The London Bus Museum and Jotus. Com Ltd are very pleased to announce the release of a totally new model of a famous London Bus in OO (1:76) scale.

The model is that of a London Transport Leyland CR, to be specific that of CR16 the wonderfully restored example in the London Bus Museum at Brooklands. These rear engined buses were very revolutionary when released to the public and press in 1938. They were designed for one person operation and were originally in central red livery. However the second CR was delivered shortly after the declaration of war and single person operation was unpopular so they had a crew of two which with only 20 seats was not economic, so most were put into storage. The model represents CR16 which is in the country livery and is part of the magnificent display of London Buses at the London Bus Museum, Cobham Hall, Brooklands Rd, Weybridge KT13 0QN see www.londonbusmuseum.com.

A limited edition of the model will be on sale at the museum at it’s world famous Spring Gathering which is on 13th April, the Gathering features restored buses from all over the UK, plus many stalls and shops selling all types of bus related items – it is not just for enthusiasts, it is for all the family, you often hear Granddad saying to their granddaughter ‘I used to go to school on one of them’

The resin model has been carefully created by Jotus with lots of support from the museum, the level of detail is quite breath-taking including a highly detailed interior. Jotus are not new to making models of London buses and have modelled the 1980’s Alisa ‘V’; the one off front entrance Routemaster ‘FRM’ and the most recent is the unusual deck-an-half BEA airport bus see www.jotus.com 

Photograph 1 CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE

Colin Lawrence on behalf of Jotus has advised me that "...This is the pre-production sample and there are a couple of minor things to change, mainly the size of the destination blinds, but we held it against the real thing yesterday and Joe has even modelled the waviness in the rubber fenders, it is truly startling".

For those of you not familiar with The Leyland CR, photographs of CR16 (FXT 122) - the actual vehicle being represented by this model, together with a photograph of a very early prototype of the model can be seen on my London Bus Museum Spring Gathering 2013 News page CLICK HERE.

NEW EFE MODELS ANNOUNCED
Many thanks to Time Tunnel Models for sending me details of four new EFE models, details of two previously announced models and pre-production photographs:

New models
23804 Alexander Atlantean - Gateshead District - CLICK HERE
Fleet number: 134
Registration number: CCN 334
Route number: 7
Destination: Fawdon via Tyne Bridge
Anticipated release date: May 2014

26327 Guy Arab 2 Utility - Stockport - CLICK HERE
Fleet number: 213
Registration number: JA 7613
Route number: 26
Destination: Kingsway, Parrs Wood
Anticipated release date: April 2014

26625 Plaxton Paramount 3500 - East Kent - CLICK HERE
Fleet number: 8243
Registration number: SIB 8243
Route number: - 
Destination: - 
Anticipated release date: May 2014

36706 Dart SLF2 - Northern Go North East - CLICK HERE
Fleet number: 8233
Registration number: X233 FBB
Route number: 35
Destination: South Shields via Sunderland
Anticipated release date: May 2014

Previously announced models
12121 Harrington Cavalier - Northern General - CLICK HERE
Fleet number: 1953
Registration number: MCN 53
Route number: -
Destination: - 
Anticipated release date: April 2014

25812 Daimler DMS - Carlisle Bus - CLICK HERE
Fleet number: 1953
Registration number: MCN 53
Route number: 67
Destination: Belle Vue
Anticipated release date: March 2014

EFE MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE
EFE have today advised that the following models are scheduled for release week commencing 10th March:
24107 Bedford TK Dropside Crosville N.B.C. CLICK HERE
27628 Wright Volvo Renown - Blackburn Transport CLICK HERE
38402 Alexander Bristol RE Coach Manchester P.T.E. CLICK HERE 

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM EFE
I can confirm that the following models have now been released:
12310 Harrington Grenadier Birch Bros CLICK HERE
31806 RMA Routemaster Clydeside Quicksilver CLICK HERE
34110 AEC RT 3 Bus London Country CLICK HERE
30713 AEC Renown - Barton Transport CLICK HERE

ATLAS EDITIONS TRAMS OF THE WORLD SERIES - UPDATE
Atlas Editions have today emailed me a list of the Trams in the series, unfortunately it is very short of detail and in no apparent order, however, it does appear to show 31 models which is consistent with other model series. You will probably recognise some models that have already been released. A note with the list indicates that details may be subject to change so it is for general information only:

Balloon Tram (Blackpool)
Feltham Tram (Feltham)
Brush Railcoach (Blackpool)
Doppelstock Tram (Hong
Kong)
Cabel Car No 25 (San Francisco)
A2.2 Nr 256 (Munich)
Wagen Nr. 505 (Paris)
G 3/3 mit Anhanger (Bern)
C1 (Wien)
Tatra T3 (Prague)
Ce 2/3 Birseckbahn BEB (Basel)
Tranvia Blau Tw 6 (Barcelona)
Wagen Nr. 36 (Flensburg)
Remodelados (Lisbon)
Zeppelinwagen Tw 701 (Nuremburg)
Be 4/4 Nr. 729 (Geneva)
Wagen Nr. 520
Ce 4/4 Nr 321 Elefant (Zurich)
Wagen Nr. 18 (Nantes)
400 Series (New Orleans)
Wagen Nr. 22 (Copenhagen)
Balloon Tram V2 (Blackpool)
GETA 76 (Arnheim)
Tw 5001 (Brussels)
Tram 1500 (Milan)
Feltham Tram V2 (Leeds)
PCC Le Brugeoise (Thuin)
Grosser Hecht TW 1716 (Dresden)
Tw 1 Stibaitalbahn (Innsbruck)
VEB Gothawagen (Berlin)
Tw 4 Halle 1894 (Halle)

Thursday 27th February 2014

NEW BUS FOR LONDON LT24 - CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - PHOTOGRAPHS
Further to my news of last evening, thank you to everybody for their photographs and photographs of other vehicles with the advertising. Click on the links below to view three of the photographs I have been sent:
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE
Photograph 3 CLICK HERE

Monday 24th February 2014

I travelled on LT24 on Friday afternoon (21st February) on the route 24 (Hampstead Heath) from Parliament Square CLICK HERE to view a photograph of her, sadly she is not displaying the Chocolate Factory adverts. John Bennett also photographed the same vehicle on 24th August 2013 CLICK HERE and again she was not carrying the adverts as modelled. Please CLICK HERE to email me if you have a photograph(s) you have taken showing LT24 with the Chocolate Factory adverts and would not mind me adding it to the Gallery photographs pages.

Sunday 23rd February 2014

OM41415A Daimler ROE Grimsby Cleethorpes Transport - 525 pieces
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE
OM41415B Daimler ROE Grimsby Cleethorpes Transport - 475 pieces
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE
OM46113A Plaxton Panther, Oxford Bus Company - 550 pieces
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE
OM46113B Plaxton Panther, Oxford Bus Company - 500 pieces
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE

CORGI DISCONTINUE VINTAGE GLORY RANGE
I thought this announcement may be of interest to you:
Following the order book closure of the Corgi January to June 2014 Catalogue it has become evident that the level of demand at retail for models under the Vintage Glory sub-brand has significantly dropped on previous years. Due to the complexity of the models, we have a set factory minimum order quantity that we must buy to and the current market demand falls substantially short of this requirement. As a result of this we have made the strategic decision not to continue with this range through traditional retail channels. This therefore means that any orders that haven’t been dispatched will be cancelled and the goods will not be supplied. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and would also like to thank-you for your support of the Vintage Glory sub-brand over the years. We would also like to state that this strategic change only applies to the Vintage Glory brand and no other within the collectable Corgi brands.

CONFIRMED RELEASE OF OXFORD DIECAST MODEL
I can confirm that the following model has now been released:
NOWB001 Bedford OWB Royal Navy CLICK HERE

Friday 21st February 2014

Thursday 20th February 2014

UPDATE FROM LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM AND THE NORTHCORD MODEL COMPANY
As I had not heard anything from the London Transport Museum or the Northcord Model Company for a number of months, I emailed both and have copied their replies below for information:

London Transport Museum
"As for model plans – nothing much to report really. As you know, the model bus market is fairly poor at present, so we have moved efforts into model railway market which still seems buoyant. We might do some limited stuff with EFE but no firm plans at present".

The Northcord Model Company
"The long Chinese New Year holiday is well being over. The factory is resuming into normal this week. However I am wondering that the production is being quite slow at the moment".

Unfortunately there is no news at this time of planned models, but If I hear of any definite news from either I will let you know as soon as I can.

Wednesday 19th February 2014

Model 31806 RMA Routemaster Clydeside Quicksilver CLICK HERE was scheduled for release this week, but EFE have advised me that its release has been delayed as it was late arriving in the UK due to rough weather at sea. It will now be released late February (see below).

EFE MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE
The following models are scheduled for release week commencing 24th February 2014:
12310 Harrington Grenadier Birch Bros CLICK HERE
31806 RMA Routemaster Clydeside Quicksilver CLICK HERE
34110 AEC RT 3 Bus London Country CLICK HERE 

In addition to the above, one of the following will be released depending which one arrives in the UK first:
24107 Bedford TK Dropside Crosville N.B.C. CLICK HERE
30713 AEC Renown - Barton Transport CLICK HERE

NEW MODELS ANNOUNCED BY BT-MODELS
BT-Models have announced the following new models, they are shown as a March release:
B109A Bristol Lodekka LD1 SR West Yorkshire - Destination: Bradford CLICK HERE
B109B Bristol Lodekka LD1 SR West Yorkshire - Destination: Harrogate CLICK HERE

Saturday 15th February 2014

BT-Models
B019 Leyland Leopard Duple - WYPTE Metrocoach
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE
Photograph 3 CLICK HERE

Oxford Diecast
76CMP003 CMP LAA Tractor - Royal Blue 
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE

ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES APPRECIATION SOCIETY COMMISSIONED MODEL
Further to my news of 8th February, many thanks to Ian Houston for advising me that the cost of postage for the model is £7.50 (delivery must be signed for) not £2.70 as indicated in the EFE Newsletter. The model can be found at www.onlyfools.net/shop/

Thursday 13th February 2014

15716 Plaxton Panorama - Percy's Luxury Tours
Fleet number: -
Registration number: PEL 915M
Destination: 1989 Jolly Boys Outing, Nags Head, Peckham
Quantity: Not advised

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 5 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 6 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 7 CLICK HERE to view

Tuesday 11th February 2014

Articles of interest
"I am pleased to advise you that we have completely redesigned and rebuilt our website making it more <‘ informative and easier to navigate. The old site which has served us well had been running for many years and
was becoming dated and this system is easier to manage and update. If you have time then have a look at our site exclusivefirsteditions.com and see what you think of our handy work".

"Usually at this time of year we would be informing you of the special subscriber models usually prepared for the New Year. We have not forgotten and I can advise you of one of the models that we have chosen, is the
AEC 1OT1O that Ensignbus have beautifully restored. While still in grey undercoat Ensign took the opportunity to recreate one of the American Red Cross Clubmobiles choosing the vehicle named ‘Oklahoma ‘ and this bus was in service at Ensign’s running day last year. I will send you full details of this model in the next Newsletter".

The Only Fools and Horses Appreciation Society.
"We have made a model of the Plaxton Panorama that featured in the Jolly Boys outing when it caught fire and stranded the boys in Margate. This model priced at £29.99 + £2.70 P&P UK, is in a bespoke printed box
illustrating the event and is available either on line at www.onlyfools.net/shop or by post from LENCO. Victor Avenue, Bowers Gifford, Essex SS13 2DH. Cheques made payable to Trotters Independent Traders".

New models
12121 Harrington Cavalier - Northern General
25812 Daimler DMS 1 door - Carlisle Bus
No other details are given at this time.

Saturday 8th February 2014

BACHMANN COMMISSIONED EFE MODEL
Further to my news of 4th February, many thanks to Andy McClelland who has contacted Bachmann regarding the model. Bachmann have advised that the model will be a Bristol VR3 Open Top in "The Stratford Tour" livery.

OXFORD WEYMANN FANFARE SOUTHDOWN
Many thanks to Neil Davies who has been in contact regarding the above model after seeing the photographs of the sample at Nuremberg. Oxford advised "The PP model went straight to Nuremberg from the factory in China - I haven't seen it yet so have not checked it or given my amendments to the factory!! I will do that next week when they are sent to me and will ensure the ventilators are clear"  - Neil had specifically queried the representation of the window ventilators.

Wednesday 5th February 2014

23324 AEC RF Bus - London Transport CLICK HERE
Fleet number: RF 527
Registration number: MLL 945
Route number: - 
Destination: Staines via Sunbury
Anticipated release date: April

24330 30’ BET Style Coach - East Yorkshire CLICK HERE
Fleet number: 687
Registration number: 6687 KH
Route number: - 
Destination: Birmingham
Anticipated release date: April

27628 Wright Volvo Renown - Blackburn Transport CLICK HERE
Fleet number: 208
Registration number: V208 EBV
Route number: 18
Destination: Feniscowles
Anticipated release date: April

30713 AEC Renown - Barton Transport CLICK HERE
Fleet number: 1116
Registration number: 212 JUS
Route number: 119
Destination: Melton Mobray
Anticipated release date: March

34207 AEC Weymann RLH - Midland General CLICK HERE
Fleet number: 424
Registration number: ONU 631
Route number: C2
Destination: Alfreton
Anticipated release date: March

36902 AEC Regent V - East Kent CLICK HERE
Fleet number: - 
Registration number: GJG 740D
Route number: 52
Destination: Margate Harbour
Anticipated release date: March

BACHMANN COMMISSIONED EFE MODEL
Bachmann announced at the end of last week that a model train set (Shakespeare Express) they would be releasing later this year would contain a specially commissioned EFE model. I spoke with EFE regarding this and they advise that planning is still at an early stage and the details of the model have not yet been confirmed. They also advised that it was unlikely that this model would be issued either as a standard stock item or as a Subscriber offer.

ANOTHER EFE COMMISSIONED MODEL TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY
EFE also advised that in the next issue of their Subscriber newsletter there will be details of a previously unreported commissioned model. No details are available at this time other than the model will be released in a bespoke packaging rather than a standard EFE box.

Tuesday 4th February 2014

76WFA001 Weymann Fanfare - South Wales
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE

76WFL001 Weymann Fanfare - Southdown
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE

76COM001 Commer Commando - Royal Air Force
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE

NOWB001 Bedford OWB - Royal Navy
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE

EFE MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE
EFE have advised me that the following models are scheduled for release week commencing 10th February:
36304 Bedford TK Short Tipper Russell of Bathgate CLICK HERE
31806 RMA Routemaster Clydeside Quicksilver CLICK HERE
38702 Alexander Y-type bus Eastern Counties CLICK HERE

CORGI OOC MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE
Corgi have advised that the following models are scheduled for release week commencing 17th February:
OM41605A Crossley DD42 Lancaster City Transport - 500 pieces
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE
OM41605B Crossley DD42 Lancaster City Transport - 500 pieces
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE

Sunday 2nd February 2014

February 2014 - News

This page last updated Thursday, 27 February 2014