HKBUS2005 : Megabus.com Manchester

Tri-axle Leyland Olympian / Alexander Coach

megabus.com, the UK’s first low-cost, inter-city bus service, bookable only on the web, has achieved significant success within the last couple of years in the UK. Creative Master Northcord Limited is proud to release a third megabus.com livery on its well-known 11-metre, tri-axle Leyland Olympian / Alexander R-type coach model. HKBUS2005 carries a destination screen branding for the services operating to and from Manchester.

Monday 28^th June 2004 saw the introduction of new Megabus services linking Manchester with London and Scotland in addition to the existing service to Leeds. Stagecoach Manchester 13616 (G189 YRJ) was one of 5 ex-Hong Kong Olympians allocated to Princess Road Garage to run the services between Manchester and London/Leeds. This bus is the former Citybus 123 (EL 8119).

The HKBUS2005 model features an accurately designed replica of the toilet compartment fitted to these buses in order to improve passenger comfort on the longer-distance services. The toilet compartment replaces the first double seat on the nearside of the lower deck.

To make this a distinctive model representing those on Manchester services, in addition to the Manchester and megabus.com 2-line destination screen, the model does not carry the place-names above the upper-deck windows offering a real comparison to the London-based bus modelled as HKBUS2004.

HKBUS2005 still carries some distinctive decoration shared with HKBUS2004 : there is a big £1 logo on the roof, the ‘in and out of London’ side branding and it also has the feature of the wholly-wrapped decoration on the bonded windows.

As on the previous successful HKBUS2000 series megabus.com models produced by CMNL, HKBUS2005 has many innovative designs on the tooling, some of which were seen for the first time on a CMNL double-deck model. The replica features excellent detailing, inside and out, including 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 most remarkable accuracy is seen on the front dome that represents this feature of the Alexander R type bodywork.

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 HKBUS2005 model is limited to 1700 pieces worldwide. They will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) and Porte Publishing Company (Japan).

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

This photograph shows HKBUS2005

Photograph © Creative Master Northcord Ltd

EFE 30501 GUY GS LONDON TRANSPORT
I have been contacted by a couple of dealers regarding the above. It appears that the quantity of this model produced is significantly short for requirements. One of the dealers stated he had been cut back by 60%. The other stated she had been cut back from 30 to just 6 pieces an 80% reduction. Both stated they were extremely angry at the cut back to their orders as they had to disappoint many regular customers.

Thursday 31 March 2005

Wednesday 30 March 2005

"Wright Eclipse Gemini - Travel London

Model Collector has once again teamed up with Corgi to bring you a fantastic reader offer. A 1/76th scale Wright Eclipse Gemini in Travel London livery which will be strictly limited to just 1,500 pieces and only available through this magazine.

This attractive vehicle with its 10.1 metre Volvo B7TL chassis and powered by the Volvo rear transverse-mounted 6-cylinder 7.3 litre turbo diesel engine, first graced the streets of London in 2001. Since then over 1,000, of what turned out to be a very popular passenger carrying vehicle, are in service around the country.

Our model will depict fleet number V15, with registration number BX54 DJK, operating on route 381, with a final destination of Peckham County Hall in south London".

The model is priced at £21.99 plus £1.50 P&P (UK) and £2.50 P&P (Overseas). The order form is published in the magazine.

Saturday 26 March 2005

EFE MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE WEEK COMMENCING TUESDAY 29TH MARCH 2005
The following models are scheduled for release next week:
26805 Leyland Duple Ribble
28005 Daimler DMS (1 door) Western Scottish
30501 Guy Special (GS) London Transport (green)

Friday 25 March 2005

Photograph 1 CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE

The model details are as follows:
Fleet number: 300
Registration number: HW52 EPX
Route: 1
Destination: Cowes
Quantity: 1700 pieces

A RUMOUR OF FUTURE RELEASES FROM CORGI
Whilst I do not normally publish rumours, I have received two reports both from reliable sources stating that Corgi are to release two Gemini models in their second half catalogue. I thought that this may be of interest to some of my visitors:

Firstly a Travel Dundee Gemini in Discovery Line branded livery and secondly a special limited edition Travel London Gemini.

I would stress that nothing has been confirmed by Corgi and I have not heard of any other details.

2nd posting Monday 21 March 2005

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD - PRESS RELEASE

Dennis / Plaxton Mini Pointer Dart

UKBUS3009 Southern Vectis

Further to the previous successful release of the Mini Pointer Dart replicas with other operators’ colours, CMNL is releasing another MPD model. This is UKBUS3009 carrying Southern Vectis livery, a bus operator working on the Isle of Wight, UK.

The Southern Vectis MPD replica carries the fleet number 300 and registration number HW52 EPX.

In 2002 Southern Vectis needed an extra Dennis Dart. Rather than purchasing secondhand, as they had done previously when extra Darts were needed, the decision was taken to buy one new Dart SLF. At that time suitable replacements were being sought for the Iveco minibuses, so this was also used for evaluation purposes. At the same time a new dark blue livery was adopted for all the small buses in the fleet. Bus 300 remains unique in the fleet because another 14 new MPDs are due to enter service in early 2005 to replace the Iveco minibuses, but in a different livery.

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 UKBUS3009 Southern Vectis bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively.

‘Forthcoming Releases’

CMNL has become aware that some enthusiast websites and on-line dealers are showing certain versions of the Alexander Royale and Citaro buses as ‘Forthcoming Releases’. These suppositions arise from the excellent CMNL Catalogue for 2004 – 2005 that shows potential liveries that might be considered in the future.

Due to the timetable for printing the catalogue, actual release details had not been confirmed as the catalogue went for printing. To make the situation more complicated, the phrase ‘These photographs are for illustrative purposes only and do not comprise agreed releases’ was inadvertently missed when the catalogue went for printing.

CMNL is committed to its standard format of releasing information regarding forthcoming releases as listed below :

By end of April : releases for period May – August

By end of August : releases for September – December

By end of December : releases for January – April

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

06.30 am Monday 21 March 2005

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM UPDATE
The below are extracts from a newsletter to be sent to Museum subscribers in the near future and give details of the next EFE Museum gift set, a Corgi OOC special models for the Museum and a few items of general news/interest:

"Of general note to all customers is the introduction of Chip and Pin technology, and extra time is spent to clear cards through the banks. Please bear with us if your statement shows a transaction without receipt of goods. We endeavour to send out orders as soon as we can after bank clearance.

Exclusive First Editions

We are pleased to announce our Bus Set 13, featuring a London Country GS on Route 336A and a London Country RF on Route 336. This set is bound to be very popular, and by filling in the order form attached, your order will receive priority. The price is £39.95. We expect delivery of Bus Set 13 in Summer 2005.

The Great Northern RM25 and Shillibeer RML2524 are in production and should be available in Summer 2005.

The long awaited green STL is also being manufactured at the moment and should be available to us in Summer 2005.

The last Routemasters in normal public service are expected to be in November, either on Route 38 or 159, both operated by Arriva. We have commissioned special models to celebrate the event. Details will be revealed in the next newsletter.

Corgi (OOC)

We are pleased to announce a special London 2012 Olympic bid liveried Arriva Wrights Gemini on Route 29. The price is £24.99, and we expect delivery in June. This model is unique to the Museum.

Britbus

Our special Red Arrow SMS is expected to appear in late Spring 2005 and customers have no need to reorder.

As many of you know, the Museum is scheduled to close during the Summer for major refurbishment lasting 18 months. The shop will move to temporary premises close to the Museum at Unit 26 Covent Garden Piazza.

If you wish, you may contact Sam Harrison, the Mail Order Manager with your updated card information and queries. Please write to her at the Museum’s address".

CORGI OOC MODELS ADDED TO SALE PAGE
I have now added about 25 Corgi OOC models to the Sale including a number of Code 2 models.

CLICK HERE to view

Sunday 20 March 2005

CLICK HERE to view the sale page.

Saturday 19 March 2005

NEWS FROM RAMBLERS HOLIDAYS
The following letter has today been received from Stuart Alderman at Ramblers Holidays and gives details of a new Code 3 model:

Dear Collector,

I am sorry, it is the middle of March and the promised 4Q4 has still not arrived having been expected in February. I keep my fingers crossed that it will be delivered soon but I will not bank cheques until it does so. Of course as soon as it does become available I will dispatch them to you. In the meantime I can only apologise for the delay and ask you to bear with me.

When the Ramblers SRT 1 was delivered there was a large over-run on the order for 600 as per the certificates numbered with each bus. These have been in store for some time whilst we have wondered what to do with them. They cannot be released as they are as that would destroy the integrity of the certificates and disappoint many that quoted quantities were untrue. We have decided now to overprint the blinds on the front and back changing the destination from St Albans to Harpenden which was the furthest point that route 351 journeyed in a northbound direction. The change is being done by Nigel Mitchell of London Bus Repaints whose work quality has always been excellent. No other detail on the bus will be changed. These new vehicles will become Code 3 but the very limited production run of 144 will make them, I believe, very collectable. The box labels will be changed to designate them as 10128Ba and show them to be Code 3 with a Harpenden destination. They will each have their own individually numbered certificate.

Although there is an extra cost involved in all this and when released they will have a £24.75 price tag, as a token of my concern over the delayed production of the 4Q4 I am willing to offer them first to those of you who are kept waiting for Q95, at the original price of £22.50 plus £1.50 p&p. If you would like one or more please complete the slip below and return it to me with your cheque. I hope that they will be ready for dispatch by the third week of April.

Best Regards

Stuart Alderman

..................................................................................................................................................

Stuart Alderman, 7 Heath Farm Court, Grove Mill Lane, Watford, WD173TT

Ramblers Holidays Code 3 SRT1 on route 351 to Harpenden. 10128Ba

Please send me ........models of the above SRT1 at £24 each including post and packing for which I enclose a cheque for £............made out to S Alderman. No cheques wilt be banked until the model is ready for dispatch. Anyone wishing to collect their model from Watford or possibly Enfield is welcome but telephone first.

Name..........................................................Tel No............................

Address.............................................................................................

............................................................................Post Code.............

Friday 18 March 2005

15002 Leyland National MK1 - Brighton and Hove
Fleet number: 51
Registration number: UFG 51S
Route: 36
Destination: Brighton Old Steine
Estimated release date: Early June 2005

24904 Mercedes Minibus - South Wales Transport
Fleet number: 320
Registration number: F320 AWN
Route: 6
Destination: Port Tennant
Estimated release date: Late May

DETAILS OF A PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED EFE MODEL
EFE have published details of the following previously announced model:

29607 Leyland Olympian - London United
Fleet number: L296
Registration number: G296 UYK
Route: 140
Destination: Heathrow Airport
Estimated release date: Early June

Thursday 17 March 2005

Wednesday 16 March 2005

Tuesday 14 March 2005

UKBUS1015 Dennis Trident ALX400 Stagecoach Park & Ride (Cambridge)
UKBUS1018 The Alexander ALX400/Dennis Trident First London

NEW BRITBUS PHOTOGRAPHS
Click on the links below to view additional photographs for the model announced yesterday:

AS1-01 Single door SM Class Short Swift
London Transport

Front view CLICK HERE
Rear/Offside CLICK HERE

NEW IRBUS PHOTOGRAPHS
Click on the links below to view additional photographs for the model announced yesterday:
R 702 Leyland Olympian RH class (Blue Yellow Livery)
Bus Atha Cliath - Dublin Bus

Rear/Offside view CLICK HERE
Nearside View CLICK HERE
Offside view CLICK HERE
Front view CLICK HERE
Rear view CLICK HERE

NEW EFE PHOTOGRAPHS
Click on the links below to view new photographs

15107 Leyland National Surfside CLICK HERE
16702 Leyland National Melbourne CLICK HERE
99206 Daimler Utility Birmingham City Transport CLICK HERE
EFE Wartime Series packaging CLICK HERE

Friday 11 March 2005

NEW MODEL ANNOUNCED BY IRBUS
Irbus have announced the following new model:
R 702 Leyland Olympian RH class (Blue Yellow Livery)
Bus Atha Cliath_Dublin Bus
Expected release date fourth week of March
Quantity 1008 pieces

A photograph of each of the above models showing early pre-production samples are shown below

Photograph © Britbus

Photograph © Irbus

06.30am Thursday 10 March 2005

TWO NEW EFE SUBSCRIBER MODELS
EFE have offered two further Australian buses produced by EFE for Trux of Australia to their subscribers:

15107
Leyland National 11.3M
Registration number: 626 OMD
Surfside to Tweedheads
Serving the Gold Coast

16702
Leyland National MK1 10.3m
Registration number: IAC 821
Route number: 277
Destination: Melbourne via Templestowe

The models are offered to EFE subscribers only at £14.00 each (UK) including P&P. Europe £15.00 and Rest of World £16.00 both including P&P

COBHAM BUS MUSEUM SPECIAL MODELS
The Cobham Bus Museum (LBPT) have announced that they have commissioned an additional fund raising model from EFE in addition to the two previously announced. This model being:

Guy Arab Utility
Fleet number G351
London Transport
As preserved by LBPT and to be unveiled following it's renovation at the Cobham 2005 Open Day. It is hoped that 550 models will be available for sale at the open day on 3rd April 2005

The two previously announced models being of STD140 and GS34

The Museum have stated that the models will only be available on the day and they will not be taking any pre-orders.

Wednesday 9 March 2005

99206 Daimler Utility - Birmingham City Transport
Fleet number: 1339
Registration number: FOP 339
Route: 11
Destination: Outer Circle

99207 Leyland TD1 (closed) - Plymouth City Transport
Fleet number: 124
Registration number: DR 7405
Route: -
Destination: The Theatre

Saturday 5 March 2005

Friday 4 March 2005

Further details and photographs will be published as soon as they are available.

Thursday 3 March 2005

13915A
Bristol Lodekka FLF - Western SMT
Fleet Number: DB1711
Registration Number: TCS 159
Route Number: D5
Destination: Queensberry Square
Between decks adverts: N/S Parcels by Bus O/S Haig Scotch Whisky
No certificate of numbers issued.

Wednesday 2 March 2005

26315 Guy Arab 2 Utility Southdown

Tuesday 1 March 2005

March 2005 - News

This page last updated Monday, 25 February 2013