Routemasters Around the World

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.  

RM1889 at "Little World" Inuyama Japan. Click here for a larger image that will open in a new window.RM1889 at "Little World" Inuyama Japan. Click here for a larger image that will open in a new window.RM1889 at "Little World" Inuyama Japan. Click here for a larger image that will open in a new window.RM1889 at "Little World" Inuyama Japan. Click here for a larger image that will open in a new window.RM1889 at "Little World" Inuyama Japan. Click here for a larger image that will open in a new window.RM1889 at "Little World" Inuyama Japan. Click here for a larger image that will open in a new window.RM1889 at "Little World" Inuyama Japan. Click here for a larger image that will open in a new window.

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 also 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 special treat.

Thumbnail image of the RM 1708. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the RM 1708 in the background. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window. 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.

Thumbnail image of an RML converted sightseeing bus. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of an RML converted sightseeing bus. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of an RML converted sightseeing bus. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of the PRV makers plate on an RML converted sightseeing bus. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window. Denis Griffin kindly sent in these images of an RML he rode on in Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada.  Now a converted open-top sightseeing bus, LFF 881 was probably originally registered as WLT 881 (RML881) new in August '61 and bought in August 2005 for export to Canada for Gray Line Sightseeing, Absolute Charters Inc, Halifax, Nova Scotia (information courtesy of "Ian's Bus Stop").  Although now in silver livery it's good to see the familiar London red retained for the internal luggage compartment above which is the PRV makers plate incorporating the trademarks. 

Thumbnail image of an RM 1164 at Shimonoseki Japan. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.Thumbnail image of an RM 1164 at Shimonoseki Japan. Click here for a larger image that will open a new window.  I'm grateful to Ralph Bosman for sending in these images of RM 1164 snapped using his mobile phone at Shimonoseki, a city in West Japan that has strong ties with Britain as it was the location of the first British Consulate.  Conceding that the present RM 1164 may be a very different bus from the original, Ralph says that "RM 1164 was also 'the bus of my boyhood' as I went to Donhead and Wimbledon College, located between Wimbledon and Raynes Park, and this bus was among those that replaced the trolleybuses on routes 604 and 605, running from Norbiton on Route 131."  He says, however "at the time, I preferred the RT buses to the Routemasters, and I'm afraid I still do, though the Routemasters have certainly earned my ungrudging respect over the years and in fact I've become very fond of them too."  Ralph further comments that it gave a surprisingly good ride which belied its age. 

We look forward to more images from Ralph's next visit to the city. (Ed.)

Have you seen Routemasters in service around-the-world?  Please send me your images!