EFE are hoping to have the first of the new Routemaster castings available in time for Showbus in September, they are planning to release the first eight in a new series 'The Routemaster Family - A Definitive Collection' the models will be issued in special themed packaging. There were no pre-production Routemasters models on display at the Toyfair however.
Packaging for new Routemaster Family Series of models
The forthcoming new Bristol RELH coach was also shown and can be produced with three different destination styles and three door variations making in theory nine possible versions. It is hoped the first release will be ready around May or June.
Early pulls of the new Bristol RELH ECW Coach
Front and rear views of the RELH coach
Versions with swing coach type and folding bus type doors, note also the different front destination blind boxes
There was no news regarding the development of the mysterious new modern bus casting mentioned by Frank Joyce last year.
I'd like to thank Tony Price for allowing me to use his selection photographs.
15639 : Arriva London (Route 38) - AEC Routemaster RM
16127 : Hants & Dorset - Highbridge Leyland Titan PD2
17305 : Widnes Corporation - Long Single Door Leyland National Mk1
18008 : West Yorkshire - MCW Daimler Fleetline
18610 : Solent Blue Line - Open Top Bristol VR Series III
26318 : Bamber Bridge Motor Services - Guy Arab II Utility
26617 : Strathtay - Plaxton Paramount 3500 Coach
28812 : West Coast Motors - Rear Engined Leyland Titan
29407 : Oxford / South Midland - Bristol RELH Dual Purpose Bus
29610 : Metrobus of Orpington - Leyland Olympian (type B)
30603 : East Yorkshire Motor Services - AEC Renown (type A)
27615 - Wright Volvo B10B Low Floor Bus - First Badgerline
28503 - Enclosed Staircase Leyland TD1 with High Piano Front - Western S.M.T.
29609 - Leyland Olympian (Type B) - Northern Scottish
31301 - B20 Daimler Fleetline DM - London Transport (Shillibeer Livery)
Trax TX??? (EFE 15108) - Long Dual Door Leyland National Mark I with Long Roof Pod
Operator : Bunbury City Transit
Registration : TC-2094
Fleet No. : -
Route No. : 701
Destination : Australind
Adverts : --
Livery : White with blue ocean effect skirt & dolphin logos. Black window surrounds and bumpers.
Notes : Produced for the Australian Trax Trux. and also available to EFE Subscribers.
Release : Trax TBA / EFE March 06
This model and the previously announced Hobart Leyland National (see 7 January news item) are both being offered to EFE Subscribers for £16.00 each (inc UK P&P), these are expected to be ready for dispatched during early March.
The newsletter also lists another South Wales NBC model in the form of a BET Willowbrook Single deck bus 24323 however no further details are given.
Frank Joyce has given more details on how EFE plan to handle the future releases of the 1:24th DMS models. The following was taken for the newsletter :
A new unique feature to please London bus enthusiasts is that, on a rolling basis, we will be releasing controlled quantities each featuring a new garage, vehicle number and 5 routes associated with that garage. This will positively improve the chances of obtaining a DMS displaying your favourite routes, so you might like to put some thought to this and let us know the garage, vehicle number and routes that are of special interest to you.
27615 - Wright Volvo B10B Low Floor Bus - First Badgerline
28503 - Enclosed Staircase Leyland TD1 with High Piano Front - Western S.M.T.
29609 - Leyland Olympian (Type B) - Northern Scottish
31301 - B20 Daimler Fleetline DM - London Transport (Shillibeer Livery)
Arriva commissioned the museum to produce a model of the last Routemaster, this was to be limited to 500 pieces, 150 for Arriva and 350 for the museum to arrange production of a variation at a later date. As TfL and Arriva did not make the decision to use RM2217 on the last Routemaster journey until late in the day it was not possible for the museum to produce their model in time for December 9th.
The Arriva version was however produced and has the same 'Thank You Routemaster...' adverts as the two RML versions (25518/9), this version is believed to have been allocated EFE catalogue number 15635D. However a larger than planned quantity of the model were taken by Arriva leaving the museum with only a small number which they have now decided to offer to their 'Friends' in a special competition to be drawn at the next Acton Depot Open Weekend on the 4th/5th March, the first three names out of the hat will each receive a model as their prize and the remaining 21 models will be offered to the 'runners up' to purchase at £24.99.
15635D - AEC Routemaster (RM) Double Deck Bus
Operator : Arriva South London
Registration : CUV217C
Fleet No. : RM2217
Route No. : 159
Destination : Brixton Garage
Adverts : Thank You Routemaster for 50 years Service
Livery : Red with white between decks band and black mudguards.
Notes : Produced for Arriva London South as a private commission.
Released : December 2005
The museum have also decided to commission another version of the last Routemaster (RM2217) but this time with the authentic adverts promoting the RM Heritage Routes. There should be 1700 of these which will be available to the public at the Acton Open Weekend in March.
29609 - Leyland Olympian (Type B) Double Deck Bus
Operator : Northern Scottish
Registration : TSO 16X
Fleet No. : NL OE 16
Route No. : 305
Destination : Elgin
Adverts : None
Livery : Yellow with cream lower deck window surrounds
Expected : January 2006
14603 - Short Single Door Leyland National Mark I Series II Without Roof Pod
Operator : Pennine
Registration : JIL 6502
Fleet No. : LN 7
Route No. : -
Destination : Giggleswick
Adverts : None
Livery : Orange with grey window surrounds & black roof
Expected : February 2006
20437 - Bristol VRT Series III Double Deck Bus
Operator : Damroy Coaches
Registration : 5062
Fleet No. : VPR485S
Route No. : 314
Destination : Salisbury
Adverts : None
Livery : White with green skirt, between deck panels and roof
Expected : February 2006
23318 - AEC Regal IV Metro-Cammell RF Single Deck Bus
Operator : London Transport
Registration : MXX 457
Fleet No. : RF 480
Route No. : 121
Destination : Enfield
Adverts : None ?
Livery : Red with flake grey window lining and gold fleet names
Expected : February 2006
29007 - GM Standard Leyland Fleetline Double Deck Bus
Operator : Northumbria
Registration : 559
Fleet No. : PTD639S
Route No. : 45
Destination : Newcastle
Adverts : None
Livery : White with red & grey areas
Expected : March 2006
30703 - AEC Renown (Type B) Double Deck Bus
Operator : South Wales Transport
Registration : 1248
Fleet No. : 311 ECY
Route No. : 76
Destination : Port Tennant / Kingsway Hospital
Adverts : Travel By All Means / ?
Livery : Maroon
Expected : March 2006
Details and pictures can be found on Trax's www.togear.com.au site.
Trax TX11C (EFE 16607) - Short Dual Door Leyland National Mark I with Short Roof Pod
Operator : Hobart's Metropolitan Transport Trust
Registration : GT-8236
Fleet No. : 603
Route No. : 4
Destination : West Hobart
Adverts : --
Livery : Gold lower panels, red waistband, white roof and window surrounds.
Notes : Produced for the Australian Trax Trux and also available to EFE Subscribers
Release : Trax February 06 / EFE March 06
Last year on the 1st January, one of my made up kits was stolen that day at the King Alfred rally in Winchester from the Fanfare Models stand. The kit is question being a Little Bus Company model of a highbridge Bristol KSW/ECW in the livery of Brighton Hove and District.
I find this hard to credit, but a virtually identical model was again stolen at this years rally, the King, Alfred rally despite the vigilant attempts of Norman Clay and myself to keep it under close surveillance.
A picture of the model stolen last year is shown below, and this years model is identical, apart from a different route number, being 38 Coombe Drive, and having side advert panels between the decks, different reg no., and garage code.
As before there are certain unique features on this model, only known to myself, so if you hear of one for sale, either generally or on E- bay, then I would be extremely grateful if you could please let me know.
I find it hard to believe that amongst enthusiasts such as attend these rallies, that this should happen once, but twice is unbelievable, and for the same model.
If anyone has any information about the whereabouts either of these models then please email the efezone and I'll put you in contact with John.