Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Released in Hong Kong today is the New World First Bus Neoplan Centroliner (20027). It represents the first of the batch, fleet no. 6001 (JP1200) on route 8P to Siu Sai Wan. It is limited to 1,380 pieces and retails for HK$298. 

A trip to the Haynes International Motor Museum today resulted in the above Bristol KSW6B being 'snapped'. Former Southern National 1852 (LTA 995) dates from 1951/2 and is undergoing refurbishment. This prestigious museum, at Sparkford in Somerset, has more than 400 cars and bikes displayed in stunning style, dating from 1886 to the present day, and is the largest international motor museum in Britain. 
 

The purpose of my visit was to attend the Morris Minor Owners Club National Rally, and the above photograph captures the event well, whilst the one below shows, in my opinion, one the best entries!
 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Due to be released later this month is a New World First Bus Neoplan Centroliner (20027). It is limited to 1,380 pieces and is an 80M Bus Model Shop product. It is on route 8P to Siu Sai Wan. Further details will appear when known.
 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Pictured above is the first glimpse of Drumwell's Kowloon Motor Bus air-conditioned Leyland Victory Mk2 in its original livery (DW10902). This model is set to be released in July and will be limited to 1,800 pieces.
 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Also due for release in July is this Citybus Volvo Olympian from 80M Bus Model Shop. It features one of the former China Motor Bus Olympians but I am presently unable to confirm the fleet number of the model. It is on route 10 to North Point and is limited to 1,500 pieces.
 

Photographs courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

And finally, as reported on 15th June, Cars Workshop are to release two version of Kowloon Motor Bus ATEU1. On the left is the Euro 4 version (39406) whilst on the right is the Euro 5 Version (39407). Each is limited to 1,000 pieces. 

"We are pleased to inform you that the following listing(s) you reported have been removed from eBay in response to the Notice of Claimed Infringement you recently sent"

Also pictured in the same section is a New World First Bus Neoplan Centroliner.

Long Win fleet no. 8403  - an ADL Enviro500
Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Philip Chan

Long Win have recently introduced four new Alexander Dennis Enviro500s, one of which is pictured above. They have been allocated fleet numbers 8401-8404. Once again. my sincere thanks to Philip Chan for sending me the above photograph, and as mentioned below, more of Philip's photos can be found on his excellent Picasaweb Album.

Top - KMB fleet no. ASB19 a 10.6 metre Scania K230UB with Caetano bodywork.
Bottom - Citybus fleet no. 8113 an ADL Enviro500
Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Philip Chan

My thanks to Philip Chan for sending me a selection of photographs of the latest buses to enter service in Hong Kong. Take a look at Philip's excellent Picasaweb Album for a superb selection of photographs (link no longer available).

It is believed that the 12 metre examples of KMB's Scania K230UBs have been allocated the fleet number code of ASC.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Dennis Law 

An exhibition about Hong Kong Tramways is currently being held at Plaza Hollywood, Kowloon East (adjacent to Diamond Hill MTR station). It runs until 21st June.

A new page has tonight been added for the two resin KMB Mitsubishi MK117Js from Concorde Hobby Shop (CHS-0905).

Other unconfirmed reports have claimed that KMB will also release two versions of Alexander Dennis Enviro500 ATEU1, probably in  July. To be produced by Cars Workshop, they are expected to carry product codes 39406 / 39407. The first is expected to feature a Euro IV banner ad on route B1 to Lok Ma Chau Railway Station. The second version will carry a Euro V banner ad on route 276A, the destination is presently not known. Each version is expected to be limited to 1,000 pieces.

The final unconfirmed report claims that the fourth release of KMB's Mercedes-Benz 0.305 will be issued in August, featuring ME1. 

Thanks to HK-Trucks (Tim Sham) for sending me the above photograph which clearly displays the new MTR Bus livery.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
www.Network-Shuttle.com

Due for release later this month are these two resin models from Concorde Hobby Shop. Both feature Kowloon Motor Bus's Mitsubishi MK117J. The first represents fleet no. AM40 (EN419) on route A7 Airport - Kowloon Tong MTR. This is limited to 250 pieces. The second represents fleet no. AM95 (EV8949) on route 212 to Whampoa Garden. This is limited to 150 pieces. Each is expected to retail for HK$398.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Dennis Wong

A new ADL Enviro500 for MTR Bus has just been delivered  ...... with a  new livery!  I am informed that MTR is currently inviting tenders for the repainting of its fleet of 133 buses. My thanks to Dennis Wong for the above information and photographs, more of which will feature in the  section shortly. 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Patrick Chan

My thanks to Patrick Chan for sending me the above photograph, taken this morning in Hong Kong, of CLP's Alexander-Dennis Enviro500 (NV7850) on its first day in service. 

Photographs courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

As reported yesterday, the two Kowloon Motor Bus Dennis Dragons were indeed released yesterday. DW10207 (top) features fleet no. S3N241 (ES5816) on route 62X to Tuen Mun Central whilst DW10208 features fleet no. S3N255 (EU9551) on route 93K to Po Lam. Both are limited to 1,000 pieces each and are expected to retail for HK$298. Further photographs are in the process of being  added.

The allocation of these product numbers has meant the assumed product numbers I had used for the likes of the China Paint and Brother liveried Dragons will need amending - not sure what to yet!! 

Volvo Buses has received an order for 100 buses from Kowloon Motor Bus Company Ltd (KMB) in Hong Kong. The order involves 60 double-decker and 40 single-decker 12-metre buses.

KMB is the world’s largest operator of heavy duty triple-axle double-decker air-conditioned city buses, with more than 95% of their fleet of approximately 4000 buses featuring air-conditioning. Due to changing operational routing requirements, KMB has commenced remapping their fleet and the B7RLE single-decker buses have been selected for lower capacity routes.

The company selected the Volvo B7RLE in which the 7-litre engine meets the Euro V emissions standard, the same norm that will apply in Europe as of this autumn. The bodies will be produced by the MCV company. The buses are air-conditioned and provide space for 35 seated and 43 standing passengers. They are equipped with a ramp at the front door to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs.

With a long history in the Hong Kong market, the latest Volvo B9TL MK II Euro V double-decker chassis is designed to meet the specific operational requirements of KMB and other major operators in East and South East Asia. 

The bodies for the double-deckers will be provided by Wrightbus. The bodies fulfil KMB’s latest requirements, including an upper deck seating for 53 passengers. The lower level provides accommodation for 27 seated and 41 standing passengers. 

Space is also provided for one wheelchair, with the access ramp provided via the front door. The most recent design updates demonstrate a high attention to detail with extensive effort made to integrate features such as the Multi-Media On-Board system.

Delivery of the 40 single-decker buses is scheduled for late 2009 and into 2010, with the 60 double-decker buses being delivered during 2010. 

Not all updates to the  section of the site will now be recorded on this News page, so, if you wish to keep up-to-date with this part of the site, I suggest you bookmark it and check it regularly. The  index page advises of recent updates, two of which have been added in recent days.

The increasing popularity of the site, and in particular the  section, has resulted in a large number of photographs being received, covering a wide range of topics. As you may be aware, the site is run solely by me, as a hobby in my spare time and as a result I am finding it increasingly difficult to spend the amount of time necessary to feature all these topics.

Whilst welcoming the information and photographs that are sent to me, I am unable to guarantee that they will be used, for the above mentioned reasons.

I trust you will understand my situation in that I would rather continue the core purpose of my site, oriental model buses and current 'real bus' topics from Hong Kong, rather than the site suffering as a result of trying to publish everything.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Due for release in Hong Kong tomorrow (4th) is this New World First Bus Volvo Olympian (92204/20028). It features VA60 on route 2 to Central (Macau Ferry). It uses the Cars Workshop casting (and also carries Cars Workshop product code), although I believe it carries 80M Bus Model Shop branding. It is limited to 1,500 pieces.

S3N241 (ES5816) top
S3N255 (EU9551) bottom
Photographs courtesy and copyright
Philip Chan

My thanks to Philip Chan for allowing me to use the above photographs, which show the two Dennis Dragons which are to be modelled shortly. I suggest you have a look at Philip's excellent Picasa Web Album, just follow this link (no longer available).