EFE Rail E40702

Leyland Atlantean Open Top Devon General 925 MSJ499

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Era
Era 9 (1995 to 2004) Initial Privatisation

Manufacturer description

Leyland Atlantean Open Top Devon General 925 MSJ499

The well-known bus operator, Devon General, began operating regular open top bus tours of the Torbay area in the summer of 1955 using vehicles converted from conventional double deckers. However, in 1961 these were replaced by a fleet of nine specially built Leyland Atlanteans with Metro-Cammell bodies, each seating 75 passengers.

The nine were named after historical naval and maritime figures such as Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins, and soon earned the nickname ‘Sea Dogs’; a term Devon General even adopted for its own marketing. In their distinctive cream and red livery, they became a familiar sight on the 12A-12D routes serving Torquay, Paignton, Brixham, Babbacombe and Kingswear, and carried generations of holidaymakers for the next 20 years. They were built as convertibles, with detachable roofs, meaning that they could operate as normal double deckers during the low season.

Upon nationalisation in 1969 Devon General became part of the new National Bus Company (NBC) but was amalgamated with the Western National Omnibus Company (itself part of the NBC) two years later. Under NBC the Sea Dogs were repainted into a poppy red and white livery, and also converted to one-man operation. They initially carried Devon General branding, but this was later superseded by Western National and other NBC liveries as their duties took them further afield into Cornwall and Dorset. Gradually their names disappeared too.

Withdrawal commenced in 1982, and the Sea Dogs went their separate ways, finding use in places including London, Lancashire, East Yorkshire and Glasgow.

Our model depicts the preserved registration MSJ499, which was originally 925GTA ‘Admiral Blake’. It is presented in its current condition, as restored in Devon General cream and red as number 925, and proudly displaying its original name. In this guise ‘Admiral Blake’ can still be seen at bus rallies and on hire duties.  

Like our 2025 ‘Sea Dogs’, the model comprises an amalgamation of new and refreshed tooling, with the enhanced lower deck benefiting from the addition of panel lines and mirrors. The upper deck is fitted with metal handrails around the top edge and has the original high position front route blind, while at the back that later style of engine bustle is fitted; the first time this combination has featured on an EFE Road ‘Sea Dog’.

• Colours/details of final model may vary from illustration
• Authentically detailed die-cast model from EFE Road
• Complementary to OO scale model railways (1:76 scale)

Catalogue listing

EFE Rail Leyland Atlantean Open‑Top Devon General 925 MSJ499 is a die‑cast model produced by EFE Road, catalogue number E40702. The model represents a Leyland Atlantean double‑deck bus built in 1961 for Devon General’s open‑top “Sea Dogs” fleet, a service that began in the summer of 1955. Nine Atlanteans with Metro‑Cammell bodies were introduced, each seating 75 passengers and fitted with a detachable roof to allow operation as a conventional double decker in the off‑season.

Originally named after historic naval figures, the buses ran the 12A–12D routes around Torquay, Paignton, Brixham, Babbacombe and Kingswear. After nationalisation in 1969 the fleet passed to the National Bus Company, was repainted in poppy red and white, and converted to one‑man operation; later it carried Western National branding. Withdrawal of the fleet started in 1982 and the vehicles were dispersed to operators in London, Lancashire, East Yorkshire and Glasgow.

The model depicts the preserved vehicle MSJ499, originally fleet number 925GTA “Admiral Blake”. It is presented in the restored Devon General cream and red livery, displaying its original name. New and refreshed tooling has been used: the lower deck features added panel lines and mirrors, the upper deck includes metal handrails, the original high‑position front route blind, and a later‑style rear engine bustle – a combination not previously used on an EFE “Sea Dog”.

Final colours may vary from the illustration. The 1:76 (OO scale) die‑cast model is intended as a complementary piece for model railway layouts.