NEWS OF A COMMISSIONED CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD MODEL
Model Collector magazine (Christmas 2009 edition) gives details of a model commissioned by Harburn Hobbies of Edinburgh. The model features an Alexander Royale in Lothian Buses madder and white livery. Fleet number 262 on route 12 to Leith Links. It will carry side adverts for Harburn Hobbies and an offside "T" advert for Edinburgh Tours. For further details Harburn Hobbies can be contacted on 0131 556 3233 or email sales@harburnhobbies.co.uk

Friday 30 October 2009

NEW BUS GARAGE KIT FROM KINGSWAY MODELS
Kingsway models have advised me of a new kit release which features ISLEWORTH London Transport trolleybus depot CLICK HERE. Full details can be found at www.kingswaymodels.com

CONFIRMED RELEASE CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD COMMISSIONED MODEL
I can confirm that  Chris Hall's UKBUS0028 Enviro 200 Stagecoach Bluebird "Whisky Trail" has now been released. To view photographs of the model click on the links below. To enquire about availability email Chris at bluebirdenviro@googlemail.com

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

Sunday 25 October 2009

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM OXFORD DIECAST
I can confirm the following models have now been released and are on sale:
NOB006 Bedford OB Yelloway CLICK HERE
NRM008 Routemaster East Yorkshire CLICK HERE
(1:43rd Scale) 43SP016 Open Top Routemaster Washington Sightseeing CLICK HERE

Saturday 24 October 2009

EFE 36002 LEYLAND RTL LONDON TRANSPORT
EFE have advised me that Release Sheet Issue 9 2009 has a typing error in respect of the above model. The destination should read route 35A Epping to Clapham Common, not Clapton Common, CLICK HERE to view the blind as it appears on the model.

EFE MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE
EFE have advised me that the following models are scheduled for release next week (commencing 26th October):
16128 Leyland PD2 Highbridge Southdown CLICK HERE
26322 Guy Arab Utility London Transport CLICK HERE
32402 Bristol RELH Coach Bristol Greyhound CLICK HERE
22911 Bedford TK Box Van United Dairies CLICK HERE

EFE MODEL 16323DL BRISTOL LS GREENLINE
EFE have advised that the above model originally shown as an August release is now due for release during November (date to be confirmed).

Wednesday 21 October 2009

OM40405a AEC Regent II - Mansfield  District Traction Co. - Woodhouse Dual Destination
OM40405b AEC Regent II - Mansfield  District Traction Co. - Sutton-in-Ashfield Dual Destination
In 1932 Mansfield District Traction Co Ltd replaced its fleet of trams with 34 AEC Regent IIs. A total of 56 were delivered before the war. A further 40 post war vehicles were fitted with 7.7 diesel engines, crash gearboxes, and carried Weymann H30/26R bodies. No 126 modelled here was one of the last batch of 15 delivered in 1947. During the years of service the side destination box was panelled over, and successive repaints produced changes in livery style. It was one of the last Regent IIs to remain in service before being withdrawn in 1966. The bus was selected for preservation and now resides in the Midland Road Transport Gallery at the Midland Railway – Butterly. www.midlandrailwaycentre.co.uk

OM46207 Scania Irizar PB - Johnsons Quality Coach & Bus Travel - Henley-In-Arden,
Warwickshire Johnsons was established in 1909 and still remain a proud family run firm as it enters its 101st year in business. Operating from purpose built premises in Henley-in-Arden, Johnsons fleet consists of various sized vehicle from 8 seater  Transits to 49 seater executive coaches. They won ‘Coach Operator of the Year’ in 2005 and are expanding further with a near £1m investment program; including 3 new double deckers to run along the A3400 using exactly the same route operated by the company in the 1920’s when they first started transporting fare paying passengers. The Scania Irizar joined the fleet in 2008 and was purchased in time to join the touring fleet for the start of the tourist season.

OM41221 Wright Eclipse Gemini - Bus Eireann - Lotabeg
Bus Éireann, Ireland’s national bus company, operates a fleet of over 1,400 vehicles on a wide range of services – Expressway interurban coach routes, including Eurolines services to Britain; city and rural services throughout Ireland; and a nationwide school transport scheme. The 2008 fleet upgrade programme included a batch of 10 Wright Gemini double deckers on Volvo B9TL chassis, of which four are allocated to Dublin (Broadstone depot) for suburban services and six are allocated to Cork for the extensive city services network. VWD 10 is used on the busy cross-city Route 8 (Bishopstown/Lotabeg via City Centre and Mayfield). Their introduction marks the first use of double deckers on Cork city routes since being withdrawn from the Park & Ride service in 2004.

OM45608a BMMO D9 - Midland Red - Dudley via Grazebrook Dual destination
OM45608b BMMO D9- Midland Red - Cradley Heath via Grazebrook Dual Destination
Midland Red was formed in 1904 and, outside of London, became the largest bus operator in England. At its peak, Midland Red ran a fleet of 1,900 vehicles, carrying one million passengers a day. Many additions to the fleet between 1923 and 1970 were designed and built internally with post-war productions being badged BMMO (Birmingham & Midland Motor Omnibus Company Limited). Bus 5399 was new in 1965 and was one of 345 BMMO  D9 buses. It ran from Black Country garages until being transferred to Stafford and then Leicester before finally being retained for special duties. It is now in the collection of The Transport Museum, Wythall, where the exterior has been restored to its original livery. 

OM43709 London Trolley Bus - Hanwell Broadway
1879 was the highest numbered vehicle at Hanwell depot, which also had the highest trolleybus allocation on the system – 75 trolleybuses in 1952.  Here it is operating on the 607 route to Uxbridge (the most westerly terminus on the London system) from Shepherds Bush which ran at one minute intervals at peak times.  Fleet number 1879 was one of the second batch of Q1's delivered in 1952.  From January 1953, a number of Q1's were allocated to the 607 with a final total of 20 being garaged at Hanwell.  1879 shows a depot working to Hanwell Broadway, the garage address. Interestingly, route 607 passed within a stones throw of the AEC works at Southall where a trolleybus test track existed.

Tuesday 20 October 2009

OM40405 AEC Regent II Mansfield CLICK HERE This model will be available with split destinations
OM40405A AEC Regent II Mansfield Destination 1 CLICK HERE
OM40405B AEC Regent II Mansfield Destination 2 CLICK HERE

OM41221 Wright Eclipse Gemini Bus Eireann CLICK HERE

OM43709 Q1 Trolley Bus London CLICK HERE

OM45608 BMMO D9 Midland Red CLICK HERE This model will be available with split destinations
OM45608A BMMO D9 Midland Red Destination 1 CLICK HERE
OM45608A BMMO D9 Midland Red Destination 2 CLICK HERE

OM46207 Scania Irizar PB Johnsons CLICK HERE

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD IMAGE UPDATE
The UK Distributor of CMNL models has emailed images of the real buses to be represented in future CMNL models. CLICK HERE to view

Monday 19 October 2009

Sunday 18 October 2009

Week commencing 2nd November
OM46013 Wright Eclipse Urban East Yorkshire CLICK HERE
(Split destinations Hull City Centre via Princess Avenue and Endyke Lane via Princess Avenue) - 1100 pieces
OM49801 Olympic Handover Bus - Enviro 400 - 5000 pieces

The mid November releases are week commencing 16th November and there are no buses listed amongst those models.

CORGI JANUARY/MARCH SUPPLEMENT
Corgi have advised me that the supplement catalogue will be released this Monday 19th October. I will let you know as soon as I hear anything.

Saturday 17 October 2009

JOTUS
Also thanks to Time Tunnel Models for advising me that the recently released Jotus model Alexander Volvo Ailsa B55 MKIII London Transport V3 CLICK HERE which was released in Hong Kong just before Showbus will now be available in the UK via the importer John Ayrey. Talking to Jotus at Showbus I understand that further UK models may be released but no details are available at this time. The stock code for this model will be RE7660. Neil at Time Tunnel advises that the RRP of these models is £74.99 although he is selling to pre-order customers at £64.99.

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM EFE
I can confirm that the following models have now been released and are on sale:
20639 Pointer Dart North Western Premier CLICK HERE
30005 AEC 10T10 London Transport CLICK HERE
37001 Foden S24 Artic Oval Tanker James Hemphill Ltd CLICK HERE

COMMISSIONED CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD "WHISKY TRAIL" MODEL UKBUS0028
Further to my news dated 15 August 2009, Chris Hall has advised me that he has taken delivery of his stock of models and is preparing orders for dispatch. CLICK HERE to view a pre-production sample photograph. Chris advises he has a few unsold models so if you would like to order one before they sell out please email Chris at bluebirdenviro@googlemail.com as soon as possible.

Friday 16 October 2009

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LIMITED PRESS RELEASE
The below press release has been received this morning from CMNL:

UKBUS8012 Alexander Dennis Enviro200Dart

Stagecoach in Cambridge

Creative Master Northcord Limited is pleased to announce the release of Alexander Dennis Enviro200Dart UKBUS8012, the 10.7m long wheelbase version with gasket windows of the casting of this distinctive modern single-decker in the United Kingdom.

The latest livery to be carried on this version of the brand new model is Stagecoach in Cambridge. It has ‘citi’ route branding decoration.

UKBUS8012 represents fleet number 36011 (AE07 KYS) and is shown on route 4 to Cambourne.

The Alexander Dennis Enviro200Dart UKBUS8012 is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the square-mounted, gasket windows and the livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible.

Creative Master Northcord is creating new design standards in the layout of the interior in the replica. These features inside the compartment represent the really outstanding layout of the Enviro200Dart, such as the additional seats on the wheel arch on the offside, and extensive portrayal of handrails in the compartment. 

The brand new Enviro200Dart bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Transit Graphics (Australia), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), cnmycar.com (P.R. China) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively. The UKBUS8012 model is limited to 828 pieces worldwide.

Photograph1 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph2 CLICK HERE to view

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

Thursday 15 October 2009

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD - NEWS RELEASE
The below news release has been received today from CMNL:

UKBUS4015 Detail Update

Following receipt of requests for information regards this model, CMNL is happy to confirm the details of the bus that provides the prototype are as below :

Fleet number : 269

Registration number : P269 PSX

Route number : 15A

Destination : Eastfield

Lothian Buses’ 269 was withdrawn on the morning of 29^th July 2009 and was the last fully madder and white Royale to operate across the city centre in normal service. The model will recreate the last normal service journey of this bus on that date.

The withdrawal of 269 left 4 Royales in the operational fleet : 432 in Lothian Red and 272, 278 and 282 with madder and white fronts only as the remaining bodywork was covered in advertising for Scottish Hydro Electric.

The final day for multi-step entrance buses was exactly one month later – on 29^th August 2009 when these 4 remaining buses were joined for a very low-key, final journey in duplicate service by Lothian Buses’ “preserved” Royale 285.

To view a photograph of fleet number 269 (P269 PSX) CLICK HERE to view

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

Wednesday 14 October 2009

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD
I can confirm that the following models  have now been released and are on sale:
IEPLUS1001 Dublin bus stop set CLICK HERE
UKBUS6020 Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 ADL Demonstrator Hybrid bus CLICK HERE

NEW KIT CASTING FROM MIRROR IMAGE MODELS
Mirror Image Models have advised me of a new casting addition to their range of kits:

M23 Guy Arab MKV Northern Counties as operated by Lancashire United Transport CLICK HERE

The kit is made from one piece resin polyurethane body shell with upstairs / downstairs seating unit, complete with plastic rubber wheel sets plus printed glazing and instructions. The cost of the kit is £37.00 each plus £3.00 postage & packaging per order UK only.

This kit is in stock on the Mirror Image Models website www.mirror-image-models.co.uk (if ordering by post make cheques to A's Models of Bolton) and post to:
A's Models of Bolton
P.O. Box 514
Bolton
Lancs
BL1 5YD

Saturday 10 October 2009

Confirmed details for this weekends Acton model are:
31902A RML Arriva CLICK HERE
Fleet number: RML 2483
Registration number: JJD 483D
Route number: 38
Destination: Clapton Pond

It is hoped that the model of RML 2688 ( SMK 688F) will be available later this year.

EFE MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE
EFE have advised that the following models are scheduled for release next week:
20639 Pointer Dart North Western Premier CLICK HERE
30005 AEC 10T10 London Transport CLICK HERE
37001 Foden S24 Artic Oval Tanker James Hemphill Ltd CLICK HERE

Thursday 8 October 2009

The Museum advises that they also hope to release another model in December. This time RML 2483 (JJD 483D) again on Route 38 to Clapton Pond. Those customers ordering on Standing order will be first to receive them, and then additional models will be made available in the shop and on the web at a later date.

The price of both models the above models will be £29.99 each.

I will publish photographs of the models as soon as I receive them from EFE.

Wednesday 7th September 2009

The model carries the Corgi stock code OM40803/A in Brighton Hove & District Livery with a 25th anniversary on the nearside (I have not seen a photograph of the offside of the model yet). From the photograph on the magazine cover the details appear to be:
Fleet number: 2063
Registration number: DAP 63C
Route number: 46
Destination: Hollingbury

This model is carrying the same details as model OM40802 released in July 2002 and a is a rework of Corgi Collectors Club model OM40803 (For some unknown reason I do not have a photograph of this) released in August 2002. The model is limited to 250 pieces and is available to members (one model per member) on a first come first served basis. Cost to members inc P&P UK £29.99, Europe £30.99, Rest of world £31.99. The club advise that they are holding back some stock for overseas members.

CORGI COLLECTOR CLUB - CLUB MODEL 2009
Also in my report dated 15th August I mentioned the Corgi Collectors Club model would feature a Crossley DD42 Leeds Corporation. The latest edition of the magazine reports that the model will be a "split destination" model (although no further details are give) and that it is running a little behind schedule and will now be available in November 2009

EFE PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED MODELS RELEASE DATES
EFE have advised anticipated release dates for 6 previously announced models details and photograph are also announced for a previously announced model not on display at Showbus:

16128 Leyland PD2 Highbridge Southdown CLICK HERE - Due October 2009
22911Bedford TK Box Van United Dairies CLICK HERE - Due November 2009
31504 Routemaster RM London Transport CLICK HERE - Due December 2009
34904 Leyland Olympian Coach Southern Vectis CLICK HERE - Due November 2009
36002 Leyland RTL London Transport CLICK HERE - Due November 2009

Previously announced model not at Showbus
25004 Bristol RELL Eastern National CLICK HERE
Fleet number: SD1510
Registration number: FVX 612H
Route number: 19
Destination: Southend Victoria Bus Station
Anticipated release date: November 2009

Monday 5 October 2009

Saturday 3 October 2009

FRIENDS OF LT MUSEUM CHARITY AUCTION
The Friends of the LT Museum are holding another charity auction on eBay to view the auction items CLICK HERE. As part of the auction the Friends of the Museum are auctioning 10 EFE Routemaster models, each carries the signature of the Mayor of London. The text below is taken from the auction listing:

"London Transport Model Routemaster Bus with Mayor Boris Johnson's Signature
Exclusive opportunity to own your own commemorative model Routemaster celebrating the 2009 Covent Garden Dinner and Auction, featuring Mayor Boris Johnson's signature.
This is one of only 70 produced.
Model No: 31503C
No 9 bus to Mortlake RM 1563"

Although the eBay listing states 70 models were produced, EFE state 72 certificated models were produced for the 2009 Covent Garden Dinner and Auction which took place late September.

Click on the links below to view photographs of the production version of the model courtesy of EFE:
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE To view
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE To view

4 NEW EFE MODELS
Whilst speaking to EFE today they have confirmed that 4 previously unannounced models listed on the EFE Master list on the Exclusive First Editions Website are to be released although no timescales are known at this time. With regard 29409 I understand this "is an intended rework model but not in the pipeline yet".

One further model is listed on the Master list as 29202 Leyland Titan China Motor Bus. EFE state it is not known if this will ever be produced.

The details listed below are from the Master List but are not the confirmed release details (may be subject to change).

23605 Bedford TK Luton Box Van Woodlands Transport Tunbridge Wells
Registration number: GKM 140D

29409 Bristol RELH Coach Cambus
Fleet number: 153
Registration number: GCL 344N
Route number: 799
Destination: Cambridge

35202 B.E.T 6 Bay Bus single headlights Yorkshire Traction
Fleet number: 1297
Registration number: CHE 297C
Route number: 42B 
Destination: Kingstone Barnsley

35701 B.E.T 4 Bay Bus Twin Headlights Greenline (silver grey and green livery)
Fleet number: RC 12
Registration number: CUV 70C
Garage number: DG42
Route number: 705
Destination: Windsor via London Airport Express

CORGI OOC NEW CATALOGUE
Earlier this year I reported that Corgi were moving to 6 monthly catalogues. I have received the below communication from Corgi today which explains when the next catalogues will be announced:

"....... In line with this we will release a small supplement on 15th October 09 for the months of January, February and March to enable us to commence with the new release program of the Main Catalogue for April to September 2010. The main catalogue will be released on the 5th January 2010 during the Margate Hornby Previews".

Friday 2 October 2009

The model details are as follows:
31906 Routemaster RML - Thomas Tilling (Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company)
Fleet number: RML2317
Registration number: CUV 317C
Route number: 5
Destination: Patcham

I will publish details of how to order the model when I receive details from Ian Allan

Photograph 1 CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE
Photograph 3 CLICK HERE
Photograph 4 CLICK HERE
Photograph 5 CLICK HERE
Photograph 6 CLICK HERE

Many thanks to everyone who sent me photographs of the real bus. I received about 20 photographs and will sort through them and publish a  few of the over the next few days. Unfortunately virtually every photographer commented on the position of the bus in relation to the sun but I have a number of good images I intend to use.

EFE ON THE DAY SHOWBUS MODEL 35301 BET SOUTHDOWN
Click on the links below to view photographs of the model released at Showbus:
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE
Photograph 3 CLICK HERE
Photograph 4 CLICK HERE

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM OXFORD DIECAST
I can confirm that the following model was released a few days ago and is on sale:
NRM007 Routemaster London Transport CLICK HERE

Thursday 1 October 2009

October 2009 - News

This page last updated Monday, 25 February 2013