CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM EFE
I can confirm that the following models have now been released and are on sale:
15634 RM Routemaster Stagecoach Magicbus
16124 Leyland PD2 Bradford
20203 Leyland STD London Transport

PRESS RELEASES FROM CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD
Two press releases have been received this week from Creative Master Northcord Ltd as follows:

HKBUS2002 Megabus.com Coach

-- Tri-axle Leyland Olympian

Creative Master Northcord Limited has just released its latest livery on the replica 11-metre, tri-axle Leyland Olympian / Alexander R-type coach model, HKBUS2002, in megabus.com colours with branding for the Dundee - Perth - Glasgow services.

The HKBUS2002 replica (fleet number 13603, VLT 37, formerly Hong Kong Citybus 137, ER 8952) has a unique feature of a wholly-wrapped decoration on bonded windows. As on the previous HKBUS2001 and HKBUS2003 produced by CMNL, HKBUS2002 has many innovative designs on the tooling, some of which are seen for the first time on a CMNL double-deck model. The replica features excellent detailing, inside and out, including all handrails on board and detailed, individual air-vents above the seats. Of note is the improved upper-deck ceiling detail that features the correct colours of the prototype coach. The most remarkable accuracy is seen on the front dome that represents this feature of the Alexander R type bodywork.

Once again, this is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the windows and livery application on which all Leyland & Alexander logos and lettering are clearly legible. The model has no ugly metal poles to hold it together.

By February 2004, 5 former Hong Kong 11m coach Olympian had been allocated to Megabus work on the Oxford – London route (3 buses) and the Dundee – Glasgow route (2 buses). WLT 416 (13602), the sister bus to VLT 37 in Scotland, has been fitted with a tow-bar and can tow a trailer for carrying luggage. During March 2004, further routes, with a London hub, were introduced which also employ these 94-seat buses.

This model’s release has been keenly awaited because of the impact which Stagecoach has made in importing the 1:1 scale buses to the UK. Such has been the level of interest, that Buses Magazine, the UK’s leading enthusiast publication, has obtained 5 models to give away as readers’ prizes in a new competition.

The HKBUS2002 model is limited to 2000 pieces for the UK and Hong Kong. They will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) and Porte Publishing Company (Japan).

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

UKBUS2007 - Mayne

Plaxton President-Bodied Dennis Trident

Following the great success of its single door Plaxton President bodied Dennis Trident replicas (UKBUS2006, Brighton & Hove and UKBUS2008, Reading Buses) in early 2004, Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL) has proudly released its latest single door version of this casting, UKBUS2007, in exclusive Mayne (Manchester) livery. It will again be the focus of attention from bus model collectors as well as from bus enthusiasts.

The Plaxton President is one of the most popular double-deck bodies in the UK, particularly when fitted to the Dennis Trident chassis. The replica features excellent detailing, inside and out, including an opening engine door and engine detail. This is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the gasket windows and livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. The replica has new features presenting the special requirements of A. Mayne & Son Ltd, e.g. four sideways-facing seats on the lower saloon, brand new LED lights at the rear, etc. Like all CMNL double-decker replicas, the model has no ugly metal poles to hold it together. The UKBUS2007 model is limited to 1800 pieces worldwide.

The replica carries the fleet number 30, registration MX03 KZN, which entered service in April 2003 on the company’s network of commercial and tendered routes around the East and South of Manchester and Tameside on the edge of the Pennines.

The brand new single door Plaxton President double-deck bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively.

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

Friday 30 April 2004

Photograph © Britbus

Photograph © Britbus

Photograph © Britbus

Sunday 25 April 2004

The Prototype RM set will feature the following:
RM1 (red) Registration number SLT 56 Route 260 Destination Aldwych
RM2 (green) Registration number SLT 57 Route 406 Destination Redhill

They will feature a revised bonnet assembly as originally built. The set is priced at £45 + £6 guaranteed postage. I understand the higher cost of this set is due to the substantial cost of the revised tooling. Orders are being taken now by the Museum and delivery is expected late July.

I further understand that the set will be advertised with order form, in Buses, Model Collector and Diecast Collector Magazines.

24 April 2004 (second news posting)

Please click on the links below to view the pages from the new Corgi catalogue showing the above:

Page 1 CLICK HERE
Page 2 CLICK HERE
Page 3 CLICK HERE
Page 4 CLICK HERE
Page 5 CLICK HERE

To view closer images of the models CLICK HERE

NEW MODELS ANNOUNCED BY EFE
My EFE subscriber news letter arrived this morning and has details of two previously unannounced models and also news of models that are being produced in conjunction between  EFE and the London Transport Museum.

The new models being:
29005 GM Standard Fleetline- Swindon Thamesdown
30201 RM1 Routemaster Prototype - London Transport

EFE and London Transport Museum
The following extract from the EFE Newsletter gives details of two new Routemaster models:

"As many bus enthusiasts will know, the prototype Routemaster RM1 made its appearance in 1954, to be followed in 1955 by RM2 and then the main production buses in 1956. The 50th Anniversary of the Routemaster is being celebrated in many ways by various groups and at Exclusive First Editions we are preparing a special treat for our RM enthusiasts. As a service to our subscribers, ensuring that you are the very first with the news, I will reveal all. Exclusive First Editions in conjunction with the London Transport Museum are producing models of the prototype Routemasters RM1 and RM 2. The original prototype RM 1 will be available from your normal stockist within our standard model releases and Red RM 1 and Green RM 2 will be in a Special Gift Set, available only from the London Transport Museum. Because of the high cost of tooling and the restricted nature of the prototype vehicles, these models will be a rare opportunity not to be missed. The models also come at an opportune time to support the London Transport Museum as it prepares to close for an expensive major rebuild".

Other news from EFE

EFE have confirmed the stock number of the previously announced Colchester Borough Leyland National to be 17701

EFE further announce that this years North Weald model will feature a Leyland STD no other details are known at this time. Additionally the next two subscriber only models will feature two Australian Leyland TD1 in the liveries of Cronulla and Brighton Mascot Railway.

Saturday 24 April 2004

OM99156 Balloon Tram Set - 70th Anniversary (old and new) July
OM41204 Wright Eclipse Gemini - Harrogate and District July
OM44105 Optare Solo - Manchester Metroline July
OM42509 East Lancs Lolyne - Blackpool Transport August
OM44703 Dart SLF - Thamesdown Centenary August
OM41205 Wright Eclipse Gemini - London General August
OM43310 Plaxton Premiere - National Express Airport September
OM45309 Bova Futura - Maynes of Buckie September
OM44010 Brush Tram - Metroline September
OM43707 Q1 Trolleybus - London Transport (preserved at Sandtoft) October
OM41301 Wright Solar Fusion - Go Ahead October
OM43508 Balloon Tram - Blackpool October
OM41302 Wright Solar Fusion - Nottingham City Transport November
OM41206 Wright Eclipse Gemini - First Sheffield November
OM42510 East Lancs Vyking - Delaine November
OM40812 Bristol Lodekka - Bristol Omnibus Company December 
OM41303 Wright Eclipse Fusion - First Southampton December 
OM43402 Plaxton Beaver - East Yorkshire December

The Corgi classics release schedule for the 2nd half of 2004 is as follows:

BUSES IN BRITAIN 1:50 SCALE
CC25601 Leyland Atlantean - Scout Motor Services
CC25801 Leyland/Weymann Olympic - Birmingham City Transport
CC25905 AEC Routemaster - Delaine Buses

I hope to be publishing photographs in the near future.

CORGI OOC MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE WEEK COMMENCING 26 APRIL 2004
The following models are scheduled for release next week:
OM41201 Wright Eclipse Gemini (1 Door) 10.6m Wright Demonstrator
OM41202 Wright Eclipse Gemini (2 Door) 10.1m Arriva London
OM42506 East Lancs Vyking Bus Eireann

NEW MODEL ANNOUNCED BY BRITBUS
Britbus have announced a new model as follows:
N6104 MCW Metropolitan West Midlands PTE

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM BRITBUS
I can confirm that the following models have now been released and are on sale:
N6205 MCW Metropolitan London Buses
N6205X MCW Metropolitan London Buses

PRESS RELEASE FROM CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD

Creative Master Northcord Limited

News Release

CMNL teams up with "Buses" Magazine

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL) has teamed up with "Buses" Magazine by offering 5 examples of its forthcoming HKBUS2002 release as prizes in a competition.

The HKBUS2002 model on offer is a replica of one of the former Citybus (Hong Kong) 11 metre Leyland Olympian Coaches with Alexander 94-seat bodywork now to be found in the UK. The example chosen for the model is the former CTB 137 (HK registration ER 8952) and this vehicle can be found on Megabus.com route M9 running between Dundee and Glasgow (via Perth). This coach is now registered VLT 37 and is based at Bluebird Buses' Perth depot. VLT 37 (fleet number 13603) was one of the first 5 former Citybus Olympians imported into the UK last summer. Only 2000 models have been produced and, if you are unfortunate enough not to win one of the 5 on offer in the competition, they will be available from most model shops in the UK very soon as the production run has just been concluded.

To enter the competition, just find the May edition of "Buses" magazine and answer the questions correctly. Although we have not seen the questions, we have been assured that they are very easy to answer correctly.

Further information about "Buses" magazine can be found here:

http://www.ianallan.com/publishing/buses/

or here :

http://www.ianallanpublishing.com/catalog/cms.php?f=transport_buses.htm

and further information about the expanded Megabus Network, as well as how to book online, can be found here :

http://www.megabus.com/

Friday 23 April 2004

Saturday 17 April 2004

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM CORGI OOC
I can confirm that the Corgi OOC Collectors club model 2004 has now been posted to members:
OM42508 East Lancs Myllenium Lowlander - Isle of Man Transport

EFE RELEASES SCHEDULED FOR WEEK COMMENCING 26 APRIL 2004
15634 RM Routemaster Stagecoach Magicbus
16124 Leyland PD2 Bradford
20203 Leyland STD London Transport

Friday 16 April 2004

Creative Master Northcord Limited News Release

CMNL UK Release Update

Part 1 : An update on revised release dates for models from Winter 2003 - 04 :

1.            UKBUS100x range : The Alexander ALX400/Dennis Trident

UKBUS1015 : Stagecoach Cambridge Park & Ride (17007 - S807 BWC) : June

2.            UKBUS200x range : The Plaxton President/Dennis Trident

UKBUS2004 : Lothian Buses "Harlequin" livery (601 - SN51 AXF) : June

UKBUS2007 : Mayne, Manchester (30 - MK03 KZN) : April (currently in production)

3.                 UKBUS 300x range : The Plaxton Dennis Dart MPD

UKBUS3002 : First : July

UKBUS3003 : Metroline (DML 160 - Y151 NLK) : May

UKBUS3004 : Stagecoach London (34375x - LV52 HGN)/Provincial (33088 - T35 VCS) twin-pack : June (anticipated RRP £29.99)

4.                 HKBUS 200x range : The Leyland Olympian 11m Coach with Alexander bodywork

HKBUS2002 : Bluebird Buses (13603 - VLT 37) in Megabus.com livery : April

Part 2 : Future planned releases for the period May - August 2004 :

1.                 UKBUS000x range : The Plaxton President Open Top/Dennis Trident

UKBUS0003 : City Sightseeing Dublin Tour - June 2004 

UKBUS0004 : City Sightseeing Oxford Tour - August 2004

2.            UKBUS100x range : The Alexander ALX400/Dennis Trident

UKBUS1016 : Stagecoach A1 Service (18000 - SF52 BZG) - May 2004 

UKBUS1017 : London United (tba) - July 2004

These are likely to be the last ALX400 releases for the foreseeable future.

3.            UKBUS 200x range : The Plaxton President/Dennis Trident

UKBUS2009 : Go-North East (3889 - NK51 UCS) - August 2004

UKBUS2010 : Stagecoach Manchester (18030 - MX53 FLK) - June 2004

4.            UKBUS 300x range : The Plaxton Dennis Dart MPD : NEW CASTING

UKBUS3005 : Solent Blue Line (582 - SN03 LDU) - May 2004

UKBUS3006 : London Central (LDP 142 - Y842 TGH) - June 2004

UKBUS3007 : Go-North East (574 - NK53 TMZ) - August 2004

UKBUS3008 : London United (DPK ??? - SN51 ???) - August 2004

Please note that the release dates quoted above are anticipated completion dates, not necessarily when the models will be on sale at your retailer.

Tuesday 13 April 2004

MORE MODELS ANNOUNCED BY EFE
EFE have announced four new models. I hope to publish photographs of them tomorrow:

Stock Code: 13915
Bristol Lodekka FLF
Western SMT
Fleet number: JB1822
Registration number: VCS 376
Route: P8A
Destination: Cotton Street

Stock Code: 25304
AEC Duple Half Cab
Southern National
Fleet number: 3352
Registration number: TK 7708
Route: -
Destination: Barnstaple

Stock Code: 29101
Daimler DMS 2 Door
Metrobus
Fleet number: 61
Registration number: OJD 167R
Route: 61
Destination: Bromley North Station

Stock Code: 29503
Plaxton Panorama
Yelloways
Fleet number: -
Registration number: HVU 244N
Route: X65
Destination: Cheltenham

I can confirm that the EFE stock code for the Bristol MW Royal Blue announced on Sundays mailing is 16216

Thursday 8 April 2004

Stock Code: To be confirmed
Leyland National
Colchester Borough Transport
Fleet number: 21
Registration number: BVP 821V
Route: 2
Destination: Highwoods

Stock Code: To be confirmed
Bristol MW
Royal Blue (Western National)
Fleet number: 2230
Registration number: XUO 713
Route number: -
Destination: Bournemouth

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM EFE
The 2004 Cobham show model was on sale today:

26307A
Guy Arab 2 Utility
London Transport
Fleet number: G103
Registration number: GXE 543
Route number: 83
Destination: Hayes Station
Certificated to 450 Pieces

Sunday 4 April 2004

EFE MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE WEEK COMMENCING 5 APRIL 2004
EFE have advised me that the following models are scheduled for release next week:
16321 Bristol LS Jones Of Aberbeeg
29802 Wright Dennis Lance Western National
29901 AEC 10T10 Greenline

Friday 2 April 2004

April 2004 - News

This page last updated Monday, 25 February 2013