Corgi 1/76 London Transport Bus Set Then & Now Trolley Bus, Routemaster & New Bus for London triple Set (OM49904)

A new advanced double decker appeared in 1939, the AEC ?RT? based on an AEC Regent III chassis. Experience gained through mass-production of Halifax bombers during the war encouraged Chiswick Works to redesign the ?RT?, using jig-built techniques so that components were interchangeable between most of the class.

The extensive tramway system was to have been replaced by a TrolleyBus network, but the difficulties endured during the war years ensured its survival until 1952. As early as 1949, the new London Transport Executive planned to replace the TrolleyBus system, which at one time was the largest in the world. It was scheduled to be gradually converted to motor bus operation, with completion due in the mid 1950s. The last TrolleyBus ran on the 8th May 1962.

London?s next generation of buses began a test programme in 1954. Entering full service in 1959, the new ?Routemaster? (RM) was also jig-built, though without a chassis and had sub-frames incorporated within an advanced all alloy body. Sixty-four seat RMs were followed by the longer 72 seater, there were Greenline coach and Country area versions, and a forward entrance version for airport services. Over 500 RM and RML vehicles remained in service at the start of the 21st Century and in 2004 the fiftieth anniversary of the building of RM1 was celebrated with a rally at Finsbury Park. The last red Routemasters ran in December 2005, although heritage routes, the 9 and 15, operate in central London.

Standard buses were put into service in London from 1965, starting with a few Leyland Atlanteans and Daimler Fleetlines. These were followed in the late 60s and 70s by rear engined single deck AECs, a large fleet of Daimler Fleetlines and ?second generation? rear-engined double deck types, such as the MCW Metrobus and Leyland Titan.

Since July 2000, London?s buses, tubes, trains, taxis, cycle routes, main roads and Thames boat services have come under the control of Transport for London. Articulated, or ?bendy? buses have been used on busy routes, but objections to road blockages caused by them led to their premature withdrawal. The London Mayor Boris Johnson, launched a competition to design a Routemaster replacement. Though not a direct result of the competition, in November 2010 Wrightbus presented the first finished example of the Heatherwick Studio designed New Bus for London (NBfL).

This three piece set commemorates the technical evolution of buses in London over the past decade and still to this day serves millions of Londoners, tourists and city workers on a daily basis.