NEW 76TH SCALE MODEL
In case anyone has not guessed the identity of the model shown in the photograph it is the front entrance, rear engined AEC Routemaster FRM1. If you are interested in reading information about the real FRM1 CLICK HERE to visit Ian Smith's superb Ian's Bus Stop website

Monday 28th February 2011

"You might be interested in this sneak preview of a forthcoming 1:76 model (not a kit) - I am sure that your followers will be able to work out what it is. Full press release in 7 - 10 days".

CLICK HERE to view, I will let you know as soon as I hear more.

Saturday 26 February 2011

NRF001 AEC RF Greenline
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE to view

NRF002 London Transport (Central) AEC RF
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE to view

NRF003 AEC RF Metrobus Wealdsman 
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE to view

NRF004 AEC RF BEA
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE to view

NQ1002 Belfast B. U. T. Trolleybus
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE to view

NSET01 5 X London Transport model gift set
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE to view

NEWS FROM OXFORD DIECAST
The April edition of Model Collector magazine arrived today and reports that Oxford Diecast have announced a new 1:76th scale tooling for the AEC Matador.

Perhaps we might see some bus related models from this casting, I will let you know if I hear anything.

MODELS FOR SALE - 20% OFF MY SALE PAGE PRICES
I have been sorting through my collection and have identified approximately 300 models that I no longer want and I intend listing these for sale in about 4 weeks time. In the meantime I need to make some space so I can properly sort through everything. I am therefore offering all models currently listed on my sale page CLICK HERE at 20% off the list price until Monday 14th March. Please have a look at the bargain section, many of the models listed have very minor faults with the boxes and the models are mint/near mint so if you don't mind small defects with the boxes please take a look at. I am very fussy with my collection so will only say something is mint/near mint if it really is, hence the number of models in the bargain section.

Thursday 24 February 2011

"Marked as new on the Solido branded part of the Simba-Dickie group stand was a 1:50 scale London RT (labeled as a Routemaster!).

Revell have their stand at the far end of hall 12, probably a good kilometre round trip walk from most of the other manufacturers of model bus interest. The walk was again worth it, however, as their latest 1:24 scale road vehicle release will be a London Routemaster. Fortunately, they have chosen the RML version for their plastic kit, which is expected to be released in November.

On the subject of Routemasters, Sun Star insisted previously that their model of RM2217, London's last Routemaster in service, would be the last release of their 1:24 scale RM casting. Pressure from markets outside the UK has seen a change of plan and a pink liveried example for Canada was on display, representing a Gray Line Big Pink sightseeing bus promoting a cancer charity. Others may follow."

CLICK HERE to view a photograph of the pink Routemaster which if I have read the destination blind correctly is displaying a destination of Baker Street Station on Route 18. Interestingly the notice beside the model shows the Sunstar stock code of 2916. The "final" Routemaster issued by Sunstar carried the stock code 2914, I wonder what 2915 will be?

"Nuremberg provided one of the first opportunities to see the preproduction version of Corgi's OOC Caetano Levante, displayed in both National Express and East Yorkshire liveries. The model captures well the shape so familiar on UK motorways and should prove popular when released in the spring. Alongside the Levante were Corgi's 2011 livery variations on existing models, quite limited in number and possibly reflecting a near saturation status of the UK 1:76 die-cast bus market.

Oxford Diecast's N gauge range continues to grow with the recently released tram and trolleybus castings giving opportunities for a wide variety of liveries from London and beyond. Coverage will be enhanced in 2011 with a 1949 Burlingham sun saloon coach, initial releases including Yelloway and Whittles of Highley together with the current Plaxton Elite as supplied for National Express operations. Expected in the autumn, Nuremberg was too early to see pre-production work on these, especially how the flush glazing effect will be achieved on the Elite.

Further UK based manufacturers products will be shown at the UK's Model and Hobby show in Coventry at the beginning of March."

EFE MODEL 25107 BRISTOL RELL CUMBERLAND
Many thanks to Peter at Yardley Wood for confirming that the above model comes with the registration number as advertised by EFE, ARM 391J NOT OWT 776M as shown on the pre-production photograph CLICK HERE

Wednesday 23 February 2011

New models
H5013 Bedford OB Coach - British Railways
H2928 1948 RT 962 - JXC 490 - Red London Transport
H2927 1948 RT 1045 - JXN 73 - Green London Transport

Amendment to previously announced model
H5012 Bedford OB Royal Blue has been cancelled and replaced by H5012 Bedford OB Bowles Coaches.  Neil advises that apparently this is the same vehicle as it ran in a later livery.

Tuesday 22 February 2011

Sunday 20th February 2011

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM EFE
I can confirm that the following models have been released and are on sale:
15002DL Leyland National - Brighton Hove & District CLICK HERE
15109 Leyland National MK1 Long Plymouth City Transport CLICK HERE
25107 Bristol RELL - Cumberland CLICK HERE
25306 Duple Half Cab East Yorks CLICK HERE
37501 AEC MKV 4 Axle Dropside Briton Ferry Steel CLICK HERE
37601 AEC Ergo 2 Axle Flatbed Alan Firmin CLICK HERE

Friday 18 February 2011

99709 Red & White RELH CLICK HERE to view
Fleet number: RC 269
Registration number: SAX 2G
Route number: -
Destination: Aberdare

99710 United RELH CLICK HERE to view
Fleet number: 1285
Registration number: BHN 585H
Route number:204
Destination: Ashington

99711 United RELH CLICK HERE to view
Fleet number: 1215
Registration number: 15 XHN
Route number: 202
Destination: Newcastle

99712 Royal Blue Plaxton Panorama CLICK HERE to view
Fleet number: 2398
Registration number: UTT 567J
Route number: X21
Destination: Cheltenham

31503D Routemaster London Transport CLICK HERE to view
Fleet number: RM1095
Registration number: 95 CLT
Route number: 117
Destination: Egham Station

31503E Routemaster London Transport CLICK HERE to view
Fleet number: RM1134
Registration number: 134 CLT
Route number: 81B
Destination: London Airport Central

Thursday 17 February 2011

ATLAS010 AEC Regent/Weymann Double deck - Brighton Hove & District
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 3 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 4 CLICK HERE to view

PHOTOGRAPH OF RECENTLY RELEASED EFE MODEL
Click on the links below to view photographs of a  recently released EFE model courtesy of Ian Kirby:

27812 AEC STL Bus London Transport
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE to view

EFE COMMISSIONED MODELS
Further to my News release of 14th February the stock codes for the two LT Museum commissioned RM's will be 31503D and 31503E, I hope to be able to clarify which one is which in the next few days.

In the same report I mentioned the announcement of a standard EFE release model 36304 BET 6 Bay Twin lamps - I.O.M. Road Services. Due to a typing error at EFE the stock code for this model should have read 35304.

I am aware that the LT Museum have started processing payments for Standing Order Customers for some models in their Victoria Coach Station range which were announced some time ago, so I assume they will be released soon. These models are:

99709 Bristol RELH coach Red & White
99710 Bristol RELH United
99711 Bristol RELH United
99712 Plaxton Panorama Royal Blue

I understand that the two United models are being issued with different destinations. Again I hope to be able to confirm full details for the models and publish photographs within the next few days.

IAN KIRBY AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF EFE MODELS
You will all be aware from viewing my site that Ian Kirby has supplied me with photographs of every EFE standard release model (bus and truck) and many EFE commissioned models for several years. Ian has written to advise me that starting at the beginning of this year he is no longer going to buy every model released by EFE but will instead purchase only some selected fleets. As a result Ian will no longer send me photographs of every model as they are released. I would like to publicly thank Ian for his contributions to the site for which I am extremely grateful and I am sure you will all will agree with me when I say I will miss his excellent photographs. The loss of Ian's photographs means I need to appeal for photographs of models as they are released (not just EFE but contributions of all makes would be very welcome). If you are able to take high resolution photographs of models of a quality similar to that of Ian's photographs and email them to me they would be very appreciated. There would be no need to crop the photographs or compress the size of it prior to sending, I will edit them all prior to use to the format I require for the site. If you are able to assist please EMAIL me.

Wednesday 16 February 2011

2nd posting Tuesday 15 February 2011

Sunday 10th April, 2011 - Annual Spring Gathering

Although Cobham Bus Museum is now closed, its legendary Spring Gathering event will still be taking place in 2011. This will be held on Sunday 10th April, 2011.

Due to the re-development of the old Wisley airfield site, the Spring Gathering will be moving to a new venue at Dunsfold Aerodrome, the home of BBC’s motoring programme, Top Gear.

Dunsfold is a working airfield and offers a great deal of scope for a larger event. The Horse Bus rides - such a success last year - will definitely be a feature of the day, so watch this website for more information as the programme takes shape... you won’t want to miss the day!

‘RF 60’ Event Model

A specially commissioned, limited edition EFE model celebrating the "Sixtieth Anniversary" of London Transport’s RF single-deck bus will be launched at the event.

The model depicts red Central Area RF505 operating from Kingston Garage (K), as a two person crewed vehicle on Route 215, destination Ripley via Esher and Street Cobham, displaying adverts for Green Bus Rover Tickets on the roof panels of the bodywork. This vehicle was from the batch of RF502-538 that were modified from April 1959 to enable their use as one-person-operated (‘OPO’) buses in the Central Bus Area. This involved the fitting of platform doors, the fitment of a luggage rack just inside the saloon (resulting in the loss of 2 seats), a new hinged driver’s cab window and a reversing light. However, once the conversion of these vehicles had been completed, agreement with the Trades Union could not be reached for their use as OPO buses and consequently, they were de-licensed and placed in store at Grays garage. This lasted only for a month or so, before the batch of vehicles re- entered service as crewed vehicles – with the platform doors bolted in the open position – at Norbiton (NB) and Uxbridge (UX) garages, enabling the replacement of the older style half-cab TD class single deckers, dating from 1948/9.

Agreement was made finally with the Trades Union for the conversion of Central Area routes to OPO in 1964 and, on 18th November that year, routes 201 from Norbiton, 206 from Fulwell (FW), 216 from Kingston and 250 from Romford (NS) were converted to one person operation. This enabled the RFs from Kingston to be allocated to other single-deck two person crewed routes (this time with the doors operational!) worked from that garage and our model of RF505 shows one such working that took place in 1965 on route 215, prior to the route’s OPO conversion in January 1966.

The model is limited to 360 pieces and will be available exclusively from the Cobham Marquee at Dunsfold on 10th April 2011, priced at £27 to LBPT Members (please show your membership card) and £30 to non-Members. Any models remaining after the event will be available at the usual enthusiasts events attended by the Cobham Shop or, alternatively, by mail order. To enquire about availability after 10th April, please call the Museum on Wednesday afternoons on 01932 868665 and ask for the Shop Manager, or e-mail richard.jones290@btinternet.com. P&P is £3.50 for the first model and £2.50 for each additional model thereafter.

Tuesday 15 February 2011

New standard release models
18715 Bedford SB Duple vega - United Counties
32305 Bristol RELH Coach - Royal Blue
36304 BET 6 Bay Twin lamps - I.O.M. Road Services

Acton specials
RM1095 on route 117 to Egham Station
RM1134 on route 81B to London Airport Central

EFE 24203 ALEXANDER FLEETLINE - MAIDSTONE & DISTRICT - CLICK HERE
Further to my publishing the photograph of the above on Saturday 12th February, I was advised by Alan Conway that the colours on the NBC badge are incorrect. I contacted EFE today and have been advised that the photograph is of a pre-production sample and the colours on the production version will be correct.

Monday 14th February 2011

NEW KITS FROM KINGSWAY MODELS
The following news has been received from Kingsway Models:

New card kits from Kingsway for producing dioramas for 1/76 scale model road vehicles are:

-RSP Romford Station Parade shops kit - 9" parade of high street shops CLICK HERE to view
-RSPX Romford Station Parade extension kit - extending the original kit by 12" CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE to view
-QV Queen Victoria  typical corner site pub - alternative names included CLICK HERE to view

http://www.kingswaymodels.webs.com/ is the new Kingsway Inspirations site featuring photographs of dioramas built by me of Kingsway kits and also specially commissioned models. It also includes a page of photos of Kingsway models built by customers.

Sunday 13 February 2011

"All good things come to an end and after 15 years supporting and helping develop Showbus it gives me no pleasure to announce that as major sponsor of the Showbus Rally, irreconcilable differences have developed between ourselves and the Showbus committee which have forced us to withdraw our sponsorship of the rally. Therefore we will not be supporting or attending this years Showbus Rally.

The reason for this decision is due to the fact that the Showbus committee are changing the way the rally is structured and this change goes against our principle of supporting and contributing to Museums and Rallies which are run by enthusiast for the enjoyment of enthusiasts and the general public.

I spoke to EFE yesterday and they advised that they will not be producing a commissioned model for the Showbus event this year and that they are looking at attending events around the country but have not yet made any decisions as to which ones.

NEW MODELS ANNOUNCED BY EFE
EFE have announced the following new models. This list includes the two I mentioned in last evenings news.

15002DL Leyland National MkII Long Brighton Hove & District CLICK HERE to view
Fleet number: 51
Registration number: UFG 51S
Route: 1
Destination: Whitehawk
Anticipated release date: March

16011 Leyland PD2 Lowbridge Ribble CLICK HERE to view
Fleet number: 2745
Registration number: CRN 838
Route: 352
Destination: St. Helens
Anticipated release date: March

17226 Leyland National Long 1 Door East Kent CLICK HERE to view. Please note vehicle details are as below and not as shown on the sample model.
Fleet number: 1115
Registration number: MFN 115R
Route: 15
Destination: Dover’s Eastern Docks
Anticipated release date: March

24203 Alexander Fleetline Maidstone & District N.B.C. CLICK HERE to view
Fleet number: 5004
Registration number: GCN 806G
Route: 362
Destination: Leysdown
Anticipated release date: March

25107 Bristol RELL Cumberland CLICK HERE to view
Fleet number: 291
Registration number: ARM 391J
Route: 30
Destination: Whitehaven
Anticipated release date: April

29307 Leyland Olympian Southern National CLICK HERE to view
Fleet number:
Registration number: UWW 10X
Route: 10
Destination: Dorchester
Anticipated release date: April

31804 RMA Routemaster East London Buses CLICK HERE to view
Fleet number: RMA 5
Registration number: NMY 635E
Route: 15B
Destination: Oxford Circus via Bank
Anticipated release date: March

35802 SLF Dart Series 1 Brighton & Hove CLICK HERE to view
Fleet number: 202
Registration number: N202 NNJ
Route: 81
Destination: Goldstone Valley
Anticipated release date: February

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM ATLAS EDITIONS
I can confirm that the following model has now been released:
ATLAS010 AEC Regent/Weymann Double deck - Brighton Hove & District

My model which arrived this morning is missing the front and rear index plates. Has anyone received one of these models with index plates?

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM OXFORD DIECAST
I can confirm that the below models have now been released and are on sale:
NQ1002 Belfast B. U. T. Trolleybus CLICK HERE
NRF002 London Transport (Central) AEC RF CLICK HERE

NSET01 5 X London Transport model gift set was released during January

Saturday 12 February 2011

I will be trying to catch up with all the news from the last two weeks over the weekend. So hopefully from the beginning of next week, I will be fully up to date with the news and it will be business as usual. Below are a few items of news to get started.

CORGI OOC MODELS
Corgi have sent me a  list of their releases up to and including 7th March 2011. There are NO bus models shown as scheduled for release.

EFE MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE
EFE have advised that there will be just one release of models during February and this will be next week (commencing 14th February). The models scheduled for release are:
15002DL Leyland National - Brighton Hove & District (New model not previously announced)
Fleet number: 51
Registration number: UFG 51S
Route number: 1
Destination: Whitehawk
15109 Leyland National MK1 Long Plymouth City Transport CLICK HERE
25107 Bristol RELL - Cumberland (New model not previously announced)
Fleet number: 291
Registration number: ARM 391J
Route number: 30
Destination: Whitehaven
25306 Duple Half Cab East Yorks CLICK HERE
37501 AEC MKV 4 Axle Dropside Briton Ferry Steel CLICK HERE
37601 AEC Ergo 2 Axle Flatbed Alan Firmin CLICK HERE

OXFORD DIECAST MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE
Oxford Diecast have announced that the following models are scheduled for release next week (Commencing 14th February):
NRF003 AEC RF Metrobus Wealdsman CLICK HERE
NRF004 AEC RF BEA CLICK HERE

Friday 11 February 2011

February 2011 - News

This page last updated Monday, 25 February 2013