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| One of the more impressive items in the Depot is London's first trolleybus, the Diddler. Trolleybus number 1 was operated by London United Tramways in South West London - note the styling of the lower front end to resemble motor buses of the period (the bodywork was based on London General's standard bus body). |
| The AEC Q single decker was once fairly widespread throughout the London Transport operating area. Q55 is wearing country colours, despite displaying blinds for a Finsbury Park Circular tour. |
| Before the advent of the RT, the STL was London Transport's standard double decker. STL 469 displays shortened wartime blinds for route 74, then operating between Putney and Chalk Farm. |
| STLs gave way in 1939 to the AEC Regent as London Transport's standard double decker. The type became so numerous that by the end of production, early examples were being replaced by new RTs. The RT appeared to make its final appearance on scheduled services in London in 1979, the last journey being on route 62 operated by Barking Garage (as shown by RT 4712 above). However, RTs have continued to make occasional appearances in revenue-earning service to the present day, including route 62. The RT celebrated 50 years of service in 1989. |
| At the same time as the RT was established as London Transport's standard double deck, the RF was the standard single deck bus, appearing on central, country and Green Line services. RF633 displays blinds for Green Line route 715A (Oxford Circus - Hertford) and is seen parked at the rear of the Depot. |
| Also at the Depot on 6 February was Eastern National 3885, a Bristol K with ECW utility bodywork. The "C" service was a forerunner of Eastern National's 400 service between Southend and London, at one time the only service to operate on Christmas Day. |
| Almost as successful as the RT was the Routemaster, possibly the most famous bus in the world. This is RM1, the first of a breed which remains in service today and is scheduled to remain on the London scene for at least another 5 years. The lower front end of RM1 has been rebuilt - originally the bus had a concealed radiator apparently to fulfil maximum length requirements of the day. However, the upper deck front windows and air intake differ from Routemasters in service today. RM1 also appeared at Showbus 2004 |
| The Bus Reshaping Plan of the mid-sixties envisaged wholesale replacement of London's bus routes with new short distance flat fare routes, operated with one person operated single deckers. In the event, the central London Red Arrow services (which still operate today) were the main outcome of this plan originally operated with AEC Merlin single deckers of which MBA 582 is an example. |
| Intended to replace the last RTs and the first Routemasters, the DMS class were probably the least successful bus introduced to London. DMS1 (above) was the first of the class and enjoyed only a brief existence with London Transport compared to its RT and RM predecessors. Note the Autofare decals on the front panel. |
As mentioned at the start of this feature, the Depot at Acton Town is open on specified dates only at present.
The Depot is opposite Acton Town Station on the Piccadilly and District lines. Bus E3 passes the entrance.
Further details can be found on the London Transport Museum web site
London Transport Museum Depot at Acton Town, 118 - 120 Gunnersbury Lane, London W3 8BQ
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