{"title":"EFE Road New Announcements Feb 2026","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"efe-road-e40503-leyland-atlantean-open-top-devon-general-nbc-928-928gta-1-76-scale","title":"EFE Road E40503 Leyland Atlantean Open Top Devon General NBC 928 928GTA 1:76 Scale","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEFE Road E40503 \u003cbr\u003eLeyland Atlantean Open Top \u003cbr\u003eDevon General NBC \u003cbr\u003e928 \u003cbr\u003e928GTA \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1:76 Scale\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUpon 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 They initially carried Devon General branding, but this was later superseded by Western National and other NBC liveries as their duties took them further afield into Cornwall and Dorset.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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithdrawal commenced in 1982, and the Sea Dogs went their separate ways, finding use in places including London, Lancashire, East Yorkshire and Glasgow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur model depicts registration 928GTA ‘Sir Humphrey Gilbert’ in its post-1969 condition as fleet number 928, finished in NBC Poppy Red and White with Devon General branding, as operating on service 12 to Brixham. It also features period advertising on the original-style rear engine bustle and separately fitted destination banner boards on the body sides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike 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 round mirrors for the first time. The upper deck is fitted with metal handrails around the top edge and has the original high position front route blind; the first time this has featured on an EFE Road ‘Sea Dog’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Colours\/details of final model may vary from illustration\u003cbr\u003e• Authentically detailed die-cast model from EFE Road\u003cbr\u003e• Complementary to OO scale model railways (1:76 scale) \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"EFE Road","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42879870140479,"sku":"E40503","price":39.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0589\/9819\/4239\/files\/E40503_8347d471-d6fc-406c-b09b-0cbcc4e5ec5e.jpg?v=1770155065"},{"product_id":"efe-road-e40701-leyland-atlantean-open-top-east-yorkshire-nbc-903-932gta-1-76-scale","title":"EFE Road E40701 Leyland Atlantean Open Top East Yorkshire NBC 903 932GTA 1:76 Scale","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEFE Road E40701 \u003cbr\u003eLeyland Atlantean Open Top \u003cbr\u003eEast Yorkshire NBC \u003cbr\u003e903 \u003cbr\u003e932GTA \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1:76 Scale\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUpon 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithdrawal commenced in 1982, and the Sea Dogs went their separate ways, finding use in places including London, Lancashire, East Yorkshire and Glasgow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur model depicts registration 932GTA (originally ‘Earl Howe’) in its circa 1984 condition as working for East Yorkshire NBC in the Bridlington area. It is finished in NBC’s striking white and blue ‘venetian blind’ livery, complete with East Yorkshire branding, fleet number 904 and the name ‘Belvedere Star’. The front blind carries a service 100 to Bridlington destination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike 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’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Colours\/details of final model may vary from illustration\u003cbr\u003e• Authentically detailed die-cast model from EFE Road\u003cbr\u003e• Complementary to OO scale model railways (1:76 scale) \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"EFE Road","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42879870238783,"sku":"E40701","price":39.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0589\/9819\/4239\/files\/E40701_066f7259-2a1b-4399-ad49-2bb9bd6ba323.jpg?v=1770155066"},{"product_id":"efe-road-e40702-leyland-atlantean-open-top-devon-general-925-msj499-1-76-scale","title":"EFE Road E40702 Leyland Atlantean Open Top Devon General 925 MSJ499 1:76 Scale","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEFE Road E40702 \u003cbr\u003eLeyland Atlantean Open Top \u003cbr\u003eDevon General \u003cbr\u003e925 \u003cbr\u003eMSJ499 \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1:76 Scale\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUpon 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithdrawal commenced in 1982, and the Sea Dogs went their separate ways, finding use in places including London, Lancashire, East Yorkshire and Glasgow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike 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’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Colours\/details of final model may vary from illustration\u003cbr\u003e• Authentically detailed die-cast model from EFE Road\u003cbr\u003e• Complementary to OO scale model railways (1:76 scale) \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"EFE Road","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42879871483967,"sku":"E40702","price":39.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0589\/9819\/4239\/files\/E40702_753a2a29-a9fa-41d2-8037-7ebc81863528.jpg?v=1770155068"},{"product_id":"efe-road-e99945-devon-general-sea-dog-atlanteans-gift-set-1-76-scale","title":"EFE Road E99945 Devon General ‘Sea Dog’ Atlanteans Gift Set 1:76 Scale","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEFE Road E99945 \u003cbr\u003eDevon General ‘Sea Dog’ Atlanteans Gift Set \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1:76 Scale\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUpon 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithdrawal commenced in 1982, and the Sea Dogs went their separate ways, finding use in places including London, Lancashire, East Yorkshire and Glasgow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis special twin pack is the third special gift set produced under the EFE Road banner and celebrates the golden era of the ‘Sea Dogs’ with two of the vehicles in the popular Devon General cream livery with red bands. The first of these is registration 932GTA ‘Earl Howe’, which is depicted in its original operating condition, sporting the cream coloured wheels that the type entered service with. As fleet number DL932, it is presented as working service 12D to Babbacombe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second vehicle in the gift set is classmate 930GTA ‘Sir John Hawkins’, which differs from ‘Earl Howe’ in having red wheels and lifeguards; a change made early on by Devon General owing to the dirt build-up on the original cream wheels. The model also represents the dropping of the DL prefix to the fleet numbers, simply being number 930, and working service 12C to Kingswear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike our 2025 ‘Sea Dogs’, the models comprise an amalgamation of new and refreshed tooling, with the enhanced lower decks benefiting from the addition of panel lines and round mirrors for the first time. The upper decks are fitted with metal handrails around the top edge and have the original high position front route blind; the first time these have featured on an EFE Road ‘Sea Dog’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe gift set comes with a reproduction of the original Devon General ‘Sea Dog’ information brochure that was printed to coincide with the launch of the fleet into traffic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Colours\/details of final model may vary from illustration\u003cbr\u003e• Authentically detailed die-cast model from EFE Road\u003cbr\u003e• Complementary to OO scale model railways (1:76 scale) \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"EFE Road","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42879871516735,"sku":"E99945","price":80.71,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0589\/9819\/4239\/files\/E99945_05150332-3f34-46df-9b87-1db3ef08fe6a.jpg?v=1770155069"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.ttcdiecast.com\/collections\/efe-road-new-announcements-feb-2026.oembed","provider":"TTCDiecast.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}