"450 models of a Utility Guy Arab II, on route 83 to Hayes Station, have been commissioned for Cobham 2004".

"Later this year, possibly late May or early June, an EFE model of the Trust's 10T10 Green Line T504 in pre-war livery should be available".

I will post additional details as soon as they are available.

BRITBUS - CHANGE IN MODEL NUMBERS
Britbus have advised of a change to numbers of some models previously announced as follows:

The WYPTE Metropolitan is now model number N6401
The Merseyside model is now numbered N6402 and will appear in two versions:
N6402A with the dark brown lower deck window surrounds and brown Logo.
N6402B with cream window surrounds and green Logo

The next models to be released will be N6205 and N6205X followed by N6401 WYPTE due out mid April.

The above photograph of Pre-production samples shows on the left N6402A with dark window surrounds and on the right N6402B with cream window surrounds and green logo.

Photograph © Britbus

Sunday 28 March 2004

If you would like to purchase one of these models please send a cheque for £22.50 plus £1.80 p&p payable to S Alderman at 7 Heath Farm Court, Grove Mill Lane, Watford WD17 3TT. Please note no orders will be processed before 4 April.

Saturday 27 March 2004 (2nd Posting)

Dublin Bus

UKBUS1013 Alexander ALX 400 – Bodied Dennis Trident

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL) is writing a new chapter again in the model bus history of both the UK and Ireland. CMNL has released its first replica with Dublin Bus livery on its well-known casting – the Alexander ALX 400 bodied – Dennis Trident. It is the first low-floor double-decker bus replica in Dublin Bus livery.

Dublin Bus has 10 Tridents and these are the first Dennis vehicles Dublin Bus has ever bought. The vehicles are 10.5 metres in length with a single door at the front only. 

The replica features excellent detailing, inside and out, including an opening engine door and engine detail. The most outstanding feature on the model is the curved windscreen replicating the unique feature on this body style that Dublin Bus has developed. The windscreen was designed by TransBus to reduce windscreen reflection and is also fitted to the Dublin Bus ALX400 bodied Volvo chassis.

This is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the windows and livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible, in both English and Irish. The model has no ugly metal poles to hold it together.

The brand new Dublin Bus model is based on a Limited Edition of 2200 pieces produced. They will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), SJ Enterprises Limited (Ireland), Porte Publishing Company (Japan) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively.

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

Photograph © Creative Master Northcord Ltd

07.00hrs Saturday 27 March 2004 (1st posting)

PRESS RELEASE FROM CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD

Update on UKBUS2004 – Lothian Buses

Since the launch of Creative Master Northcord’s ukbus model replica range on the UK collectible market, it has received much praise and has won many awards in magazines and on the ‘net. The ukbus range has been successful because it has presented ‘modern image’ models of the latest, low-floor buses that are currently seen on the streets of the UK and Ireland.

As part of the company’s policy of presenting the most up to date models, reflecting reality, CMNL decided to delay the production of UKBUS2004 (Lothian Buses) for aesthetic reasons. Because Lothian Buses required a slightly different body style – with a forward-placed centre exit immediately behind the front axle rather than immediately in front of the rear axle – for its deliveries from W-registration onwards, it only left the older Tridents in the fleet to be modelled accurately. With the agreement of Lothian Buses, CMNL agreed to defer production of UKBUS2004 until late Spring 2004 to coincide with the introduction of the newer, revised ‘Harlequin’ livery on the T and V-registration dual-doored Plaxton President Tridents.

To date none of this batch has received the revised livery, whilst retaining the dual-doored layout.

As a result, the UKBUS2004 model will now feature a SINGLE-DOORED example from the Lothian Buses fleet, and will represent fleet number 601 and will carry registration SN51 AXF. This vehicle is one of the Airbus fleet that will receive ‘Harlequin’ livery during April/May 2004 and has already been produced in replica form by CMNL as its UKBUS2002 model. CMNL has decided to alter the specification of the UKBUS2004 project in order to maintain its aim of producing the most up-to-date models possible.

ANOTHER CODE 2 BEDFORD OB FROM CORGI OOC
I am very grateful to John Bennett for advising me of a new code 2 model from Corgi OOC which is reported in the April edition of Buses magazine. The organisers of the 50th UK Coach Rally at Brighton on 17/18 April have commissioned a 2000 limited edition of Corgi's 1/76 scale Bedford OB in Kenzie's of Shepreth livery. They are to be on sale at the rally at £12.50 and available later at £14.50 from Coach Displays Ltd, 21 The Poynings, Richings Park, Iver, Bucks, SL0 9D (01753 631170). There is a picture of the model in the article. If contacting Coach Displays Ltd please mention British Model Buses. This model is also mentioned in the March edition of the Corgi Collector Club magazine.

CORGI COLLECTOR CLUB 2004 MODEL
The March edition of the Corgi Collector Club magazine carries additional details of the 2004 club model, which was first reported some time ago on this site. 
OM42508 East Lancs Lowlander Isle of Man Transport
Limited to 1000 pieces and available to Corgi Collector Club members only at £22.50 (inc P&P UK) and £25.00 (inc P&P overseas).

CONFIRMED RELEASE MODEL COLLECTOR MAGAZINE SPECIAL
I can confirm that the following model has now been released by Model Collector magazine, it also appears that this model has gone on release to dealers and I am grateful to all that have written to me saying their local dealer has them in stock:
OM42507 Dennis Trident/E Lancs Lolyne - Brighton and Hove

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM BRITBUS
I can confirm that the following models have now been released and are on sale:
N6102A MCW Metropolitan Glasgow PTE
N6102B MCW Metropolitan Trans-Clyde PTE

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM CORGI OOC
I can confirm that the following model has been released and is on sale:
OM40810 Bristol Lodekka FS Open Top Southdown B H & D

CORGI OOC RELEASES SCHEDULED FOR WEEK COMMENCING 29 MARCH 2004
The following models are scheduled for release next week:
OM42409 Plaxton Panorama I Lancashire United
OM45116 MCW Metrobus MKII Lincolnshire Road Car Co.

I will be publishing a number of photographs in relation to some of the models mentioned above over the next few days.

Friday 26 March 2004

24 March 2004

The model is a Code 2 Corgi OOC release (the base plate has all the usual "Corgi", "Bedford OB Coach" and "The Original Omnibus Company" legends plus the Corgi "dog", however the packaging is not the usual OOC style). The vehicle has no registration number, the offside destination screen reads "1993" the nearside "2003", and the sides of the coach are decorated with the logotype for the Aland Post 10-year-anniversary. The fleet type number "Nr 9" is not a fleet number but signifies it is the 9th model the Aland Post Office have commissioned. The model is certificated to 8000 pieces. The Corgi stock code is not known at this time.

Details of how to order can found at the Aland Post Office web site CLICK HERE to view or email to kristine.sund@posten.aland.fi

Photograph © Andy McClelland

Photograph © Andy McClelland

Sunday 21 March 2004

CORGI OOC DELAYED RELEASE
Last week Corgi OOC announced that OM41202 Wright Eclipse Gemini (2 Door) 10.1m Arriva London would be released week commencing 22 March 2004. They now state that this model has been delayed and will not be released until the end of April. No reason for the delay is given.

Friday 19 March 2004

The photographs shown below are exclusive to British Model Buses and show early pre-production samples of the three models. Please note some details and specifications may be subject to change on the final model. Further details including possible release date will be give as soon as they are known. 

Monday 15 March 2004

CORGI OOC RELEASES SCHEDULED FOR WEEK COMMENCING 22 MARCH 2004
OM40810 Bristol Lodekka FS Open Top Southdown B H & D
OM41202 Wright Eclipse Gemini (2 Door) 10.1m Arriva London (Not Limited)

Friday 12 March 2004

Two Tridents in Replica

UKBUS014 Oxford Park & Ride / UKBUS2008 Reading Buses

JB1006 Mitsubishi Fuso Non-Step Citybus

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL) has just released two brand new replicas on its well-known castings – the Alexander ALX 400 bodied Dennis Trident in Oxford Park & Ride livery, and the Plaxton President bodied Dennis Trident in Reading Buses colours.

Both Tridents feature excellent detailing, inside and out, including an opening engine door and engine detail. The Tridents are one-piece castings whose clean lines accentuate the windows and livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. The models have no ugly metal poles to hold them together.

The Oxford Bus Company has a fleet of 20 extra-lowheight Alexander bodied Dennis Tridents, delivered in June and July 1999, for service on the Park & Ride routes in Oxford. The model represents 929, a demonstrator provided by the manufacturer to cover the absence of each of the original Tridents whilst away for rectification work. It is the only “high” as well as single door Trident running Oxford Park & Ride services.

Reading Buses’ Dennis Trident 472 (PO51 WNG) was 17 months old when purchased from Pete’s Travel, West Bromwich in March 2003, entering service for Reading Buses on service 31 & 33 on the 1^st April 2003. It was one of a batch of six such vehicles purchased from Pete’s to increase low floor capacity on those corridors which require significant enhancement.

The production of both UKBUS1014 and UKBUS2008 is 1800 pieces respectively and they will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK)

Whilst CMNL had anticipated being able to release some of its JB1006 product onto the open market, the entire production run was purchased by a single agent. Consequently, CMNL deeply regrets that no models of JB1006 will be available for the Hong Kong or UK enthusiast or collector market by open sale.

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

Tuesday 9 March 2004

Sunday 7 March 2004

BRITBUS MCW METROPOLITAN N6205 LONDON BUSES - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Britbus have advised me of additional details in respect of the above. The model will now be released in two versions:
N6205 Standard version, details as previously announced. Limited to 816 pieces only.
N6205X This is a special run of 216 pieces and has the paper adverts tampoed behind the lower deck windows as in the most common photo of this bus at Aldenham open day. The latest anticipated release date is the end of March.

EFE SPECIAL MODELS
The EFE 2nd Mailing 2004 to subscribers arrived today and carries details of some special models as follows:

Acton Open Day.
As previously reported, this years London Transport Acton open day is the 6th and 7th of March and as usual there will be a Special Model available. The model this year features a Leyland Titan in East London livery. T 517, registered KYV 517X is working route 25 to Victoria. Exclusive First Editions will be exhibiting a display of the new release models and showing the resin samples of the Guy GS and AEC Renown buses and all the new truck models.

Cobham Museum Open Day 4 April 2004.
EFE state that this years model will feature a Guy Arab II Utility bus and not Leyland STD as previously reported, I will seek clarification on this.

Special Subscriber models.
The next Special Subscriber models will feature two further Australian Leyland TD1 buses in the liveries of Cronulla and Brighton Mascot Railway.

Friday 5 March 2004

20432
Bristol VR3 - Devon General
Fleet number: 1126
Registration number: XDV 606S
Route number: 120
Destination: Torquay

25403
Manchester MCW Fleetline - City of Cardiff
Fleet number: 477
Registration number: JKG 477F
Route number: 35
Destination: Gabalfa

27613
Wrights Volvo Renown - Brighton and Hove
Fleet number: 234
Registration number: R234 HCD
Route number: 10
Destination: Lower Bevendean

29603
Leyland Olympian (Type B) - Solent Blue Line
Fleet number: 722
Registration number: G722 WDL
Route number: 26
Destination: Hedge End, Botley, Bishops Waltham and Swanmore

99645 (Gilbow Railway Series)
Leyland TD1 (Closed Rear) - Todmorden LMS
Fleet number: 23
Registration number: WX 2074
Route number: -
Destination: Burnley

Thursday 4 March 2004

LT MUSEUM
The LT Museum have advised me that there will be a special model for this weekends Acton depot Open Weekend (6/7 March 2004). The model will be an EFE Leyland Titan East London on Route 15 and will be priced at £22.99. Available at the depot only.

NEW BRITBUS PHOTOGRAPHS
The photographs shown below were received this morning and are the latest available of models N6102A MCW Metropolitan Glasgow PTE and N6102B MCW Metropolitan Trans-Clyde PTE

Photograph © Britbus

Photograph © Britbus

Photograph © Britbus

Photograph © Britbus

Wednesday 3 March 2004

Tuesday 2 March 2004

March 2004 - News

This page last updated Monday, 25 February 2013