| Model Bus Zone News December 2024 to February 2025 |
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| November 2024 | Model Bus Zone News Index | December 2024 |
| Click the links to view the further details related to the News item. |
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Buckie Model Centre
EFE
Kits
MBF
Northcord OOC Oxford |
Sunday 16 October |
| Model Bus Federation January & February 2025 Journal Reviews. |
| Catching up after missing a couple issues, here's an overview of the contents of the Model Bus Federation's monthly Model Bus Journals for January & February 2025. 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 645 January 2025 Sottish Show Results - 32 pages - ISSN 0953-435  
The Model Bus Journal - Issue 646 February 2025 - 32 pages - ISSN 0953-435  
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Thursday 13 February |
| Oxford Diecast issue photographs of N scale New Routemaster |
Oxford Diecast has posted photographs of the forthcoming N Scale New Routemaster model in the retro London Transport Country Area style livery. The model was first announced back in 2023 and is now due to be released during Q1/2025. NNR009 New Routemaster (N scale) - Arriva London (LT2 / LTZ 1002 - Route 38 Hackney Central) Country Area London Transport green Livery (N Scale) |
Tuesday 11 February |
| Confirmed UK Northcord Model Release |
The latest model from Northcord to reach UK retailers is The Bee Network ADL Enviro400 MMC. UKBUS6538 The Bee Network - ADL Enviro400 MMC Double Deck Bus |
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Friday 7 February |
| Midland Bus Kits Yutong TCe12 Electric Coach Kit |
| Midland Bus Kits next kit release is expected to be available at the end of this month. Kit MBK015 features an all electric coach in the form of a Yutong TCe12, the kit has a one piece 3D printed body with interior and road wheels, Glazing and Vac formed windscreen are included.  The Midland Bus Kits' 3rd Annual Model Bus Show takes place in March....  The latest edition of the Midland Bus Kits Magazine for February is now available to view online: HERE  There are a range parts from Mark Budd, including bus mirrors, & wipers. Fritzpatrick Models has a new rear engine cover for the EFE Leyland National & a range of bus ticket machines. Articles include a South Notts Leyland Lion built uses parts from EFE and OOC diecast models, Ken Jones's “Jones of Taunton” Picnic table top N scale layout & models. There are more details for those wishing to attend the Model Bus Show mentioned above. Finally there's a selection “Your Model Photographs” with a special feature on a scratch built Dublin Bus tow truck based on a converted Leyland Tiger bus. |
Friday 7 February |
| B&B Has An ADL Enviro E400-City Model In Development |
| B&B (aka Brilliant Buses) have posted details on Facebook of their next model, which is already at an advanced stage of development. B&B produced highly detailed 1:76 scale resin models that are hand assembled in China. The ADL Enviro E400 City with dual door layout is going to be produced in plain red livery, some transfers will be supplied with the model as a set of waterslide transfers for self application. The model is listed as BB023 Stagecoach route 180, but its not clear if the transfers supplied, will include fleet names & other London insignia due to licensing restrictions. It seems originally there were plans for 5 models numbered BB020-BB024, each supplied with transfer sets for different London routes & associated operators. Not sure of the price, but I've heard its around £100.00/$970HKD excluding shipping and any UK import duties. Currently there are no UK based sources for these models as far as I'm aware, however B&B can be contacted via their Facebook page and will ship direct to the UK. Here's a UK translation of the facebook press release for this model..... B&B Custom Product Series Release 4 Happy Chinese New Year, everyone. Let’s kick off this year with a bang! Wishing all our friends in the bus model community good health and success in everything you do. Model Highlights: In 2018-2019, we saw the launch of the amazing ADL Enviro400EV double-decker buses by Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL). These fully electric beauties are 10.8 meters long and 2.55 meters wide, powered by a 382 kWh battery. When fully charged, they can cover about 160 miles (257 kilometers)
# All body advertisements will be provided as water decals with your order; installation is not included. No deposit needed—just pay in full * International Pre-order Price:** (shipping not included) Let’s make this year awesome together. Ordering Update: I don't know whether the We Chat QR code in the facebook post below works or not, I don't have an We Chat account, but this information was included in their last posting on facebook. Note: Hey everyone! We’ve received a lot of inquiries from friends interested in purchasing the E400-city. If you’re interested, please send us a private message via our Facebook Page with the product number, quantity, and your contact details. We’ll make sure to register your info first. |
Wednesday 5 February |
| EFE Road Announce New Leyland Atlantean Sea Dog Open Top Models |
Bachmann Europe has this morning announced it planned EFE Road releases for the Spring Quarter. The five models will feature the first releases of the new open top “Sea Dog” version of the Leyland Atlantean. The following press release has been issued by Bachmann Europe.... The new 1:76 (OO) scale models are: Please note the photographs below show pre-production samples and that certain colours or details may vary slightly on the finished models.
There are nine new items for the EFE Rail range, consisting of five OO scale Class 74 Electro-Diesel locomotive and four O scale Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 Tank steam locomotives.  E82006 - Class 74 Electro-Diesel Locomotive - Pristine BR Blue Livery Running No. E6101 (Era 6 - OO)  E82007 - Class 74 Electro-Diesel Locomotive - Pristine BR Blue Livery Running No. E6104 (Era 6 - OO)  E82008 - Class 74 Electro-Diesel Locomotive - Pristine BR Blue Livery Running No. 74007 (Era 7 - OO)  E82009 - Class 74 Electro-Diesel Locomotive - Pristine BR Blue Livery Running No. 74010 (Era 7 - OO)  E82010 - Class 74 Electro-Diesel Locomotive - Weathered BR Blue Livery Running No. 74009 (Era 7 - OO)  E85705 - Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 Tank steam locomotive - Green (1700 “Wissington”) (Era 3 - O)  E85706 - Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 Tank steam locomotive - Maroon (1539 “Derek Crouch”) (Era 3 - O)  E85707 - Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 Tank steam locomotive - MSC Lined Grey (78) (Era 3 - O)  E85708 - Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 Tank steam locomotive - Lined Blue (Era 3 - O) The full Bachmann Spring 2025 British Railway Announcement can be found on YouTube and covers over a 120 new products for the EFE Road, EFE Rail and all the other Bachmann model rail related ranges. EFE Rail section starts at 2:30 & the EFE Road section at 4:45 |
Tuesday 28 January |
| Northcord Models Confirmed UK Release |
The following Northcord model has now been released to UK retailers. UKBUS6206 Reading Buses Green Line (route 703 Heathrow T5) Alexander Dennis Enviro400 Double Deck Bus |
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Sunday 26 January & Update 29 January |
| EFE Road Bedford OB Coach Model Photographs & Videos |
Below are a selection of photographs showing each of the six Bedford OB Duple Vista coach models just released in the EFE Road Range. The models should be with or arriving with UK model retailers this week. The models have a UK RRP of £41.95 each, They are supplied in the standard EFE Road plastic display cases with card outer packaging. The packaging for these models includes a special dedication to the late Brenda Joyce, who along with her husband Frank, were driving forces behind the conception & growth of Exclusive First Editions between 1989 & 2016.  A second set of photographs showing alternative high & low nearside & offside angles has been added to each of the model pages, use the model number links below to view these. HD versions of the photographs have been compiled into three YouTube videos, links can be found at the bottom of this article. To view full screen please click the "Watch on YouTube" buttons provided. E20141 – Bedford OB Duple Vista Coach Operator Name: B & G Margo, Bexleyheath Fleet Name: Bexleyheath Transport Co Ltd Fleet No.: None Registraion Number: LLW 837 Destiation Display: Private          E20142 – Bedford OB Duple Vista Coach Operator: O.R. Williams & Sons, Caernarvon Fleet Name: Whiteway of Waenfawr Fleet No.: None Registraion Number: ACC 712 Destiation Display: Beddgelert Portmadoc          E20143 – Bedford OB Duple Vista Coach Operator: Tours IOM Ltd, Douglas Fleet Name: Tours (Isle of Man) Vehicle Name.: Lady Meave Registraion Number: 1949 MN Destiation Display: Tours (Isle of Man)           E20144 – Bedford OB Duple Vista Coach Operator: J. Mulley, Ixworth Fleet Name: Mullanys Motorways Fleet No.: 26 Registraion Number: PV 9371 Destiation Display: Felixstowe           E20145 – Bedford OB Duple Vista Coach Operator: Scottish Omnibuses Ltd Fleet Name: Mullanys Motorways Fleet No.: C22S Registraion Number: SS 7486 Destiation Display: Dunbar            E20146 – Bedford OB Duple Vista Coach Operator: Taylor & Hudson, Windermere Fleet Name: The Mountain Goat Vehicle Name.: Lile Billy Registraion Number: LRO 296 Destiation Display: Tour           Updated 29 January 29 YouTube "Full HD" slide show videos  |
Saturday 25 January |
| Latest Batch Of EFE Road Models Released |
| The latest batch of EFE Road models have now arrived in the UK and Bachmann are now dispatching them to UK model retailers. I'll post sets of photographs of the final production versions of each of the six models shown below, tomorrow.   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 |
Wednesday 22 January |
| Citibus Models Next Kit Release |
Citibus Models latest new kit is an Alexander PS Type bodied Volvo B10M-55 with bus seating. The models will be available in February and is priced £49.00 plus delivery.  Pre-orders are now open and can be placed by visiting the Citibus Models online store where you can also find a selection of earlier kits. |
Friday 17 January & Updated 19 January |
| Oxford Diecast Announce Five New Bus & Coach Models |
| Five bus & coach models are among the 100 new products announced by Oxford Diecast for the period January to June 2025. The PCV models are all new colours on existing tooling, however there are several other new vehicle toolings for the 1:76, 1:87 & 1:43 scale ranges. The videos below give overviews of all the new diecast & rail range models announced this evening, a new printed catalogue will be made available soon via model retailers & is now available in digital form on Oxford Diecast site, this also includes an indication of the expected release quarter for of all the models. A quick browse of the publication appears to suggest that everything announced on Friday, including all the new toolings, is scheduled for released in the next six months.  Click to open digital catalogue A full list of all the Jan-Jun 2025 products together with design cell artwork can be found on the Oxford Diecast website. The Bus & Coach Models (Click thumbnails to view larger images) Updated with expected release windows. 1:76 Scale  76AMT005 Highland Scottish (Highland Omnibus Ltd) (L50 / GSO 534N - route 557 Inverness) - Alexander M Type Coach - Due Q1/25  76OWB015 John Smiths Brewery, Tadcaster (DWD 973 - Destination: John Smiths (Boston Spa slipboard))- Bedford OWB Utility Bus - Due Q2/25 N Scale  NOB012 Connemara Bus (1 / ZV 1460 - Destination: On Tour) - Bedford OB Duple Vista Coach Due Q1/25  NRTL005 London Transport (RTL 139 / KGK 803 - Central Area route 11 Victoria) - Leyland RTL Class Double Deck Bu - Due Q2/25 The previously announced Arriva/London Transport Country Area green New Routemaster NNR009 is now expected Q1/25. TT 1:120 Scale  120RM002 London Transport (RM2191 / CUV 191C - route 9 Mortlake Garage) Shillibeer Omnibus livery - AEC Routemaster Bus - Due Q2/25 New Model Tooling of Other Vehicle Types & (overall number of new announcements in each scale) 1:76 Scale (Total of 56 new products) Aston Martin DB6 MkII Volante Hillman Minx Series IIIA Ford Cortina Mk5 Hunter Sceptre Mk1 Bedford CF Hanlon Ambulance Bedford MK Military Truck 1:87 Scale HO US Vehicle Range (Total of 24 new products) 1968 Buick Electra 225 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Ambulance 1960 Ford Falcon Ranchero 1953 Kaiser Manhattan 1:43 Scale (Total of 3 new products) Ford Transit MkV Van N Scale (Total of 8 new products) Foden FG 8 Wheel Lorry (New flatbed brewery dray version) 1:18 Scale (Total of 1 new product) No new tooling 1:120 TT Scale (Total of 4 new products) No new tooling 1:72 Scale Aviation (Total of 4 new products) No new tooling |
Thursday 16 January |
| Northcord Models Press release: UKBUS6535 Hampshire Bus |
| The following press release has been issued by Northcord Models. ADL Enviro400 MMC ukbus 6535 Hampshire Bus Following the significant success in launching the brand new casting of the Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC model in the liveries of National Express West Midlands, Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, Bluestar, Stagecoach West Scotland, Southern Vectis, Stagecoach London The Spirit of London 7/7 Edition and MacMillan Cancer Support, Stagecoach South, Ensign Bus, Xplore Dundee, Stagecoach North West, Go North East, Stagecoach North Scotland, Go South Coast, Reading Buses and Greater Manchester Bee Network, Northcord Model Company is now releasing the twenty second version – ukbus 6535 in the livery of Hampshire Bus.  Utilising the 10.9 metre, single door casting, ukbus 6535 represents fleet number 10700 (YEL 4T), that was new to Stagecoach South in 2017 with the original registration number SN66 VVL. ukbus 6535 is displaying route activ8 with destination of Salisbury via Tidworth, Bulford. 10700 carries the heritage Hampshire Bus livery, including ‘HampshireBus’ on all sides; ‘Proud to serve Hampshire since 1983’ on both sides and the rear. The name ‘Stagecoach’ and logo with updated colours feature on all sides. On 1st April 1983, a bus company named Hampshire Bus, was formed to run bus services across Andover, Basingstoke, Winchester and Southampton. Previously, bus services in these areas were operated by the larger Hants & Dorset bus company and which, under the National Bus ownership, was divided into three companies. Originally, the livery featured a full, blue, rear profile, albeit with white bumper on Leyland Nationals, which was found to be too dark particularly when buses were operated at night so, to enhance visibility, the red wedge was added and this is the version featured on ukbus 6535. Almost four years to the day since formation, on 2nd April 1987 Hampshire Bus was the first National Bus Company business to be purchased by Skipburn Ltd. and to this day remains to serve the communities of Handover, Basingstoke and Winchester by the Stagecoach Group. Skipburn Ltd. was a holding company formed by Ann Gloag, Brian Souter, their Canadian uncle Frazer McColl and Dawson Williams, MD of Hampshire Bus as a means of purchasing NBC bus operating companies. The Hampshire Bus name continued until the early 2000s, before finally being absorbed into the Stagecoach brand name. To mark the 40th anniversary, Stagecoach South unveiled its ADL Enviro400 MMC (10700) in the retro Hampshire Bus livery that was a popular sight on Hampshire streets, during the mid-1980s and until the 1990s, in March 2023.  The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC ukbus 6535 is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the square, gasket-mounted windows and the livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. Another main feature on the ukbus 6535 model is its tree deflector at the front to protect front screen, front dome and side window. The front dome on the model is significant, with curved windscreens on both upper deck and lower deck. Northcord Model Company is also creating new design standards within the interior of both saloons. These features, inside the compartments, will represent the real, outstanding layout of the Enviro400 MMC, such as the extensive portrayal of handrails on upper deck and lower deck, etc. The brand new Enviro400 MMC bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), 80M Bus Model Shop (HK) respectively. The ukbus 6535 model is limited to 1008 pieces worldwide. |
Tuesday 14 January |
| Corgi Model Announcements For January to April 2025 |
Hornby Hobbies has announced details of the new 2025 products for the Hornby Railways, Scalextric,& Airfix ranges. For Corgi the announcements only covers releases for the period January to April 2025. In regards to the Airfix, Hornby & Scalextric ranges there are as expected no bus of coach related items to report, the Hornby announcements are solely made up of OO scale rolling stock with no additions to the Scaledale vehicle of building ranges, however Hornby did note that there were some more products yet to be announced, and that a seperate announcement for the TT 1:120 scale range would follow later in the year. Moving on to Corgi, I'm sad to report that there are no OOC or indeed any bus or coach models in the this first catalogue for 2025. There are only 19 Corgi products listed for this period, these being made up of Aircraft (5), Vanguards (8) and Pop Culture, Thunderbirds & Star Trek (6). The Corgi announcement is the only one of the four ranges not to include any totally new model tooling. All the new 2025 products can be viewed on the Corgi.co.uk website.  Click Thumb to view Catalogue
YouTube 2025 Product Announcement Videos: |
Monday 6 January |
| Date For Oxford's Jan-Jun 25 Product Update Announcement |
| Oxford Diecast will announce their updated product plan for both the Diecast & Rail ranges on Friday 17 January at 19:00 GMT, the live event will be accessible via Oxford Diecasts' various social media pages on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and the Oxforddiecast.co.uk site. Eloise Davis, Oxford's Director will also host a question & answers session during the event. This is the first major product announcement since August 2023 and also appears to hint at a switch from the previous three four monthly updates, to half yearly updates/catalogues. Since August 2023, Oxford has cleared what was a fairly large backlog of outstanding new colours & tooling built up during the Covid period in 2020/1. |
Friday 3 January (REPOST) |
| photographs of the Oxford Diecast Falcon Coaches Irizar i6 model |
This is a re-post of the item originally posted on the 7 December, it now contains the previously missing photographs of the Oxford Diecast Irizar i6 coach models (SP174) commissioned by the Byfleet, Surrey based Falcon Buses & Coaches.         The exclusive models are being offered to collectors through the operator's website and are priced £25.00 including UK postage & VAT. Non UK orders can also be arranged. For details of how to order a model please visit the operators falconcoachhire.com site. |
Saturday 28 December |
| Citylink Service 900 Plaxton Panorama Models Announced |
| The Buckie Model Centre has listed three further versions of its exclusive 1:76 scale Holland & Otto Plaxton Panorama coach on its website. The latest models which are expected to be released in late January will feature Stagecoach West Scotland vehicles in the Citylink 900 service branded livery. There are three versions available each featuring different vehicles & destinations, each model is limited to 250 pieces & are priced £57.00 each plus delivery.  The three versions are: 50412 - Vehicle 50412 / YX69 LBK with M90 London via Newcastle destination 50414 - Vehicle 50414 / YX69 LBN with 900 Glasgow via Bailieston destination 50417 - Vehicle 50417 / YX69 LBU with 900 Edinburgh via Bailieston destination Also due in late January are the six Oxford Tube models, three in standard livery & three versions in the Poppy appeal livery applied to YK21 NNK, there are also three Stagecoach versions in the operators yellow long distance coach livery. (see the November 10 news item for further details.  The two Ridleys of Warwick issues of the Plaxton Panorama have also now been released, there's a choice of either M11 Glasgow or Rail Replacement destinations. Only 109 pieces across both versions have been produced. Orders are now open for all of the models mentioned above, further details and previous releases can be found on the Buckie Model Centre's Online Store. |
Boxing Day 26 December |
| Northcord Models Press Release: UKBUS6538 Bee Network |
| The following press was recently issued by Northcord Model Company, the model is expected to arriva in the UK. late January/early February. ADL Enviro400 MMC ukbus 6538 Bee Network Following the significant success in launching the brand new casting of the Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC model in the liveries of National Express West Midlands, Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, Bluestar, Stagecoach West Scotland, Southern Vectis, Stagecoach South, Ensign Bus, Xplore Dundee, Stagecoach North West, Stagecoach London Spirit of London and MacMillan Cancer Support Go North East, Stagecoach North Scotland, Go South Coast and Reading Buses, Northcord Model Company is now releasing the twenty first version – ukbus 6538 in the livery of Greater Manchester Bee Network. ukbus 6538 represents fleet number 11852 (YX24 OKN), that was new to Transport for Greater Manchester in April 2024, utilising the 10.9 metre, single door casting. 11852 is operated by Stagecoach Manchester.  ukbus 6538 is displaying route 100 with destination of Manchester via Salford Shopping Centre. 11852 carries full yellow Bee Network livery, including the symbol ‘M’ with ‘Transport for Greater Manchester’ on both sides; the system logo comprises the unique icon ‘working bee’ on all sides together with the ‘BEE NETWORK’ on both sides, and the ‘diesel’ markings on all sides. The Bee Network is an integrated transport network for Greater Manchester, comprising bus, tram, cycling and walking routes. Greater Manchester is set to make history as the first area outside London to bring all bus services under local control in almost 40 years. From Sunday, 5th January 2025, all buses across Greater Manchester will be franchised and under local control, with all Bee Network bus services run by different operators, including Stagecoach Manchester, Diamond North West, First Bus, Go North West, Metroline Manchester and Vision. The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC ukbus 6538 is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the square, gasket-mounted windows and the livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. Another main feature on the ukbus 6538 model is its tree protector at the front. The front dome on the model is significant, with curved windscreens on both upper deck and lower deck. Northcord Model Company is also creating new design standards within the interior of both saloons. These features, inside the compartments, will represent the real, outstanding layout of the Enviro400 MMC, such as the extensive portrayal of handrails on upper deck and lower deck, etc.  The brand new Enviro400 MMC bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), 80M Bus Model Shop (HK) respectively. The ukbus 6538 model is limited to 1200 pieces worldwide. |
Christmas Day 25 December |
| Seasons Greetings |
Wishing all users of this site a Very Happy & Peaceful Christmas. |
Tuesday 24 December |
| Revised Release Dates For Next EFE Road Models |
| Bachmann has pushed back the release of the six new EFE Road Bedford OB Duple Vista coaches announced back in October. Originally they had been expected during November/December, this has now been revised to late January / early February. 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 The following Bachmann Scenecraft range resin 1:76 scale bus/coach related items have now been released.  44-0539B Wooden Bus Shelter (Brown) - UK RRP £24.95  44-0539G Wooden Bus Shelter (Green) - UK RRP £24.95  44-1006G Bus & Coach Station (Green) - UK RRP £72.95  44-1006R Bus & Coach Station (Red) - UK RRP £72.95 |
Tuesday 24 December |
| Oxford To Release New Catalogue In January |
| Oxford Diecast has announced in the latest Globe Magazine that there will a product updated for both the Oxford Diecast & Oxford Rail ranges during January. This will be accompanied by new catalogue, this will be the first new edition since the one announced in August 2023. |
Tuesday 24 December |
| Northcord Models Confirmed UK Release |
The following model has now been released to UK retailers, it likely some retailers won't be fulfilling orders for these models until after the Xmas Holiday period. UKBUS0074 Reading Buses Green Line (route 703 Bracknell) ADL Enviro400 MMC Double Deck Bus |
Tuesday 24 December |
| LT Museum OOC Routemaster Set Released |
The London Transport Museum Shop now released the exclusive commissioned Corgi OOC gift set, that containing AEC Routemaster & New Routemaster models.  The set is supplied in special card prestation box featuring line drawings of both vehicles on the outside & background information on the inside of the lid. The set which is priced £110.00 plus delivery is available by mail order or directly from the Shop within the Covent Garden Museum. Online orders can be placed via the LT Museum Shop website. The "New & Old Routemaster Model Bus Set" contains the following models.  AEC Routemaster bus: OOC model OM463 series Operator: London Transport Registration plate: ALM 63B Fleet number: RM2063 Route & Destination: 9 Liverpool Street Livery: London Transport Red with gold underlined fleetnames & cream band  New Routemaster bus: OOC model OM466 series Operator: London United Busways RATP Group Registration plate: LTZ 1150 Fleet number: LT150 Route & Destination: 9 Hammersmith Livery: Silver with red relief "Bus to the Future" The official Corgi product code is CP46621 for this set, the Museum is using internal stock code 478281. |
Saturday 7 December |
| Photographs of the Oxford Diecast Falcon Coaches Irizar i6 |
| Photographs of the Oxford Diecast Irizar i6 coach models (SP174) commissioned by the Byfleet, Surrey based Falcon Buses & Coaches . The exclusive models are being offered to collectors through the operator's website and are priced £25.00 including UK postage & VAT. Non UK orders can also be arranged. For details of how to order a model please visit the operators falconcoachhire.com site. |
Wednesday 4 December |
| Northcord Models: Production Update & New Announcements |
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Date : 2nd December 2024 Production update To our valued retailers and collectors : Herewith we itemise an update on likely release dates and status for previously announced models in the ukbus 6200 and ukbus 6500 range. In addition, new future releases are announced. Production delays due to shortage of appropriate labour in all factories in southern China continue to affect many manufacturers and it is appropriate that NMC should advise you accordingly. Furthermore, deliveries are experiencing delays worldwide because of a war in Europe and the Middle East conflict that have each impacted shipping badly. ukbus 6200 Range (Alexander Dennis Enviro400)ukbus 6203 – Stagecoach London (12144 – LX61 DDZ) : models are now available in the UK. ukbus 0073 – Ensignbus (123 – SN59 AWV) : models are now available in the UK. ukbus 6205 - National Express West Midlands (Heritage Livery) (4722 – BU07 LGY) : models are now available in the UK. ukbus 6206 – Reading Buses Green Line 703 (1208 – GO11 LDN) : models are now on the way to the UK. New Announcements ukbus 6207A – Greater Manchester Transport (19470 – MX58 VBL) : pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by late March 2025. ukbus 6207B – GMS Buses (19532 – MX09 KTT) : pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by late May 2025. ukbus 6208 – Stagecoach East Scotland (19178 – MX57 LCC) : pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by early July 2025. ukbus 6500 Range ukbus 6533 – Brighton & Hove (301 – YX69 NVL) : models are now available in the UK. ukbus 0074 – Reading Buses Green Line (782 – SN66 WRD) : models are on the way to the UK. ukbus 6535 – Hampshire Bus (10700 – YEL 4T) : production will be concluded by late December 2024. New Announcements ukbus 6536 – McGill’s Midland Bluebird Unilink (8937 – SN65 CVL) : production will be concluded by mid February 2025. ukbus 6537 – Stagecoach South Coastliner (11600 – YX23 ORG) : production will be concluded by mid January 2025. ukbus 6538 – Bee Network (11852 – YX24 PKN) : production will be concluded by mid December 2024.  ukbus 6539 – Stagecoach London Ambassador (12400 – YX16 OHS) : pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by early March 2025. ukbus 6540 – East Yorkshire (921 – YX69 HMZ) : pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by early April 2025.  ukbus 6541 – Xplore Dundee (8905 – SN69 ZNV) : pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by early May 2025.  ukbus 6542 – Newcastle Busways (10646 – SN66 WKB) : pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by late July 2025. |
Tuesday 3 December & update 6 Decmeber |
| Falcon Coaches Commissioned Irizar i6 Coach Model |
Oxford Diecast has produced an exclusive commissioned model for Falcon Coaches of Byfleet, Surrey. The 1:76 scale model depicts TUI 1438 one of the operator's Irizar i6 coaches in the company's current eye catching white, red & blue livery. The models are being offered to collectors through the operator's website and are priced £25.00 including UK postage & VAT. Non UK orders can also be arranged. Model are supplied in the standard plastic display case with Oxford Omnibus card wrap. For details of how to order a model please visit the operators falconcoachhire.com site. Update Friday 6 December The official Oxford Diecast product code for this model is SP174. |
Monday 2 December |
| Midland Bus Kits Newsletter December 2024 |
The December issue of the free Midland Bus Kits Newsletter is now available to view. This months edition focuses on Model Bus Scotland's Annual Show with an extensive gallery of photographs of the model exhibits. The "Your Model Buses" section has photographs of David Wright's Wright Travel fleet, Colin Hook's South Notts 69 model & Sydney Ede's United National fleet. An article shows how to convert a diecast Leyland Leopard model from single to twin headlamp configuration, while Alan Roberts explains how to prepare a diecast model for respraying. There's a round up of the latest new diecast & kit model announcements, new accessories & model parts. Ken Jones from the West Midlands N Gauge Club looks at TT scale model buses and also shows the latest additions to his extensive N scale bus & coach collection. John Finny rounds off the 63 page issue with a nostalgic look back on the 50 plus midget coaches built by Ernie Johnston between 1935 & 1956. You can view the latest Newsletter on the Midland Bus Kits site, where you will also find all the previous issues. |
Monday 2 December |
| New Barton Leyland Tiger PS1/1 Double Deck Bus Kit |
Three Peaks Models have announced a new kit of a Barton Willowbrook bodied double deck Leyland Tiger PS1/1. The kit will be available in three different scale 1:50 (£80.00), 1:76 (£50.00) and 1:148 N scale (£18.00) all scales have a further choice of either open or closed rear platform doors. The kit includes a set transfers & window bar stickers to enable both the WAL & VVO registered variations of the vehicles to be reproduced. The kits are currently available to pre-order & shipping is scheduled to commence from the 16th January. Further details can be found on the Three Peaks Models website. |
| November 2024 | Model Bus Zone News Index | December 2024 |