Welcoming RM479: The Newest Member of Our Routemaster Family
From Timebus to London Bus 4 Hire: RM479 Joins the Family
There is always something exciting about welcoming another Routemaster into the London Bus 4 Hire family, but RM479 is particularly special.
Following many years with respected heritage bus operator Timebus, RM479 has begun a new chapter with London Bus 4 Hire. With its unmistakable Routemaster character, convertible open top design and wonderfully family friendly personality, it is the perfect addition to our growing London fleet.
The History of RM479
RM479 was built in September 1960 and entered service with London Transport’s Central Area in November of that year.
Painted in traditional London red and originally carrying the registration WLT 479, it began its working life at Hanwell garage. At the time, it was fitted with an AEC 9.6 litre engine and provided seating for 60 passengers.
In July 1961, RM479 was transferred to Shepherds Bush, where it remained for an entire decade. During this period, it underwent an overhaul at the famous Aldenham Works in Hertfordshire and received a replacement body numbered B454.
Following four months in storage, RM479 moved to Bow garage in May 1971. It was overhauled again shortly afterwards and emerged in August with its third body, B400, before being allocated to Highgate garage for more than four years.
In December 1975, it moved to Hammersmith. Another major overhaul and body change followed in July 1976, when it received body B370. Over the following years, RM479 worked from Camberwell and Barking garages before returning to Camberwell for a further 15 months.
In May 1981, RM479 entered Aldenham Works once again. It emerged in February 1982 carrying its current body, B620. This body had previously been carried by several other Routemasters, including RM620, RM637, RM648 and RM132.
RM479 then returned to Highgate for nine months before spending three years at Muswell Hill. Its final ordinary London bus service allocation came in September 1985, when it moved to Holloway garage for its last few months of regular service.
From London Bus Service to Sightseeing Star
Following its withdrawal from regular passenger service, RM479 was stored at several locations before beginning a very different chapter in its career.
In March 1986, it moved to Battersea to join the Original London Transport Sightseeing Tour, which was managed by London Transport’s Commercial Operations Unit.
The sightseeing operation moved to Wandsworth in March 1988. Ownership of RM479 then passed to London Coaches Ltd, a subsidiary of London Buses Ltd, in April 1989. London Coaches was later privatised in May 1992.
Work began in May 1991 to transform RM479 into a convertible open top bus. Most of the upper deck roof and windows could be removed during the summer sightseeing season and refitted when required.
Electric rear platform doors and a public address system were also installed. RM479 returned to service in October 1991 and sliding windows were subsequently added to the upper deck.
By June 1993, the operation had become known as The Original London Sightseeing Tour, with RM479 carrying visitors through the heart of the capital.
London Coaches was purchased by Arriva in 1998, and RM479 continued its sightseeing career until it was sold to Timebus Travel in May 1999.
A New Life with Timebus
When RM479 joined Timebus, its original WLT 479 registration was retained by Arriva for use on a driver training coach. The Routemaster was therefore given its current registration, WSJ 737.
Timebus carried out several improvements to prepare RM479 for private hire, excursions and special events.
A luggage rack and servery were installed, the front destination blind box was reinstated and the walls of the lower deck were carpeted. Its original AEC 9.6 litre engine was also upgraded to the more powerful AEC 11 litre version that it carries today.
RM479 was repainted in the Timebus livery and became affectionately known as the Open Topper with Doors.
During its years with Timebus, RM479 was used for private hire, passenger excursions, special events and heritage running days. It also appeared at the Routemaster 60 celebrations at Finsbury Park in 2014, where historic Routemasters gathered from across the country.
In April 2026, its removable roof was refitted for the first time in more than 20 years. RM479 then carried passengers at the London Bus Museum Spring Gathering at Brooklands.
After more than 25 years with Timebus, RM479 was purchased by London Bus 4 Hire in May 2026, beginning the latest chapter in the remarkable life of this historic London bus.
Meet Laurine
Every bus in our fleet has its own identity, history and personality, and many are affectionately known by name.
Martin and Julia, the founders of London Bus 4 Hire, have named RM479 Laurine, after our Tour Manager.
Laurine plays an important role in creating and managing our London sightseeing experiences. She works closely with our guides, conductors and operational team to ensure our passengers receive a warm welcome and an unforgettable experience in the capital.
Naming RM479 after her is a fitting tribute, particularly as the bus will now become closely associated with some of our most imaginative and family focused London tours.
The New Home of the Hamleys London Sightseeing Tour
Laurine has been selected as the allocated bus for the Hamleys London Sightseeing Tour.
Created in partnership with Hamleys, the world’s oldest toy shop, this family sightseeing experience combines the excitement of travelling aboard a classic red Routemaster with live entertainment, London landmarks, music and interactive fun.
Rather than simply travelling between the sights, children and their families become part of the experience. Our enthusiastic team brings the journey to life with entertaining commentary, activities and a family quiz as the bus travels through central London.
RM479 provides the perfect setting. Its traditional red exterior immediately captures the magic of London, while its distinctive character helps make the journey feel like a special occasion from the moment families step aboard.
Home of the Hamleys Puppet Party Tour
RM479 is also the allocated bus for the Hamleys Puppet Party Tour, an imaginative family experience created with Hamleys and The Puppet Company.
During the tour, children can enjoy live puppet entertainment while travelling past some of London’s most famous sights aboard a genuine vintage Routemaster.
The combination of puppetry, sightseeing and the atmosphere of a classic London bus creates an experience that is playful, theatrical and completely different from an ordinary sightseeing tour.
With laughter, characters and surprises along the way, RM479 becomes much more than transport. It becomes a moving stage and an important part of the performance.
London’s Ultimate Children’s Party Bus
Away from its scheduled Hamleys tours, RM479 will also be available for private hire as our ultimate children’s party bus.
Families will be able to hire the entire bus for a private birthday celebration, giving children and their guests the excitement of having an iconic red Routemaster all to themselves.
Instead of holding the party in a conventional venue, guests can celebrate together while travelling through London, seeing famous landmarks and enjoying entertainment aboard the bus.
Private children’s party experiences can include:
Exclusive use of RM479 for the celebration
A sightseeing journey through central London
A professional driver and uniformed conductor
Live family entertainment can be arranged
Music and interactive games
Quizzes and activities for younger passengers
Personalised destination blinds
Optional themed decorations and party extras
The experience can be tailored to the age of the children, the size of the group and the type of celebration being planned.
Whether it is a birthday, school celebration, family gathering or another special occasion, RM479 offers children the chance to enjoy their own adventure through London aboard one of the capital’s most recognisable vehicles.
A New Chapter Begins
RM479 has already enjoyed a long and varied life. It has served London’s travelling public, worked from garages across the capital and carried generations of sightseeing passengers through the city.
It then spent more than 25 years with Timebus, appearing at private events, passenger excursions and heritage gatherings before joining London Bus 4 Hire in 2026.
Its arrival marks the beginning of another exciting chapter.
As Laurine, it will introduce thousands of children and families to London through the Hamleys London Sightseeing Tour and the Hamleys Puppet Party Tour. It will also create unforgettable birthday memories as our dedicated children’s party bus.
We are incredibly proud to welcome RM479 into the family and look forward to seeing where its next adventures take it.
Plan Your Own Adventure Aboard RM479
Would you like to hire RM479 for a birthday party, family celebration, school event or private children’s experience?
Tell us what you are planning and our team will help you create an unforgettable journey aboard London’s ultimate children’s party bus.
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