Dear RMOOA members & Routemaster owners.

Routemaster Steering Rams

Over the last couple of years, it has been recognised that there is now a significant shortage of spare serviceable steering rams for the Routemaster. Additionally, frequently it has been found that the ones that are coming back for overhaul are now not fit for rebuild and are being scrapped.

Recognising this problem, the Routemaster Association and Imperial Engineering have been working together to resolve this problem.

Imperial Engineering are now in the position to get a batch manufactured to the original OE specification. For this to happen, they require some pre-orders.

So if you need a steering ram, or one for stock, then please get in contact with us.

For pre-orders, there is a pre-order discount, so your new steering ram will cost £1,550.00 + VAT (£1,860.00 incl. VAT), and we need to ensure a certain number of pre-orders for this production to happen. Imperial Engineering will hold a small stock of steering rams after these pre-orders, however these units will cost the standard price of £1,935.00 + VAT.

These will be brand new OE manufactured steering rams, and not reconditioned old units. All will be manufactured to the original specification. For this project to happen, Imperial Engineering must have the required minimum number of pre-orders.

All payments will be sent to Imperial Engineering, so those who are VAT registered will be able to claim the VAT back as they will receive VAT receipts direct from Imperial Engineering.

If you wish to pre order a new steering ram, please contact us mitch@routemaster.org.uk, with your contact number and the number of units you would like to order.

This is a new collaboration between the Routemaster Association and Imperial Engineering to help keep your Routemaster on the road.

Regards,

Mitch
Sourcing New Parts for the RMOOA.

My bus number (if any): RMC1462

That’s a much better arrangement regarding the VAT situation for those registered - hopefully encouraging more commercial operators to order stock and help support the initiative - well done.

My bus number (if any): RML2747

Mitch,
I have a question which a couple of members have raised,
If the Association can get new Power Steering rams manufactured to the original OE specification via Imperial Engineering at £1935.00 plus vat each, then why can’t they make the ‘Shuttles’to the original OE specification that’s the bits that go in the existing ones that make them unusable. The cost to reproduce the Shuttles would be a fraction of the price of a complete unit, saving members money?
I am sure there must be a good reason, but could not think of it

I know I am on the committee, but to my knowledge this question has not been raised.

Cheers

Rob

My bus number (if any): BEA1

I suppose this is based on what " Not fit for rebuild " actually means. If it's casings and all the moving parts then possibly. But it should be possible to have an improved new unit that addresses some of the shortfalls of the original.

Although a good original as it should be is pretty good.

At a guess the cost of making the ram piston and tube is not excessive so this is where the profit on making the complete assembly comes from. Manufacturing the valve chest etc probably forms 7/8 of the cost to produce. This is a commercial operation, fitting a valve body to an existing ram/tube is probably inviting all the hassle and arguments of warranty claims which have now been hopefully eliminated.

Dear All.

Thank you for those who have come forward with pre-orders of the Routemaster steering rams. The order is now due to be processed and go ahead. If there is still anyone one who would like to order a ram at the pre-order discounted price, can you please contact me with in the next 48 hrs please, as the book on pre-orders will close in two days time.

You can email me via mitch@routemaster.org.uk .

Regards Mitch

My bus number (if any): RMC1462