December 2004 - News

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FOR SALE

To view surplus items from my collection for sale CLICK HERE

 


 

NEW MODEL COLLECTOR MAGAZINE READER OFFER
The February edition of Model Collector magazine arrived this morning and has details of a new reader offer model, as follows:

Corgi OOC
Leyland PD3 (Queen Mary)
Southdown Motor Services
Fleet number: 283
Limited to 2000 pieces.

The model is priced at £19.99 + £1.50 P&P (UK) £2.50 (OVERSEAS)
Subscribers to the magazine can purchase the model at the discounted price of £16.99 + P&P

An order form can be found in the magazine.

Friday 31st December 2004


NEWS FROM COBHAM BUS MUSEUM
The latest copy of the members magazine arrived today and carries news of two new models as follows:

"Once again, the Trust has commissioned EFE for two fund raising models, the first being a post war STD, the model originally intended for 2004. This has been earmarked for the Wisley Gathering event on 03.04.05, with blinds for Ilford Station on the 167. The second model will be the long awaited Guy Special in the guise of Cobham's GS34. Unfortunately, there are no firm guarantees that the GS will arrive in time for the April Open Day for we are at the mercy of the manufacturers and the transporters".

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD UKBUS2012 - STAGECOACH OXFORD BROOKES BUS?

I am very grateful to a regular correspondent whose son studies at Oxford Brookes University for passing on the following item of news:

All students at the University have received a note advising the that "Oxford Brookes University has commissioned a 1/76th scale limited edition model Brookes Bus". It is stated as "now available" and is being offered at a discount to Students.

I have not yet received notification from CMNL that this is their model but will write to them to confirm.

Thursday 30 December 2004


BRITBUS AEC SWIFT AMENDED QUANTITIES
Britbus have advised me that the quantities of the following models have been amended due the high level of interest in them:

AS2-01 Britbus AEC Swift London Country - Quantity increased to 1200 pieces
AS2-02 Britbus AEC Swift London Transport - Quantity increased to 1416 pieces

Tuesday 28 December 2004


CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM BRITBUS
I can confirm that the following model has now been released and is on sale:

GS05 Guy Arab 3 London Transport

HAPPY CHRISTMAS
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year. Thank you to everybody who has sent Christmas cards and emails, they are all very much appreciated.

Thursday 23 December 2004


CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM EFE
I can confirm that the following models have now been released and are on sale:

15636 RM Routemaster Stagecoach
29302 Leyland Olympian Wilts and Dorset

Wednesday 22 December 2004


EFE 10TH SUBSCRIBER MAILING - SUBSCRIBER SPECIAL OFFER MODEL
The EFE 10th mailing 2004 contains details of a special model produced for EFE subscribers only as follows:

15635B
AEC Routemaster
London Transport (On loan as a demonstrator to Manchester City Transport)
Fleet number: RM1414
Registration number: 414 CLT
Route: 42
Destination: Royal Exchange

The model is available to EFE subscribers only and is priced at £15.00 + £1.50P&P (UK). The model is advertised as a small production quantity and is available on a strictly first come first served basis.

Tuesday 21 December 2004


CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM BRITBUS AND IRBUS
I can confirm that the following models have now been released and are on sale:

R701 Leyland Olympian Alexander R Type Bus Atha Cliath
N6107 MCW Metropolitan WMPTE The Queens Silver Jubilee

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM CORGI OOC
I can confirm that the following model has now been released and is on sale:

OM41302 Wright Solar Fusion Nottingham City Transport

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM EFE
I can confirm that the following models have now been released and are on sale:

15805 Leyland PD1 Lowbridge Central SMT
16217 Bristol MW Coach West Yorkshire
24814 Mercedes Hoppa First Eastern Counties
27810 AEC STL London Transport (green)

I understand that the other two models scheduled for release this week will be in the shops Monday/Tuesday:

15636 RM Routemaster Stagecoach
29302 Leyland Olympian Wilts and Dorset

CONFIRMED RELEASE CORGI OOC CODE 2 MODEL COLLECTOR MAGAZINE MODEL
I can confirm that the following model have now been released and dispatched to those who ordered it:

OM44107 Optare Solo Preston Park and Ride

NEWS FROM BRITBUS

Britbus have advised of two items of news:

GS05 Guy Arab 3 London Transport will be despatched to the UK by air today (Sunday 19th December).

I am very grateful to them for sending me photographs of pre-production samples of their new casting the AEC Swift, details as follows:

AS2 - 01 London Country - Green Livery SM 101 on route 418 .......1008 pieces Expected release January 2005.
AS2 - 02 London Transport - Red Central area. On route 70.........1008 pieces Fleet No. SMS 52 This model will follow the release of AS2 - 01 in January 2005

 

Click here for a higher resolution image
This photograph shows a pre-production sample of AS2 - 01 London Country

Photograph © Britbus

 

Click here for a higher resolution image
This photograph shows a pre-production sample of AS2 - 02 London Transport

Photograph © Britbus

Sunday 19 December 2004


PRESS RELEASE FROM CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD
Please see below a press release from CMNL detailing planned releases for the period January to April 2005. Included are a number of new previously unannounced models:

CMNL UK Release Update

Future planned releases for the period January - April 2005

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

UKBUS0006: City Sightseeing York Tour – January 2005

2. UKBUS100x range: The Alexander ALX400/Dennis Trident

UKBUS1015: Stagecoach Cambridge Park & Ride (17010 – S810 BWC) - January 2005
UKBUS1018: First London (TAL 1348 – LK53 FCG) - January 2005
UKBUS1019: Stagecoach East Kent (18169 – GX54 DVM) - April 2005

3. UKBUS200x range: The Plaxton President/Dennis Trident

UKBUS2012: Stagecoach Oxford – Brookes Bus (18052 - KX53VNC) - January 2005
4. UKBUS 300x range: The Plaxton Dennis Dart MPD
UKBUS3009: Southern Vectis (details later) – April 2005
UKBUS3010: Blackburn Transport (652 – V652 HEC) – January 2005
UKBUS3012: Avondale Coaches in SPT livery (SN03 LFV) - February 2005
UKBUS3013: East Yorkshire (495 – YX04 JVY) – March 2005
UKBUS3014: Arriva Twin Pack (PDL 85 – LF52 USC/1608 – GN04 UCY) – April 2005
5.      UKBUS 400x range: The Alexander Royale/Volvo Olympian
UKBUS 4001: Lothian Buses (2-door) (268 – P268 PSX) – February 2005
UKBUS 4002: Yorkshire Coastliner (437 – W437 CWX) – April 2005
6.      UKBUS 500x range: The Mercedes-Benz/Citaro
UKBUS 5001: First London (details later) – February 2005
7.      UKBUS 510x range: The Mercedes-Benz/Citaro G
UKBUS 5101: Mercedes-Benz Demonstrator (BU53 ZWV) – March 2005
UKBUS 5102: Stagecoach London (details later) – April 2005
8.      HKBUS200x range: The Alexander RX-type/Leyland Olympian
HKBUS2005: megabus.com in and out of London (13616 – G189 YRJ) – March 2005

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

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

Thursday 16 December 2005


NEW CORGI OOC SPECIAL EDITION MODEL
I am very grateful to Peter Harrison for passing on the below news to me. I will publish further details as soon as they become available.

"Corgi are introducing a number of Very Special Limited edition runs of some of their products. Essentially similar to the generally available models these will be manufactured in exceedingly low numbers and will only be available from selected retailers. Each model will have a special certificate thus making the model especially collectable.

In the OOC range the Special Edition will be limited to 350 pieces world wide. This model will be: OOC OM41109e Daimler CVG6/E. Lancs Bradford City Transport - Destination 'Bradford Moor' £21.25"

Wednesday 15 December 2004


BRITBUS/IRBUS MODELS ON THE WAY
I have been contacted by Britbus and advised that the following models have now left Hong Kong bound for the UK. It is hoped they will be available from John Ayrey's for distribution to retailers from the middle of next week:

R701 Leyland Olympian Alexander R Type Bus Atha Cliath
N6107 MCW Metropolitan WMPTE The Queens Silver Jubilee

Saturday 11 December 2004


DIECAST BUSES INTERACTIVE GROUP (DBI) - GERRY BROWN

I was very shocked and saddened to hear earlier this week of the sudden and unexpected death of Gerry Brown the owner of the above group, with whom I have corresponded on numerous occasions over the last few years. My thoughts are with his wife and family at this very sad time.

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM BRITBUS

I can confirm that the following model has now been released and is on sale:

L001 Leyland Titan PD2 Beadle Southdown

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM SUNSTAR

I can confirm that the following model has now been released and is on sale:

2902 AEC Routemaster LT - The Standard Routemaster

CORGI OOC MODEL SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE NEXT WEEK
The following model is scheduled for release week commencing 13th December:

OM41302 Wright Solar Fusion Nottingham City Transport

CORGI CLASSICS MODEL SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE NEXT WEEK
Corgi have stated that the following model will be released next week although as reported on 2nd December stocks of this model have been available and on sale since November.

CC25802 Weymann Bus - King Alfred Motor Services

EFE MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE NEXT WEEK

A reminder that the following models are scheduled for release week commencing 13th December:

15636 RM Routemaster Stagecoach
15805
Leyland PD1 Lowbridge Central SMT
16217 Bristol MW Coach West Yorkshire
24814 Mercedes Hoppa First Eastern Counties
27810 AEC STL London Transport (green)
29302 Leyland Olympian Wilts and Dorset

NEW CODE 2 FROM EFE

I am very grateful to Archie McVean for sending me details of a new EFE Code 2 he has seen advertised in Classic Bus Magazine. As follows:

"The current issue of Classic Bus magazine contains a flyer for an EFE Code 2 model available from the magazine. Its a Western SMT Bristol Lodekka FLF (similar to 13915) no.DB1711 (TCS159)  allocated to Dumfries depot and with appropriate destination and ads. The model is limited to 600 pieces, one per customer, and costs £22.50 incl p&p."

I will publish more details and photograph as soon as I can get them.

Friday 10th December 2004


CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD - PRESS RELEASE

Lothian Buses

UKBUS2004 Plaxton President-bodied Trident

The long awaited UKBUS2004 Lothian Buses has just come true at last. It will again be the focus of attention from bus model collectors as well as from bus enthusiasts.

UKBUS2004 carries fleet number 601 (SN51 AXF), which was new to Lothian Buses in 2001 and served its first 3 years as an Airlink coach, complete with tables and luggage rack. Indeed, this very vehicle was the subject of a previous release by CMNL in its Airlink livery (UKBUS2002).

In 2004, 601 and its sisters 602-605 were replaced from the Airlink service by the arrival of new, extra-long wheelbase, Dennis Tridents. 601 has been converted to service bus configuration, retaining the single-door layout, and has been repainted in the most recent version of Lothian Buses “harlequin” livery. The opportunity was also taken to replace the original rear lights with Lothian Buses standard LED lights.

It is depicted here on service 37, one of Lothian Buses longest routes, running from Penicuik, in Midlothian, north, through the suburbs of Edinburgh, into the City Centre and north-west to Crewe Toll and Silverknowes.

UKBUS2004 features excellent detailing, including all items mentioned above. 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 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. The UKBUS2004 model is limited to 2000 pieces worldwide.

TransBus Mini Pointer Dart

UKBUS3006 – London Central

Further to the previous successful release of the Mini Pointer Dart replicas with London operators colour: UKBUS3004 Stagecoach and UKBUS3008 London United, CMN is releasing its another MPD model carrying London livery. This is UKBUS3006, a London Central MPD.

The London Central MPD replica carries the fleet number LDP 142 and registration number Y842 TGH. It represents one of a batch of Plaxton Pointer-bodied Dennis Dart midibuses delivered to London Central’s Camberwell Garage in 2001. These buses were purchased for use on Transport for London’s route C10, which operates between Victoria Station and Elephant & Castle via Pimlico, crossing the Thames at Lambeth Bridge and serving the Imperial War Museum at North Lambeth.

LDP 142 is equipped with a powered ramp and space for one wheelchair user. It has an overall length of 8.8m. LDP 142 is shorter than the majority of London Central’s midibus fleet, which is necessary due to the width of the carriageway at certain junctions in the Pimlico area.

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 model also features excellent detailing, inside and out, including an opening engine door, showing the detailed environmentally friendly Euro 3 engine. All grab rails feature inside the replica and in their correct positions. The construction method of this replica permits realistic-looking front and rear lights – in particular the front headlamp / indicator assembly whose headlamp is transparent and indicator is translucent.

The brand new UKBUS3006 London Central 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.

 

Click here for a higher resolution image

This photograph shows UKBUS2004

Photograph © Creative Master Northcord Ltd

 

Click here for a higher resolution image

This photograph shows UKBUS3006

Photograph © Creative Master Northcord Ltd

Monday 6th December 2004


EFE ANNOUNCE TWO NEW MODELS
EFE have announced two new models as follows, the release date is not known at this time:

14012
Bristol Lodekka FLF - Wilts and Dorset
Fleet number: 658
Registration number: 467 BMR
Route number: 38
Destination: Bournemouth

20435
Bristol VR3 First Eastern National
Fleet number: 3078
Registration number: STW 22W
Route number: 103
Destination: Harwich via Manningtree and Ardleigh

The two photographs below show early pre-production samples of the two models

 

Click here for a higher resolution image
The above photograph shows an early pre-production sample of 14012

Photograph courtesy of Exclusive First Editions © British Model Buses

 

Click here for a higher resolution image
The above photograph shows an early pre-production sample of 20435

Photograph courtesy of Exclusive First Editions © British Model Buses

Saturday 4 December 2004


CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM CORGI OOC
I can confirm that the following model has now been released and is on sale:

OM41301 Wright Solar Fusion Go Ahead

Friday 3rd December 2004


BRITBUS  AND IRBUS NEWS UPDATE

Stock of the following model left Hong Kong by air today bound for the UK and should be available next week:

L001 Leyland Titan PD2 Beadle Southdown

Additional stocks of the following have also been dispatched:
GS03 Provincial - Gosport and Fareham Omnibus Co
GS02 Guy Arab 3 BMMO Midland Red
N6108 MCW Metropolitan Greater Manchester

It is expected that stock of the following will be dispatched middle of next week and be on sale the week after:

R701 Leyland Olympian Alexander R Type Bus Atha Cliath (See photograph below)
N6107 MCW Metropolitan West Midlands PTE - The Queens Silver Jubilee 1977

It is expected that stock of the following will be dispatched by mid December:

GS05 Guy Arab 3 London Transport G 436 in plain red livery with new front wheels and on route 121 to Ponders End will be air freighted. (See photograph below).

 

Click here for a higher resolution image
The above photograph shows the production version of R701 Leyland Olympian Alexander R Type Bus Atha Cliath

Photograph © Irbus

 

Click here for a higher resolution image
The above photograph shows the production version of GS05 Guy Arab 3 London Transport

Photograph © Britbus

 

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM CORGI CLASSICS

The following models have now been released and are on sale:

CC25802 Leyland Tiger Cub/Weymann King Alfred Motor Service
CC25905
AEC Routemaster Delaine Buses

EFE MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE WEEK COMMENCING 13TH DECEMBER 2004

EFE have advised me that the following models will be released week commencing 13th December:

15636 RM Routemaster Stagecoach
15805
Leyland PD1 Lowbridge Central SMT
16217 Bristol MW Coach West Yorkshire
24814 Mercedes Hoppa First Eastern Counties
27810 AEC STL London Transport (green)
29302 Leyland Olympian Wilts and Dorset

HALF A MILLION!!

The site recorded its 500,000 visit yesterday on its 3rd birthday!

Thursday 2nd December 2004


December 2004 - News

This page last updated Monday, 25 February 2013

© British Model Buses 2004