The bus -

Creative Master Northcord Limited is proud to release hkbus 2011 - yet another time to replicate a non-standard Stagecoach corporate livery on the well-known 11-metre, tri-axle Leyland Olympian / Alexander R-type coach model. It is in double-deck “School Bus” colours.

The model represents Stagecoach Western Buses Ltd 13612 (J938 MHC). Delivered new to Hong Kong from Alexander Coachbuilders in Falkirk, she entered service in March 1991, in “Big ‘C’” livery, working from the North Division as Citybus’ 173 (EW 9757). 173 would undertake such important duties such as working high profile route 88R from City One Shatin to Central as well as other Resident Services in the New Territories, perhaps to Kingswood Villas on route 901 or 921, or, on the Island, taking the happy families to Ocean Park on route 629 (Admiralty – Ocean Park).

CTB 173 was imported to the UK as part of the second batch of ex-CTB 11m Olympian coaches for the high profile Megabus operation and was allocated UK fleetnumber 13612. Allocated within Stagecoach South group of companies, mainly to Winchester or Lewes, 13612 was often found undertaking Megabus work from Bournemouth or Brighton on the South Coast to and from London.  (Webmaster's Note - see  section). Originally the rear registration plate was fitted centrally within the rear bumper but, after being fitted with the tow-bar for the Megabus trailers, this was relocated to the nearside of the bumper. In July 2005 13612 took part in the mega-marathon convoy of 12 Megabus coaches that travelled from London to Edinburgh and return for the “Make Poverty History” rally in connection with the G8 meeting in Gleneagles.

After 13612’s retiral from front-line Megabus work, she became one of the two static waiting room / ticket office buses on the Fife side of the River Forth in July 2007 for passengers wishing to sample the “Forth Fast” hovercraft experiment that was undertaken by Stagecoach in association with SESTrans. In time for the autumn school term the same year, 13612 was repainted in yellow School Bus livery and carries the original style of lettering. 13612 was sent to Ardrossan depot for this work. 13612 retains the toilet compartment with which she was fitted for Megabus work and this feature is replicated correctly on the hkbus 2011 model.

Although carrying Stagecoach national fleetnumber 13612, “beachball” logos and Stagecoach Western Buses’ legal lettering, these items are not so obtrusive as to preclude the use of the hkbus 2011 model on a modern image Railway Layout representing any part of the country.

As on the previous successful hkbus 2000 series models produced by CMNL, hkbus 2011 has many innovative designs on the tooling – including all handrails on board and detailed, individual air-vents above the seats. Of note is the improved upper-deck ceiling detail that features the correct colours of the prototype coach. Once again, this is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the windows and livery application. The model has no ugly metal poles to hold it together.

The hkbus 2011 model is limited to 888 pieces worldwide. They will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Concorde Hobby Shop (HK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), Transit Graphics (Australia) and cnmycar.com (P. R. China).