Happy days. I drove for three years based at Stamford Hill, London. A very comfortable bus to drive. Thanks for the memories. Hugh

Thank you for a great experience; took me back nearly 40 years, when I drove Routmasters out of Colliers Wood Garage, South London, through to heart of the city.

@48firefox

3 жыл бұрын

I cant imagine what it was like to drive these buses in central London all day in heavy traffic, it must have been very tiring , compared to modern buses.

Love your bus mate, I was an apprentice welder at Chiswick and Aldenham bus works. The good old days.

@stephenhookings1985

3 жыл бұрын

It's a bloody business park with no reverence for the heritage and history of that lovely site. Used to watch the buses on the skidpan as a 7 year old. Thinking on it was a bit precarious standing on the ledge with underpass below - how times have changed.

Lovely video bought back many happy memories , I wish you all the best in keeping her on the road 👍🇬🇧

Absolutely brilliant! I have always wanted to drive a Routemaster; you are very lucky to own one and enjoy it.

you are living the dream. I drive enviros & darts all day but I would love a spin in that ultimate vehicle of history

@kristinajendesen7111

3 жыл бұрын

expeditional.co.uk - Routemaster Driving Experience

@weskitt

3 жыл бұрын

@@kristinajendesen7111 cheers for the info

Enjoyed this vid. Brings back happy memories. Used to drive these back in the 80s

@kristinajendesen7111

3 жыл бұрын

Where were you based? I was at Westbourne Park (X) 84 to 86.

@dcdriving2463

3 жыл бұрын

@@kristinajendesen7111 ashgrove in hackney

Alan mate, wow, travelling on theses buses are the biggest and most emotional of my childhood memories from being 8 yrs old in North London, Wembley 1978-1982

I felt like I am travelling with you. Thanks for your ride Alan sir.!

I’d just love to be your neighbour I’d be out with you all the time. Great video

@TheAlignmentGuy_TM

3 жыл бұрын

The house across the street from him had a "For Sale" sign in the yard.

@jmdoutdoors5729

3 жыл бұрын

Me too.

@bottletree33

3 жыл бұрын

Add me to that list too please.

I really enjoyed your ride! Thanks for showing a drivers view and talking about how to drive it etc!

Beautiful video Alan, I like the way you have left the engine bay and driver cabin in original condition too, gives a "rustic" charm. Never ridden on one in Britain but rode many double deckers when I was in Bombay (Mumbai) in the late 1980's. They are a proud British tradition that will run forever. My affections started for them with Reg Varney and "On the Buses" when I was a lad, never missed an episode. My daughter hated "Bulgy" in Thomas the Tank Engine too, "yukky mean bus" she said. Cummins sounds great. I dips me lid to you Alan.

As someone who gets out and about in RML 2678 I can appreciate all that’s going off here. SMK 678F looks almost identical inside the cab. I don’t know how you fare for trees your way but out here in North Yorkshire they can be a right pain. They do sound nicer with their original AEC AV590 or Leyland 0.600. They always get noticed though wherever you go.

@alanrpell

4 жыл бұрын

We don’t have too much of a problem with trees around here, though there is a point on the video (the blind bend) where the trees each side of the road are a bit close for comfort! I’ve only been used to the sound of the Cummins engine and have only heard my bus from inside the cab! Thanks for your comments Gary.

@suzyqualcast6269

3 жыл бұрын

S'what those few old Regent, etc, open tops were for, post service use: tree lopping duties.

Excellent. Looks so much easier to drive than my 57 Goddess. Sounds beautiful too.

Not been used for 2 months and starts first time love the route master buses could listen to that sound all day

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

It always amazes me how well the engine starts, even in cold weather after long periods of non-use!

Every boys dream who needs a computer ? I love the routemaster bus

What a great bus! Love the idea of the fish and chips as well.

I'm the same as David Kelly. You could be my neighbour anytime Alan. That was 12 mins of absolute joy. Often wondered how the gearbox worked and did not know of automatic mode. The old RM is in good hands. Top video.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you VauxhallVictorMan!

Great video and a great bus the old route master they lasted for a few years 1954 to the 1960s and 1970s and still going strong

@szymongorczynski7621

3 жыл бұрын

They lasted till 2005!

Great video Alan, the memories come flooding back when I drove the RM and RML between 1969 and 1973 through central London. Drove RT, RF and RTL’s but it was a joy to drive the RM’s with power steering.

Love to have a bus parked in the drive. Enjoyable video. Take care and stay safe.

Something about watch the bus driver, takes me way back even to the Trolly buses in London, thanks for showing a driver eye view very enjoyable...

Thank you Alan. What a wonderful ride.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Calvin - Glad you liked it!!

I loved travelling on Routemasters when I lived in London. My second great bus love was the RTW, something about the sound of its engine that said "reliable and solid." Once went for a job as a bus-driver in London and was told I was too short. But I did get a birthday present from the family to drive a double-deck bus at a disused airfield - brilliant. Bryan

@suzyqualcast6269

3 жыл бұрын

Showbus ¿?

Alan fantastic drive thoroughly enjoyed it as I'm a bus enthusiasts and used to go to school on one everyday always sat at the front seat to watch the driver driving it. I didn't wanna to get off it . I could have stayed there all day. I would love to see more videos of your routemaster bus👍

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

Brilliant. I felt I was driving the bus. Just found the channel, it looks great

@alanandhisbus3416

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Jerry. Appreciate your comment.

used to drive long distance with the 180 gardener engines on h g vs the stick you use for dipping the fuel brings back memories lol. 45 yrs plus ago had forgotten how it felt until i saw you drive the bus, same sound same noise, miss thoses days all of a sudden, took them for granted at the time.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comments Trevor. I'm glad my video brought back memories for you!

From 2:27 onwards he's committing the terminal sin (according to the instructors at Chiswick works) of holding the spokes of the steering wheel. If the wheel jumps (for instance if you hit a large stone) it WILL break your thumb. They knew perfectly well that you'd let the wheel slide through your hands instead of doing the "ten to two, ten to two" but "never EVER, put any part of your hand or arm inside the wheel". I drove one of these for a few months in 1980 to raise money to go to Australia. The 207 out of Hanwell Garage up and down the Uxbridge Road from Shepherd's Bush Green to Uxbridge Station. It must have been the easiest route on the bus network.

@suzyqualcast6269

3 жыл бұрын

From Iver, remember the 207, 207, 207, 207, 207, 207's crowding out the Uxbridge Road all the way to the Bush.

I've driven RML 679F! I have driven many RMLs and they're a privilege to drive, especially if they're original! I only passed my PCV license in 2014 and I never thought I would have the chance to drive an iconic bus like the router master but I have been lucky enough to drive these part-time, It's only due to covid I haven't driven one in the last year, I can't wait until June when I am able to do again!

Thanks for up loading this video its great. Ive got happy memories of riding on Routemasters growing up as my parents never owned a car so to get anywhere was always by bus and 9 times out of 10 it would be one of these beauties. My favourite bus ever. thanks again.

Love your vids, Alan. Keep these old girls running. And that shifting mechanism is a real gem. Could you explain the shifter sometime in a video? Like you, I never leave home without a pair of earplugs in my pocket at least.😄

@alanandhisbus3416

Жыл бұрын

No wonder the old drivers were almost deaf!

I used to be a crew driver at S in the early noughties, happy memories.

Man I was there with you, I drove RMs for five years ED shed route 12-54 loved the vid, many thanks.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kim. Glad to have you along!

Hello Alan,hope you and the bus are doing well..love the vids..very relaxing.......!

@alanandhisbus3416

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Alan. Yes, only doing two days a week at the moment (I could do more as have lots of enquiries but have home commitments). Perhaps I’ll do another video soon!

The world loves the London bus!

Love the Routemasters. Although many were re engined later on to keep them on the roads, I did like the AEC and Leyland engines. Nice drive around in this RML. They wre every where when I was a kid. Remember going on the RMC's too, 718 to Epping. My local route was 53, 180 and 180A. So much a part of the London scene, Nice upload.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Rockingman!

@patrickporter6536

Жыл бұрын

Funny, my Parkwood route in Johannesburg was no. 53! Trolley buses mainly, but also AECs with a preselector(?) gearbox, and the occasional 6-wheeler Dennis with a Rolls-Royce engine.

@patrickporter6536

Жыл бұрын

Funny, my Parkwood route in Johannesburg was no. 53! Trolley buses mainly, but also AECs with a preselector(?) gearbox, and the occasional 6-wheeler Dennis with a Rolls-Royce engine.

Thanks for the video, it reminded me of when I did my psv training, a happy bus is an empty bus enjoy it.

I love the way you keep it on your driveway.

Superb. I've got the front destination panel and winding gear from an RM - just need the rest of it now.

RIP Alan, thanks for all the videos

Thank you sir, watching you drive your routemaster bus brought back memories of my dad driving them for londontransport, me and my brother when we where little boy we went for a bus ride with our dad and we sat in the seat behind the engine plus we could look up to our dad driving, so a big thank you.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

That's a lovely memory - thanks for that

Cummins are a great engine used in a wide range of applications..first engine I ever built was a 6bt euro 2

@mgtfbluestreak3956

3 жыл бұрын

I used to deliver aec engines on a regular basis to replace the seized up ones because drivers had no temp gauge and purists would not fit them

@kristinajendesen7111

3 жыл бұрын

We had (and still have), Cummins in our Class 159s at Salisbury. The depot said that they do about 7mpg which is pretty good considering how many passengers there are per coach.

Wow! That was fantastic. I always wanted a go of one of these as a child. The Northern bus company ran these in the 60's and 70's in my neck of the woods(Gateshead). I never realised that they were semi automatic! Thanks for sharing

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that. I bet it would be very tiring driving one of these unless they were semi Auto's

I managed to drive on when Aldenham had their open day. Was a pleasure to drive!

@alanrpell

Жыл бұрын

Hi Patrick. Nice experience for you! Yes, they are lovely to drive.

Lovely video enjoyed it your reversing is absolutely amazing

Brilliant video,enjoyed going back in time to my younger days.salt and vinegar on my fish and chips please lol

i am so envious i wish i had one

Thank you very much for sharing this. This was great fun. What a wonderful vehicle to own. This would be great for taking one's friends out in though in my case my Volvo estate exceeds my needs.

I love this Video I’ve driven Routemasters and I love the Cummins Engines on them, I love the gear changes you did I remember it well when I was on the 94 and the number 9, I used Automatic at times usually in the early morning but once I got to Holland Park roundabout I put into first gear and then would use manually after that

Takes me back to going to school on a Routemaster bus as a kid in the 60s. Ours was one of the low bridges buses with a gangway on the right side up stairs with long bench seats.

@angelsone-five7912

3 жыл бұрын

Not a Routemaster then.

@murraydean2371

3 жыл бұрын

Not a Routemaster then, if you were in London it was probably an RLH (REGAL HIGHBODY) or outside of London it could've been one of many body/chassis combinations but definitely not a Routemaster.

Delightful video and what a great way to spend ten minutes driving about in that lovely old bus 👍

This bus runs spot on better than my 06 plate car lol

Hey Alan, I am SO jealous. I have wanted one for years but it doesn't look like it will ever happen now. We used to have a rather large fleet of mainly ex London Transport Routemasters and a few RTs in the city where I am that were only ever used for sight seeing. They were nice because they were largely unmodified from their service days but they are gradually disappearing and slipping away however maybe some will make it back to the UK. Thanks for the video. Cheers from Canada!

@alanandhisbus3416

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Northernrover. Hopefully you'll have some enthusiasts over there that will take on the job of preserving the old buses. Thanks for your comments.

This is very nice video, I love this double-decker because in my childhood I have seen so many in my country (Sri Lanka) but not now, I am so proud of you as an owner of this bus and very happy about your driving because you drive this big bus as easy as a car and I respect you as well as UK. Thank you.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Hello Udaya. Thank you for your comments. I'm glad you like the bus!

Brings back memories of RML . The steering has some play it seems !!

@kristinajendesen7111

3 жыл бұрын

They all had that John. Took some getting used to when you were learning but it became second nature making those little corrections that Alan is doing once you are out on the road.

@robinsojack

3 жыл бұрын

@@kristinajendesen7111 Don't remember that play but time buggers the memory. It was still a nice ride though, thanks, Jack in sunny Queensland Oz !

Great video brings back many good happy memories. Good imformation about the bus as well.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Peter!

Done my training at chiswick in 1969, was taught to feed the steering wheel from hand to hand. Much better control, especially on the skid patch.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

I personally have not been keen on that technique. I feel I have good control of the wheel.

@kristinajendesen7111

3 жыл бұрын

@@alanandhisbus3416 We would get in trouble with the Gold Badge inspectors if they got on the bus and saw us crossing our hands and not feeding it through. If you were pretty sure they were not around though.....😁

Great driving!

Awesome vid mate, My uncle used to drive the old back loaders in that style. I was trained on the semi auto Atlanteans, and semi auto Leyland nationals, there the once you had to pull the steering back lol. Your video brings memories back. Thank you

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that Mike. Glad to hear your memories

Yes sir I dis indeed enjoy the ride a lot. All my childhood came back when I use to have a ride on the 93 and the 85’s at one point before they withdraw it from sharing 93’s route for quiet few miles.

What a great hobby, fantastic routemaster bus .ive always liked old buses got a lot of character.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Harry!

Wow, what a wonderful sounds from the engine. Thank you so very much for sharing. Love from California.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjed it JMD!

It must feel gorgeous to drive that out

@alanrpell

2 жыл бұрын

Drives beautiful, Hugo!

Great to see you and about Alan.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Phil. Hope we meet up sometime - possibly at a steam rally (we used to do five a year - Carrington, Cambridge, Saffron Walden, Stapleford Miniature Railway and Haddenham)

You just cannot beat a good video like this or a classic routemaster. What a lovely video.

@alanrpell

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your lovely comment. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

I drove theses in service bud number 9

Thanks Alan it was a very nice ride and its good to see you treat her with respect well done you……norm

@alanandhisbus3416

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Norm. Glad you enjoyed it!

Somehow I think I missed watching the full drive, so just have, loved it, fantastic commentary and you made reverse look so easy for a big vehicle. Hopefully when all this nasty virus is over. You'll be serving Fish & Chips at a show I can make !!!! Best of luck !!!

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks CGB-75. Hope to meet you at a show when we get out of this.

An excellent video - much appreciated. For years I caught a RM - Route 73 - from Euston to The Angel in London. Great vehicles! Interesting your remark about the number of classic cars in your area; I have just had to get rid on my beautiful Morgan. Osteoarthritis of the left knee made depressing the clutch quite painful. Hood down and side-screens off I, too, had to wear ear-protectors. Before that I had a Caterham with - like your RM - non self-cancelling indicators. That provided several embarrassing moments!

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Pity you didn't have an automatic with your problem knee. I can imagine that would be a problem with a heavy clutch.

Nice video of a lovely old bus. I will have to see if I can find the other video of your chip shop conversion as that would be interesting.

Love that throaty sounding engine...!

@alanrpell

Жыл бұрын

In the 10 years I've owned the bus, I've never had the pleasure of hearing the engine from a bystanders viewpoint as I'm always driving it! Someday, maybe.

...excellent video! don't think I'd mind the noise & vibration - rather enjoy it if I was driving, lovely old bus thank you 👌

The sight,sound and smell of The Routmaster takes me right back . Modern buses just don't have that character! Rose tinted glasses,maybe ??

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly Keith. They do smell great and the seats are a lot more comfortable than the new Routemaster. But from a drivers point of view, the new buses are much quieter, smoother, etc.

@keithfowler2013

3 жыл бұрын

Can't wait for the Bus rallies to start again.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

@@keithfowler2013 We had an invite to Showbus, but it clashes with one of our other weekend events.

@keithfowler2013

3 жыл бұрын

@@alanandhisbus3416 let's hope we can get to shows this year.🤞

Wonderful video!! Thanks for sharing ......

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you J Mac !!

What a lovely machine.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bill. Appreciate your comment.

Nice watching you go round Lincolnshire. I suppose you have to be a bit careful with trees round there - you do have a local bus route(s), but not with anything like London double-deckers. When I passed through your village it was more of a dial-a-ride mini van affair. I've toured every single county on the buses, but of-course you don't do a trip like that in one year. And furthermore, in Britain you have to "hang up the towel" during the 5 months of winter time (which we're coming into now). It won't interest you how many buses were involved (I would say between 500 and 1000), but what may interest you is the sheer number of different types - from requisitioned coaches to the tiniest of mini-vans. Outside major towns, the way things are going today - I don't think it will be long before everything is dial-a-ride. Seasonal spectacular coastal or mountain routes are also under pressure - many have gone since my early days in 2010. I'm glad I saw what I saw, in the neck of time. Those reliant on a car - it will never happen in their life-time (otherwise it would already have happened). For one thing, the enormous fuel costs, accomodations, plus as you mentioned in your Routemaster - the wear and tear on the vehicle. You want to look after your vehicle, and you do so very well. It would be warmly welcomed in any of the major museums in the country.

Superb, Thankyou for this👍👍👍

Great video, thank you for sharing :)

I'm only 34 and would love to drive one of these route masters.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Keep wishing and you might do one day! :-)

Enjoyed ur Ride☺🇮🇳

Lovely, beautiful ❤

Great video. Very informative

@alanandhisbus3416

4 жыл бұрын

Watch this space for my second video, hopefully quite soon (if I can get out of the garden - so much to do at the moment)!

Great video Alan

Lovely, best buses ever in my opinion 👍

@alanandhisbus3416

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Matt. Yes, I agree!

Great video would love to buy one !!!!!

Brand new to your channel & enjoyed this very much. The British double deckers were always a favor as I always thought driving a bus looked like such fun (I’m in the US) since I was a child.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Hello Dave & Welcome!! I love driving the bus and that 'half cab' gives great visibility.

Nice video Alan,cab could do with a good clean,great sounding engine,thanks looking forward to other videos.🤙🤙😃😃

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, I must admit to leaving the cab in original condition which is nice in a way!!

12 mpg that's really good especially as nowadays youd be lucky to get 5 or 6 mpg out of a hybrid bus and more like 3 or 4 out of a diesel

@kd84afc

3 жыл бұрын

Wait until it's got 72 people on it! it won't get 12mpg then!

@lukegraham7561

3 жыл бұрын

@@kd84afc will obviously go down with passengers onboard but the busses on the road now without passenger still only do roughly 4-5 MPG the hybrids maybe 6 MPG at the most there just not built like they used to

@kd84afc

3 жыл бұрын

@@lukegraham7561 Oh yeah, I have driven a Dennis alexander e400 hybrid 2018 and on the app linked to my driver's key, it told me I was getting 7mpg on each trip. But I love driving a Routemaster over a modern bus!

@lukegraham7561

3 жыл бұрын

@@kd84afc Yeah they do alot less MPG than people are led to believe. They dont warrant the extra cost for the hybrid

@kd84afc

3 жыл бұрын

@@lukegraham7561 They're not the best buses to repair either A Routemaster was very easy to maintain given the 50-year service life. A modern bus lasts roughly 15 years if it's lucky So you're right they're not cost-effective at all.

Absolutely Fantastic !!

@alanrpell

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Absolutely!

Great trip, thanks!

Beautiful bus. Has it got the AEC engine, which I believe was sometimes called the 'Queen of diesels'. Slightly disappointed to see that the starter button is no longer placed behind the driver to the lower right of his seat. This was common on Leyland and Guy diesel engined buses, and as kids in the 1950s, one of the featured my brother and I really loved. Bit sad but happy memories. Great video.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Hello Richard. Not the original engine. London Transport did an upgrade in 1990 and put in a Cummins C3 engine. I've never heard/seen the AEC engines, but very pleased with the reliable Cummins.

No wonder I'm hard of hearing these days, I drove these things every day in London in the early 90s

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, amazing how some things have changed for the better over the years, and this certainly applies to noise levels!!

My dad went on the buses after the war because the money was good. The Gardner 6 L X was his favourite engine although some of them were Leyland engines.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

It'd be nice to hear those engines again. I'm not clued up on the different engine sounds.

That is a nice bus there mate.

Great video, really enjoyed that.

@alanandhisbus3416

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mr. Stanhope!

Excellent content

Nice job fella, thanks

Enjoyed video. I drove RMs and RMLs from 1982 until the late 90s out of various depots in North London. I notice the turn signal control is located on the dash, I hated that location as it meant leaning forward all day and ya got a bad back. I missed where the original larger dial was located, which was buy the cab door and more user friendly.

@alanandhisbus3416

2 жыл бұрын

Hello 'I Say...' That's interesting what you say about the indicator. Someone said it was upside down (which is probably correct)!

I’m honoured to have driven RM/RML in service on the 9&94 much different from the scania I drive now

@PopeLando

3 жыл бұрын

Those 9s in the 80s included specially restored RMs that had the gold lettering put back on. Did you drive any of those?

Enjoyed watching this video