NRTL005 Oxford Diecast RTL Bus London Transport

Registered KGK 803 this London Bus still exists and is on display in the London Bus Museum in Cobham. Built on the Leyland 7RT chassis – hence RTL –  the bus has a Leyland 0600 9.8 litre engine, four speed, air operated pre-selective gearbox and with seating for 56 passengers. The RTL came into service in 1949 and was withdrawn 18 years later in 1967.  It was acquired by the London Bus Museum in 1998 after a varied ‘retirement’ which included a spell in the Dutch National  Automobielmuseum near The Hague. This closed in 1996 and the bus was bought by a London Bus Preservation Trust member who donated it to the Cobham based Museum. Its condition is very original, having been sold directly from service to a museum who took good care of the bus This is carried on today with work being carried out only where necessary.  What’s more, the vehicle is still roadworthy, having been back on London’s roads on several occasions as well as at the Museum on open days.

Appearing in Oxford model form, it is driving on Route 11 from Hammersmith to Victoria. Dressed in the distinctive red colour scheme with a cream band between the upper and lower deck. The interior seating is moulded in maroon who echoes the colour of the wheel hubs. Advertising panels revive the nostalgia of the age promoting Typhoo Tea on the near side and Peal Assurance on the offside. The rear advertises Dunlop Tyres and Biro ‘on the ball’ pens while the front ‘eyebrows’ are encouraging us to buy Weston’s Quality Biscuits.