Filter Content:    Atlas Editions    EFE    Kits    OOC    Oxford    Other

Saturday 29 October

New ADL Mini 200 MMC Kit For 2017

MBF Members David Tait and Stephen Carlin have formed Saltire Model Bus Kits and after several months of preparation are putting the finishing touches to their first kit. The subject for Kit No.1 will be an ADL mini 200 MMC 8.9m single deck bus. This all resin 1/76 scale model will be supplied with glazing, wheels, & a decal pack. The model is expected to be ready for release in January or February and the price will be announced nearer this time. The first batch of 20 kits have already been reserved and a further 30 kits are being produced for general sale. The photographs below show an unpainted pre-production sample of the model. The samples will also be on display at the upcoming MBF Scottish Annual Model Bus Show. The event takes place at Bishopton Community Centre, Greenock Road, Bishopton on Sunday 6th November (this event is open to the public.) Click images to view larger versions Further details can be found on the Saltire Model Buses Facebook page or you can email David Tait at

Wednessday 26 October

Confirmed EFE Model Release

What is expected to be the last new EFE model produced by Gilbow (Holding) Limited before the EFE range was recently acquired by Bachmann Europe Plc has been released. The model of the prototype Leyland Titan BCK 706R is rather fittingly also another exclusive model commissioned by Bachmann for its appointed stockists. 28825 London Transport (route 24) Prototype Leyland Titan Double Deck Bus

Thursday 20 October

Confirmed Oxford Diecast Omnibus Range Releases

The following Oxford Diecast Omnibus models have now been released to UK model retailers shortly. 1/76 Scale 76BMC004 Harris Coaches Booking Office - BMC Car Transporter 76FDE014 Maidstone & District - Ford 400E Van 76OWB012 Warstones - Bedford OWB Utility Bus 76RM111 Blackpool Transport - AEC RM Class Routemaster Bus N Scale NIRZ003 Ulsterbus - Scania Irizar PB Tri-axle Coach

Information kindly supplied by

Tuesday 11 October

Bachmann Europe Plc Acquires Exclusive First Editions

Bachmann Europe Plc has announced that it has acquired the Exclusive First Editions model range. I've recieved the following press release from Bachmann Europe Plc. Bachmann Europe Plc is delighted to announce their acquisition of the Exclusive First Editions range of 1/76th scale die-cast vehicles including buses, coaches, lorries and London Underground tube trains. The company began trading as part of the ERA Group in 1989 and was originally located in Great Yarmouth before moving to Milton Keynes. In 1996 the company moved to Hemel Hempstead and in 2001, Frank Joyce, the only remaining founder member of the EFE team bought the company with his wife Brenda, relocating to Enfield the following year. Bachmann Europe Plc began distributing EFE products to the model trade in July 2013. David Haarhaus, Managing Director of Bachmann Europe Plc said today “We are delighted to incorporate another high quality addition to our existing model and hobby portfolio. The Exclusive First Editions range of collectable vehicles has enjoyed a good reputation for developing highly detailed and well researched models. EFE has been a corner stone of Die-Cast Model collecting for many years, while other ranges may have come and gone with varying interpretations of the original vehicles. We are looking forward to further developing the existing items, and delivering new models to the many EFE collectors and discerning enthusiasts around the world. Frank Joyce’s ethos was always to set out to produce the most accurate model possible. This matches the Bachmann ideals entirely, never trying to be the cheapest, but working hard to try and be the best”. To clarify the position, Bachmann Europe Plc have acquired the brand name Exclusive First Editions (EFE), tooling and remaining stock of the company. They have not acquired the name of the parent company (Gilbow Holdings) or other parts of it.

Friday 14 October

Upcoming Oxford Diecast Omnibus Range Releases

The following Oxford Diecast Omnibus models are expected to be released to UK model retailers shortly. 1/76 Scale 76BMC004 Harris Coaches Booking Office - BMC Car Transporter 76FDE014 Maidstone & District - Ford 400E Van 76OWB012 Warstones - Bedford OWB Utility Bus 76RM111 Blackpool Transport - AEC RM Class Routemaster Bus N Scale NIRZ003 Ulsterbus - Scania Irizar PB Tri-axle Coach

Information kindly supplied by

Wednesday 12 October

New Edition Of The EFE & Corgi OOC Model Bus Guide Published

The 2016 edition of Anne Letch's "EFE & Corgi OOC Model Buses - A Collectors' Reference Guide" has now been published. This is a brand new edition listing all the models released to date by the big four manufacturers and a selection of other popular smaller manufacturers. The A5 spiro bound guide is priced £18.50 and can be obtained from various book & model retailers including The Modelstore.

Wednesday 12 October

Confirmed Atlas Editions Release

The fourteenth model in the Atlas Editions Classic Coaches Collection has now been released. This model is 1/76 scale & based on the existing OOC tooling. 4642 114 Midland Red - BMMO CM5T Coach

Tuesday 11 October

EFE Have Gone Into Administration

I can confirm that Gilbow (Holdings) Ltd, the company behind the Exclusive First Edition range of models went into administration on Wednesday the 5th October and that the appointed administrators are currently believed to be looking for a buyer for the company. A news item about the recent Bachmann exclusive Bus & Coach Council DMS 25711) was posted on EFE's official site on Saturday, so the company is still functioning to some degree, but whether any further EFE models will be released while the future of the business is being resoved is unclear.

Monday 3 October

Confirmed OOC Model Releases

The Following Corgi OOC models have now been released in the UK. OM46616A London General Traditional livery ( Dest'n Liverpool St) - New Routemaster Bus OM46616B London General Traditional livery (Dest'n Fulham Broadway) - New Routemaster Bus OM46712A Lothian Buses (route 43) - Wright Eclipse II Single Deck Bus OM46712B Lothian Buses (route 21) - Wright Eclipse II Single Deck Bus

Information kindly supplied by

Saturday 1 October

New Oxford Diecast Omnibus Models Announced

Below are seven new Oxford Omnibus models which feature in the new Oxford Diecast catalogue for the period October 16 to January 17 which was published today. You can find details of the other sixty new models on the Oxford Diecast website. 1/76 Scale Preserved Maidstone & District Beadle Integral OKP 980 which is similar to the East Kent vehicle FFN 446 being modelled. 76BI001 East Kent - Beadle Integral Bus - Q2/2017 (New Tooling - two versions will be produced with either forward or centrally positioned passenger door 76PAN006 Bere Regis & District - Plaxton Panorama Coach - Q1/2017 76PD2005 Edinburgh - Leyland PD2/12 Bus - Q2/2017 76WFA006 Birch Bros - Weymann Fanfare Coach - Q1/2017 N Scale NAEC014 Southdown - AEC Matador Wrecker - Q2/2017 NIRZ005 Plain White - Scania Irizar PB Coach - Q2/2017 NNR003 London United (LT150/route 9/Silver & red livery) - New Routemaster Bus - Q2/2017