News_October 2021

October to December 2021 - News

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Do you have any news or information not listed here, if so please e-mail me

HACHETTE PARTWORKS BUILD YOUR OWN ROUTEMASTER - FOLLOW MY PROGRESS CONSTRUCTING THE MODEL BY CLICKING HERE

PRESS RELEASES FROM MODEL BUSES CREATIONS
Three Press Releases and several photographs have been received from Model Bus Creations.

“Model Buses Creations (MBC), is a partnership between Mark Oakley of Model Buses Collection & lwan Jones of lwan's Bus Bits and have created a model bus brand “Model Bus Creations”, “for the Creation and Development of 'Highly Detailed Model Buses In Miniature' for collectors and enthusiasts across the UK and around the World”.

Three models have been announced for release during the first quarter of 2022, a Britbus kit representing a Leyland/Volvo Olympian with the necessary parts included to represent the early Leyland and later Volvo. The second model is a Northcord Model Company commissioned Enviro 400MMC in the all-over green Stagecoach London livery in support of Macmillan Cancer Support. The third model is a plain red Northcord Enviro400MMC with no markings allowing the collector to decorate it in their own livery either real or fictitious.

To read the detailed press releases and view images of the models, please click on the Thumbnails below.

With regard the Stagecoach London Macmillan Cancer Support liveried model, Model Bus Creations have asked me to point out on behalf of “Stagecoach London & Macmillan Cancer Support that the profits from the sale of this Stunning Model will go to a wonderful and amazing charity, very close to all involved with this project”.

Click here for a higher resolution image

Monday 20th December 2021

NEW MODEL FROM THE BUCKIE MODEL CENTRE
The Buckie Model Centre have announced the latest model in their British Coach Collection. The latest model features a Holland Oto commissioned VDL Futura DD coach in the livery of Berry’s Coaches of Taunton. The model is expected late January and further details will be announced in due course.

Update - Since publishing this news, the Buckie Model Centre have confirmed that the model will represent WJ17EZD

Sunday 19th December 2021

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM CORGI OOC
I can confirm that the following models are now on sale on the Corgi website, so should hopefully be in the shops soon:

OM46518A Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 Arriva London - 'Your Army Needs You'
Fleet number: DW512
Registration number: LJ13CCN
Route number: 466
Destination: Caterham-on-the-Hill

OM46518B Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 Arriva London 'Your Army Needs You'
Fleet number: DW512
Registration number: LJ13CCN
Route number: 466
Destination: Addington Village

CORGI 2022 CATALOGUE
Information received today suggests that Corgi may be reverting to 3 monthly catalogues from the start of 2022. This would in theory, assist with the reliability of releases, as the when the catalogue was published Corgi would have firmer estimates of completion dates from their factories. This would assist in ensuring that the models featured in the catalogue would be released by the end of the catalogue period.

Tuesday 7th December 2021

OMNIDEKKA MODELS – BRITBUS SCANIA OMNIDEKKA – METROBUS
I received an email and attached photographs from Mr Chris Cotton last evening and he advised me that “I have received the following from Britbus today with the models now fully painted and the first of the logos fitted, I have also got the limited card and box designs for these models. These are due for release in Feb all going to plan”.

To order one or both versions of the model, please visit the Omnidekka Models website: https://omnidekkamodels.com/

Monday 6th December 2021

OMNIDEKKA MODELS UPDATE
Omnidekka Models have announced this evening that they have placed an order for two models with Model 1. They write:

" I have just ordered the following from Model 1 in sample form but will open for pre-orders when I have these and checked them middle of next year.
YX64VLW - READING BUSES LITTLE ORANGES LIVERY with routes routes 19 A,B,C
WV02NNA - IN THAMESDOWN LIVERY with routes 12 GW HOSPITAL, 48 MARLBOROUGH & one other I am waiting to see what the bus owner has on the blind system on the bus".

Does anyone have any photographs of the above buses that they could email me please for inclusion on the Gallery pages of this website and my British Model Buses Facebook Page? CLICK HERE to email if you can assist.

Thursday 18th November 2021

OMNIDEKKA MODELS UPDATE
Many thanks to John Bennett for compiling a list of recent news from Omnidekka Models. As a result of Mr Chris Cotton asking for photos of buses on several OOC castings, the following are (possible) future models:

Corgi OOC
Optare Solo
MX53FEF - MOREBUS 3716

Caetano Levante
FJ57KJU - READING BUSES 1402

Wright Gemini MK1
BX54XRM - NATIONAL EXPRESS W MIDLANDS 4651 RETRO DARK BLUE AND LIGHT BROWN LIVERY
LX05FBC - MOREBUS 1262
YJ04FZB - STAGECOACH ~~16061~~ 16961 BEACHBALL LIVERY
FJ06ZPX - ARRIVA MIDLANDS 4001 SAPPHIRE LIVERY (also had registration number: TUI 7931)
SN55BMZ - LOTHIAN BUSES 727

Plaxton Panther
LK07CDE - FIRST RAILAIR 20611

Wright Urban 2
BX61LKD - TRAVEL WEST MIDLANDS 2018

Oxford Diecast N scale
Plaxton Elite
SV11FSC - STAGECOACH WESTERN 53722

Update to previously announced models
A couple of updates:

Britbus - Scania Omnidekka - Go North East "Toon Link" 6126 (GX03SUY). Omnidekka Models have published an image of the proposed model, although I am unfortunately unable to publish it due to the Bus Company wishing it to be published on their Facebook page first before elsewhere'.

Due to the results of a recent Corgi Poll on the Omnidekka Models Updates Facebook Page, Mr Chris Cotton announced recently that "I am changing the model I was going to do from the NX Caetano Levante FJ12FXZ to Stagecoach Wright Gemini MK1 FJ04FZB but this bus could change when Corgi get back to me as I have emailed them today. Pease add any pictures of routes you may like to be done”.

The photographs below courtesy of John Bennett show Plaxton Panther – First Railair 20611 (LK07CDE) and Wright Gemini 1 - Arriva Midlands 'Sapphire' 4001 (TUI7931), reading Left to Right:
Photograph 1 - In an earlier livery at Heathrow Airport on 9th April 2008
Photograph 2 - Taken in Reading on 28th February 2017
Photograph 3 - Taken in Reading on 2nd August 2015
Photograph 4 - Taken in Reading on 2nd August 2015
Photograph 5 - Arriva Midlands 4001 (TUI 7931) in 'Sapphire' livery, Charles Street, Leicester. Corgi OOC released two models of this bus registered as (FJ06ZPX) in 'Local Linx' livery (Models OM41218A and OM41218B).

Tuesday 16th November 2021

CORGI COCA-COLA BLACKPOOL TRAMS
Corgi have released photographs of their two Coca-Cola liveried Blackpool Trams which are due for release later this year:

CC43515 Blackpool Balloon Tram - Coca-Cola (Double Decker Tram)
CC44013 Blackpool Brush Railcar - Coca-Cola (Single Decker Tram)

Saturday 6th November 2021

RAPIDO TRAINS – LEYLAND FLEETLINE - WEST MIDLANDS TRAVEL – ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS

Further to my news of Saturday, please see additional photographs of my model including photographs of the packaging and the lighting:
901007 Leyland Fleetline - West Midlands Travel
Fleet number: 6321
Registration number: KON321P
Route number: 6
Destination: City Centre via Stratford Road
Quantity: Not certificated.

Monday 1st November 2021

RAPIDO TRAINS – LEYLAND FLEETLINE - WEST MIDLANDS TRAVEL
Please see my model which arrived safely this morning. Further photographs to follow in the next few days:

901007 Leyland Fleetline - West Midlands Travel
Fleet number: 6321
Registration number: KON321P
Route number: 6
Destination: City Centre via Stratford Road
Quantity: Not certificated.

Saturday 30th October 2021

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM OXFORD DIECAST
Further to my news of last evening, the model is now on sale on the Oxford Diecast website, so will be in the shops soon:

76LRT010 Leyland Royal Tiger - Mexborough & Swinton
Fleet number: 107
Registration number: LUF637
Route number: -
Destination: PRIVATE

Friday 29th October 2021

OXFORD DIECAST GLOBE 257
Oxford Diecast have released the latest copy of their Globe magazine (257) and it shows that one bus model is due for release in the not-too-distant future:

76LRT010 Leyland Royal Tiger - Mexborough & Swinton
Fleet number: 107
Registration number: LUF637
Route number: -
Destination: PRIVATE

NEWS FROM RAPIDO
Rapido have released their Rapido UK Newsletter No. 9 email earlier today and have advised of an issue with the lighting on their new Fleetline and Guy Arab models.

"We started getting reports just as this issue closed for press that using a 12V power supply to light up our most recent buses was causing the circuit boards to fail. We've discovered that the factory has installed a voltage regulator with an incorrect setting. They are perfectly safe at 9V but please do not use them with 12V as this will likely blow the circuit. If you have faulty lights, please drop us a line here."

2nd posting Thursday 28th October 2021

IXO BUS030 RT – LONDON TRANSPORT - CONFIRMED DETAILS
Many thanks to the Yardley Wood Bus Club for advising me of the confirmed details (from John Ayrey) for the model which I reported yesterday. The model is confirmed as RT3251 (LLU610) and is depicted as it ran on the day of the last RT bus trips on 7 April 1979.

Yardley Wood have further advised their price will be £45.00 + P&P

Thursday 28th October 2021

NEW MODEL ANNOUNCED BY IXO
Many thanks to Yardley Wood Bus Club and John Bennett for advising me that IXO have announced a new RT Model in London Transport red livery. The model carries the stock code of BUS030 and is believed to represent RT3251 (to be confirmed) with a destination of 1939-1979. The photographs show a sample of the model and photographs of the real RT3251 (Courtesy of John Bennett) which is part of the Ensignbus Vintage fleet.

With regard John Bennett's photographs of the real RT3251, numbering left to right:
Photograph 1 was taken at Showbus, Duxford 27/09/2009
Photograph 2 was taken at Showbus, Duxford 18/09/2011
Photograph 3 was taken at Canning Town Bus Station 23/07/2016 when the bus was taking part in the 'Londoner Live 2016' event.

2nd posting Wednesday 27th October 2021

NEW RELEASE FROM BUCKIE MODEL CENTRE
The Buckie Model Centre has released the latest model in their British Coach Collection. The model represents Hodgsons Coaches of Barnard Castle, VDL Future FDD2 registration number 769XUP. The model is priced at £36.00 plus £4.00 postage and is limited to 300 pieces.

The model can be ordered direct from the Buckie Model Centre via their website: https://buckiemodelcentre.com/ or email for further details: info@buckiemodelcentre.com

Wednesday 27th October 2021

NORTHCORD MODEL COMPANY UKBUS6526
Please see photographs of a pre-production sample of Northcord Model Company model UKBUS6526 in the livery of National Express West Midlands courtesy of The Yardley Wood Bus Club.

Tuesday 26th October 2021

NORTHCORD MODEL COMPANY UKBUS6524
Further to the Northcord news release of yesterday, please see photographs of my model which has arrived from Hong Kong:

UKBUS6524 ADL Enviro400 MMC - Stagecoach North West – The Lakes Connection 555
Fleet number: 10555
Registration number: SN16ONX
Route number: 555
Destination: Keswick via Central Lakes
Quantity: 888

Thursday 21st October 2021

NORTHCORD MODEL COMPANY - PRESS RELEASE
The following press release has been received from the Northcord Model Company this morning:

UKBUS6524 ADL Enviro400 MMC - Stagecoach North West – The Lakes Connection 555

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 twelfth livery on the 10.9 metre long, single-door casting – UKBUS6524 in the livery of Stagecoach North West with full branding for route 555 The Lakes Connection.

10555 (SN16ONX) is one of 12 Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMCs that were introduced for the Lakes Connection network in 2016 and that are now part of the Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire fleet. Within the batch, 10552 – 10563, the first seven share the same branding as on the model for route 555 and the final five feature a different list of destinations, albeit on the same base livery.

The bus that was chosen as the subject for UKBUS6524 is particularly auspicious due to the connection between the route number and the final three digits of the fleet number: 555. UKBUS6524 carries a full, branded livery for route 555, showing the destination to Keswick. The special, comprehensive livery and branding are 100% reproduced onto the UKBUS6524 model. The stand-out features of the branding are : “free WiFi, USB charging” on all sides, and the name of every main stop “Keswick, Grasmere, Windermere, Kendal, Lancaster” on both sides, and “£11.30 ALL DAY into and around the Lakes” on the rear.

The bus is fitted with Lazzerini seating, covered in E-Leather, total seating capacity is 74. Designed by Ray Stenning of Best Impression, the livery promotes, both inside and outside the bus, the attractions and landscape of the Lake District.

The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC UKBUS6524 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 UKBUS6524 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 UKBUS6524 model is limited to 888 pieces worldwide.

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

Wednesday 20th October 2021

PHOTOGRAPHS OF RECENTLY RELEASED CORGI MODELS AND A SERIOUS ERROR
Please see photographs of the two Corgi OOC “Release the Kraken” New Routemaster models (OM46638A&B) released last week. Unfortunately, there is a serious error, in that the models were advertised to represent LT716 (LTZ1716). Unfortunately, whilst the roof markings and fleet number show 716, the registration numbers have not been changed from the two previous Kraken models (OM46624A&B) and still show the registration numbers as LTZ1192. On the plus side, the livery has been very well applied and I do like the packaging!

OM46638A – New Routemaster – Arriva London
Fleet number: LT716
Registration number: LTZ1192 (Error, should read LTZ1716)
Route: 59
Destination: Euston
Quantity: 500

OM46638B – New Routemaster – Arriva London
Fleet number: LT716
Registration number: LTZ1192 (Error, should read LTZ1716)
Route: 59
Destination: Streatham Hill, Telford Avenue.
Quantity: 500

Tuesday 19th October 2021

PHOTOGRAPHS OF RECENTLY RELEASED CORGI OOC MODELS
Please see photographs of three recently released Corgi models:

OM46629 New Routemaster – London United
Fleet number: LT148
Registration number: LTZ1148
Route number: 10
Destination: Hammersmith
Quantity: 1000

OM46633A New Routemaster – Stagecoach London
Fleet number: LT372
Registration number: LTZ1372
Route number: 55
Destination: Walthamstow Central
Quantity: 500

OM46633B New Routemaster – Stagecoach London
Fleet number: LT372
Registration number: LTZ1372
Route number: 55
Destination: Oxford Circus
Quantity: 500

Thursday 14th October 2021

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM CORGI OOC
Many thanks to Neil at Time Tunnel Models for advising me that Corgi have now released the following models and they will be in the shops from Monday/Tuesday this week:

OM46638A Wrightbus New Routemaster - 'Release the Kraken' Special Edition
OM46638B Wrightbus New Routemaster - 'Release the Kraken' Special Edition

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM RAPIDO
I can confirm that all the outstanding models Guy Arab and WMPTE Fleetline models including the TTC Diecast commissioned models have now been released and are on sale

Sunday 10th October 2021

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM CORGI OOC
I can confirm that the following model has now been released and is on sale:

OM46629 Wrightbus New Routemaster - London United - Coca Cola®

Friday 8th October 2021

PHOTOGRAPHS OF OMNIDEKKA MODELS COMMISSIONED CORGI MODEL
The following news and photographs have been received this evening from Omnidekka Models:

"CP44101 A&B - An update from Corgi today with the following images, I am happy with them now and will be delivered to me in the 3 week of November as Corgi need to box them and add the limited cards. I will dispatch as soon as I get them, I still have some left for sale at www.omnidekkamodels.com (Please note these pictures are from Corgi and I will re-picture when I get them)".

Thursday 7th October 2021

PHOTOGRAPHS OF RECENTLY RELEASED OXFORD DIECAST MODEL
Please see photographs of recently released model:

76IR6006 Scania Irizar i6 - City Link Air
Fleet number: -
Registration number: YS16LMV
Route number: AIR
Destination: Edinburgh Airport via Harthill
Quantity: Not applicable

Wednesday 6th October 2021

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM CORGI
I can confirm that the following models have now been released and are on sale:

OM46633A Wrightbus New Routemaster - Stagecoach London - 'Only Fools and Horses' Stage Show
OM46633B Wrightbus New Routemaster - Stagecoach London - 'Only Fools and Horses' Stage Show

Tuesday 5th October 2021

NEWS FROM OMNIDEKKA MODELS
Please see below a summary of announcements from Omnidekka over the past few weeks, many thanks to John Bennett for assisting me in collating the information. As always models and details are subject to change and models are not confirmed until Omnidekka Models advise they are:

Optare Versa – stock codes for previously announced model
There are to be 3 versions of Transdev Lancashire United 274 (YJ08PKX) Optare Versa with the following model codes and routes:
- OmniDekka Models OM1A - route 4
- OmniDekka Models OM1B - route 46
- OmniDekka Models OM1C - route 18

Optare Versa 1110 – Possible future releases (It may not be these registrations that are produced, these are only a guide)
Centrebus - T18TYB
Yellowbuses - T20TYB
Ipswich Buses - YK08EPC (This will have a modification done to the roof)
Thamesdown - WX60EDL Standard livery
Go North East - NK10GNY Quaylink livery
Central Buses - YJ57XVY
Stagecoach newest Livery - SF08GOA
Diamond Buses - YJ57 XVW
Traws Cymru - YJ59 GFU
Stagecoach South Wales 25205 CN57BYR – 151 Livery
Stagecoach Cumbria & N Lancs 25222 PX08CRZ – Baylink 6 Livery
Stagecoach Merseyside & S Lancs 25233 PX08FNF – 84 Livery
Stagecoach South West 25251 WA09KWH – Connect Livery

Model 1
Previously announced Arriva 2033 M803MOJ Dennis Dart Marshall is to be made on the following 3 routes:
- Rte 2 - Walton
- Rte 3 - Wildwood
- Rte 7 - Town Centre

Model 1 - ADL Enviro200 (11.3m)
Centrebus 593 YY64GWL
Reading Buses 654 YX64VLY or YX64VLU
Nottingham City Transport 393 YX63KFG
Go Ahead Swindon's Bus Company 219 OY16JVZ (named 'Sarum Castle')

Model 1 - ADL Enviro400 (10.5m)
I understand that a modified version of the Model 1 Hong Kong casting will be utilised, not the Northcord Casting
Arriva 7510 LJ56VTL – Sapphire livery
Go South Coast 'Morebus' 1259 LK57EJO
First West of England 33508 LK08FLA – Excel livery
Go Ahead London EN1 SN58CDY – red, white & grey
Go Ahead London EN3 SN58CEA – cream and brown?
Hulleys of Baslow 3 LK09EKU
Warringtons Buses SN09CDX
Go Coach 9507 SN59AVU – all-over advertising for Amazon

Model 1 - Plaxton Pointer 2 (11.3m)
Stagecoach X953VAP – X958VAP – white livery
Stagecoach X953VAP – X958VAP – beachball livery
First Mainline 514 S514UAK
Arriva Midlands 2369 FJ54OTT – new livery
Arriva 2353 S353YOG – 1st livery
Arriva 2367 FJ54OTN – 2nd livery
Diamond 410 R91XNE – black livery?
Travel Dundee 7088 S742JRX
Go North East 8158 S358ONL
Thamesdown 181 S181BMR –
Cardiff Bus 302 S302SHB – Easyrider livery (brown, white and orange)

Resin
Quality Line YJ62FXK Solo SR. Chris Cotton is awaiting final costs before he opens for pre-orders. They will come in the following routes
463 - Pollards Hill
470 - Epsom
S1 - Banstead
100 of each route will be made, final costs should be known by November to open for pre-ordering in January. The price is not confirmed yet.

Saturday 2nd October 2021

October to December 2021 - News

This page last updated Saturday, 01 January 2022