A CASE OF NORTHERN EXPOSURE FOR EFE ROAD
Bachmann Europe Plc has unveiled five new 1:76 scale Northern Routemaster models as part of its growing EFE Road range of diecast collectables. The announcement was made as part of the Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust’s ‘London Comes to Glasgow’ event on 5th July.
In the early 1960s, London Transport decided to make its famous Routemaster bus available on
the open market and, in addition to the existing types already successfully serving London, Park
Royal Vehicles built a unique Routemaster in a bid to promote sales. This was RMF1254, a 30ft
vehicle that shared many common parts with the RML type Routemasters, but designed to meet
the growing trend of having a front, or forward, entrance close to the driver.
One operator that commissioned Routemasters for its fleet was Northern General, which
ordered 50 vehicles for its long distance, inter-urban services, and these were delivered in
1964/65. The design was heavily influenced by RMF1254, although changes were made to suit
Northern’s specification. The first of the new Routemasters entered service in May 1964, and in
1966 the 50 became 51 when they were joined by RMF1254, which had been bought from
London Transport. They could be found across the region on services to Newcastle, Sunderland,
Middlesborough and Hartlepool, some of which were over 40 miles in length.
The advent of the National Bus Company (NBC) saw the fleet progressively receive the corporate
colour schemes from 1972. However, with the move towards One-Man Operation, the
Routemasters’ days were numbered. Mass withdrawals began in 1977, and by the end of the
decade just 18 were left in service. That number continued to drop throughout 1980, and the
last one, No. 3105, ran on 16th December that year.
Some were acquired for preservation, but others would find their way to London, working on
sightseeing tours or other heritage workings. Thankfully, a handful of the type remain today,
together with the one-off RMF, and two of these can still be seen in the North East.
The new models are based on EFE Road’s refined and updated Routemaster tooling, and now
feature such enhancements as bodyside panel lines and highly detailed liveries and
advertisements.
They are:
E42601 – AEC Routemaster Northern NBC FPT594C (2124) Service 653 Whickham
This model depicts fleet number 2124 in National Bus Company (NBC) Poppy Red with white band working service 653 to Whickham. The model is complete with the ‘Shop at Binns’ adverts, which were synonymous with Northern’s bus fleet.
E42602 – AEC Routemaster Northern NBC FPT595C (3109) Service 136
North Hylton
Following a January 1975 renumbering by the NBC, two of the fleet received an all-over yellow
livery. These were No. 3071, which was one of the first batch of 18, and No. 3109 of the second
batch, and this is the subject of our model. It is depicted on a service 136 to North Hylton, and
includes contemporary detailing including the missing radiator badge.
E42603 – AEC Routemaster Northern FPT586C (2116) Service 46 Chester-le-Street
In 1969, Northern (NBC) introduced a new red and cream livery that was applied to a number of
the Routemasters, and this is reflected by our model of No. 2116. The model carriescontemporary advertising, again with the obligatory Shop at Binns legends, and is seen working
service 46 to Chester-le-Street.
E42604 – AEC Routemaster Northern FPT597C (2127) Service 64 Newcastle
Next, we have fleet number 2127, a 1965 example, which is depicted in its updated version of
Northern’s all-over red livery with cream cant rail band. It features the later style of Northern’s
sans serif branding, and is shown working a service 64 to Newcastle via Washington.
E42605 – AEC Routemaster RMF2809 General Route 111 Heathrow Central
In 1991, former Northern Routemaster, registration FPT 603C, was repainted in a faux London
General livery, given London style blinds, and adorned with the fictitious fleet number RMF2809.
The following year it took part in a Hounslow Garage running day, working route 111 to
Heathrow Central, and it is this guise that we have chosen for this model.
The five models are expected to reach retailers during late October/early November 2026 and
have an RRP of £49.95.
Details on where to find Bachmann stockists can be found online at finda retailer
