RM 254 History

RM 254 was delivered new to London Transport in March 1960 and went, unlicensed, to Poplar Garage. It entered service on 27th April 1960 at West Ham Garage on Stage 6 of the Trolleybus Replacement Programme when routes 623, 625, 687 and 697/699 were converted. In December 1960 it was demoted and sent to Shepherds Bush for training duties. It resumed passenger service in January 1962 at Stonebridge depot for Stage 13 of the Trolleybus Replacement Programme and was used on routes 18, 260 and 266 (replacing trolleybus routes 660 and 666). It was, again, reduced to training duties in December 1962 and transferred to Peckham in July 1963, still as a trainer. The same month it resumed passenger service at Middle Row on routes 18 and 293 and RTL replacement routes 7 and 15.

RM 254's first overhaul was in April 1964 and emerged carrying body No. B248. It was reallocated to Shepherds Bush for routes 220 and 268. In September 1964 it was transferred to Croydon garage for RT replacement on the 130 group of routes. It was also to be found on the 64 and 68 routes. It spent a while at Croydon before being transferred, in May 1967, to Norwood. Here it worked the 2b,3,68 and 137 routes. It had an intermediate repaint in August 1967 and was transferred to Dalston garage for routes 9,11,47 and 106a. In September 1968 it transferred to Clapton where it spent 9 years on routes 22 and 106a.

The second overhaul came in October 1970. This time the body was B214. RM 254 returned to Clapton and later worked the 38,47 and 253 routes. A second intermediate repaint occurred in January 1974 when it returned to Clapton until its third overhaul in September 1977. Here it received body No. B718. It was then sent to Norbiton garage for use on the 65 route. A third intermediate repaint was carried out in August 1980 after which it returned to Norbiton. While at NB it was selected as a Showbus, in May 1981, and made its first public appearance in this guise at the Fulwell Garage Open Day that year.

There was no body change at the fourth overhaul in August 1982. On its return from Aldenham, still carrying its cream band and gold transfers, it went to Kingston garage for the 65 and 71 routes. It was rallied extensively in 1983, gaining much admiration wherever it went.

When Kingston garage closed on 13th January 1984, RM 254 was transferred back in to the new and enlarged Norbiton garage. During the early part of 1984 a group of enthusiasts was formed to purchase RM 254 from London Transport as soon as it was released from service. That release came on 2nd August 1985 and the group paid £2150.50 for the vehicle. Rallying continued and it went on to gain many awards.

In the latter part of 1985 RM 254 had a slight 'accident'. It was de-roofed trying to pass under a low bridge and was repaired, at considerable cost, by London Transport at Aldenham.

During the Winter of 1985/6 the external paintwork was removed and taken back to bare metal. In May 1986 it left LPC Coachworks Ltd., in Hounslow, after a complete repaint, by hand as it would have been at Park Royal Vehicles Limited in 1960.

More recently, both saloons have been renovated, including new flooring. The seats have been recovered, with original moquette from LT, also leather and seat-back material of the original colour. The stairs have been fitted with new aluminium 'kick' plates and, ten years on from the repaint, varnishing was carried out on the exterior paintwork. Major restoration work is complete, we now have to keep it this way!