Following the significant success in launching the brand new casting of the Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC model in the liveries of National Express West Midlands, Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, Bluestar, Stagecoach West Scotland, Southern Vectis, Stagecoach South, Ensign Bus and Xplore Dundee, Northcord Model Company is now releasing the twelfth livery on the 10.9 metre long, single-door casting – ukbus 6524 in the livery of Stagecoach North West with full branding for route 555 The Lakes Connection.

10555 (SN16 ONX) is one of 12 Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMCs that were introduced for the Lakes Connection network in 2016 and that are now part of the Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire fleet. Within the batch, 10552 – 10563, the first seven share the same branding as on the model for route 555 and the final five feature a different list of destinations, albeit on the same base livery.

The bus that was chosen as the subject for ukbus 6524 is particularly auspicious due to the connection between the route number and the final three digits of the fleet number : 555. ukbus 6524 carries a full, branded livery for route 555, showing the destination to Keswick. The special, comprehensive livery and branding are 100% reproduced onto the ukbus 6524 model. The stand-out features of the branding are : “free WiFi, USB charging” on all sides, and the name of every main stop “Keswick, Grasmere, Windermere, Kendal, Lancaster” on both sides, and “£11.30 ALL DAY into and around the Lakes” on the rear.

The bus is fitted with Lazzerini seating, covered in E-Leather, total seating capacity is 74. Designed by Ray Stenning of Best Impression, the livery promotes, both inside and outside the bus, the attractions and landscape of the Lake District.

The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC ukbus 6524 is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the square, gasket-mounted windows and the livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. Another main feature on the ukbus 6524 model is its single tree protector at the front. The front dome on the model is significant, with curved windscreens on both upper deck and lower deck.

Northcord Model Company is also creating new design standards within the interior of both saloons. These features, inside the compartments, will represent the real, outstanding layout of the Enviro400 MMC, such as the extensive portrayal of handrails on upper deck and lower deck, etc.

The brand new Enviro400 MMC bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), 80M Bus Model Shop and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively. The ukbus 6524 model is limited to 888 pieces worldwide.

• Area Meetings - Upcoming area meetings for MBF members.
• Editorial
• Cover Story - The cover model photograph shows the elusive London Transport RTF1. (see below)
• RTF1 (and RTS1) by Paul Dudfield - Paul builds an experimental front entrance RTF 1 bus based on the famous London Transport RT type and also makes use of the left over parts to build RTS 1.
• Scottish Model Bus Show - This has been re-scheduled to January 2022 due to the usual venue being unable due to maintenance work.
• Lowestoft Corporation Transport by Peter Rose - Peter has modelled several vehicles from this East Coast operator using kits & diecast products.
• Ken Johnson's Memorable Models Number 82 - Burnhams of Worcester Anbrico Scale Models / Model Bus Company AEC Regal III Burlingham Half-cab Coaches.
• Welcome Aboard - Welcome to new & returning members
• St. Helens Sunbeam/Row Lowbridge Trolleybus by Martin Hare - Detailed account of how to produce this vehicle using the Corgi OOC Bristol K ECW bus & Weymann trolleybus models.
• Blackpool Track Gang Buses by Mike Wilson - Two former Blackpool buses were converted for used by the Tramway Permanent Way Department. Mike reproduces the vehicles in model form using the Paragon Kits' Optare Metrorider & a Corgi OOC Optare Solo.
• Plan of the Month by Brian Minter - Leyland PD2/1 Metro Cammell H56R (Wallasey Corporation).
• 43rd Model Bus Extravaganza: Stafford 2022 - The MBF North Midlands Area will be holding this event at a new venue in February 2022.
• Derek Fisk Drawings - An update on the current position regarding the scale drawings of buses & coaches produced by the late Derek Fisk.
• Members Services: Wanted kits & an item found after the London Area Show.
• The times they are a changing: The MBF Shop - The running of the MBF Shop has changed hands and has a new postal address as a result. A large number of MBF Streetscene kits are now available. Many of these were packaged some years ago and are stock inherited from ABS. These are available while stocks last a cheaper prices to members. Prices will increase once MBF start manufacturing from the masters & moulds now owned.
• Area News - Reports & numerous photographs from the latest virtual online area meetings in South Wales & Herefordshire, Yorkshire, North Midlands
• MBF London Area Show 2021 - Ruislip - A report & photographs from the London event.
• Product News UK - The latest kits news from Paul Ellender
• MBF Shop - The MBF Streetscene, Little Bus Company & 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 Whitemetal Bus & Coach Kits - This month sees a large expansion of former ABS white metal bus kits added to the MBF Streetscene range. These are available exclusively to members at low cost (from £5.00 to £35.00 - see the MBF page for a list of these model kits)