Model Bus Zone News
April 2017
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Saturday 29 April
Confirmed Release of Commissioned EFE Model
A commissioned EFE model was released by the London Transport Museum at last weekend's Acton Depot event. The model which is limited to 214 pieces was supplied Contour Equipment who have taken over the remaining parts of Gilbow Holdings that were not acquired by Bachmann Europe last year.

Thanks extended to Derek Wright for supplying photographs of the model.

15632B Arriva London South (route 137 / plain gold livery) - AEC RM Class Routemaster Double Deck Bus (Original casting version)

Wednesday 26 April
New Model Announced by BusByBono
BusByBono have sent me details of a new model which is expected to be delivered at the end of June this year.

The Dennis Dart Plaxton Paladin model comes in three versions which all share the same base livery, but feature different vehicles and routes as follows.

Please note: Only pre-ordering is accepted. Production quantity is made to orders received. No retail sales after pre-ordering period closes.
On-Line Pre-order Period : From 29th April 2017 13:00 to 14th May 2017 23:59 Hong Kong Time

Website: www.busbybono.com
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Busbybono/


Description: Dennis Dart Northern Counties Paladin
Product Code: 100103A
Route: K1X
Destination: LONG PING ESTATE
Registration: GN 5128
Fleet: 501

Product Code: 100103B
Route: A59
Destination: CASTLE PEAK BAY
Registration: GN 6355
Fleet: 502

Product Code: 100103C
Route: 658
Destination: TIN SHUI WAI TOWN CENTRE
Registration: GN 5032
Fleet: 503

General Specifications For All Models
Scale: 1:76
Material: ABS
Packing Dimensions: 210mm (L) x 72mm (D) x 83mm (H)
Limited Edition: Made to pre-ordering quantity
Price: H$450 (approximately £45)
On-Line Pre-order: From 29th April 2017 13:00 to 14th May 2017 23:59 Hong Kong Time
Delivery Date: 30th June 2017


Click thumbs to view larger images

Wednesday 26 April
Rapido To Produce OO Scale UK Bus Model
I've recived the following press release from Rapido Trains. See also the (22nd April News item below for posting about their Fishbowl HO bus)


Markham, Ontario, Canada - Rapido Trains Inc. - Canada's foremost manufacturer of model trains and buses - has recently expanded into the British model market. Its recent offerings in OO and N gauge have each won "Model of the Year" in the British Model Railway Awards.


Rapido's recently-announced 1/87 scale "Fishbowl" New Look Bus has turned the North American model bus market on its head, offering a level of detail never before seen in a small-scale bus, including full interior with individual seats, separate grab poles, steerable front wheels and working lighting.

Now Rapido is turning to the British model bus market with its first 1/76 scale British bus model. The model will be announced at the Rapido Bus 3D Scanning Event on 16 July 2017 at the Transport Museum Wythall.

Rapido will be doing a 3D scan of a real classic British double-decker bus in order to ensure that the model matches the actual shape precisely. Rapido Managing Director Jason Shron will be on hand to answer questions about the model, the model making process, and the history of the Canadian firm.

Classic Birmingham City Transport and Midland Red buses will be operating on the day and rides are complimentary to all museum visitors, who will also receive complimentary badges and other Rapido swag. Complimentary tea and coffee will be provided, and light refreshments will be available to purchase.

Where: The Transport Museum, Wythall. Chapel Lane, Wythall Worcestershire B47 6JX
When: Sunday 16 July, noon to 3pm
Cost: Regular admission prices - Adult £4 child £2 and Family (2+2) £10 including free bus rides
Web link: www.rapidouk.com/rapido-bus-3d-scanning-event

Rapido Trains Inc. and the Transport Museum Wythall look forward to seeing you at the Rapido Bus 3D Scanning Event.

Wednesday 26 April
Confirmed Oxford Diecast Omnibus Range Release
The following Oxford Omnibus Range models have now reached UK model retailers.


76MW6002 Hants & Dorset - Bristol MW6G Coach

76PAN005 Sheffield United Tours - Plaxton Panorama Coach


NPP005 Sheffield United Tours - Plaxton Panorama I Coach (N scale)

Saturday 22 April
Rapido Trains To Produce North American Fishbowl Bus
Canadian-based Rapido Trains are producing a new HO (1/87 scale) model of the North American "New Look Bus".
Also known as the "Fishbowl" bus, over 45,000 examples were built between 1959 & 1989. The vehicles became a familiar sight across much of the USA and Canada for over half a century.

All the Rapido models will be available in two versions, standard & deluxe. The deluxe version features additional interior lighting, working driving lights & an illuminated front destination display. They also have more detailed seat decoration & painted seatback handrails.

Seventeen different liveries have so far been announced and many of these offer further options of several different vehicle identities. A number of further models have also been commissioned by various operators, with more expected to be announced soon.

The model is also available as a undecorated kit, and there are several accessory packs offering different, bumpers, wheels and the 12 volt lighting kit.

The initial releases will all have double rear doors, but a version with single doors is also to be produced in due course.

Reservations are now being accepted and will be open until the 26th June for all the non-commissioned models. Delivery is currently expected in late 2017 or early 2018.

The prices are as follows (US Dollars)
Standard Versions: $49.95
Deluxe Versions: $69.95
Undecorated Kit: $29.95
Wheel packs: $9.95
Bumper Pack: $6.95
12V Lighting Kit: $19.95

A PDF file listing all the features & planned liveries can be found HERE.
For further details & to make reservations, please head over to the rapidotrains.com site.

Friday 21 April
Bus By Bono Appoint UK Distributor
Bus By Bono has appointed TTC Diecast as their sole UK Distributor.
The models are now available to pre-order from the TTC Diecast site.

The First Eastern Counties model will by £56.99, which is the same price as ordering direct from Bus By Bono in Hong Kong, however you will avoid any risk of incurring additional import duty.

The next model is due to be released in May was covered in my news item posted on the 15th March
Cat No.100102
Vehicle Dennis Dart Northern Counties Paladin
Operator First Eastern Counties Buses Ltd
Fleet No. 40256
Registration N624 CDB
Route 70A IPSWICH
Release Date 22nd May 2017

Friday 21 April
Upcoming Oxford Diecast Omnibus Range Release
The following Oxford Omnibus Range models are expected to be released shortly.


76MW6002 Hants & Dorset - Bristol MW6G Coach

76PAN005 Sheffield United Tours - Plaxton Panorama Coach


NPP005 Sheffield United Tours - Plaxton Panorama I Coach (N scale)

Thursday 20 April
LBC Model Kit Update
I've been sent a update on the currently available & forthcoming Little Bus Company (LBC) model kits.
For a full list of all the planned kits, please check out the LBC Model Kits page where you'll also find full contact details.
KITS IN STOCK (19 April 2017)
Image Kit No. Model Availability
447W London Transport AEC Regal (T class) converted stores lorry 1935 In Stock
DUPAL Bristol LL Duple A Coach - Southern/Western National 1951 In Stock
LLR Bristol LL ECW Bus rebody In Stock

WAY 2 AEC Reliance Harrington/Wayfarer II (re-master) 1954 In Stock
WEY38B Bristol K Weymann Maidstone & District 1938 (New Issue) In Stock
NEWLY ANNOUNCED KITS
ECW67 Bedford VAM / ECW bus 1967
(ECOC, WYRCC, Southern/Western National)
Pre-order
WIL 11 Willowbrook 001 11metre bus Bedford/Ford 1974
(NBC/Independent operators).
Pre-order
UPCOMING RELEASES
1/TD1 London Transport Leyland Tiger PS1 Mann Egerton 1946 Due May/June 17
Pre-order Now
14T12 London Transport AEC Regal Weymann 1946 Due May/June 17
Pre-order Now
WIL 9 Leyland Royal Tiger Willowbrook Bus Devon General/Hebble 1956 Due May/June 17
Pre-order Now
ATLL Leyland Atlantean Lowbridge 1958 Due Summer 17
Pre-order Now
BURL 4 Leyland Leopard Burlingham - Sheffield/Hebble/ YWD/Stevensons 1960 Due Summer 17
Pre-order Now
NC 50 Leyland TD5 Rebody Northern Counties Southdown 1950 Due Summer 17
Pre-order Now
BD 59 Bedford Duple Super Vega 1959 Due Autumn 17
Pre-order Now

BD 61 Bedford Duple Super Vega 1961 Due Autumn 17
Pre-order Now
LHS 2 Bristol LHS BUS LCBS (BN class) S Vectis Western National 1973 Due Autumn 17
Pre-order Now
LHS 3 Bristol LH London Transport (BL BS Class) Guernsey West Yorks 1975 Due Autumn 17
Pre-order Now

Thursday 20 April
Confirmed Release of Jotus T & TD Class Models
Two new Jotus Resin Specialist models, which have been produced exclusively for the London Bus Museum, have now been released.

The London Transport T Class & TD Class models are both finished in the central area red livery. The models are priced £82.00 each and had been available of the Museum Shop's website earlier today, however at the time of writing both models are currently showing as out of stock.

TD Class Single Deck Bus- Limited Edition of 250 models

London Transport TD 3
- HGF 961 / Route 212 Muswell Hill Bdy / Depot MH (Muswell Hill)

T Class Single Deck Bus- Limited Edition of 250 models

London Transport T 727
- HGF 817 / Route 223 West Drayton / Depot UX (Uxbridge)

Monday 10 April
Confirmed EFE Release
The following EFE model has now been released in the UK.


12122 Southdown Motor Services - Harrington Cavalier Coach

Monday 10 April
New Duple Dominant Bus Models Announced by BUSKITs
Alan Johnson has sent me details of four new Duple Dominant Bus kits that are currently by prepared for release this Summer. Pre-orders are being accepted for the kits.

BUSKITs now has a Facebook page where Alan will post all the latest news about his kits.
Image Kit No. Model Availability / Price
Kit B11 Duple Dominant Bus 10m with 2 leaf doors on Bedford or Ford chassis.
Choice of bus or coach seats.
Due Summer 2017
Pre-order Now
£38.00
Kit B12 Duple Dominant Bus 10m with wide 4 leaf doors on Leyland PSU4B chassis.
Choice of bus or coach seats.
Due Summer 2017
Pre-order Now
£38.00
Kit B13 Duple Dominant Bus 11m with 2 leaf doors on Bedford, Ford, AEC, Volvo or Leyland chassis.
Optional 'Tiger' dash panel and choice of bus or coach seats
Due Summer 2017
Pre-order Now
£38.00
Kit B14 Duple Dominant Bus 11m with wide 4 leaf doors on the same optional chassis as B13 including the 'Tiger' dash and a choice of bus or coach seats. Due Summer 2017
Pre-order Now
£38.00

Sunday 09 April & Updated 13 April
New EFE Models Announced by Bachmann
Three new EFE models were exhibited on the Bachmann Roadshow stand at the London Bus Museum Spring Gathering today.

Thanks are extended to Barry Sullivan for sending on the model details & photographs

The first item is another British Railways related Bristol VRT Engineering support vehicle, this carries a similar livery to the VR model 38119 produced for Bachmann stockist's in 2015.

E38120 British Rail Plant and Machinery Training Vehicle (AYG 941H) - Bristol VR Series I

The other two models will be issued as a "1983 Aldenham Works open day" twin pack and are expected to be released in September or October.

Artwork showing the two Leyland Titans models featured in the set were shown on the stand.



E99938 1983 Aldenham Works open day - Twin Pack containing:
E28826 London Transport 1933 livery - Aldenham Diplomat (T66 / WYV 66T / route 165 to Hornchurch Garage)- Leyland Titan 2 Door Bus
E28827 London Transport 177 Express 'Londonbuses' (TE112 / CUL 112V / Route 177 Express, Not in Service) - Leyland Titan 2 Door Bus

Update: 13 April
Bachmann Europe PLC has posted a video on www.YouTube.com showing their display and scenes from the event. It also highlights the set which will have an RRP of £59.95.

Thursday 06 April
Nuremberg Toy Fair Report
Rüdiger Schreiber has published a report on the new model bus & coach products that were exhibited by various manufacturers at last month's Nuremberg Toy Fair.


Rüdiger has posted the report on his www.omnibus,news site this year rather than his long running http://www.modellbus.info.
The report is in German, but you can use Google Translate or a similar service to translate the page into English.

Among the models on display were early samples of two new N scale coaches which are being produced by Oxford Diecast.
The first is the N scale version of the existing 1/76 Weymann Fanfare Coach while the second in a previously unannounced Burlingham Seagull Coach.
Oxford also exhibited samples of the 1/76 scale Hants & Dorset Bristol MW, Translink Sacnia Irizar I6 and the new Beadle Integral coach in East Kent livery.
Photographs of all of these & the many more models can be found in Rüdiger's report.

Thursday 06 April
Bachmann Roadshow at London Bus Museum Event
The Bachmann Roadshow will have their EFE stand at the London Bus Museum's Spring Gathering on Sunday (9th April). The team will have a display of EFE models and will be able to take questions from collectors about this recently acquired model range.

Further details about the Museum event can be found in the news item posted on the 19th March

Thursday 06 April
Latest Atlas Editions Model Release
The Classic Coaches Collection has now reached its twenty first model release. The latest model from Atlas Editions is an Austrian Steyr 380q coach.
Like many other models in this UK collection it is another 1/72 scale item which has previously been issued in the Bus Collection in other parts of Europe.

4642 121 Kerschner Reisen - Steyr 380q Coach

I've also added photographs of previous Atlas release in the series which failed to uploaded to site with the original update last month.

4642 120 SNCV - Brossel A80 Jonckheere Bus

 March 2017  Model Bus Zone News Index May 2017