To View the Corgi OOC January to June 2006 High Quality Media images CLICK HERE

Saturday 31 December 2005

EFE SUBSCRIBER OFFER MODEL
EFE have now posted details of their latest subscriber offer model to their subscribers as follows:
30507 Guy GS Special
London Transport (on hire to Great Yarmouth Corporation) LT
Fleet number: GS63
Registration number: MXX 363
The model is available to subscribers only at the price of £17.50 (inc P&P UK), £18.50 (Europe) and £19.50 (world).

DIECAST COLLECTOR MAGAZINE READER OFFER EFE MODELS
To mark their 100th issue Diecast Collector magazine have commissioned two reader offer models from EFE. The models both in Delaine livery are described as "Deluxe versions" of previously issued standard EFE release models as follows:
Wright Volvo Renown
Fleet number: 138
Registration number: P112 RGS
Route: 201
Destination: Stamford

Greater Manchester standard Atlantean
Fleet number: 119
Registration number: ANA 224T
Route: -
Destination: Peterborough

The models are only available from Diecast Collector magazine and are both priced at £19.75 each (inc P&P UK), £20.75 (Europe) and £21.75 (world).

Friday 30 December 2005

HAPPY CHRISTMAS
I would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year. Thank you to everybody who has sent greetings via either Christmas cards or emails, they are all very much appreciated.

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD - NEWS RELEASE

The following news update on planned releases has been received from CMNL: 

CMNL UK Release Update

Update on planned releases for Period 3 (September - December 2005)

1. UKBUS1000 range : The Alexander ALX400/Dennis Trident

UKBUS1021 : First (33402 – VX54 MTY) : To enter production in early 2006

2. UKBUS3000 range : The Plaxton Dennis Dart MPD

UKBUS3020 : Southern Vectis (301 – HW54 BTU) -
To enter production in January 2006

3. UKBUS4000 range : The Alexander Royale/Volvo Olympian

UKBUS4005 : First West Yorkshire (30786 – R606 JUB) –
To enter production in early 2006

Future planned releases for Period 1 (January - April 2006)

1. UKBUS0000 range : The Plaxton President Open Top/Dennis Trident

No new releases are planned for the current period for this casting

2.      UKBUS1000 range : The Alexander ALX400/Dennis Trident

UKBUS1023 : Stagecoach London (17001 – S801 BWC) – January 2006

UKBUS1024 : Stagecoach Devon (17002 – S802 BWC) – March 2006

3. UKBUS2000 range : The Plaxton President/Dennis Trident

No new releases are planned for the current period for this casting

4. UKBUS3000 range : The Plaxton Dennis Dart MPD

UKBUS3021 : Stagecoach Manchester (33098 – MX04 AXN) – March 2006

UKBUS3022 : Surrey Connect (YT51 EAJ) – February 2006

5.      UKBUS4000 range : The Alexander Royale/Volvo Olympian

UKBUS4007 : Lothian Buses (433 – P433 PSX) – February 2006

UKBUS4008 : First Devon & Cornwall (34200 – VOO 273) - March 2006

6.      UKBUS5000 range : The Mercedes-Benz/Citaro

UKBUS5005 : Centra, Woking (BU53 AYA) - January 2006

UKBUS5006 : Bus Eireann (MC4 – 00-D-83600) - March 2006

7.      UKBUS5100 range : The Mercedes-Benz/Citaro G

UKBUS5105 : Travel Coventry (6020 – BJ03 ETK) - January 2006

8.      UKBUS7000 range : The Scania OmniCity

UKBUS7001 : Newport Transport (42 – YN54 AOB) – April 2006

9. HKBUS2000 range : The Alexander RX-type/Leyland Olympian

HKBUS2007 : Stagecoach Warwickshire (13650 – H627 LNA) – April 2006

Please note that the release dates quoted above are anticipated completion dates, not necessarily when the models will be on sale at your retailer. Some detail may change during production.

Photographs of some planned models are available for viewing in the Online Catalogue on the CMNL website

http://www.creativemasternorthcord.com/en/index.php

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM BRITBUS
I can confirm that the following models have now been released and are on sale:
AS2-08 AEC Swift London Country NBC
MRL-02 MCW Midibus Kentish Bus

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM EFE
I can confirm that the following models have now been released and are on sale:
17304 Leyland National Greenline
20905 Leyland PS2 Windover Coach NORTH WESTERN
29405 Bristol RE Eastern Counties

Saturday 24 December 2005

UKBUS5104 Mercedes-Benz Citaro G

University of East London

Creative Master Northcord Limited has proudly released its fourth livery on the popular casting of the Mercedes-Benz Citaro G.

UKBUS5104 carries the wholly-wrapped University of East London advert livery. The bus itself is owned by Stagecoach London. It represents fleet number 23033 (LX03 HEJ).

The University of East London (UEL) is a modern, fast-growing university situated close to the heart of the UK's capital city.

Originally founded as a technical institute in 1898, UEL received its charter establishing it as a university in 1992. Since then it has undergone dramatic growth, and in 2005 was rated as London's leading modern university by the prestigious Guardian newspaper.

With over 18,500 students from more than 100 nationalities, UEL is also one of the UK's most diverse universities, with a vibrant and dynamic learning community. UEL now offers over 220 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across eight Schools: Architecture and the Visual Arts, Business, Computing and Technology, Education, Health and Bioscience, Law, Psychology, and Social Science, Media and Cultural Studies.

UKBUS5104 Mercedes-Benz Citaro G depicts UEL's ultra-modern Docklands campus, situated close to the River Thames in the east of London. The livery features UEL's student Halls of Residence which, with their colourful, circular designs, have quickly become a distinctive landmark in the area.

The bus, one of two dressed in UEL livery, went into service on route 25 between Stratford, home of the 2012 Olympic Games, and Oxford Circus in the heart of London, in June 2005. The second bus features UEL's Stratford Campus.

The Mercedes-Benz Citaro G UKBUS5104 models’ clean lines accentuate the square-mounted, double-glazed windows and the livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. Another main feature on the model is the extensive portrayal of handrails. The headlight / indicator units at the front and indicator / tail light units at the rear are made of individual components to look more realistic.

The brand new UKBUS5104 three-door Mercedes-Benz G bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively. The UKBUS5104 is limited to 2000 pieces worldwide.

CMNL Website information

Although the CMNL official website has still to be launched, we should like to draw attention to it so that collectors can take a look at the photographs of some planned models for 2006 that can be found using the link to ‘Online Catalogue’. A full description of the planned models for 2006 Period 1 (January – April) will come shortly. Once this announcement is made you will then be able to order the stated models through your local or online dealer. 

The CMNL website can be found here :

http://www.creativemasternorthcord.com/en/index.php

CMNL asks collectors to bear in mind that the website is still in a stage of development.

This photograph shows the production version of UKBUS5104 Mercedes-Benz Citaro G University of East London

Photograph © Creative Master Northcord Ltd

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

6.15am Wednesday 21 December 2005

BRITBUS DL-01 DENNIS LOLINE III NUMBER PLATE COLOUR
I am advised of an error on the above model. The rear number plate showed a yellow background with black letter which is incorrect. Britbus are producing some small stickers to correct (date when available not known at present). Ray Le Mesurier-Foster from the Aldershot & District Omnibuses Rescue & Restoration Society has advised me that if anybody would like replacement stickers then they can obtain them from him (service is free) by sending  a stamped addressed envelope (with 21p stamp) to him at:
Ray Le Mesurier-Foster
22 Lower Green Road
Esher
Surrey
KT10 8HD

Please mark envelopes "number plate" x 1 (or x 2 etc.). Ray tells me that "As yet the number plates have not arrived, so hold fire!" He also states he will advise me when he receives stock of the number plates.

Britbus have advised that a stock of number plates will be sent to the importer John Ayreys with the next consignment of models so they should also be available via your retailer in due course.

Tuesday 20 December 2005

CLICK HERE to view  photograph of the model.

NEXT EFE MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE
The following models are scheduled for release next week:
17304 Leyland National Greenline
20905 Leyland PS2 Windover Coach NORTH WESTERN
29405 Bristol RE Eastern Counties

SUNSTAR MODEL SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE NEXT WEEK
The following model is scheduled for release next week:
2906 AEC Routemaster SRM London Transport Queen’s Silver Jubilee - Woolworth

Thursday 15 December 2005

Monday 12 December 2005

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD - PRESS RELEASE

UKBUS5003 Mercedes-Benz Citaro

First (Slough-Heathrow)

The well-known name of ‘Heathrow Airport’ is becoming a common name on Creative Master Northcord bus models. Soon after the launch of the attractive Airbus London double-decker replica, CMN is pleased to announce the release of UKBUS5003, the first model of the single-door Mercedes-Benz Citaro casting with BAA’s exclusive silver livery.

UKBUS5003 represents fleet number EC2013 (LT52 WXB) that is in First / BAA all-silver colour with Slough - Heathrow route detail. The model carries the special logos and names along the glazed panels above the side windows and on both sides of the body.

First purchased eight Mercedes Citaros in February 2003 to upgrade routes 74, 75 and 76 which, at the time, combined to run up to every 20 minutes between Slough and Heathrow Airport. The buses featured Euro 3 engines, air-conditioning and Hanover LED destination displays. BAA provided funding towards the vehicles, as part of its Clean Vehicle Programme, which was launched in May 2002.

The services linking Slough with Heathrow were altered in July 2003 as part of a major improvement scheme to all Slough’s bus services. As a result of the changes, the services between Slough and Heathrow were improved to operate up to every 15 minutes and two extra Mercedes Citaro were purchased in April 2004.

The Mercedes-Benz Citaro UKBUS5003 is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the square-mounted, double-glazed windows and the livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. Another main feature on the UKBUS5003 model is its extensive portrayal of handrails. The headlight / indicator units at the front and indicator / tail light units at the rear are made of individual components to look more realistic.

The brand new single-door Mercedes-Benz Citaro bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively. The UKBUS5003 model is limited to 1700 pieces worldwide.

This photograph shows the production version of UKBUS5003 Mercedes-Benz Citaro - First (Slough-Heathrow)

Photograph © Creative Master Northcord Ltd

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

7.00am Saturday 10 December 2005

Further details will be published as soon as I receive them.

CONFIRMED RELEASE OF EFE IAN ALLAN SPECIAL
I can confirm that the following model has been released and Ian Allan have begun posting them to those who ordered them:
25520 RML London General (Go Ahead)

2nd posting Friday 9 December 2005

6.00am Friday 9 December 2005

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD
I can confirm that the following models have now been released and are on sale:
UKBUS3019 Plaxton Dennis Dart MPD Plymouth Park & Ride
HKBUS2006 Alexander RX-type/Leyland Olympian Stagecoach Manchester

CORGI OOC ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL MODELS - PRICES
The January edition of Model Collector magazine carries an article on special models being released to celebrate Corgi's 50th anniversary. Four OOC models are shown (as previously reported on this site on 5th November 2005) The Corgi recommended price for each model is shown as £49.99 and this has understandably prompted some comment. I contacted Model Collector Magazine querying the price in case it was a misprint and received the following reply " ......These prices were taken from a spreadsheet supplied by Corgi themselves. We have also already have letters and emails from readers commenting on them........"

I have therefore written to Corgi regarding the prices which are approximately double the normal OOC price, to-date I have not received a reply. I will let you know as and when I receive one. For information the production run of each model is shown as being 2006 pieces which is a larger run than a number of  standard OOC models released in the recent past.

2nd posting Wednesday 7 December 2005

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD - PRESS RELEASE

The Most Attractive London Bus Replicas

UKBUS4006 AIRBUS

UKBUS5103 London General Red Arrow

Creative Master Northcord Limited has proudly released two brand new bus replicas representing the most attractive London bus colours. They are UKBUS4006 AIRBUS, an Alexander Royale-bodied Volvo Olympian, and UKBUS5103 London General Red Arrow Rt 507, a Mercedes-Benz Citaro G bendi bus.

UKBUS4006 carries the original AIRBUS livery as applied to the first batch of Alexander Royale-bodied Volvo Olympians. It represents registration number N112 UHP of London United Busways Ltd that was one of 19 to enter service on the London AIRBUS network in 1995 and 1996.

The AIRBUS service was launched in November 1980 linking Heathrow Airport and Central London using 2 routes. These were route A1 (Heathrow-Victoria) and A2 (Heathrow-Paddington).

UKBUS4006 has special features fully reflecting the true vehicle on duty with AIRBUS. From new the bus was fitted with full coach seating on the upper-deck whilst the lower-deck had a wheelchair lift in the front entrance, extensive luggage racks and a tip-up seat in the wheelchair bay. As an added luxury, the Royales were fitted with full air-conditioning. The above features are seen for the first time on the UKBUS4000 series tooling.

UKBUS5103 carries London General Red Arrow livery, representing fleet number MAL31 (BX02 YZT).

MAL 31 was one of the first batch of articulated buses introduced on the streets of the Capital in the summer of 2002.

Based at London General’s Waterloo base, thirty one ‘bendi buses’ operate two Red Arrow services linking main line termini in Central London. Seating 49, fully accessible for wheelchair users and with an overall capacity of 143, these buses are ideal for coping with the high number of passengers carried during peak hours, the majority of whom travel relatively short distances on the Red Arrow Network.

On both UKBUS4006 and UKBUS5103 the clean lines accentuate the square-mounted, bonded windows and the livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. Another main feature on each model is the extensive portrayal of handrails. The headlight / indicator units at the front are made of individual components to look more realistic.

The brand new UKBUS4006 Alexander Royale-bodied Volvo Olympian and UKBUS5103 three-door Mercedes-Benz G bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively. The UKBUS4006 model is limited to 1700 pieces worldwide, whilst UKBUS5103 is limited to 1800 pieces worldwide.

This photograph shows the production version of UKBUS4006 Alexander Royale-bodied Volvo Olympian - Airbus

Photograph © Creative Master Northcord Ltd

This photograph shows the production version of UKBUS5103 Mercedes-Benz G - London General Red Arrow

Photograph © Creative Master Northcord Ltd

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

6.00am Wednesday 7 December 2005

20905 Leyland PS2 Windover Coach NORTH WESTERN
CLICK HERE to view scanned image
Registration number: DDB 273
Fleet Number: 273
Destination: Blackpool
Anticipated release date: December 2005

30505 Guy GS Special  WEST BROMWICH
CLICK HERE to view scanned image
Registration number: MXX 340
Fleet Number: 252
Destination: West Bromwich
Anticipated release date: January 2006

20133 Bedford OB SCOUT
CLICK HERE to view scanned image
Registration number: BRN 791
Fleet Number: -
Destination: Preston
Anticipated release date: January 2006

28503 Leyland TD1 (closed rear) WESTERN
CLICK HERE to view scanned image
Registration number: UF 5664
Fleet Number: -
Destination: Ayr
Anticipated release date: January 2006

Monday 5 December 2005

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM EFE
I can confirm that the following models have been released and are on sale:
25106 Bristol RELL West Yorkshire
27616 Wright Volvo Renown Strathtay
30004 AEC Regal 10T10 London Transport

Thursday 1 December 2005

December 2005 - News

This page last updated Monday, 25 February 2013