E99943 WSL EFE Road Cravens RT Ensignbus Set RT1431 & RT1499

Twin-pack containing Cravens RT buses RT1431 (JXC194) working route X81 to Grays, and RT1499 (KGK758) also on route X81, but with Shenfield Stn destination. Both models in Ensignbus preserved condition.

In the early post-war years when coachbuilders Park Royal Vehicles and Weymann were at full capacity and unable to fully meet London Transport’s enormous requirements for new RT buses, tenders to supply were sent to other manufacturers. Saunders Engineering of Anglesey and Cravens Railway Carriage & Wagon Co of Sheffield built 300 and 120 RTs respectively. Saunders RTs were similar to standard RTs in many respects, and were interchangeable with the Park Royal and Weymann bodies on overhaul at Aldenham Works. But Cravens RTs were quite different. The 5-bay window design could not be mixed with standard bodies at overhaul, and although well built, all except one were sold when only seven years old. Cravens RTs were quickly bought by independent bus operators, glad to acquire youthful London-spec vehicles in excellent condition which gave long reliable service to their new owners in many parts of the UK.

Of the 120 RTs built by Cravens, just two examples survived to be preserved, and both are now part of the Ensignbus heritage hire fleet. RT1431 joined the Ensignbus stable in 2004 and carries red & cream livery with cream upper deck window surrounds, while RT1499 joined it in 2005, and today wears the green & cream colour scheme as applied to the first 27 Cravens RTs when new.

Authentically detailed die-cast model from EFE Road