Road's end for RT
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LONDON'S most famous bus, the 40-year-old RT, made its final run last Saturday, and received a big send-off.
Watched by hundreds of people, a calvalcade of RT's left London Transport's Barking garage to make their final run over the 62 route to Ilford and Barkingside. This is London Transport's last route to be worked by RT's and 200 enthusiasts had booked to go on this last run.
The cavalcade was led by RT1 (now in private hands), the very first production model, followed by six London Transport RT's and several other privately-owned examples.
It returned to Barking garage shortly after 6pm to be given a cheering reception by the patiently waiting crowd.
As one enthusiast put it, "the end of an era."
The RT (Regent Three) first entered service with London Transport in 1939, and with its narrow, upright radiator grill and half-cab became one of London's best known sights and a tourist attraction in its own right.
About 7,000 were built and with a 40 year history the RT was London's longest serving bus.