Oxford Diecast RM046

Southend Transport Bus - 1:76 Scale

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI/AI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest
Era 6 (1967 to 1972) British Rail Blue (Pre-TOPS)
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation
Era 9 (1995 to 2004) Initial Privatisation
Era 10 (2005 to 2015) Rebuilding of the Railways

Manufacturer description

It was in 1951 the decision was taken to develop a lightweight vehicle with the ability to seat 64 passengers, an initial estimate of 2,000 vehicles being suggested. Several protoypes appeared over the next few years and testing of the buses took place with development being carried out by a range of companies. It was not until the early sixties that the buses were seen on the streets of London in any quantity and by now a decision had been made to concentrate the future development of buses on one-person operated vehicles. No further Routemasters were built after 1968 although due to maintenance, refurbishment and deregulation they are still seen not only in the capital, but also in many locations throughout the UK and overseas.

Catalogue listing

Oxford Diecast Southend Transport Bus – 1:76 Scale is a die‑cast replica model. The manufacturer part number is RM046 and the livery represents the British Rail Blue scheme used before the TOPS classification system.

The original design originated in 1951 when an effort was made to create a lightweight vehicle able to carry 64 passengers. Early prototypes were built and tested by several manufacturers, and the buses entered regular service in London during the early 1960s. Subsequent development focused on one‑person operation, and production of the classic Routemaster ceased after 1968.

Although new Routemasters were not built after 1968, many examples remain in operation owing to maintenance, refurbishment and deregulation. They can still be seen in the capital, across the United Kingdom and in a number of overseas locations.