This page created 1997, updated 28th February 1999

The Sainsbury Body: the Meccano Set, STL2477 (Total 1)


The Meccano Set
In 1950, when London Transport was facing a desperate shortage of serviceable bodies during the post-war traffic boom, STL 2477 was rebodied. The new body contained a high proportion of pre-fabricated or replaceable parts, and was designed to ease body maintenance. Hence the Meccano-set tag. The official appellation was the Sainsbury Body, after its designer. It remained unique, and served out its days in red/white, ie pre-war, livery, on routes from Alperton garage, (ON), from May 1950 until December 1953.
During the early part of 1954 it was a staff bus.
It appears from black/white photos to have had red or black mudguards at various times.

It spent its final years (1954-58) with Bee Line of West Hartlepool.


Photographic References

A key to the references is given in the bibliography. 
STL2477  ELP 154  STL p147              new, at Chiswick
                  H50 p78       3/50    new, at Chiswick
                  CB36 p43           ON on 18 to Alperton
                  LBM93 p28     5/50 ON on 18 to Alperton
                  H50 p126      7/50 ON on 83 to Hayes Stn, Alperton
                  LBF504 p21         ON on 83 to Ealing Bdy
                  LBF504 p21         ON on 83 to Hayes Stn, rear view	
                  LSubB p69          ON on 83 to Hayes Stn, Alperton
                  LBT&N p115         ON on 83 to Hayes Stn
                  STL p146           ON on 83 to Hayes Stn, front view
                  BBB7p92            ON at Hayes Stn
                  H52 p106     1952  ON on 79A to Alperton, Alperton LT
                  CBY3 p59     1953  ON on 79A, Alperton LT
                  LB&TAp35           ON on 79A to Northolt Airport
                  LT3362p78          ON on 79A to Northolt Airport
                  LBiC p61           ON on 79A to Northolt Airport
                  STL p147           ON on 18 to Wembley, n/s rear view
                  LCityB p67         GM at Gillingham St LT
                  STL p147              interior, upstairs

Bus Stop contents PAYB Meccano postwar STLs.