Tim's One Photograph a Day

Former London Routemaster Bus.

Derelict Routemaster Bus.

Routemaster Bus: Looking a bit forlorn.

Looking a bit forlorn.

Just around the corner from the bus depot I am driving from is this old Routemaster Bus. Sadly, this has seen better days. It is not obvious whether it is still used for anything, or just dumped.

According to the Ian Allen Bus History website, this vehicle, an RML (Routemaster Long), was new to London Transport’s Aldenham depot in October 1961 as WLT 890.

It spent its early life on service 104, before being moved to Muswell Hill on the 43. It then had a bit of a chequered career, including some time being delicensed and out of service, before finding a new lease of life in October 1975 on the 37 at New Cross.

In 1994 it was taken into the Stagecoach East London fleet when London Transport was privatised, becoming XFF 814 in 1995. It spent the rest of its service life on the heritage 15 route.

Withdrawn in Stratford in August 2003, this old Routemaster bus was sold to Ensign Bus (dealer) in the September. The following March, it was apparently purchased by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber.

What has brought it to Newbury is unclear. Downstairs seems to be fitted out as a catering unit, although it doesn’t look as though it has seen much, if any, use for many a year. Maybe it is someone’s project.

Photograph Details:

  • Taken: 3 July 2017
  • Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M10 MkIIA
  • Lens: Olympus 14-42 1:3.5-5.6
  • Focal Length 14mm
  • F/6.3
  • 1/1000 Sec
  • ISO 200

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