Britbus have further advised me that they are expecting stock to arrive in Hong Kong from the factory next week of the Rennies models N6210A and N6210B

Friday 30 July 2004

This photograph shows a computer generated image of model 2902

Photograph © Sunstar

This photograph shows a computer generated image of model 2903

Photograph © Sunstar

(2nd News Posting) Thursday 29 July 2004

"The 2901 has now been manufactured. It is being shipped this week from China. That means that it will hit the shops towards the end of August".

Thursday 29 July 2004

Tuesday 27 July 2004

15632A
AEC Routemaster
Fleet number: RM6
Registration number: VLT 6
Route number: 159
Destination: Streatham Hill
Quantity: 800 pieces (not certificated)

Saturday 24 July 2004

N6108
Greater Manchester
Fleet number: 1430
Route number: To be announced
Destination: To be announced
Quantity 1008 pieces

This model is being produced  for the Manchester Museum of Transport "The Big Orange" event on Saturday/Sunday 9/10 October 2004 and will be available on the two days at the Museum. Britbus has a stand at this event. The model has been requested by the Museum executive to celebrate the occasion.

N6501
Leicester Corporation
Fleet number: 301
Registration number: GJF 301N
Route number: To be announced
Destination: To be announced
Quantity 1008 pieces

N6108 Greater Manchester

This photograph shows an early pre-production sample of this model

Photograph © Britbus

N6501 Leicester Corporation

This photograph shows an early pre-production sample of this model

Photograph © Britbus

CORGI CLASSICS MODEL SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE NEXT WEEK
The following model is scheduled for release next week (week commencing 26 July 2004):
CC25601 Leyland Atlantean Scout Motor Services

Friday 23 July 2004

29101 Daimler DMS Metrobus
30201 Routemaster London Transport

NEW MODELS ANNOUNCED BY EFE
EFE have announced the following three new models:

27614 Wright Volvo Endurance - The Delaine
28809 Leyland Titan - Blackburn Transport
29504 Plaxton Panorama (roof dome) - Royal Blue

EFE 6TH SUBSCRIBER MAILING 2004
My copy of the above arrived today. There are a number of  items that may be of interest to you and I have published extracts below:

"This year sees the 100th Anniversary of many of the countries Municipal Bus Companies some of which are being commemorated with special events. We have been asked to join in with some of the celebrations by producing models from some of these fleets and you will see that we will shortly be releasing models in the liveries of Preston, Swindon and Colchester" - I will publish details as soon as I know more

".... on the recently released Royal Blue MW coach I referred to it as being the first MW release from the Western National part of the fleet, this was wrong as it was the second. We have decided to change the vehicle registration number of the forthcoming Panorama in Yelloways livery from HVU 244N to TDK 690J as this particular vehicle would better suit our body style. The pictures used in our leaflets to illustrate the RELH D/P Coach in United livery show single headlamps but the model will have the correct twin headlamp style of body and we have also had to correct the registration number on this model after originally taking reference from a publication which we subsequently found to be wrong. A lesson for us all, that it is not wise to blindly trust what we see in print, this is not the first time that we have come across this problem and have had to correct a registration or fleet number" - I have amended the relevant pages to reflect these amendments.

"Subscriber Special Models.
Continuing our Australian Theme next month we will be offering two very attractive Australian buses this time featuring our MCW Atlanteans models" - Again I will publish details as soon as they are known.

(2nd Posting) Thursday 22 July 2004

PRESS RELEASE FROM CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD

HKBUS2004 : Megabus.com in and out of London

Tri-axle Leyland Olympian / Alexander Coach

Just as megabus.com, the UK’s first low-cost inter-city bus service, has expanded its service network across the UK, Creative Master Northcord Limited has proudly released its second megabus.com livery on its well known 11-metre, tri-axle Leyland Olympian / Alexander R-type coach model. HKBUS2004 carries branding for the services operating ‘in and out of London’.

The HKBUS2004 replica, representing fleet number 13607 and registered J703 HMY, was formerly Hong Kong Citybus 164, EW 9215. 13607 was allocated to Stagecoach London’s Leyton Garage along with similar vehicles 13606, 13608 & 13609. From 1^st March 2004 all four buses entered service on Megabus routes from London to Birmingham and the West Country. A fifth bus, 13617, joined the original four in April 2004.

The model carries a distinctive decoration for the London service. There is a big £1 logo on the roof together with ‘in and out of London side branding and ‘London’ on the front destination blind. It also has the feature of a wholly-wrapped decoration on the bonded windows.

As on the previous successful HKBUS2002 megabus.com Dundee - Perth – Glasgow model produced by CMNL, HKBUS2004 has many innovative designs on the tooling, some of which were 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. The model has no ugly metal poles to hold it together. 

The HKBUS2004 model is limited to 1800 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.

This photograph shows the production version of this model

Photograph © Creative Master Northcord Ltd

(1st posting) 06.15am Thursday 22 July 2003

Fleet number: RM6
Registration number: VLT 6
Route number: 159
Limited to 800 pieces

This photograph shows a pre-production sample

Photograph courtesy of Exclusive First Editions © British Model Buses

Tuesday 20 July 2004

Photograph © Britbus

Monday 19 July 2004

Sunday 18 July 2004

The model, ref OM40101 is limited to 1500 pieces and has been commissioned by Allen Green Wholesale with the assistance of the trustees of the Maidstone Trolleybus 72 Restoration fund. It has been produced to commemorate the centenary of public transport in Maidstone that arose on 14 July 2004. An initial small quantity of the models had been shipped to the UK for these celebrations which continue this weekend with a bus rally and running day on Sunday 18 July based in the centre of the town. The model will be available at this event from one of the traders present at 20 pounds each. The main shipment of this model will be more generally available during August.

Trolleybus no 72 was the last trolleybus to operate in Maidstone when the system closed in April 1967 and has been in preservation ever since. It has  recently been restored and repainted to its former glory and will be on display this Sunday. With regard to the model, an amount equal to one pound per model will be donated to the fund to assist in the ongoing restoration of Trolleybus 72.

NEW MODEL COLLECTOR MAGAZINE READER OFFER
The September edition of Model Collector Magazine gives details of a new subscriber model as follows:

Corgi OOC
Optare Solo
Preston Park and Ride
Fleet number: 64
registration number: PN52 ZVO
Route number: 1
Destination: Portway
Limited to 1500 pieces.

The model is priced at £19.99 (£16.99 to magazine subscribers who will be given priority for order) plus P&P UK £1.50 (per model) Overseas £2.50 (per model). The magazine contains the necessary order form.

The image below scanned from the magazine shows fleet number 64 in service.

Scanned image source Model Collector Magazine (September issue)

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM
The long awaited EFE London Transport Museum green RT has now been released. Please note that as previously mentioned this model was totally sold out some time ago through pre-orders to Museum subscribers and none are available for sale. Details are as follows:

10132C
AEC RT
London Transport Green
Fleet number: RT3899
Registration number: LLU 698
Route number: 353
Destination: Berkhamsted Station via Cheshan, Amersham, Chalfont and Slough (Note destination contains a spelling mistake. Should read Chesham)

I hope to bring a photograph of this model soon.

Saturday 17 July 2004

(3rd news posting) Friday 16 July 2004

Photograph 1 CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE
Photograph 3 CLICK HERE
Photograph 4 CLICK HERE
Photograph 5 CLICK HERE
Photograph 6 CLICK HERE
Photograph 7 CLICK HERE
Photograph 8 CLICK HERE
Photograph 9 CLICK HERE
Photograph 10 CLICK HERE

(2nd news posting) Friday 16 July 2004

BRITBUS PRESS RELEASE - NEW CASTING ANNOUNCED

And now for something just a little different!

……..especially for those of us that sometimes like to see red……

The first NEW casting from AsianbuS is due for release SOON!

The first model is Britbus model number GS 02-GUY ARAB III

PARK ROYAL BODIED Double deck bus dating from way back in 1949.

One of a fleet of 20 similar buses it was a rare thing for The BIRMINGHAM and MIDLAND MOTOR OMNIBUS CO. Ltd. to purchase vehicles virtually “off the shelf” as we would say these days. The Company was famed for producing its own chassis and engines, but due to the shortage of materials and the aftermath of the second World War when Great Britain was resuming its place as a leading power in the World, this long established policy could not be followed and hence the purchase of these unusual buses.

The Prototypes were purchased using local suppliers and the bodies were supplied by GUY Motors based on Park Royal steel frames and engined with a powerful locally produced MEADOWS six cylinder engine. The fleet spent the major part of its life based at Dudley Garage – a mountainous part of the “Black Country”.

It is fitting that in this year of 2004 it is the Centenary celebrations of the Company. – even though the actual BMMO as such is “Gone forever” !!  It is perhaps appropriate that the 100 years are to be remembered and celebrated at the famed Black Country Museum that is located in the Dudley area.

Please note: I will be uploading photographs very soon.

(1st news posting) Friday 16 July 2004

N 6210A Rennies of Dunfermline. Limited to 504 pieces (Mostly red livery)
N 6210B Rennies of Dunfermline. Limited to 504 pieces (More cream than red)

The photograph below shows early pre-production samples of both, I will be publishing further photographs of both models later today.

This photograph shows early pre-production samples of these models. Version A on the left, version B on the right

Photograph © Britbus

Monday 12 July 2004

Sunday 11 July 2004

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM BRITBUS
I can confirm that the following models have now been released and are on sale:
N6212A MCW Metropolitan LT
N6212B MCW Metropolitan LT

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM EFE
I can confirm that the following models have now been released and are on sale:
16216 Bristol MW Royal Blue
17701 Leyland National Colchester Borough Transport

CONFIRMED RELEASE OF MODEL COLLECTOR MAGAZINE SPECIAL
I can confirm that The latest magazine reader offer has now been dispatched to those who ordered it:
OM40811 Bristol Lodekka FS Southern Vectis

I hope to publish a photograph of this model later in the weekend.

Friday 9 July 2004

City Sightseeing Oxford

UKBUS0004

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL) is proud to announce the imminent release of its fourth specially commissioned model. In this instance the model has been commissioned by City Sightseeing and appears in the livery of City Sightseeing Oxford. The base for this special model is the Plaxton President Open-top Dennis Trident casting and the model is certain to be a collectible item due to the precise application of the City Sightseeing Oxford livery. The model is numbered UKBUS0004 in a special series for commissioned models.

The eye-catching livery is applied with care to ensure that its multi-faceted icons and motifs are represented like in real life. The smooth sides of the Plaxton President base model assist in the application of the complex livery and ensure that no detail is lost.

This replica is a one-piece casting whose construction ensures that there are no ugly metal poles to hold it together.

The City Sightseeing Oxford bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively. These models will also be available through certain City Sightseeing outlets.

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

This photograph shows the production version of this model

Photograph © Creative Master Northcord Ltd

06.15am Thursday 8 July 2004

HKBUS2004 Leyland Olympian coach -'megabus.com -in &out of London' (this is a UK bus - J703 HNY). Further details will be given as soon as they are known.

Wednesday 7 July 2004

EFE MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE THIS WEEK
The following models are scheduled for release this week:
16216 Bristol MW Royal Blue
17701 Leyland National Colchester Borough Transport

EFE MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE WEEK COMMENCING 26 JULY 2004
The following models are scheduled for release week commencing 26 July:
29101 Daimler DMS Metrobus
30201 Routemaster London Transport

EFE STOCK NUMBERS FOR LT MUSEUM SET 12 MODELS
The individual EFE stock code numbers for the models in the above set  are as follows:
30301 RM 1 (red)
30302 RM2 (green)

Monday 5 July 2004

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD
I can confirm that the following models have been released and are now on sale:
UKBUS1016 Dennis TridentALX400 Stagecoach A1 Service
UKBUS3003 Plaxton Dennis Dart MPD Metroline

NEW MODELS ANNOUNCED BY EFE
EFE have announced the following 3 new models:

16525
MCW Leyland Atlantean
Great Yarmouth Corporation
Fleet number: 4
Registration number: DEX 704
Route number: 1
Destination: Wellington Pier

16606
Leyland National MK1 Short 2 Door
London Transport
Fleet number: LS24
Registration number: KJD 524P
Route number: 227
Destination: Crystal Palace

20131
Bedford OB Coach
Wallace Arnold
Fleet number: -
Registration number: KUA 510
Route number: -
Destination: Brighton

The release date of the above models are not known at this time.

DETAILS OF PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED EFE MODELS
I am able to give details of previously announced EFE models as follows:

24813
Mercedes Minibus
Northumbria
Fleet number: 963
Registration number: H802 SKY
Route number: 33
Destination: Cresswell

27309
Leyland TD1 (closed rear)
Samuel Ledgard
Fleet number: -
Registration number: UB 5746
Route number: -
Destination: Bradford via Pudsey

29604
Leyland Olympian
Preston Bus
Fleet number: 136
Registration number: G36 OCK
Route number: 16
Destination: Farringdon Park

Sunday 4 July 2004

July 2004 - News

This page last updated Monday, 25 February 2013