The Front Entrance Routemaster

The design of this London Transport commissioned vehicle was begun in 1964, but during its long development time other rear engined standard vehicles appeared and the potential success of the FRM was placed under pressure. There were supposed to be four prototypes but only the one was constructed. 

The following pictures are the first of the FRM taken outside AEC's premises in Southall.  

Thumbnail image of the FRM nearside. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the FRM offside. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the FRM nearside. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the FRM rear. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the FRM entrance. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.

The prototype FRM 1 was taken into stock by London Transport in 1966 but didn't make its inaugural public service run until June 1967. On August 31st it then caught fire (due to an engine flywheel overheating), in Princes Street nearby the Bank of England, returning to service in December.  It remained in service at various garages until the 80's, finally being used as a flagship bus for "Around London Sightseeing Tours".  It was withdrawn in 1983 and is now in the London Transport Museum at Acton.

Fortunately the Fire Brigade attended the fire swiftly but the undesirability of fixed windows was demonstrated by the Firemen having to break a number of them to release the smoke that had built up.  The decision was therefore taken to fit opening windows.  This however also served as a useful excuse for not having to redesign the ineffective air ventilation system that should have been extremely efficient in exchanging the air inside the vehicle; given that original sealed window arrangement relied on this.  In close examination the after effects of the excessive heat around the upper deck rear air grilles can still be seen.

Thumbnail image of the upper deck of the FRM. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window. This interior is almost certainly the upper saloon of the FRM and probably taken as one of the set of first photographs above (see the Vehicle Interiors page).  The interior is definitely derived from the Routemaster as both the seating material and the sealed front windows (with air vents above) testify. Also the side windows are sealed as per the original FRM, and lastly there is the front entrance staircase. 

Here is the FRM pictured in storage in March 2008 at the London Transport Museum Depot at Acton (Click here for the Featured article).  It is now said to have some running problems and may well not "see the streets" again.  

Thumbnail image of the FRM at the Acton depot. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the FRM at the Acton depot. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the FRM at the Acton depot. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the FRM at the Acton depot. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the FRM at the Acton depot. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the FRM at the Acton depot. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.

Thumbnail image of the FRM at the Acton depot. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the FRM at the Acton depot. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the FRM at the Acton depot. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the FRM at the Acton depot. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the FRM at the Acton depot. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.

Thumbnail image of the FRM at the Acton depot. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the FRM at the Acton depot. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the FRM at the Acton depot. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the FRM at the Acton depot. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the FRM at the Acton depot. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.

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The FRM rarely got an outing from its Acton base but did so from time to time.  On the 30th October 2005 the Cobham Bus Museum presented a Routemaster Day and the FRM was featured. This is probably the last time that the FRM would be run outside of the Acton Depot.

Click here for the article and pictures about the day "The FRM at Routemaster Day"