AEC Regent III - RT624 

RT Class History:

 

The RT is surely one of the best know types of London bus with a look that is timeless as well as being a design classic. RT’s have featured in films, such as ‘Summer Holiday’ or James Bonds ‘Live and Let Die’ all adding to the familiarity of the type.

The first RT took to the road in service weeks before the start of World War II and hence became the only true Pre War RT, however with the other 149 of this batch entering service throughout the next two years before hostilities ceased, these first 150 are universally all known as the Pre War batch.

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Following the end of the war it had been decided that the RT would form the majority of London double deck fleet and some modifications were made to the post war design to improve on what had been learnt from the operation of the pre war batch, thus started one of the great fleet replacements of war weary types as quickly as possible. By 1948 RT’s were entering service in a steady stream, there were however numerous delays and shortages caused by the lack of parts and skilled workers so soon after the end of hostilities. Body production was quicker than chassis leading to some new RT bodies being mounted onto STL chassis, thus making the short lived SRT class, (of which our very own RT4421 is one, formerly SRT 119). To also help production non standard body builders were used in addition to Park Royal and Weymann, Saunders and Cravens also built a few hundred examples see our RT1431 and RT1499 for Cravens examples.

By 1955 bus use had dramatically declined and LT had more buses than it was ever going to need, so the first non standard types, the Cravens, were withdrawn and sold on. Further withdrawals continued as the new Routemasters started to appear in the late 1950’s.

However the RT was a survivor and following its hey day, where nearly 7,000 were in service, they took a very long time to replace. The last one (RT624 also now in our fleet) ran on the East London route 62 in April 1979 bringing to an end 40 years of continuous operation of this type, a record many thought would never be beaten. However, its successor the RM did manage to achieve this extraordinary feat lasting in service until 2005.

It’s true to say that when people are asked to draw or describe a London bus it is generally one of these two types people will think off, such is the iconic regard they achieved however with the RT having been built in such austere times and having operated through such harsh conditions its longevity is a real credit to its type.



RT624 History

 

New in 1948 this particular RT was delivered as a green Country Area bus, however its long life with London Transport would see it become a red bus before earning its moment in the record books by being the very last RT in London Transport service. After recovering the vehicle from Birmingham in 2004, the bus was readied after a years work to make its debut on the final day of Routemasters in service in December 2005. Completely restored to its 1979 condition, this particular vehicle holds a special place in many peoples memories being the last of one of London’s favourite vehicles to have operated. Now fully licensed to carry passengers why not take a journey on a real piece of London Transport history



Vehicle Allocation History:

 

August 1948 new, roofbox body 1873: Weymann 3RT3
green/cream livery
August 1948 HH into service on 301, 302, 314, 316, (Hemel Hempstead)
from o/h, green, cream band, 3RT8
1957 Hemel Hempstead
*/58 Hemel Hempstead used on 314
1959 Hemel Hempstead
August 1960 SA (on loan): used on 341
September 1960 Hemel Hempstead into store
November 1960 Hemel Hempstead to Aldenham overhaul
November 1960 Epping from o/h: 3RT8
1961-1962 EP
May 1963 Harlow transfer
August 1963 HA into store
September 1963 Hertford change store
February 1964 Grays change store
August 1964 Amersham transfer
September 1964 Tring transfer
April 1965 TG to Aldenham overhaul
April 1965 Norwood from o/h
November 1966 Transfer to Wandsworth
1967-1968 Wandsworth
January 1969 Wandsworth to Aldenham overhaul
January 1969 Brixton from o/h
September 1969 Brixton into store
October 1969 Walworth change store
November 1969 Brixton return
1970-1973 Brixton
December 1974 Brixton into store
May 1975 Brixton to Aldenham repaint, and return, unlicensed
June 1975 Camberwell transfer
August 1975 Bromley transfer
October 1976 Catford transfer: used on 54
1977 Catford
January 1978 Catford trainer
June 1978 Catford into store
September 1978 Barking transfer
April 1979 Barking used on last journey on 62, then withdrawn
April 1979 bought for preservation: R.Tildesley Ltd, Aldridge, West Midlands
preserved by BAMMOT, Wythall
by December 2004 bought by Ensign Bus Company
restored to 1979 condition, repainted, restored adverts
December 2005 used on X80



Technical Specifications:

Date of first registration: 1948
Chassis: AEC Regent III
Chassis number: tbc
Engine: AEC 9.6
Fuel: Diesel
Body Code: 6930
Body: Weymann
Lengh: 26’
Seating: 56 seats, 26 downstairs & 30 upstairs