| CMNL Zone News July 2010 |
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| June 2010 | CMNL Zone News Index | August 2010 |
| Click the links to view the further details related to the News item. |
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Wednesday 28 July / Revised Friday 30 July |
| Three Confirmed Releases |
The following models have now been released in the UK and should be available from all the normal retail outlets.   CNBUS1017 Shanghai Ba-Shi No.2 Company - Volvo B7R/Sunwin SWB6120V4 UKBUS4018 West Coast Motors - Dual Door Alexander Royale Volvo Olympian UKBUS9004 Thames Travel - Scania Omnicity Double Deck Buses |
Monday 26 July |
| CMNL Press Release: CNBUS3001 |
cnbus 3001 Sunwin SWB6120V4LE / Volvo B7RLE Sunwin Demonstration livery Having made the significant success of its previous cnbus ranges, Creative Master Northcord Limited has proudly released its third Sunwin-bodied cnbus casting. This is cnbus 3001, a Volvo B7RLE with Sunwin body that carries forward the family resemblance of the original cnbus 1000 range onto this new, low-floor chassis. The livery is that of the Ba-Shi Group on which many Expo 2010 decorations have been applied. These include front, side and rear destinations and the mascot for Expo 2010 on nearside and on rear as well as, on the offside, the “Better City – Better Life” slogan that has been at the heart of Shanghai’s redevelopment leading up to May 1st 2010.  The Volvo B7RLE chassis, which is the basis for the Sunwin SWB6120V4LE, features the Volvo D7E290-EC01 7.1 litre engine rated at 290bhp coupled to a ZF 6HP automatic gearbox. The bus measures 11880mm in length, 2500mm width and varies in height depending on a/c pod that is fitted. These different a/c pods make its height 3150, 3230 or 3300mm. The bus has a 6300mm wheelbase. Although some components originate from Volvo’s European facilities, much of the content is now sourced within the PRC. Of the 1500 buses that were ordered in June 2009 for delivery to Ba-Shi Group before the start of Shanghai Expo 2010 on 1st May 2010, over half were to be B7R or B7RLE chassis. cnbus 3001 captures the latest development from the well-known Shanghai Sunwin / Volvo B7R. The face of the Sunwin SWB6120V4LE retains the updated look represented on some cnbus 1000 models from cnbus 1010 onwards, but with a subtle re-design that brings the lower windscreen edge closer to ground level, because of the super low floor interior, along with shallower front panels. The face of the SWB6120V4LE / Volvo B7RLE retains the newer style of driving lights and driver rear-view mirrors. The high-mounted door-step illumination and reversing indicator within the mirror arm on the nearside of the bus is included. The most recognisable change from cnbus 1000 is in the sleek look of the side windows with their deeper glazing that brings the bottom of the window line very close to the top of the wheelarches. This allows the few passengers who are fortunate to be seated within the low-floor area and the many passengers who are standing in crush-loading conditions an unrivalled view through the side windows. The glazing is applied from the outside on the cnbus 3000 range, in line with recent CMNL developments. The rear dome, with very shallow rear window, and deeper engine access door are further notable modifications to the original cnbus 1000 range casting. The engine access door opens to reveal the different engine and components when compared to the original cnbus 1000 range. Although not included on cnbus 3001, there is a high-level brake light repeater situated in the rear dome below the window on the 2009 and 2010 deliveries. CMNL is making further modifications onto the new tooling. cnbus 3001 has a brand new seating plan. There is a row of single seats on the offside together with doubles on the nearside within the totally flat main passenger area forward of the centre doors. Behind the driver’s position, the electrics cupboard and the control box for the passenger information systems (route information and real-time video broadcast) are located on the offside front wheelbox. The brand new cnbus3001 model also features correctly replicated handrails and the two LCD monitors. The driver’s area has lost the manual gearstick that has been a feature throughout the cnbus 1000 range because the B7RLE chassis has an automatic gearbox. Also within the driver’s area is a centrally mounted, internal, rear-view mirror below the destination box. cnbus 3001 features excellent detailing, inside and out. This is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the windows and application of the livery on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible on the white / green paint. The model has no unnecessary metal poles to hold it together.  The cnbus 3001 model is limited to 1200 pieces for worldwide distribution. They will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), Transit Graphics (Australia), cnmycar.com (P.R. China) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively. |
Thursday 22 July |
| CMNL Press Release |
ukbus 0034 Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Go-Ahead London – Docklands Buses The Go-Ahead London Enviro200 model (based on SE46 – LX10 AVD as seen in the associated photograph) will be released as ukbus 0034 in line with CMNL company protocol for identifying models that do not comply with the original design such as this 10.2 metre Enviro200 bus that is being modelled using the existing 10.7m length casting. The model was previously announced as “Blue Triangle” and was to the correct length for the real bus but, following operator requests, the Go-Ahead London subsidiary Docklands Buses was the preferred choice. However, as the correct length model was not available, CMNL is making use of the existing tooling for the revised model.  The previously published model reference numbers for the two London models have been transposed so that First London Enviro200 is ukbus 8015 and the former reference number ukbus 8016 will not be used for the time being, although it may be revived at a later date. |
Friday 9 July |
| CMNL Press Releases - UKBUS8015 & CNBUS1018 |
First London Creative Master Northcord Limited is pleased to announce the release of ukbus 8015, Alexander Dennis Enviro200Dart, the seventh London-liveried replica on the new casting of this distinctive modern single-decker in the United Kingdom. ukbus 8015 represents fleet number DMS 44414 (YX09 FLP), running on service E10 bound for Ealing Broadway.  Since 2008 First London has received a number of batches of dual door 10.2m long Alexander Dennis 200s and these were joined in 2009 by 8.9m long single door versions for routes with limited clearance. DMS 44414 is one of twenty delivered to Greenford depot for routes E5 and E10. This batch, along with 10.2m versions and Enviro400s delivered at the same time, were the first London buses to have driver’s seat belts. The Alexander Dennis Enviro200Dart ukbus 8015 is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the square-mounted, gasket windows and the livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. Creative Master Northcord is creating new design standards in the layout of the interior in the replica. These features inside the compartment represent the really outstanding layout of the Enviro200Dart, such as the additional seats on the wheel arch on the offside, and extensive portrayal of handrails in the compartment. The engine room door at the back can be opened and there is a replica of the environmental-friendly engine inside it.  The brand new Enviro200Dart bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Transit Graphics (Australia), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), cnmycar.com (P.R. China) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively. The ukbus 8015 model is limited to 804 pieces worldwide. Editors Note: This model has been allocated catalogue number UKBUS8015, in all previous CMNL press releases this number was allocated to the forthcoming Docklands Buses (formerly Blue Triangle) version of the Enviro200. Stop Press: CMNL have confirmed that the catalogue numbers have indeed been transposed and that the Docklands Buses model will now be released as UKBUS8016. |
cnbus 1018 Sunwin / Volvo B7R SWB6120V4 Shanghai Ba-Shi Erqi Public Transport Company Limited Having made the significant success of its cnbus 1017 replica, Creative Master Northcord Limited has proudly released its fourth Sunwin / Volvo B7R model of a bus working on route 49 in Shanghai Puxi Area, cnbus 1018. It is carrying the brand new standard white / green Shanghai Ba-Shi Public Transportation (Group) Company Limited livery with black headlight cluster surrounds. The model is also contained within the new generic box for cnbus family models. cnbus 1018 represents fleet number SWK 228 and it is featured running on 空調49 (air-con route 49). The font used for the fleet number differs from the previously issued cnbus 1017 (SWK-226) and the new model carries the black headlight surrounds to differentiate further with cnbus 1017.  It is with regret that, due to inattention by the factory staff, this model was produced carrying the registration 沪B‧46479 that belongs to SWK-226 (cnbus 1017). Fortunately, CMNL has been able to intercept the shipment before reaching its distributors and a replacement registration for SWK-228 (registration 沪B‧46647) has been attached to the bottom of the plastic box, as a sticker, for collectors to apply to restore the authenticity for which CMNL is known. cnbus 1018 features the new face of the well known Shanghai Sunwin / Volvo B7R. It has new front lights and front dome representing the latest unique style of these Chinese-built bus bodies on the European-design Volvo chassis. The model also replicates the new style of driver rear-view mirrors that are less expensive to repair and to replace, instead of the “rabbit ear” style previously replicated. The new style of mirror arm also includes the high-mounted door-step illumination and reversing indicator within the mirror arm on the nearside of the bus. The rear dome and deeper engine access door are further notable modifications to the original cnbus 1000 range casting. CMNL is making further modification onto the tooling. cnbus 1018 has a brand new seating plan. There is a row of single seats on the offside together with a backward-facing single seat on the front wheel arch behind the driver’s position. Furthermore, cnbus 1018 is the first model to feature the man driver figure who is sitting on the driving seat. The driver figure is modeled wearing the new uniform that was introduced from the beginning of May 2010. cnbus 1018 is the fourth Sunwin / Volvo B7R replica carrying the route 49 since 2003. These models are telling a brief history of the development of the public transport in the City of Shanghai within the same period. cnbus 1002 was carrying white and pink colours representing, at that time, the ownership of the company, Shanghai Shen Xin Bus Company, which was a Sino-Singapore joint venture company that commenced operation in March 1998. Soon after, with the acquisition by Shanghai Dazhong Group Company, cnbus 1008 was produced, carrying the red and metallic blue colour. In March 2009, the Shanghai Ba-Shi Public Transportation (Group) Company Limited was established. The Company currently operates most public transport bus services in the Puxi Area in Shanghai. The buses are all carrying the standard white and green colours. Shanghai Shen Xin Bus Company was renamed Shanghai Ba-Shi Erqi (No.2) Public Transport Company Limited after becoming a member of the Company. The third route 49 model (cnbus 1017) replicated this change, and featured the lady driver figure. cnbus 1018 features excellent detailing, inside and out. This is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the windows and application of the standard Shanghai Ba-Shi Public Transportation (Group) Company livery on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible on the white / green paint. In particular, the model features the brand-new metal badging, on the sides above the wheelarches, of Shanghai Ba-Shi Erqi Public Transport Company Limited and also features the special banner at the top of the front windscreen that advertises the big event of 2010 – the Shanghai Expo 2010. The side destination blinds are carrying the bilingual wordings ( Chinese / English ) which is unusual on Shanghai buses. Two routes that terminate at Shanghai Stadium carry such bi-lingual destination boards – the other being route 926. The model has no unnecessary metal poles to hold it together.  The cnbus 1018 model is limited to 456 pieces for worldwide distribution. They will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), Transit Graphics (Australia), cnmycar.com (P.R. China) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively. |
| June 2010 | CMNL Zone News Index | August 2010 |