29 April 2014
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New model of the rear-engined Leyland Cub CR from Jotus.
A new and much-anticipated model by Jotus of the beautiful Leyland CR is now available to purchase from the London Bus Museum. ...
New model of the rear-engined Leyland Cub CR from Jotus. Images
A new and much-anticipated model by Jotus of the beautiful Leyland CR became available to purchase at the London Bus Museum’s Spring Gathering on 13th April. The prototype was on view at last year’s event alongside the real thing as the museum houses one of the surviving examples of the cute little rear-engined 20-seater. Based on the museum’s bus (on loan from owner Malcolm Skevington), the Jotus model is in 1/76 scale, cast in resin and, despite its size, has some amazing detail, especially to the interior.
The rear-engined Cub came about due to a joint effort between London Transport and Leyland in an effort to increase passenger capacity. LT already had plenty of conventional front-engined cubs and trialled CR1 in 1938, being sufficiently impressed to provisionally order a further 74 (eventually reduced to 48). CR2 onwards featured a larger 4.7 litre engine and a slightly modified window line. With the majority assigned to the Central Area, running in red, the Country Area took delivery of CR12 to CR17, adding to CR1, which by then was based at Windsor.
Economic circumstances conspired against the little beauties and regular overcrowding, resulting in frequent breakdowns, meant that many were placed in storage, some of the later models going straight into storage without seeing service. All were out of use by 1942. In a post-war environment, more buses were required so a brief respite came between 1946 and 1949.
The London Transport Museum sold CR14 to a private individual in 1967 and, wearing the correct registration of FXT 120, was seen for many years on the show circuit. The London Bus Museum’s CR16 (FXT 122) ended up in Cyprus and was rescued, along with CR36, and brought back to the UK in 1979. The latter was, sadly, cannibalised for spares and, of these two, only CR16 survived. The amazing efforts of the current owner to bring CR16 back to life must be applauded and this wonderful new model by Jotus is a fitting tribute to Mr. Skivington’s achievements.
Look out for a special feature in Diecast Collector on this very bus soon but in the meantime, if you didn’t make it to the Spring Gathering, the Jotus CR16 is available exclusively through the London Bus Museum shop. Get hold of one by visiting the museum at Brooklands in person or online via www.lbmshop.com.
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The rear-engined Cub came about due to a joint effort between London Transport and Leyland in an effort to increase passenger capacity. LT already had plenty of conventional front-engined cubs and trialled CR1 in 1938, being sufficiently impressed to provisionally order a further 74 (eventually reduced to 48). CR2 onwards featured a larger 4.7 litre engine and a slightly modified window line. With the majority assigned to the Central Area, running in red, the Country Area took delivery of CR12 to CR17, adding to CR1, which by then was based at Windsor.
Economic circumstances conspired against the little beauties and regular overcrowding, resulting in frequent breakdowns, meant that many were placed in storage, some of the later models going straight into storage without seeing service. All were out of use by 1942. In a post-war environment, more buses were required so a brief respite came between 1946 and 1949.
The London Transport Museum sold CR14 to a private individual in 1967 and, wearing the correct registration of FXT 120, was seen for many years on the show circuit. The London Bus Museum’s CR16 (FXT 122) ended up in Cyprus and was rescued, along with CR36, and brought back to the UK in 1979. The latter was, sadly, cannibalised for spares and, of these two, only CR16 survived. The amazing efforts of the current owner to bring CR16 back to life must be applauded and this wonderful new model by Jotus is a fitting tribute to Mr. Skivington’s achievements.
Look out for a special feature in Diecast Collector on this very bus soon but in the meantime, if you didn’t make it to the Spring Gathering, the Jotus CR16 is available exclusively through the London Bus Museum shop. Get hold of one by visiting the museum at Brooklands in person or online via www.lbmshop.com.
Remember, to get the latest collecting news delivered direct to your inbox every two weeks, sign up for our e-newsletter.
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