curious to know what they will go for.

in that normally a Routemaster is £20K-£40K depending on condition and configuration/type

but as Routemasters go, apart from RM652, WLT652 which has provenance as Clydeside Scottish's Rodney the Routemaster (which I am honestly surprised has not already been sold off/transferred elsewhere) those RM's are of these least desirable specification/configuration

in that they are whats known as "Dartmasters" they where all refurbished in the early 2000's with ugly hopper windows in place of the winding windows, an interior change to fluorescent lighting, ugly yellow hand rails and non original crushed strawberry seat fabric, and biggest of all a whole driveline replacement with the engine and gearbox of the same sort found in a Dennis Dart Hence Dartmaster (some of those had been "de-ferbished" and put back to original seat fabric and incandescent lighting, but they all otherwise are Dartmaster configuration still)

and I do wonder if 5 of them coming up at once might suppress the price a bit? I dont know how much demand there is for Routemasters in that regard! so yeah it will be quite interesting to see what they go for... (not that I have any stupid thoughts of bidding on one myself if the prices really do stay low *ahem*)

you can see all 5 here

https://www.wilsonsauctions.com/auctions/commercial-vehicle-auction-2952

11,938 · February 12

29,148 · February 12

13 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

I am going to be keeping a close eye on those, as I am really curious to know what they will go for.

in that normally a Routemaster is £20K-£40K depending on condition and configuration/type

but as Routemasters go, apart from RM652, WLT652 which has provenance as Clydeside Scottish's Rodney the Routemaster (which I am honestly surprised has not already been sold off/transferred elsewhere) those RM's are of these least desirable specification/configuration

in that they are whats known as "Dartmasters" they where all refurbished in the early 2000's with ugly hopper windows in place of the winding windows, an interior change to fluorescent lighting, ugly yellow hand rails and non original crushed strawberry seat fabric, and biggest of all a whole driveline replacement with the engine and gearbox of the same sort found in a Dennis Dart Hence Dartmaster (some of those had been "de-ferbished" and put back to original seat fabric and incandescent lighting, but they all otherwise are Dartmaster configuration still)

and I do wonder if 5 of them coming up at once might suppress the price a bit? I dont know how much demand there is for Routemasters in that regard! so yeah it will be quite interesting to see what they go for... (not that I have any stupid thoughts of bidding on one myself if the prices really do stay low *ahem*)

you can see all 5 here

https://www.wilsonsauctions.com/auctions/commercial-vehicle-auction-2952

It’s taking everything I’ve got to not go outside and measure up the driveway😄

Id love to have one to rebuild back to original, and put the proper AEC or Leyland engine back in.

12,390 · February 12

17 hours ago, The Old Bloke Next Door said:

I see your WMPTE Jubo and raise you:

22,228 · February 12

2 hours ago, LightBulbFun said:

I am going to be keeping a close eye on those, as I am really curious to know what they will go for.

in that normally a Routemaster is £20K-£40K depending on condition and configuration/type

but as Routemasters go, apart from RM652, WLT652 which has provenance as Clydeside Scottish's Rodney the Routemaster (which I am honestly surprised has not already been sold off/transferred elsewhere) those RM's are of these least desirable specification/configuration

in that they are whats known as "Dartmasters" they where all refurbished in the early 2000's with ugly hopper windows in place of the winding windows, an interior change to fluorescent lighting, ugly yellow hand rails and non original crushed strawberry seat fabric, and biggest of all a whole driveline replacement with the engine and gearbox of the same sort found in a Dennis Dart Hence Dartmaster (some of those had been "de-ferbished" and put back to original seat fabric and incandescent lighting, but they all otherwise are Dartmaster configuration still)

and I do wonder if 5 of them coming up at once might suppress the price a bit? I dont know how much demand there is for Routemasters in that regard! so yeah it will be quite interesting to see what they go for... (not that I have any stupid thoughts of bidding on one myself if the prices really do stay low *ahem*)

you can see all 5 here

https://www.wilsonsauctions.com/auctions/commercial-vehicle-auction-2952

2 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

It’s taking everything I’ve got to not go outside and measure up the driveway😄

Id love to have one to rebuild back to original, and put the proper AEC or Leyland engine back in.

Ordinarily I would say say don't go near them, they are horrible things. They are vaguely Routemaster shaped from a distance but when you get nearer they bear no resemblance at all. Not only do they not look or sound like an RM they don't even move like one. You might think I'm being melodramatic, and am probably biased but it's true, removing the original gearboxes completely changed the feel of them from inside.

The original box was mounted in the middle of the bus for perfect weight distribution. The engine has a fluid flywheel on the back which connects to the gearbox via a cardan shaft. This makes for very smooth gear changes. So smooth it is almost impossible to mess it up.

The Dartmasters had a small high revving Cummins (not the same as the earlier Cummins engined refurbs) with a conventional auto box attached directly to it. The driver had no control over it and they were much harsher and jolty as they changed. So much so they used to have trouble with broken halfshafts. Something that had never happened with the original powertrain.

Having said all that I might make an exception for RM 2089 as, if my fading memory is correct, this was the last Leyland engined RM in regular service with Reading Mainline in 2000. I mean there are a couple around now available for private hire and stuff but 2089 was the last in daily service.

And it is one that has had the interior restored to almost original condition so a lot of the hard work has been done for you. I've no idea how difficult it would be to restore it to the original running gear, though I know somebody who would know, but I imagine quite a lot. Certainly more than I could be bothered with. I'm a lot lazier than I used to be.

I spent twenty years owning RMs and I've vowed that if ever did it again it would have to live under cover which pushes costs up considerably. They are virtually all aluminium so they don't rust like other buses but the paintwork and interior don't like sitting outside.

If ever win the Euro millions lottery about five times in a row I have a plan to buy Stamford Brook bus garage in Chiswick (it's not actually for sale as far as I know) and convert the offices to living accommodation and fill the garage with stuff I like, in which case I'd happily take RM 2089 on, but that for now remains a fantasy

29,148 · February 12

17 minutes ago, Yoss said:

Ordinarily I would say say don't go near them, they are horrible things. They are vaguely Routemaster shaped from a distance but when you get nearer they bear no resemblance at all. Not only do they not look or sound like an RM they don't even move like one. You might think I'm being melodramatic, and am probably biased but it's true, removing the original gearboxes completely changed the feel of them from inside.

The original box was mounted in the middle of the bus for perfect weight distribution. The engine has a fluid flywheel on the back which connects to the gearbox via a cardan shaft. This makes for very smooth gear changes. So smooth it is almost impossible to mess it up.

The Dartmasters had a small high revving Cummins (not the same as the earlier Cummins engined refurbs) with a conventional auto box attached directly to it. The driver had no control over it and they were much harsher and jolty as they changed. So much so they used to have trouble with broken halfshafts. Something that had never happened with the original powertrain.

Having said all that I might make an exception for RM 2089 as, if my fading memory is correct, this was the last Leyland engined RM in regular service with Reading Mainline in 2000. I mean there are a couple around now available for private hire and stuff but 2089 was the last in daily service.

And it is one that has had the interior restored to almost original condition so a lot of the hard work has been done for you. I've no idea how difficult it would be to restore it to the original running gear, though I know somebody who would know, but I imagine quite a lot. Certainly more than I could be bothered with. I'm a lot lazier than I used to be.

I spent twenty years owning RMs and I've vowed that if ever did it again it would have to live under cover which pushes costs up considerably. They are virtually all aluminium so they don't rust like other buses but the paintwork and interior don't like sitting outside.

If ever win the Euro millions lottery about five times in a row I have a plan to buy Stamford Brook bus garage in Chiswick (it's not actually for sale as far as I know) and convert the offices to living accommodation and fill the garage with stuff I like, in which case I'd happily take RM 2089 on, but that for now remains a fantasy

It’s a pity they refurbished them in a way as it removed the classic power train. Everything about them changed. Although it was a necessity as far as I’m aware given how worn out the engines and transmissions were getting and the supply problems getting parts, particularly after AEC shut down. I suppose it kept them going though.

I don’t even know where you’d find an original engine and box now. They must be pretty rare nowadays. Maybe somewhere like Malta?? Even then I’m not sure it’d be an easy thing to get.

11,860 · February 12

15 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

It’s a pity they refurbished them in a way as it removed the classic power train. Everything about them changed. Although it was a necessity as far as I’m aware given how worn out the engines and transmissions were getting and the supply problems getting parts, particularly after AEC shut down. I suppose it kept them going though.

I don’t even know where you’d find an original engine and box now. They must be pretty rare nowadays. Maybe somewhere like Malta?? Even then I’m not sure it’d be an easy thing to get.

Looks like there might only be two Routemasters in Malta, one RMF open-topper and one Scania-engined party bus, so not much chance of finding parts there. There may still be a few AEC single-deckers knocking about but by now they're also likely to be Trigger's brooms that have been totally re-engineered.

22,228 · February 12

Unfortunately several of them needn't have been refurbished at all. Ken Livingstones original plan was to buy all these Routemaster back from wherever they could find them to build the fleet up, not to replace other worn out buses. There was his famous quote, 'only a dehumanised moron would want to get rid of the Routemaster' spouted during one of his election campaigns.

Then about a year later, somewhere around 2003, he changed his mind, or somebody changed it for him, and we were told they had to go and mass withdrawals began almost immediately.

Meanwhile they had bought all these buses from all over the country. Some had already been refurbed but many hadn't. Many were sitting in Ash Grove garage exactly as they had been bought in original condition. But the contract to refurbish them had already been signed so they got refurbished anyway. Pointlessly. Which still annoys me now when I think about it.

29,148 · February 12

9 minutes ago, Yoss said:

Unfortunately several of them needn't have been refurbished at all. Ken Livingstones original plan was to buy all these Routemaster back from wherever they could find them to build the fleet up, not to replace other worn out buses. There was his famous quote, 'only a dehumanised moron would want to get rid of the Routemaster' spouted during one of his election campaigns.

Then about a year later, somewhere around 2003, he changed his mind, or somebody changed it for him, and we were told they had to go and mass withdrawals began almost immediately.

Meanwhile they had bought all these buses from all over the country. Some had already been refurbed but many hadn't. Many were sitting in Ash Grove garage exactly as they had been bought in original condition. But the contract to refurbish them had already been signed so they got refurbished anyway. Pointlessly. Which still annoys me now when I think about it.

Unfortunately that’s what happens when career morons (aka: politicians) get involved and wade into things they know nothing about.
Only a dehumanised moron indeed!

11,609 · Friday at 00:06

An old Southampton Corporation bus on the bay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/187963078186?

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