New RMC Routemaster Coaches from EFE Road
Today (Saturday 20th July 2024) during the Routemaster Association’s ‘Routemaster 70’ event at Chiswick Park, London, Bachmann Europe Plc unveiled four new 1:76 scale RMC Routemaster coaches as part of its expanding EFE Road range of diecast collectables.
The new models come hot on the heels of EFE Road’s four standard AEC Routemaster models announced in April, and continue this year’s celebrations marking 70 years since the very first Routemaster prototype, RM1, was unveiled to the world in 1954.
The RMCs were introduced in 1962 to work on London Transport’s Green Line cross-London and suburban services, following trials with the prototype, CRL4 (later RMC4). They were a direct development of the standard RM, and while visually very similar, they differed in having twin headlamps, electrically operated platform doors, more comfortable seats with increased legroom, and the addition of luggage racks. A higher rear axle ratio, rear air suspension, and increased fuel capacity also set the RMCs apart from the RMs.
A total of 68 were built, seeing service with Green Line and later London Country, before all were bought back by London Transport. Many ended up as driver trainers, but seven were reinstated as passenger carriers in 1989 for the new X15 route; the latter remaining in traffic until the early 1990s, although some continued in use well into the 2000s.
The four new EFE Road models represent examples of RMCs during various stages of their London careers. Like the RM models, they have been produced using EFE Road’s refined Routemaster tooling, and now feature such enhancements as bodyside panel lines, plus highly detailed liveries and advertisements where appropriate.
The four new models are:
E41901
AEC Routemaster RMC1502
LCBS Green Line
Route 370
Tilbury Ferry
E41902
AEC Routemaster RMC1508
LCBS
Route 341
Hatfield Station
E41903
AEC Routemaster RMC1490
East London
Route X15
East Beckton
E41904
AEC Routemaster RMC1513
East London
Route 15
Oxford Circus
EFE Road spokesman, Gary Boyd-Hope, said: “We are delighted to add the RMCs to EFE Road’s growing range as we continue to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Routemaster. For this announcement we have selected RMCs that offer something a little different from what has come before, and have included the preserved RMC1490, which continues to see active service in Shropshire and North Wales.”
The four models are expected to reach retailers during August 2024, with an RRP of £44.95 each.
