WLT326 -RM326 - Japan 45-81.

Japanese enthusiasts reported that this RM began use as a cafe at Smasell Sustainable Commune, Osaka in 7/24. The RM wears fleetnumber RM326 and has plate WLT326 on its rear, but it has no front plate. There is a photo dated 23-11-92, of what appears to be this RM at the 1992 Green Wave Event, Sagamihara Park, Kanagawa Prefecture, but it is wearing front plate 90CLT. picryl.com/media/route-master-f4a688 .

Ian Smith's website lists both RM326 and RM1090 as being owned by AC Brain Co., Osaka in the 1990s, although in RM1090's case, this could be a presumption! On consulting people with a greater knowledge of Routemasters tan I have, it was said that this RM is probably RM326, as the rear registration plate is somewhat difficult to replace and as both RMs were maybe owned by the same owner, the front registration plate could easily have been swapped. To further support this, have since seen a photo taken at the bottom of its stairs, which also has RM326 on its lower internal rear panel and it also has to be said, that in the 1992 photo, the front plate is not straight, so it might appear that RM326 either lost its plate, or it was broken, when in Japan. There doesn't appear to be much commonly known history for either of these two RMs in Japan and afaik, nothing further has been recorded re RM1090.

 

Ian Smith's website lists fleetnumber RM326's history-

RM326 WLT 326 5/60 new to Aldenham: 6/5RM5/6, AEC. 5/60 M change store (Mortlake). 7/60 S into service on 220, 268 (Shepherds Bush). 61-3 S. 6/64 S to Aldenham overhaul. 6/64 U from o/h (Upton Park), body B304. 10/64 WH transfer (West Ham). 1/65 Q transfer for 40 (Camberwell). 9/67 Q to Aldenham repaint..and back. 10/67 Q into store. 9/68 AW change store (Abbey Wood). 11/68 BX change store (Bexleyheath). 12/68 AW transfer. 69-70 AW. 1/71 AW to Aldenham overhaul. 1/71 TC from o/h (Croydon), body B266. 72-73 TC. 3/74 TC to Aldenham repaint, and return. 9/75 ED transfer (Elmers End). 1976 ED. 11/77 ED to Aldenham overhaul. 11/77 R from o/h (Riverside). 12/80 R to Aldenham repaint, and return. from last bodyswap with B777. 8/82 R withdrawn..8/82 XV ..to store at Turnham Green.. 8/82 ....change store to AEC Southall.. 8/82 ......change store to Ensign Bus (Purfleet)

10/82 sold to Portman (London). 12/82 exported to Japan for display at Matsuda Collection. 10/92 sold in Japan. 1996 AC Brain Co, Osaka, Leyland engine, extra exits, promo.

 

The 1992 photo also shows that RM326 was registered as 45-81, was modified for use on Japanese roads and has passengers on board. Maybe it saw passenger use at the Matsuda Collection Museum, rather than display only? It is said that Yoshido Matsuda founded his first transport museum in 1979 at Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, but went on to open other museums later, so it is unclear where RM326 was previously sited. Wondering also, what RM326 was doing prior to arrival at the SSC site?

There is a video clip of the RM arriving at the SSC site in 4/24 www.instagram.com/smasell_sustainable_commune/reel/C6DwCJ... and at that time, photos show that it appears to have retained some seats and some original internal fittings. It also wears side-adverts for 'Lover Ducks', www.instagram.com/smasell_sustainable_commune/p/C6OEk5dP7Vc/ , whatever that signifies, but it has now been fitted out for use as a cafe at the site, which is said to be a renovated abandoned factory.

 

A good innings for what was reported to have been the second RM to have been withdrawn from service by LT!

Done