Oxford Diecast East Midland Motor Services Saro Bus 76SB007

The Saunders-Roe (SARO) bodied Leyland Tiger Cub was a lightweight underfloor-engined chassis manufactured by Leyland between 1952 and 1970. Most were built as 44-45 seater buses with a smaller number being used as coaches.

For its latest outing, our Tiger Cub is decorated in the livery of the East Midland Motor Services, whose history is quite chequered.  EMMS was formerly the East Midlands Company which was bought by the L&NE Railway and LM&S Railway in the late 1920s.  EMC was put into liquidation but the assets were bought out by the newly named East Midland Motor Services which was incorporated in the early 1930s. It was acquired by the National Bus Company in 1968 and. went on to take in the Mansfield & District Traction Company in 1976. Stagecoach bought the company in 1989.

Our 1:76 scale model of the bus as it belonged to East Midland Motor Services is registered ORR 325 and is heading as the No. 17 to Chesterfield. Its distinctive two tone colour scheme comprises an orange body with a red brown upper body and roof which is also echoed in the mudguards and wheels. A central cream waistband runs along the sides with a row of chrome bands between the front and back wheels. The East Midland wording is printed red under the side windows.  The interior seating and driver’s partition are chocolate brown, the floor is dark beige and the dashboard is moulded in a grey-beige.  As always, the cheeky and brightly coloured Tiger Cub logo sits centrally below the split windscreen.