| Model Bus Zone News July 2025 |
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| June 2025 | Model Bus Zone News Index | August 2025 |
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Northcord Omnidekka Models Oxford Transport Nostalgia Other |
Wednesday 30 July |
| Another Dublin Bus Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 Model Announced |
| Transport Nostalgia has issued details of two future Northcord model commissions. TRANSPORT NOSTALGIA COMMISSIONS ANNOUNCEMENT We are delighted to unveil two exciting new additions to the Transport Nostalgia Commissions range each celebrating a distinctive livery and route from the Stagecoach network: ---------------Upcoming Releases: |
Wednesday 30 July |
| Another Dublin Bus Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 Model Announced |
| Model Buses Creations has issued the following Press Release via their Facebook page. Model Buses Creations, MBC, and Brian Collins Enterprises, BCE, are pleased to announce their next joint venture model release to celebrate 100 years of Dublin Bus! After working together for many years, BCE have managed the international sales for MBC, developing a wide range of product release promotions and sales exclusively serving MBC's international customers. BCE has commissioned and released a wide range of service and public transport vehicles for the Irish market. More recently MBC and BCE joined forces to release two stunning Enviro 500 models with our production partner 80M in Hong Kong. The first two models MBC/BCE-IE001 (Dublin livery) and MBC/BCE-IE002 (Dealer white) were extremely popular, with models selling in large numbers within the first few hours and in some cases stock selling out. After the successful release of the first two models, MBC/BCE are pleased to announce the next Enviro 500 release to celebrate 100 years of Dublin Bus. MBC/BCE-IE003 is the logical next release and has been requested so many times, we just had to make it!    Vehicle - Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 Operator - Dublin Bus Livery - TFI Dublin Bus Route - 39A UCD Belfield Via N3 Bypass Fleet Number - VT36 Reg - 07-D-70036 Units - 1000 Code - MBC/BCE-IE003 As per the previous release each model will be packaged in a new style display case. Included will be a grass style verge, road layout and scale bus stop. Also included will be our high quality packaging and limited edition certificate. These models will continue to feature a QR code on each box. Once scanned, the buyer will be taken to the MBC Production Suite, where facts and details about the bus and future releases will be displayed and discussed. The online content will be designed to give facts and information to accompany the purchase. Please keep following MBC and BCE on social media for more details on this exciting new model expected Q4 2025 or early 2026. The MBC Enviro200 releases are still on target for the end of August. Samples for the Arriva Enviro400 Facelift are expected next week and a Pre Order Announcement for this release and a surprise addition to our Enviro 400 Facelift schedule will also be announced at this time. https://www.modelbus.uk/ & https://briancollinsenterprises.ie/Many Thanks Iwan Jones, Mark Oakley and Brian Collins MBC/BCE |
Sunday 27 July |
| Saltire Models Wright Handy Bus Kit |
Siltire Moels has opened pre-orders for a new 1:76 scale kit of a Wright Handy Bus that is similar to those operated by Arriva Scotland. The kit includes body, chassis, 4 wheels & pop in glazing and is priced £48.00 plus delivery. The kit is currently expected to be released in the second half of September. SM14 Wright Handy Bus Kit (pre-production sample illustrated) The following kit is now in stock & priced £43.50 plus delivery:  SM12 Optare slimline 7.1 Metre Kit You can find a full list of current & upcoming Saltire kits on the dedecated Saltire Kits page along with contact details. |
Sunday 27 July |
| Latest Releases From Omnidekka Models |
| Omnidekka Models has released two new models this month. First of two new 1:76 scale Omnidekka releases is a First Bluebird Scania Omnidekka double decker, this depicts 36023 (SN05 HWD) in First corporate livery with “First” fleet names. The model has side adverts for Trainline & Prostate CareUk. Two route options are available, 324 Dollar The Ness or X6 Haymarket Limited Stop. The ES22 models are priced £50.00 each and are supplied in bespoke packaging. Orders can be placed on the Omnidekka Models online store.     ES22 - First Bluebird 36023 SN05 HWD Route 324 or X6 - Scania Omnidekka Double Deck Bus (Britbus Tooling) The second release for July is Omnidekka's second release of their Enviro200 MMC in a operator specific livery. MMC2 depicts vehicle YW68 PCX and carries the blue & pink livery of Edwards Coaches Ltd of Llantrisant. The model has branding for the operator's service 90 between Beddau & Pontypridd. Two destination are available, either Edward Coaches or 90 Gwaunmiskin The models have been produced for Edwards Coaches to mark the operators centenary and are priced £65.00 each plus postage. They are supplied in a plastic display case with bespoke card outer packaging. These can be ordered from the Edwards Coaches Website or by phoning the company on 01443 202048 during office hours. Edswards Coaches didn't take all stock of models produced & a small quantity are available directly from Omnidekka Models for £55.00 plus postage.   MMC2 - Edward Coaches - Enviro200 MMC Single Deck Bus (Omnidekka Models Tooling) Other recent releases are MMC_white, an unregistered Enviro200 MMC in dealer white livery, £55.00, & ES17C a third version of the Scania Omnidekka in Blustar livery with Hedge End 24 destinations, £50.00. Future planned models expected in 2025/6 are OM4 a Go Ahead North East Optare SR (3 route options), £50.00, and Enviro200 MMCs: MMC3 Plymouth Citybus & MMC5A a John Leask & Sons. A selection of earlier Omnidekka releases are also still available, full details can be found at www.ommnidekkamodels.co.uk. |
Sunday 27 July |
| Northcord Models Stagecoach London Ambassador Model Released in UK |
The following Northcord model has now arrived in the UK and should be with model retailers this coming week. UKBUS6539 Stagecoach London (Ambassador livery) ADL Enviro400 MMC Double Deck Bus |
Sunday 27 July |
| Model 1 To Produced White UK Optare SR Demonstrator |
Model 1 has announced a further UK version of their 1:76 scale Optare Solo SR model, 63895 will feature UK vehicle YJ67 GEK in white demonstrator livery on Metroline Travel's H3 route. 63895 UK Demonstrator YJ67 GEK (Route H3 East Finchley) - Optare Solo SR Midibus |
Saturday 19 July |
| TTC Diecast Offering IXO 1:12 Scale Routemaster Kit To UK Customers |
| IXO Collections are about to release another version of the former Hatchette & Agora Models 1:12 scale Routemaster kit. The latest incarnation of this kit has the same vehicle & route as the previous releases, RM857 on route 11, and like the earlier versions includes lighting and sound features. The original Hatchette version included figurines of passengers & crew, that were not included with the otherwise identical Agora Models & IXO versions. The Agora website states that their version is to be retired from their range soon, & they are currently offering the full kit for £1,299.   The IXO Collections version appears to be the same kit, but with different side advert stickers, currently IXO are taking pre-orders with release expected in mid July. However TTC Diecast are currently offering UK customers the chance to pre-order for £956.00, which I believe is the probably lowest ever price for this kit. The UK RRP will normally be £1,124.99. After market internal & external adverts are available for these kits, if those supplied are not to your liking. The metal & plastic kit builds into an impressive and very large model, all parts come pre-painted/coloured & basically all screw together. There's room for further detailing should you desire and some hacks to improve the lighting options, such as modifying the indicators to work properly rather than acting just as hazard warning lights. From personal experience, wth the kit 80% done, it has been an enjoyable build so far, and apart from a few tricky stages during the engine assembly has gone together fairly easily. Be warned there are hundreds of tiny screws of various sizes!  The IXO version is supplied with a step by step printed assembly guide. PDF assembly guides can be viewed on the Agora Models site, and a series of video guides by World of Wayne can be found on YouTube, if you'd like a preview of the assembly process. My only slight disappointment with the model, was the positioning of rear off-side indicator on the curved corner panel, this is incorrect for 1960s period vehicle depicted, and should have correctly been positioned within the panel below the platform rear window. If you have the funds & room, this is the ultimate Routemaster model for any fan of this iconic London Bus. |
Wednesday 9 July |
| Model Buses Creation - Development Update UKBUS0083 |
| Model Buses Creations has issued the following update regarding their upcoming commissioned Go Ahead London Superloop SL6 ADL Enviro400 MMC model UKBUS0083. A text version can be found below for non Facebook members. Model Buses Creations July 2025 Production Update and Announcement We have been working hard over the last couple of months with our MBC Enviro 200 models, but we haven't forgotten about the Northcord Enviro 400 MMC releases for 2025. The first of which is the Superloop SL6 operated by Go Ahead London. We have been working with Transport for London, to make sure all the details are correct and this model will be fully licensed by TfL. We are excited to share the finalised design cell, which has been approved by TfL. The next stage will be the pre production samples which we expect to arrive soon. We are expecting this model to be extremely popular as this will be the first Superloop model in a series of various Superloop Vehicles we will be releasing in the coming months. Vehicle - Enviro 400 MMCOperator - Go Ahead London Livery - Superloop TFL Route - SL6 Russell Square Fleet Number - EH213 Reg - YY67 UTN Units - 504 Expected Release Autumn 25 Please keep following us on Facebook, Instagram Tik Tok and on our website at https://www.modelbus.uk/ Samples of our Arriva Enviro 400 Facelift will be shared soon thank you Iwan Jones MBC Productions MODELBUS.uk  |
Monday 7 July |
| Northcord Models Xplore Dundee Model Released in UK |
The following Northcord model has now arrived in the UK and should be with model retailers later this week. UKBUS6541 Xplore Dundee ADL Enviro400 MMC Double Deck Bus |
Monday 7 July |
| Oxford Diecast Announcement Model Release Schedule Update |
| The new July-December 2025 Oxford Diecast Catalogue has now been published and is available to view & download on the Oxford Diecast Website. It contains all the latest models announced on Thursday with estimated release windows for each, it also has revised dates for the model announced in January, which have be delayed will Oxford completed the split from Hornby Hobbies. Below are the updated expected release dates for all the outstanding Oxford bus & coach models announced since January. 1:76 Scale Models  76AMT005 Highland Scottish (Highland Omnibus Ltd) (L50 / GSO 534N - route 557 Inverness) - Alexander M Type Coach - Expected Q4/25  76AMT006 Alexander M Type - Alexander Fife (Red/Cream livery) - Expected Q4/25  76DCM001 Duple Commander IV Coach - Southdown 1807 (RUF 807H) - Expected Q2/26  76OWB015 John Smiths Brewery, Tadcaster (DWD 973 - Destination: John Smiths (Boston Spa slipboard))- Bedford OWB Utility Bus - Expected Q4/25 N Scale  NOB012 Connemara Bus (1 / ZV 1460 - Destination: On Tour) - Bedford OB Duple Vista Coach - Expected Q3/25  NRTL005 London Transport (RTL 139 / KGK 803 - Central Area route 11 Victoria) - Leyland RTL Class Double Deck Bus - Expected Q4/25 TT 1:120 Scale  120RM002 London Transport (RM2191 / CUV 191C - route 9 Mortlake Garage) Shillibeer Omnibus livery - AEC Routemaster Bus - Expected Q4/25 1:87(HO) Scale  87FC64002 Central School Bus 12 - Ford Country Station Wagon - Expected Q4/25 |
Saturday 5 July |
| EFE Road Announce Four New RML Routemaster Models For Autumn 2025 |
| Bachmann have this morning announced their next batch of EFE Road models for the Autumn release quarter. The following Press Release, YouTube video, and pre-production sample photographs of three of the models were also issued. The YouTube video below concludes with a rather strong hint regarding the previously announced Clydeside Scottish Oor Wullie's Special model (E42301), there will be a bonus EFE Road announcement on the Saturday 16 August at the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum's Open Weekend event, about “something rather special”. The video also contains images of the London Bus Museum commission model and gives a brief update on the Northern Counties Palatine double deck bus model development, including news it has been tweaked to allow more vehicle variations. The CAD images shown, would appear to confirm the three single door models previously announced, will be joined by future dual door variants.       E42302 AEC Routemaster RML2738 London Buses, Route 15A Upton Park This model depicts RML2738 {SMK738F), a 1967-built example that started its London Transport career at Hanwell. In May 1985 it was selected to work Route 15 and 15A via Oxford Street, Bank and the Tower of London, and as such received a special livery with a yellow roof band and Route 15 advertising. It is in this condition that we have presented our model, complete with an Upton Park destination.       E42303 AEC Routemaster RML2270 London Transport, Special Railway Service Our model depicts RML2270 (CUV270C), which originally entered London Transport service in November 1965. It is presented in its 1978 condition as allocated to New Cross garage, with solid LT roundels, and working a Special Railway Service linking Waterloo with Paddington, Kings Cross and St Pancras.       E42304 AEC Routemaster RCL2256 Southend Transport 121, Service 1 Registration CUV256C actually started life as a Green Line RCL coach in June 1965, complete with twin headlights and rear platform doors. As RCL2256 it was converted to a bus layout by London Transport in 1980, and received an RM type platform following an accident that same year. The model depicts this unusual hybrid in its circa 1991 guise as working for Southend Transport on Service 1 to Southend Central Bus Station.     E42306Z AEC Routemaster RML2760 London Transport, Route 462 Brooklands This model is of the final RML to be built RML2760 - in its current preserved condition with London Bus Museum advertising, and working on Route 462 with a Brooklands destination. The model features bespoke packaging, and will be available from the London Bus Museums shop, or via its online outlet. More information about this model will be published on londonbusmuseum.com site in due course. At the time of posting this news item, there wasn't any reference to the model on the Museum's site. I'll keep an eye on the site & post an update when that changes. |
Friday 4 July |
| July -December Oxford Diecast Announcement |
| Oxford Diecast has revealed its model development plans for the period July to December 2025 via their YouTube channel. see video below. A four page PDF catalogue detailing all the new colours & ten new toolings, among which is a new Duple coach for the 1:76 range, can be foundHERE. A brief summary of the new products: 1:76 Scale New Toolings (7) 76DCM001 Duple Commander IV Coach - Southdown 1807 (RUF 807H) - Photo of real coach on flickr. 76DB5001 Aston Martin DB5 (Silver Birch) 76DSL001 DAF Skip Lorry (white) 76SK001 Skip 2-pack (Yellow) / 76SK002 Skip 2-pack (Rusty Brown) 76FC4001 Ford Cortina Mk4 )Venetian Red) 76LRS001 Land Rover Stage One V8 (Inca Yellow) 76SA001 Sunbeam Alpine Series 2 Open (Wedgewood Blue) 1:76 New Colours for PCV models 76AMT006 Alexander M Type - Alexander Fife (Red/Cream livery) - Photo of one of the real vehicles on flickr. Eloise also mentions in the that a new contempory coach tooling is in development. 1:76 Scale Models New Colours Overview There are 23 new colours for existing Automobile range models, Showtime has two new traction engine & a blue/cream version of the showman's caravan. In addition to the new skip lorry the commercial range also has four new model liveries. The Emergency range features 10 new colours while Haulage gets four new truck liveries & a further release of the Dennis Eagle refuse truck. Construction & Military each get one new colour variant. New N scale Tooling (3) NDE001 Dennis Eagle Refuse Truck - Biffa NVOL09REC Volvo Recovery Truck - Crouch Recovery NVEO001 Volvo FL Emergency One - West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue N Scale Models New Colours Overview Sadly no bus or coach models this time. There are three new truck colours for the Haulage range, four new liveries for Commercial range, two new colours for VW T2 in the Automobile range & one new livery for both the Military & Emergency ranges. 1:43 Scale Models New Colours Overview Just four new colours, 3 for the Automobile range & one for the Military range. 1:87(HO) Scale Models New Colours Overview There are seven new colours for existing models in the range & a new Pontiac 3 model Centenary set One of the new colours is bus related. 87FC64002 Central School Bus 12 - Ford Country Station Wagon 1:72 Aviation Four new colour schemes for existing models in this range. TT Scale (1:120) There is no new tooling or new colours for existing models in this announcement. |
| June 2025 | Model Bus Zone News Index | August 2025 |