April to June 2025 - News

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NORTHCORD MODEL COMPANY - PRESS RELEASE
The following press release has been received from the Northcord Model Company:

UKBUS6541 ADL Enviro400 MMC - Xplore Dundee

Following the significant success in launching the brand new casting of the Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC model in the liveries of National Express West Midlands, Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, Bluestar, Stagecoach West Scotland, Southern Vectis, Stagecoach South, Ensign Bus, Xplore Dundee, Stagecoach North West, Go North East, Stagecoach North Scotland, Go South Coast, Reading Buses, Greater Manchester Bee Network and McGill’s Midland Bluebird, Northcord Model Company is now releasing the twenty fifth version – UKBUS6541 in the livery of McGill’s Xplore Dundee with branding for “your city your buses”.

UKBUS6541 represents fleet number 8905 (SN69ZNV) that has 10.9 metre, single door bodywork with SmartVision camera mirrors, and was new to National Express Group-owned Xplore Dundee in December 2019 when it was allocated fleet number 6683. 8905 is one of the nine Alexander Dennis Enviro400 SmartHybrids finished to Emerald-specification entering service in late 2019. At this time, it carried branding for route 5, primarily, with additional route identification for “Outer Circle” routes 9 & 10.

Since the acquisition by McGill’s Bus Services in December 2020, 8905 was repainted with McGill’s corporate-style Xplore Dundee livery in early 2024. This livery mirrored double deckers that were in service with Midland Bluebird – the Dundee ones carrying a green-based scheme whereas the Midland ones featured a blue-based scheme and exemplified by UKBUS6536, released by NMC last month.

8905 carries a full, branded livery of ‘your city your buses’ for route 22, showing the destination to Ninewells H. The special, comprehensive livery and branding are 100% reproduced onto the UKBUS6541 model. The stand-out features of the branding are : “your city your buses since 1921” on both sides and the rear; “we’re McGill’s” and “XPLORE DUNDEE” on both sides; “WiFi usb pay” at the front and on the nearside; “buses with latitude get around in style” on the rear, together with the name “RUBEN PEARSON” on the front, below the destination screen.

UKBUS6541 is the second ADL Enviro400 MMC Xplore Dundee model produced by Northcord Model Company. The previous Enviro400 MMC, UKBUS6521, representing 6695, and registered SK68MBO, carries full branding for route 22 with the destination at the front displaying “Craigowl”. UKBUS6521 models were launched in December 2020 with twin traditional mirrors.

The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC UKBUS6541 is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the square, gasket-mounted windows and the livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. Another main feature on the UKBUS6541 model is its tree deflector at the front to protect the front screen, front dome and side window. The front dome on the model is significant, with curved windscreens on both upper deck and lower deck.

Northcord Model Company is also creating new design standards within the interior of both saloons. These features, inside the compartments, will represent the real, outstanding layout of the Enviro400 MMC, such as the extensive portrayal of handrails on upper deck and lower deck, etc.

he brand new Enviro400 MMC bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), 80M Bus Model Shop (HK) respectively. The UKBUS6541 model is limited to 1008 pieces worldwide.

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Northcord Model Company (NMC)
------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

Tuesday 27th May 2025


CONFIRMED RELEASES IN THE UK FROM THE NORTHCORD MODEL COMPANY
I can confirm that the following models have been released in the UK:

UKBUS6536 ADL Enviro400MMC McGill’s Midland Bluebird Unilink
Fleet number: 8937
Registration number:
Route number: SN65CVL
Destination: UNILINK To Uni
Quantity: 1200 pieces
Released late April 2025.

UKBUS6537 ADL Enviro400 MMC – Stagecoach South Coastliner
Fleet number: 11600
Registration number: YX23ORG
Route number: 700
Destination: Chichester via Bognor Regis
Quantity: 1008 pieces
Released May 2025.

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Friday 9th May 2025


PHOTOGRAPHS OF NORTHCORD MODEL UKBUS6539
Further to the Northcord Press release of earlier today, please see additional photographs taken by me showing the production version of the model:

UKBUS6539 ADL Enviro400 MMC – Stagecoach East London Ambassador
Fleet number: 12400
Registration number: YX16OHS
Route number: 145
Destination: Fair Cross Barking Bus Garage
Quantity: 1008
Anticipated release date UK June 2025

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2nd posting Tuesday 6th May 2025


NORTHCORD MODEL COMPANY - PRESS RELEASE
The following press release and photographs have been received this morning from the Northcord Model Company: 

UKBUS6539 ADL Enviro400H MMC - East London Ambassador

Northcord Model Company is pleased to announce the release of UKBUS6539, the eighth release of the 10.3 metre, 2-door casting of this distinctive, modern, double-decker in the United Kingdom.The eighth livery to be carried on the brand-new Alexander Dennis Enviro400H MMC model, is Stagecoach London, produced in distinctive East London Ambassador livery.

UKBUS6539 represents fleet number 12400 (YX16OHS) that has 10.3 metre, dual-door bodywork and was new to Stagecoach London in July 2016. 12400 has a Euro6 hybrid driveline. The model carries the roof fleet number SCG 12400.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Barking Bus Garage, Stagecoach London repainted Enviro400H MMC 12400 into a traditional London Transport livery, similar to that worn on the Leyland Titans and other classic London buses. 12400 had debuted on Saturday 23rd March 2024, at an open day held at Barking Bus Garage which marked its century in that year. 12400 is based at Stagecoach London’s Barking Garage where it operates on busy route 145. 12400 carries the route 145 destination heading to Fair Cross with Barking Bus Garage in the lower line of the destination. 

The stand-out features on the 12400 are: “East London Ambassador”, “Celebrating 100 years of Barking Bus Garage” on both sides and “Stagecoach” with ‘beach-ball’ logo on all sides. 

The Alexander Dennis Enviro400H MMC UKBUS6539 is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the square-cornered, patented quick-release windows of the real bus and the livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. Another main feature on the UKBUS6539 model is its individual tree protector at the front. The front dome on the model is significant, with curved windscreens on both upper deck and lower deck.

Northcord Model Company is also creating new design standards within the interior of both saloons. These features, inside the compartments, will represent the real, outstanding layout of the Enviro400H MMC, such as the extensive portrayal of handrails on upper deck and lower deck, etc. 

The brand new Enviro400H MMC bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), 80M Bus Model Shop. respectively. The UKBUS6539 model is limited to 1008 pieces worldwide.

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Northcord Model Company (NMC)
------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

Tuesday 6th May 2025


PHOTOGRAPHS OF RECENTLY RELEASED EFE ROADMODELS
Please see photographs of two of the five EFE Models released during April:

40602 – Leyland Atlantean Open Top - Ribble 
Fleet number: 1927
Registration number: 927GTA
Route number: 02 
Destination: Excursion

40603 – Leyland Atlantean Open Top - First Glasgow 
Fleet number: 39989
Registration number: ABV669A
Route number: - 
Destination: Glasgow Sightseeing

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Tuesday 6th May 2025


NEW MODELS ANNOUNCED BY EFE ROAD
I am not able to attend the Brooklands Show today, but have received the following News release and photographs direct from EFE Road with details of four new models being announced today:

NEW LEYLAND TITAN B15 MODELS FROM EFE ROAD

Today (Sunday 13th April 2025) Bachmann Europe Plc has unveiled four new 1:76 scale  Leyland Titan B15 buses as part of its expanding EFE Road range of diecast collectables. The announcement was made at the London Bus Museum’s Spring Gathering event at the famous Brooklands racing circuit.

The Leyland B15 project was conceived in 1973 as a modern replacement for aging bus types such as the Bristol VRT and Leyland’s own Atlantean. It was designed to incorporate the standardised and integral construction techniques so successfully employed on the Leyland National.

The design was heavily influenced by London Transport’s requirements, such as the option of dual and single door variants, and two of the five B15 prototypes were extensively tested in London. Production was initially carried out by Park Royal Vehicles, with the first Titan – as the B15 was known – entering service in August 1978. However, production was hampered by delays, including the closure of Park Royal and the transfer of production to Workington, which resulted in a number of Titan orders being cancelled. As a consequence, London Transport became almost the sole customer for the new bus.

The Titan would go on to serve the Capital for the next decade, with withdrawals commencing in 1992. Many were subsequently sold off to second users, with some 400 seeing service on Merseyside, while others ended up in different homes around the country. Many remained in London, although numbers depleted after privatisation, and most had disappeared from the Capital by the early 2000s.

The four new models are based on the Exclusive First Editions dual door Leyland Titan tooling. Each is finished in a highly detailed livery never before seen on an EFE Titan, and which represent their full-size counterparts as operating during the 1990s, both in and outside of London. The new models are:

28830 – Leyland Titan B15 London & Country 911 Route 188 Euston
This model depicts registration CUL 167V, a 1980-built Titan that was formerly London Transport’s T167. It is presented in its 1994 condition as London & Country fleet number 911, and finished in London & Country’s distinctive two-tone green, complete with London Transport Service stickers. The model carries Route 188 to Euston blinds.

28831 – Leyland Titan B15 London Coaches T343 Route 52 Victoria Bus Station
Our model represents registration KYV 343X, which went new to London Transport in November 1981. The model depicts it as running on London Coaches’ 24-hour Route 52 during 1994, and wearing a striking red and white livery with Route 52 map branding. Route 52 blinds are carried, with a Victoria destination.

28833 – Leyland Titan B15 London Forest T82 Docklands Express D1 Waterloo Stn
Here we have registration A827 SUL, fleet number T827, which was built in 1983, although the model shows it as running a decade later with London Forest, and carrying full Route D1 Docklands Express branding. Waterloo Station destination blinds are carried – Route D1 linking Waterloo with the Isle of Dogs.

28837 – Leyland Titan B15 Kinch Bus KYV371X Route 126 Via Alan Moss Rd
The model depicts registration KYV 371X, formerly LT number T371, which was one of several Titans sold to G K Kinch of Barrow, near Loughborough, following withdrawal from the Capital. The model shows it in its circa 1994 guise, wearing full Kinchbus blue and yellow paintwork, as working service 126 to Leicester, Loughborough and Shepshed via Alan Moss Road.

EFE Road spokesman, Gary Boyd-Hope, said: “At EFE Road we endeavour to produce models that cover a broad cross-section of eras and geographic locations, from the Bedford OBs and the new Leyland Atlantean ‘Sea Dogs’, to the London-based Routemaster RMs and RMCs. The new Titan models fall into the London category, but have a 1990s bias, and therefore offer something a bit different to the typical red London bus. The Kinchbus version continues that variety, and represents the Titans in their post-London careers.”

The four models are expected to reach retailers during Summer 2025, with an RRP of Ł46.95.

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Sunday 13th April 2025


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

40601 – Leyland Atlantean Open Top - Western National NBC
Fleet number: 926 ‘Sir Francis Drake’
Registration number: 926GTA
Route number: 514
Destination: Penzance

40602 – Leyland Atlantean Open Top - Ribble 
Fleet number: 1927
Registration number: 927GTA
Route number: 02 
Destination: Excursion

40603 – Leyland Atlantean Open Top First - Glasgow 
Fleet number: 39989
Registration number: ABV669A
Route number: - 
Destination: Glasgow Sightseeing

40801 – Leyland Atlantean Open Top - Round London Sightseeing 
Fleet number: -
Registration number: 933GTA
Route number: - 
Destination: -

40803 – Leyland Atlantean Open Top - Red Bus NBC 
Fleet number: 925
Registration number: 925GTA
Route number: 301
Destination: Westward Ho!

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Tuesday 8th April 2025


April to June 2025 - News

This page last updated Tuesday, 27 May 2025

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