Routemaster information.

[G-CPTN]

Potted history:
The Routemaster double-deck bus was designed in the 1950s by London Transport, AEC (the engine and chassis maker) and PRV (Park Royal Vehicles, the body maker) to replace the AEC Regent RT type. Experimental vehicles took to the road in 1954, and full production began in 1959.
The bus used the AEC AV590 or Leyland O.600 diesel engine, an automatic gearbox by SCG (Self-Change Gears Ltd), power hydraulic brakes by Lockheed or Clayton Dewandre, and electrical equipment by CAV and Simms. A total of over 2700 were built in several variants, apart from the standard RM: the longer RML, coach versions RMC and RCL for the London Country operations, and the forward-entrance RMA for the London-to-Heathrow Airport shuttle service (a similar type being operated in Newcastle by Northern General Transport).
Heavy overhauls were carried out at Chiswick and Aldenham Works until these facilities closed. Surplus London Routemasters began to be sold in the 1980s, but in 1993 the remaining fleet was extensively refurbished, with new Cummins or IVECO engines, fluorescent lighting and other improvements. After the RM's 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2004 the number of Routemasters in service was reduced to just a handful, currently (2008) running on Route 9 and Route 15.

http://www.thermmanual.com/

[Trapper John]

A couple of corrections
1) The gearboxes were the same as on RT's, namely they were pre-selectors. To change gear, you set the gear you wanted on a lever on the steering column, and changed gear by pressing & releasing the clutch pedal.
2) Ken Livingstone actually bought back sold RMs and had them refurbished (at Ash Grove???)

[coastie]

Originally Posted by Trapper John

A couple of corrections
1) The gearboxes were the same as on RT's, namely they were pre-selectors. To change gear, you set the gear you wanted on a lever on the steering column, and changed gear by pressing & releasing the clutch pedal.
2) Ken Livingstone actually bought back sold RMs and had them refurbished (at Ash Grove???)

Hmm, seems like he tried to do SOME good then!!

[High Bay man]

Originally Posted by Trapper John

A couple of corrections
1) The gearboxes were the same as on RT's, namely they were pre-selectors. To change gear, you set the gear you wanted on a lever on the steering column, and changed gear by pressing & releasing the clutch pedal.
2) Ken Livingstone actually bought back sold RMs and had them refurbished (at Ash Grove???)

The above information is totally incorrect for a Routemaster which has no operating or clutch pedal. The original description of the gearbox is correct.
The info above is only correct for the previous generation of London bus the RT and other pre-selector fitted vehicles. The RMs bought back by Livingstone were refurbished by Marshalls of Cambridge.Ash Grove garage was used to store them prior to the work.

I have just joined this Forum, I hope the above post is not typical of the content, the info requested is easily checked.

[G-CPTN]

Welcome to Truck and Bus, High Bay man - I hope we will get to read more of your contributions and maybe see some photographs from you.

We welcome informed comment from members - especially if this corrects previously published information.
Most members are not experts in all fields, though some have experience in particular fields whilst others are relying on memory or heresay.

Sometimes the discussion passes to and fro until someone comes up with the solution - like this time.

Many thanks.

[Mr-Tomcat]

Originally Posted by coastie

Hmm, seems like he tried to do SOME good then!!

I was him that got rid of them in the first place, he wanted bendies to hell with everyone else, now the RM's are only used on sightseeing tours. However I'm sure Nottingham now use them.

Andy.

[coastie]

And Boris, fair play to him, is getting rid of the bendies!