HKBUS2009 Bluebird Buses

Tri-axle Leyland Olympian / Alexander Coach

After a long silence in the past 18 months, Creative Master Northcord Limited is proud to release HKBUS2009 - the first time Stagecoach standard corporate livery has been replicated on the well-known 11-metre, tri-axle Leyland Olympian / Alexander R-type coach model.

The model represents Bluebird Buses 13625 (WLT 439) in “Buchan link” route-branding colour. 13625 is one of five former Hong Kong Olympians operated on heavily used interurban services linking Peterhead and Fraserburgh with Aberdeen to provide high capacity and comfort on commuter journeys. HKBUS2009 appears with the destination set to route 268 Mintlaw – a small town in the heart of Buchan in North East Aberdeenshire, 30 miles north of Aberdeen and inland from Peterhead.

The bus itself has had a long service history in different fleets and liveries.

Delivered new to Hong Kong as Citybus 145 (ES 4877) in September 1990, this Alexander-bodied 11-metre Leyland Olympian coach was numbered 13625 by Stagecoach when she returned to the UK in 2004 to operate services for Megabus.com. 13625 was registered H511 FRP and entered service in May 2004 from Leamington depot.

During July 2005 she worked special services, including being one of the 12 Megabus ex-CTB Olympians used to ferry passengers from London to the “Making Poverty History” events in Edinburgh timed to coincide with the G8 Summit at Gleneagles and then was used for the Golflink services between Leuchars Station and St Andrews Golf Course for the (British) Open Golf Championship. Following her time away from Megabus duties 13625 returned to them at Leamington.

After moving around a bit thereafter, 13625 retired from Megabus.com service at the end of 2006 and re-entered service in early 2007 with Bluebird – repainted into Stagecoach corporate livery with Buchan link branding, fitted with a new LED destination screen and carrying former Routemaster registration WLT 439. 13625 is now one of the few to retain a toilet and luggage racks on board.

As on the previous successful HKBUS2000 series models produced by CMNL, HKBUS2009 has many innovative designs on the tooling – including the specially designed luggage racks, 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 model also features an accurate representation of the small twin headlights, which replaced the standard Citybus style, by using tampo printing to good effect.

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 HKBUS2009 model is limited to 1100 pieces worldwide. They will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Concorde Hobby Shop (HK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), Transit Graphics (Australia) and cnmycar.com (P. R. China).

Photograph 1 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE to view

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

SECOND MODEL ANNOUNCED BY COBHAM BUS MUSEUM
I have received the following news from Cobham Bus Museum this morning:

Cobham is pleased to announce that it has been able to arrange with Exclusive First Editions for a second, limited-edition model to be available at this year’s annual Open Day & Spring Gathering on Sunday 6th April.

In addition to the pre-war STD already announced (see earlier item), a model of Guy Special single-decker GS1 will be on sale from the Cobham Shop at the event. Limited to just 240 pieces, the GS will carry destination blinds for Oxted local route 464 to Chart, Church, working out of Chelsham (CM) garage. Details of the special edition will be on the certificate only and the model itself will be authentically presented with no special branding.

Details of Cobham’s ‘curtain-raiser’ to the season can be found on the Museum’s web-site at www.lbpt.org. Advance reservation of the special models is only possible for Members of the Museum working at the event.

Friday 29 February 2008

CORGI OOC OM41112 LEYLAND PD3/EAST LANCS - BURNLEY, COLNE DESTINATIONS
Many thanks to Graham at Miniature Motors for advising me that the models released carry alternate destinations of  “Lowerhouse“ and the other “Harle Syke“ both on route 40. NOT the destination of Burnley as shown in the catalogue. Both carry the registration number of HHG32 and fleet number 232

Wednesday 27 February 2008

Britbus
LH-02 Bristol LH London Transport
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE to view

Creative Master Northcord Ltd
UKBUS0020 Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 Metroline
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 3 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 4 CLICK HERE to view

Monday 25 February 2008

Saturday 23 February 2008

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM EFE
I can confirm that the following models have now been released and are on sale:
14604 Leyland National West Yorkshire NBC CLICK HERE
16221 Bristol MW Coach Southern Vectis CLICK HERE
27622 Wright Volvo Renown Ulsterbus Foyle CLICK HERE
28905 GM Standard Atlantean London Country CLICK HERE
30605 AEC Renown Hants & Dorset NBC CLICK HERE
34401 AEC MkV 4 Axle Flatbed and Drag ALAN FIRMIN CLICK HERE

NEW MODEL ANNOUNCED BY BRITBUS
Britbus have announced the following new model. many thanks to Graham at Miniature Motors for passing on the information:
MRL-09 MCW Metrorider "Kentish Bus - Docklands Hoppa" CLICK HERE

COMMISSIONED MODEL FROM CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD
Further to my news report of Wednesday, I can confirm that the model number for this model is UKBUS0020 and the model was released to staff at the end of January/early February. The quantity has been confirmed at 500 models. I am informed that a number have already appeared on Ebay over the past few weeks. I hope to publish some photographs tomorrow evening.

COBHAM BUS MUSEUM A CORRECTION
Further to my news report of Wednesday I have received a further communication regarding the proposed future releases from the Museum. The information in my earlier news has now been superseded and should be ignored. The latest information is as follows:

This year's special ‘Cobham 2008’ model will be STD64 in pre-war livery on route 83A to Golders Green Stn. Und. This limited-edition model will be released at Cobham's Bus & Coach Gathering at Wisley Airfield on Sunday 6 April.

It is proposed to have a further special-edition EFE release for the 'Rear-engined Day' at the Museum on Sunday 15 June - details will be announced shortly.

The Museum also hopes to have a special-edition RLH from EFE in green livery on sale at its end-of-season event ('Green Day') on 26 October.

Friday 22 February 2008

COBHAM BUS MUSEUM MODELS
I have received the following update from the Cobham Bus Museum regarding their model releases for 2008:

(SEE UPDATE 22 FEBRUARY FOR LATEST INFORMATION)

April’s ‘Cobham 2008’ model will be the pre-war STD64 on route 83A.

Depending on production & shipping RLH32 depicted in LT Country livery should be available either for the June or August 2008 event. Destination not confirmed at this time.

A third model, a 2RT2, with both headlights and in post-war red or green livery on Learner duties was requested, but unfortunately this is unlikely to be available during 2008.

A number of you will be aware that Mr Alvin Hale resigned from his position as shop manager at the end of 2007 and therefore the above models might be subject to confirmation from either a newly appointed manager or from the Trust’s director responsible for the Shop.

Wednesday 20 February 2008

Week commencing 18th February 2008
OM41112 Leyland PD3/East Lancs Burley, Colne & Nelson CLICK HERE - 1029 pieces
OM41218 Wright Double Deck Arriva Leicester CLICK HERE - 1500 pieces
OM45119 Metrobus - Dublin Bus CLICK HERE - 1700 pieces

Week commencing 3 March 2008
OM41409 Guy Arab IV/Roe Sunderland Corporation CLICK HERE - 1500 pieces
OM45711 AEC Q Double Deck Birmingham CLICK HERE - 1500 pieces

Monday 18 February 2008

Thursday 14 February 2008

34601 AEC MkIII Artic Box Van MONKS TRANSPORT
To view a supersized photograph CLICK HERE
To view a regular sized image CLICK HERE

Sunday 10 February 2008

34601 AEC MkIII Artic Box Van MONKS TRANSPORT
Registration number: KXW 985
Trailer number CT8
Expected release date: March 2008

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD RECENTLY RELEASED MODELS PHOTOGRAPHS
Click on the links below to view photographs of two recently released models:
UKBUS1037 Alexander ALX400-bodied Dennis Trident Lothian Buses
Photograph 1
To view a supersized photograph CLICK HERE
To view a regular sized image CLICK HERE
Photograph 2
To view a supersized photograph CLICK HERE
To view a regular sized image CLICK HERE
Photograph 3
To view a supersized photograph CLICK HERE
To view a regular sized image CLICK HERE
Photograph 4
To view a supersized photograph CLICK HERE
To view a regular sized image CLICK HERE

UKPLUS1001 Street Furniture Transport For London
Photograph 1
To view a supersized photograph CLICK HERE
To view a regular sized image CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 (shown alongside UKBUS8004)
To view a supersized photograph CLICK HERE
To view a regular sized image CLICK HERE

Saturday 9 February 2008

Friday 8 February 2008

Creative Master Northcord Ltd
UKBUS6012 Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 Stagecoach Newcastle CLICK HERE
UKBUS7010 Scania OmniCity Southampton uni-link CLICK HERE

Corgi OOC
OM46007 Wright Eclipse Urban (Rossendale Transport 50th Anniversary) CLICK HERE

Thursday 7 February 2008

Details of how to order one of the models will be published as soon as I receive them

LT MUSEUM ACTON MODEL
EFE have today confirmed that the stock number for the model reported earlier this week will be 31701B

Wednesday 6 February 2008

ANOTHER NEW BRITBUS MODEL
John Ayreys have today announced another new Britbus model in addition to the Ensignbus Atlantean mentioned above. Many thanks to Graham at Miniature Motors for passing on this information:
LLA-02 Albion Lowlander “W Alexander Midland“ CLICK HERE to view

NEW MODELS ANNOUNCED BY EFE
EFE announced 5 new models at the London trade Toy fair. Click on the links below to view early pre-production sample photographs and also photographs of the Southdown Tanker announced in January. All 6 models are shown as being provisionally an April 2008 release:

18611 Bristol VR3 Open York Pullman
To view a supersized photograph CLICK HERE
To view a regular sized image CLICK HERE
20135 Bedford OB Orange Luxury
To view a supersized photograph CLICK HERE
To view a regular sized image CLICK HERE
20443 Bristol VR3 Trent
To view a supersized photograph CLICK HERE
To view a regular sized image CLICK HERE
29204 Leyland Titan Nottingham City
To view a supersized photograph CLICK HERE
To view a regular sized image CLICK HERE
34501 Beford Tipper Thomas Carey
To view a supersized photograph CLICK HERE
To view a regular sized image CLICK HERE
34701 AEC MKV 8 Wheel Tanker Southdown NBC
To view a supersized photograph CLICK HERE
To view a regular sized image CLICK HERE

Tuesday 5 February 2008

LT MUSEUM ACTON MODEL
The LT Museum have advised that the following model will be available at the next Acton Open day on 8/9 March:
EFE Stock code to be confirmed
Routemaster RMC
Fleet number: RMC1517
Registration number: 517 CLT
Route number: 716
Destination: Chertsey

NEW MODEL ANNOUNCED BY BRITBUS
I was unable to attend the London Trade Toy Fair this past weekend as I had to work. However, I understand that a new model from Britbus was on display on the John Ayrey Ltd stand and Britbus have advised me of the following details:
Stock code: To be confirmed
Ensign Bus PRV Atlantean 2door
Fleet number: 250
Registration number: JPL190K
Route number: 165
Further details will be given when they become available

Monday 4 February 2008

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

UKBUS1037 Alexander ALX400-bodied Dennis Trident

Lothian Buses

CMNL is proud to release another brand new livery on its well-known casting – the Alexander ALX400-bodied Dennis Trident. This is UKBUS1037 carrying Lothian Buses “harlequin” livery.

This model features Lothian Buses 504 (T504 SSG).

Lothian Buses’ only Alexander-bodied low-floor ‘deckers’ were 501-505 that were delivered in the summer of 1999. To add to their unique status within the fleet, they were also low-height.

During the winter of 2006-2007, 501-503 were converted to fully Open-Top configuration for the City Sightseeing tour of Edinburgh. Concurrent with the re-entry into service of 501-503 in their new guise, 504 and 505 were repainted and, in the process, lost their mega-rear Direct Debit Ridacard adverts. These 2 buses were usually found on route 8 that runs from Muirhouse to the Royal Infirmary.

Towards the end of summer 2007, 505 was withdrawn for conversion to part Open-Top format thereby leaving 504 as the last ALX400-bodied Trident in normal service before it, too, was withdrawn for a similar conversion.

The replica features excellent detailing, inside and out, including a tv monitor on upper saloon, opening engine door and engine detail at the rear. This is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the windows and livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. The model has no unnecessary metal poles to hold it together.

It will be a good opportunity to make a full fleet of the three Lothian Buses ‘“harlequin” liveried Trident models produced by CMNL to date, comprising the newly released UKBUS1037, UKBUS1004 - the ALX400-bodied Trident 503 (T503 SSG) and UKBUS2004 - the Plaxton President-bodied Trident 601 (SN51 AXF).

The brand new UKBUS1037 model is based on a Limited Edition of 1800 pieces produced. They 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.

Photograph 1 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE to view

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

Friday 1 February 2008

February 2008 - News

This page last updated Monday, 25 February 2013