Tuesday 30 September 2003

CORGI OOC RELEASES 2004
Further to my news article of 26 September 2003 regarding the Coach and Bus show 2003, I am grateful to Jef Johnson for advising me that there were in fact four new models on display, as follows:

Blackburn Dennis Trident/East Lancs Myllennium Lolyne
Bus Eireann Volvo B7TL/East Lancs Myllennium Vyking
Arriva Fox County DAF DB250/East Lancs LowLander
Ramsbottom Leyland PD3/East Lancs

Further details will be given as soon as they are known.

Monday 29 September 2003

NEW CASTING FROM EFE
The new casting announced by EFE at the show is the 10T10. EFE hope that the first release of this model will be at the end of the year.

NEW MODELS ANNOUNCED BY EFE
Two further models were on display that has not previously been announced. These being:
Wright Volvo Renown Keighley and District.
Leyland Olympian Wilts & Dorset

Release dates are not known at this time.

CONFIRMED RELEASE FROM EFE
The first release of the new Leyland Olympian casting was on sale today to visitors to the show. Model number 29602 is represented in the livery of Southern Vectis.

NEW MODELS ANNOUNCED BY BRITBUS
Britbus announced 6 new models and pre-production samples were on display. The existing Britbus packaging is being changed and the new models will now come packaged in a rigid plastic hinged box with foam insert to hold the model. The plastic box will fit in a loose card sleeve. I will publish pictures of the new packaging along with photographs of the PP samples as soon as time permits. The new models announced are:

MCW Metropolitan
London Buses
Reading
Whippet
Greater Manchester

Guy Arab MKIV
Southdown
Confidence of Leicester

CONFIRMED RELEASES FROM BRITBUS
Four new models were released at Showbus (the special models referred to in the Britbus press release of earlier this week). These were show specials and limited to 102 pieces each. They were on sale as a set of four at £100.00 per set. The models are decorated with Showbus advertising and are not fleet/vehicle specific i.e. no fleet markings, registration number, etc. They are as follows:
SB1 MCW Metropolitan - Green
SB2 MCW Metropolitan - Cream
SB3 Guy Arab IV - Red
SB4 Guy Arab IV - White

Sunday 28 September 2003

SHOWBUS TOMORROW
I am attending Showbus tomorrow and will update the site with news from the show during the evening.

Saturday 27 September 2003

N 62-002A MCW Metropolitan LT Museum special (No adverts)
N 62-002B MCW Metropolitan LT Museum special (With adverts)
N 6202 Metropolitan Black Prince
N 6002 Guy Arab IV Dodds of Troon 

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

28501 Leyland TD1 Type C Southdown
28501SB Leyland TD1 Type C Southdown

LT MUSEUM - ROMFORD TITAN - SOLD OUT

I have been advised by Stagecoach London that the above model has now totally sold out. No stock is held by either the LT Museum or Stagecoach and no further orders are being taken.

LT MUSEUM ACTON OPEN DAY EFE AEC STL
The LT Museum have confirmed that the above model will have the stock code 27809A.

CORGI OOC NEXT YEARS MODELS
I am very grateful to Ivor Norman for contacting me after his visit to the Coach and Bus Show 2003 in Birmingham. On the East Lancs stand were two Corgi OOC models that are scheduled for release by Corgi OOC during 2004 and are based on the East Lancs Myllennium body. These are:

Early samples in the liveries of Blackburn and Bus Eireann. No other details are known at this time.

There was also a completed model of OM41105 in Bolton livery, scheduled for release in November this year.

CORGI OOC MODEL SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE WEEK COMMENCING 29 SEPTEMBER 2003
The following model is scheduled for release next week:

OM40809 Bristol Lodekka FS Crosville Motor Services

Friday 26 September 2003

I am very grateful to Jim Howat for sending me the below EFE updates, pictures of the two models can be found on his web site:

EFE have announced a new model as follows:
26703
Plaxton Paramount 3500
First Coaches
Registration number: H326 DTR
Fleet number: 196

Note from Gareth: The above vehicle has previously been issued in United Welsh Coaches livery as model number 26701DL

EFE GM STANDARD ATLANTEAN DELAINE - DETAILS
I am able to give details of the above previously announced model as follows:

28903
GM Standard Atlantean
Delaine
Registration number GDB 181N
Fleet number 102

BRITBUS - UPDATE TO PRESS RELEASE OF 6 SEPTEMBER 2003
I have received the following update from Britbus to their earlier press release:

"Forgot to mention in the press release that perhaps only the first ninety visitors to the Britbus stand in the” CLASSIC BUSES” tent at

SHOWBUS 2003  will be the lucky ones to see the big surprises!

Be early & don’t miss out".

Tuesday 23 September 2003

CORGI OOC
OM41908 Leyland PD3/Queen Mary (open) Provincial
OM43705 Trolleybus Rotherham Corporation
OM43002 Leyland Olympian/ECW Stagecoach North West

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD
UKBUS 0002 Plaxton President (open) City Sightseeing London
UKBUS 1011 Dennis Trident ALX400 Newport Transport
UKBUS 2005 Plaxton President First in London

CORGI OOC RELEASE SCHEDULED FOR WEEK COMMENCING 29 SEPTEMBER 2003
The following model is scheduled for release week commencing 29 September 2003:

OM40809 Bristol Lodekka FS Crosville Motor Services

Saturday 20 September 2003

EFE 28806A LEYLAND TITAN EAST LONDON ROMFORD 50 YEARS

I am very grateful to Ray Perry for sending me the following information for those of you who were unable to attend the Romford Open day last Saturday.

If anyone is interested in getting this model, released last Saturday to commemorate the opening of Romford Garage Open Day 50 years ago, Here’s the relevant Information.

They are £26.00 including p+p, available from East London Bus & Coaches Ltd.

(Or £22.99 if you go and pick it up from their Travelshop at Ilford.)

Make Cheques payable to "East London Bus & Coaches Ltd".

Address your envelope to:

Mr. Paul Owen (or put Leyland Titan Romford 50yrs)
East London Bus & Coaches Ltd.
2 - 4 Clements Road
Ilford
Essex
IG1 1BA

Telephone: Stagecoach Travelshop 02084777257 or 02084777258

Please mention "British Model Buses" when contacting them to order your model.

Please note: These models are a very Limited Edition , a run of 502 pieces only. The LT Museum has now totally sold out. Earlier today East London Buses only had approximately 80 models remaining.

Friday 19 September 2003

29602 Leyland Olympian Type B SOUTHERN VECTIS (SHOWBUS)
16524 Leyland Atlantean MCW  WALLASEY CORPORATION
20430 Bristol VRIII NORTHUMBRIA
16123 Leyland PD2 Highbridge ACCRINGTON CORPORATION
20631 Plaxton Pointer Dart BRIGHTON & HOVE
28903 G.M. Standard Atlantean THE DELAINE
12116 Harrington Cavalier NORTHERN

The new Olympian 29602 will be available on the day at Showbus. For EFE subscribers that are unable to attend Showbus, the model will be available for purchase at £14.00 including P&P

I have asked EFE why the stock code for the first Olympian is 29602 and not 29601. They advised that details of model number 29601 would be announced soon but gave no clues as to when or what the model will be.

EFE 26404 EAST YORKSHIRE UTILITY
You will recall that due to a production error the above model was released as a Guy Arab and not a Daimler as advertised. I raised the issue with EFE (News article 30 August). The latest subscriber newsletter that arrived this morning gives an explanation as follows:

"We have experienced a couple of 'factory errors' on models just recently which have both frustrated and disappointed us. One we were able to catch and rectify but the other was only discovered after the model had been released. London Transport enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the Coronation RT does not have the flashers shown on the illustrations. The East Yorkshire Daimler Utility however has been made with the Guy Arab II radiator and chassis. The use of interchangeable tooling which allows us to make all of these variations, inevitably has the potential for error and this has been a constant concern to us. East Yorkshire did also run Guy Arab II Utilities and we intend to correctly identify the remaining stock but there is nothing that we can do about the released models which will make them valuable as genuine factory errors. However if you really cannot accept the model as it is we will exchange it for a corrected model, or if you want one of each then you can purchase the corrected model directly from our sales office. This change will take time and they will not be complete till late October".

EFE PEARSONS CENTENARY STL
I have spoken with EFE who state that the stock code for the above model will be 27809B and not a variant on 27801 as previously advised

LT MUSEUM NEXT ACTON OPEN DAY SPECIAL MODEL
Further to my news article of 11 September 2003 I am able to give details of the above model as follows:

EFE AEC STL
Fleet Number: STL 691
Registration number: BLH 752
Route: 17 (pre war)
Destination: Acton (William IV)

As previously mentioned, this model will first be offered to customers attending the event on 4/5 October 2003. If any remain after the event, mail orders will be taken on a first come, first served basis. In order to be fair to all customers, only one model per customer will be allowed.

Thursday 18 September 2003

Britbus have further advised me that model number N 6002 Guy Arab IV Dodds of Troon should be the next model to be released and will be dispatched to the UK from Hong Kong in the near future (Britbus are hoping to receive their stock of this model in Hong Kong today). This will be followed by N 6202 MCW Metropolitan Black Prince which Britbus are hoping to receive stock of in Hong Kong next week.

Wednesday 17 September 2003

NEW CODE 2 EFE MODEL FROM PEARSONS

A second code 2 EFE model has been announced by Pearsons Department Store as part of their centenary celebrations. Model detail as follows:

Model based on EFE 27801
Fleet number STL1920
Route: 107
Destination: Enfield Town (where the headquarters of Pearsons' is located)

Numbered Certified Limited Edition of 600, with 'Pearsons' Centenary label affixed to the outside of the box'. Should be available for dispatch mid-October. Cost  £21.00 + £1.75 P&P

Payment to: Mr. Stuart Alderman, 7 Heath Farm Court, Grove Mill Lane, Watford WD17 3TT - cheques dated 15th October invited, with the promise that the cheque '.......will not be banked until models are actually ready for dispatch'. Email address for enquiries stuart_alderman@hotmail.com.

Please mention this web site when contacting Mr Alderman

Monday 15 September 2003

Photograph © British Model Buses

Saturday 13 September 2003

CORGI OOC AND CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD RELEASES SCHEDULED FOR WEEK COMMENCING 15 SEPTEMBER 2003
The following models are scheduled for release next week:

CORGI OOC
OM41908 Leyland PD3/Queen Mary (open) Provincial
OM43705 Trolleybus Rotherham Corporation
OM43002 Leyland Olympian/ECW Stagecoach North West

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD LTD
UKBUS 0002 Plaxton President (open) City Sightseeing London
UKBUS 1011 Dennis Trident ALX400 Newport Transport
UKBUS2005 Plaxton President First in London

Friday 12 September 2003

BRITBUS METROPOLITANS
The two Britbus Metropolitans previously announced are now being offered to Standing Order customers. Both are Fleet number MD4, registration number KJD 204P, Route 63, Destination Crystal Palace
Version 1 Code N62-002A No adverts
Version 2 Code N62-002B with Museum Adverts (as actually worn)
Both versions are £33.99 each +P&P

The Museum also state they will will be taking into stock a significant number of the Britbus Guy Arab Southdown this will be priced at £31.99 + P&P

EFE STL AND RT MODELS
An update is given for the STL and RT models that have been listed on the Expected Releases page of this site for sometime as follows:
"The red and green STL's originally scheduled for 18 months ago have been further postponed. We have no date for their release. At present EFE have not been able to confirm stocks of these previously booked models. We will, however, continue to press for order fulfilment. The Green RT's previously scheduled for a year ago will be available by the year end. The retail price will rise to £22.99. Please let us know if this is acceptable or if you wish to cancel your order. Again, we apologise for the delay. Will new customers please note that both the STL's and RT's are oversubscribed and therefore the order book is closed"

FORTHCOMING GOLD RM'S
Two versions of a gold Routemaster will appear as new specials in early 2004. One will be a Mail Order special, and one will be an Acton Depot special. Details will be announced after Christmas.

OTHER SPECIAL MODELS
The Museum has also announced two further "open day" models
Leyland Titan B15 East London Route 174 Romford Garage Open Day (previously reported on this site)
STL (non Roofbox) LT Red Route 17 Acton Weekend
These models will first be offered to customers attending the events. If any remain after the events, mail orders will be taken on a first come, first served basis. In order to be fair to all customers, only one model per customer will be allowed.

Thursday 11 September 2003

BRITBUS N 6201X A TRUE STORY
Britbus have also told me an interesting story regarding the livery differences between N 6201 and N 6201X, which I thought may be of interest. By looking at the photographs of the models on this site you will see that N 6201 has a white stripe which runs underneath the windows of the lower deck N 6201X does not. The story is as follows:

"There's a story about why 153 has no white band, as related by Ian Dyer - formerly the Transport Manager for Leicester City Council. Leicester City bus was like most companies having a lot of problems with Graffiti and budding young artists. The White band was virtually magnetic and just the right height for those who were armed with wonder Marker pens and the like and amazingly the problem diminished dramatically when the white band was removed as depicted on the Britbus model". Interesting and true!

BRITBUS N 6001 GUY ARAB MKIV - SOUTHDOWN
One final item of news from Britbus, they have advised me that stock of the above model has now been dispatched from the Asianbus warehouse bound for the UK. A release date is still not known at this time.

Tuesday 9 September 2003

AsianbuS, OX and Britbus models WILL be at SHOWBUS 2003 !

Yes …….at DUXFORD in CAMBRIDGESHIRE

on Sunday the 28^th of SEPTEMBER 2003—AsianbuS will be there showing samples of the entire range of models released and due to be released this year.

We graciously invite all collectors and Bus fans to come along and visit us— have a chat to us as well.

There will be examples of pre-production models, models already released and we hope one or two pleasant surprises.

For the really keen enthusiasts there will be several special surprises which we feel you will like immensely.

We look forward to meeting and greeting those that would care to come and visit to see what’s possibly in the future!

WHERE?? We will be in the Gavin Booth- “CLASSIC BUSES” tent.

Hope to see YOU there!

PS: Don’t forget our UK agents are JOHN AYREY DIECASTS LTD.- Ask your retailer to check with them for current availability of all our models!

EFE MODELS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE WEEK COMMENCING 8 SEPTEMBER 2003

The following models are scheduled for release week commencing 8 September 2003:
16406 AEC RT LT - Coronation Service
20009 Leyland PD2/12 Orion City of Manchester

There are no Corgi OOC releases scheduled for next week.

Saturday 6 September 2003

N 6201 MCW/Scania Metropolitan Leicester City Transport
N 6201 X MCW/Scania Metropolitan Leicester City Transport

Note: Unfortunately  N 6201 X has a spelling mistake on the destination blind. It should read "Beaumont Leys Centre" not "Beoumont Leys Cemtre" as shown.

Thursday 4 September 2003

JOHN AYREY DIECAST NO LONGER IMPORTING C'sM
John Ayrey Diecast have also confirmed that with immediate effect they will be no longer acting as UK Distributor for the C'sM range of models.

Wednesday 3 September 2003

September 2003 - News

This page last updated Monday, 25 February 2013