Apart from preservation some Routemasters, retired from London's streets over the years, have been found in use around the world and this has been a growing trend since their demise in London in December 2005. I am pleased to present here photographs of such Routemasters and I'd be pleased to receive more.
First is RM1889 found at the "Little World" open-air theme park museum at Inuyama, Nagoya, Japan.
Richard Coombs, who kindly sent me the photographs, says "The bus is used to take visitors around the theme park that comprises a mixture of architecture and restaurants offering a variety of cuisine from around the world, set amongst great nature and a few exotic animals; but it is now (Dec 07) also used around Nagoya advertising various store products. It is hired out by 'Upstar a Tokyo based company that the driver says has three buses but it is unknown if the others are Routemasters."
Richard adds that the lower deck is usually empty as the Japanese don't have double-deckers so the opportunity to ride on an upper deck is a treat.
Two images by courtesy of Basil Hancock of RM 1708
( with RT
3708 & M450) at Tempe Bus Museum in Sydney, Australia on 25 July 2004 during
their celebration of RM50.
Have you seen Routemasters in service around-the-world? Please send me your images!