MBC New Casting Announcement and first look at the Northcord Scania Omnicity Metrobus.

Model Buses Creations (MBC) is pleased to announce the expansion of our product range by the inclusion of the Polish-built double-deck Scania OmniCity bus from the Northcord Model Company. These products will be classified as MBC 20xx MBC have released 5 different versions of the Scania OmniCity including 2 Stagecoach London, Stagecoach South and 2 Factory delivered versions in Dealer White and All Red.

After a 12 month period of negotiation and planning MBC was able to reach agreement with Scania (GB) and Northcord Model Company to purchase this collector favourite as part of the MBC product range.

The version of the Scania OmniCity that will be modelled is based on the N230UD or N27OUD chassis,
The casting will feature buses in both single-door and dual-door format within the 10.6 metre length, with future plans to introduce an Open Top version, familiar in all major cities in the UK on City Tour routes, we are upgrading and enhancing our future Omnicity releases with even more detailing including Moquette seating and interior details.

The Polish-built OmniCity double-deck is a full Scania product featuring the Euro IV Scania, 5-cylinder, 9-litre EGR engine. One of the distinguishing features that sets it apart from the earlier N94UD version is the location of the cooling grille away from the lower nearside position to the offside rear in line with the lower deck windows in similar fashion to the classic CMNL ukbus 7000 series of vehicles.

Many operators introduced the double-deck Scania OmniCity into their fleets when first launched with familiar names in the Northcord model range. MBC has confirmed a series of releases with a selection of operators across the UK.

Following the forthcoming release of The Northcord Scania Omnicity Metrobus expected in the coming weeks MBC will announce our first new releases in this range. Further information can be obtained from our website and Model Buses Collection Facebook and Social Media channels as this exciting project develops. We would like to ask our customers and collectors, what Scania Omnicity would you like to see produced as part of our future range of the stunning models.

Northcord Model Company is proud to release its second model of the ukbus 9500 range.

This is ukbus 9503, using the Scania OmniCity double-deck casting and carrying the branded livery for route 400 with Metrobus standard colours.

The model as replicated is Metrobus 6958 (YP09 HWD) which was new to Metrobus in July 2009. 6958 carries a branded livery for route 400, showing the destination to Redhill Godstone via Caterham on the Hill. The special, comprehensive livery and branding are 100% reproduced onto the ukbus 9503 model. The stand-out features of the branding are : “Route 400” on both sides and the rear, and the name of every main stop and the journey time with individual picture illustrations “Caterham 24 mins; Redhill 8 mins; East Surrey Hospital 15 mins; Gatwick Airport 12 mins; Crawley 30 mins; East Grinstead” on both sides, and, the ‘free WiFi’ on both sides and the rear.

Another significant feature of the branding is at the rear. The names of every main stop are shown as “Caterham”, “Redhill”, “East Surrey Hospital”, “Gatwick Airport”, “Crawley”, “East Grinstead”.

The replica features excellent detailing, inside and out, such as dual tree protectors, realistic-looking handpoles and handrails. This is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the windows and livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. To achieve a smoother look the glazing has been affixed from the outside of the metal bodyshell.

The brand new ukbus 9503 bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), 80M Bus Model Shop (Hong Kong) respectively. The ukbus 9503 is based on a Limited Edition of only 1008 pieces worldwide.

MBC Are Pleased to announce our latest Model Bus Range Collaboration with Hornby Hobbies Corgi Original Omnibus Range.

As MBC Celebrates our 5th Year and Corgi Original Omnibus Celebrates its 30th Anniversary, 2026 will also be Corgis 70th Anniversary, MBC will be releasing a selection of Model Buses from across the UK.

Our Production Team have been working with The Corgi Product Team to select and develop a range of releases in partnership with our Operators and licensing partners to ensure our releases continue to be Officially Licensed products that reflect the vehicles we release., including making some changes to get as much detail as possible in this exciting and innovative range of 1:76 Scale Diecast Model Buses including individual packaging design and collector cards and the introduction of The MBC QR codes on each product That take our customers to our Product Information Suite giving collectors and enthusiasts the history and facts of the vehicles we release.

Our first releases will be the long awaited Transport for London Superloop pair including the iconic New Bus for London on the SL3 Bromley North and The Wright Gemini 2 SL7 Thamesmead. The NB4L will have the correct Black dashboard as introduced by MBC on our NB4L Coronation Edition. Both of these models will be available in early 2026 and Limited Edition of 500 each (please note images do not show correct destinations)

Click images to viewer larger versions

Following closely with be our First South Yorkshire Wright Gemini 2 and Wright Eclipse 2 making its return to the range for the first time in years. Both models will have individual packaging and collector cards including our QR codes with product information and vehicle info Limited Edition of 500 Units each. More details coming soon!

Click images to viewer larger versions

We have a further 6 releases scheduled and details will be announced soon

MBC will also be announcing our next MBC Casting joining our Enviro 200 Range
A double decker that will enhance our range and continue to excite our customers.

Our next release announcement for our Enviro 200 long versions will follow the imminent arrival of our first 3 Enviro 200s.

These are the results of the work and dedication of our Team and we are delighted to continue and develop our partnership with Hornby Hobbies/Corgi, Mark Oakley MBC.

“We are really looking forward to seeing some of the most iconic Omnibus models made available to collectors in the retail channel once more, which has come about as a result of a new collaboration with MBC, our new partners in this segment.”
Phil Deery International Product Controller Hornby Hobbies/Corgi

Model Buses Creations..Driven by You

• Diary & Events - Upcoming MBF members only area meetings & net forum.
• Shows & Exhibitions - MBF Events & other public events
  Sat/Sun 16/17th August 1000-1700 - Model Tram, Bus & Railway Exhibition. The National Tram Museum Crich Tramway Village, Crich, Derbyshire DE4 5DP Adults & Concessions £25.00 Children £15.00, Family £55.00. 10 Layouts & tram rides.
• Editorial
• Cover Story - The MBF is pleased to announce a new MBF Streetscene kit (See next article)
• New MBF Kit Announcement MBF2K-13 Plaxton Prestige. - The MBF is pleased to announce a new resin kit is going for casting and members pre-orders are now being accepted.
  MBF 2K-13 is a single-door Plaxton Prestige(initially sold as the Northern Counties Paladin LF) based on those with DAF SB220 chassis delivered to Northumbria before the Arriva take-over. Most of them were delivered to Arriva fleets including North East, Kent Thameside, Kent & Sussex and North West and Wales.
  They were also operated by (amongst others) Go North East, Country Bus (for Greenline 724), Carousel Buses , Smiths of Alcester, S.M Coaches, Travel Your Bus and Renown of Bexhill. 5 Prestiges were also built on Volvo B10BLE chassis for Stagecoach Manchester.
  The model comprises a one piece resin bodyshell with a resin chassis /seating. Fully printed glazing (with options), vac-formed windscreen , etched brass wipers and mirrors. wheels , axles and steering wheel are supplied. The Journal cover photo show the high quality master that has been produced for this kit. The model can be pre-ordered from the MBF members shop. See also see the MBF Kits page.
• Kingston Bus Station by Steven Duhig - Steven shows how he enhanced the Kingsway card kits of London Transports Kingston Bus Station and neighbouring Kinema cinema to produce a impressive diorama of this sadly long gone iconic landmark
• Wythall 2025 by Dave Jessop - An review and selection of exhibit photographs from the West Midlands Area Show which took place at the Wythall Transport Museum on Spring Bank Holiday Monday.
• National Show Competition - A clarification of what is defined as a Class 3 Manufactured 1:76 scale Model at this year's National Show.
• MBF Name Badges - Another batch of members name badges are being ordered. Members interested in ordering one should contact the MBF Chairman.
• South Shields 2025 by Gordon Wigham - A review and photographs relating to the South Shields show that took place on the 10th May.
• One of The Last To Grace the Wires by Martin Hare - Martin produces a model of one of Bournemouth Corporation's Sunbeam MF2B Weymann H65D Trolleybuses which were the last Trolleybuses built in the UK. He uses a OOC Midland Red D9 and the base for the models and shows how he modified and enhanced the model to produce an impressive final model.
• Plan of the Month by Alan Johnson - this month's 4mm scale plans are for a Daimler Fleetline/Alexander D type a familiar vehicle in Scotland and also used by English operators such a Oxford South Midlands.
• Area News - Ten pages of reports & 67 colour model photographs covering recent MBF meetings in the North Midlands, Yorkshire, London, North West, Greater Manchester x2, & West 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)

• Diary & Events - Upcoming MBF members only area meetings & net forum.
• Shows & Exhibitions - MBF Events & other public events
  Sat/Sun 16/17th August 1000-1700 - Model Tram, Bus & Railway Exhibition. The National Tram Museum Crich Tramway Village, Crich, Derbyshire DE4 5DP Adults & Concessions £25.00 Children £15.00, Family £55.00. 10 Layouts & tram rides.
• Editorial
• Cover Story - A Scania N ADL Enviro400 MMC in the Wardonian Fleet of Stephen. Note the longer rear overhang of the Scania compared to the Northcord ADL diecast version
• 3 Peaks Barton VAL / Yeates by Martin - Martin shares his experience of building this 1:76 scale 3D printed resin kit produced by Three Peaks Models they offer a growing range of bus & coach kits in various scales from 1:50 to N.
• Red Rover at ASDA by Paul Coley - Paul operates a fictional fleet, Red Rover Buses, and in addition to his smart model fleet, he has also created a full timetable & produces a number of route maps showing his town & country services. Although all of these are clearly marked fictional on his website, he was somewhat surprised to find one of his maps covering Aylesbury area on display outside his local Asda Supermarket!
• Product News UK - New resin kit C/12, a Leyland Tiger Duple Laser MkI C53F 11 metre coach from PSG Models.
• E42 Bus to Hong King International by Paul Tattam - A review of the 1:64 scale tri-axle Long Win Bus Co Dennis Trident III on Hong Kong Airport service E42 produced 80M Bus Models and an overview of the route.
• London Trams by John Wood - A selection of photographs showing some of the Trams models John has made along with some modeling tips.
• Over To You - Are spare parts available for the Budgie Toys Routemaster & Midland Red coach models?
• Isle of Marnay Transport - Fantasy Island? by Tony Newbould - A detailed look at the fleet & operations of this fictional fleet that contained 30-40 medium sized buses.
• Journal Distribution Update - An update on the switch to the Printers now packing & posting out the monthly Journals.
• New Membership Rates - Annual subscriptions for the Journal for UK & Overseas member's to increase from August.
• Plan of the Month by Martin Jarvis - this month's 4mm scale plans are for a 1968 Birmingham City Transport Daimler Fleetline / Park Royal H43/34F.
• Area News - Ten pages of reports & 70 colour model photographs covering recent MBF meetings in the North Midlands, London, East Anglia, Dorset - New Forest, South Wales & Herefordshire, East Midlands, & North Wales - Cheshire 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)

Northcord Model Company is proud to release its fifth model of the ukbus 6200 range on the former CMNL long wheelbase Enviro400 tooling. This is ukbus 6207A, carrying the livery of Greater Manchester Transport.

ukbus 6207A represents Stagecoach Manchester 19470 (MX58 VBL) on route 201 to Hattersley with ‘via Ardwick’ carried in the front destination.

19470 was new to Stagecoach in 2008. It had received heritage Greater Manchester Transport livery of orange and white with brown skirt to commemorate 200 years of buses in Greater Manchester and 50 since Greater Manchester PTE succeeded Selnec PTE. Its first use after repainting was on 8th June 2024 on Parklife event shuttles to Heaton Park.

Reregulation of bus service in Greater Manchester was completed on 5th January 2025 with the rollout of the third tranche of franchising. Stagecoach continues to operate as a provider within the fully-franchised Greater Manchester bus system, taking on the yellow livery of the Bee Network. Alongside buses in other commemorative liveries, 19470 was used on 4th January 2025 from Hyde Road depot in the hours leading to the handover, and thereafter became a training vehicle based at Little Hulton then.

19470 carries full Greater Manchester Transport livery, including Big ‘M’ with ‘Greater Manchester Transport’ wordings on both sides, and ‘19470 HE’ on the front and the rear.

ukbus 6207A features excellent detailing, inside and out, such as realistic-looking handpoles and handrails. The Enviro400 model is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the windows and livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible.

Another main feature on the ukbus 6207A model is its dual individual tree protectors at the front. The front dome on the model is significant, with its curved windscreens on both upper and lower deck. The headlights at the front are made of individual components to look more realistic.

The brand new UKBUS6207A bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), 80M Bus Model Shop (Hong Kong) respectively. The UKBUS6207A is based on a Limited Edition of only 1200 pieces produced.

Hello,
We are excited to share with you pre production sample images of our upcoming Arriva Enviro 400 Classic Facelift model. The sample is currently being reviewed by both the MBC team and Arriva, once approved we will be moving to production and delivery is expected to take place late Q3 early Q4 of 2025. We are pleased to confirm this will be the first production model to feature the facelift design which has been developed by Northcord Model Company and was first seen on our Pre Production samples of Ukbus 0070/0071/0072.

This models will continue to feature our custom design boxes and certificates.

We would like to thank our partners at Arriva Kent and Surrey for supporting us with this model.

We have been working away in the background on a little something extra to add into our 2025 model range. In the past we have made small runs of plain white and red vehicles, which have always proven popular. We have decided to add some plain dealer white Enviro 400 classic facelifts into our range, which will arrive at the same time as our Arriva Enviro 400 ukbus 0082.

Please see the Samples Attached shows the details that will feature on this model. Plain white bodywork, white light surrounds and Arriva specification interior. Please note the sample doesn’t show the facelift design but the models will have facelift bumper and lights.

Final Prices will be added when Shipping Confirmed : Pre orders will be available for both of these Exclusive MBC Productions on Wednesday 6th August at 12:00pm.

Please keep following us on Facebook, Instagram TikTok and on our website at https://www.modelbus.uk/

Herewith we itemise an update on likely release dates and status for previously announced models in the ukbus 1500, ukbus 6200 , ukbus 6500 and ukbus 9500 range. In addition, new 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 because of a war in Europe and the Middle East conflict that have each impacted shipping badly.