Model Bus Zone News
October 2024
 September 2024  Model Bus Zone News Index November 2024 
Click the links to view the further details related to the News item.
Filter Content:    EFE    MBF    Northcord    Omnidekka Models    Oxford   

Thursday 24 October
Model Bus Federation October 2024 Journal Review.
A quick review of the contents of the Model Bus Federation's monthly Model Bus Journal for October 2024.

This publication is solely dedicated to model bus news & other related articles with a focus on the UK.
If the contents below are of interest, you may wish to consider becoming a member of the MBF, the annual subscription starts at £25.00 with special reduced rates available for younger members aged 14-18.
For further details please visit the https://www.model-bus-federation.org.uk.
Back issues of the Journals are also available to members where stock permits.

The Model Bus Journal - Issue 642 October 2024 - 32 pages - ISSN 0953-435

  • Diary & Events - Upcoming MBF members only area meetings & net forum.
  • Shows & Exhibitions - MBF Events & other public events
  • Editorial
  • Cover Story - A Leyland Atlantean, in Silver Jubilee livery in Nottingham city centre (See next article).
  • Photographing My Models by Bob Belcher - Bob explains the different techniques he has used to produce more life like settings in his model photographs.
  • North West Show by Mick Piela - A brief report & a selection of exhibit photographs from the MBF North West Model Bus & Transport Show held in July.
  • Rapido Bedford Review by Paul Coley - Paul gives a detailed review of the East Kent version of the new Rapido Trains UK Bedford OB Duple Vista coach.
  • Product News UK - PSG Models latest kit the Scania OmniExpress coach (Kit C/17). EFE Road AEC Routemaster RMC coaches E41901-4 and Roger Bailey's new 3D printed Coventry Bristol RE kits.
  • The "Franchisemaster" by Nick Barnett - With suggestions the New Routemaster's day in the capital may be numbered, Nick has come up with some conversion ideas to make them more attractive to other operators.
  • Welcome Aboard - A welcome to four new members & three returnees.
  • Plan of the Month by Alan Johnson - SHMD Leyland Titan PD2 / NCME (open rear platform).
  • Area News - Eleven pages of reports & over 60 colour photographs covering recent MBF meetings in the West, North West, London, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, West Midlands, Kent & East Anglia areas.
  • Shop News - Kit R238 the Duple Dominant 11m with grant doors is now in stock with just 25 examples available. A new mould will need to be produced if further examples are to be cast.
  • MBF Shop - The MBF Streetscene,& Paragon range of white metal/resin parts & accessories, plus the MBF Streetscene 2K resin model kits that are exclusively available to MBF members.
  • MBF Streetscene White metal Bus & Coach Kits - The former ABS white metal bus kits added to the MBF Streetscene range. These are available exclusively to members at low cost (from £10.00 to £35.00 - see the MBF page for a list of these model kits)

Sunday 20 October
Confirmed Northcord Models UK Release
The following Northcord Model has now been release in the UK.


UKBUS 6533 Brighton & Hove 301 (YX69 NVL) "Live & Breathe livery" Route 5A Patcham - ADL Enviro400ER Double Deck Bus

Information kindly supplied by


Tuesday 15 October
Omnidekka Models OM3 Limited Restock
Transport Nostalgia have a very limited quantity of the Stagecoach Cancer Research livery Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 models OM3A & OM3B available following a restock. These were models originally held for pre-order customers who have subsequently failed to send payment for them.
Model orders can be placed while stock last at www.transportnostalgia.co.uk



Sunday 13 October
Oxford Diecast issue Routemaster Model Photographs
Oxford Diecast has uploaded photographs of its currently last outstanding 1:76 scale Omnibus range model.


76RM115 Vintage Tea Trips Dublin - AEC Routemaster RM Class Double Deck Bus

The full set of photographs can be viewed on the Oxford Diecast site.

There's no confirmed release date as yet, but the appearance of the model photographs usually indicates a release is likely in the next month or two.
The only other outstanding Omnibus range model is the N scale (NNR009) New Routemaster in traditional London Transport Country Area livery. It has been over a year since Oxford Diecast announced the last catalogue & update on their future new model plans.

Saturday 12 October
Six New EFE Road Bedford OB Models Announced
Bachmann Europe PLC has today released the following press release covering the planned EFE Road Releases for the Winter quarter.




Further information can be found on the Bachmann Europe News site.

The photographs below show pre-production decorated samples of the new models. Please note that certain colours or details may vary slightly on the final productiuon models.


E20141 – Bedford OB Coach LLW837 Margo’s of Bexleyheath


E20142 – Bedford OB Coach ACC712 Whiteway of Waenfawr


E20142 – Bedford OB Coach 1949MN Tours (Isle of Man), Douglas


E20144– Bedford OB Coach PV9371 Mulleys Motorways, Ixworth


E20145 – Bedford OB Coach SS7486 Stark’s of Dunbar


E20146 – Bedford OB Coach LRO296 The Mountain Goat, Windermere

Brenda Joyce
It's very sad to learn of the passing of Brenda Joyce. I'm sure many of you will have met both Brenda & Frank during their many visits to various events, & in particular the annual Showbus Rallies that EFE sponsored during 1990's & 2000's.
My condolences go to all of the Joyce family in light of this very sad news.

Tuesday 8 October
New Model Announced By Omnidekka Models
Omnidekka Models have announced a further model based on their earlier Go Ahead Docklands Buses Scania Omnidekka. This model is a limited edition of 120 models of which only 102 will be available for public sale.

The models were left-over items produced by Britbus at the same time as the original ES2-04A & ES2-04B versions, Britbus offered these to Omnidekka Models and they've been modified to produce a third version, ES2-04C depicts SO5 (BV55 UCY) on route 474 to Manor Park.


Pre-orders for the model can be placed on the Transport Nostalgia site. The model is priced £55.00 plus delivery.

 September 2024  Model Bus Zone News Index November 2024