Back to product list

Oxford Diecast 76SB007

East Midland Motor Services Saro Bus

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

Prototype Eras
Era 4 (1948 to 1956) British Railways Early Crest
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest
Era 6 (1967 to 1972) British Rail Blue (Pre-TOPS)
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)

Manufacturer description

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.

Catalogue listing

Oxford Diecast East Midland Motor Services Saro Bus – 1:76 scale model, part number 76SB007, depicting a British Railways late‑crest vehicle.

The model represents a Saunders‑Roe bodied Leyland Tiger Cub, a lightweight underfloor‑engine chassis produced by Leyland between 1952 and 1970. Most examples were built as 44‑45 seater buses, with a smaller number used as coaches.

The livery shown is that of East Midland Motor Services. EMMS originated as the East Midlands Company, which was bought by the L&NE Railway and LM&S Railway in the late 1920s. After liquidation the assets were acquired by the newly named East Midland Motor Services, incorporated in the early 1930s. The company joined the National Bus Company in 1968, absorbed Mansfield & District Traction Company in 1976 and was purchased by Stagecoach in 1989.

The model is registered ORR 325 and operates as service No 17 to Chesterfield. The two‑tone colour scheme features an orange lower body with a red‑brown upper body and roof, echoed on the mudguards and wheels. A central cream waistband runs along the sides, with a row of chrome bands between the front and rear wheels and the East Midland name printed in red below the side windows. The interior has chocolate‑brown seats and driver’s partition, a dark beige floor and a grey‑beige dashboard. The Tiger Cub logo is positioned centrally beneath the split windscreen.