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

CORGI OOC CP44110 OPTARE 20TH ANNIVERSARY COMMISSIONED MODEL
The below message has been received today from Steve Johnson, Sales Operations and Marketing Manager, Optare Group Limited. I am sure it will be of interest to a number of visitors to the site. Please mention British Model Buses if you contact him:

"I note reference on your website to the specially commissioned Optare 20th anniversary Solo model. As you are aware, we commissioned this exclusively with Corgi and our intention is to provide one to each of our employees to commemorate our anniversary and for the remainder to be held in stock as VIP corporate gifts.

We don't wish to undermine their value by making them widely available to the outside world but I'm sure you and your readers will be pleased to hear that we are prepared to make a small quantity available for sale - We have been approached directly by a few collectors already and have set a price of £35 each inclusive of VAT, postage and packing  for UK Mainland.  (International collectors postage charge will depend on where they are in the world!)

Should any of your website visitors wish to purchase one, they should send their cheques (made payable to Optare Group Limited) for my attention at the address below. They should also provide us with their postal address of course and I will arrange for dispatch within seven days of receipt of their order.

At the current time, I am not too sure exactly how many we are likely to sell, but we will work on a first come, first served basis for the time being.

Steve Johnson
Sales Operations and Marketing Manager
Optare Group Limited
Manston Lane
Leeds
LS15 8SU
Telephone: +44 (0)113 264 5182
Fax: +44 (0)113 260 6635"

Wednesday 30 November 2005

CORGI OOC MODEL SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE THIS WEEK
Corgi have advised that the following model will be released this week:
OM44109 Optare Solo Strathtay

BRITBUS MODELS ARRIVING IN UK SOON
Britbus have advised that the following models should by now have arrived in the UK so will hopefully be on sale soon:
DL-01 Dennis Loline III Aldershot & District
Click on the links below to view photographs of the production model. I am very grateful to Ray from Aldershot & District Omnibuses Rescue & Restoration Society for sending them to me:
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE
AS2-05 AEC Swift A1 Services

The following model should be arriving in the UK next week:
MRL-02 MCW Midibus Kentish Bus

IAN ALLAN COMMISSIONED LONDON GENERAL RML
I have today spoken with Ian Allan Publishing who advised that they have now have stock of the model and are beginning to package them for dispatch. They hope to begin posting them out in approximately two weeks time.

A number of people have written stating they have heard that people have received their model. Ian Allan advised these models have probably originated from the part of the production run that has been allocated to London General.

Tuesday 29 November 2005

LT MUSEUM SPECIAL ROUTEMASTERS UPDATE

Last Routemasters on Route 159

London’s Transport Museum special merchandise arrangements

Thursday 8 December

Friday 9 December

Saturday 10 December

Because of operational difficulties, the planned London’s Transport Museum special last Routemaster merchandise sales stand at either Streatham Bus Garage or Brixton Hill Tram Shed has been re-sited to the Museum’s temporary shop in Unit 26 Covent Garden Piazza.

However, this has given us the opportunity to extend our special sales period to include Saturday 10 December.

Of particular note are two special 1:76 scale EFE Route 159 Routemaster models which will be available to personal callers only. Equal quantities of each of the two models will be available on all three days.

It is Transport for London’s intention that these models should be available for the widest possible audience, and therefore customers are restricted to one of each model ONLY. We regret no Mail Orders for these models can be accepted. The models are priced at £24.99 each

The planned release of the third special Route159 Routemaster model has now been postponed until the Acton Depot weekend of 4/5 March 2006.

A wide range of specially commissioned Last Routemaster merchandise will be also be available from the Museum shop.

The usual opening hours for the shop are 10.00 – 18.00 daily (from 11.00 Fridays)

The shop opening hours for the 3 days are augmented as follows;

Thursday 8 December 10.00 – 19.00

Friday 9 December 10.00 – 19.00

Saturday 10 December 09.00 – 19.00

Additional details of the models will be given as soon as they become available - Gareth

Saturday 26 November 2005

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD
I can confirm that the following models have been released and are on sale:
UKBUS3018 Plaxton Dennis Dart MPD Wight Bus
UKBUS4004 The Alexander Royale/Volvo Olympian Travel West Midlands
UKBUS5002 Mercedes Benz Citaro (2-axle) City of Oxford Motor Services Park & Ride
UKBUS5101 Mercedes Benz Citaro 3-axle articulated Mercedes Benz Demonstrator
UKBUS5102 Mercedes Benz Citaro 3-axle articulated Stagecoach in London

EFE MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE NEXT WEEK
The following models are scheduled for release week commencing 27 November 2005:
25106 Bristol RELL West Yorkshire
27616 Wright Volvo Renown Strathtay
30004 AEC Regal 10T10 London Transport

Friday 25 November 2005

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM CORGI OOC
I can confirm that the following model has now been released and is on sale:
OM41211 Wright Eclipse Gemini First London

Saturday 19 November 2005

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD - PRESS RELEASE

‘UKBUS5100 series packaging’

CMNL receives feedback from a number of agents who are each sent a review sample of newly released models.

Following feedback about the packaging for the Citaro bendy-bus models, CMNL intends to make minor changes to it. These should make it simpler to remove the model from the box although the model will still remained screwed to the plinth, rather than attached in the style of the UKBUS3000 and 4000 series.

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

Thursday 17 November 2005

Saturday 12 November 2005

MORE NEW MODELS ANNOUNCED BY EFE
EFE have announced the following new models in addition to the Badgerline model which I mentioned yesterday:
20905 Leyland PS2 Windover Coach North Western
28503 Leyland TD1 (closed) Western
29609 Leyland Olympian Northern Scottish

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM EFE
I can confirm that the following models have now been released and are on sale:
28811 Leyland Titan Reading Buses
30506 Guy GS Special Southern Motorways
30601 AEC Renown King Alfred
30602 AEC Renown King Alfred

EFE SUBSCRIBER CHRISTMAS SPECIAL MODEL
The latest EFE subscriber newsletter mentions that EFE will be offering a Guy GS in London Transport livery as used in Great Yarmouth to run trials on one man operation. Details will be sent with the next newsletter

GILBOW 1/24TH SCALE DMS
The EFE subscriber newsletter advises the Gilbow stock code for this model will be 99101. Details and an order form will be included with the next newsletter.

Friday 11 November 2005

NEW MODEL ANNOUNCED BY BRITBUS
Britbus have announced the following new model scheduled for release in December 2005:
GL03 Guy Arab 3 Dodds of Troon (CLICK HERE) to view photograph

NEW MODEL ANNOUNCED BY EFE
EFE have announced a further new model as follows:
27615 Wright Volvo Renown - First Badgerline (CLICK HERE) to view photograph
Fleet number: 1916
Registration number: R916 BOU
Route: 377
Destination: Yeovil
Release date: Not known at this time

GILBOW (EFE) 1/24TH SCALE DMS LONDON TRANSPORT
Further to my Showbus report, click on the links below to view further pre-production photographs showing a sample of this model and some of the component parts:
Photograph 1 CLICK HERE
Photograph 2 CLICK HERE
Photograph 3 CLICK HERE
Photograph 4 CLICK HERE
Photograph 5 CLICK HERE
Photograph 6 CLICK HERE
Photograph 7 CLICK HERE

Thursday 10 November 2005

BRITBUS MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE NEXT WEEK
Britbus have advised me that they hope to release the following models next week:
AS2-05 AEC Swift A1 Services
N6214 MCW Metropolitan Demonstration Livery

Wednesday 9 November 2005

Stagecoach Cheltenham - unimotion

UKBUS1022 Alexander ALX400 Dennis Trident

CMNL is proud to release the 22^nd livery variation on its well-known casting – the Alexander ALX 400-bodied Dennis Trident. This is UKBUS1022 carrying ‘unimotion’ livery.

The model represents Stagecoach Cheltenham & District 17729 (MK02 EGY) in unimotion livery.

Operated by a small, dedicated team of drivers from Stagecoach Cheltenham, the unimotion service is run in partnership with the University of Gloucestershire. Three Tridents – each displaying its own unique livery – carry more than 250,000 students, staff and the public per annum. The inter-site bus service operates during term time, linking the main campuses in Cheltenham and Gloucester with the railway station at Cheltenham as well as Gloucester town centre.

All three vehicles were originally bought by Stagecoach in the summer of 2002 to form part of the Commonwealth Games shuttle bus fleet in Manchester. When the games ended, they were transferred to Cheltenham and repainted to launch the unimotion service.

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, including the LED lights at the back. The model has no unnecessary metal poles to hold it together.

The brand new unimotion model is based on a Limited Edition of 1500 pieces produced. They 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 UKBUS1022 Stagecoach Cheltenham - unimotion

Photograph © Creative Master Northcord Ltd

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

06.30am Tuesday 8 November 2005

This photograph shows the front/nearside view of the new AEC Regent 3 (Park Royal) casting

Photograph © British Model Buses

This photograph shows the rear/nearside view of the new AEC Regent 3 (Park Royal) casting

Photograph © British Model Buses

EFE MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE THIS WEEK
The following models are to be released this week and should be in the shops in a few days time:
28811 Leyland Titan Reading Buses
30506 Guy GS Special Southern Motorways
30601 AEC Renown King Alfred
30602 AEC Renown King Alfred

Monday 7 November 2005

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD - PRESS RELEASES

HKBUS2006 MAGICBUS

Tri-axle Leyland Olympian / Alexander Coach

“LOW FARES” and “GREAT VALUE” are the slogans of the MagicBus service operated by Stagecoach. Creative Master Northcord Limited is proud to release the first MagicBus livery on its well-known 11-metre, tri-axle Leyland Olympian / Alexander R-type coach model. 

The model represents Stagecoach Manchester 13642 (H625 LNA) in MagicBus livery that formerly operated with Citybus in Hong Kong as its 116 (EF 8850). This coach features the gasket glazing that was fitted to the first twelve 11m coaches that Citybus bought.

Although most of the former Citybus 11m coaches have served on the Megabus network, the arrival of new Neoplan coaches rendered some Olympians surplus to the requirements of the Megabus fleet, and toilets were not needed on these.

13642 was one of seven that entered service on MagicBus routes in Manchester. Their high seating capacity makes them ideal for use on route 142, 192 or 216.

As on the previous successful HKBUS2000 series models produced by CMNL, HKBUS2006 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 HKBUS2006 model is limited to 1600 pieces worldwide. They will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) and Porte Publishing Company (Japan).

Plaxton Mini Pointer bodied-Dennis Dart

----UKBUS3019 Plymouth Citybus

Further to the previous successful releases of the Mini Pointer Dart replicas with other operators’ colours, CMNL is releasing another MPD model. This is UKBUS3019 carrying Plymouth Citybus’ “Super Park & Rider” livery.

UKBUS3019 Plymouth Citybus MPD replica carries the fleet no 205 and registration number WA03 BJF.

Plymouth Citybus MPD 205 was introduced into the fleet in 2003, specifically for use on the route 25A & 25B Park and Ride services that the Company provided on behalf of Plymouth City Council.

These routes linked the Park and Ride site at Milehouse with the Railway Station, City Centre and the historic Barbican and Hoe areas, all of which attract large numbers of visitors from around the world. These vehicles carried route branding and were painted in a dedicated livery of green and yellow in order to emphasis their importance to the public transport scene in the City.

UKBUS3019 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 UKBUS3019 Plymouth Citybus 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 HKBUS2006 MAGICBUS

Photograph © Creative Master Northcord Ltd

This photograph shows the production version of UKBUS3019 Plymouth Citybus

Photograph © Creative Master Northcord Ltd

Creative Master Northcord Limited (CMNL)

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM CORGI OOC
I can confirm that the following models have now been released and are on sale:
OM42512 East Lancs Lowlander Bus Eireann
OM45902 Van Hool T9 National Express

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM CORGI CLASSICS LTD
I can confirm that the following model has now been released and is on sale:
CC25906 Routemaster London Transport

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD
I can confirm that the following model has now been released and is on sale:
UKBUS5001 Mercedes Benz Citaro (2-axle) First London

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM EFE
I can confirm that the following model has now been released and is on sale:
27310 Leyland TD1 Closed Rear Hants & Dorset

NEXT CORGI OOC MODEL SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE
Corgi have advised me that the following model is scheduled for release week commencing 14 November 2005:
OM41211 Wright Eclipse Gemini First London

NEW MODELS FROM CORGI OOC
The December issue of Diecast Collector magazine gives very brief details of new models being released to celebrate Corgi's 50th anniversary. Included are 4 models not previously announced. Full details will be given when known:

Bristol Lodekka FS5G - Lincolnshire Road Car
Van Hool T9 - Caelloi Motors
Wright Solar Fusion - Doig's of Glasgow
Leyland Royal Tiger/Burlingham Seagull - Ulsterbus

BREACH OF COPYRIGHT
I have today had cause to contact a seller on Ebay who used part of one of my pages in his advert for selling a model on Ebay. He has been advised it was in breach of my copyright and he has promised to remove the "offending material". I was very grateful to a visitor to the site who brought it to my attention. If anyone sees material from my site being used elsewhere without my website being properly acknowledged as the source of the material, I would be very grateful if you could advise me.

Saturday 5 November 2005

November 2005 - News

This page last updated Monday, 25 February 2013