Affectionately known as Bulgy, RML2583 was built in 1966 and spent an incredible 38 years carrying passengers through the streets of London. The “RML” stands for Routemaster Lengthened—the 30-foot version of London’s iconic Routemaster, providing seating for up to 72 passengers.

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Bulgy began his London career in November 1966, operating Route 14 from Putney Garage. Over the following decades, he became a familiar sight across the capital, working some of London’s best-known routes, including the 11, 12, 14, 15 and 36.

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His working life took him through several London bus garages. Following the privatisation of London’s bus services, he moved to New Cross Garage with London Central in 1994, before being branded for Route 36 in 1995. He later operated Route 12 from Camberwell and Route 11 from Stockwell before returning to Camberwell for the final chapter of his regular London service.

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Bulgy is a little different from the average Routemaster. Having been used by London General for journeys outside London, he was fitted with a high-speed differential, allowing him to cruise comfortably at around 50–55 mph, compared with roughly 40 mph for a conventional Routemaster.

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Originally powered by an AEC AV590 diesel engine, Bulgy later received a Cummins C-Series engine during the Routemaster refurbishment programme of the early 1990s. This helped keep him operating reliably during the later years of his London service.

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On 5 November 2004, after 38 years of service, Bulgy finally retired from London’s streets. He was subsequently acquired by Ensignbus and became one of its famous 32 Routemasters offered through the company’s preservation raffle, created to give the buses a future beyond everyday London service.

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RML2583 found a new home with the Welsh Museum of Transport in Swansea before we acquired him in June 2008 for preservation and advertising work.

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Since joining us, Bulgy has been extensively refurbished inside and out and continues to receive the care that a vehicle of his age and history deserves. For us, Routemasters such as Bulgy are much more than working buses—they are our passion, an important piece of London’s transport history and vehicles we are incredibly proud to preserve for future generations.

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In spring 2026, Bulgy received another major mechanical upgrade when his Cummins engine was replaced with a Scania DS9 turbocharged diesel engine. The 8.5-litre, six-cylinder power unit provides strong, dependable performance while preserving all the unmistakable character of a traditional Routemaster.

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The new engine also gives Bulgy his distinctive Scania roar—a sound that has already made him a firm favourite with passengers and vintage bus enthusiasts alike.