LT Red Rules

John Woodman

One of the more unusual fleet livery applications involved Blackpool Transport's sudden affection for London's Routemaster buses. This began during Derek Hyde's management with an initial example being acquired for testing. Despite having phased out open rear platform Leyland's in favour of front entrance single deck models built by Willowbrook to a bland and almost utilitarian finish and subsequent fleet of Leyland Atlanteans in green and cream - the apparent allure of operating the famous RM type on one or two select routes, notably the 12 (tram replacement) service on Lytham Road proved apparently irresistible. Below : Freshly painted RM 1583 with its LT fleet number carefully retained in Blackpool Transport's tastefully applied early red and white fleet colours of the 1920s (complete with black and yellow lining out). Now number 521 in the BTS bus fleet is standing outside the Paint Shop at Rigby Road.

Another member of this exclusive fleet of London Transport RMs by the seaside; in this case returning to Talbot Road Bus Station on Service 12 with a Blue Bus and Handybus discretely in the background in Talbot Square. Yates Wine Lodge building thankfully is still standing and provides the backdrop on Talbot Road. Both Photos : John Woodman Archive.