E41901 WSL EFE Road AEC Routemaster RMC1502 LCBS Green Line 370

Bachmann say "NEW RMC ROUTEMASTER COACHES FROM EFE ROAD - Today (Saturday 20th July 2024) during the Routemaster Association’s ‘Routemaster 70’ event at Chiswick Park, London, Bachmann Europe Plc unveiled four new 1:76 scale RMC Routemaster coaches as part of its expanding EFE Road range of diecast collectables.

The new models come hot on the heels of EFE Road’s four standard AEC Routemaster models announced in April, and continue this year’s celebrations marking 70 years since the very first Routemaster prototype, RM1, was unveiled to the world in 1954.

EFE Road spokesman, Gary Boyd-Hope, said: “We are delighted to add the RMCs to EFE Road’s growing range as we continue to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Routemaster. For this announcement we have selected RMCs that offer something a little different from what has come before, and have included the preserved RMC1490, which continues to see active service in Shropshire and North Wales.”

The four models are expected to reach retailers during August 2024"

Development of the Routemaster bus started back in 1947, with design by London Transport (LT), and construction being undertaken at LT’s Chiswick Works, assisted by Park Royal Vehicles, and using mechanical units provided by sister company AEC. The prototype emerged in 1954, and the first production examples entered service in 1959. From then until 1968, some 2,876 Routemasters of varying types and were constructed.

The RMCs were introduced in 1962 to work on London Transport’s Green Line cross-London and suburban services. They were a direct development of the standard RM, and while visually very similar, they differed in having twin headlamps, electrically operated platform doors, more comfortable seats with increased legroom, and the addition of luggage racks. A higher rear axle ratio, rear air suspension, and increased fuel capacity also set the RMCs apart from the RMs.

A total of 68 were built, seeing service with Green Line and later London Country, before all were bought back by London Transport. Many ended up as driver trainers, but seven were reinstated as passenger carriers in 1989 for the new X15 route; the latter remaining in traffic until the early 1990s, although some continued in use well into the 2000s.

Our model depicts RMC1502 (registration 502CLT), which entered Green Line service at Garston Garage in November 1962, working Route 719. It was rebodied five years later and reallocated to Grays Garage, and in January 1970 transferred to London Country Bus Services. Our model represents the bus during this period, working on Route 370 to Tilbury Ferry.

After spells at Dartford and Hemel Hempstead, it was bought back by London Transport in early 1979 to serve as a driver trainer, being repainted into LT red in 1985. It was withdrawn from New Cross in December 1987 and scrapped the following year.

• Colours/details of final model may vary from illustration

• Authentically detailed die-cast model from EFE Road

• Complementary to OO scale model railways (1:76 scale)