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

Sunday 29 January 2006

CORGI COLLECTORS CLUB MEMBERS MODEL
The Corgi Collectors club have announced details of their 2006 OOC model. The below extract from the Club magazine gives some details:
"....... especially for Original Omnibus Club enthusiasts, we have another 1:76 scale gem For you to purchase. The model we have chosen is the Van Hool T9 in the livery of West Coast Motors of Scotland. It comprises a Limited Edition run of 1500 pieces - with two varying destination blinds i.e. only 750 of each, one featuring route 926 Glasgow and 750 featuring route 926 Campbeltown. We hope to have the models available before the end of March 2006 and will include further details of price and how to order in Issue 178....."

The scanned image below from the magazine shows the model.

Saturday 28 January 2006

Friday 27 January 2006

CONFIRMED RELEASE MODEL COLLECTOR MAGAZINE READER OFFER MODEL
I can confirm that the following model has now been released, many thanks to everyone who has written telling me that they have received their model:
OM44707 Dennis Dart SLF Travel London

Thursday 26 January 2006

SUN STAR ANNOUNCE NEW 1:24 SCALE BUS MODEL FOR 2006
The following press release and photographs have been received ahead of the London Trade Toy Fair which begins tomorrow:

Following on from the enormous success of their 1:24 scale model of the London Routemaster, Sun Star announce the launch of a second 1:24 scale bus model for 2006.

The Bedford OB Duple Vista coach was a common sight on British roads during the 50’s and 60’s. Used by many large operators, this coach was also used by hundreds of smaller operators all over the British Isles, fully justifying the Bedford advertising claim of that period, “You see them everywhere!!”. As a result, many people will have fond memories of the Bedford OB as their school bus, or their local sight-seeing coach.

In order to ensure maximum authenticity, Sun Star intends to feature only vehicles as they were originally supplied new to their first owners. During its production life, the Bedford OB Duple Vista underwent many changes, and the Sun Star models will faithfully replicate the different modifications made during the period 1946–1950. Each model will reproduce not only the original seating configuration, 27- or 29-seater, but the exact body specification appropriate to its year of manufacture.

Colin Hill, Managing Director of Sun Star Models Europe, says:

“I have fond memories of riding, as a school boy, on the Bedford OB’s operated by Harvey’s between Penzance railway station and Mousehole in competition with Western National. I hope that our models will bring back such happy memories to many collectors."

The first model will be the 1947 Bedford OB Duple Vista 27-seater FDK 571 operated by Yellow Motor Services and will be available in May. The following model, which will be available later in the year, will be the 1947 Bedford Duple Vista 29-seater EDL 637, the first OB delivered to Southern Vectis in May 1947. The retail price will be approximately £70.

All Sun Star models of the Bedford OB will be limited editions with numbered certificates and will feature :

Opening bonnet with detailed engine

Sliding roof and entrance door

Operating trafficators

Opening emergency door with First Aid kit

Individually decorated seats, 27 or 29 configuration

Overhead luggage racks

Detailed dashboard and instruments

Posable front wheels

Detailed chassis

Clock and mirrors at front of passenger compartment

Window winders

Ashtrays in the seat backs

This photograph shows an early pre-production sample

Photograph © Sun Star

To view additional photographs of this model click on the links below:
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE
Photograph 3 CLICK HERE
Photograph 4 CLICK HERE
Photograph 5 CLICK HERE
Photograph 6 CLICK HERE
Photograph 7 CLICK HERE

2nd posting 24 January 2006

CORGI 50TH ANNIVERSARY MODELS DISCOUNT VOUCHER SCHEME
I have today received the following from Corgi:

SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ANNOUNCEMENT

"To celebrate our Birthday year with those most important to us we are pleased to announce our exclusive Birthday Present!

In all Anniversary models being released from February onwards the Collector will find an individual voucher offering a significant saving on their next Corgi purchase. The vouchers will appear in selected models as below:

Vanguards/Brown Consul/Simon Snorkel  – a voucher to the value of £5.00 off when spending £9.99 or more on your next Corgi purchase

Gold Plated Consul/Aviation/Public Transport – a voucher to the value of £10.00 off when spending £19.99 or more on your next Corgi purchase

Road Transport – a voucher to the value of £20.00 off when spending £29.99 or more on your next Corgi purchase

There are a number of terms and conditions associated with the use of these vouchers which will be clearly detailed on the reverse for both the Collector and the Retailer"

Tuesday 24 January 2006

NEW MODELS ANNOUNCED BY SUNSTAR
Sunstar have announced four new models for release during 2006. I hope to publish further photographs of the models later this week:

H2908 Routemaster 1/24 CLICK HERE to view
London Transport Red
Fleet number: RM870 (The first production model with a Leyland engine)
Registration number: WLT 870
Route: 207
Destination: Uxbridge
Anticipated release date: April 2006

H2909 Routemaster 1/24 CLICK HERE to view
London Transport Red with silver roof (50th Anniversary of London Transport - The Lock Tavern)
Fleet number: RM1933
Registration number: ALD 933B
Route: 24
Destination: Hampstead Heath
Anticipated release date: June 2006

H2910 Routemaster 1/24 Open Top CLICK HERE to view
London Transport Red (The Original London Transport Sightseeing Tour - Red)
Fleet number: RM94
Registration number: VLT 94
Route: -
Destination: -
Anticipated release date: September 2006

H2911 Routemaster 1/24 CLICK HERE to view
London Transport Gold (50th Anniversary of London Transport - Gold)
Fleet number: RM1983
Registration number: ALD 983B
Route: 190
Destination: Thornton Heath Garage
Anticipated release date: December 2006

 CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD - PRESS RELEASE

‘CMNL models at London Toy Fair’

Creative Master Northcord Limited is very pleased to announce that the company will have some models on display at the London Toy Fair on the stand of its UK Distributor, John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited.

Among the models to be displayed will be ‘first shot’ body shells and some plastic parts sprues of its new casting, the UKBUS7000 range Scania OmniCity single deck bus.

Although there will not be a built-up version of the Scania available for display, collectors and dealers should be able to gauge a favourable impression of the new casting’s accurate body shell detail. The plastic sprues contain such items as seats and windows and these will aid collectors’ knowledge of the individual parts that are used to form a complete model.

It has not been possible to arrange for parts of the UKBUS6000 model, the Alexander Dennis Ltd Enviro 400 to be available for display.

When CMNL announced the Enviro 400 model in August 2005 we said, “Once the ADL product has been fully developed beyond the current prototype bodies, CMNL will make an announcement in detail about planned liveries and model dimensions nearer to its launch date.”

Because the production version of the bus is only now beginning to enter service, CMNL is, at present, endeavouring to ensure that its product will represent an accurate replica by making some minor detail changes during the CNC process.

The list of special models on display will be as follows, together with a representative selection of models from the CMNL range :

1.      UKBUS7000 Scania OmniCity single door die-cast body parts.

2.      UKBUS7000 Scania OmniCity dual door die-cast body parts.

3.      UKBUS7000 Scania OmniCity plastic parts – windows and seats.

4.           aluminium patterns of UKBUS7000 Scania OmniCity – front and rear.

5.           UKBUS5000 Mercedes-Benz Citaro single door die-cast body parts - for Bus Eireann and First Manchester versions.

6.           UKBUS1021 First ALX400 Trident pre-production sample.

7.           UKBUS1024 ALX400 Trident Stagecoach Devon – Park & Ride (S802 BWC) pre-production sample.

8.           UKBUS3021 Stagecoach Manchester MPD pre-production sample.

9.           UKBUS4007 Volvo/Royale Lothian (Britannia) pre-production sample.

10.       UKBUS4008 Volvo/Royale First Devon & Cornwall pre-production sample.

11.       UKBUS5105 Travel Coventry Citaro-G pre-production sample.

The London Toy Fair will take place at the Excel exhibition centre which is adjacent to the Docklands Light Railway in East London. The stand number of John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited is GH38.

The Fair will be opened to Trade Visitors only from Wednesday 25^th January to Saturday 28^th January 2006. For more details of the Fair and to register for free tickets visit www.toyfair.co.uk

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

Monday 23 January 2006

1/24th scale DMS:
"The news of our 1 ;24 scale DMS has caused a great stir with bus enthusiasts. The first details of the London version were illustrated on the rear of Issue 9 release sheet 2005 altthough these pictures were taken before the tooling mod's and decoration were finished. The body is a one piece casting with an attached, opening engine cover, all mounted on a diecast frame chassis with working suspension and steering. It features adjustable winding route blinds capable of displaying 5 routes at the front, side and rear of the bus. Access to the winding mechanism is via the opening front and side bi-folding doors and the opening upper deck rear window. The first version will be available for release at the end of February and features DMS 580 from Finchley garage on routes 296, 211 North section, 211 South section.125 and Private Hire. A new unique feature to please London bus enthusiasts is that, on a rolling basis, we will be releasing controlled quantities each featuring a new garage, vehicle number and 5 routes associated with that garage. This will positively improve the chances of obtaining a DMS displaying your favourite routes, so you might like to put some thought to this and let us know the garage, vehicle number and routes that are of special interest to you. A plastic display case will be available for these models, details to follow".

Subscriber offer models:
"We have been commissioned to produce 2 new models of Australian buses which this time feature Leyland National's in Hobart Metropolitan and Bunbury City Transit liveries".

Details of the two models are as follows:
15108
Leyland National MK1 long 2 door CLICK HERE to view
Bunbury City Transit
Registration number: TC 2094
Route: 701
Destination: Australind

16607
Leyland National MK1 Short 2 door CLICK HERE to view
Hobart Metropolitan Transport Trust
Registration number: GT 8236
Fleet number: 603
Route: 4
Destination: West Hobart

Sunday 22 January 2006

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LIMITED PRESS RELEASE

UKBUS1023 Alexander ALX400 Dennis Trident

Stagecoach East London

CMNL is proud to release the most important livery on its well-known casting – the Alexander ALX 400-bodied Dennis Trident. This is UKBUS1023 carrying the original Stagecoach East London livery.

This model represents Stagecoach East London TA1 (S801 BWC). This bus was delivered to Stagecoach East London in January 1999 as fleet number TA1 and is significant as the first production Dennis Trident delivered to a UK operator. When new the bus was painted in Stagecoach National colours and was used for several weeks to demonstrate this type of bus to various Stagecoach companies. When the bus returned to East London it was painted red and entered service on route 48, 55 & 56 from Leyton Garage. In 2002 the bus was one of 50 London buses painted gold to commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. To acknowledge its historical significance in August 2005 the bus was repainted back into its original livery.

It will be no doubt to say that UKBUS1023 models will have extra value to the collectors.

The replica features excellent detailing, inside and out, including an opening engine door and engine detail. 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.

The brand new TA1 model is based on a Limited Edition of 1800 pieces produced. They will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively.

UKBUS5005 Mercedes-Benz Citaro

Centra

The famous route 472 Mercedes-Benz Citaro bus is not only to be viewed on the promotional items of both the manufacturer Daimler Chrysler and the operator Centra. Creative Master Northcord Limited is proud to release the real replica. It is UKBUS5005 Mercedes-Benz Citaro model with Centra route 472 route-branding colours.

Route 472 is a one-vehicle operation between Woking and Byfleet Village in the County of Surrey. Its existence with Centra can be traced back to 2002 when the County Council contract was awarded to local operator Thames Bus with a 25 seat Optare Metrorider bus. In October 2003 the operation of Thames Bus was acquired by Centra (part of Central Parking System) and in January 2005 the service was upgraded as part of the East Woking Quality Bus Partnership with a state of the art Mercedes Citaro bus backed up by roadside bus stop infrastructure improvements and a glossy full colour timetable leaflet.

These enhancement have contributed to a 15% growth in passenger use between January and September 2005.

Further changes to the Centra operations in Surrey have recently seen them sold to a specialist transport investment company called Rotala. UKBUS5005 shows the vehicle, BU53 AYA, with full Centra branding  prior to the sale of the business and its subsequent re-brand to ‘Surrey Connect’.

The Mercedes-Benz Citaro UKBUS5005 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 UKBUS5005 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 UKBUS5005 model is limited to 1700 pieces worldwide.

This photograph shows the production version of UKBUS1023 Alexander ALX400 Dennis Trident Stagecoach East London

Photograph © Creative Master Northcord Ltd

This photograph shows the production version of UKBUS5005 Mercedes-Benz Citaro Centra

Photograph © Creative Master Northcord Ltd

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

Saturday 21 January 2006

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD
I can confirm that the following models have now been released and are on sale:
UKBUS4006 Alexander Royale/Volvo Olympian London United (Airbus)
UKBUS5003 Mercedes Benz Citaro (2-axle) First Slough

Friday 13 January 2006

CLICK HERE to view an advertising flyer from Corgi giving additional details

2nd posting 12 January 2006

20437 Bristol VRIII DAMORY COACHES  - CLICK HERE to view photograph
Registration number: VPR 485S
Fleet Number: 5062
Route number: 314
Destination: Salisbury
Anticipated release date: February 2006

23318 AEC RF Bus LONDON  TRANSPORT  - CLICK HERE to view photograph
Registration number: MXX 457
Fleet Number: RF 480
Route number: 121
Destination: Enfield
Anticipated release date: February 2006

29007 GM Fleetline NORTHUMBRIA  - CLICK HERE to view photograph
Registration number: PTD 639S
Fleet Number: 599
Route number: 45
Destination: Newcastle
Anticipated release date: March 2006

29609 Leyland Olympian NORTHERN SCOTTISH  - CLICK HERE to view photograph
Registration number: TSO 16X
Fleet Number: NL OE 16
Route number: 305
Destination: Elgin
Anticipated release date: January 2006

30703 AEC Renown SOUTH WALES  - CLICK HERE to view photograph
Registration number: 311 ECY
Fleet Number: 1248
Route number: 76
Destination: Port Tennant, Kingsway Hospital
Anticipated release date: March 2006

Thursday 12 January 2006

EFE are in the process of contacting people who have indicated they wish to purchase both models, but have only sent sufficient payment for one. If you are in this position and have not yet heard from EFE, please contact them as soon as possible to clarify what you wish to do with your order.

Click on the links below to view pre-production sample photographs of these models:
27614A Wright Volvo Renown CLICK HERE to view
28903A Greater Manchester standard Atlantean CLICK HERE to view

GILBOW 1/24TH SCALE DMS
EFE have asked me to mention that the recommended retail price for this model is £155.00 NOT £185.00 as stated by one retailer.

EFE have very kindly sent me a number of new pre-production sample photographs of the above. Click on the links below to view.
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
Photograph 7 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 8 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 9 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 10 CLICK HERE to view
Photograph 11 CLICK HERE to view

Tuesday 10 January 2005

Monday 9 January 2006

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD - PRESS RELEASE

TransBus Mini Pointer Dart

UKBUS3020 Southern Vectis

Further to the previous successful release of the Mini Pointer Dart replicas with other operators’ colours serving on the Isle of Wright, CMNL is releasing another MPD model. This is UKBUS3020 carrying the brand new Southern Vectis livery.

Towards the end of 2004 Southern Vectis were keen to withdraw the last of the aged Iveco minibuses from normal service and the decision was taken to buy 14  MPDs to add to the 1 already operated. As these were the first buses in the fleet that could be dedicated to a completely low-floor service, a new livery was sought. This model depicts the return of a green livery to Southern Vectis. The shade of green is likely to become the base colour of a new fleet livery to be rolled out during 2006.

UKBUS3020 Southern Vectis MPD replica carries the fleet number 301 (HW54 BTU).

UKBUS3020 has a unique feature that is seen for the first time on the MPD casting. It is the new luggage rack above the front wheel arch on the offside.

This is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the gasket windows and livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. The model also features excellent detailing, inside and out, including an opening engine door, showing the detailed, environmentally friendly Euro 3 engine. All grab rails feature inside the replica and in their correct positions. The construction method of this replica permits realistic-looking front and rear lights – in particular the front headlamp / indicator assembly whose headlamp is transparent and indicator is translucent.

The brand new UKBUS3020 Southern Vectis MPD bus models are limited to 1700 pieces produced. It will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively.

This photograph shows the production version of UKBUS3020 TransBus Mini Pointer Dart Southern Vectis

Photograph © Creative Master Northcord Ltd

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

Friday 6 January 2006

DIECAST COLLECTOR MAGAZINE - READER OFFER MODELS
Further to my news article of 30 December 2005, EFE have advised that the two models in question are Commissioned Code 2 models NOT Deluxe versions as stated by Diecast Collector.

Thursday 5 January 2006

"The prices are correct. Please see information below as to why the models are higher in price.
Each model is limited to 2006 pieces
Each model has the Corgi Anniversary logo stamped onto the base (no other model released next year will have this)
Each model has an added value item included:
Vanguards = Copy of original Road Test Report
Trucks = Special Anniversary Key-Ring
Buses = Route Plan or Timetable replica
Aviation = Figure and Pilots Notes
Simon Snorkel = Figures
All models include a specially produced Anniversary History
Booklet (no other model released next year will include this)
Each model is packed in exclusive Anniversary packaging
These are specials for our Anniversary year and as such are only available during that period, They are also distributed worldwide and not just in the UK so the low quotas will be very low in the UK. Obviously the RRP’s are simply that – RRP’s (recommended!) and they are based on the factors above".

Monday 2 January 2006

Sunday 1 January 2006

January 2006 - News

This page last updated Monday, 25 February 2013