AEC Routemaster

RM1363 (363 CLT) is owned by Group member Chris Knight.

Vehicle details

RM1363 is an AEC/Park Royal Vehicles Routemaster, with an original Leyland 0.600 engine. 

Vehicle history

RM1363 was delivered new to London Transport on 28th November 1962, entering service during December at Stockwell garage (SW), where it would have worked on routes 2, 2A, 2B, 37, 88 and 181. By 1977 it was based at Mortlake garage (M). It remained in service in London until August 1984.  It was then withdrawn along with many other Leyland-engined Routemasters, which London Transport regarded as non-standard, despite owning quite a large number of them.

It was sold to Southampton CityBus in May 1987 where it operated briefly.  It then passed to the dealer, Ted Brakell, and was bought by its current owner in August 1992.

The bus has rarely been rallied since it passed into preservation.  Now that the remaining Routemasters have all been withdrawn  from London service, (apart from a very small number on "heritage routes"), lots of them are entering preservation.  But there aren't very many of the Leyland-engined examples with un-modernised interiors, like this one. 

Current situation

The vehicle was restored during 2005 and 2006 and returned to the road for the first time in over 6 years in March 2007. It will be used for various rallies and events during the year.

History of the Routemaster type

Copyright © 2005 Bristol Vintage Bus Group. All rights reserved.
Revised: 14/11/2008