Confidence Routemaster
WLT 655
RM655 was new to London Transport in January of 1961 and was allocated to the Wood Green Depot in April of that year. It was one of a standard batch of vehicles that was fitted with an AEC engine and a Park Royal body.
In 1981 during its last major London refit the engine was changed to the Leyland 0600 unit it has today.
During it’s twenty-four years of service around the Capital it carried the famous red livery of London Transport. This was changed to its current Black and Grey livery in 1985 when she was purchased by Confidence Bus of Leicester.
She was given the fleet number 15 and was used on local factory works contracts, and to transport local children to school around the city up until 2003. Although it is still used occasionally for private school contracts when required.
Her main role these days is private hire and society weddings etc.
RM655 returned to London in July 2004 to take part in the 50th Birthday Celebrations In the Capital to celebrate 50 Years of the Routemaster bus.
CONFIDENCE 1961 Routemaster RM65
RM 655
History, Specs and Allocations
RM 655 Allocations
Jan 1961 – Aldenham Works (then Loughton
for storage unlicensed)
April 1961 – Wood Green
December 1967 – unlicensed
January 1968 – Wood Green
November 1968 – repainted
July 1972 – Edmonton
March 1974 – Enfield
May 1975 – repainted
April 1977 – Sidcup
February 1980 – repainted
November 1981 – West Ham
July 1984 – unlicensed
August 1985 – sold to Confidence Bus & Coach Hire of Leicester.
RM 655 Body Allocations
January 1961 – B655
June 1965 – B621 (Confidence has also owned WLT 621)
July 1972 – B606
April 1977 – B96
November 1981 – B1883 (This Body was always fitted with a Leyland 0600 Engine due its slightly larger engine bay. As a result RM655 was converted at this time from an AEC.)
Specifications
Width 8 feet
Length 27 feet 6 inches
Height 14 feet 4.5 inches
Seating 64 28 Lower Saloon
36 Upper Saloon
Engine Leyland 0600 9.8 litre diesel, rated at 115 bhp at 1800 rpm
Gearbox AEC direct selection/automatic 4 speed with electrical control and air operation.
Brakes Continuous flow power hydraulic.
Steering Power assisted, 62 feet turning circle.
Weight 7 tons 7 cwt unladen, 11 tons 10 cwt laden.
Body All aluminium stressed skin construction.
Chassis Two separate steel sub-frames.
Front ‘A’ frame carrying engine, steering and front suspension.
Rear ‘B’ frame carrying rear axle and suspension