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October 2019
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Tuesday 29 October & Updated 2 November
Northcord Press Release: UKBUS6513
The following press release has been issued by the Northcord Model Company today.

NORTHCORD MODEL COMPANY - PRESS RELEASE

ADL Enviro400 MMC
ukbus 6513 Stagecoach South

Following the significant success in launching the brand new casting of the Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC model in the livery of National Express West Midlands, Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, Bluestar and Stagecoach West Scotland, Northcord Model Company is now releasing the sixth livery on the 10.9 metre long, single-door casting – ukbus 6513 in the livery of Stagecoach South with full route branding for the famous route 64.


ukbus 6513 represents fleet number 10892 (YX67 VCE) that has 10.9 metre, single door bodywork and was new to Stagecoach South in 2018. 10982 carries a full and colourfully branded livery for route 64, showing the destination to Winchester. The special, comprehensive livery and branding are 100% reproduced onto the ukbus 6513 model. The stand-out features of the branding are : “The regal route between Winchester, Alresford & Alton”, and “every 30 mins mon-sat daytime” frequency with the prominent route number “64” on both sides, the banner-type “Make up for lost time free WiFi onboard” together with the beautiful Winchester Cathedral photo on the nearside and another banner-type “Best of both worlds bus & train connect for London” as well as the classical Winchester Cathedral photo and the outline of King Alfred The Great on the offside.
Further additional details carried by the model include the free wifi and USB charging logos on both sides.

The rear of 10892 is also carrying full route branding decoration which are, from the top, : “The regal route between Winchester, Alresford & Alton”, “every 30 minutes, mon-sat daytime”, “via Bishop’s Sutton, Ropley & Four Marks”.

The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC ukbus 6513 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 6513 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 10.9 metre 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 6513 model is limited to 1008 pieces worldwide.


Northcord Model Company (NMC)------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

Release Schedule Update
The UK release of the Stagecoach Scotland ADL Enviro400 MMC UKBUS6511 is expected later this week.
The First in Glasgow version UKBUS6514 has had its UK release slightly delayed & is now due in December along with UKBUS6513 mentioned in the above press release.

Update 2 November
Stagecoach Scotland ADL Enviro400 MMC UKBUS6511 has now been released in the UK.

Monday 21 October
Model Spotlight: Hatchette Bakker Bova Futura Coach
This Hatchette coach was released in the last batch of discounted models made available to UK retailers by John Ayrey Diecasts in late August.
Model number 78 in the French Buses of the World collection depicts a left hand drive version of the coach operated by the Netherlands's based operator Bakker Wormerveer BV. This particular Bova Futura 12.280 vehicle BV-01-NX was new to the operator in 1982 and carried fleet number 157. Bakker appear to have used these mainly for touring work & private charters, Bakker coaches often visited the UK during this period.
BV-01-NX is still around and appears to have been preserved in the exact livery applied to the model.

This model like most of the others in the series is based on an IXO tooling, but unlike some of the earlier UK based models in the collection has a much higher plastic content. The only diecast component is the baseplate.
Construction wise the model is held together with two T3 triangular screws and three plastic tabs which pass through the main body shell & secure the separate plastic rear bumper & front lower grille panel to the metal base.
The main issue with this construction is that strong glue has been used to fix the grille & bumper to the body shell & base. All the plastic parts appear quite fragile and those looking at modifying or repainting this model may find it difficult to dismantle as a result.

Overall the model captures the unusual design of the Futura body well, the livery also appears to be accurate in both the design and colour. There are some good detailing fetures such as the headlights, rear corner marker lights & driving mirrors. The interior is basic in regards to the passenger seating area, the drivers cab in comparison has a very good representation of the dashboard and controls.

These models are still available from various retailers, prices range from about £15 to £30 so it's worth shopping around a bit.


Below are a selection of large photographs showing the model I purchased. Each photograph will open in new window/tab.
A full HAD Video slide show with some additional images is also available below in the form of a You Tube video.








Below is a video slide show containing most of the above photographs & a few extras. Click the YouTube logo to view at full size.


Tuesday 15 October
Northcord Press Release: UKBUS6514
The following press release has been issued by the Northcord Model Company today.

NORTHCORD MODEL COMPANY - PRESS RELEASE

ADL Enviro400 MMC
ukbus 6514 First Glasgow

Northcord Model Company is pleased to announce the release of ukbus 6514, the long-awaited, third release of the 10.5 metre single door casting of this distinctive, modern, double-decker in the United Kingdom.

ukbus 6514 represents fleet number 33201HB (SK68 LWN) that has 10.5 metre, single door bodywork and was the first of 75 new buses for First Glasgow in 2018. 33201HB carries a full and colourfully branded livery for route 75. The new buses formed part of a £31m investment from First Glasgow covering 150 new buses over two years in anticipation of meeting the annually increasing percentage of Euro6 buses to meet the city’s Low Emission Zone requirement. By Hogmanay 2019 this target requires 40% of the fleet entering or operating within the city LEZ to be Euro6 compliant until reaching 100% by 2022.

33201HB was the star of the high-profile new bus launch on an unusually dreich and sodden George Square on 9th October 2018. The bus was placed inside a 20 foot-high structure designed to replicate a model bus box. The new buses feature USB charging points, extra padded ELeather high-back seating and free WiFi. The Euro VI engine uses stop/start technology but the letters “HB”, that are appended to the fleet number, do not reference any sort of “hybrid” power source; they represent the formerly used term “highbridge” to denote a taller bus than one that is “lowbridge”.


Apart from the presentation of the 1:1 scale big model box at George Square, the mirrorless double-decker bus made a great attraction at the launch. First Glasgow worked with Alexander Dennis and 21st Century Technology on the trial of a camera system which replaced conventional external rear-view mirrors (also colloquially, and incorrectly, referred to as “wing mirrors”) with four cameras and two interior displays. 33201HB was the first double-decker bus having this system in the UK.

The first of the batch of 75 vehicles entered service on 10th October on route 75 between Castlemilk and Milton via Glasgow City Centre, although 33201HB did not enter service until later to allow time for driver familiarisation with the camera mirrors, and, even then, it was allocated to a set diagram every day so that the number of drivers was limited at first. During the summer of 2019 it was regularly allocated to the X7 M&D’s Express route to Strathclyde Country Park. The ukbus 6514 model represents its allocation to route 75, heading for Castlemilk, a large housing scheme to the south of the city, developed by Glasgow Corporation dating back to the 1950s to alleviate the slum conditions in the inner city, particularly in The Gorbals, near to the home depot for 33201HB. The side destination references Hampden Park, Scotland’s national football stadium.


The driver rear-view camera, and special, comprehensive livery and branding of 33201HB are 100% reproduced onto the ukbus 6514 model in 1:76 scale. The stand-out features of the branding are : the big “75” on both sides and rear, along with key locations served “Castlemilk, Hampden, City Centre, Possilpark, Milton” on the nearside, and the special banner-type “Your new buses have arrived” decorations on both sides and rear.

Further additional details carried by the model include the “Free WiFi’, “USB chargers”, “Comfy seats” on the rear, and the special sunlight protection shades on the top of both front windscreens.

The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC ukbus 6514 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 6514 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 10.5 metre 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 6514 model is limited to 1200 pieces worldwide.


Northcord Model Company (NMC)------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

Tuesday 15 October
TiNY Kits Update
A quick update on the TiNY kits range, with news of the latest & next release plus a limited re-run of an earlier kits.

The full list of current & planned kits can be viewed on the TiNY kits pages along with full contact details.
Image Kit Ref No. Model Availability
TK1 1955 Alexander Coach Limited stock £39
TK4 Ribble Burlingham PD3 Due November 2019 - £42
TK12 1953-55 Willowbrook DP41F or B45F Limited re-run
Reserve now

Tuesday 15 October & Updated 22 October
Two IXO Bus Releases Due In November
Two further 1/43rd IXO bus models are expected to be released in November, both have a UK RRP of £53.99

Update 22 October
These have now been released in the UK


BUS021 Greyhound (White, Silver, red & blue) - GMC Scenicruiser B Coach 1956 - Due November 2019


BUS022 White & light blue - Ikarus 66 Single Deck Bus 1972 - Due November 2019

Friday 11 October
Next Oxford Diecast Omnibus Range Release
The next batch of Oxford Diecast model releases will contain two coach models including one only announced earlier this week.
These are likely to reach UK retailers sometime next week.


43WFL001 Southdown Motor Services - Weymann Fanfare Leyland Tiger Cub Coach (1/43rd Scale)


76IR6007 Barnes Coaches, Swindon - Irizar I6 Coach - Only announced this week (1/76 Scale)


Friday 11 October
Model Spotlight: Hatchette Guernseybus Open Top RT
The discounted releases of the Hatchette Buses of the World models reached issue 80 in the last batch secured by John Ayrey Diecasts.
Model number 82 in the series is an open top AEC RT bus in Guernseybus livery and it seems likely this could well feature in the next batch imported into the UK. There's no date for this a present but I thought it would be worthwhile doing a spotlight on this model as their aren't that many UK models in this series.

This model like the others in the series is based on an IXO tooling, there have been two previous closed top London Transport RT releases in the collection and although in tooling terms these were very good both were let down somewhat by poorly designed decals.

IXO also released a full price open top London Transport version of this model, but again this was let down by poor research, the model being clearly based on a Routemaster vehicle and even having RM fleet numbers.

The Guernseybus vehicle depicted by the model is however a much better release and is probably the best of the three RT buses released in the collection to date. Application of the livery seems accurate apart from some slightly oversized arrow logos below the side windows. The red wheels are also correct although it seems the vehicle spent more of its life on Guernsey with them painted blue to match the body colour, appearance wise I feel this would have probably been a better choice for the model.

Overall the open top modification looks very good, the only poor aspect being that the rear most sections of the side handrail only butt up to the rear corner support posts. This makes them extremely prone to being bent or snapped off if you're unaware of this design feature, the joint itself isn't overly obvious however.

Currently, full price imports of these models start around £30 in the UK and can be found on eBay or at specialist model dealers.

Below are a selection of large photographs showing the model I purchased. Each photograph will open in new window/tab.
A full HD Video slide show with some additional images is also available below in the form of a YouTube video.








Below is a video slide show of all the above photographs & a few extras. Click the YouTube logo to view at full size.


Tuesday 8 October & Updated 11 October
Oxford Diecast October 19 - January 20 Catalaogue New Models
Oxford have released details of all the new models & liveries that are contained in the latest catalogue covering the period October 19 to January 20.
The information has been posted to the Oxford Diecast Collectors Facebook Group by Eloise from Oxford Diecast this evening, below is a summary of the bus & coach related items included among the announcements across all the various sub ranges & scales.

Update 9 October
One further model coach has been added to the list posted yesterday & 76IR6007 is shown below.
Pages have been added for the models with further details based on the model images issued.

The full list of all the new Oxford models with images can be viewed on the site of model wholesaler Clevelands.
Cleveland site link

A digital version of the latest October to January 2020 catalogue is now available to view on the Oxford Diecast website
.

Oxford Omnibus
1/76 scale models

76DC004 Greenslades - Duple Commander II Coach - Due Q2/2020


76IR6007 Barnes Coaches, Swindon - Irizar I6 Coach - Due next week!


76SB006 Trent - Saro Bus - Due Q2/2020

N scale models

NNR008 East London Transit - New Routemaster Bus - Due Q2/2020

All the other outstanding Oxford Omnibus models have now had their expected release dates revised to Q4/2019.

Monday 7 October
Greatest Show On Earth Bus Available Again
John Ayrey Diecasts have acquired further limited stock of one of the bus models issued in the Greatest Show on Earth partswork collection produced by Atlas Editions. This model is based on the Cirgi OOC 1/76 scale casting
Thanks are extended to TTC Diecast for this news and advising me they are accepting pre-orders for £5.95 plus delivery.


MAG HU30 Hardimann's Amusement - Bristol J Single Deck Bus (converted to living quarters)

Further details can be found at


Monday 7 October
Model Spotlight: OOC Fusilier50 Wrightbus Commemorative Twin Pack
The latest and currently last announced Corgi OOC range product was released last week. This pack contains two Go-Ahead Group vehicles which received special liveries in 2017 to mark 50 years of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. The vehicles depicted are Go-Ahead North East's Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 6117 / NL63 XCB on route 309 to Newcastle & Go Ahead London General New Routemaster LT 394 / LTZ 1394 on route 15 to Tower Hill.

The sets original planned release date slipped back several months & unfortunately eventually came just a week after the Wrightbus business based in Ballymena in Northern Ireland went into administration, currently efforts are continuing to try & find a new owner for the company & secure the jobs of around 1,200 employees.

This pack is a standard release item which is available from Corgi stockists, it's a certificated limited edition of 1000 pieces and has an RRP of £49.99.


OM46620 Fusilier50 Wrightbus Commemorative Twin Pack - Wright Eclipse Gemini II & New Routemaster

Below are a selection of large photographs showing the final production version of the twin pack I purchased. Each photograph will open in new window/tab. A full HD Video slide show is also available below in the form of a YouTube video.













Below is a video slide show of all the above photographs & a few more. Click the YouTube logo to view at full size.


Thursday 3 October
Another Discounted 1/72nd Scale Coach
TTC Diecast have contacted me with news of another discounted 1/72nd scale coach that's being imported by wholesaler John Ayrey Diecasts.

This model is from a range of German fire related vehicles produced by Deagostini and has a RRP of £9.99. TTC Diecast will be selling this model for £4.95 plus delivery.
The model is supplied in a blister pack & is expected to be available later this month.


MAG LZ03 Red & black livery (registration 0 6600)- Mercedes Benz O 6600 Coach

Further details can be found at


Wednesday 2 October
Corgi OOC Wrightbus Commemorative Fusilier50 Twin Pack Released
Model Retailers are now receiving stock of the OOC Royal Regiment of Fusiliers 50th Anniversary twin pack. The pack is limited to 1000 pieces and the Corgi's own online shop has already sold out of their allocation.
The pack should still be available from other Corgi model stockists.


OM46620 Celebrating 50 Years of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers - Go Ahead London New Routemaster & Go Ahead North East Wright Gemini Eclipse 2 Double Deck Bus
Information kindly supplied by


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