As mentioned in my original post regarding Turnham Green Garage, it became a gathering ground for buses either withdrawn - or temporarily unavailable - from the operational fleet.

Seen here on July 28 1980 are heavily cannibalised RM 1398 and RML 2526.
Only a few Routemasters ever got into such a state whilst still considered to be part of the operational fleet - and thus candidates for rebuilding to run in service again. It was very unusual to find an RML looking like this. Possibly because there were less of them or maybe a greater effort was made to avoid cannibalising a bus of higher passenger carrying capacity. So just to make it even more unusual, this one had been a driver trainer.




As well as the modifications required for training duties, a good selection of late 1970`s interior posters are evident as are leather ends to seats.








And whilst the robbing of parts has been extensive, there`s a few bits left behind that would be rather useful in the future.......

Three months later, in November 1980, RM 1398(which had been delicensed at Catford since 11/79) would go to Aldenham and be overhauled. The body (B1384)leaving as RM 829 and going back to Catford in February 1981.

RML 2526 had a similar experience to RM 1398 going to Aldenham for overhaul at the same time but leaving Aldenham with the same original body (B2526) around the same time as RM 1398. going back to Putney (where it was a trainer until March 1980), but this time as a service bus.

My bus number (if any): RTL 960, RM 1585, RMC 1486 and several RTs