| Query Corner |
| Do you have a question about EFE models, or can you answer any of the queries below. |
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| You can send a question or answer by either completing the submission form below or sending an email to |
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| QUERY #10 from Steve A collector of local coaches has asked me about a model featuring Taylors Coaches/Buses in the Somerset &l Dorset area. Almost certainly an EFE model tooling and possibly a limited edition. Some certificated models sold in Sherborne - probably in '90s. Model could be a Harrington of some sort. Sorry to be so vague. Likely cost/value? . A Taylor Travel Plaxton Paramount Coach was produced by Corgi Toys in the 1990's Cat no. C777 I have one somewhere but can't recall whether it's the same Taylor Coaches you refer to, it was however certificated (2500 models), the value of this model today is probably going to be less than £10. The picture below was found on the net. EFE Zone Reply I'm not aware of any models ever being produced in Taylors Coaches livery by EFE themselves, however it's highly possible some models were produced using EFE models as a base by a third party (Code 3), as regards value it depends how many were produced and whether there is large base of collectors interested in this operator. I would guess the value may be between £10 & £40, the fact that it's not a widely know model would probably reduced it's value. A Taylor Travel Plaxton Paramount Coach was produced by Corgi Toys in the 1990's Cat no. C777 I have one somewhere but can't recall whether it's the same Taylor Coaches you refer to, it was however certificated (2500 models), the value of this model today is probably going to be less than £10. Other Replies : | ||
| QUERY #9 from Tony I live in the states and have an EFE Crossville Bristol RELL bus (Gilbow 25203) that I plan to sell. It is in "as new" condition with very slight wear to the box. Can you possibly give me some idea of how much would be a fair price for this item? EFE Zone Reply I would estimate his models to have a value of between 10 & 20 pounds in the UK, this model will however be much rarer in the USA so could it be worth more there. | ||
| QUERY #8 from Stephen I own all Todmorden Joint Omnibus models that have been produced except model 16001A, does anyone know where I can get this one and how much it might cost. EFE Zone Reply I'm not sure whether many of these models were actually released, I think EFE spotted the factory error and most of the models were eventually over printed and released in the Gilbow Railway Collection as model 99640. The model was an unintentional variation and as far as I know will have been issued along with the standard versions in boxes carry the "16001" number. I think a few have appeared on ebay in the past. I've seen the standard version 16001 around and this usually commands a dealers price of between £20 & £30, with 16001A I would suspect a much higher figure possibly even over £100 mark. I've never actually seen one first hand, the pictures on this site were supplied by a third party. IF anyone has one of these models which they wish to part with, please email the efezone and I'll put you in contact with Stephen. . Other Replies : | ||
| QUERY #7 from Tom Does anyone know where i can get a replacement box for London Transport LEYLAND TITAN Model No: 28801? EFE Zone Reply I'm not aware of any source of replacement boxes for EFE models. I have seen a few examples appear of ebay but only on very rare occasions and the chances of finding one for 28801 would probably be very remote. If anyone has a spare box email the efezone and I'll put you in contact with Tom. B. Jones Replies : I have always been able to get replacement boxes by contacting Gilbow (Holdings) Ltd direct. | ||
| QUERY #6 from Neil On your EFE list you state that the first Buses Magazine 500th issue Routemaster was a limited edition of 500 certificated models. I have not seen a certificate for this model (there wasn't one with mine) nor have I seen it mentioned in various sales lists.I wondered if this is correct? and do you know roughly how many models were produced for the 2nd issue? EFE Zone Reply My error this model wasn't issued with a certificate although Ian Allan did state in Buses magazine that it was a limited edition of 500 models. I don't think any figure was ever given for the second version but I suspect it may be higher than the original as dealers seem to want more for the first version. Other Replies : | ||
| QUERY #5 from Brendan I understand that the forthcoming Royal Blue Cavalier 12118 is an ex-Greenslades vehicle. Does anyone know when it was acquired and how long it remained with Royal Blue? Presumably we are talking "National Express" rather than true Blue... EFE Zone Reply I think I can answer the first part of your question, Greenslades sold out to the National Bus Company in 1969 and came under the control of Western National (Royal Blue), how long the coach remained with Royal Blue I don't know. Other Replies : -- | ||
| QUERY #4 from EFE Zone Does anyone know the background to the Royal Blue Bedford OB coach 20102. This model was described as a Southern National vehicle by EFE, however the model carries Royal Blue livery and "Western National" legal lettering. The only reference to Southern National appears on the front destination blind. I know there was a link between Southern & Western National who jointly operated the Royal Blue network but was the OB as modelled actually a Southern or Western National vehicle? John Catchpole Replies : Perhaps I could give some further background information to this query. I have to admit that despite having owned this model since its release ten years ago I had never noticed the legal lettering. Southern National and Western National were sister companies under common management, each assuming control of the bus interests for the Southern Railway and Great Western Railway respectively, Royal Blue being the express coaching wing. All bus/coach orders were done on a combined basis, Western National taking the earlier registration numbers, and Southern National taking the later numbers of any particular series. Thus in the LTA --- series, LTA 723 to 892 were Western National vehicles and LTA 893 to 999 were with Southern National. Thus this vehicle, LTA 909, was owned by Southern National. Some 65 of these vehicles were repainted from the usual green/cream into Royal Blue blue/cream (and downseated from 29 to 27) between 1953 and 1957, this particular vehicle succumbing in April 1957. A photograph of this vehicle, similarly bound for Swanage from London (Victoria) appears in Ray Stenning's book "The Years before National 1948 -1968" in 1959, and I suspect that this would have been EFE's source for this particular model. Whilst one is not able to read the legal lettering on that particular photograph, it is significant to remember that Swanage was a Southern National garage at that time. It subsequently transferred to Hants and Dorset ownership in 1973 in NBC days. I think that the likelihood is that EFE made an error on this one as far as the legal lettering goes, as by the time that Southern National was absorbed into Western National ownership and lost its separate identity in 1969, the Bedford OB was now history. However all the indications are that it should read Southern National. | ||
| QUERY #3 from Phillip Do you have any information about the surprise new casting which will be used for the Silver Star Leyland PD2 model and have there been any other Silver Star EFE models? EFE Zone Reply No I don't have any confirmed information about this "New Casting" but I have a feeling that this may well be a new combination of existing casting components rather than a totally new model casting. I think I'm right in saying that the Silver Star Leyland PD2's had a special roof fixture on the front which was used to display the operators emblem. My guess is that this model will use the standard PD2 lower deck casting as used for releases in the 159 & 161 series which will be matched up to the top deck used for the roof box London STD (Leyland PD1) models in the 202 series. If this is indeed the case then the shape of the roof box will be slightly wrong, but never the less this should still make a for a pretty striking model. I'm pretty sure this is the first EFE produced model to appear in Silver Star livery however an RTL & MCW Atlantean could also be produced if EFE so desired. Code 3 versions of both these models were produced in the early 1990's by a third party, but I don't have any further details. Other Replies : At least two different sources were offering 'modified' castings in SSMS livery in the early 1990s. The one I can remember is The 2703 Preservation Group (whose main activity was the restoration and rallying of former Southdown Harrington Cavalier 2703, hence the name). To raise funds they offered Silver Star PD1 (based on EFE159 with added roofbox for the star emblem), PD2 (ditto on EFE161), RTL (EFE111), Cavalier (EFE121), and - least convincingly - the Atlanteans (based on EFE165). The latter looked completely wrong as Silver Star used the lowbridge version of the Atlantean/Weymann body which looks markedly different to the highbridge version with identical depth windows on both top and lower decks and a less rounded roof-line giving the entire body a 'squashed appearance. Although the Weymann L73F body was rather ugly, it would make a good choice of die-cast for somebody as it would lend itself to versions for Silver Star, Ribble, Fishwick, Bamber Bridge, Maidstone and District, PMT, South Yorkshire Motors, and so on. | ||
| QUERY #2 from Bob I have an EFE RED RT LONDON TRANSPORT with PHOENIX MODEL DEVELOPMENT ads on the side on route 81b to London Airport, but I cannot find it listed anywhere is it possible you could identify it for me? Could it be a limited edition version of EFE 10104?? Any help would be appreciated. EFE Zone Reply This is not a model I've ever come across before, my feelings are that this model is a code 3 probably a standard 10104 Schweppes RT model which has had new side advert stickers applied by a third party. Most of the EFE produced commissioned models are widely known, but it can't be totally ruled out that there may have been other small batches, however I think it's far more likely that this model has been re-labeled by a third party. It's impossible to know how many were produced unless there is a certificate, it could be a handful or 100's. I've found a Phoenix Model Development who make 1/32nd metal figures on Google however I've no idea if this is the same Phoenix as mentioned on the models side adverts! It's believed 20,000 10104 models were originally produced with a small quantity be re-issued with either Bromley Pageant or Austrian Airlines adverts at a later date. It's highly likely that some surplus stock would have been sold off at discounted prices to the model trade at some point, these cheaper models then being used for the basis of a promotional or free gift item. P.S. Sorry, Bob your the supplied email address didn't work when I tired to send my original reply. Other Replies : Anyone know the background to this model? | ||
| QUERY #1 from Tony What was the first EFE model to be released, and when did it actually happen? Most reference sources claim that the first EFE RT models were released in August 1989, but I've seen a commissioned Star Group RT with a box label claiming it was released by it's commissioners at their 9th July 1989 Hedingham Swapmeet. Can anyone confirm the model was actually available at this event, or was it delayed until the later November swapmeet? EFE Zone Reply It's generally accepted that the first EFE models were released in August 89, the two Star Group models 101004A & 101004B are also generally accepted as being August releases, however the Hedingham Swapmeet did indeed take place on the 9th July as indicated. It's known that the first RT models were originally expected to be released in June 1989, but an old copy of Model Collector indicates that there was a delay until a least July. It could be that the Star Group models were also delayed and were not received from EFE in time for the planned event, perhaps these were released at the next swapmeet on the 20th November 1989 instead. For the record the Aug/Sep 89 Model Collector magazine does contain information regarding the ordering these Star Group models. On a slightly different thread it's clear that these models were actually commissioned by Hedingham Swapmeet rather than the Star Group as I've incorrectly indicated on this site. I'll amend the said pages. Other Replies : Can you provide any more information? | ||