Pete And His Bus, Episode 39: It's alive

This time on Pete And His Bus, Lord Barrington and I go back to RM843 to try to finish this job once and for all. As always it proves to be harder than we though. Will we get this poor bus running and driving? Find out now! The feature car this month is a lovely Series 2 Jaguar E type.
#routemaster #busbar #classiccars #peteandhisbus #barml2355 #vintagebus
A special thanks go to:
Richard, the owners of RM843 and Lord Barrington Himself!
For my details and our merchandise check out:
www.barml2355.com
peteandhisbus
About Pete And His Bus: Pete is a normal (ish) guy who has a big passion for old vehicles and particularly old buses. He is NOT a trained mechanic nor is he a professional restorer. He enjoys converting vehicles but he can not promise that what he is doing is going to work on your vehicle. Nor can he promise that you won’t harm yourself if you were you to attempt the things he does. He recommends that you are safe and responsible with machinery and equipment even if you’ve seen him messing about with it. A workshop and it’s content can be a dangerous place. If you are in doubt about your own vehicle, contact a professional for advice.

[@RJE48]

That engine was simply awakening from a very deep slumber. It just woke up tired, aching and confused. It's happy now! A testament to the engineering of yesteryear.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Absolutely

[@robjohnson7587]

A testament to LB diesel engine skills!!! The blokes a genius

[@RameshSoyza]

çxxxx X's xxjj

[@gilltagg3352]

Oh Jeez, sat on the edge of my seat and screaming for her to start. Well done gents for getting her going. So hope her future will be promising. ❤

[@PeteAndHisBus]

😂😂👍👌

[@charlesallanstewart-kl2op]

Wow this is awesome stuff l hope to be back in the UK in the future, & if you will have me great 🙄🙄😭😭😁

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

​@@charlesallanstewart-kl2opThis is a great way to scrap an RM. Burn it out, let it cool, and hose out the debris. Then get to work with the torch. All metal exposed. Pull it to pieces with the claw. Quite clean scrap

[@charlesallanstewart-kl2op]

@@PreservationEnthusiast wtf scrap not a chance buddy boy , U R Dreaming 🙄🙄

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

@@charlesallanstewart-kl2op Yes, this is the way they used to scrap buses and trams. Burn them out first. At Barnsley when breaking up RMs in the 1990s the burning was frowned upon. But there was still preparatory torch work to cut the upper structure and weaken the floor before the claw went in. Those RMs were built tough to be rebuilt. Getting them through the shredder was not as easy as other buses.

[@deano72]

There's something very special about an old bus Living again.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

you know it

[@mannythelimodriver6003]

Really pleased you both got this old girl running again Pete. Looking forward to actually seeing her moving again.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍👍👍

[@bobp6742]

When i was 10 back in 1970 i got a job working at a garage where i worked for 6 years. The boss Barry bought an E type jag, we used to go to the chippy every day in it and was the first time i ever been over 100mph, a great motor I loved it.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Lovely experience that. Thanks for sharing

[@matthewgarvey3911]

Lord Barrington and yourself should be really happy on what you have both achieved on trying to get this bus running. I look forward to watching more videos of it getting moving etc

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thank you

[@richardandrews6754]

fantastic determination guys never say never

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Absolutely

[@jameslynch165]

Oh yes! Well done guys, hoping she will now get the restoration she so desperately needs. Will be a crying shame if she doesn’t. 😊

[@PeteAndHisBus]

🤞

[@AllenORourke1954]

Of course it will start, It's an AEC....

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Correct 😂👍

[@wyb80]

Excellent…Great job!…lovely to hear her running 👌🏽 The photos of RM843 in service was a lovely addition 👍🏼 Look forward to the next visit 😊👍🏼

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Many thanks! 👍

[@althejazzman]

What a great collection of photos to show the bus' journey so far.

[@petermiddo]

In all my years of bush-mechanicing, I have never seen a nut rounder (shifting spanner) used that way! NEVER! HILARIOUS!

[@petermiddo]

There's just something about the sound of the old engines, whether it be a bus, truck, four wheel drive or car. Just something special that you miss with the modern vehicles.

[@timbarrington3607]

I call it a good bodge. 🤣😂

[@petermiddo]

@@timbarrington3607 Lord Barrington HIMSELF. I am Honoured, kind sir! Oh, no, I was observing, not complaining! 🤣🤣🤣

[@PeteAndHisBus]

😂😂

[@PeteAndHisBus]

😂😂👍👍

[@tiredtrailer]

Those old AEC engines really do just keep going.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Yes they really do

[@littlejuan3454]

Watching this from America, excellent episode! 🙌🙌🙌

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thank you

[@67FORDTRUCKF250]

I live in the states and am fascinated by these...... just learned about them this week.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Oh cool! They are amazing bits of machinery. Thanks for watching

[@jennyd255]

What an achievement chaps. The next installment of the RM843 saga is eagerly awaited - I do hope the owners will go the whole distance and restore it properly, or failing that sell it as a work in progress to someone who will. We've lost too many of these old girls already - we really need to keep the remaining viable examples running and in use for something.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍👍

[@daiwilliams7236]

Didn’t realise how emotionally invested I am in this bus. Tears of joy, I kid you not 😂

[@PeteAndHisBus]

That’s sweet!! It was a great moment

[@barrytaylor6565]

I can almost taste the smoke !! well done both of you !!!!

[@PeteAndHisBus]

😂😂 thanks

[@brianjones4026]

Oh those Lovely old Ladies of London were the Best ! Never understood why they needed to be taken off the road !

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Agreed

[@chris_A8502]

There's nothing like an AEC. They're bullet proof and music to the ears 🎵🎶. Great work by you and Lord Barrington 👏👍

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thank you for watching!

[@jamesfrench7299]

Sorry, they're definitely not. I know of a 1970 -72 AEC Swift 691 with AH 691 engine that sat in a field that had thrown a rod. I think it has to do with it's 2 speed ZF automatic being too much of a strain up hills. They were originally operated on flat terrain only with it's original owner MTT Adelaide.

[@chrisblay]

Well done. She deserves a second chance. Hopefully you can get hold of the bus to renovate and make roadworthy now.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍👍👍

[@andrewdrabble8939]

Such a poignant moment when she finally awoke from her enforced hibernation and coughed into life. Well done to you and Lord Barrington. She sounded so sweet too. Looking forward to seeing her move under her own volition

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thanks for watching

[@veg4life.]

Just stop oil and gretta thunburg is rolling in her grave 😅😅😅😅 , seeing u absolute legends work on this classic beauty

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Did she die? Haha we’re recycling mate! It’s less environmentally damaging to use old things again then have some battery powered piece of dung that’ll need replacing in less than 5 years…. Just my opinion though 😂😜👍 thanks for watching

[@karlalton3170]

Youv'e no idea just how hard i was pressing my foot on the floor willing it to start 😂😂😂 great job guy's 🤘🤘🤘

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Hahaha well you did good cos it worked 😜

[@NERGYStudios]

Such an absolute feel-good moment. It takes a special person to make this effort.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thanks for watching 👍👍👍

[@jvoric]

Eagerly awaited episode! 😉

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍👍👍

[@davidbassett4577]

Well done Pete and Lord Barrington for breathing life back into the old girl!

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thank you

[@deadproxerator1225]

SHE IS SCREAMING BACK TO LIFE WOOOOOO

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Woooooo

[@danw1955]

You definitely have the right people working on this old girl. I was hoping the starter didn't crap out before you actually got it started! It was dicey there for a bit until it started picking up cylinders one after the other. Those old buses must have a monster of a flywheel considering how long the engine takes to coast down to idle!😉

[@PeteAndHisBus]

The starter was actually replaced 7 years ago and because it was wired in incorrectly it had never turned so pretty much new. So with double the batteries we knew she’d do it!

[@limeyosu2000]

Another victory for Lord Barrngton! he knows his stuff for sure! love seeing this old girl come back to life!

[@PeteAndHisBus]

That’s why I talked him into it! He is the guy for the job

[@kingarthir]

Lovely jubley 😊. I do love anything hereatage and nothing smacks as much of hereatage than a goog old bus

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Agreed 👍

[@MsOleblue]

Oh my that brought tears to my eyes seeing that video and hear her starting again after all this time. I drove RM843 in service out of the original West Ham Garage that was in Greengate Street, Plaistow way back in the 80's on route 25 & 69 when it was crew operated. It was always a good bus and pretty fast on pullaway when fully loaded with passengers, i remember it well. I am in my 60's now and always miss driving them for London Transport. Once you drive an RM, there in your blood forever!. i'd love to see it again sometime when its finished and to here that distinctive sound of that powerful AEC engine...Always wanted to own one, ever since i left West Ham in the 90's, but unable to afford to buy one... So pleased to see it still around and well done to you both on its recovery... An old timer genuine LT Chiswick trained driver...

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thanks for your kind words! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@RODALCO2007]

That starter deserves a medal to hang in there for that long. Quality British made. Any post 1990 starters would have gone up in smoke or meltdown.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Yep, it was after all the only thing that was replaced. She did good

[@steverileyretired]

It brings back memorys I joind LT in 1971 as a Garage Trainner and spent 15 years at Peckham bus garage (the old one not the new one) , where i think 843 was at one time as one of the photos showed it had 36 as the destination, and the 3 routes 36, 36A and 36B all came out of Peckham and im sure i would have worked on it at one time Great work by all of you to get it running agin

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thanks for watching

[@juliesmith5567]

You do some great jobs to make those busses to be rebuilt into new looking ones and the straight they are at the begining is sure old and scrap looking busses but what a change people see😮😊

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍

[@mk1jack]

Ah man I’ve driven past this bus for 20 years I swear! Good to see some love given to it

[@PeteAndHisBus]

You’re not the only one! It was time wasn’t it!!? 👍 thanks for watching

[@coxallk32]

The screaming and whooping in the background when it finally started 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@PeteAndHisBus]

I got very excited! 😂😂

[@nigelbranthwaite8471]

Great job on getting the AEC/ PR Routemaster, AV 590 Engine going. AEC Engines have such a sweet sound to them, just love them. Look forward to seeing the Routemaster move again.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍👍

[@jamesfrench7299]

They're very smooth inline six diesels unlike the raucous Leyland engines.

[@kevinwoodruff8994]

I've been waiting for this episode thoroughly enjoyed it she sounds beautiful love to see fully restored well done for getting it started. 👏👏👍

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@JimWattsHereNow]

OMG, bravo to you and Lord Barrington, brought a tear to my eye watching the photos of her in her prime. Good on you blokes, take a bow.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thanks so much

[@TheFlyingBusman]

Absolutely chuffed to little mint balls to see this run and run it does. Sounds better than some RMs out there in regular use 😉. Never doubted our Mr Barrington one bit. Hopefully the future is bright for RM843.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍👍👍

[@soulboy0506]

I was so happy to hear that engine run again, I must have travelled on that bus at sometime in my 20 years living London. You cannot mistake the sound of a Routemaster.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍❤️

[@simonhanlon7518]

Brilliant, hope she is restored back to her former glory.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍👍

[@matt197]

Took me 5 minutes to realise but I’ve seen that bus myself a couple of times. Looks different without everything else around it. Nice to see it getting some love now… I had a car looked at by them.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Excellent, she’s might make a public appearance this year 👍👍

[@martinsoler868]

That video is so cool, I liked because for me is good when someone save a car a truck, a bus... And give him another second chance. Great job, congratulations.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Glad you like it! Thanks for watching 👍👍

[@martinsoler868]

@@PeteAndHisBus 😉

[@skellertons113]

You two have put your heart and soul into getting this bus running. The AV 590 has it's own sound, music to me, and you got it running without resorting to the dreaded laughing gas,(Easy Start). The Lockheed brakes might be a problem, the hydraulic pump pushes the mineral oil around the circuit and into the accumulators against a pre charge of air via the sliding pistons within. You blokes will sort that in due course. I know a young fellow who went to America to start RT 8, to prepare it for return to England, he said,"if it's got RT on the bonnet, it will start".

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Very cool! Thanks for watching

[@timbarrington3607]

Brakes are an easy enough fix. Once we've finished replacing rotten pipes which I fear will be most of them. Before any road movements it will doubtless need the entire system going through both on the hydraulic side and mechanical side.

[@skellertons113]

@@timbarrington3607 Thanks for replying mate, never mind about football matches, every You Tube viewer around the world cheered when that engine fired up and ran. I also enjoyed watching you work on RT 2629's engine. Look forward to see the brake system explained.

[@timbarrington3607]

@@skellertons113 I'm just the monkey. It's down to Pete if he wants to do a bit on the brakes but happy enough to. Believe we might well have done it on the rm4h videos but honestly can't remember now. Thanks for the kind words.

[@skellertons113]

@@timbarrington3607 See how it goes, RM4hire did do some brake stuff. While I am on, I was always asking for 40 years why the Arens switch/cable is called this until a couple of weeks ago an old film was on the box, showing the Arens factory at Redhill. Charles Arens was an early aviator and in the thirties, set up a works making cable controls for aircraft.

[@nidostar2013]

I was almost in tears when she finally fired up and started running. What a fantastic episode, Pete. Thank you.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Glad you enjoyed it. It was a brilliant moment

[@tristanpage6805]

Loved that. Great progress so looking forward to the next

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍👍

[@gustavn8902]

great to see its alive. i hope it will be on the road as soon its go... asap.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Working on it as we speak 👍👍👍

[@ilyaskajee3830]

Just been watching your vids back to back! Fantastic work and great entertainment. Looking forward to seeing more buddy. Keep it all up 😊

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thanks mate! 👍👍

[@MrRobinwhatley]

Great work Pete and Lord B. Great video and research. Thanks for sharing.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍👍👍👍

[@jamesbalchin4640]

Absolutely brilliant man. Brilliant video Pete

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for watching

[@anthonyhopkins984]

Brilliant episode as always, Thank you Pete!

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!

[@johnwilkinson4782]

Absolutely brilliant 😊 well done to you both. Looking forward to seeing it moving and glad to hear the new owners are keen on getting her sorted. Loved the footage of her in service at the end 👍

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Glad you liked it👍👍

[@MrButtonpresser]

Praise the holy reducer diaphragm! She's mostly alive!!

[@PeteAndHisBus]

😂😂

[@allansr100]

Superb ! i admire your patience and determination. “true grit” - well done 👍

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thank you very much!

[@TicTacToe3511]

Every time you cranked the engine I was screaming….COME ON COME ON….I cheered when it started ..Peter Western Australia

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Love it!! 👍👍

[@davidbrown8365]

Frikkin brilliant episode! Looking forward to more!!

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thanks so much

[@absolutvaldning]

A truly pleasing episode, can’t wait for the next one. It’s really fun seeing the mechanical perspective and learning from it. Well done Pete!

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thanks so much 👍

[@minimeee04]

Brilliant, loved the video and what a treat to see the old footage of her on the road.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@david5845]

Amazing. Happy for you!

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thank you! 👍

[@johnhughes7274]

Absolutely amazing work you guys. Yous have done it, shame it’s not driving yet. Really looking forward to the next instalment.👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thank you

[@malcolmpym507]

Well done both of you for the work and the entertainment. Let us see it running on the road in the future. Much work to be done but best wishes for restoration.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Will do

[@MasterMuscle100]

Fantastic indeed. So pleased to see this old Lady fire up in the end and all the effort, time and work put into this. Looking forward to the next update.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnmichaeldorienjohn467]

That was epic! Excellent work!

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thank you very much!

[@G0R1LLA285]

So exited for next video Pete 👍

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍👍

[@detroitdiesel7074]

5 minutes in and I already love your channel! So glad to see more people taking an interest in the old sweethearts of the golden age!

[@PeteAndHisBus]

❤️❤️❤️

[@stevebaseley]

Job well done to the both of you 👏 hope we get to see it restored 👍🇬🇧

[@PeteAndHisBus]

🤞

[@paultripp1377]

Your best video yet… Thrilling!

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Very sweet of you to say. Thanks for watching

[@martinwight8500]

Thx Pete for another great video - fabulous to see her finally running - seems she used to drive around where I live at some point - Farnborough !

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍

[@50018Resolution]

Great to see it fire up. I look forward to seeing it move. I hope you follow the progress of this bus in the future. Will be fantastic to see it resurrected. Great work 👍

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Yes, I will keep it on the channel

[@marcobrian1619]

My step father use to work on the RMs, he use to work at EYMS...from school to retirement. I only had the chance to drive one once......while I worked at EYMS..... IV now got his tools and made up tool box (no snap on crap in there) only britool and in-house tools , he was a MOT prep fitter and knows them buses like back of his hands. So pleased you have it up and running.....now the road gear to sort.... Note off my dad, bet the break cams are worn going into the drums breaks.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

What a great connection you have there. I’m sure your dad is right!

[@simonlunt353]

I think I was just as excited as you were when she started up 😊l remember when these buses but here in Lincolnshire as were green well done can’t wait to see more 👍👏👏

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thanks for watching! BTW my first bus RML2355 was a green one originally. I do like the look of them but the iconic red is what people want..

[@BusesJourneysMore]

I’ve only discovered your channel recently and really enjoyed and found interesting getting the bus back to life again. All the best for the future. Wayne

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Hey Wayne! Thanks so much for watching. Your support is appreciated

[@timhoward7037]

Well done!!! She Lives!!! (and I can't believe how 'happy' that engine is sounding!)

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍👍👍

[@richardcrosk6428]

You're not the only one as I was screaming and hoping it will run too. Knew you guys will do it and really can't wait to see you driving it now. Really am pleased the future is good for that fabulous bus. I will always say this but roll on for the next episode guys

[@PeteAndHisBus]

❤️❤️

[@alasdairvincent6248]

It was a joy to hear this old girl bursting into life.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thanks

[@curandero]

I really hope this bus can be given a new lease of life and fully restored at some point! Amazing work fellas...thankyou!

[@PeteAndHisBus]

🤞

[@ScaseFacetime]

I haven’t shouted that loudly at a video in quiet some while. I was so pleased when the bus finally started!!!!! love it❤

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Glad you enjoyed it! As you can imagine I know exactly how you felt... haha

[@joshswan06]

What a great episode, can’t. Wait to see what happens next

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍👍👍

[@TrophyNZ1]

Somehow this ended up on my feed, damn im glad it did, well done

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thanks so much

[@6petrolhead6]

So chuffed you got her running again she's got to be saved 😊

[@PeteAndHisBus]

She does indeed!

[@markhodgkinson7299]

Woo, getting there. Looking forward to the next installment.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@daniel..cooper]

Wow, came from a short TikTok and ended up watching all the vids on this bus, a huge congrats, subbed and cant wait for updates 😊

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thanks bud! Your support is much appreciated

[@mado6200]

Loving these videos

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thanks so much!

[@umbertoyltp]

Woohoo, that's what we have been waiting for, fantastic! Driving one of the flattest cars to visit one of the tallest vehicles got me laughing out loud right away! This bus oozes liquids, but history as well. ❤ the future is bright.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@LogansWeddingTravel]

Fantastic work gents!

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thank you

[@chuckthomas8176]

Wow. Congratulations to you both .

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thanks

[@thomashiggins4923]

Pete, you seem to have a pretty ideal lifestyle - you live in a beautiful place, you certainly have a wonderful and lovely wife, and a very gorgeous daughter. You get to drive extremely beautiful cars. I am a good bit older than you (let's not go into details). I wonder if you have any advice for me? Just one thing though. I'd like fewer buses in my ideal life, going forward, as they say. Wonderful news about RMB834. I think the owners should give it to you as recompense. Thanks for a great video. Tom (from France).

[@PeteAndHisBus]

😂😂

[@itsmephil2255]

Edge of the seat viewing that Pete 🚌

[@PeteAndHisBus]

❤️

[@adriangiddins6065]

Brilliant...well done both of you....here's to the future

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍👍👍

[@bewildered5444]

Oh man I enjoyed that. I've ridden the Africa Twin past this hundreds of times and always glanced over, just wondering. To think of the millions of lives the old girl has touched in her working life - and now she lives again. Fantastic!

[@PeteAndHisBus]

That’s nice! I think we all feel the same bud! Time for her to have another go at it.

[@mikeknight.1]

RM 843 is one of my regular fleets from the 25 Stratford route. Thank you for the picture I'll be adding this to my spotters guide for local buses.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching

[@bjolson96]

I've never seen your content before, but consider me subscribed! the montage of glory day photos brought out tears after seeing how it looks now. Can't wait to see it move!

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍❤️

[@darrenbyrne4622]

Loved it good to see another RM alive keep the vids coming pete well done mate

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thanks 👍

[@pablobaio9435]

I was sitting on the edge of my chair at every attempt to turn RM843 on. And glad to see you made it, Guys. Good work and congrats!. Hope the new family member will be sitting near Compo soon. Best.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thanks for watching

[@andrewmurton8379]

Fantastic, the two of you have persevered and won through, what was a derelict machine with little hope of survival now has a future again. So looking forward to seeing it move and get restored.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Tanks for watching

[@jamesfrench7299]

I think it's too far gone. Maybe the market value of RMs these days will recoup the cost of bringing it up to scratch.

[@roseybut]

Epic. I thought you'd exploded with excitement and the smoke was coming from you!!

[@PeteAndHisBus]

It was, we cgi’d the bus in 😂👍😜

[@mikeglenn3333]

I would love to see that bus going again. Wonderful job you both did.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thank you

[@jamessmith7691]

I like the idea of the design access for the motor. Looking forward to more videos.

[@PeteAndHisBus]

👍👍👍

[@And_Zo]

Love it, great one guys ❤❤

[@PeteAndHisBus]

Thank you 🙌

[@And_Zo]

@@PeteAndHisBus you're welcome 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🖖