Corgi OM46302 RM23 (VLT23) – Route K2 Kingston Shoppers Express

In late 1983 limited stop routes operated by Routemaster in the Kingston area commenced but unfortunately the passenger numbers failed to reach the expected levels and the services were withdrawn after almost a year. RM 23 VLT23 carried the special yellow and black destination blinds for the K2 shoppers express and is seen in the later version livery with white LT roundels in place of the traditional gold underlined London Transport. RM23 was converted to a driver trainer before being sold to Reading Buses and gaining the mark JFO 256 which it retained before being bought back by TfL to work on the 13 for Sovereign. However, it would not see the last day of conductors on this route (21 October 2005) and was once again sold after a period in storage at London United’s Tolworth garage.