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Saturday 31 March

Atlas Editions Release Balloon Tram

Atlas Editions latest model in the Great British Bus Series is yet another tram. GBB13 Blackpool Corporation Transport - Blackpool Balloon Double Deck Tram

Saturday 31 March (Updated 2 April with Better Quality Model Photographs)

Six New EFE Models Announced

The latest EFE Subscriber's Newsletter arrived today and the enclosed Release Sheet Issue 3 2012 includes details of six new models. Click the thumbnail to view large images or the cat no links for normal sized images.

Cat No.  29410 Vehicle  Bristol RELH Dual Purpose Coach Operator  Cumberland / National Express Fleet No.  600 Registration  DRM 600K Route  836 Preston Expected  April	Cat No.  38102 Vehicle  Bristol VRT (Flat Windscreen) Operator  Ribble Fleet No.  1992 Registration  OCK 992K Route  696 Bridge End Expected  May
Cat No.  38701 Vehicle  Alexander Y Type Bus (4 Leaf Door) Operator  Midland Scottish Fleet No.  MPE 353 Registration  DLS 353V Route  79 Grangemouth Bus Depot Expected  June	Cat No.  29206 Vehicle  Single Door Leyland Titan Operator  East london Coaches Fleet No.  T80 Registration  WLT 898 Route  449 Country Park Estate Expected  June
Cat No.  36705 Vehicle  Dart SLF Plaxton Pointer 2 (1 Door) Operator  Pennine Motor Services Fleet No.  D19 Registration  W947 ETW Route  215 Burnley Expected  June	Cat No.  38104 Vehicle  Bristol VRT (Flat Windscreen) Operator  Southern Vectis Fleet No.  628 Registration  SDL 628J Route  1A Cowes Expected  To be announced

EFE will be attending the M & D and East Kent Bus Club's 60th Anniversary Bus Rally tomorrow (31st March) at the Kent Showground at Detling. On display will be samples of the new castings of the Bristol VRT, Alexander Y Type Bus & Bristol RE coach along with pre-production model samples. There will also be a display of fleet boards of model from the area, a raffle and a small Scrap Yard of models for scratch builders to buy. Further event details can be found at www.arrivabus.co.uk/MDEK60. EFE are producing two specials (26322B & 26410A) for this year's Cobham Bus Rally at Wisely Airfield, however due to other commitments EFE will not be attending the event themselves. For further Rally information see the London Bus Museum Website EFE Subscriber's can now mail order the West Midlands Leyland National (17213A) produced for those who attended the Model & Hobby Show earlier this month in Coventry. Subscribers wishing to purchase the model should contact EFE's Sales Office.

You can view the latest EFE trade release sheet at

Courtesy of EFE, a PDF version of the latest Release Sheet plus smaller scans of the latest release sheets    Click Here for PDF Version (4.6mb)

Friday 30 March

London Transport Museum Commissions

The two commissioned Green Line RF Coaches that were released at the Acton Depot Open Weekend earlier this month have now appeared on the Museum's website. The models are priced £34.99 each plus P&P per model. Open Day Museum Specials 23208A Green Line RF207 / route 701) - Modernised RF Coach 23208B Green Line RF174 / route 702) - Modernised RF Coach The following models produced for the Southbank Centre's "Festival of Britain" event can also be ordered from the LT Museum's website for £33.99 each plus P&P. 31601A London Transport - Routemaster Prototype RM1 ("SOUTHBANK CENTRE celebrates FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN" adverts) 34302A London Transport (Red)- AEC Pre-war RT ("SOUTHBANK CENTRE celebrates FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN" adverts) More details can be found on the London Transport Museum Website.

Wednesday 28 March

Confirmed EFE Releases

The following pair of standard release models have now been released by EFE. 16534 Northern General - MCW bodied Leyland Atlantean 17308 Green Line (route 706) - Long Leyland National Mark I The second of the pair of Subscriber only Leyland National models is also currently being posted out by EFE. 17509 Merseybus (route 55) - Long Singe Door Leyland National Mark II

Tuesday 27 March

New N Scale Lorries Announced by B-T Models

Another nine N scale lorries have been announced on the John Ayrey's Diecast site, there are no photographs of any models as yet. All the models are expected to be released during April. N010 Albion CX3 Flatbed & Trailer - BRS N011 Karrier Bantam Articulated Flatbed - BRS Parcels N012 Leyland FG Flatbed - British Rail N013 Foden DG Flatbed - Wynns N014 Leyland FG Van - British Railways N015 Leyland FG Van - Sunblest N016 Albion CX7 - BRS-Airedale N017 Karrier Bantam Articulated Flatbed - British Railway N018 Foden DG Flatbed - BRS

Saturday 24 March

Confirmed EFE Releases

The first of the pair of Subscriber only Leyland National models is currently being posted out by EFE. 17309 Midland Red (route 159) - Long Singe Door Leyland National Mark I

Wednesday 21 March

Next EFE Releases

The following pair of models will be released during the week ending the 31st March. 16534 Northern General - MCW bodied Leyland Atlantean 17308 Green Line (route 706) - Long Leyland National Mark I

Release information kindly supplied by

Wednesday 14 March

New Photographs of Forthcoming B-T Moodels

John Ayrey has published photographs showing mock ups of seven of the recently announced B-T N scale lorries in plain liveries. NP002 Leyland FG 2 Axle Van - Yellow NP003 Foden DG 4 Axle Flatbed - Yellow NP004 Albion CX3 2 Axle Flatbed - Dark blue NP005 Karrier Bantam 2 Axle Van - Red NP006 Foden DG 2 Axle Flatbed - Dark red NP007 Karrier Bantam 2 Axle Flatbed - Dark green NP008 Albion CX3 2 Axle Van - Red

Wednesday 14 March

Confirmed EFE Releases

The following pair of models have been released by EFE this weeek. 34107 London Transport (route 146) - AEC RT Bus 37901 Tyne & Wear PTE - Alexander Y Type Coach

Monday 12 March

Corgi OOC Models Releases For April

The following OOC models are currently scheduled for release during April. OM40818A Central SMT (44 Glasgow) - Bristol Lodekka FS – (500 Pieces - All stock allocated) OM40818B Central SMT (240 Lanark) - Bristol Lodekka FS – (500 Pieces) OM46404A National Express (Armed Forces Day - 030 Portsmouth) - Caetano Levante (950 Pieces - All stock allocated) OM46404B National Express (Armed Forces Day - 300 Bristol) - Caetano Levante (900 Pieces - All stock allocated)

Monday 12 March

Confirmed EFE Releases & New Surprise Commissions

The two commissioned Green Line RF Coaches were released at this weekend's Acton Depot Open Days as planned. The Museum Shop also had small quantities of three other previously unannounced commissioned EFE models on sale, these were all surplus models produced for other events. Open Day Museum Specials 23208A Green Line RF207 / route 701) - Modernised RF Coach 23208B Green Line RF174 / route 702) - Modernised RF Coach The other models included the following two produced for the Southbank Centre's "Festival of Britain" event, these aren't believed to have been commissioned by the LT Museum however. 31601A London Transport - Routemaster Prototype RM1 ("SOUTHBANK CENTRE celebrates FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN" adverts) 34302A London Transport (Red)- AEC Pre-war RT ("SOUTHBANK CENTRE celebrates FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN" adverts) and the following Routemaster model which is said to be a limited run of only 48 pieces, these were produced as auction items at a fund raising dinner in connection with the recent "Sense in the City" exhibition at the LT Museum. 31504A London Transport - AEC RM Routemaster ("Sense in the City" adverts)

Saturday 10 March

Atlas Editions Release Feltham Tram

Atlas Editions latest model in the Great British Bus Series is another tram. Unfortunately my example of the Feltham Tram arrived with cracked glazing and a chipped plinth which is rather disappointing as this is an otherwise very nice model. GBB25 Metropolitan - Feltham Double Deck Tram

Friday 9 March

Latest EFE Subscriber's Newsletter

The second subscribers newsletter and release sheet of 2012 arrived today. Subscriber's Leyland National Models Has mentioned yesterday EFE has announced the first two Leyland National models to tie in with the vehicles 40th Anniversary. Both models are said to be very limited runs and are being exclusively offered to EFE Subscribers for £28.00 each including P&P. 17309 Midland Red (route 159) - Long Single Door Leyland National Mark I 17509 Merseybus (route 55) - Long Single Door Leyland National Mark II EFE Events Although two commissioned EFE Green Line RF models will be available at this weekend's Acton Depot Open Days (10th & 11th March), EFE will not be attending the event this year. They will be attending the Heritage Transport Show at the Kent Showground on the 31st of March. The M & D & East Kent Enthusiasts Club will also be in involved with this event and are organizing a gathering of buses to celebrate the Club's 60th Anniversary, other attractions at the event include the 50th Anniversary of the MGB Roadster and Massey Ferguson 35X Tractor and the 100th Anniversary of AEC vehicles. EFE are also attending the Model & Hobby Show 2012 at the Museum of Transport in Coventry during March. EFE subscribers have been sent special invitations giving them free access to this otherwise trade only event during the afternoon of the final day. Subscribers will be able to view some new releases and purchase some special items including a special West Midlands Leyland National (17213A) with advertisements for the show. Expected Late March Releases 16534 Northern General - MCW Leyland Atlantean Bus 38501 East Yorkshire - Open Top AEC RM Routemaster New Models Just one new model is mentioned in "Forthcoming model releases" section of the newsletter. 29410 Cumberland / National Express - Bristol RELH Dual Purpose Coach

Courtesy of EFE, a PDF version of the latest Release Sheet plus smaller scans of the latest release sheets    Click Here for PDF Version (4.9mb)

Thursday 8 March

Two New EFE Subscriber Models & Photo of East Midland Anniversary Dart

EFE has announced the first pair of special Leyland National models for it Subscription Service Members. These are the start of a series of models to mark the 40th Anniversary of the National Bus. The models will be offered to subscriber's for £28 each including P&P, order forms will be enclosed with the next EFE Subscribers newsletter which is due to be posted out shortly. 17309 Midland Red (route 159) - Long Single Door Leyland National Mark I 17509 Merseybus (route 55) - Long Single Door Leyland National Mark II EFE have also released a photograph of the recently announced Stagecoach East Midland Dennis Dart model in special 85th Anniversary livery. 36704 Stagecoach East Midland - Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer II

Tuesday 6 March

Confirmed Oxford Releases

The following pair of N scale models have now been released by Oxford Diecast. NBS001 Alexander Bluebird - Burlingham Sunsaloon Coach NPE001 National Express/Selwyn Travel - Plaxton Elite Coach

Friday 2 March

Next EFE Releases

The following pair of models will be released during the week ending the 17th March. 34107 London Transport (route 146) - AEC RT Bus 37901 Tyne & Wear PTE - Alexander Y Type Coach

Release information kindly supplied by

Friday 2 March

B-T Models Announced Nine New N Scale Lorries

B-T Models has annouced another model in it's existing N Scale lorry range and released a list of eight further items in a new range of N lorries in plain liveries. Only two pre-production sample photographs have been issued so far. N009 M.G. Williams (Coal Merchant) - Leyland FG Twin Axle Flatbed NP001 White - Leyland Twin Axle Boxvan NP002 Yellow - Leyland Twin Axle Boxvan NP003 Yellow - Foden DG 4 Axle Flatbed NP004 Blue - Albion CX3 Flatbed NP005 Red - Karrier Bantam Van NP006 Dark Red - Foden DG 2 Axle Flatbed NP007 Dark Green - Karrier Bantam Flatbed NP008 Red - Albion CX Van

Thursday 1 March

Seven Releases From B-T Models

Another batch of models have been released by B-T Models including three further Duple Dominant Coaches. B006 Crosville NBC - Leyland Leopard Duple Dominant II Coach B007 Maidstone & District NBC - Leyland Leopard Duple Dominant II Coach B008 East Kent/National - Leyland Leopard Duple Dominant II Coach A004 Maroon & cream - Commer Superpoise Dropside A006 Yellow - Leyland T45 Artic with Low Loader Trailer DA29 West Riding Libraries - Leyland FG Mobile Library DA34 BRS Parcels Service - Ford D Series Artic with Box Van Trailer

Thursday 1 March

Latest Corgi OOC Release

The following pair of OOC models have now been released by Corgi. OM41114A Blackburn Transport (Blackburn Destination) - Leyland PD3 East Lancs (500 Pieces) OM41114B Blackburn Transport (Wilpshire Destination) - Leyland PD3 East Lancs (500 Pieces)

Thursday 1 March

Special EFE Models For Kent Rally

The M&D and East Kent Enthusiasts Bus Club is holding a Bus Rally at the Kent Show ground on the 31st March. The event which marks the club's 60th anniversary will also be attended by EFE who will have a display of some of their recent & future model releases. The Club's latest newsletter, Invicta, also mentions that two special EFE models will be on sale at the event and that they will be packaged together in a set. The models are an East Kent Leyland National and a Maidstone & District ex Northern General Fleetline. The models will have side adverts for 'M&D and EK 60'. No further details are given relating to route, fleet numbers or how much the club will ask for the sets. Further details about the rally can be found at www.arrivabus.co.uk/MDEK60.

Thursday 1 March

Modelbuszone now on Twitter

I now have a Twitter account and will be Tweeting notifications of new news stories as they are posted and other site updates of note. This will also include updates to themodelbus.com site. You can follow me by using the link below.