I had presumed this was one of the iconic Routemasters when I first saw it from this angle, and therefore that it had originally run in London. However it doesn’t have an open rear platform; the doors are at the side. So it isn’t a Routemaster.

This is an AEC Renown, known as The Duchess because of its temperamental nature (hmmm!!) and after a career in Hampshire and Dorset ended up in Washington DC. Its stateside service was short-lived and for nearly decade it was left languishing outside in all weathers, until eventually it was brought back home to Hampshire where it now runs for King Alfred Buses and is where I took this.
By the way there’s still plenty of time to join in with this month’s Squares. The theme is ‘‘Simply Red‘ and as always the only rule is that your main photograph must be square. You can also double dip as I have today with Six Word Saturday.
Easy mistake to make—looks a bit like a Routemaster at first glance! The Duchess has had quite the journey, from Hampshire to DC and back. Glad she’s now in safe hands with King Alfred Buses.
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so glad not just me, and I agree an amazing journey
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Indeed, Becky.
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https://dailymusing57.com/2025/07/19/hes-a-red-head/
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Racing stripes for me today. Well not me per say!
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well glad they are not actually on you! I’ll be racing over shortly to enjoy
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Interesting history of this red bus! We don’t see many busses here, well city busses that is. Here’s my entry for today: https://wp.me/p3RE1e-m38
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still very much part of life here
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Beautiful hue. Glad it has been restored!
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so am I 🙂
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It’s had quite a life! I remember coming out of the train station in Tehran and seeing red London double deckers in front of me. No idea if they were Routemasters.
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it is extraordinary how they get around the world – always makes me think of that film with Cliff Richard!
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I do enjoy your red busses. Here is mine https://sillarit.com/2025/07/19/grandsons-joyful-moments-enjoying-the-blueberries/
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they are such a great part of life here
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Beautiful vehicle and a very interesting story !
This is mine, art from Munich: https://wanderlustig2019.wordpress.com/2025/07/19/round-art-in-munich/
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thanks 🙂
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You tracked down quite the history on it. I had no idea what a Routemaster was. I can’t follow suit today – most Canadian busses are yellow (school) or white.
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The charity which now runs this one has a backstory on all their buses 🙂
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Still a grand bus. I loved those old Routemasters, where you could jump on and off at will, speed permitting. Speaking of which, here’s mine today: https://grahamsisland.com/2025/07/19/seeing-blue-seeing-red/
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such fun doing that wasn’t it 🙂 especially on Oxford Street!
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Yes it was!
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Here Come the Double Deckers is what it makes me think of – children’s TV programme c1970. But you’re too young to remember that of course!
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ah don’t remember that although I do recall Cliff Richard on his bus!
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Oh yes, so do I!
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It will certainly do. 😉
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hee hee 🙂
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