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Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Jotus.com

The Best Choose China Motor Bus Dennis Condor (B11761B) has been released in Hong Kong.
31st May 2011

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
ATENVIRO

Recent arrivals in Hong Kong are Alexander Dennis Enviro400 chassis for Citybus. These are being transported onward to China for assembly. It is believed up to 16 chassis have arrived to-date and it is expected that the order of 38 will be completed by the end of the third quarter this year. My thanks to ATENVIRO for providing this news.

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

My thanks to Network Shuttle for advising that P&T/312 Model has released a resin kit of their 12-metre Dennis Dragon (B0035K).

   
A new page has just been added to the Click here to visit the Xtra pages section of site for the SBS Transit Mercedes-Benz Citaros.
30th May 2011

   
Further news on the resin Kowloon Motor Bus Leyland Olympians from BusFactory is that S3BL267 (10302) on route 38 is set for release on Tuesday 31st May whilst S3BL272 (10301) is expected to be released in mid-June.

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Network Shuttle

The first pictures of the China Motor Bus Dennis Condor from Best Choose (B11761B) have been received and these have now been added to a new page.

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

I am reliably informed that Kowloon Motor Bus are to issue a model of Leyland Olympian S3BL470, the last 11-metre non air-conditioned Olympian. It will be limited to 1,800 pieces as is on route 5 to Star Ferry.  My thanks to Philip Chan for providing the above photograph.

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Donovan Kwok

As reported last year, SBS Transit are to take delivery of 300 Mercedes-Benz Citaros this year, and the first has been undergoing testing on runs at Hougang town. They are expected to enter revenue service soon.  The SBS Transit order is the largest to date in Asia. Further details and photographs will be added to the Click here to visit the Xtra pages section of the site shortly. My thanks to Mark Chua Yong Xiang and Donovan Kwok for this information and photographs. 
28th May 2011

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Photographs of the KMB Alexander Dennis Enviro400 (92801) have now been received and and these have now been added.
27th May 2011

     
A new page has just been added for the Cars Workshop KMB Alexander Dennis Enviro400 (92801).  

   
My thanks to Dennis Law for advising that the Citybus Scania K280UD double-decker has been allocated fleet number 8900 and is expected to be registered shortly.

Kowloon Motor Bus has registered
a further twelve Wrights Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs, namely AVBWU101 - AVBWU112.

   
Creative Master Northcord Ltd has today announced the release of a further 1/43 scale Shanghai Sunwin Bus SWB6110 in a demonstrator livery (cnbus 2003). It is limited to 120 pieces worldwide and will be distributed by the usual CMNL stockists.
26th May 2011

   
The Kowloon Motor Bus Enviro400 model due for release on Saturday is a Cars Workshop product (92801). It is on route 606 to Siu Sai Wan and is limited to 2,200 pieces.
25th May 2011

   

Best Choose has announced it is to release a model of a 12 metre China Motor Bus Dennis Condor with Duple Metsec bodywork (B11761B). The model features DL11 (EF7472) on route 601 and is limited to 1,000 pieces. It is expected to retail for HK$318.

   
Please note the correct product code for the plain white Dennis Trident featured yesterday should have read 39706 and not 38706 - my apologies for this error.

   

Jotus.com have advised that the Kowloon Motor Bus Enviro400 is scheduled for release on 28th May - pre-orders are currently being taken.
24th May 2011

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Dennis KW Chau

Another previously unannounced plain white model from 80M Bus Model Shop and carrying a product code of 39706 (corrected from 38706 - 24th May), is an Alexander ALX500 bodied Dennis Trident.  It features purple seating and comes with a set of New World First Bus destination/route decals and a NWFB key. It is limited to 250 pieces and retails for HK$268. A new page for this and yesterday's Mitsubishi will be added shortly.

   
Information received today regarding Citybus Leyland Atlantean A633 (formerly fleet no 633 and registered FS7534) is that after being used as a noise barrier in Tung Chung Depot for many years, it has been towed to Citybus's Fo Tan Depot. The reason for the move is currently unknown.
23rd May 2011

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
David Rowe

My thanks to David Rowe for providing details of this previously unannounced model, which he acquired last week in Hong Kong. Carrying a plain white livery, this Mitsubishi Fuso MK117K has no destination but but does feature route 203 in the side and rear route boxes. Allocated a product code of 92709, the model has no limited edition certificate.

   
Former China Light & Power Leyland Olympian No. 311 (FC7256) has now been retired, and is now under private preservation in its latest livery, minus the CLP logos. My thanks to Dennis Law for this information.
22nd May 2011

   
Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Samson Ng

As mentioned yesterday, as well as the large number of Wrights bodied Volvo B9TLs currently being registered by KMB, several other types have also received new registrations, including four Alexander Dennis Enviro500s. ATEU29 is the latest, registered on 18th May and pictured today on route 271. My thanks to Samson Ng for allowing me the use of his photograph.
20th May 2011

   
Kowloon Motor Bus has registered a further twelve Wrights Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs, namely AVBWU89 - AVBWU100. The excellent ACROSS website gives full details along with the details of other recently registered buses.
19th May 2011

   
I have today received the following message from Eric Lee, in respect of the 'We Love Tram' book:-
'We are very sorry to inform you that the launch of the book, 'We Love Tram', has been delayed due to an unexpected printing error. Please understand that we are very reluctant to take this decision; however, for the sake of customer, we would like to negotiate with the printing company and resolve the issue before publication.
We, hereby, cordially present our apology and wish that we can obtain your forgiveness. We will instantly inform you once our book is ready and we are so sorry for all the inconvenience caused.
Should you any enquiry, please kindly contact us without any hesitation.'

I will of course provide an update of the situation when received and I am sure the extra wait will be worthwhile. 


   
Kowloon Motor Bus has registered a further twelve Wrights Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs, namely AVBWU77 - AVBW88.
17th May 2011

   
Click on image for larger photograph

A reminder that the 'We Love Tram' book from Eric Lee is set for publication tomorrow. Whilst all copies of the Special Edition have been allocated, copies of the Standard Edition are still available. Priced at HK$128, the book is available direct from Eric at Tram Friends, alternatively Jotus.com have stock.
15th May 2011

   
Click on image for larger photograph
Click on image for larger photograph
Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle
     
My thanks to Network Shuttle for providing the above photographs (larger images are available by clicking on each photograph) and following information on the new resin KMB 11-metre Leyland Olympian from BusFactory.

As reported previously, there will be two versions, as follows:-

Product Code : 10301
Fleet No. / Reg No. : S3BL272 / DY4386
Route No. / Destination : 59M  Tuen Mun Pier
Product limit : 300 pieces

Product Code : 10302
Fleet No. / Reg No. : S3BL267 / DY2773
Route No. / Destination : 38  Kwai Shing (East)
Product limit : 200 pieces

Background

In 1988, bus company bought the batch of 9 Leyland Olympian 11m (S3BL264-S3BL272) with Cummins LT10 engine and ZF 4HP500 gearbox. This new combination provided outstanding performance on both city roads and highways. The whole batch was used on route 59M from Tsuen Wan MTR to Tuen Mun Pier in their early stage of life, so product 10301 is reflecting this era. After 15 years of service, the batch is off from Tuen Mun Highway and go to other routes, like route 38 for product 10302.

12th May 2011

   

Kowloon Motor Bus has announced it is to release a model of its Alexander Dennis Enviro400, ATSE1. The model is expected to be issued in June and features the bus on it's regular route 606. Quantities are not yet known.

   
I am reliably informed that the final batch of KMB's Dennis Dragon non-air conditioned buses have had their licences extended for a further year.
10th May 2011

   
Click on image for larger photograph
Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Dennis Law

A themed talk about the development of Hong Kong's model buses was held at the Joint Publishing Bookstore in Wanchai on Saturday 7th May. The speaker, Mr Danny Chan of CMNL, showed two pre-production models that were never released.

The first features CMNL's Volvo Super Olympian in KMB livery. According to Danny Chan's descriptions, this mould was tailor-made according to KMB's specifications, but was rejected by KMB at the end of the day due to the existence of Drumwell's mould, which was made at almost the same time.

The second shows Corgi's Leyland Atlantean with the original Alexander L-Type front. It is believed that this model was initially made for SBS Singapore, but was never released due to the absence of an official approval from SBS.

My thanks to regular contributor Dennis Law for this information and photos.

   
Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Samuel's Bus

My thanks to Samuel's Bus for sending me some recent photographs and a couple, featuring new MAN single-deckers for the New Hong Kong Bus Company, have been added to the Click here to visit the Xtra pages section of the site.
9th May 2011

   
I am informed that a new resin model brand, BusFactory, are to release two versions of a Kowloon Motor Bus 11-metre Leyland Olympian (S3BL class). These are expected towards the end of May.

Product code 10301 will feature S3BL272 (DY4386) on route 59M to Tuen Muen Pier and will be limited to 300 pieces. Product code 10302 will feature S3BL267 (DY2773) on route 38 to Kwai Shing East and will be limited to 200 pieces. I hope to be able to provide further details and photographs shortly.


   
Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Dirk Richter

The Brand Hong Kong not only features on Hong Kong Buses - this 14 metre Neoman operates in Berlin, Germany, for BVG. My thanks to Dirk Richter for sending me these.

8th May 2011

   
Photographs courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

The two new Kowloon Motor Bus short Dennis Dragons have been released in Hong Kong today. Produced by Cars Workshop, the first, 92501, features fleet number ADS56 (GS8579) on route 28 to Tsim Sha Tsui (Hankow Road) whilst the second, 92502, features fleet number ADS49 (GS5068) on route 80M to Sui Wo Court. Each is limited to 900 pieces and retails for HK$328. 
7th May 2011

 
Photograph courtesy and copyright
of Andy Higgins

One of the 15 KMB Wrights Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs registered yesterday in Hong Kong is believed to be AVBWU70 (PV3533), which appeared at the Bus Expo 2010, held last November at the NEC, UK. Further photographs taken at the NEC have been added to the Click here to visit the Xtra pages section of the site.

   
Donald MacRae provided the only correct answer to the question posed as to the whereabouts of the bus shown on the 3rd May - it is in fact Burma and a few photographs have just been added to the Click here to visit the Xtra pages section of the site.
5th May 2011

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Grant Ng

Today saw Kowloon Motor Bus place two of its Alexander Dennis Enviro200s into service. AAU1 and AAU2 commenced operations on route 276. My special thanks to Grant Ng for providing this news, and photographs, so promptly and these have just been added to the Click here to visit the Xtra pages section of the site.

In addition, the ACROSS website advises that no less than 15 Wrights Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs (AVBWU62-AVBWU76) were registered today.

   
I have received confirmation that the recently released Citybus Leyland Olympian  (hkbus0002), commissioned by the Hong Kong Transport Society, is only available in Hong Kong will not be generally available in the UK.

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Eric Lee

Some sample pages from Eric Lee's new 'We Love Tram' book are pictured above - I am considering taking a small number of these books for distribution within the UK, so if you live in the UK and are interested in acquiring a copy, please let me know so that I can gauge demand.

   
.....  so far I have received only one correct answer to the question posed in yesterday's News - the answer will be revealed tomorrow.
4th May 2011

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Dominique Godefroy

My thanks to Dominique Godefroy for sending me several photographs taken during his recent holiday, one of which is included above  -  but any ideas where? Sorry no prizes, but any correct answers will receive a mention! Clearly low floor buses are still a thing of the future!
3rd May 2011

   
A review of the Kowloon Motor Bus and Long Win Fleet Book, published back in January by Overground Publishing, has now been added to the Click here to visit the Xtra pages section of the site.

   
Photographs courtesy and copyright of Dirk Richter

Two recent photographs of the Kowloon Motor Bus Lai Chi Kok Depot show a number of the unregistered new buses currently being stored. My thanks to Dirk Richter for providing these.
1st May 2011
   
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