Used to sit here all the time as kid on these glorious vehicles. Love that engine noise so typical of AEC, even on their lorries, that were all over. Glad to see 624 preserved, last RT in service on that fateful day! The route I grew up with was the 53 and 180/180A, even remember these on the 171A.
Lovely to hear the old bus again . I would often travel on these buses when they ran on the 197 route . Norwood junction caterham valley that must have been quite a nice run really heading towards the valley on the godstone road . That was 1969 to 1971 . I would always sit with my dad on the long seat at the rear . funnily enough I became a night shunter at Thornton heath bus garage From 1983 to 1995 The old girls had gone by then but the route masters were just as good lasting at T H until 1987 . I would often let the odd kid jump in the cab & sit on the bell box as I drove through the wash ! Clive chad
Strange how progress is sometimes slow. When I left London in 1972 cars did not have indicators that appeared to work, watching the traffic here it seems indicators are still not working ! Lovely to see the old RT, used to ride on them as a kid. Thank you for putting this on.
How I agree! I have an article from the Daily Telegraph that perfectly describes it: The mellow, relaxed sound of a large, unstressed, low revving diesel, enhanced by the occasional contented exhalation of compressed air - not to mention it's musical transmission. Such a friendly, relaxing bus to travel on!
Wow! What a nostalgic video......i rememeber riding on this very bus (plus a few others) a couple of weeks before the end back in 1979, out to Hailault Forest from Barking. And in 1983 i actually started my working life at Barking Garage, no gates across the entrances back then though.....
My dad drove the 23's, 5's from West Ham garage back in the days - I remember riding on the Bus while he drove it from Dagenham to Aldgate and back. ~Trooper
Fantastic video! Although I grew up in Scotland I used to go to school on RTs. Chieftain Buses of Burnbank bought several second-hand examples which provided excellent service for many years in and around Hamilton. Chieftain's green livery wasn't unlike London Country although with more cream. "Sitting" in the front seat took me straight back to the early 1960s.
Thank you so much for such an appreciative comment - this is why I share my videos so others can enjoy them. I recall seeing photos of Chieftain buses but never saw them myself.
This was a special event to mark 80 years since the introduction of the RT buses. in normal times classic bus running days take place at various locations (norammly just outside London), just look up Country Bus Rallies and dates for the events will be held on, although not until life gets back to normal....
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Also good to see the driver using the pre select gearbox correctly.
Used to sit here all the time as kid on these glorious vehicles. Love that engine noise so typical of AEC, even on their lorries, that were all over. Glad to see 624 preserved, last RT in service on that fateful day! The route I grew up with was the 53 and 180/180A, even remember these on the 171A.
I had the pleasure of training on one, Chiswick 1973, a real drivers bus, that engine sound is something to behold, thanks for the footage.
Beautiful 👍engine sounds like music to my ears
Better than most music nowadays!
Lovely to hear the old bus again . I would often travel on these buses when they ran on the 197 route . Norwood junction caterham valley that must have been quite a nice run really heading towards the valley on the godstone road . That was 1969 to 1971 .
I would always sit with my dad on the long seat at the rear . funnily enough
I became a night shunter at Thornton heath bus garage
From 1983 to 1995
The old girls had gone by then but the route masters were just as good lasting at T H until 1987 .
I would often let the odd kid jump in the cab & sit on the bell box as I drove through the wash !
Clive chad
The sound brought back a lot of memories. I drove these buses out of Battersea Garage in the 60’s.
Strange how progress is sometimes slow. When I left London in 1972 cars did not have indicators that appeared to work, watching the traffic here it seems indicators are still not working ! Lovely to see the old RT, used to ride on them as a kid. Thank you for putting this on.
Familiar sound of the engine from the better days of buses.
Such a relaxing engine sound !
How I agree! I have an article from the Daily Telegraph that perfectly describes it: The mellow, relaxed sound of a large, unstressed, low revving diesel, enhanced by the occasional contented exhalation of compressed air - not to mention it's musical transmission. Such a friendly, relaxing bus to travel on!
@@robertp.wainman4094 yep, low revving low stress means a pleasant deep tond
Twenty one minutes of sheer pleasure!
Thank you so much for such kind comment - that’s why I share my videos so others can enjoy them :)
Wow! What a nostalgic video......i rememeber riding on this very bus (plus a few others) a couple of weeks before the end back in 1979, out to Hailault Forest from Barking. And in 1983 i actually started my working life at Barking Garage, no gates across the entrances back then though.....
Thoroughly enjoyed that! Just love the sound at tick-over, nothing like it.....magic!! Thanks for posting your efforts.
I've been on one of these buses once when I was a kid, great memories 😊❤️🚌🚍
Save all the vintage cars!
My dad drove the 23's, 5's from West Ham garage back in the days - I remember riding on the Bus while he drove it from Dagenham to Aldgate and back. ~Trooper
Fond memories of fast runs with an RT on 301 from Tring to Aylesbury in the sixties.
I drove 105's down A40 Western Avenue in the 60's. Got 55mph on the speedo once or twice. RM's were limited to 40mph.
PatMurphy. great video reminds me when i was a bus driver in manchester in the `970s heavy steering, pre select gearbox wonderfull.
Fantastic video! Although I grew up in Scotland I used to go to school on RTs. Chieftain Buses of Burnbank bought several second-hand examples which provided excellent service for many years in and around Hamilton. Chieftain's green livery wasn't unlike London Country although with more cream. "Sitting" in the front seat took me straight back to the early 1960s.
Thank you so much for such an appreciative comment - this is why I share my videos so others can enjoy them. I recall seeing photos of Chieftain buses but never saw them myself.
enjoyed this bus ride, in London! XD The streets and houses some are somewhat similar to my city here. I love old buses
When the road don't fit you make it fit 😎👌
Curses! I have not underlined this one in my 1961 abc spotter's book.
My god, I've just realised, I remember when they put indicators on the sides of these buses. How ancient am I?
The A.N.D van committed sacrilege cutting of a Regent III.
Best bits for hearing it stretch it's legs a little 17:00 and 19:00.
Fantastic memories
Yes, catching an RT as a kid from Blackheath Station. I still attempt to imitate that glorious sound today!
Sounds just like the bus I went to and from school on 217 in late 60s early 70s, the 242 was a swift or merlin? Pay as you enter, happy days
Yes, the 217s were RT and the single deckers on the 242s were the 36ft long Merlins.....
Very good! 🇧🇷
Is it the 9 or 15
From the depot?
NRM and RTs together in london
What’s the event that involves these buses going out and giving people rides called? And what time of year does it happen??
This was a special event to mark 80 years since the introduction of the RT buses. in normal times classic bus running days take place at various locations (norammly just outside London), just look up Country Bus Rallies and dates for the events will be held on, although not until life gets back to normal....
not bad
This sounds beefier than your average RT, sounds more like a Leyland engine Routemaster.
I would like the New Routemasters if they were electric/battery powered, not diesels!