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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: pscocoa on 21 May 2010, 11:06:07

Title: Unexpected pleasure - London buses
Post by: pscocoa on 21 May 2010, 11:06:07
Just went on early 1960s Routemaster from Cannon Street to Fleet Street. Thought they had all been scrapped but apparently 10 being retained on Tower Hill to Aldwych route - they reckon will keep them in service for 5 years.
Title: Re: Unexpected pleasure - London buses
Post by: Peachy on 21 May 2010, 11:11:03
Good for them, make it 15 years
 :y :y :y
Title: Re: Unexpected pleasure - London buses
Post by: zirk on 21 May 2010, 11:14:28
Did it take Oyster Card?

They did take them all out, but decided to put some back in service. not sure how they've got round the Health and Safety aspect of jumping on and off though?
Title: Re: Unexpected pleasure - London buses
Post by: pscocoa on 21 May 2010, 12:05:24
they have a conductor who swipes oyster - and reason I caught bus was because it was stopped at lights in between stops - jumped off before my stop as well so in fact bus could keep moving - came back on another routemaster

Title: Re: Unexpected pleasure - London buses
Post by: Chris_H on 21 May 2010, 12:20:00
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Did it take Oyster Card?

They did take them all out, but decided to put some back in service. not sure how they've got round the Health and Safety aspect of jumping on and off though?
I think that aspect of them is a delight in this day-and-age. :)

I used to go to school on RTs and my mate and I obviously jumped off as early as possible i.e. while the bus was still going fast.  Amazing one day when they had placed a temporary bus-stop several yards before the real one and my mate jumped straight into it!  Could have been serious but we were (both) able to laugh at it, especially me! ;D
Title: Re: Unexpected pleasure - London buses
Post by: Sixstring on 21 May 2010, 12:31:06
Just love routemasters.....timeless and elegant, the spirit of central london for foreign tourists, especially the japanese, they just can't wait to ride on them and take pictures!!
Title: Re: Unexpected pleasure - London buses
Post by: Terbs on 21 May 2010, 13:09:15
We used to have the pre-routemasters here, same as old London buses, but ours were green. I am talking back in the fifties.
I'll tell you what, we were fiercely proud of our buses which, in those days were called London Country. It used to be a thrill when I was a kid, to go to Uxbridge, where the red buses started and go on a red bus to London Airport as Heathrow was then known.
Title: Re: Unexpected pleasure - London buses
Post by: STMO999 on 21 May 2010, 14:24:33
They're not the genuine old routemasters as far as I know. Last time I looked they had pnuemo-cyclic gearboxes (semi-auto) like the ones on the leyland atlanteans.
Title: Re: Unexpected pleasure - London buses
Post by: tunnie on 21 May 2010, 18:06:38
don't be fooled, they are not genuine routemasters, engine, gearbox have all been ripped out, if you notice they don't have the controls they used to in the cab
Title: Re: Unexpected pleasure - London buses
Post by: Crazydad on 21 May 2010, 18:42:21
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don't be fooled, they are not genuine routemasters, engine, gearbox have all been ripped out, if you notice they don't have the controls they used to in the cab
Correct, we had a couple in Catford Garage, all the original stuff doesnt exist any more. They look good but are lumps to drive. :y
Title: Re: Unexpected pleasure - London buses
Post by: Seth on 21 May 2010, 21:44:58
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Quote
don't be fooled, they are not genuine routemasters, engine, gearbox have all been ripped out, if you notice they don't have the controls they used to in the cab
Correct, we had a couple in Catford Garage, all the original stuff doesnt exist any more. They look good but are lumps to drive. :y
Yep, a Routemaster's not a Routemaster if it's not got that 9.6-litre AEC AV590 lump up front!
 :D
Title: Re: Unexpected pleasure - London buses
Post by: tidla on 21 May 2010, 22:59:51
i know new buses are probably not as interesting as the old ones (till they get old) but did see in the news these new ones in build with "jump on an off platforms"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/17/london-routemaster-bus-boris-johnson
Title: Re: Unexpected pleasure - London buses
Post by: tunnie on 21 May 2010, 23:51:49
If that is the final design its a poor show, looks like all the other crap buses London has.
Title: Re: Unexpected pleasure - London buses
Post by: Vamps on 22 May 2010, 00:09:13
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i know new buses are probably not as interesting as the old ones (till they get old) but did see in the news these new ones in build with "jump on an off platforms"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/17/london-routemaster-bus-boris-johnson

Interesting design, but the back needs to be more square, on the roofline imho ........ :)
Title: Re: Unexpected pleasure - London buses
Post by: BigAl on 22 May 2010, 02:02:44
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If that is the final design its a poor show, looks like all the other crap buses London has.
Yeah !, I'm with you on this:-
red - Check!
Wheel at each corner - Check!
Carries passengers - Check!
I blame Boris - this new bus should hover and be invisible as well as not carrying any passengers

I know buy a couple of stealth bombers :y :y
Title: Re: Unexpected pleasure - London buses
Post by: Crazydad on 22 May 2010, 05:40:56
The problem is that the bus has still got to have a kneeling  capability, so it still needs a door at the side for wheelchairs and prams to enter, the only thing that reminds it of an old London Bus is the fact that it will have a platform.
But on the down side, dont think for a second that this bus will be seen all over London, it will only be on a few scenic routes, as a Bus with driver and conductor is just to expensive for most of the companys, not to mention the cost of the Bus as TFL will have to pay the tendering companys for that too.