Central SMT

Single-Deckers : Leyland Tiger

The Leyland Tiger was Central's last great standard type and, had events turned out differently, would surely in time have matched the Leopard's earlier dominance of the fleet. Apart from the first five (which carried T-type bodies), Central made a clean break with the Tiger, switching to the new family of TE, TC and TS types for its new Leyland chassis. The TS was, in fact, a Central invention. Uninspired by Alexander's P-type, the company specified this service bus variant of the TE instead.

Central's TE-bodied Tigers carried an innovative, complex and very attractive livery based on the traditional red and cream colours. Initial TS deliveries used these colours in a far simpler layout, but the TE scheme thankfully won through and soon became the standard.

Having started out with standard Leyland engines, Central soon switched its allegiance and specified Gardner engines in its later Tigers.

Central's Tiger coaches numbered in the C series are listed in the Coaches section; the list below shows all Tigers in the main LT series.

Single-deck Types

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