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Monday 30 April

Forward Models Update

Forward Models have now received the first painted pre-production versions of the new diecast Birmingham Standard models. The first five models can be pre-ordered now via the company's website, it is hoped that the final production versions of the models will be released during the Summer. For Further details visit www.forwardmodels.net.

Sunday 29 April

London Bus Museum Spring Gathering Releases

The London Bus Museum's Spring Gathering took place at the former Wisley Aerodrome today and unfortunately the weather was far from Spring like with heavy continuous rain until around 2pm. The weather was so bad that only a few of the stall holders who attended actually took the risk and sent up they're stalls. A prototype version of a Jotus resin 1/76th scale BEA RF model was briefly exhibited on the Museum shop's stall and further details & photographs of the model have also been posted on the Jotus.com website. Highlights of the day were Peter Hendy, the commissioner of Transport for London, launching the London Bus Museum's latest restoration project RT2775. This RT was one of three London Buses which visited the USA in 1952. The bus has been superbly restored to it 1952 appearance complete with period advertisements & the rear GB plate which it retained for the rest of it's service life. The museum also arranged a unique line up of three of London's most iconic prototype double deckers, RT1, RM1 & the first of the Wright bodied Borismasters LT1. The following commissioned EFE models were released today at the event. When I left at around 3pm both models were still available and I understand that if any stock did remain after the event these will be offered to mail order customers via the Museum's website in the near future. 26322B London Transport (route 79 / London Bus Museum Adverts) - Guy Arab II Utility Bus 26410A London Transport (route 88 / Spring Gathering Adverts) - Daimler Utility Bus

Wednesday 25 April

New B-T Models Announced

Nine new models have been listed on the John Ayrey's site today, unfortunately there aren't photographs of all the models as yet. B011 Grey Green - Duple Dominant II Coach B012 Ribble - Duple Dominant II Coach DA40 Edward Beck & Sons - Thames Trader Articulated Lowloader with cable drums cargo. DA41 Edward Beck & Sons - Albion Reviver 3 Axle Dropside DA42 BRS - Albion CX3 Flatbed & Drawbar Trailer DA43 BRS Glasgow - Karrier Bantam Articulated Flatbed DA44 Wynns - Foden DG Flatbed DA45 British Rail - Leyland FG Flatbed DA46 BRS - Foden DG6 Flatbed

Wednesday 25 April

Confirmed EFE Releases

The following models have now been released by EFE. 29410 Cumberland / National Express - Bristol RELH Dual Purpose Bus 29506 Southern National - Plaxton Panorama Elite Coach

Tuesday 24 April

TTC Diecast Resin Model Update

TTC Diecast have managed to secure another 30 examples of the FRM1 model on route 76, these are now being offered on a first come first served basis via the www.ttcdiecast.com site. The single door version of the London Northern V3 on Potters Bar Depot's route 263, RES1001, is now expected in June/July and will be closely followed by the first pair of the Optare Versa models, RES5001A/B in Arriva Midlands colours, these will be available with or without X38 route branding. Several photographs of an early sample of the new Optare Spectra Double Deck Bus have also been posted on the TTC Diecast site, three liveries for the single door version have already been announced: RES7002 London Central's SP1 K301FYG RES7003 Stagecoach Manchester R290CVM (13395) RES7004 Optare Spectra Demonstrator K170FYG in blue & silver livery Pre-orders for all three (which includes a £10 discount & free P&P) are now being accepted for £64.99. Further details and photographs of the growing range of resin models can be found on TTC Diecast website. I'm now covering the growing range of resin models on the www.modelbuszone.co.uk site.

Tuesday 24 April

Two Future EFE Commissions

The Arriva Heritage Fleet has commissioned two EFE Routemaster models as part of the celebrations marking the centenary on route 38. The models of RMC1464 & recently refurbished RML901 are expected to go on sale via the Arriva London & Arriva Heritage Fleet websites during May. The real pair of vehicles are due to operate on route 38 at some point during June and will be one of number of special events planned over the summer months. Staff and members of the public are also being asked to take part in the "Walk the 38" which will raise funds for the Maggie's Cancer Charity. Individuals or groups can do the sponsored walk along the length of the current route 38 anytime between 1st May & 14th September. Further detail of how to register for the walk can be found HERE.

Monday 23rd April

Corgi OOC Releases: July to December

Corgi have today announced details of the models planned for release between July & December 2012. There are five new liveries on existing castings all of which will be offered with dual destinations. Corgi have also revised the release dates for the OOC releases announced in the April to June catalogue. Click the thumbnails to view larger images.

Cat No.  OM41226A Vehicle  Wright Eclispe Gemini Operator  The Lancashire Way Fleet No.  408 Registration  YK55 ATV Route  X41 Manchester Expected  September	Cat No.  OM41226B Vehicle  Wright Eclispe Gemini Operator  The Lancashire Way Fleet No.  408 Registration  YK55 ATV Route  X41 Blackburn via Accrington Expected  September
Cat No.  OM46405A Vehicle  Caetano CT650 Levante Coach Operator  The Kings Ferry Fleet No.  6.10 Registration  FJ10 EZG Route  007 Dover via Canterbury Expected  September	Cat No.  OM46405B Vehicle  Caetano CT650 Levante Coach Operator  The Kings Ferry Fleet No.  6.10 Registration  FJ10 EZG Route  007 London Expected  September
Cat No.  OM41414A Vehicle  Roe bodied Trolleybus Operator  Doncaster Corporation Fleet No.  375 Registration  CDT 636 Route  Hexthorpe Expected  October	Cat No.  OM41414B Vehicle  Roe bodied Trolleybus Operator  Doncaster Corporation Fleet No.  375 Registration  CDT 636 Route  Wheatley Hills Expected  October
Cat No.  OM46307A Vehicle  AEC Routemaster Operator  Clydeside Scottish Fleet No.  RM 37 Registration  VLT 37 Route  36 Glasgow Buchanian Expected  November	Cat No.  OM46307B Vehicle  AEC Routemaster Operator  Clydeside Scottish Fleet No.  RM 37 Registration  VLT 37 Route  38 Johnstone Expected  November
Cat No.  OM46406A Vehicle  Caetano CT650 Levante Coach Operator  National Express Gold England Commonwealth Games Fleet No.  - Registration  FJ60 HXY Route  025 London Expected  December	Cat No.  OM46406B Vehicle  Caetano CT650 Levante Coach Operator  National Express Gold England Commonwealth Games Fleet No.  - Registration  FJ60 HXY Route  025 Brighton Expected  December

The full line up of other models from the new catalogue can be found on the Corgi website. The OOC models from the April to June catalogue have also been re-scheduled as follows:
OM46403A	Caetano Levante Coach	National Express/Silverdale Travel (Irish Shamrock livery)	-	FJ10 EZT	450	Mansfield via Nottingham	W/E 19/5/12
OM46403B						London via Nottingham
OM41413A	Daimler CSG6 Roe Double Deck Bus	Tyne & Wear PTE	329	FCU 829	30	Cleadon	August 2012
OM41413B					11	Marsden
OM41608A	Crossley DD42 Double Deck Bus	Luton Corporation Transport	92	EBM 92	1	Seymor Avenue, Park Square	August 2012
OM41608B					4	Park Square Dunstable Road
OM46016A	Wright Eclipse Urban Single Deck Bus	McGill's Buses	220	RX06 WPP	38	Glasgow	June 2012
OM46016B						Paisley
OM46210	Scania Irizar PB Coach	Brighton & Hove	502	HF08 UHT	--	--	July 2012
OM46601	New Bus for London	Arriva London	LT 1	t.b.c.	38	t.b.c.	July 2012
OM49904	London Transport Then & Now Set	London Transport & Arriva London	Gift Set containing 3 Models: Q1 Trolleybus, AEC Routemaster & New Bus for London				August 2012

Friday 20 April

Four Releases From B-T Models

One 1/76th scale and three N scale lorries have been released by B-T Models and should be available from most outlets shortly. 1:76th DA39 Atlas Express Co Ltd - Albion Reiever 4 Axle Box Van N Scale N009 M.G. Williams (Coal Merchants) - Leyland FG Flatbed NP001 White - Leyland FG Box Van NP002 Yellow - Leyland FG Box Van

Friday 20 April

Confirmed EFE Release

The West Midlands Leyland National model produced for EFE subscribers who attended the Coventry Model & Hobby Show back in March has now gone on general sale and is currently available from selected retailers including eHattons. Subscribers can order the model directly from the EFE Sale Office for a reduced price. 17213A West Midlands PTE (Model & Hobby Show 2012) - Long Leyland National Mark I

Friday 20 April

New EFE Models Announced in Buses Magazine

The latest issue of Buses Magazine arrived today and contains another Diecast Model Bus supplement. There's an article on recent model developments at EFE and this briefly mentions a number of previously unannounced future models. Coach liveries are planned for the new flat fronted Bristol VR which will be released in Eastern National cream and Tilling green colours. The BET 36ft six bay single decker will be released in Maidstone & District's cream & dark green livery and will also feature a vehicle with the larger style front grille. Other planned models are a Leyland National in Devon General's Wavy line livery and a new version of a Coventry Transport RT which will "look very much better" than the previous commissioned version (101008) which was one of EFE's earliest releases back in 1989. The Buses supplement contains other articles covering the Revell Routemaster kit and a feature on some of the models depicting Lancashire seaside municipal operators. There are reviews of B-T Models Duple Dominant coach, the Oxford N scale Plaxton Elite & Burlingham Sunsaloon coaches and Corgi OOC Provincial Guy Arab Utility. There is also a review of the Bachmann OO scale resin bus garage which is also available in N scale. Finally there's a nice article about customizing models which includes some tips on weathering and how to produce a Liverbus GM Standard Leyland Atlantean using a donor EFE model. The latest May edition of Buses, which is now published by Key Publishing rather than Ian Allan, goes on sale today (20th May) and contains all the usual content relating to real buses. The current May issue can be ordered online from www.busesmag.com while digital issues are available from Zino.

Tuesday 17 April

Next EFE Releases

The following EFE models are scheduled for release during the week ending 28th April. 29410 Cumberland / National Express - Bristol RELH Dual Purpose Bus 29506 Southern National - Plaxton Panorama Elite Coach

Release information kindly supplied by

The following commissioned EFE models will be available at the London Bus Museum's Spring Gathering at the former Wisley Aerodrome on Sunday 29th April. Further details can be found on the Museum's website : www.londonbusmuseum.com. 26322B London Transport (route 79 / London Bus Museum Adverts) - Guy Arab II Utility Bus 26410A London Transport (route 88 / Spring Gathering Adverts) - Daimler Utility Bus

Thursday 12 April

Confirmed EFE Releases

The following EFE models have now been released. 35209 Ribble - Long Six Bay BET Bus 38501 East Yorkshire - Open Top AEC RM Class Routemaster

Tuesday 10 April

Next OOC Releases

The following OOC models are expected to be released during the week ending 19th May. OM46403A National Express Shamrock livery (450 Mansfield via Nottingham) - Caetano Levante Coach (550 Pieces - All stock allocated) OM46403B National Express Shramrock livery (450 London via Nottingham) - Caetano Levante Coach (550 Pieces - All stock allocated)

Thursday 5 April

Latest Oxford Diecast Releases

The following bus related items have been now been released by Oxford Diecast. 1/43 Scale OXFDE006 London Transport - Ford 400E Minibus 1/76 Scale 76OWB002 Ministry of Supply - Bedford OWB Bus N Scale NBS002 Yelloway Burlingham Sunsaloon NBS003 Wallace Arnold Burlingham Sunsaloon NQ1006 Nottingham City Transport Q1 Trolleybus

Wednesday 4 April

Confirmed OOC Releases

The following OOC have now been released by Corgi. OM40818A Central SMT (44 Glasgow Anderston Cross) - Bristol Lodekka FS Double Deck Bus OM40818B Central SMT (240 Lanark) - Bristol Lodekka FS Double Deck Bus OM46404A National Express Armed Forces Day (030 Portsmouth) - Caetano Levante Coach OM46404B National Express Armed Forces Day (300 Bristol) - Caetano Levante Coach

Release Information kindly supplied by

Tuesday 3 April

EFE's Next planned Releases

The following EFE models are scheduled for release during the week ending the 14th April 35209 Ribble - Long Six Bay BET Bus 38501 East Yorkshire - Open Top AEC RM Class Routemaster

Release information kindly supplied by

Tuesday 3 April

Confirmed Releases From B-T Models

The following models have now been released by B-T Models B009 Eastern National - Bedford YMT Duple Dominant II Coach DA37 M. G. Williams (Coal Merchant) - Karrier Bantam Dropside DA38 Russell of Bathgate - AEC Mammoth Major Flatbed

Information kindly supplied by