Ep16: AEC Routemaster London Double Decker Bus Restoration - Finishing Touches To RM1214 (Pt3)

What does it take to restore a London double decker bus and keep it on the road?
Built in the 1960's our AEC Routemaster London buses need constant attention, so if you want to find out what it takes to keep a London Routemaster bus on the road then make sure you check-out all our maintenance and restoration videos here on KZbin...
Filmed in the UK at the Routemaster 4 Hire HQ in Wrexham, North Wales we are passionate about London buses and with 7 vintage buses in the fleet we defiantly have our work cut out!
In this episode we get some more finishing touches done on RM1214.
Also don't forget to check-out all our AEC Routemaster London bus restoration videos in this playlist...
• London Bus Restoration...
About Us:
We offer our London buses for private hire.
We are proud to have the privilege of owning one of London’s most recognisable sights - the iconic London Routemaster Double Decker Bus!
Our beautifully restored red London double-decker buses are available for Weddings and Special Events across North Wales and the Northwest UK, they add some nostalgic novelty and a touch of class to any occasion.
For more information, please visit our website: www.routemaster4hire.co.uk
#londonbus #routemaster #double-decker bus

[@trainmanbob]

To do this you have to be a true enthusiast and you clearly are. Buses are your life just like model railways are mine. Trouble is when you get to my age, and I am quite a bit older that the bus, you need a lot more than enthusiasm!! Thanks for a great video.

[@rogerwallace5473]

Any episode starring Jess is a good one!

[@rolanddunk5054]

Hi,it’s takes a brave man to paint such fine lines without masking it off first,I could not do it..and on that note I think that i will have a cup of tea.cheers,Roly 🇬🇧

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks Roland

[@TruckingVideos]

I'm addicted to this channel.

[@andyclark1426]

Excellent, I see the furry inspector casting his eyes over the job 🐾🐾

[@Routemaster4Hire]

She's always checking up on us.

[@levelcrossing150]

Very enjoyable, I love how things used to be made.

[@frankpeach449]

Wow what can I say. Your channel just popped up so I thought I'd take a look. Absolutely great. One of the best on KZbin Imo. I didn't realise the the RM's were Autos. Where I'm from IOW. we had the loddeckers. Anyway keep up the good work. You all seem to be a great team. Cheers

[@danielscitt4486]

your doing a really good job boys fixing that bus from daniel scott

[@charlesemerson6763]

Hats off guys. Brilliant job on keeping 5 buses on the go.

[@jamesfrench7299]

The dog was wagging away pleased to see you doing more restoring on the RM.

[@swedishlevelcrossingchanne2745]

Great video! Love watching your videos! I am myself restoring an old electric locomotive from 1935! Your buses look absolutely lovely!!

[@andrewstoffel1170]

So many memories, used the 160, 166, 89 routes in SE London.

[@mannythelimodriver6003]

Brilliant video as always. First impressions always count. If your guest see that the floor looks immaculate upon boarding, then they’ll know the rest of the bus will be just as impressive!

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Totally agree, thank you.

[@AJSAN1971]

I remember attending an incident where a rear destination box hadn't been closed properly and had fallen on a passenger's head as she came down the stairs. This was the days when compensation started to be a thing and some investigation showed that the passenger hadn't been injured on the bus at all. She'd fallen out of a pub and convinced her brother, the conductor, to come up with the story. Didn't end well for either of them, she was done for attempted fraud and the conductor was sacked. Fun times.....😁

[@adriangiddins6065]

Well done..!! keep it up. (I still think you need a Greenline one :-)

[@Big.Al.3]

Yet again an enjoyable film. Just goes to show how long these little jobs take. Top job Gents. Looking forward to your next. 😊👍

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks 👍

[@Rodders20004]

I seen a routemaster on the M4 the other week with wedding special on the display heading towards Cardiff from Swindon direction

[@TheFlyingBusman]

I watched this and thought to myself, I can fully understand your winding up the Horseshoe pass tours. A little saddened by it but these are old girls now, many over 60yrs old and it’s not as if you can just pick up the phone and give Heavy Duty Parts or Fleet Factors a call for parts. Even when you think you are on top of things and you have your servicing and inspections out of the way, something out of the blue crops up. I’m sure watching these uploads it’s an eye opener for your average lay person as to what goes into running heritage buses. Signs are a nice addition. There was a cracking company out Oldham way that made repro blinds. Wonder if they are still there?

[@grootkaroo9721]

Great stuff , i do like

[@jamesbalchin4640]

Absolutely brilliant absolutely love these videos and love the humor as well

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks James!

[@jamesbalchin4640]

@@Routemaster4Hire no probs anytime

[@jmhale5874]

Very impressed by your attention to detail. Keep up the good work - and videos! Thanks.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks, will do!

[@paulsthemarksman]

Great to see each episode has more subscribers keep up the great work guys.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks! Will do!

[@leejones286]

Hello guys thank you for the video really very enjoyable as always. Another job ticked off the to do list keep up the excellent work guys I look forward to your next video.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks 👍

[@davidbassett4577]

Another great Video Dave; thank you for sharing this interesting one showing just one aspect of bringing that beautiful bus up to another level; the installation of the blinds was also very enjoyable to watch; it makes me appreciate the work that has to be done when my friend Peter Cartwright takes his Green RML2440 to another running day outside her home garage [HE] area & has to change the full set of blinds over!

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@tonylawlor3503]

Going for another, brilliant video.

[@dimasbagus4768]

Mantap om

[@alanhunter2051]

Hi brilliant as always. I gave up with hammarite and only use Rust oleum You can order it if you have a paint code or it comes in a basic range of colours. I use it on marine and can get years between re coats. The bloopers at the end make it. I bet you have a few that cant be shown. Cheers

[@geoffreycharlton8875]

great program again i do like the bloopers , you have got stop getting your wucking furds mixed up.

[@chrisblay]

Hammerite is a lot thinner than it used to in the eighties. They have changed the formula, as it used to have a tar like consistency. Probably better for the task you are doing there. You need a lot of patience to get that finish and it does look smart.

[@dazzlerbob1870]

I have been watching your vlogs from very early on in your vlogging career. Still as enjoyable as ever, love the banter. and well done on now having over 16.8k subscribers.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks so much 😊

[@alexeatonexploresamerica5511]

@@Routemaster4Hire I LOVE THOUGHTS OLD BUSES. THANK YOU FOR CREATING THE PERFECT VIDEO FOR THE HOLE WORLD TO SEE.

[@alexeatonexploresamerica5511]

@@Routemaster4Hire JUST WONDERING WHAT KIND OF FUEL MILEAGE DOES THE BUSES GIT

[@chris_A8502]

Great video. Really enjoyed seeing the process of fitting the destination blinds. 1214 is looking fantastic 👍

[@adammellor8134]

Great video as always, providing an amazing insight into all aspects of the workings of these amazing vehicles. Keep up the good work guys.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks, will do!

[@crewealex1125]

Judging the look of a bus floor from 8 inches high is definitely going to be more picky than most!

[@tonys1636]

If I remember correctly it was LT dark red same as the stairs and the wood was oiled with boiled linseed oil when they left Aldenham after a rebuild.

[@Threelinkdave]

Tales of the platform. Got off a train at catford bridge and when i got to the stop a bus was just pulling away grabed the pole and somehow momentum took me round the pole off the bus and back on. How did we survive in those days

[@paultilly]

Another great watch but i think Alan was hard done by and never even made a facial appearance :-)

[@MetamorphicWonders]

Well, ive looked at your films. I am very impressed. I also saw a film on the general maintence of these buses in the day. Amazing. Removing the top and full overhaul. I want one of these buses now !! Can you do a film on typical costs, maybe average prices , looks like 30 grand gets a good one .... what do you think .... keep up the great films.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you very much, good idea I'll see what we can do.

[@andyleonard2476]

Another great video! Did you get a taker for the 'Halifax' number blind?

[@michaelclutton8446]

The Routemaster is looking really good, I only live a few miles from you near Whitchurch, would like to go on one of your Horseshoe Pass trips if you still do them. Regards Mike

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Hi Mike, unfortunately we are no longer doing the tours.

[@Dn6xx7d1]

👍

[@Big.Al.3]

Looking forward to see what you gents have been up to. Hope your getting a lot of work?

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks Alan, yes very busy with the PH work at present.

[@jonny-simulation-gamer]

the bus i want to preserve should have a digital destination blind in it as it is a bus thats still in service

[@peterwardle572]

Nice to a destination blind that I recognize a number on, the '159', I can not remember the route but it was in Streatham, I lived in Balham

[@barrydavidgaudry4050]

My daughter lives in Streatham on the 159 route coming down from Streatham Common (Tesco) to Brixton and onwards. I can never resist catching a 159 whenever we visit. Funny how the bus routes get imprinted in your mind. The 25 from Ilford is part of my family history! R

[@tonys1636]

Are you getting confused with the 59, Streatham Garage - Sheppards Bush Green and onto Willesden Junction (Sunday only) via Tooting Bec, Clapham Junction, Battersea, Kensignton. Out of AK and AL. There was also a 259 single deck but a different route entirely.

[@peterwardle572]

@@tonys1636 Tony, I am thinking of the route Barry mentions, St. Lenoards down to Brixton, but I do realize some things might have changed, I am talking about London in the 1950's & 1960's, I left London in 1973.

[@peterwardle572]

@@barrydavidgaudry4050 Barry, my bus route history is around the 50's & 60's and living in the Balham, Clapham area you had a lot to choose from, 88,155,181,189, 45,19(to school),49 and more, and if you ventured to Wimbledon a 604 or 605 trolley bus I think. So in fact much of my bus travels was not on RM's but on RT's & RTL's, I just meet the guy who now owns RT3316 on show at The Herts Show on Saturday, a huge rebuild he is doing.

[@tonys1636]

@@peterwardle572 This was the early 70's. I made a big mistake by not taking the road learning on the Willesden Sunday extension seriously as went wrong the first time I did it, the passengers all 4 of them soon let me know, I thought the bell cord was being ripped off. They did put me on the right road though, I expect it was a funny tale in their locals for months after. Luckily it was a 30 minute headway so made the time up easily without being 'pushed' by following buses as with the 59's 3 minute rush hour headway during the week. 6 or 7 in a line was not uncommon with 20+ sets of traffic lights each way on the route. The AK drivers had a reluctance to take the road when getting slaughtered, leaving the AL ones to take the brunt of the pasengers. Bus traffic light priority was just being trialled then. The point inspector at Tooting Bec had a novel way of turning delayed buses there to send them back up and just keep 2 or 3 on a short shuttle between the Bec and Streatham Garage. Not liked by the passengers who had to change buses or the residents of the roads used for the turn, it was not an official one. It was always the AL buses as it was a hand over point for us.

[@dsj672]

Another great video. I'm intrigued by the frequent appearance of route 190 on your buses, is there a connection with the Couldson/South Croydon area?

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Hi David. The 190 was the route I took to School and travelling on Routemasters on this route everyday is what got me onto these buses.

[@LTVoyager]

Do you do heavy repairs such as engine or transmission overhauls?

[@albingle6393]

Same question about the blinds. Who printed them?

[@osazuwaogbeide1540]

i always wondered why the uk discontinued using the old double decker red buses. my university in America uc davis still uses these buses for transport

[@dukwdriver2909]

My condolences to the guys that really did the work. Hope you will post RT videos here as I don't do FB. Wish you all the best in future after being mislead by a selfish person who was just a parasite. Long live the Bermuda triangle, karma may happen.

[@unknown-ywuux_bus]

Nice vid and I want to get a old bus like a alx400 routemaster Leyland marshall but I don't know which one tbh when I grow up and one question can I buy one from presentations or do I get one 🤔 😅 from the scrapyard . Edit: where do I get the blind can I costuming can I get in green Edit: at 10:12-10:14 time in am wednesday 8th june 2022

[@chrisskelhorn5727]

Just how long do you take to practice the outtakes? I have trouble talking through my chewing teeth, and chewing with my talking teeth! 😲

[@jonny-simulation-gamer]

the out takes should be fetured at the end of each video as it adds funny mornents in bus restoration

[@articeddie5494]

Where did you get the blinds from ?

[@articeddie5494]

Is that your open top RM for sale on ebay ?

[@georgepom328]

Where did you purchase the destination blind?

[@ROCKINGMAN]

Was RM 1214 used in the mini TV series The Great Train Robbery seen on route 53?

[@Routemaster4Hire]

No not during our ownership. Our buses have been in a number of period dramas and movies but not this one.

[@martinlayton6438]

Are all 5 vehicles working girls or might we meet at events, in Bristol for instance.

[@elel928]

The blinds are paper so do they suffer from sun fading?

[@tonys1636]

They used to be painted linen.

[@NON155]

ANY PLAN FOR VINTAGE TAXI OR VINTAGE BLACK CAB ?.?.? I DO NOT KNOWS?

[@Routemaster4Hire]

No, not a present. But it is a good idea so maybe sometime in the future.

[@judethegamer5645]

n😊

[@jacksugden8190]

McKenna Tyvek blinds?. Aldenham in earlier years were much better.

[@cannadineboxill-harris2983]

Hi Guy's it is Mr C. T. Boxill-Harris again I was thinking, Why couldn't you find other more 18 nice fresh Shiny Leyland Titan B15's and repaint them Also into a Imperial Cream and Green like the Essex East London Bus route H1 and 100 so they can Share a chance to run on the London Bus route such as the N6, 41 and that includes the bus route Number Four, if you guy needed that interesting idea's to let us know on the comment's down below so you can reuse those Imperial Cream and Green Leyland Titan B15's on those interesting London bus Route, Please Please can you reuse them within the Begining of Every November within Every Five and a Half Months Thank You Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Much Guy's😉😉😉😅😉😉😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😀😀😃😅😀😃😀😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😀😀😃😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😀😀😃😅😀😃😀😀😃😅😀😃😀😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😀😀😃😅😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😀😀😃😅😀😀😃😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😀😀😃😅😀😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😀😀😃😉😉😉😅😉😉😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😀😀😃😅😀😃😀😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😀😀😃😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😀😀😃😅😀😃😀😀😃😅😀😃😀😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😀😀😃😅😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😀😀😃😅😀😀😃😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😀😀😃😅😀😀😃😅😀😃😀😃😀😀😃

[@cannadineboxill-harris2983]

Extended Bodies for Most of the Buses Much as I am not comfortable to ask the depot why they stopped running the London Suburban Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel Engine Olympian ECW’s on routes N26, 30, 121, 230, 271, 349, N279 And 158 why can’t we make the same make of the Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel Engine Olympian ECW Buses but Modernise the insides of these Buses. Also make it low floor up and down and also extend the middle body part of these vehicles a little bit more so there will be more space for the wheelchair users. By the way, if you could remake and Modernise these vehicles could they also make it into a Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel Engine Olympian ECW Version’s that if it will be possible and to Modernise the insides of these Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel Engine Olympian ECW’s make it low floor up and down and also extend the middle body part of these vehicles a Little bit more so there will be more space and even a London Suburban Scania N230UD Enviro 400 MMC and also extend the middle body part of these vehicles a little bit more. Why couldn’t we have those London Suburban Buses Pale red on the top roof Pale red again on the top middle Milk Chocolate brown on the middle Creamy white on the Bottom Middle and Milk Chocolate Brown again on the Bottom on most of those kind of those Particular Double Decker Vehicles. Could you put the Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox in the Scania N230UD Enviro 400 MMC and also put the Loud 3-Speed Voith Diwa Gearbox in the Volvo TD102KF Engine East Lancs Olympus and also extend the middle body part of these vehicles a little bit more and also turn most of them to a London Suburban Buses. By the way could you also make the routes N26, 349, 121, N279 and 271 into a London Suburban Buses and have a mixture of a Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Scania N230UD Enviro 400 MMC and Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel Engine Olympian ECW Version’s. Could they also transfer the Arriva Bus Depots from Hackney to Stagecoach company so they can replace all the Arriva buses so that all of them can go to Birmingham and Leeds and they can be replaced by Stagecoach Loud 3-Speed Voith Diwa Gearbox Volvo TD102KF Engine East Lancs Olympus and also Extend the Middle body part of these Vehicles and that includes A Mixture of a Stagecoach Loud 3-Speed Voith Diwa Gearbox Volvo TD102KF, Gardner 6LXC and Gardner 6LXCT Engine Northern Counties Palatine One and that Includes a Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Scania N230UD Enviro 400 MMC Vehicles A Little Bit More. Can Arriva London Bus Company’s Replace Most of their Wight Buses so they can also transfer them to Birmingham and Also Manchester so they can be Replaced by Loud 3-Speed ZF Ecomat Gearboxes Volvo D10A Engine East Lancs Olympus and also Extend the Middle body part of these Vehicles A Little Bit More Thank You Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Much. Oh buy the way could the bus Factory Companies also Make More of Those Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel engine Olympian ECW Vehicles And that also includes Those Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Cummins L10 Enviro 400 MMC And also Extend the Middle Body part of those Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel Engine Olympian ECW Vehicles and the Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Cummins L10 Enviro 400 MMC Vehicles and that also includes The Loud 3-Speed ZF Ecomat Gearboxes Volvo D10A Engine East Lancs Olympus A Little Bit More And Paint Those 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Cummins L10 Enviro 400 MMC Vehicles and also those Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel engine Olympian ECW Vehicles and that also includes The Northern Counties Palatine One with a Volvo TD102KF, Gardner 6LXC and Gardner 6LXCT Diesel engines with a Loud 3-Speed Voith Diwa Gearboxes and The Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Scania N230UD Enviro 400 MMC Vehicles and also The Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Cummins L10 Enviro 400 MMC Vehicles to the Grey Green Colours Just Like The Other Original Scania Grey Green on the Bus Route 313 and the 103, If all The Leyland Titan B15’s are Fully Red and even Mostly Red, could they also Repaint All of The Leyland Titan B15’s into Grey Green Colours Just Like The Other Original Scania Grey Green on the Bus Route 313 so they can Reuse them for Only Every 5 and a Half Months and also Reuse them on those Rail Replacement London Bus Routes if that will Be Alright for Only Just Every 5 and a Half Months and also Reuse Those Buses Only on the London Bus Routes witch are The 341, N41, 34, 123, N29, 149, 221, N73, 121, 86, 30, 262, 147, 396, N26 so Please make sure that the builders can do as they are told!!!!!!!!!! And Please do something about these Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Important Professional Ideas Please Please Prime Minister and also Includes the Mayor of London.😉😉😉😉😉😄😄