Cravens RT1493 (KGK752) in London Transport Central Area red & cream, working from Nunhead garage on route 63 to Honor Oak Forest Hill Tavern, c.late 1953.

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.

• Authentically detailed die-cast model from EFE Road
• Complementary to OO scale model railways (1:76 scale)