• Area Meetings - Upcoming MBF members only area meetings & events.
• Other Public Shows & Exhibitions - Sun 7th April 2024 11-1600 - GVVT Bridgeton Bus Museum. Open Day with MBF Scotland West displays & sales (see GVVT website)
  Sat 20th April 2024 1000-1530 - 45th Model Bus Extravaganza: Blessed William Howard Roman Catholic School, Rowley Avenue off Newport Road, Stafford ST17 9AB. Admission £3 (accompanied children free) Senior Citizens £2.
  Sat 11th May 2024 0930-1600 - South Shields Model Bus 2024: Salvation Army, Wawn Street, South Shields NE33 4EB. Admission £3, concessions/children £2.
  Mon 27th May 1000-1600 West Midlands Area Show, the Transport Museum, Chapel Lane, Wythall B47 6JA. Museum Admission prices £12 adults, £6 children. (Museum website.
• Editorial
• Cover Story - The triple decker bus made famous in the Harry Potter films, and produced in 1:76 scale by Corgi. This one is somewhat larger.
• Welcome Aboard - A welcome to nine new members & one returnee's.
• The Knightbus, A Tall Story by Malcolm Denny - Malcolm describes how he produced his impressive 1:24 scale version of the triple deck bus featured in the Harry Potter movies, Two Revell RML plastic kits were used along with many 3D printed parts for the interior fittings.
• A Quick Sprint by Dave Jessop - A article detailing the available model versions of the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van & minibus across it three generations. A vehicle type popular with bus operators for both passenger & ancillary services.
• Product News UK 1 - Paul Ellender's next kit due early Summer will be NK17 a EVM Cityline 25, a 16 seat wheelchair accessible minibus based on the latest Mercedes Sprinter chassis.
• The Way Ahead in 1949 by Martin Hare - Martin converts a standard EFE RT into the unique Green Line coach RTC1 which was a Chiswick Works rebuild of war time damaged RT97.
• West Midlands Area Show 2024, see 27th May event above.
• Obituary: John Booth by Andrew Goodwin - Sadly, John Booth passed away in January, he joined the MBF in the mid seventies and usually modelled London and South East buses. He helped on Norman Clay & LBC stalls at events & was MBF Forum Moderator for many years. John was also was New Products co-ordinator where he tried to keep members advised of new & planned model releases.
  He also provided prototype vehicle data to suppliers such as Base Toys, and wrote many articles for Model Buses magazine and other more general model magazines.
• Product News UK 2 - Little Bus Co - New castings are EL89: Volvo B10M-55/East Lancs, RP: AEC Reliance /Park Royal DP45F (London Country/Greenline) and re-issue of MAS1: Leyland PD2A/Massey which should all be available early Spring. (see Little Bus Co page for contact details.
• N-Gauge Corner - Rodger Pope has replaced all but one of his matchbox models with Oxford Diecast ones on his layout. Ken Jones found a badly damaged K & B Models Bradford Trolleybus for 50p which has now be expertly restored by Malcolm Hall.
• Plan of the Month by Alan Johnson - Bristol LH ECW Bus
• Area News - Eleven pages of reports & 72 colour photographs covering recent MBF meetings in the West Midlands x2, Dorset/New Forest, North Midlands, London, & South Wales & Herefordshire areas.
• MBF Shop - The MBF Streetscene,& Paragon range of white metal/resin parts & accessories, plus the MBF Streetscene 2K resin model kits that are exclusively available to MBF members.
• MBF Streetscene White metal Bus & Coach Kits - The former ABS white metal bus kits added to the MBF Streetscene range. These are available exclusively to members at low cost (from £10.00 to £35.00 - see the MBF page for a list of these model kits)

Back in January Oxford Diecast posted a short announcement on their Facebook page that the usual Feb-May catalogue and update on the next batch of new model liveries & tooling had been postponed due to an ongoing health issue at this family run company.

Yesterday, Eloise Davis the Managing Director at Oxford Diecast, posted a further update on Facebook & the Oxford Diecast site revealing that the health issues related to her father & original founder of Oxford Diecast, Lyndon Davies (Taff).

Health issues were identified in November which required a heart operation, sadly during the surgery in early December there were complications which resulted in Taff not regaining consciousness until January. He entered Neurological Rehabilitation, where he had to learn to walk and talk again and returned home to Swansea in early March. Unfortunately, one of the consequences of the complications caused vision issues and Taff is now blind.

Please read the full post on the Oxford Diecast blog page.

Although I've never met Taff or Eloise, I'd like to pass on my best wishes to both at this difficult time, and hope Taff's health continues to improve in the coming weeks & months.

• Area Meetings - Upcoming MBF members only area meetings & events.
• Other Public Shows & Exhibitions - Sat 20th April 2024 1000-1530 - 45th Model Bus Extravaganza: Blessed William Howard Roman Catholic School, Rowley Avenue off Newport Road, Stafford ST17 9AB. Admission £3 (accompanied children free) Senior Citizens £2.
• Editorial
• Cover Story - The winner of the Best Layout at the 2023 Scottish Show was motorised diorama by Robert Bouse
• 2023 Scottish Show Competition Winners - A list of the top three entries in each of the eleven classes.
• 2023 Scottish Show Competition Entries - Photographs of the wining models and all the other entries in each class.
• Class 1 - 1:76 Scratchbuild / Conversion in Scottish Livery- 3 entries - Winning model: Van Hool tri-axle coach AT Travel ~ Karl Lessel
• Class 2 - 1:76 Kit Built in Scottish Livery - 7 entries - Winning model: Fleetline/Alexander Western Scottish ~ Robert Bouse
• Class 3 - Special Class: Ailsa Volvo / Leyland Titan TN / Scania Metropolitan - 5 entries - Winning model: Volvo Citybus Strathclyde ~ Robert Bouse
• Class 4 - 1:76 Diecast repaints in Scottish Livery - 20 entries - Winning model: DAF Irizar Citylink WCM ~ Dave Wright
• Class 5 - 1:76 Scratch/Conversion/Kit built in fictitious or non-Scottish Livery - 8 entries - Winning model: Leyland TS7 Lowland Greyhound ~ Tony DeMarco
• Class 6 - 1:76 Diecast repaints in fictitious or non-Scottish Livery - 6 entries Winning model: Leyland Atlantean Bradford Traveller ~ Karl Lessel
• Class 7 - First Time Entrants - 1 entries - Winning model: Wright Urban Eclipse First Glasgow trainer ~ D. Adam
• Class 8 - Any scale and livery except 1:76 - 4 entries - Winning model: 1:31 Isuzu Wiles ~ James Limerick
• Class 10 - Ancillary Vehicles in any livery - 2 entries- Winning model: Leyland PD2 Towing vehicle Greater Glasgow ~ Tam Scott
• Class 11 - Best Layout - 1 entries - Winning Layout: Motorised Diorama ~ Robert Bouse
• Kits Reviews: CMB Kit 01, Blackpool Transport Gondola by Mike Wilson - Corporation Model Buses is a new company who have previously producing 3D prints of trams. They have now branched out in to buses with there first being this unusual Blackpool Corporation Leyland Lion LT7 with open top Burlingham bodywork. Mike gives a detail review of his build of the kit. (www.themodeltramshop.com/corporation-model-buses.
• Welcome Aboard - A welcome to eight new members & four returnee's.
• Product News UK - Anthony Parker has commissioned Three Peaks Models to produce a small range of 3D printed model buses. The first of these is the rear entrance 1T1 AEC Regal with two versions based on preserved T31 and the other a standard country bus based on publicity shots of T26.
• Kit Review: N Gauge LGOC B-Type by Ken Jones & Malcolm Hall - Review of a 3D printed kit from the N scale range produced by Ray Rimes Designs
• Over To You - Why did some Swedish buses delivered in the 1960s have passenger doors on both side? All is explained
• MBF Plans Register - Andrew Goodwin, Plans Registrar - The plans archive is still missing a number of plans from A. Smith & L.H. Markham. Members are asked to supply a copy of any they may have. One long standing member has supplied copies of the majority of the drawings produced by the late Derek Fisk. The MBF plans Register on the MBF website will receive a major update in due course.
• N-gauge West Riding PS2 by Ken Jones - Ken latest model for his N scale collection is a scratchbuilt model built by MBF member Malcolm Hall.
• Shop News - The much sought after ex ABS kit R240, the 11m Duple Dominant Bus is now in stock at the MBF Shop & priced £35 to members.
• Model Bus Supplement - The next issue of the optional quarterly Model Bus Supplement will be sent out to members in March.
• Plan of the Month by Martin Jarvis - 1967 Daimler Roadliner / Willowbrook B49F (based on 1968 Bournemouth Corporation 51-61 (KRU 51-58F & NRU 59-61G)
• Area News - Thirteen pages of reports & 81 colour photographs covering recent MBF meetings in the North Midlands, Yorkshire, West & Yorkshire x2, Kent, Greater Manchester, North West & West Midland areas.
• MBF Shop - The MBF Streetscene,& Paragon range of white metal/resin parts & accessories, plus the MBF Streetscene 2K resin model kits that are exclusively available to MBF members.
• MBF Streetscene White metal Bus & Coach Kits - The former ABS white metal bus kits added to the MBF Streetscene range. These are available exclusively to members at low cost (from £5.00 to £35.00 - see the MBF page for a list of these model kits)

To our valued retailers and collectors :
Herewith we itemise an update on likely release dates and status for announced models in the ukbus 6200, ukbus 6500, ukbus 8500 and ukbus 9500 range. In addition, more 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. Importing, and now a war in Europe and the Red Sea conflict have each impacted shipping badly.

ukbus 6200 Range (Alexander Dennis Enviro400)

ukbus 6201 – All Plain White : models are now available in the UK.

ukbus 6202 – Stagecoach Bluebird (19377 – OO05 BLU) : models are now available in the UK.

ukbus 6203 – Stagecoach London (12144 – LX61 DDZ) : models are on the way to the UK.


ukbus 0073 – Ensignbus (123 – SN59 AWV) : production will be concluded by early May 2024.

ukbus 6205 - National Express West Midlands (Heritage Livery) (4722 – BU07 LGY) :
pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by late June 2024.

ukbus 6206 – Reading Buses - Green Express (1208 – GO11 LDN) :
pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by late August 2024.

ukbus 6500 Range

ukbus 6532 – Stagecoach South – Sussex Brain Bus (10945 – SN18 KNJ) : models are now available in the UK.


ukbus 6531 – Stagecoach Manchester (11523 – SK20 AVY) : production will be concluded by late April 2024.

ukbus 6533 – Brighton & Hove (301 – YX69 NVL) :
pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by late July 2024.

ukbus 0074 – Reading Buses – Greenline (782 – SN66 WRD) :
pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by early September 2024.

ukbus 6535 – Hampshire Bus (10700 – YEL 4T) :
pre-production samples will be prepared with an anticipated production slot being available by early October 2024.

ukbus 8500 Range (Alexander Dennis Enviro200Dart)

The castings are being fine-tuned in the factory. Some modifications will be applied due to the long silence on the toolings’ use.

ukbus 6800 Range

The preparation work for the new casting of the ADL Enviro400 City on Trident 2 and BYD ADL Enviro400EV City is suspended.
No more development will be undertaken on the new casting.

ukbus 9500 Range (Scania OmniCity Double-Decker)

ukbus 9501 - National Express West Midlands (Heritage Livery) (4780 – BU08 EHZ) : models are now available in the UK.

Northcord Model Company (NMC)

MBC are extremely proud to announce our latest release, The Kings Coronation Commemorative New Bus for London from GoAhead London & Model Buses Creations.

The New Bus for London was designed by Heatherwick Studio and was manufactured by Wright Bus in Northern Ireland. The bus was inspired by the original AEC Routemaster which was launched in London in the 1950's.

The "New Routemaster" first hit London's streets in February 2012. LT511 (LTZ 1511) was first registered in August 2015 to Go Ahead London, as part of the batch of buses for the Route 88, operating from Stockwell Garage.

Introduced on the Route 88 from September 2015 between Clapham Common to Camden Town via Stockwell, Vauxhall, Westminster, Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus, Great Portland St and Mornington Crescent. In March 2019, the vehicle allocation was then swapped with the Route 87, which is where the vehicle continues to operate today from Aldwych to Wandsworth, still passing the landmarks of Westminster. In Early May 2023, the bus chosen as one of five buses across London to receive a special livery to help celebrate the Kings Coronation happening in June 2023. LT511 carried the red version of the special livery for around two months before in July 2023, it was returned back to TFL red.

• is a trademark of Transport for London and registered in the UK and other countries. All rights reserved.

New Routemaster is a Registered Design of Transport for London. Produced under licence by Corgi and each model is hand finished to ensure the intricate details and parts are individually applied. The MBC Production Team have introduced a new level of detail including the corrected driver dashboard in black and the new wheel hub detail that reflects the real bus.

Available on two destinations on route 87 Aldwych & Wandsworth

Each model comes in Unique MBC Packaging with Numbered Limited Edition Certificates.

Only 500 of each Destination will be produced.

Model Buses Creations are a dedicated Diecast Model Manufacturer and Producer of Officially Licensed Premium quality products. Located in Vauxhall Central London.

Models Available to Pre Order from from Modelbus.uk

Released in the United Kingdon in May 2024 in time to Commemorate and Celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT & MODEL RELEASE INFORMATION

We are pleased to announce that, from 27th February 2024, Omnidekka models will become part of the growing business of Transport Nostalgia (hereby referred to as TN). Intellectual property rights, castings and licenses in their entirety will transfer under an exclusivity agreement to TN in full, at this point. TN will also continue in their support of NHVC, the Nottingham Heritage Vehicles Charity donating an element of profit to their fundraising efforts.

We applaud Chris Cotton in bringing fantastic precision models to market over recent years and welcome Chris as an integral part of our team behind the scenes moving forward. Chris will no longer deal with any marketing, sales, trade agreements, shipment of orders or any other aspect of the customer experience side of the business but thanks you all for your support to date.

Rest assured, all current pre-orders will be honoured in full without reservation. Therefore, all collectors awaiting receipt of released models from Chris will now be in receipt of said models and any quality control issues or complaints should now be settled in full.

We are aware of a finite number of past and potential collectors of Omnidekka releases that have, for whatever reason, been less than respectful towards the company and its representatives. Whilst appreciative of the models released, the disrespect the proprietor has been subject to is undesirable. Being fully aware of the detail, we wish those individuals many years of enjoyment in the hobby but politely request they don’t order from us, as it will save discussing our reasons for refusing your business.

Price-point wise, we are probably going to upset a few too but the RRP for models such as the E200MMC is £65. This will now be protected by being offered to market at £65. We will continue to supply appointed trade with stock where agreements are in place or where approach is made direct to TN. These too will be encouraged to release the product to market at the R.R.P. You may ask why? Well it's very simple. Protecting the return on investment in tooling, marketing, packaging and ensuring a faultless customer care experience costs money. Bringing a product to market at an unrealistic discounted price may win custom but the reality is it undermines the value in that product and does not return the capital expenditure for even one tooling. For example eight releases are required before tooling costs are met on the E200MMC. For releases via Model 1, 80M and Northcord, prices will be at our set RRP. Future Corgi releases prior to any new production cost increases, will be at Corgi’s set RRP and Jotus, Resin Specialist or other resin manufacturers stated on a release by release basis. Where variations on a model are offered, combined purchase discounted options will be available.

So, where do we start? Well it has to be with the next E200 MMC release. TNBUS1 is sold out on pre order and due to be shipped to customers Q3 2024. With the option of a further batch we are interested in hearing from those still wanting our white version of the E200 MMC. If we can reach 200 plus orders then we will commission a further batch. Please message us to advise on quantities required (no limit) - no monies payable at this stage on this one, until we place the re- run order.

MMC2 is the Abellio model available with two variants. These are priced at £65 each and pre order is now open. Postage and quality packaging is an additional £5 per model order (up to 2 models - but please enquire if wanting more and we will see what we can do).

Model A is for Route 481 to West Middlesex Hospital.
Model B is for Route K1 to New Malden Station.

Further news will follow as commissions are finalised

Further to the above Press Release the following post has been made by Nostalgia Transport regarding orders previously placed with Omnidakka Models...

I believe Transport Nostalgia are intending to launch a new website later this month. The omnidekkamodels.co.uk site is offline at the time of this posting.