By early 1985 so many RM`s had been withdrawn that the Sales Department at the former AEC site was stuffed full of them. Periodic clear outs to the scrap dealers had to happen to make room for the next arrivals each time a new round of service changes made many more surplus to requirements. The general feeling was that the days of the RM were going to end within ten years. It would have seemed improbable that many of the buses pictured here on Feb 11th would find new homes - scrapping was more likely.

Looking to the future back in 1985 it would have been improbable that all of the RML`s would undergo a major refurbishment to see them into the 21st century. Even more improbable that LT would embark on a `buy back` policy of RM`s that had scattered to various uses around the UK. And totally improbable that in 2013 there would be RM`s in daily service on the 9`s.

So how improbable is this picture of RM`s 1735 and 1627 almost next to each other awaiting their fate when twenty eight years later they can both be seen daily on the 9`s.........

But just look at the line of Fleetlines behind..

Hi Neil , I was lucky enough to conduct and later drive RM's 1627 & 1735 on the 13's , I would have prefered to have driven them with there proper engines in them at Blackpool Transport or Reading Mainline,rather than in there "rso" or "Dartmaster" format, still at least I got to drive them at all I suppose, most of the buses on the heritage route's came off the 13's .RE the fleetlines at Bus sales less said about them the better!!