RT4779 starts to rot away (1979 to 2008)

After sale by London Transport, RT4779 was one of a group of 7 RTs and one RTL stored in a field in Billingshurst, Sussex, where they gently rotted for over 10 years. The 'Billingshurst RTs' all eventually found homes, and the majority are now either restored or in course of restoration.

When the owner decided to dispose of the RTs, they were moved to the farmyard, where four (2177, 4045, 4779, 3103) are seen in this view by Danny Richards.

In 1993, the bus was purchased for restoration, but proved in worse condition than expected and work ceased after much of the offside was removed. Its then owner later described removing the timber with a dustpan and brush.

The bus then stood under cover for another 15 years, during which time many items mysteriously vanished. During the period, it performed one task - to be set on fire for the wartime film 'Heart of Me'.

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Finishing its service life

Having worked at Windsor and Leatherhead garages as a green bus and at Plumstead, Catford and Walworth as a red bus, RT4779 finished its service life at Harrow Weald, working the 140 to Heathrow Airport, west London's last RT route. With increasing interest in the last remaining members of the class, RT4779 was for once in its life well photographed. This picture is from Dave Jones' Flickr set, where there are a number of other fine shots.

Route 140 lost its RTs on 14 July 1978. RT4779 moved to Mortlake as a training bus for a year before being sold.

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