AEC Routemaster RML2738, Route 15A Upton Park

The standard Routemaster bus was an undoubted success story for London Transport (LT), and its integral construction had kept LT at the forefront of new bus innovation. However, by the end of the 1950s, questions were being asked by the wider bus industry about whether a 64 seat double decker was commercially viable long-term, especially as the economics of bus operation became more challenging. Greater capacity was being called for.

In 1961 LT ordered 24 new Routemasters, which would have an increased capacity of 72 seats. Like the 64 seaters, these new buses would be engineered by AEC at Southall, with body construction and assembly completed at Park Royal Vehicles. These new vehicles mechanically similar to their shorter cousins, sharing the same engines, brakes, transmission and electrical equipment. However, they were 2ft 4in longer than the standard Routemaster, having a small square window on the upper and lower decks where an additional bay had been added.

A further 500 RMLs would be built; the first of this new batch being delivered on 1st July 1965, and the last entering service in February 1968. The RMLs would go on to serve London for the best part of the next four decades, finally being withdrawn from front line service in 2005. In fact, one historian would go as far as saying that the RML was “the most successful Routemaster variant ever devised.”

Our model depicts RML2738 {SMK738F), a 1967-built example that started its London Transport career at Hanwell. In May 1985 it was selected to work Route 15 and 15A via Oxford Street, Bank and the Tower of London, and as such received a special livery with a yellow roof band and Route 15 advertising. It is in this condition that we have presented our model, complete with an Upton Park destination.

The new models are based on EFE Road’s refined and updated RML tooling, and now feature such enhancements as bodyside panel lines and highly detailed liveries and advertisements.

About this product:

Online exclusive

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)

We currently deliver within the UK only, but we're working to expand internationally.

General stocked items shipped from our Online Warehouse (Elovate)

UK standard | £5 | 3 - 5 Working Days

UK Express 0 - 30kg (Signature required) | £8 | 1 -2 Working Days

Vintage shop (signs) - decommissioned, recommissioned and replica items, limited edition prints, moquette by the metre & delicate models.

UK Standard | £5 | Up to 15 working days

Made to order furniture and 75cm moquette cushions

UK Standard | Free | Up to 10 Weeks

Art on the Underground

UK Standard | £20 | Up to 2 weeks

The below delivery information is for our general stocked products.

To make a return, please follow our instructions below:

1. Send an email to [email protected] within 14 days of receiving your goods to notify us of the return.
2. Return the item(s) to the address below within 28 days of receiving the item/s. Please make sure to include your order number. Clothing items which are being returned due to incorrect sizing can be returned opened as long they are unworn, and the tags are attached.
3. The return shipment cost must be paid by you and will not be covered by the London Transport Museum, unless the item is faulty. We would recommend that you use recorded delivery.
4. Once the returned item/s has been received and processed by our warehouse, we will issue you a refund within 14 working days.

Please send your order to (returns address for print to order prints and made to order furniture outlined further below):

London Transport Museum
PO Box 621
York House, Wetherby Road
York,
YO26 7NH

Faulty items

If you have received a faulty, damaged or incorrect item, please contact [email protected] with details and an image of the fault and we will advise you further.