ROOF
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There are many schools that use contracted buses and coaches to get pupils to swimming and other sports facilities some distance away but here`s something unusual - and possibly unique for a Routemaster.
RML 2714 is used at Stowe School near Buckingham for internal transport from the main buildings to various sports pitches that are up to a mile away whilst still on the overall site.
I was there with a group a couple of days ago for a guided tour of several of the State Rooms of the large house that became an exclusive school in the 1920`s. Anyone who can appreciate craftsmanship on a grand scale would find some of the carved plaster ceilings truly amazing - the Marble Hall especially. But equally amazing was the reaction of several of my group on coming out of the main building into heavy rain and finding an instantly recognisable red Routemaster parked by our coach. Whilst some made a run for the shelter of the coach, others stood in the rain fumbling in bags for a camera to get a picture of an iconic bus by an iconic building. It could only happen with a Routemaster!
At certain times of the day the bus is kept busy ferrying pupils to and from the various facilities and did several trips in the space of half an hour usually with full loads. With the fairly flat and open nature of the site, the bus can be seen on the move from some distance which makes for some bizarre viewing in such an unlikely location. But it`s good to see it being used - even if it did have rather a lot of muddy boots and kit bags on board!
My thanks to Stowe School for permission to put the pictures onto this forum having approved them.
