What is UNDER An Old Red LONDN Double Decker Bus | Is It Safe?

In this episode join our auto mechanics as they carry out a safety inspection on a vintage London double decker bus, looking under the bus and showing you the bits you don't usually get to see.
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...
• 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 #routemaster4hire

[@jonniejam-shovel6405]

London Transport's mechanical rota inspections for their buses were approximately every 28 days. As an engineering garage trainee i was taught how to inspect a bus, and what type of basic work was required depending on the rota number. When the bus had reached an 8 or 16 Rota, there would be more tasks set out that you had to complete. We would put the hydraulic gauges on a Routemaster, and you would give it a full and complete timed clock test. We would use our clock to find out when the flag went up, white light out and then listen for the hydraulic system to cut out. We would test both hydraulic accumulators, and fit the gauges to the front and rear brake test points. Remembering that the RM brake valve had two stages to it. One for normal braking, that would show up on the hydraulic gauge, and then the other stage for emergency braking. 1200 PSI. We would then test the brake micro switches. The switch for testing these were in the drivers cab, and we would move the switch over from N to 2, and then 1. You had to make sure that you'd reset the switch to its normal position (N) , otherwise one of the two test points would be permanently isolated. The vehicles batteries were also removed at major rota, and the battery crate was cleaned and repainted. Other major rota tasks were fuel pump and injectors to change. All fuel filters, plus cab filters, engine oil ,diff oil to change. Plus full grease up, and oiling with high pressure oil gun plus brake pedal pad to change . And you probably hadn't started your mechanical inspection yet. The general hands, were also hard at work, giving the bus a full all day clean, plus exterior soap wash. The list was endless. When all the work was completed the engineering day foreman would take the bus out for a test run. If he came back happy, you'd done your job and he was satisfied. If he came back with a long face, god help you. Many thanks lads.👍

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Always good to hear from you Jonnie, love your stories from back in the day.

[@jonniejam-shovel6405]

Thank you. 👍 I'm certain that many of my old workmates, would give their approval and respect for all the hard work you've completed. I certainly do look forward to your films on here. It certainly takes me back, when I worked with knowledgeable people. The Routemaster will always be a great bus. Designed and built to do a job of work. The old hands I worked with saw the RM into service at Poplar garage; brand new in 1959. Keep us updated with your schemes of work, you certainly have the best bus channel. Kind regards to everyone, and the bloopers as well. Cheers Jonnie.

[@Downstairsish]

Great memories for me seeing all the old place names. As a kid growing up in the seventies I lived next to Thornton Heath bus garage in Whitehall Road.. Can see all the Routemaster's pulling into the entrance at the end of the day very vividly.

[@crewealex1125]

Really interesting to see what goes into keeping a bus safe and in service. Always nice to have Alan getting some screen time 👍

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@davidbassett4577]

Great little video showing how you check over your Routemasters every 8 weeks. It’s a lot of work per bus; but safety is paramount and I love your outtakes!! 🤣

[@leejones286]

Hello guys cheers for the video really enjoyable as always. It is really interesting to see the work that you all do in keeping these RMs well maintained and on the road. Thank you for the outtakes at the end all of you keep up the good work guys that you are doing.

[@jamesbalchin4640]

Absolutely brilliant video guys and absolutely excellent you do all the safety checks on the buses. I used to do the interior when I was a conductor in 2001 and 2003-05 and even on new bus for London before we went out and the indicators as well

[@oc2phish07]

Great as always but WAYYYYYY too short.

[@adriangiddins6065]

Usual high quality video...well done all !

[@Big.Al.3]

Another in joyable film gents. Keep up the good work and looking forward to your next. 👍

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you very much!

[@richardneale246]

Enjoyed the video and the outakes!!! Thanks.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Glad you like them!

[@evan_kumar]

9:03 OOOOO🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋LADIES

[@jacksugden8190]

I really miss those RM buses on the 9 service between Mortlake and Liverpool Street back in the early 80’s, would often fall a sleep listening to the engine ticking over while stuck in the traffic, they were great times when the buses were in original condition in Kensington.

[@charlieboyok]

Jack Sugden , the ticking over is what l remember as a kid who was HoH ( hard of hearing) , l hope return to England some time in 2023 , just waiting for Air fares to come down 😳

[@BianShaw]

Great to see an actual safety inspection carried out and explained, I have always wondered what's involved was told "its in for a safety" but never got to see whats involved so thanks for that 👍. Do you lads do panel damage onsite? Have you a video on panel repair

[@sandypayet5066]

Always look forward to your new video' s !! Keep up the great work & thanks for the laughs 😃.

[@jaymitchell1181]

Lol Love how you all get on with each other guys

[@jamesfrench7299]

Good to see RM471 with a clean bill of health. These very regular inspections give an incentive to keep on top of things. I hope it doesn't have a 470 engine!

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks James, it has a 590 engine.

[@michaelkeen5010]

Very interesting content, look forward to your next video. 👍

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you 👍

[@paultinadavis8812]

It’s the 2nd time I’ve seen this Bus, It is a shame you still haven’t managed to get the original registration and I noticed there is no near side Fog Light , I always enjoy your videos. Paul Davis Isle of Man. Thanks.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Unfortunately WLT471 is no longer available.

[@markobrien1439]

another great vid lads 👍

[@wartington1]

Does the bus have windscreen wipers, if so you missed checking them!!!!! Love the videos cheers

[@nigozeroichi2501]

Drew the short straw?, I don't know about you but there's absolutely no bloody way I'd be under an seven tonne bus with someone sawing the wheel back and forth, I'm sitting here pinching round holes in the seat cushion every time I see the lift columns move🤯

[@Routemaster4Hire]

It may look dangerous but it is totally safe.

[@Electrotract]

You would have to go a long way to find a route bus type that betters the Routemaster- superb solid, enduring pieces of British engineering

[@andrewsewell9179]

I love all your videos 😊 Tickets please

[@play_d0ng]

Nice,👍👍

[@normanburnett4100]

Good stuff. Love to see a video of you guys refurbishing window winders, or did I miss that?

[@evan_kumar]

Your country has the best buses then we do in USA!

[@Dellboy56]

The 1950s Greyhound buses are my favourite after the RT. 👍

[@evan_kumar]

@@Dellboy56 cool!!

[@davidvivian596]

RM471 looks to be in excellent condition to my untrained eye, and you have an excellent workshop in which to keep on top of things. However, I wonder how the owners of Routemasters who don't have fully-equipped workshops manage? Presumably they have to get a company like yours to do the work for them, but I've never heard you mention that you work on 'third-party' Routemasters. Do you only work on your own fleet? A great video as usual. I've watched your channel since day 1 and although I'll never own an RM, I love 'em to bits. Thank you.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you David. Generally we only work on our own buses, but occasionally we do get asked to do work on someone else’s bus. We don’t advertise this service so most of the work is on friends vehicles.

[@davidvivian596]

@@Routemaster4Hire thank you.

[@stephaniejaynesusanmaycock2670]

Hiya Everyone at Routemaster4Hire. I have followed You since Day One, and I love to watch Your Videos. It would be Great too see a full Rear and Nearside Destination Lay-out's on Your Open-Top RM. Also All of Your RM'S would look Great with Fully Chromed Exterior Light Bezel's ! Also, Your RM's would look far better with their Nearside Front Fog Light's fitted and working. My Friend Martin James owns RML 2412 ( JJD 412D ), and He has got the RML's Rear Tail Light's, as Stop and Tail Light's, and He has kept the Central Rear Brake Light as well. The RML has also got Hazard Flasher's fitted and working as well. RML 2412 is in Lincoln Green, with A Canary Yellow Cantrail Band, and London Country Fleetname's. She has an AEC AV690 Engine in Her. ( I first travelled on RML 2412, in Early January 1966, when She was Brand New, at High Wycombe ( HE ) London Transport Garage. ).RML 2412 carries HE Garage Codes as well !! The RML IS So Comfortable to Travel On. HE Garage IS Still Extant. By the Way, Please give Jess the Dog Some Big Cuddles for Us. Also, Tim, Good Luck with the ongoing work on RT 2629. Take Care All Of You. With My Very Best Wishes, Stephanie Maycock.

[@pepsibear4385]

Thought you would have removed that stone from the tread of the nearside rear inner tyre.

[@markjarvis7637]

If a bus is out of service, engine or stripped down, do you still have to fill the forms, or do you file for an exemption

[@johnavery15]

What’s happened to the picture quality guys? Movement is very blurred. Audio is OK.

[@smabell1672]

Thank god for your comment, I thought it was my internet connection 👍🏼

[@geoffreycharlton8875]

maybe you should go to specsavers looked ok to me

[@JJVernig]

It looks like it shot with 10fps.. Content is very interesting.

[@malcolm6951]

Do your vintage buses also have to comply with tyre age as well as depth etc?

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Yes, only the fronts need to be less than 10ths old.

[@ballsy_84]

what's with the camera quality on this vlog it's not as clear as normal.

[@cannadineboxill-harris2983]

Much as I am not comfortable asking 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 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 them 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 Buse's 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 on the Bottom on most of that 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 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 Versions. 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? 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, 167, 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 Six and a Half Months and also Reuse them on those Rail Replacement London Bus Routes if that will Be Alright for Only Just Every 6 and a Half Months starting from the beginning of October 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, 41 and 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 Very Very Very Very Very Very Important Professional Ideas Please Please Prime Minister and also Includes the Mayor of London.😉😉😅😅😅😅😀😃😀😅😀😃😅😀😃😀😀😃👏👏👏👏👍👏👏👏👏👍👏👏

[@a11csc]

pain in the butt ,safety is paramount though

[@tonylawlor3503]

Tickets please hope Charlie is okay

[@hoof2001]

Isn’t KVS a Scottish registration?

[@Faresplease]

Could you not extend the inspections to 12 week intervals. 8 weeks seems a very short time frame

[@stevewoodjetts5567]

The time period is set by traffic regs. Also many of the first checks they undertook have to be done every day before a driver take a bus from the depot.

[@Faresplease]

@@stevewoodjetts5567 Very aware of the daily checks. I could understand an 8 week interval for a vehicle in daily operations at 12hrs + each day. Better safe than sorry I guess. p.s. just love your videos 👍

[@kevinmothers904]

I have a 2002 Daf 55/180 that needs a PMI every 6 weeks! When DVSA stats started showing that a higher percentage of older vehicles failed the MOT anything over 12 years old was reduced from 8 week inspections to 6. So I get it done, fill in the paperwork and carry it with me as evidence if stopped.

[@Faresplease]

@@kevinmothers904 Very strict indeed

[@SB-rw5gu]

Spot on from the professionals but if you want to simplify those requirements, declare the bus as historical and then claim MOT exemption, PCV driving licence exemption, road tax exemption, O licence exemption and any other exemption you can possibly think of. Then convert the bus to whatever money making business you choose from a mobile bar, mobile fish & chip shop, mobile cafe and anything in between. After all of that, you can then sit back and laugh at all of those businesses who still operate their old RMs in accordance with the law. Unfortunately, if I'm not mistaken the caveat to all of the above historical exemptions is that the bus ''Must Not Be Used For Business Purposes Of Any Kind''.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

We prefer to keep our buses as buses. The 'red tape' is therefore a necessary part of our work.

[@stephaniejaynesusanmaycock2670]

Hiya Dave. AEC Routemaster's are Buses, NOT Mobile Fish And Chip Shop's !!

[@DavidJones-wx4im]

Has this bus been sold?

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Yes it has.

[@stephaniejaynesusanmaycock2670]

Dave, Why has RM 471 Been Sold Please ?

[@unknown-ywuux_bus]

First