The LONDON TRANSPORT RT FAMILY: STANDARD RTs

This page updated 3rd March 2003

Part4: Preserved standard RTs

There are large numbers of preserved RTs, and deservedly so. They were popular buses with passengers as well as drivers and conductors, and their departure was deeply felt. Despite the post-war standard RTs being fifty years old, they have lasted well, in the main. One of the biggest problems for preservers has been preventing - or rectifying - corrosion of the bottom of the rear bulkhead, from which the platform is cantilevered. This caught everything thrown up by the rear wheels, and once it goes, the back end of the bus gently sags. So there are not as many around as there once were, but it is nice to see old numbers cropping up again after a facelift - or a backlift.

This list is not exhaustive. I am NOT an expert! Please let me know if you know of others.
Thanks to correspondents who have supplied data, especially Mike Dawes (TMR), David Munton (Cape Town), Classic Bus magazine and LOTS.

John Hinson keeps lists of RT survivors as well, which may vary in emphasis from this one. 


RT 196  HLW 183      restored, Switzerland

RT 222               Cape Town, restored chassis, awaiting body from RTL 1264
RT 261  HLW 248 2008 preserved, K.Clements, Aylesford
RT 274  HLX 91   
RT 277  HLX 94  2008 chassis, R.Brown, Motcombe

RT 542  HLX 359 2008 in rebuild, D.Wilkinson, Billericay
RT 586  HLX 403 2008 caravan, T.Tyburn, Bristol 

RT 604  HLX 421 2008 preserved, Purley Transport Preservation Group
RT604 at North Weald, 1998 RT604 at Showbus, 1998 RT604 at Hertford, June 2002
RT604, last of the London Country passenger-carrying RTs, is happily a frequent rally attender. It is also very active on Running Days, and is seen here between turns at Hertford in June 2002. It is shown here at North Weald 98 and Showbus 98. Photos by Ian Smith. Click on them for larger versions. 

 
RT 624  JXC 432 2008 preserved, Ensignbus Transport Museum

RT 786  JXC 149 2008 working preservation, Imperial Buses, Rainham

RT 807  JXN 185 2008 D.Good, storeshed
RT 885  JXN 263 2008 Stondon Transport Museum

RT 949  KGK 920 2008 stored caravan: D.Allwood, Chigwell: may be topless
RT 981  CSL 498 2008 working preservation, Carousel Buses, High Wycombe

RT1018  JXN 46  2008 preserved: M.Lloyd, Wigan, green
RT1024  JXN 52       Balcutta, W.Australia

RT1101  JXN 129      Ontario
RT1107  JXN 135 2008 in rebuild, D.Sullivan, Harrow

RT1206  KGK 675 2008 preserved, M.Burridge & J.Williamson, Bishops Stortford 
RT1240  KGK 709 2008 preserved for spares, The London Bus Company
RT1290  KLB 539 9/07 Catalonia Transport Museum, Barcelona

RT1320  KLB 569 2008 in store, The LOndon Bus Company
RT1349  KLB 596 2008 working preservation: P.Bailey, Andover: used by Black & White Motorways
RT1377  KXW 476 2008 open top, sales stock, Bristol Bus & Coach Sales (may be in Guernsey)
RT1379  KXW 478 2008 preserved: G.& G.Cooper, Newquay
RT1389  KXW 489 2008 in rebuild, The London Bus Company
RT1396  KXW 495 2008 working preservation: Alphabus, Bletchley

RT1530  KGU 290 2008 in store, Memory Lane 
RT1544  KGU 413 2000 at Lingfield Show
RT1544 at Showbus, 1998 RT1544 at Showbus, 1998
RT1544 at Showbus 98. Photos by Ian Smith. Click on them for larger versions.
 
RT1574  KLB 662 9/03 preserved: P.Blair, Winchester
RT1591  KLB 713 2008 open-top, yellow, film work, in store: Men at Work, Hanwell
RT1594  KLB 716 2008 preserved: P.Dale, Sherborne
RT1594 at North Weald, 1998 RT1594 at North Weald, 1998
RT1594 made its first outing for some time to North Weald in June 1998, after a repaint and MOT. Photos by Ian Smith. Click on them for larger versions.

RT1599  KLB 721 2008 preserved, in store: R.Adams, Bristol 

RT1617          2008 preserved as RT3183
RT1658  KXW 304 2008 preserved for spares, The London Bus Company 

RT1700  KYY 527 2008 working preservation, The London Bus Company
RT1700 at Stoke d'Abernon, RT60 RT1700 under London Bridge Stn, December 2002
RT1700 looked good in summer sunshine next to RT1705 at Stoke d'Abernon during the RT60 celebration in June 1999, and in winter darkness on the 2002 Christmas Lights Tour. Photos by Ian Smith. Click on them for larger versions. 

RT1702  KYY 529 2008: preserved, RT1702 Preservation Group
RT1790 at Sidcup, June 2002 RT1790 at Sidcup, June 2002 RT1790 at Sidcup, June 2002
RT1702 at Sidcup during the June 2002 Running Day. Photos by Ian Smith. Click on them for larger versions.
 
RT1777  KYY 615 2008 preserved: D.Richards, Twickenham  
RT1790  KYY 628 2008 working preservation: Memory Lane, Maidenhead
RT1790 at Showbus, 1998 RT1790 at Aldwych, RT60
"Buses" magazine hired RT1790 for a public trip to Showbus 98, and it also operated from Aldwych to Cobham during RT60 in 1999. Photos by Ian Smith. Click on them for larger versions.
  
RT1798  KYY 653 2008 preserved: Martin Ricketts, Andover
RT1798 at Sidcup, June 2002 RT1798 at Sidcup, June 2002
RT1798 performed on the 229 during the Sidcup and Chislehurst Running Day in June 2002. Photos by Ian Smith. Click on them for larger versions.
  
RT1808  KYY 663 2008 National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
RT1815  KYY 670 2008 spares: K&S Austin, Sidcup
RT1881  LLU 767 1997 out of use, Ontario
RT1884  LLU 770 2008 preserved, in store: D.Topgood, Peterborough

RT1947              Durban (SA), active, owned by Doug Green (RT/RF member).

RT2020  LUC 246 1997 Burger Bar, Ontario
RT2041  LUC 289 2008 hospitality unit: G.C.Stevens Ltd, Sittingbourne
RT2043  LUC 291 2008 preserved: Roger & Dawn Stagg, West Malling
RT2043 at Chislehurst, June 2002 RT2043 at Dormansland, April 2002 RT2043 at Forest Row, April 2002
RT2043 was active again in 2002, seen here at Forest Row and Chislehurst on Running Days. Photos by Ian Smith. Click on them for larger versions.

RT2083 LYF 21  2008 preserved (ex RT2084), D.Wilkinson, Billericay
RT2083 at Chislehurst, June 2002 RT2083 at Hertford, June 2002
RT2083 was at Sidcup for the 467 and Hertford for the 341 on the June 2002 Running Days. Photos by Ian Smith. Click on them for larger versions.
 
RT2150  KGK 959 2008 in store: The London Bus Company
RT2157  KGK 966 2008 static office: The Camden Bus Eastate Agency
RT2177  KGU 106 2008 preserved: John Herting
RT2177 at North Weald, 1998 RT2177 at North Weald, 1998
RT2177 at North Weald in June 98 (alongside RT2083). Photos by Ian Smith. Click on them for larger versions.

RT2192              Ontario

RT2233  KGU 162 2008 preserved, in rebuild, M.Biddell, Woodford Bridge
RT2240  KGU 169      scrapped? (converted to triple-decker "Knight Bus" for Harry Potter) film
RT2291  KGU 320 2008 preserved: Rob Duker
RT2291 before East Grinstead, 1998 RT2291 on the Christmas Lights Tour
Preservation brings the joys of early morning cold starts, and some long evenings: RT2291 before departure to the East Grinstead Running Day, April 98 and under London Bridge station on the Christmas Lights Tour, December 1998.
Photos by Ian Smith. Click for larger versions.

RT2293  KGU 322 2008 preserved: P.Buckland, Hertford
RT2293 at North Weald, 1998 RT2293 at Showbus 97
RT2293 at North Weald in June 98 and at Showbus 97. Photos by Ian Smith. Click for larger versions.

RT2420  KLB 799 2008 preserved, in store: M.Macey, Leagrave
RT2420 at Brooklands, 1998 RT2420 at Brooklands, 1998
Bringing back memories of "Summer Holiday", RT2420 at Brooklands Runway, Cobham Open Day April 98. Photos by Ian Smith. Click on them for larger versions.


RT2494  KXW 123 2008 preserved, in store, open top Guernseybus livery: P,Cruise, Feltham
RT2494 at Brooklands, 2003
RT2494 was converted to open-top for the tourist trade on Guernsey, where it was Guernseybus 14. It was at Brooklands Runway in April 2003 for the Cobham Museum Open Day, still carrying Guernseybus livery bur with its RT fleetnumber reapplied.

 
RT2538               Port Elizabeth (SA), to be restored. 
RT2556  LYF 281 2008 preserved: R.Bole, Dover
RT2557  LYF 282 2008 chassis only: Claire Green
RT2591  LYF 316 2008 preserved: the Bus-keRTeers, Kings Lynn
RT2591 at Brooklands, 2003 RT2591 at Brooklands, 2003
RT2591 was at Brooklands Runway in April 2003 for the Cobham Museum Open Day.


RT2604               Port Elizabeth (SA) rough but restorable, stood outside
                     museum for years but reported bought for restoration.
RT2629  LYF 354 2008 preserved in store, R.Gould, New Romney
RT2634               Johannesburg Museum, excellent condition.
RT2688  LYR 672 2008 preserved: M.Padbury & D.Fisher, Enfield

RT2775  LYR 826 2008 in rebuild: London Bus Preservation Trust, Cobham 
RT2794  LYR 964 2008 preserved: David Thrower, Warrington
RT2799  LYR 969 2008 preserved, in store: The London Bus Company

RT2905  MLL 652 2008 preserved, in store: A.Henderson, Cambridge 
RT2911  MLL 658 2008 in store: The London Bus Company 
RT2937  MLL 696 2008 smoking room: Johnny Fox Public House, Enniskerry, Eire 
RT2958         10/06 promo work, yellow: SARL LondonBus, Saint-Amant-Tallende, France
RT2976  NLE 744 2008 preserved: P.Capps, Thurston 

RT3028  NLE 918 2008 working preservation: K.Brown, Old London Bus, Hawkhurst
RT3081  KXW 190 2008 caravan, in store: B.Waldron, Bromsgrove

RT3103  KXW 212 2008 film work, red/white/black/brown: Men at Work, Hanwell
RT3125  KXW 234 2008 preserved: H.Taylor, Edgware
RT3132               Christchurch, New Zealand
RT3143  KYY 872 2008 working preservation: K.Brown, Old London Bus, Hawkhurst
RT3148  KYY 877 2008 preserved, Country Bus Rallies, East Grinstead
RT3148 at Aldwych, RT60 RT3148 at Brooklands, April 1998
Flying the flag for the Country Area was RT3148 at Cobham Open Day 98, and again at Aldwych for Rt60 in June 1999. Photos by Ian Smith. Click on them for larger versions.
  
RT3150  KYY 879 2008 for spares/scrap: PVS (Carlton)  
RT3154  KYY 883 2008 in rebuild: The Bus-kRTeers, Rougham 
RT3175  KYY 904 2007 derelict, being broken: Ongar
RT3183  KYY 911 2008 preserved: Eteson & Collard (some identity mix-up with RT1617) 
RT3198  KYY 967 2008 preserved as RT3238, Green Line: J.Hammell (Rye) 
 
RT3228  KYY 957 2008 working preservation, Green Line livery, The London Bus Company
RT3228 at East Grinstead, 2000 RT3228 at East Grinstead, 2000 RT3228 at Cobham Open Day, 2003
RT3228 was one of was two GreenLine -liveried RTs at East Grinstead Running Day in April 2000. It also demonstrated a Greenline ad-free rear at Cobham Open Day in April 2003.
 
RT3232  KYY 961 2008 working preservation, blue/silver: Ensignbus Transport Museum 
RT3236  KYY 965      preserved: Eric Scott, Tamworth, NSW, Australia 
RT3241  KYY 970 2008 preserved, Green Line livery: P.McOwan, Sudbury
RT3251  LLU 610 2008 preserved: A Langley, Braintree
RT3254  LLU 613 2008 preserved, Green Line: C.Wills, Stevenage
RT3255  LLU 614      Ontario

RT3314  LYR 533 2008 preserved: D.Pickles, Keighley 
RT3316  LYR 535 2008 working preservation, Bolebroke Castle: P.Hobcraft, Hartfield
RT3323  LYR 542 2008 under rebuild at Sandtoft Museum 

RT3435  LYR 854 2008 working preservation, open top: The London Bus Company  
RT3458  LYR 877 2004 in France, red 
RT3461  LYR 880 2008 in rebuild, NBC green: D.Sullivan, Harrow
RT3491  LYR 910 2008 working preservation: Greene Lane Travel

RT3593               Burger Bar, Ontario

RT3733  NLE 880 2008 in rebuild: J.Macnamara, Mitcham Park
RT3775  NLE 882 2008 preserved: Roy Watts

RT3817  NXP 824      Ontario
RT3843  LLU 642 2008 spares/scrap: Rob Duker, St.Neots
RT3865  LLU 664 2008 preserved, in store, Ensignbus Museum
RT3871  LLU 670 2008 working preservation: The London Bus Company
RT3871 at Brooklands, 2003 RT3871 on 6 on Strand, March 2004
RT3871 after repaint to red with cream band, showing service blinds for the notorious 185. Having a day off at Cobham Open Day, April 2003. RT3871 took a full part in the various Routemaster depature celebrations. I met it on the route 6 "celebrations". Here it heads off to Willesden along the Strand.

 
RT3882  LLU 681      rebuilt as triple-decker Knight Bus for Harry Potter films
RT3894  LLU 693 2008 scrap condition: K Cracknell, Hertford

RT3911  LLU 710 2008 Annies Burger Bar, status unknown: G.Currie, Haydon Bridge
RT3933  LLU 732 2008 preserved, in rebuild: The London Bus Company, Northfleet 
RT3945  LUC 104      glider winch, Oxfordshire
RT3955  LUC 114 2008 in store, awaiting rebuild: J.Hammel & D.Thrower
RT3996               reduced height, inactive, Germany

RT4028  LUC 187 2008 preserved, in store: S.Copas, Illogan
RT4037          9/01 open-top: bought by Dansk Veteranbil Udlejning, Hillerod, Denmark
 
RT4118  LUC 467      Ontario 
RT4139  LUC 488 2008 preserved: S.Addison, Whitstable
RT4139 at North Weald, 1998 RT4139 at Cobham Open Day, 2003
RT4139 at North Weald Rally in June 98, and at Brooklands in April 2003. 

RT4190  LYF 249 2008 preserved, in store: A.& R.Money, Barking

RT4229  KYY 832 2008 preserved, in store: D.Denyer, Stondon Massey
RT4275  NLE 939 2008 preserved, Gill & John Hinson, Towcester

RT4317  NLE 981 2008 preserved: C.Young, Biggleswade
RT4317 at North Weald, 1998 RT4317 at North Weald, 1998
Much work goes into preservation and restoration. RT4317 is undergoing a strip-down and repaint, but made an outing to North Weald in June 1998.
Photos by Ian Smith. Click on them for larger versions.
 

RT4421  NXP 775 2008 working preservation, Ensignbus Museum
RT4482  OLD 702 2008 preserved, in rebuild: D.Bosher 
RT4494  OLD 714 2008 preserved: D.Gray & D.Chubb (Lincoln) 
RT4497  OLD 717 2003 converted to triple-decker "Knight Bus" for Harry Potter film
RT4497 at North Weald, 1998 RT4497 at North Weald, 1998 RT4497 at North Weald, 1998
Looking superb at North Weald in June 1998, RT4497. Photos by Ian Smith. Click on them for larger versions.

RT4588  NLP 581 2008 preserved, open-top: J.Cowdery, Kingsteignton
RT4595         10/06 SARL LondonBus, Saint-Amant-Tallende, France
RT4599  NLP 592 2008 working preservation: P.Hobcraft, Hartfield; open-staircase "ST" style
RT4599 visits East Grinstead, April 2002 RT4599 visits East Grinstead, April 2002
Cut-down RT4599 visited the Running Day at East Grinstead in April 2002.

RT4628  NXP 881 2008 preserved, in rebuild: Rob Duker and Charlie Young, Letchworth
RT4683  NXP 847 2008 preserved, in store: M.Ryan, Clacton (as RT3480)
RT4686  NXP 971 2008 Ensignbus Museum: in store

RT4712  NXP 997 2008 AT London Transport Museum, Acton, gold livery
RT4712 at Covent Garden, Dec.1998 RT4712 at Aldwych, Dec.1998
RT4712 was moved from Ash Grove garage to the new Acton Depot on 5th December 1998, calling at the LT Museum in Covent Garden on the way.
Photos by Ian Smith. Click on them for larger versions.

 
RT4735                  Unitrans, University of Davis, Ca: Cummins engine, Allison gearbox  
RT4777  OLD 564 2008    working preservation: R.Brown, Shaftesbury
4777 at Brooklands, April 2003
RT4777 appeared at the Cobham Museum Open Day at Brooklands Museum in Spril 2003 wearing a nice coat (or more) of red paint.


RT4779  OLD 566 6/08 bought by RT4779 Group.Banffshire, for restoration 
RT4782          */05 chassis, ex-glider winch, fitted with generator 
RT4785  OLD 822      Ontario, open-top 

RT4817         10/06 SARL LondonBus, Saint-Amant-Tallende, France
RT4823  OLD 587 2008 in store, partly dismantled, part open-top, minus rear: London Bus Company
RT4825  OLD 589 2008 London Transport Museum, Acton.
RT4825
RT 4825 at the RT50 celebrations in 1989.

Photo, used with permission, by BusSpotter.


Ian's Bus Stop RT contents Part3 Part4 Photo Refs