Photograph courtesy and copyright of Jotus.com

Due for release in Hong Kong tomorrow (1st December) is this KMB Dennis Dragon Cute Bus from Jotus.com. I hope to upload further photographs tomorrow.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Cathal O'Brien

The receipt of the above photograph from Cathal O'Brien, showing his 'built' Creative Master Northcord kit in his fictitious 'City Lynx' livery has prompted me to remind visitors who have built their kit to send me a photograph - that judged to be the best entry will receive a prize of one of Creative Master Northcord's latest models. The deadline for entries is 31st December 2005 - so get building!

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Jacky Ho

CMNL MagicBus Leyland Olympian (hkbus2006) was released in Hong Kong last week. It features fleet no. 13642, on route 216 to Piccadilly Droylsden. It is limited to 1,600 pieces. 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Hong Kong Bus Photo Gallery

Following the news of the Buses Model Co 'Lucky Draw' prize model, I am able to publish a photograph of the real bus, thanks to Hong Kong Bus Photo Gallery.  This model has certainly attracted plenty of interest, with this 'News' page receiving a record 1,337 visits on Wednesday!

Why not check out some of the other excellent photos on the Hong Kong Bus Photo Gallery website, which, although being in Chinese, is reasonably easy to navigate.

I am advised by 80M Bus Model Shop that the three forthcoming models, which are believed to be 1/64th scale,featuring 12-metre Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX500s and carrying advertising for Hong Kong television company TVB, are limited to 2,000 pieces each.

Pictured above is the Buses Model Co. 'Lucky Draw' prize, of which only 30 are being issued. The lucky draw, which takes place on 20th December, is open to purchasers of their China Motor Bus 60th Anniversary Leyland Olympian (L40806). Details of the winners will be published on this website on 24th December. This model represents Kowloon Motor Bus Leyland Olympian S3BL428 in an all-over St Johns Ambulance livery.

Members of IAAPA include most major theme park operators such as Disneyland, Universal Studios, Six Flags, Europa Park-Germany, etc.

8045A
4143  - Route no. 2 - Shau Ki Wan 
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Hong Kong Model Co.

8046A
HK4223  - Route no. 10 - Sai Ying Poon 
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Hong Kong Model Co.

8047A
HK4227  - Route no. 1 - Happy Valley 
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Hong Kong Model Co.

Hong Kong Model Co. has announced no less than three resin versions of the China Motor Bus Guy Arab UF, all of which are shown above. Further details will be added shortly.

My thanks to Peter from Hong Kong and Dave Rogers from the UK for correcting my description of a KMB Scania as an Olympian and to Dave for confirming the Volvo B9TL Wrightbus was in fact a Super Olympian in yesterday's Xtra update. 

Thanks also to regular contributor Dennis Law for allowing me to use his photograph of KMB BACo bodied Fleetline D1025 on the relevant page for the Cars Workshop model (39902) .

'The Charm Beneath'
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

'Life Made Simple'
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

'Always Ready'
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

The 80M Bus Model Shop website has details of three forthcoming models, believed to be 1/64th scale, featuring 12-metre Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX500s. They all carry advertising for Hong Kong television company TVB. Each model carries a different livery for a popular TV drama series - 'The Charm Beneath', 'Life Made Simple', and 'Always Ready'. 

I am grateful to William Ng for supplying a quantity of photographs from his recent trip to Hong Kong, a selection of which have tonight been added to the Xtra pages of the site.

Creative Master Northcord Limited has proudly released its second batch of Shanghai Shen Xin Bus model, cnbus 1008. It is again on the replica Sunwin Volvo B7R model, in the brand new colours of the Shanghai Shen Xin Bus Service Company Limited. 

The new livery of Shanghai Shen Xin Bus is representing the new ownership of this joint venture company. Shanghai Shen Xin Bus Service Limited commenced operation in March 1998. It is a Sino-Singapore joint venture company, jointly owned by Shanghai No.2 Public Transport Company and SBS International Holdings Private Limited, a member of the Singapore DelGro Corporation Limited. Shanghai Dazhong Group acquired Shanghai No.2 Public Transport Company in early 2005.

cnbus 1008 carries fleet number SWK 001 which is shown operating on Showcase Route 49 in downtown Shanghai. SWK 001 is one of 25 Sunwin Volvo SWB6120KHV-3s of which the Company took delivery at the end of 2001. The Route is completely serviced by Volvo Sunwin air-conditioned buses by April 2005.

cnbus 1008 has special metal plates on all sides representing the name of “Dazhong” and “Shen Xin” in Chinese wordings respectively. It is the first time that CMN bus replicas have such realistic feature.

The replica features excellent detailing, inside and out, including an opening engine door and engine detail. 

The cnbus 1008 model is limited to 1500 pieces for worldwide distribution. They will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively.

I have received information, from a reliable source, that the second Best Choose 1:24 scale China Motor Bus DMS is to feature fleet no. XF187. It is expected to be released at the end of the month. The main difference between this release and the first is the destination arrangement. The destination of the second version will be as featured on the EFE 1/76 scale model of XF1 (25704) with the destination and route no. side by side.

As mentioned earlier this month I compiling a new section on the site that will feature both pre-production models or other variations on general release models together with information about them. This too has been somewhat delayed, but in the meantime, if you have any pre-production samples, especially of models that were never issued, photos, or any other information on this subject, please e-mail me.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Confirmation that the Cars Workshop KMB BACo Fleetline (39902) was released in Hong Kong today. 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Lisa Tse

Following yesterday's appeal for photographs of the Best Choose resin CMB MCW Metrorider CM2 (05031). I am grateful to Lisa Tse and Philip Chan for providing photos. These will be uploaded later tonight. The model is limited to 500 pieces.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Donald MacRae

Concorde Hobby Shop are advertising a new CMNL model on their website - a Shanghai Sunwin (cnbus 1008). Pictured above is a similar vehicle, albeit with what appears to be advertising on the side.

The Best Choose Resin Metrorider (CMB - MC2) was released in Hong Kong today ... Route: 43X, Destination:  Central. If anyone is able to send me photographs of this model, I would be most grateful.

It is believed the KMB BACo Fleetline from Cars Workshop (39902), featured in the 'News' item for 6th November, will be released tomorrow.

New photographs have just been added to the Leyland Titan, TC1 (CHS 0502) from Concorde Hobby Shop. 

Photographs courtesy and copyright of www.hksbp.com

My thanks to Leslie Chan and  www.hksbp.com (link no longer available) for sending me photographs of an actual Sentosa Volvo B7R, which I have now added to the relevant page. These confirm that the diecast model is actually based on a MAN NL263.

News of two new models has this morning been received from 80M Bus Model Shop
 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Due for release tomorrow in Hong Kong is the Drumwell KMB Neoman Centroliner (DW10107). It features fleet no. APM1, on route 68X to Yuen Long (East). Limited to 2,000 pieces, it will retail for HK$288. Further details and information will be added later today.
 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Announced as 'Coming Soon' on the 80M Bus Model Shop is the second version of the KMB BACo bodied Fleetline from Cars Workshop (39902). The model features fleet no. D1088 on route 33A to Tsuen Wan Ferry. This too will be limited to 2,000 pieces.

I have tonight added some more photos to the recently created page for the Creative Master Northcord NWFB Super Olympian (hkbus1006/20017). These include photos of the real buses.

I am currently compiling a new section on the site that will feature both pre-production models or other variations on general release models together with information about them. If you have any pre-production samples, especially of models that were never issued,  photos, or any other information on this subject, please e-mail me.

A correction to the News item on 2nd November is that the Best Choose resin MCW Metrorider is to be CM2. It is expected to be released on 1st December.

It is rumoured that there will be a second version of the Best Choose 1/24th scale China Motor Bus DMS and that this will be issued in the next few weeks.

Further information, kindly provided by the Retail Director of the Sentosa Leisure Group, has been added to the page featuring the Sentosa Bus. This information includes details of how you can acquire one!

I have received an e-mail from Buses Model Co. advising that the lucky draw for the special model will be delayed until 20 December 2005, as many customers have not posted their lucky coupon, which was included in their 60th Anniversary model, pictured above (L40806), to Buses Model Co. I am hoping to receive a photograph of the lucky draw prize bus shortly. I have also agreed to announce the lucky winners on this site - so keep watching!

“LOW FARES” and “GREAT VALUE” are the slogans of the MagicBus service operated by Stagecoach. Creative Master Northcord Limited is proud to release the first MagicBus livery on its well-known 11-metre, tri-axle Leyland Olympian / Alexander R-type coach model.

The model represents Stagecoach Manchester 13642 (H625 LNA) in MagicBus livery that formerly operated with Citybus in Hong Kong as its 116 (EF 8850). This coach features the gasket glazing that was fitted to the first twelve 11m coaches that Citybus bought.
Although most of the former Citybus 11m coaches have served on the Megabus network, the arrival of new Neoplan coaches rendered some Olympians surplus to the requirements of the Megabus fleet, and toilets were not needed on these.

13642 was one of seven that entered service on MagicBus routes in Manchester. Their high seating capacity makes them ideal for use on route 142, 192 or 216.

The hkbus 2006 model is limited to 1600 pieces worldwide. They will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) and Porte Publishing Company (Japan). 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

I have tonight added a new page for the Creative Master Northcord NWFB Super Olympian (hkbus1006/20017), pictured above, which includes some more photographs.

I have been contacted by the Retail Director of the Sentosa Leisure Group who has kindly provided some further information on the Sentosa model bus featured in the 'News' item on 14th October. These details, together with information on how you can obtain these models, will be published shortly.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

Unexpected, but welcome news, is that of a forthcoming New World First Bus model, this being a Creative Master Northcord Volvo Super Olympian/Alexander ALX500 (hkbus1006) in standard livery. Limited to 1,200 pieces, it is due for release in mid December. It features fleet no. 5103 on route 682 to Lee On.