RTL Class History:

 

The RTL is the Leyland version of the famous RT. Immediately recognisable by their different style of radiator and badge, it was politically essential that the capital was seen to be using both AEC and Leyland products. Added to the fact that supply following the end of the war was still an issue and London Transports new buses were nit arriving as fast as they would’ve liked and the need for the RTL was magnified further.

The first of the class entered service in late 1948 at Sidcup, but by the time the last were due to be delivered in 1948 it was clear that the development of Londons bus network would not continue to rise at immediate post war levels as car ownership increased year by year, leaving the last 60 or so RTLs surplus to requirements. Always seen as being heavier to drive, and non standard in that AECs outnumbered them heavily, London Transport started to withdraw the RTLs and the Leyland powered RTWs first. Throughout the 1960s sales of the Leylands increased as new Routmasters were delivered and by the early 1970s only a few remained of the over 1600 delivered mainly on training and staff duties.



RTL453 History

 

RTL453 was new to London Transport in December 1949, first entering service at Plumstead where it largely operated the 53s. By 1957 it was at Riverside Garage, where route 11 and 88 were two that it would frequent. Following overhaul it gained a roof box body, one of only a handful of Leylands to do so and thus became an easy vehicle to spot whilst working from Willesden, before returning to Shepherds Bush. Originally earmarked to be sold with the many of the class to Ceylon, a broken spring meant she missed the convoy to the docks and was replaced by another RTL. This stroke of luck saw her fate changed and she was acquired for preservation directly by the RTL453 group, who would own and keep her in great shape for the next 40 years, until she was kindly donated to the Ensignbus heritage collection for use within the heritage fleet. Immediately having been recertified for passenger carrying duties RTL453 also had a full engine reconditioning in December  2011.



Vehicle Allocation History:

 

TL 453  KLB 648

12/49    Leyland Titan, Leyland O600, Park Royal body 3429, 7RT8

12/49 AM into service on 53, 53A (and 99, 122) (Plumstead)

1/57 R  (Riverside)

4/57 R  to Aldenham overhaul

4/57 AC from o/h (Willesden)

fitted with roofbox RT10 body

S  used on 11 (Shepherds Bush)

1970    preserved

1978    on hire for learner duties at Chiswick

3/98    MOT, after engine re-build.

active, at Cobham Open Day, North Weald and Showbus98

2008    preserved: RTL453 Group, Croydon

2/10    donated to Ensignbus