The story told in this book starts at a time when London Transport’s wish to use wider buses was subject to the approval of the Traffic Commissioners and the Metropolitan and City police forces.
First successfully operated on suburban routes from mid-1949, the following year moves towards bringing RTWs into Central London began with a series of three width trials. These trials showed no major problems with their operation along busy and sometimes narrow streets, leading to most of the 500-strong fleet moving on to routes through the centre. These 8-footers then became a familiar sight in central London during the 1950s and first half of the 1960s.
The success of the RTW design was instrumental in the design of the Routemaster to expanded dimensions, leading to the creation of London's most successful and well-known bus type.
This book follows the design, construction and working lives of the RTW class and is well-illustrated throughout with black & white photographs. Hardback. 96 pages.