Model Bus Zone News
February 2016
 January 2016  Model Bus Zone News Index March 2016 
Click the links to view the further details related to the News item.
Filter Content:    Atlas Editions    EFE    Forward Models    Graham Farish   
OOC    Oxford   

Wednesday 24 February
Confirmed Oxford Die-cast Release
The following Omnibus Range model has now been released by Oxford Die-cast in the UK.

NBL006 Eastern National - Bristol Lodekka LD Double Deck Bus (N Scale)


Wednesday 24 February
Confirmed EFE Releases
The following EFE models have now been released in the UK.

15720 Ribble (route X40) - Plaxton Panorama Elite Coach
24331 Hebble - 30 Foot BET Single Deck Bus
26329 Burton Corporation (route 10) - Guy Arab II Utility Double Deck Bus
Information kindly supplied by


Thursday 18 February
First EFE Subscriber Newsletter of 2016
EFE have posted out the first newsletter & release sheet of the year. A major focus of the newsletter is the upcoming warehouse open day on Saturday the 19th March. See the scan of the release sheet below or the news item posted on the 26th January for full details.

EFE report they are still suffering manufacturing delays in China. This is affecting the planned release programme with some models being delayed and others that are ready being released earlier than intended. Some models are also appearing "out of the blue" with little prior notice to fill gaps in the release schedule.

In regards to above there are four previously unannounced models listed as forthcoming items in the latest newsletter list. Note there are no photographs or further details at present.
31808 B.E.A. (B.A. Pound Stretcher) - RMA Routemaster Bus - Due March
32803 London Transport - Ford Thames Trader Short Tipper Lorry
38126 Ribble - Bristol VRT Flat Screen Bus
31911 London Country N.B.C. - AEC RML Routemaster Bus
Courtesy of EFE, a scan & PDF of Release Sheet 1 2016.
Releases Issue 1 2016 Scan EFE Warehouse Open Day
You can view a PDF version of the release sheet HERE (6.5mb).
EFE Release Sheet Archive

Wednesday 17 February
Latest Atlas Editions Coach Release
The first non UK model in the Classic Coach Collection has been released by Atlas Editions. The 1/72nd scale model appears identical to one previously issued in another of Atlas Editions European bus collection (item no. 7163 101) and depicts a German Reisedienst Oberbach Kässbohrer Setra S8 coach.

4642 105 Reisedienst Oberbach - Kässbohrer Setra S8 coach

Monday 15 February
EFE Release For Late February
The following EFE models are scheduled to be released during the week ending the 27th February.

15720 Ribble (route X40) - Plaxton Panorama Elite Coach
24331 Hebble - 30 Foot BET Single Deck Bus
26329 Burton Corporation (route 10) - Guy Arab II Utility Double Deck Bus
Information kindly supplied by


Thursday 11 February
Three Confirmed EFE Releases
The following EFE models have now been released by EFE in the UK.

15111 Plymouth City Corporation (route 9) - Long Leyland National Mark I
29635 Tees & District (route 270) - Leyland Olympian Bus
34113 London Country (RT1018 / route 453) - AEC RT Bus
Information kindly supplied by


Tuesday 9 February
Graham Farish Release Eight N Scale Bus Models
I can confirm the following eight models have now been released by Graham Farish in the UK.
The remaining outstanding models from 32 announced a few years ago may also follow later in the year.

379-545 Leyland Titan PD2 Bus - Southdown

379-547 Leyland Titan PD2 Bus - Trent

379-548 Leyland Titan PD2 Bus - Leicester Corporation


379-577 Leyland National Mark I Bus - Alder Valley N.B.C.

379-578 Leyland National Mark I Bus - Green Line N.B.C.


379-605 Leyland Atlantean Bus - Tynemouth (yellow/white)

379-607 Leyland Atlantean Bus - Plymouth City Transport

379-608 Leyland Atlantean Bus - Northern N.B.C. (blue/white)

View list of all the Graham Farish models.

Tuesday 9 February
Forward Models Announce New Daimler CVG6 Bus
Forward Models have issued a press release regarding thier plans for a new tooling of a Manchester Corporation Daimler CVG6K bus.

Forward Models
Product Announcement
February 2016

59 Ling’s Coppice, London SE21 8SX.
  




Manchester Corporation Daimler CVG6K NNB 284 4474

During 2016 and onwards, Forward Models plans to produce eight new model buses carrying the ‘tin front’ from the 1950s. This was the hey-day of municipal bus fleets and these buses represented the final development of the traditional double-decker. One of the first models in the series, due out in mid-2016, will be a Manchester Daimler.

   Produced in diecast metal at 1:76 scale, these models follow the high standards set by Forward Models.
This model is finished in the post-war livery of red with the lighter contrast along upper deck windows and between decks stripe. It will carry adverts for Crawfords Cream Crackers and Air France, running on the 92 route to Piccadilly via Heaton Chapel.

Models in the same series will be produced in the liveries of other large cities and towns including Glasgow, Cardiff, Coventry, Rotherham and West Bromwich. The Suggested Retail Price will be about £45, due to the increased of cost of production. Actual retail prices will be lower.

  Forward Models has turned to ‘crowd-funding’ in order to raise the funds for production by issuing ‘minibonds’. Investors can buy a bond for as little as £125 or as much as £5000 or more. Contact Forward Models for more details. Or, collectors can simply order now and pay for their model in advance by sending £35 plus £2.80 p&p.

You can view the original PDF version of the press release HERE

For further information visit the Forward Models web site.

Friday 5 February
Graham Farish To Release More N Scale Bus Models
Graham Farish are expected to release some more of the long planned Scenecraft N scale buses later this month.
The remaining outstanding models from 32 announced a few years ago may also follow later in the year.

379-545 Leyland Titan PD2 Bus - Southdown
379-547 Leyland Titan PD2 Bus - Trent
379-548 Leyland Titan PD2 Bus - Leicester Corporation

379-577 Leyland National Mark I Bus - Alder Valley N.B.C.
379-578 Leyland National Mark I Bus - Green Line N.B.C.

379-605 Leyland Atlantean Bus - Tynemouth (yellow/white)
379-607 Leyland Atlantean Bus - Plymouth City Transport
379-608 Leyland Atlantean Bus - Northern N.B.C. (blue/white)

Thursday 4 February
Some Corgi OOC Model Release Dates Rescheduled
Corgi has announced new release dates for the following OOC models that had been expected in January.


OM41417A/B Glasgow Corporation - Daimler Roe Double Deck Bus - Now due May
OM46510A/B The Witch Way - Wright Eclipse Gemini - Now due April
OM46310 London Transport (route 2) - AEC Routemaster Bus (Corgi 60th) - Now due April

Wednesday 3 February
Six New EFE Models Announced
EFE has announced six new releases due in either February or March.
Cat No. 12123
Vehicle Harrington Cavalier Coach
Operator National (Royal Blue)
Fleet No. 2204
Registration 8739 CD
Route Brixham
Expected March 2016
Cat No. 15720
Vehicle Plaxton Panorama Elite Coach
Operator Ribble
Fleet No. 966
Registration HRN 966G
Route X40 Keswick
Expected March 2016
Cat No. 17231
Vehicle Long Leyland National Mark I 1 Door
Operator Northumbria
Fleet No. 772
Registration LUP 903T
Route 46 Gosforth via Newcastle
Expected March 2016
Cat No. 24108
Vehicle Bedford TK Dopside Lorry
Operator Alder Valley N.B.C.
Fleet No. 60
Registration TPJ 780S
Cargo Small tarpaulin covered load
Expected February 2016
Cat No. 28829
Vehicle Leyland Titan 2 Door
Operator Oxford Bus Company
Fleet No. 973
Registration KYN 493X
Route 52 Oxford City Centre
Expected March 2016
Cat No. 31910
Vehicle AEC Routemaster RML Bus
Operator Arriva London
Fleet No. RML 2611
Registration NML 611E
Route 73 Tottenham Swan
Expected March 2016
Courtesy of EFE, scans & a PDF of the Trade Order Form for January 2016
Trade Order Form January 2016 Scan
You can view a PDF version of the trade order form HERE (2.7mb).
EFE Release Sheet Archive

Monday 1 February
Next EFE Releases
The following EFE models are scheduled for release during the week ending 13 February.

15111 Plymouth City Corporation (route 9) - Long Leyland National Mark I
29635 Tees & District (route 270) - Leyland Olympian Bus
34113 London Country (RT1018 / route 453) - AEC RT Bus
Information kindly supplied by


Monday 1 February & updated 2 February
The Missing EFE Model Number Plates
As I'm sure you are aware for the first six years of EFE production all standard issue models were produced without registration marks applied. The only exceptions were a small number commissioned and some of the re-worked models issued in the Deluxe Series. This practice continued until mid 1995 after which all EFE models were issued with this feature.

I've often recieved enquires asking about what the correct registrations would be for one of these early models and recently decided to see how many I could find.

Much to my surprise, and after a fair amount of searching on the web, I managed to find suitable registrations for all but five of the 250 plus bus & coach models lacking this feature. In must cases where the model has a fleet number applied, I've been able to match a particular registration. When no fleet number is applied I've listed a selection of suitable vehicles owned by the operator in question.

Interestingly of five models which have yet to be traced, four are from the fleets of either West Riding or Yorkshire Woollen District. The fifth is a Barton TS8 which may have been acquired from West Riding.

Please get in contact If you know the correct registrations for any of the following models:
16006 Leyland PD2 Lowbridge - West Riding 316
18301 Leyland TS8 bus - Yorkshire Woollen District 412
18303 Leyland TS8 bus - Barton Transport 603
18304 Leyland TS8 bus - Yorkshire Woollen District 326
18401 Leyland TS8 bus - West Riding 421

Update 2 February
Many thanks to everyone who sent me the registration marks for the five models I'd not been unable to trace, the list is now complete.



The Missing EFE Registrations Numbers list can be found in the "Everything Else" (Model Bus Zone) or "EFE Model Series"(EFE Zone) sections.

 January 206  Model Bus Zone News Index March 2016