The 80M Bus Model Shop website now has details of the Cararama 1/50 scale Scania Irizar PB coach featured in this News page on 18th June as well as a similar scaled Scania Omnilink tri-axle single-deck bus. The Concorde Hobby Shop website meanwhile has details of the two versions of the Lion Toys 1/50 scale 25-metre Huang Hai 'bendibus', again featured in this News page on 22nd June.

New World First Bus Alexander ALX500 bodied Dennis Trident (20020/39701)
Citybus Duple Metsec bodied short Dennis Trident (CM064/39601) 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Tim Sham

My thanks to Dennis Law for sending me the above photograph, taken by Tim Sham, showing ex-KMB's S3M125 after having been repainted as a "Magic Castle" in Macau. 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

The 80M Bus Model Shop website has details of the two 10th Anniversary models from New World First Bus and Citybus, which are due to be released in Hong Kong on 1st July.

The NWFB Olympian appears to be a Cars Workshop model (39701 - NWFB product code 20020) and is on route no. 101 to Kwun Tong. The Citybus Trident again appears to be a Cars Workshop model (39601 - Citybus product code CM064) and is on route no. 85 to North Point. Both are limited to 1,250 pieces and will retails for HK$288. 

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

Citybus and New World First Bus have applied '10th Anniversary' all-over liveries to two of their vehicles, namely 3303, a Duple Metsec bodied Dennis Trident and 814, a Duple Metsec bodied Dennis Dragon.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Dave Rogers

Dave Rogers has kindly the above photograph showing the recently released resin KMB Olympian from P & T (B0023) with KMB logo applied. A larger file can be found by following the link.

The June edition of 'KMB Today' is now available online and page 35 confirms the imminent release of the Wrights bodied Volvo B9TL with 2006  decals.

A new page has tonight been added to the Xtra section of the site - this features Citybus Olympian 179 in its new 'old' livery. 
 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

Interestingly, Citybus has repainted Leyland Olympian, No. 179, in an old style livery. The photograph shows the vehicle with its new livery and 'T' plates. If anyone can provide further information, please e-mail me.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Dennis

Lion Toys have produced a 1/50 scale model of the 25-metre Huang Hai 'bendibus' (believed to be a copy of the Dutch DAF Phileas 24-metre vehicle). Two versions have been issued, one in a silver/blue/yellow livery for Beijing Bus and the other in a plain livery for Hangzhou Bus. Each version is limited to 299 pieces and carries a limited edition certificate.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Gary Chan

I am advised that Transmac S.A.R.L. will release a new model featuring one of their MCV bodied Dennis Darts within the next few months. Further details will follow as soon as these are received.

I have also received an unconfirmed report that NWFB will release a model of their 10.6m Duple Metsec bodied Trident demonstrator - 3601 (JT480).

Some further photographs of former Hong Kong Olympians operating in Scotland have tonight been added to Xtra section of the site. My thanks to Donald MacRae for these.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Hong Kong Model Co.

The Hong Kong Model Co. website has been updated with photographs of a new resin model, this being a Dodge KC 40 minibus in the red and yellow livery of New Lantao Bus (8311A). It is expected to retail for HK$278.

 Photograph courtesy and copyright of EH4323

Whilst on the subject of New Lantao Bus, pictured above is their latest delivery, believed to be bodied by Asia Auto Body but the chassis is unknown. A new page has tonight been added to the Xtra section of the site which includes further photos and details of other recent additions to the NLB fleet.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of DM

Whilst not an oriental model, I have included photographs of this Scania Irizar PB as it is one of my favourite coaches. Produced by Hongwell Toys under the Cararama brand, it is to 1/50 scale and retails for HK$128. 

The first is a Volvo B9TL with Wright body. This model will show the '2006' text on the front of the nearside & offside, and Drumwell will improve some details on the Wright casting. This AVBW (fleet no not yet known) is serving route 41A (the first time KMB has chosen a '4' series route) to Tsim Sha Tsui East. 

The second is another MCW Metrobus, the third S3M model since October 2006. The model will again feature S3M145 (DP1932), previously released in it's air-conditioned form, on route 60 to Yau Oi (North), but this time it is featured in it's later life, having had it's air-con equipment removed. It therefore carries standard KMB non air-conditioned livery with the large KMB logo. The exit door is different from the previous two models in that it features a four leaf door. It is expected this model will be released in mid July.

Finally, another Volvo B9TL, but with Enviro 500 bodywork. This model will also carry '2006' text on the front of the nearside & 
offside. The vehicle chosen is believed to be AVBE13 on '603' to 'Ping Tin'. Quantities are believed to be below 2,000 and it is expected towards the end of July.

All will be limited to under 2,000 pieces each model.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of
DL13-EF7027

Pictured above are the actual buses decorated by Citybus and New World First Bus to mark the 10th anniversary of the Handover of Hong Kong to China. My special thanks to DL13-EF7027 for allowing me to use these photos.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Alan W.L.Wong

Pictured above is former Citybus Volvo B6LE No. 1335 (HU4796) now with New Lantao Bus. My special thanks to Alan W.L.Wong for allowing me to use his photo.

News of two further resin models has just been received. P & T Model will release a China Motor Bus Dennis Condor (DL2) at the beginning of July and Concorde Hobby Shop are to issue the unique Kowloon Motor Bus Volvo B10MD (Citybus) at the beginning of August.  This model will be limited to about 500 pieces and will be on route number 101 (destination: Kwun Tong / Kennedy Town).

Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Jacky Ho

KMB have just released a KMB Daimler 'A' and Dennis Dart mobile phone string. The Daimler A is 4961, on route 1 to Kowloon Tong and the Dennis Dart is AA2(EP1863), on route 2 to Star Ferry. Both of them retail for $29.90 each.

Following the recent news of the Volvo B6LEs sold to New Lantao Bus, it is confirmed that ex-Citybus Nos. 1335, 1337 & 1338 have been sold and repainted in NLB livery.

It is also confirmed that KMB will operate a new route B1, running between Yuen Long and the new Lok Ma Chau Station. This will be the second railway link to China and is due open in July. A Volvo B9TL, AVBE36 (MV6593) has had new luggage racking installed. Unconfirmed reports state that a few of the new B9TLs/Euro IV Enviro500, including ATEU1 (MJ2927), will have the same conversion soon, and they will be used on route B1.

It is rumoured that Citybus will operate a new route, Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor (the fourth road link to the mainland.  The ex-NWFB Citybus Tridents will have luggage racks installed (Nos. 2302 and 2305 already have had this work carried out), and training for drivers has started. However, no further details on the new route(s) is known or confirmed yet.

There should be another route for the HK-SZ Western Corridor, but it cannot be confirmed as to whether this will be operated by NLB, KMB or Long Win Bus. 

These HKSZWC routes will be the first ever routes for HK franchised buses to operate in mainland China.

My thanks to Dennis Y. C. Wong for providing an English translation for the above information.

Citybus Dennis Trident 10.6m (Fleet no. 2700) - Route no. 85 to North Point - Yellow advertisement 
New World First Bus Dennis Trident 12m (Fleet no. 1068) - Route no. 101 to Kwun Tong - Purple advertisement 

A new page has just been added for the two resin KMB Olympians from 312 Models/P & T (B0023). Please note the total quantity is 450 for both models, i.e 225 each version. 

It is believed that the Citybus model will be a new casting of the unique 10.6 metre Dennis Trident/Duple Metsec, fleet no. 2700. The New World First Bus model is understood to represent Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX500, fleet no. 1068.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

Released today in Hong Kong are these two resin KMB Olympians from 312 Models/P & T. The top photograph shows S3BL181 on route 1 to Star Ferry while the bottom shows S3BL293 on route 60M to Tsuen Wan. I am currently awaiting product codes for these models Update 11th June - Product code is B0023 for both

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Universal Transport Fans Association

The above photograph, courtesy of Universal Transport Fans Association, shows Citybus 1335 and 1338 parked inside New Lantao Bus's Siu Ho Wan Depot, awaiting repainting into NLB's livery. Unconfirmed reports have claimed that at least 6 Citybus Volvo B6LEs have been sold to NLB. 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Dennis Law

Pictured above is one of Park Island's latest Dennis Darts painted in "Park Island Airport Flyer" livery, awaiting its first departure for Park Island's airport bus route - NR334, on Sunday 3rd June. 

Creative Master Northcord Limited has proudly released another brand new non-ukbus series replica. It is JB1011, a Mitsubishi Fuso MP Non-Step CNG model carrying JR Hokkaido Bus colours. JR Hokkaido Bus operates the CNG low-floor buses in Sapporo City, Hokkaido.

CNG (compressed natural gas) citybuses are becoming a common scene in the major cities throughout Japan because CNG buses provide zero CO2 at the roadside. The CNG tanks are placed on the roof of the bus making them recognised easily if compared with traditional citybuses.

JB1011 features excellent detailing, inside and out, including an opening engine door and engine detail. Moreover, the detail on the CNG tank, which is mounted on the roof behind the air-conditioning unit, is to scale.

JB1011 models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan), Transit Graphics (Australia), cnmycar.com (P. R. China) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively and is limited to 2000 pieces worldwide.

Following the news of the existence of the above Intrakota liveried MCW Metrorider last week, I succumbed to temptation and bought an example on e-Bay, which arrived today. An interesting name on the baseplate.

Creative Master Northcord Limited has proudly released its first livery on the long-awaited Isuzu BX141 bonnet bus replica, JB5001, in Japan National Rail Bus colours. 

The Isuzu BX bonnet bus series was one of the most popular city bus types in the late 1950s and 1960s in Japan. 

The replica features excellent detailing, inside and out, including 2 small windscreen wipers, marker lights on both the front and rear, box-shaped front and rear destination blinds and individual turning lights placed at the window pillars. 

Japan National Rail Bus (JNR) operated city and inter-city bus routes all over Japan until privatization in 1984. JB5001 features the bonnet bus made in 1957 for service in Sapporo City, Hokkaido, Japan.

The Isuzu BX141 bonnet bus is the fifth 1/76 scale diecast bus or coach replica for the Japanese market from Creative Master Northcord Ltd since 2000. It is also the second classic Japanese bus model, following the JB3001 Mitsubishi Fuso Aerobus Coach.

The JB5001 model is limited to 300 pieces for the UK, Australia, P.R. of China and Hong Kong. They will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Transit Graphics (Australia), cnmycar.com (P. R. China) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively.

A superbly detailed model which appears to capture the prototype in every detail. My special thanks to Creative Master Northcord Ltd. for their continued support in providing the above sample model. I therefore make no apology for posting the above photographs and hope other manufacturers may take note! 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
'Network Shuttle'

Thanks to 'Network Shuttle' I am able to publish the first photos of the Best Choose 1/120 scale China Motor Bus Volvo Olympian VA51 (06202), on route number 106 to Wong Tai Sin.

My special thanks to regular contributor Andrew Shirley who has brought to my attention two previously unannounced models.

The first, pictured above, is a MCW Metrorider in the livery of Intrakota, Kuala Lumpur, which he came across on the auction site e-bay (Item No. 270125190637). Based on the Britbus casting, this model was issued with the spanish partwork magazine, which has been mentioned previously on this site. My thanks to GS Toys and Collectables for sending and allowing me to use the photograph. If anyone can provide further details on this model and whether it was actually issued in Malaysia, please e-mail me. Further details and photographs of the model can be found at this new page. My thanks to Carl Bentley for providing the additional photographs.
 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Andrew Shirley

The second is a 1/76th scale resin model of Kowloon Motor Bus Dennis Jubilant, N1 produced by Venus Collectibles. and believed to have been issued last year. The model comes with additional KMB transfers and is limited to 500 pieces. Again, if anyone can provide further information, please e-mail me.