New Leyland Titan B15 Models from EFE Road
Today (Sunday 13th April 2025) Bachmann Europe Plc has unveiled four new 1:76 scale Leyland Titan B15 buses as part of its expanding EFE Road range of diecast collectables. The announcement was made at the London Bus Museum’s Spring Gathering event at the famous Brooklands racing circuit.
The Leyland B15 project was conceived in 1971 as a modern replacement for aging bus types such as the Bristol VRT and Leyland’s own Atlantean. It was designed to incorporate the standardised and integral construction techniques so successfully employed on the Leyland National.
The design was heavily influenced by London Transport’s requirements, such as the option of dual and single door variants, and two of the five B15 prototypes were extensively tested in London. Production was initially carried out by Park Royal Vehicles, with the first Titan – as the B15 was known – entering service in August 1978. However, production was hampered by delays, including the closure of Park Royal and the transfer of production to Workington, which resulted in a number of Titan orders being cancelled. As a consequence, London Transport became almost the sole customer for the new bus.
The Titan would go on to serve the Capital for the next decade, with withdrawals commencing in 1992. Many were subsequently sold off to second users, with some 400 seeing service on Merseyside, while others ended up in different homes around the country. Many remained in London, although numbers depleted after privatisation, and most had disappeared from the Capital by the early 2000s.
The four new models are based on the Exclusive First Editions dual door Leyland Titan tooling. Each is finished in a highly detailed livery never before seen on an EFE Titan, and which represent their full-size counterparts as operating during the 1990s, both in and outside of London.
The new models are:
E28830 – Leyland Titan B15 London & Country 911 Route 188 Euston
This model depicts registration CUL 167V, a 1980-built Titan that was formerly London Transport’s T167. It is presented in its 1994 condition as London & Country fleet number 911, and finished in London & Country’s distinctive two-tone green, complete with London Transport Service stickers. The model carries Route 188 to Euston blinds.
E28831 – Leyland Titan B15 London Coaches T343 Route 52 Victoria Bus Station
Our model represents registration KYV 343X, which went new to London Transport in November 1981. The model depicts it as running on London Coaches’ 24-hour Route 52 during 1994, and wearing a striking red and white livery with Route 52 map branding. Route 52 blinds are carried, with a Victoria destination.
E28833 – Leyland Titan B15 London Forest T82 Docklands Express D1 Waterloo Stn
Here we have registration A827 SUL, fleet number T827, which was built in 1983, although the model shows it as running a decade later with London Forest, and carrying full Route D1 Docklands Express branding. Waterloo Station destination blinds are carried – Route D1 linking Waterloo with the Isle of Dogs.
E28837 – Leyland Titan B15 Kinch Bus KYV371X Route 126 Via Alan Moss Rd
The model depicts registration KYV 371X, formerly LT number T371, which was one of several Titans sold to G K Kinch of Barrow, near Loughborough, following withdrawal from the Capital. The model shows it in its circa 1994 guise, wearing full Kinchbus blue and yellow paintwork, as working service 126 to Leicester, Loughborough and Shepshed via Alan Moss Road.
EFE Road spokesman, Gary Boyd-Hope, said: “At EFE Road we endeavour to produce models that cover a broad cross-section of eras and geographic locations, from the Bedford OBs and the new Leyland Atlantean ‘Sea Dogs’, to the London-based Routemaster RMs and RMCs. The new Titan models fall into the London category, but have a 1990s bias, and therefore offer something a bit different to the typical red London bus. The Kinchbus version continues that variety, and represents the Titans in their post-London careers.”
The four models are expected to reach retailers during Summer 2025, with an RRP of £46.95.
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