| 43 long Routemasters were built as coaches for use on Green Line services in 1965, these being classified as RCLs. All passed to London Country Bus Services upon its formation in 1970, along with the shorter RMC coaches and a batch of RML buses. Following delivery of newer single-deck coaches, the RCLs and RMCs were demoted to bus work then withdrawn from service in the late 1970s. Faced with serviceable vehicle shortages, London Transport decided to buy back most of LCBS's Routemasters and the RCLs were initially used as driver trainers before being modified for use on bus route 149 from 1980. The exception was RCL2221, which was converted into a mobile cinema and exhibition vehicle. It was repainted into Shillibeer green/cream/red livery to take part in events in 1979 to mark 150 years of public bus services in London, then reverted to standard red. The bus saw occasional use through the 1980s and 1990s and was found parked at South Street in Romford in December 2000, when it appears to be advertising pollution awareness. Note the Dial-a-Ride Mercedes minibus parked behind. RCL2221 was eventually sold into preservation in 2008. |
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Photo ID: |
6831 |
| Photo date: |
12/2000 |
Size: |
Regular |
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| Date added: |
12/07/2021 |
