page_title: Mercedes-Benz T2
section_title: Second generation (1986–1996)
hierarchical_section_title: Mercedes-Benz T2 / Second generation (1986–1996)
caption_attribution_description: LEZ4624 (M461JPA) is a Mercedes Benz 811 with Plaxton Beaver 1 bodywork. This type was very popular in London and the surrounding area in the early to mid 90s and this is one of the type which is still operating and has escaped the scrapman (for now!). This bus has had a pretty action packed life being new to the now defunct London &amp; Country and then passing to Arriva Shires &amp; Essex, being transferred to Trustline (Now Centrebus Harlow) and finally getting to its current owner, Shaftesbury &amp; District in the late 2000s, about 15 years after new. I think this is a very smart livery LEZ 4624 is in: the three colours look very smart. The bus also retains original "bench type" seating which I prefer and is reliable, still operating services all the way to Bath on the 80/X80. They just don't build buses like this anymore! Sadly the DDA deadline means this bus will have to be taken out of service in 2015 unless it is fitted with disabled access (very unlikely!). I hope it can get preserved, like other ex Shaftesbury and District buses, but many people are not interested in "modern" buses like this and would much rather travel in a rather ubiquitous Routemaster or other 1950s or 1960s buses. Taken on Monday 25th March 2013, after 18 years of solid service on a school run, the "Mere Square" bus.
context_page_description: The Mercedes-Benz T2 was a transporter manufactured by Daimler-Benz. The T2 is also known as the "Düsseldorf transporter", since it was built in Düsseldorf from 1967 on. The third series, built from 1996 at Ludwigsfelde, was branded the Mercedes-Benz Vario. Some T2s were assembled by Mercedes-Benz España in their Alcobendas assembly plant.
  For Argentina, the first T2 product are the L 608 D in 1969 until 1990. In 1989, the new products are the L 710, L 914 and 814 with the LO variant. The production ceased in 1966. The Venezuelan version of the T2 was manufactured in Barcelona by the Grupo Consorcio 1390 S.A. as the Mercedes-Benz Class L3. The L3 was built from 1969 up to 1978, when the company was bought by the Ford Motor Company.
context_section_description: The second generation of the T2 was introduced in 1986, and was manufactured until 1996. It was significantly upgraded, the bonnet having become longer and the design altogether more sharp-edged. The chassis sold in large numbers in the United Kingdom and Ireland during the minibus revolution. Variations included the 609D, 614D, 709D, 711D, 811D, 814D and 510 (petrol).
  The LO812 was sold in Australia from the early 1990s, Westbus purchasing 26 in 1992 and National Bus Company purchased 45 in 1994/95. Various other operators would purchase smaller fleets.
  The T2 was manufactured in Argentina until 1997, as the L 710 and the LO 915 chassis for minibus applications.
caption: Shaftesbury & District Plaxton Beaver 1 bodied Mercedes-Benz 811 in Gillingham, Dorset
exif: {"Image Make": "Canon", "Image Model": "Canon EOS 1100D", "Image Orientation": "Horizontal (normal)", "Image XResolution": "72", "Image YResolution": "72", "Image ResolutionUnit": "Pixels/Inch", "Image DateTime": "2013:03:25 15:08:47", "Image Artist": "", "Image YCbCrPositioning": "Co-sited", "Image Copyright": "", "Image ExifOffset": "348", "Thumbnail Compression": "JPEG (old-style)", "Thumbnail XResolution": "72", "Thumbnail YResolution": "72", "Thumbnail ResolutionUnit": "Pixels/Inch", "Thumbnail JPEGInterchangeFormat": "9040", "Thumbnail JPEGInterchangeFormatLength": "14560", "EXIF ExposureTime": "1/400", "EXIF FNumber": "9/2", "EXIF ExposureProgram": "Program Action", "EXIF ISOSpeedRatings": "400", "EXIF SensitivityType": "Recommended Exposure Index", "EXIF RecommendedExposureIndex": "400", "EXIF ExifVersion": "0230", "EXIF DateTimeOriginal": "2013:03:25 15:08:47", "EXIF DateTimeDigitized": "2013:03:25 15:08:47", "EXIF ComponentsConfiguration": "YCbCr", "EXIF ShutterSpeedValue": "69/8", "EXIF ApertureValue": "35/8", "EXIF ExposureBiasValue": "0", "EXIF MeteringMode": "Pattern", "EXIF Flash": "Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode", "EXIF FocalLength": "29", "EXIF SubSecTime": "18", "EXIF SubSecTimeOriginal": "18", "EXIF SubSecTimeDigitized": "18", "EXIF FlashPixVersion": "0100", "EXIF ColorSpace": "sRGB", "EXIF ExifImageWidth": "4272", "EXIF ExifImageLength": "2848", "Interoperability InteroperabilityIndex": "R98", "Interoperability InteroperabilityVersion": "[48, 49, 48, 48]", "EXIF InteroperabilityOffset": "8720", "EXIF FocalPlaneXResolution": "854400/181", "EXIF FocalPlaneYResolution": "569600/119", "EXIF FocalPlaneResolutionUnit": "2", "EXIF CustomRendered": "Normal", "EXIF ExposureMode": "Auto Exposure", "EXIF WhiteBalance": "Auto", "EXIF SceneCaptureType": "Standard", "EXIF CameraOwnerName": "", "EXIF BodySerialNumber": "223073105134", "EXIF LensSpecification": "[18, 55, 0/0, 0/0]", "EXIF LensModel": "EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III", "EXIF LensSerialNumber": "000010f1a0"}