Model Bus Zone News
April & May 2025
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Wednesday 30 April
Bachmann Re-Issue Scenecraft Bus Garage
A re-issue of the EFE Road/Scenecraft Bus Garage is among the latest batch of releases from Bachmann Europe. The resin garage includes a free randomly chosen EFE model from the current back catalogue and has a UK RRP £109.95.


EFE Road: E99660 Art Deco Style Bus Garage - Prepainted Resin 1:76 Scale.

Wednesday 30 April
Confirmed Northcord Models UK Release
The following Northcord model has now arrived in the UK and is being distributed to model retailers.


UKBUS6536
McGills Midland Bluebird (UniLink) - ADL Enviro400 MMC Double Deck Bus

Information kindly supplied by


Tuesday 29 April
New Astromega TX Model in Part Megabus Livery
The Buckie Model Centre has a new commissioned Holland-Oto 1:87 scale Astromega TX model in part Megabus livery as operated by McLean's Coaches of Airdrie. The model carries destination M11X Edinburgh via Glasgow.


Limited to 104 pieces the models are priced £43.00 plus delivery.

More details can be found on the Buckie Model Centre's online store.

Monday 28 April
Omnidekka Models Update
Omnidekka have released two models in the last few months.



The Jotus/Resin Specialist models of the Lancashire United Optare Versa were released during February & these are available with a choice of three different route displays. The models are priced £120.00 each plus delivery.



During March a dealer white ADL Enviro200 MMC model without registrations and blank destination display was released. These are priced £55.00 plus delivery.

Stock of all four above models & a number of previous releases are still available & these can be ordered on the omnidekkamodels.co.uk site.

The next planned ADL Enviro200 MMC model will be in the blue & pink livery of Welsh operator Edwards Coaches, release is expected later this year and it appears there may be two route options produced.

Friday 25 April
Upcoming Model Bus Scotland Mettings
Model Bus Scotland have two upcoming public meetings scheduled for May & July.



You can follow Model Bus Scotland on Facebook.


Wednesday 23 April
EFE Road Sea Dog - Further Production Model Photographs
As a follow up to my previous posting I've now obtained the other three EFE Road Sea Dog Leyland Atlantean models and below are photograph sets of each model, there are also three YouTube slide show videos containing a larger selection of shots of each model in higher resolution, one has been added to the previous post covering the Western National & London Sightseeing models (upto HD 1920 x 1080).
The three models below are covered in the two further videos, one for the Ribble & Red Bus, while the other is dedicated to eye catching First Glasgow model, (as an experiment these have been rendered in 4K (upto 3840 X 2160). You'll need to view the videos on the YouTube site to take advantage of the high definition options).

EFE Road E40602 Leyland Atlantean Open Top “Sea Dog” Double Deck Bus with original style engine bustle
Ribble Motor Services 1927 (927 GTA) - 02 Excursion


EFE Road E40603 Leyland Atlantean Open Top “Sea Dog” Double Deck Bus with original style engine bustle
First Glasgow (No.1) Ltd (First City Tour Glasgow livery) 39989 (ABV 669A) - Glasgow Sightseeing


EFE Road E40803 Leyland Atlantean Open Top “Sea Dog” Double Deck Bus with later revised engine bustle
Red Bus NBC (North Devon Ltd) 925 / 925 GTA - Route 301 Westward HO!
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These videos can be viewed in upto 4K full screen format on the YouTube site


Thursday 17 April
EFE Road Sea Dog Production Model Photographs
Bachmann Europe have kindly supplied two samples of their recently released EFE Road Sea Dog Leyland Atlantean.

Below are a selection of photographs showing the first issues of each of these new models that are a combination of a newly retooled EFE lower deck casting and brand new upper deck and engine bustle toolings.
The lower deck body tooling has been enhanced with the addition of the previously missing vertical panel beading on the side panels, and new driving mirrors.
The new open top upper deck tooling includes full body panel detailing, a small glazed wrap around front wind shield is fitted which incorporates the silver painted safety rail & supports. The rest of safety rail along the sides & rear is reproduced using a metal component.

Two variants of the Sea Dog have been tooled by Bachmann, these feature either the original style engine bustle (E406) or the later revised version (E408).

EFE Road E40601 Leyland Atlantean Open Top “Sea Dog” Double Deck Bus with original style engine bustle
Western National NBC 926 (926 GTA) - 514 Penzance (Bus Stn) - This model has route boards fitted below the lower deck side windows.


EFE Road E40801 Leyland Atlantean Open Top “Sea Dog” Double Deck Bus with later revised engine bustle
Round London Sightseeing Tour (Holman Bros Coaches, Wood Green) 933 GTA



This video can be viewed in HD (1920x1080) full screen format on the YouTube site


Wednesday 16 April
Transport Nostalgia Press Release: Pronto Enviro400 MMC
Regarding my post on Sunday about the Transport Nostalgia commissioned Enviro400 MMC advertised at the London Bus Museum, I've now found the following press release:

TRANSPORT NOSTALGIA COMMISSIONS PRESS RELEASE

New 1/76 Scale Model – Stagecoach East Midlands Pronto ADL Enviro 400MMC

Transport Nostalgia is proud to present the UKBUS6535A ADL Enviro 400MMC, a highly detailed 1/76 scale model of Stagecoach East Midlands’ Pronto service. This release replicates vehicle 10977 (SN18 KTO), a 10.9m, single-door Enviro 400MMC that entered service in 2018. The model beautifully captures the Pronto route’s distinctive branded livery, complete with destination markings for Nottingham via Mansfield Bus Station.

True to the original, this model showcases a wealth of intricate details, including:

  • “Pronto” branding prominently displayed on both sides and the rear
  • “Pay with Contactless” messaging for added realism
  • “Mansfield - Nottingham every 10 mins” service information on both sides
  • “Free WiFi & USB Power” decals, reflecting the modern passenger experience

A Tribute to the Pronto Route

In June 2018, Stagecoach introduced 11 brand-new ADL Enviro 400MMCs to the Pronto service, replacing the older Enviro 300s. At the time, the route was jointly operated with Trent Barton, which used 2003-registered Scania L94UBs with Wright Solar bodywork. A year later, in 2019, Stagecoach expanded its fleet with four more Enviro 400MMCs, coinciding with the company’s full takeover of the Chesterfield–Mansfield–Nottingham route.

Exquisite Craftsmanship by Northcord Model Company

The Northcord Model Company’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in this one-piece casting, which highlights the square, gasket-mounted windows and precise livery application. Every logo and lettering is crisp and legible, ensuring a true-to-life representation. A standout feature is the front tree deflector, designed to protect the windscreen, front dome, and side windows - just like on the real bus.

Inside, Northcord Model Company sets new standards in model design, accurately replicating the interior saloon layouts with intricate handrails and seating details on both decks.

Coming Soon!

This eagerly awaited model will be available to order from us soon. Stay updated by following our Facebook page for the latest announcements! More exciting news to come over the following days! Why not come and see us on Sunday at Brooklands Spring Gathering? We will have many new releases in stock and some fantastic deals too.

Transport Nostalgia Commissions
Supporting Bus Restoration Projects
https://www.transportnostalgia.co.uk.

Click to view larger version

Tuesday 15 April
Model Bus Creations Press Release & Update
Model Buses Creations have released the following press release.


MBC also attended the London Bus Museum event on Sunday & had design cells for the previously announced forthcoming Alexander Dennis Enviro200. In addition to the already announced Stagecoach London & Stagecoach East versions there was a further version in dealer white livery.


A flyer was also available which gives details of the “2025 Collection” including the ref codes for the following planned models.

MBC Enviro200: Ref Code - MBC1001
Operator - Stagecoach London
Livery - London Red Livery
Route - 124 Catford
Fleet Number - 36326
Reg - LX58 CCK
Units - 500

Ref Code - MBC1002
Operator - Stagecoach East
Livery - Stagecoach Local Livery
Route - 51 Oakley
Fleet Number - 36306
Reg - LX56 EAA
Units - 500

Ref Code - MBC1003
Operator - Stagecoach East
Livery - Dealer White livery
Route - blank
Fleet Number - none
Reg - none
Units - t.b.c.

Northcord Enviro 400 Facelift:
Ref Code - UKBUS 0082
Operator - Arriva Kent & Surrey
Livery - New Arriva Standard livery
Route - 700 Bluewater
Fleet Number - 6483
Reg - SN15 LNP
Units - 504

Northcord Enviro400 MMC:
Ref Code - UKBUS 0083
Operator - Go Ahead London
Livery - Superloop TFL
Route - SL6 Russell Square
Fleet Number - EH213
Reg - YY67 UTN
Units - 504

Ref Code - UKBUS 0084
Operator - Go Ahead London
Livery - Commercial livery Red/grey
Route - Join Go-Ahead
Fleet Number - E285
Reg - SN66 WNF
Units - 504

Ref Code - UKBUS 0085 & 0086 (please note: the exact ref code match for each destination version is not clear as yet)
Operator - Stagecoach London
Livery - Selkent Diplomat Livery
Route - (a) Stagecoach Special Destination / (b) SL3 Bromley North
Fleet Number - 11066
Reg - YX68 UTJ
Units - (a) 108 / (b) 504

Model Buses Collection/Creations website: www.modelbus.uk / Facebook Page.

Iwan's Bus Bits now has a new website which contains a growing range of spare parts for Corgi OOC, Britbus, Model1, CMNL & Northcord bua models.
www.iwansbusbits.co.uk / Facebook Page.

Sunday 13 April
EFE Road Leyland Titan Press Release & Photographs
The press release and pre-production sample model photographs (hi-res) for the four forthcoming Leyland Titan B15 models due this Summer.



The images below Supplied by Bachmann Europe show pre-production decorated samples of the new models. Please note that certain colours or details may vary slightly on the finished production models.

EFE Road E28830 Leyland Titan B15 - London & Country 911 (CUL 167V) - Route: 188 Euston


EFE Road E28831 Leyland Titan B15 - London Coaches T343 (KYV 343X) - Route: 52 Victoria Bus Station


EFE Road E28833 Leyland Titan B15 - London Forest Travel T827 (A827 SUL) - Route: Docklands Express D1 Waterloo Stn


EFE Road E28837 Leyland Titan B15 - Kinch Bus (KYV 371X) - Route: 126 via Alan Moss Rd


Further details can be also be found of the Bachmann Europe Site.

Sunday 13 April
Transport Nostalgia Announce Commissions Northcord Models
Transport Nostalgia attended the Spring Gathering event at the London Bus Museum today and on their stand were some posters announcing three upcoming models they have commissioned Northcord Models to produce.

Here's some shots of the posters, click the thumbnails to view larger versions, these will open in a new tab to make them easier to read.



Northcord Models 80M Ltd N6535A ADL Enviro400 MMC - Stagecoach East Midlands SN18 KTO (10977) Pronto livery / destination: Nottingham via Mansfield


Future ADL Enviro400 MMC Commissions for Transport Nostalgia:
Stagecoach East Midlands Park & Ride
SN18 TKE (10971) / Route 1 Woodhouse via Sutton

Stagecoach Strathtay Heritage livery
SN65 OBT (10483) / Route 73A Dundee City Centre


Transport Nostalgia Commissions
Transport Nostalgia is offering a model commissioning service to bus & coach operators, using existing of possibly even new tooling!


https://www.transportnostalgia.co.uk.

Sunday 13 April
EFE Road Announced Four Leyland Titan Models & Brooklands
The EFE Road team attended the London Bus Museum's annual Spring Gathering Event at the Brookland Museum today. On display were a number of the recent EFE Road releases, including the new Sea Dog Leyland Atlantean open toppers released in the past week, these have proved very popular with collectors.



EFE Road also used the event to announced the four models that will form the Summer period release programme. All four models are based on the dual door Leyland Titan (B15) 288 series tooling and will feature two red London liveries & two post de-regulation operator liveries.




EFE Road E28831 Leyland Titan B15 - London Coaches T343 (KYV 343X) - Route: 52 Victoria Bus Station


EFE Road E28833 Leyland Titan B15 - London Forest Travel T827 (A827 SUL) - Route: Docklands Express D1 Waterloo Stn


EFE Road E28830 Leyland Titan B15 - London & Country 911 (CUL 167V) - Route: 188 Euston


EFE Road E28837. Leyland Titan B15 - Kinch Bus (KYV 371X) - Route: 126 via Alan Moss Rd


There's a slight increase in the UK RRP for these models, it has increased by £2.00 to £46.95. The model are currently expected to be released during May or June.

EFE Road has posted a YouTube announcement video for these nmodels:

Due to my clunky site design, you'll need to go to the YouTube site to view the video full screen


Further details can be also be found of the Bachmann Europe Site.

I'll post some official photographs supplied by Bachmann of the four pre-production sample models later this evening.

Sunday 6 April
Model Bus Federation April 2025 Journal Review.
Here's an overview of the contents of the Model Bus Federation's monthly Model Bus Journal for April 2025.

This publication is solely dedicated to model bus news & other related articles with a focus on the UK.
If the contents below are of interest, you may wish to consider becoming a member of the MBF, the annual subscription starts at £25.00 with special reduced rates available for younger members aged 14-18.
For further details please visit the https://www.model-bus-federation.org.uk.
Back issues of the Journals are also available to members where stock permits.

The Model Bus Journal - Issue 648 April 2025 Sottish Show Results - 32 pages - ISSN 0953-435

  • Diary & Events - Upcoming MBF members only area meetings & net forum.
  • Shows & Exhibitions - MBF Events & other public events
    STOP PRESS The London Area MBF Show that was scheduled to take place on Saturday 8th March has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.
    Saturday 10th May 09:30 - 16:00: The South Shields Model Bus Show 2025. Salvation Army Hall, Wawn Street, South Shields NE33 4EB. Adults £3, Concessions £2
    Spring Bank Holiday Monday 26th May 10:00 - 16:00: The West Midlands Area Show. The Transport Museum, Chapel Lane, Wythall B47 6JA.
  • Editorial
  • Cover Story - Only two Beadle Canterbury coaches were built, Alan Morgan has produced a Scratchbuilt model. (see next article
  • Beadle Canterbury Scratch-build by Alan Morgan - Alan explains how he built his model of this almost unique coach using mainly plasikard.
  • Bradford BUT / Roe Trolleybus by Martin Hare - Martin details how he converted an Atlas Editions (OOC) Teeside Sunbeam Trolleybus in a Roe bodied Bradford Corporation version.
  • Tilling Stevens Buses by Michael Whent - Michael gives some background information on eleven buses he has modeled that were operated by Thomas Tilling in London.
  • Product News UK - Details of the latest new Sea Dog Atlantean models & bus garage re-issue in EFE Road's Spring release schedule.
  • Meetings and Events - East Midlands Area MBF Area AGM information & confirmation that the London Area Show will not take place this year. Plan for the 2026 event are underway possibly at a different venue.
  • Aussie Road Ragers Bedford SB by Brian Rowney - A look at the Australian Aussie Road Ragers Bedford SB HO scale bus models. More details: target="_blank">HERE
  • Maguire by Syd Eade - Syd has finally managed to obtain one of the Maguire bodied Leyland PD2 models built by Brian Wright back in 1968.
  • From the Archives - A Sunsundegui Sideral in Dick Lindsay's Forest Travel Fleet. 2020 MBF kit MBF2K-07.
  • In Detail: BYD BD11 by David Cole - A gallery of photographs showing the exterior & interior of the UK version of BYD's in house electric bus.
  • Plan of the Month by Dave Evans - Guy Arab (Rushton & Hornsby) / Park Royal (City of Lincoln).
  • Area News - Ten pages of reports & nearly 60 colour photographs covering recent MBF meetings in the London, Dorset New Forest, West, Greater Manchester, South Wales & Herefordshire, Yorkshire & Ireland 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)

Saturday 5 April
EFE Road At London Bus Museums Spring Gathering
The EFE Road team will kick-off the 2025 bus rally season by returning to the popular London Bus Museum Spring Gathering at the famous Brooklands Racing Circuit next Sunday (13th April).

All the very latest EFE Road buses will be on display, and a select number of models and accessories will also be available to purchase.

Further details about the event can be found on the London Bus Museum's website: https://www.londonbusmuseum.com/spring-gathering-2025/


Wednesday 2 April
Midland Bus Kit Magazine - April 2025
Latest April edition of the Midlands Bus Kits magazine is now available to view.
The bumper April edition has all the latest news from kit & accessory makers, plus a detailed look back at the Midland Bus Kits recent Model Show 2025.

View the April & previous Newsletters


The following kit was released by Midland Bus Kits at the Model Show.

MBK016 Nottingham City Transport Volvo B10M-50 East Lancs body
Further kit details can be found on the www.midlandbuskits.co.uk site.

Tuesday 1 April
EFE Road Sea Dog Atlanteana Have Arrived
Bachmann Europe has today indicated they have taken delivery of five EFE Road models shown below, these models will be heading on to UK model retailers in the coming days.

Please note the photographs below show pre-production samples and that certain colours or details may vary slightly on the finished models.


E40601 - Leyland Atlantean Open Top Western National NBC 926 926GTA
This model depicts registration 926GTA “Sir Francis Drake” in its post-1973 condition as fleet number 926, complete with lower route blind. The model is finished in NBC Poppy Red and White with Western National branding, operating on service 514 to Penzance. It also features period advertising on the original-style rear engine bustle, and separately fitted destination banner boards on the body sides.


E40602 - Leyland Atlantean Open Top Ribble 1927 927GTA
Our model represents registration 927GTA (formerly “Sir Martin Frobisher”) in its circa 1986 condition as Ribble Motor Services fleet number 1927, complete with original engine bustle and lowered route blind. The model is finished in the distinctive Ribble white, red and grey striped livery, and carries excursion service 02 blinds.


E40603 - Leyland Atlantean Open Top First Glasgow 39989 ABV669A
Here we have 927GTA once again, this time depicted in its 2004-2007 condition as First Glasgow fleet number 39989 (registration ABV669A), complete with original engine bustle.
The model is finished in the classic Glasgow Corporation orange, cream and green livery, but with Glasgow cityscape decals as working on the First City Tour sightseeing services.


E40801 - Leyland Atlantean Open Top Round London Sightseeing 933GTA
The model shoes registration 933GTA (formerly “Sir Walter Raleigh”) in its post-1982 condition after transfer to Holman Bros. Coaches of Wood Green for use on London Transport sightseeing services around the Capital. It is finished in London Transport red livery, complete with solid white roundels, London cityscape decals and “Round London Sightseeing Tour” branding. The lower position route blind and later style of replacement rear engine bustle complete the model.


E40803 - Leyland Atlantean Open Top Red Bus NBC 925 925GTA
Registration 925GTA (formerly “Admiral Blake”) is modelled in its post-1983 condition after transfer from Western National to North Devon Limited, a National Bus Company operator trading as Red Bus. The model is finished in NBC poppy red and white livery with Red Bus branding and full Western Counties Building Society advertising all round. The lower position route blind carries a service 301 to Westward Ho! Destination, while the later style of replacement rear engine bustle completes the model.


 March 2025  Model Bus Zone News Index May 2025