The majority of RTs were bodied by either Park Royal or Weymann, two batches were also bodied by Saunders, although the differences between all three was only minor. A fourth bodybuilder, Craven also supplied bodies for one batch, these were of a non-standard design, having an additional side window bay.

The RT was used across the whole of the LT network, replacing most of the aging pre-war double deck types, and the whole of the tram network. The RT was destined to serve London for over 30 years with the last survivors being withdrawn from passenger service on route 62 in April 1979.

Due to a shortage of new AEC chassis it was decided to overhaul 160 STL chassis, and fit new RT bodies, these were given fleet numbers SRT1 - 160. Eventually all these vehicles had their bodied removed and placed on new AEC Regent chassis.

The RT was developed by LT for the rigours of London service, and like other LT designs found little favour outside the Capital. However two other operators bought new examples, Coventry Corporation took a single example, while St Helens Corporation purchased a batch of 40 vehicles.

Second hand RTs proved more popular however, London Transport soon began to withdraw the non-standard Craven bodied vehicles, and these soon found their way in to fleets across the UK.

THE EFE MODELS
The RT model was introduced in 1989 and marked the launch of the Exclusive First Edition range. The RT has been used for a large number of commissioned issues, many of which are now considered some of the rarest of all EFE models.

An open top version was also produced in the early years, unfortunately this was a somewhat crude and a totally fictional model, since the introduction of other open top models, this version appears to have been quietly dropped from the range.

A version with a front roof box blind box was introduced at the end of 1993, and in 1999 to mark the 10th Anniversary of EFE, the lower deck casting of the RT under went minor changes to improve its accuracy, a new improved radiator was also introduced.

All the original RT models were withdrawn from the range in 2007 to allow the now ageing original moulds to be re-tooled, like the earlier Routemaster re-tooling in 2006 the opportunity was taken to add flush glazing, a platform bulkhead and driving mirrors.

During the re-tooling process a further variate was added in the form of a pre-war 2RT2 with it's distinctive style of driver's cab windows. The 2RT2 can be produced in two versions, one with and one without an off-side front headlamp. The first 2RT2 was released in April 2008 and was the first of the re-tooled models to appear, the enhanced version of the post war model followed in September 2008 and was released at the EFE sponsored Showbus Rally.

The RT models have been issued with four different versions of the baseplate. Click < HERE > for more details. I have indicated in the Notes fields where type A or B baseplates are fitted.