The first new casting features the 8.8m ALX200 and the second a 10.6m Optare Olympus. Omnidekka Models have advised that all models are subject to change or short notice cancellation and no timescales are given. If you have any photographs of the buses listed, that you would be willing to send to me for inclusion on my Gallery pages and for assisting Omnidekka Models with their research, please email me at garethjones@britishmodelbuses.com. The models proposed are listed below:

ALX200 8.8M
W875VGT - Quality Line, W603MWJ - Travel West Midlands (both liveries), X523SHH – Stagecoach, W199VWO - Newport Bus, Y259 KNB – Arriva, Y244FJN - Stagecoach London, Y246FJN – Centrebus, Y254KNB - Bluebird Manchester, Y263KNB - Diamond Bus, SN51UCS - Quality Line and Y28CMS – Crosville.

Optare Olympus 10.6m
AD07DBL - Delaine Buses, SY07CUX - Stagecoach Bluebird, YJ57BEO - Arriva Yorkshire. London models are planned, but they are the longer 11.9m version.

UKBUS6520 - ADL Enviro400 MMC - Stagecoach South - 700 Coastliner
Fleet number: 10942
Registration number: SN18KNF
Route number: 700
Destination: Brighton via Shoreham and Hove
Quantity:1008

Saturday 27th March 2021

“The Model Bus Federation is delighted to announce that their member Shop is now open for purchases online – www.model-bus-federation.org.uk/mbf-shop

The MBF Shop has always been hugely popular since it was opened 50 years ago. And now it is set to be even more so as members can make purchases online. Live stock levels, showing all sorts of different items for scratchbuilding and detailing are available, including wheels, radiators, external and internal model accessories, plus some scenic items. You can also purchase our range of member-only resin kits and model bus books through the online shop too. New photos of each item are still being uploaded, making it easy to identify a particular part for your project but, with over 200 different accessory items alone now available in the exclusive MBF Streetscene range, this will take a bit of time to complete. Even if you aren’t a member, you can still view the range of products, but you will of course need to join the MBF to make a purchase.

Members can pay quickly and easily using PayPal, credit or debit cards and, whilst processing of payments is being handled by PayPal, you don’t need to have a PayPal account to make purchases. For further information or to join the MBF, visit www.model-bus-federation.org.uk, visit our Facebook page, email publicity@model-bus-federation.org.uk or write to us at Publicity Officer, 21 Plough Close, Aylesbury, Bucks HP21 9AD”

Thursday 25th March 2021

NEWS UPDATE FROM OMNIDEKKA MODELS
Omnidekka Models have released details of future planned Omnidekka models:

YN54AOP - GO NORTH EAST STANDARD LIVERY
SN05HWV - FIRST MIDLAND BLUEBIRD
YN55NHZ - LONDON SOVEREIGN
GX03SUY - GO NORTH EAST TOON LINK 
YN03DFL - SOUTHERN VECTIS
YN04GNZ - FIRST H & D JURASSIC COASTER OR JURASSIC COAST
YN55NFC - B & H PADDLE ROUND THE PIER

If you have any photographs of the bus in the liveries mentioned above, please can you email me photographs for inclusion in the Gallery pages of this website and also for forwarding to Chris Cotton to assist with his research? Please CLICK HERE if you have photographs you can email to me.

Saturday 20th March 2021

The Angela Coaches Model which I reported on 3rd February has now been released and is on sale. Contact the Buckie Model Centre via email or their website to order. See details below.
For further information, or to order one of the models, email The Buckie Model Centre at: info@buckiemodelcentre.com or visit their website at https://buckiemodelcentre.com 

2nd Posting Wednesday 17th March 2021

Apologies, please ignore this post. I misread the stock code on an email sent to me. Models have not yet been released, I will let you know as soon as they are.

Wednesday 17th March 2021

Stock code: IRM1200-517-90
Fleet number: RV517
Registration number: 99-D-517
Route number: 90
Destination: Connolly Station
Quantity: 252 pieces

Stock codeIRM1201-520-91
Fleet number: RV520
Registration number: 99-D-520
Route number: 91
Destination: Heuston Station
Quantity: 252 pieces

The below wording is from the press release issued on 2nd September 2020:

IRM Hits the Road: We Commission Rail Link Buses!

Well then, how many of you saw that coming?

We have commissioned Britbus of Hong Kong to produce a batch of Dublin Bus Volvo Olympian bus in the distinctive Rail Link colour scheme using existing Britbus diecast tooling! 

Four Volvo Olympians were delivered new in this new branding for Rail link from Walter Alexander bus builders in Northern Ireland to Dublin bus in mid-1999, registration numbers 99-D-517, 99-D-518, 99-D-519 and 99-D-520, with a fleet number of RV 517, RV 518, RV 519, and RV 520 respectively. All four buses were based at Conyngham Road Garage for Route 90 operation between Heuston Station and Connolly Station via Tara Street station. They also found use on the 91 bus route between Heuston Station and Aston Quay. They also infrequently operated other routes such as the 78A, 51B/C, 76 and others on rare occasions! 

By May 2000, Guinness sponsored the all over adverts on the four buses and the rail link livery disappeared. By June 2003, the four buses were repainted into normal Dublin Bus fleet livery. The attractive nature of the livery meant it lived long in the memory. We have been looking at doing road vehicles for a while and felt that this already tooled model in 1:76.2 model would be of interest to both our existing railway modeller customer base with its railway connections and bus collectors alike. If these models prove to be successful we will be looking at opening up to do other road vehicle as accessories, including newly tooled models from scratch! 

Two different bus numbers, one as RV517 (99-D-517) with the route 90 – Connolly Station, and the other as RV520 (99-D-520) with route number 91 Heuston Station. Please note the pair photographed here are pre-production samples and the production models will feature slight corrections. Both are highly limited in number, with just 252 of each being produced. They also come in special IRM branded sleeves mimicking the livery! These 00 gauge buses make the perfect vehicle for your Irish outline layout and collection.

Friday 12th March 2021

Thursday 11th March 2021

Swift Thinking – IRM Commissions Dublin Bus City Swift Leyland Olympian Buses from Britbus

March 9th Dublin – Irish Railway Models (IRM) today announces the launch of a new run of Leyland Olympian Dublin Bus RH Class buses in 1:76 scale from Britbus in the iconic City Swift livery. Following the speedy sell-out success of a similar commission in Railink Dublin Bus livery, IRM have gone back to Britbus and commissioned a new run of Dublin Bus double deckers. This time the focus is on a more mainstream model in the wonderfully attractive ‘City Swift’ livery of the 1990s on the Leyland Olympian chassis. As IRM has seen with their first double decker model, there is a healthy demand for Irish themed vehicles in 1:76 scale for model railway layouts and/or collections. This will lead IRM to offering more Irish themed commissions in the future, as well as their own tooling on new model vehicles in the long term. 

Their second commission from Britbus is of the popular Olympian buses that began operating in Dublin in 1990. They were retired from fleet service in 2012 but continued in tours services for several more years and can still be seen today in Ireland, the UK and beyond in service with private operators. The Olympian chassis first debuted for Dublin bus as a Leyland product in 1990, featuring a Cummins L10 engine and replaced the then aging Leyland Atlantean buses produced at CIE (later Van Hool McArdle) Spa Road Works in Inchicore. A total of 175 of the Leyland RH class Olympian buses would be delivered to Dublin bus over the next three years, with the last delivery in 1993 being among the very last Leyland badged buses ever produced before the Volvo take over. When delivered, the vast majority of these buses carried the then fleet standard livery of two-tone green with orange stripe, with others arriving in Wedding Bus livery or soon gaining attractive liveries for advertisements such as the EU and household name products.

In 1993 the City Swift concept was born, which sought to introduce single deck buses and operate higher frequency services to key routes in the city, beginning with route 39. The concept proved highly successful, and soon double deck buses were required to increase capacity and flexibility. This included new deliveries of Olympian double deckers from 1995 and later repaints of existing buses including the RH class in the mid/late 1990s. IRM have depicted two of these RH Class Leyland buses repainted into this attractive livery in late 1990s early 2000s condition. City Swift livery has never previously been available on the Leyland model of this tooling and the previous release of the later Volvo bus in this livery has been long sold out and now attracts a high premium among collectors. They also feature distinct features like black painted bumpers and both styles of destination blind, depending on model. 

RH70 is a 1991 registered Leyland Olympian which spent its career at Conyngham Road Depot operating a variety of routes out of the garage before being withdrawn and sold in 2005. On IRM’s model it is operating the now defunct 51B service to the City Centre via Clondalkin Village. It features the later style of illuminous numbering and lettering on the front destination blind.

RH126 was the first of the 1992 batch delivered to Dublin Bus for Alexanders in Mallusk, County Antrim. IRM’s model depicts Summerhill Depot based RH126 repainted into City Swift operating on the also now defunct 13A to Merrion Square via Coultry, featuring the memorable blue background for the 13A number on the front scroll with white number and text. RH126 was later repainted with grey bumpers but our model depicts its earlier guise with black bumpers. Both models had also lost their Leyland front badges before gaining City Swift branding which is depicted on our models too. 

Development of these models began as the Railink buses were delivered in Autumn 2020, with production now complete and the models in stock. Price is €59.99/£51.50 each and both models are strictly limited to just 252 pieces each. 
They are available to purchase now via the IRM website, www.irishrailwaymodels.co.uk for UK customers (with no additional VAT/Duty fees), www.irishrailwaymodels.com for rest of world. 

(IRM would like to thank Derek Farrelly and Adrian Richards for their assistance in developing these models)

Tuesday 9th March 2021

RF19 - London Transport - Stock code: RS76646 - Quantity: 250 pieces

RF25 - Green Line - Stock code: RS76647 - Quantity: 250 pieces

 Saturday 6th March 2021

RF19: Highly-detailed 1:76 scale model of the post-war London Transport tourist coaches with sky-light windows. The real RF19 can be found in the London Bus Museum.
Fleet number: RF19
Registration number: LUC219
Route number: - 
Destination: Hampton Court Tour
Quantity: Not known
Price: £99.00 plus postage

RF25: Highly-detailed 1:76 scale model of the post-war LT former tourist coaches with sky-light windows converted to Green Line coach operation and shown as route 715 to Guildford. The model has been fitted with luggage racks as was the original vehicle
Fleet number: RF25
Registration number: LUC225
Route number: 715 
Destination: Guildford
Quantity: Not known
Price: £99.00 plus postage

Friday 5th March 2021

Oxford Diecast
76COM006 Commer Commando - South African Airlines
NUT006 Guy Arab 2 – Ribble

Atlas Editions:
4642113 - Borgward BO 400 - Wander Falke
7519020 Grazer Waggonfabrik/AEG 1904 – Stubaitalbahn TW1

Thursday 4th March 2021

Wednesday 3rd March 2021

Tuesday 2nd March 2021

UKBUS6521 ADL Enviro400 MMC - Xplore Dundee
Fleet number: 6695
Regsitration number: SK68MBO
Route number: 22
Destination: Craigowl St Martin Avenue
Quantity: 1008

Wednesday 24th  February 2021

BUS026 AEC RT - LONDON TRANSPORT
Fleet number: RT2043
Registration number: Route number: LUC291
Route number: 62
Destination: Creekmouth Power Station

Tuesday 23rd February 2021

Please note: in a change from what was originally advertised, the models represent LT980 (LTZ2180) not LT120 (LTZ1120).

The models are certificated to 1100 pieces (550 for each version)

Monday 22nd February 2021

Saturday 20th February 2021

I have been unable to confirm whether the Fusilier Wright Gemini models OM46517A & OM46517B have also been released, which Corgi advised would be released in the same time period as the New Routemaster models.

Thursday 18th February 2021

The first 4 models as previously announced in four versions of London Transport livery will be:
40301 London Transport- Green & Cream
40302 London Transport – Green
40303 London Transport – Red & Cream
40304 London Transport - Red

Saturday 6th February 2021

Chris Cotton writes: "I received an email today from Corgi to say my pre-production model is now finished, I should receive it in about 7 weeks time to check, it is coming via sea. If I am then happy with it, then the main batch of 1000 will then be made. This will take about 3 weeks, then shipping to Corgi will take 7 weeks as it will come by sea. I am hoping for a June release but I will know when I have the PP sample".

For further information, or to order one of the Angela Coaches models, please email The Buckie Model Centre at: info@buckiemodelcentre.com or visit their website at https://buckiemodelcentre.com

Thursday 4th February 2021

Manufacturer: Holland Oto
Scale: 1:87th
VDL Bova 2 – Vision Tours
Registration number: VSIOONS
Certificated: 100 pieces.

The next model in their British Coach collection to be announced, features Southampton based company Angela Coaches.
Manufacturer: Holland Oto
Scale: 1:87th
VDL Bova 2 – Angela Coaches
Registration number: R600ACL
Certificated: Quantity to be confirmed.
Release date: To be confirmed

For further information, or to order one of the models, email The Buckie Model Centre at: info@buckiemodelcentre.com or visit their website at https://buckiemodelcentre.com

Wednesday 3rd February 2021

NLRT007 Leyland Royal Tiger – North Western
Fleet number: 603
Registration number: FDB603
Route number: -
Destination: London

76AMT001 Alexander M Type – Scottish
Fleet number: XS750
Registration number: MSF750P
Route number: -
Destination: London from Edinburgh

76IR6006 Irizar 16 – City Link Air
Fleet number: -
Registration number: YS16LMV
Route number: -
Destination: Edinburgh Airport via Hartshill

The first photograph was taken by me at The Scottish Vintage Bus Museum, Lathalmond on 14th August 2010. The second photograph was taken by John Bennett at Ingrow Station on 29th Sept. 2002 during Keighley Bus Museum's Aire Valley Running Day.

Friday 29th January 2021

1:148TH SCALE
NLRT007 Leyland Royal Tiger – North Western

1:76th SCALE
76AMT001 Alexander M Type – Scottish
76IR6006 Irizar 16 – City Link Air

No other details are known at this time.

Thursday 28th January 2021

OM46517A Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 Go North East NL63 Newcastle Royal Fusilliers
OM46517B Wright Eclipse gemini 2 Go North East NL63 Middlesborough Royal Fusilliers
OM46631A Wrightbus New RM - Arriva London - LTZ 1120 - Route 59 - Euston, Seedlip
OM46631B Wrightbus New RM - Arriva London - LTZ 1120 - Route 59 Streatham, Seedlip

Wednesday 27th January 2021

61100 Routemaster RM – London Transport
Fleet number: RM652
Registration number: WLT652
Route number: 15
Destination: Tower Hill
Quantity: n/a

61101 Routemaster RMC – Greenline
Fleet number: RMC1432
Registration number: 482CLT
Route number: 721
Destination: London (Aldgate)
Quantity: n/a

Thursday 21st January 2021

Wednesday 13th January 2021

Stock code: 63864
Optare Solo SR - Metroline
Fleet number: OS2502
Registration number: YJ68FXC
Route: H2
Destination: Golders Green

The model can be pre-ordered from the Network Shuttle website at https://networkshuttle.com/

The model will cost US$46.10 plus postage, which approximately equates to £45.00 including airmail postage to the UK. Depending on exchange rate at the time you order.

Please note: if ordering from abroad you might incur customs charges. Please check the HMRC website if you are not sure.

Tuesday 12th January 2021

UKBUS6520 ADL Enviro400 MMC -  Stagecoach South – 700 coastliner

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 and Xplore Dundee, Northcord Model Company is now releasing the eleventh livery on the 10.9 metre long, single-door casting – UKBUS6520 in the livery of Stagecoach South with full branding for route 700 coastliner.

UKBUS6520 represents fleet number 10942 (SN18 KNF) that has 10.9 metre, single door bodywork and was new to Stagecoach South in 2018. 10942 carries a full, branded livery for route 700 coastliner, showing the destination to Brighton. The special, comprehensive livery and branding are 100% reproduced onto the UKBUS6520 model. The stand-out features of the branding are : “free WiFi, USB charging” and the full route map with the name of every main stop “Portsmouth, Hilsea, Havant, Emsworth, Chichester, Wick, Bognor Regis, Littlehampton. Worthing, Shoreham, Hove, Brighton”, “frequent connections along the south coast” on both sides; “up to every 10 mins” and “700 coastliner” on all sides, except the front; “Great value travel between Littlehampton, Worthing & Brighton” and “only £23 a week 7 day megarider gold ticket” on the rear. 

The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC UKBUS6520 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 UKBUS6520 model is its single 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 Enviro400 MMC, such as the extensive portrayal of handrails on upper deck and lower deck, etc.

The brand new 10.9 metre Enviro400 MMC bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), 80M Bus Model Shop and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively. The UKBUS6520 model is limited to 1008 pieces worldwide.

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

Monday 11th January 2021

A point to note, TTC Diecast have advised me of pricing errors on the Corgi website, in that "all the buses advertised at £29.99 are an error and should be £38.99. The trams should also be £38.99." I understand that Corgi will be rectifying this asap.

OM46625A New Routemaster, Stagecoach London, LTZ 1406/LT406, Route N8 Tottenham Court Road, Supporting World Environment Day
OM46625B New Routemaster, Stagecoach London, LTZ 1406/LT406, Route N8 Hainault: The Lowe, Supporting World Environment Day
OM46517A Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 Go North East NL63XCB Route X10 Newcastle Royal Fusilliers (No photograph available yet)
OM46517B Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 Go North East NL63XCB Route X10 Middlesborough Royal Fusilliers (No photograph available yet)
OM46518A Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 Arriva London - LJ13CCN/DW512 'Your Army Needs You' - Route A 466 Caterham-on-the-Hill
OM46518B Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 Arriva London - LJ13CCN/DW512 'Your Army Needs You' - Route B 466 Addington Village
OM46627A Wrightbus New Routemaster GoAhead London LT394/LTZ1394 Route 15 Blackwall Royal Fusilliers (No photograph available yet)
OM46627B Wrightbus New Routemaster GoAhead London LT394/LTZ1394 Route 15 Stepney Arbour Square Royal Fusilliers (No photograph available yet)
OM46638A Wrightbus New Routemaster 'Release the Kraken' LT716/LTZ1716 - Special Edition - Route A 59 Euston
OM46638B Wrightbus New Routemaster 'Release the Kraken' LT716/LTZ1716 - Special Edition - Route B 59 Streatham Hill
OM46633A Wrightbus New Routemaster Stagecoach London - LT372/LTZ1372 'Only Fools and Horses' Stage Show - Route A Route 73 Victoria (Model photograph shows Route 55 Walthamstow Central)
OM46633B Wrightbus New Routemaster Stagecoach London - LT372/LTZ1372 'Only Fools and Horses' Stage Show - Route B Route 73 Stoke Newington (Model photograph shows Route 55 Oxford Circus)
OM46632A Wrightbus New Routemaster Arriva London LT230/LTZ1230 Route 38 Hackney Central "Sehba Basras Our Hillingdon" (No photograph available at time of writing)
OM46632B Wrightbus New Routemaster Arriva London LT230/LTZ1230 Route 38 Victoria "Sehba Basras Our Hillingdon"
OM46629 Wrightbus New Routemaster, London United, LT148/LTZ1148, Route 10 Hammersmith, Coca Cola®
OM46631A Wrightbus New RM - Arriva London - LT980/LTZ2180 - Route 59 Euston - Seedlip Tonic
OM46631B Wrightbus New RM - Arriva London - LT980/LTZ2180 - Route 59 Streatham Hill - Seedlip Tonic
CC44013 Coca Cola Single Decker Tram - Coke Side of Life (Fictitious livery, no other details known)
CC43515 Coca Cola Double Decker Tram - Open Happiness (Fictitious livery, no other details known)
CC89204 New Routemaster NHS Charities Together Bus (Fictitious livery, no other details known)

Thursday 7th January 2021

To read about issue 96 and see photographs of my progress, click on the thumbnail photograph below.

Saturday 2nd January 2021

Friday 1st January 2021

January to March 2021 - News

This page last updated Saturday, 03 April 2021