I loved the old Routemaster buses, with their hop-on hop-off platforms making them ideal for getting around London, so Mayor Boris Johnson’s pledge to reinstate them was one of the few things I liked about his policies.
A very big Airfix kit
A full scale model of the new Routemaster bus has been unveiled in Acton, and Boris was veritably frothing about it:
Standing on the rear platform of this delectable bus brings back a sense of nostalgia but conversely also demonstrates the quintessence of the latest technology and design, making this bus fit for the 21st century.
It is wonderful to see those two-dimensional designs we unveiled in May have been forged into this amazing bus and I cannot wait to be launching the buses when they first enter public service in 2012.
With the interior decor of the vehicle apparently being inspired by the old Routemaster, the new bus will be quieter than the original and offer fuel savings, and also bring back conductors (or ‘clippies’) at busy times – something most Londoners are enthusiastic about.
Sadly, it looks like only stakeholders are allowed to take a look at the model, but there should be a prototype delivered next year, with the first five new buses on the roads by early 2012.
Back in the day…
Here’s some Ye Olde DIY footage of the Routemasters in their heyday.
And for no other reason than I just love this footage, here’s some footage taken from a tram moving through Ealing in 1901:
Related posts:
London Routemaster Farewell in Brixton
The Building Centre and its astonishing Pipers Scale Model of central London
London in miniature: the fabulous scale model at the Building Centre
Photo of the day: Dior model in a dumpster, London
Forty years of Ziggy Stardust: plaque unveiled in Heddon St, London W1
A wonderful cavalcade of London buses, old and new, line up along Regent Street
The mystery of the London phonebox that’s full of cardboard – in photos
Barclays Cycle Hire scheme in London – those hefty price increases in full
AMAZING BUS