Diecast Bus models

[The Real 4778]

Rapido are making allowances in the tooling to render 6311 and its ilk, plus variations in indicator light and ventilator positions; should be fine model buses well worth the wait.

[Squiz1971]

Rapido are making allowances in the tooling to render 6311 and its ilk, plus variations in indicator light and ventilator positions; should be fine model buses well worth the wait.

Wonder if Rapido will make a Jumbo dual doored variant of the Fleetline in the near future?

[Tony]

If anyone still wants a model of the E400 in '50' crimson livery or can persuade someone to buy them one for Christmas, They will be on sale in the Travel shops to the general public for £40 probably from tomorrow

[filbus1]

Wonder if Rapido will make a Jumbo dual doored variant of the Fleetline in the near future?

Completely different casting so no, some other stuff in their plans but best let them announce them when the time comes.

[DJ]

If anyone still wants a model of the E400 in '50' crimson livery or can persuade someone to buy them one for Christmas, They will be on sale in the Travel shops to the general public for £40 probably from tomorrow

Do you know if any of the Travel Shops still have them on sale at all?

[Tony]

Do you know if any of the Travel Shops still have them on sale at all?

Yes they all do

[DJ]

Yes they all do

Brilliant, thanks. Are they still 40 GBP?

[Tony]

Brilliant, thanks. Are they still 40 GBP?

Yes

[DJ]

Yes

Thanks, I'll be picking one up in the new year.

[CL]

NORTHCORD MODEL COMPANY - PRESS RELEASE
The following press release has been received today from the Northcord Model Company:
ADL Enviro400 MMC

UKBUS6508A / 6508B National Express West Midlands

Following the significant success in launching the brand new casting of the Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC model in the livery of Go-Ahead London, National Express West Midlands, Stagecoach London & Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, First Bristol, Reading Buses and Bluestar, Northcord Model Company is releasing the tenth and eleventh versions - UKBUS6508A and UKBUS6508B - in the livery of Platinum X1 of National Express West Midlands.

UKBUS6508A / 6508B represents fleet number 6843 (SN66 WFM) that has 10.9 metre, single door bodywork and was new to National Express West Midlands in 2017. 6843 carries a full and colourfully branded livery for Platinum X1. The special, comprehensive livery and branding are 100% reproduced onto the UKBUS6508A and 6508B models.

The stand-out features of the branding are : "Birmingham I NEC & Airport I Coventry", "up to every 20 minutes" frequency, and the prominent route number "X1" along with the key locations served that are repeated on each side ("Fast via Coventry Road) and on the front, upper windscreen and the rear (Fast between Sheldon, Yardley, Birmingham City Centre"). Fares details are carried in the first nearside window. On the nearside panels and engine access door, wording refers to the extra legroom available on board in addition to the "comfier seats" whilst the offside advertises the "greener emissions, free WiFi and next stop announcements".

The model also correctly portrays the name "Connie" that is carried on the front, below the windscreen on the nearside, and on the rear, at the top of the engine cover on the offside, of the bus 6843.

Both UKBUS6508A and 6508B operate on route X1. UKBUS6508A is showing the destination Coventry, whilst UKBUS6508B shows Birmingham.

The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC UKBUS6508A / 6508B 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 UKBUS6508A / 6508B models is the provision of a 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 UKBUS6508A and 6508B models are each limited to 600 pieces worldwide respectively.

http://www.britishmodelbuses.com/LargeImages/NorthcordModelCompany/UKBUS6508A_ADL%20Enviro400%20MMC_National%20Express%20West%20Midlands_Large.jpg
http://www.britishmodelbuses.com/LargeImages/NorthcordModelCompany/UKBUS6508B_ADL%20Enviro400%20MMC_National%20Express%20West%20Midlands_Large.jpg
http://www.britishmodelbuses.com/LargeImages/NorthcordModelCompany/ukbus6508A_6508B_Packing_Large.jpg

[CL]

Birmingham's Ian Allan Book & Model shop set to close in two days :(

No model buses in sight, but all remaining stock (books, etc...) seemingly reduced to 75% off

[Wumpty]

Birmingham's Ian Allan Book & Model shop set to close in two days :(

No model buses in sight, but all remaining stock (books, etc...) seemingly reduced to 75% off

Bloody hell! I've spent many long hours in there man and boy - in fact it's partly responsible for my bus hobby. Unfortunately, it's a niche store which hasc probably been hit by online sales.

Good luck to the departing staff.

[Roy]

Forward Models, who produced the models of the Birmingham Standards, has announced that it is closing down.
https://www.forwardmodels.net/Forward-Models-at-the-terminus.html

[Gareth]

Forward Models, who produced the models of the Birmingham Standards, has announced that it is closing down.
https://www.forwardmodels.net/Forward-Models-at-the-terminus.html

With Rapido producing their fancy models from scanning real vehicles, I've been expecting this for a while. Sad news.

[CL]

NORTHCORD MODEL COMPANY - PRESS RELEASE
The following press release has been received a few minutes ago from the Northcord Model Company:
Herewith we itemise an update on likely release dates and status for announced models in the UKBUS1500 and UKBUS6500 range. In addition, nine further future releases are announced.

Production delays due to shortage of appropriate labour in all factories in southern China are affecting many manufacturers and it is appropriate that NMC should advise you accordingly. Furthermore, the usual delays will be accommodated due to the return of factory staff to their provinces during Lunar New Year and the resultant need to recruit staff to replace those who do not return to the factories.

UKBUS1500 Range

NMC will relaunch the model based on the casting of the Alexander ALX400 – bodied Dennis Trident opentop in 2020.

UKBUS1501 – megasightseeing.com (18496 – LX06AHC)

UKBUS1502 – Stagecoach North West "the White Lady" (17012 – S812BWC)

The pre-production samples of both items for checking are in the course of being prepared with an anticipated production slot being available during early April 2020.

UKBUS6500 Range

UKBUS6516 – Stagecoach South Gold (10770 – SN66VYR): production is scheduled for completion by early January 2020.

UKBUS0063 – Ensign Bus (132 – YX66WLH): production is scheduled for completion by the end of January 2020.

UKBUS6519 – Stagecoach Oxford Gold (10786 – SN66VZH): production is scheduled for completion by early March 2020.

UKBUS6520 – Stagecoach South 700 Coastliner (10942 – SN18KNF): pre-production samples for checking are in the course of being prepared with an anticipated production slot being available during early June 2020.

KBUS6521 – Xplore Dundee (6695 – SK68MBO) pre-production samples for checking are in the course of being prepared with an anticipated production slot being available during early May 2020.

IEBUS0005 – Dublin Bus (AH1 – 191-D-44403) pre-production samples for checking are in the course of being prepared with an anticipated production slot being available during late June 2020.

UKBUS6524 – Stagecoach North West 555 Lakes Connection (10555 – SN16ONX): pre-production samples for checking are in the course of being prepared with an anticipated production slot being available during early July 2020.

UKBUS6526 – National Express West Midlands (6937 – SK68MJE) pre-production samples for checking are in the course of being prepared with an anticipated production slot being available during early August 2020.

Lovely to see other models in the scope for Northcord - other than the MMC.

Then again, two new National Express Group models lined up has given me something to look forward to! The Dundee model in particular has cleared up some of my suspicions.. (There's been a photo or two of the pre-production model on the careers site since it was updated - albeit missing the front glazing)

https://careers.nationalexpress.com/