 |
|
 |
| Previous month's News |
|
Next
month's News
|
| [diecast models] - [information] - [links] - [news] - [plastic models] - [resin models] - [trams] - [xtra] |
|
|
|
| Previous month's News |
|
Next
month's News
|
After the declared bankruptcy of Reolian on 1 Oct 2013, the Macau SAR Government has assigned a new bus operator, Macau Nova Era de Autocarro Publico, S.A, to take over the entire network of Reolian, commencing tomorrow, 1st July 2014. Many of the former Reolian buses have had all logos and wording removed and some buses feature the new company name and logo. 30th June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
New World First Bus Duple Metsec bodied Dennis Trident 3360 has received this eye-catching livery.
KMB continue to register their new Enviro500NGs, ATENU5 being one of a batch of six (ATENU301-306) registered on 25th June. 29th June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
My thanks to Leo Kong for sending me a selection of photographs of two models that carry China Life Insurance (Overseas) Co. Ltd advertising. Nearest the camera is Citybus ADL Enviro500 no. 8190 (PP1750) on route 182 to Macau Ferry. Furthest from the camera is New World First Bus Alexander ALX500 bodied Dennis Trident no. 1183 (JD1513) on route 101 to Kwun Tong. It is understood these models are included where purchasing insurance from the company. Any further details would be most welcome. 26th June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
My thanks to Dennis Law for providing a large number of photographs of todays event featuring KMB's short Dragons ADS143-145, marking the end of 3+2 seating (although ADS145 doesn't officially retire until 8th July). I hope to add a new page shortly. 25th June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
A second version of the 1:87 scale MTR light rail vehicle went on sale today, this time featuring 1128 on route 761P. This is limited to 1,600 pieces, carries a product code of 18703 and retails for HK$468. 24th June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
Set for release in Hong Kong tomorrow is this KMB 80th Anniversary ADL Enviro400 (92807).
Citybus continue to register their ADL Enviro500NGs with 8416 being the highest numerically to-date. 8407 is seen here basking in sunshine There is still no sign of 8400 and 8401.
The imminent retirement of KMB's short Dragons ADS143, ADS144 (pictured above left with ADS206 right) and ADS145 will see the end of the 3+2 seating arrangement in the fleet. To mark the occasion, Bus Fan World are organising a ceremony on 25th June. 23rd June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
Two interesting models recently released in China are these 1:43 scale Ankai HFF6121GS-3s in Big Bus London livery. Each is limited to 500 pieces. Both carry registration no. LJ12JYL - the fully open top version should read LJ12JUO, as indicated on the certificate. The models feature opening doors and engine cover. The semi-open top version comes with a rain cover, which can be installed by the purchaser. Each version costs 438RMB. The producer of the models is unknown.
 section of the site for Citybus's first
12.8 metre ADL Enviro500NG. 22nd June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
The above 'one-off' model of a Citybus hybrid Enviro500NG, produced by Dream Bus Model, appeared yesterday on a Hong Kong auction site, the winning bid reaching HK$3,000.
My thanks to Mark Chua of Buses(IN)gapore for providing the above photographs and following update. "SMRT Buses' Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 MMC will be registered in the 5000 series registration, and one unit, believed to be the one in the press release & assembled in UK was registered as SMB5002Y. It was performing driver familiarisation today at Woodlands New Town and my, it is indeed a beautiful vehicle with that livery on it. It has a Mobitec electronic signage and equipped with Alcoa rims (without rimguards like the MAN buses), and standard blue/purple & red combination for the Vogelsitze seating. Not sure about the SMB5001A or others, though I hear there was a third unit with silver livery only that was shipped from Zhuhai to Singapore a few days back as well. Also with regards to SMRT Buses's new MAN bendy buses and NL323Fs, I have spotted a batch of NL323F chassis at the MAN dealer, and heard that a MAN A24 chassis has been delivered to ST Kinetics - all awaiting to go to Gemilang for bodywork assembly." I agree with Mark this is a very attractive livery and a model in due course would be a bonus! A new page and larger images have been added to the section of the site.21st June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
| KMB's 12.8
metre Wrights Gemini
bodied Volvo B9TL failed it's tilt test this week, resulting in two
lower deck offside windows being shattered. Several photographs showing
the nearside front wheel off the ground during the test, and another
showing the shattered windows, subsequently covered with black plastic
have appeared on a social media site. 20th June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
Pictured above are the two standard liveried Citybus new generation Enviro500s which are set for imminent release. A larger 'clickable' image is available. Update 2200hrs - Both models went
on sale today and photos now added
Produced by Model 1 - fleet no. 8328 has a destination that reads '19 and 8X same route' and is limited to 1,400 pieces. Product codes are CM091 (Citybus) and 63303 (Model 1). Fleet no 8320 is on route 171 to South Horizons and is limited to 1,100 pieces. Product codes are CM094 (Citybus) and 63304 (Model 1). The high quality and attention to detail found in the first two 'Cityflyer' liveried releases is also found on these two excellent models - once again I expect demand to outstrip supply. Further photographs will be added shortly. Noticeable difference between the two models appear to accurately reflect those found on the actual buses including the lack of ADL badging and tree guards on 8320, repositioned nearside route box and offside fleet names. 18th June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
Citybus 12.8 metre Enviro500NG 6300 was noted in To Kwa Wan today, presumably on its way to/from the Vehicle Inspection Centre. My thanks to Gary Chow for providing several photographs. more of which will be added shortly. 16th June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
Citybus Enviro500 8182 has received all-over advertising to promote an exhibition at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum for the Studio Ghibli Layout Designs: Understanding the Secrets of Takahata and Miyazaki Animation.
Having caught a brief glimpse of a Duple Metsec Dennis Dragon operating a school service last week, I finally managed to catch up with in yesterday. It turned out to be a M683 TDB, a former Stagecoach Kenya example, imported back into the UK by Magicbus and subsequently operated bt Grant Palmer, whose colours it still carries. It is now part of the Cavendish Liner fleet, who in 2009, acquired the assets of Roadliner Passenger Transport. It is expected to receive a new livery in the next two weeks. 15th June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
My thanks to Alan Wong for allowing me to share his photograph of the latest Enviro500NGs for MTR Bus - fleet nos. 513 (ST5900) and 514 (ST5956) were registered on 6th June. 11th June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
Any confusion caused over which MCV bodied Volvo B7RLE was to be the subject of the next release from KMB has today been resolved - both AVC53 and AVC58 are to be released tomorrow along with Enviro500NG ATENU18. All three models are produced by Cars Workshop and details are as follows (from top to bottom) :- New pages have been created and further photographs will be added as soon as time allows.AVC53 (RG5117) on route 203C to Tai Hang Tung - 900 pieces (94004) 9th June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
Citybus continue to register new ADL Enviro500NGs, with 8411 being the latest to-date. Pictured above is 8407, having been registered on 20th May.
The same bus is pictured at Sun Tin Wai bus terminus accompanied by 'short' Duple Metsec bodied Dennis Dragon ADS140 (GU9338) and Alexander bodied Volvo Super Olympian 3ASV65 (JN9784). This photograph captures the change in KMB's air-con fleet, from 3+2 seating to 2+2 seating and from standard floor to super low floor. 8th June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
Further to
yesterdays news, it is believed the KMB Volvo B7RLE will feature AVC53.
(Corrected late 7th June owing to an error on my part!)
News I overlooked at the end of May was the fact that New World First Bus DA66, having been withdrawn back in March, has had an annual check and reentered service on 24th May, its licence having been extended to 22nd May 2015. My thanks to Philip Chan and Dennis Law for this information and photographs.
ADL’s Australian subsidiary, Custom Coaches, has been placed into voluntary administration. The move was made as a result of ‘deteriorating trading conditions and a significant reduction in demand for route buses in the Australian market’, according to a statement from the manufacturer. During this administration period, ADL will continue to work with the administrator to explore opportunities to continue trading in the Australian market. Since the acquisition of Custom Coaches in 2012 there has been a significant contraction in the Australian bus market, according to ADL. The company has been supporting the loss making Custom Coaches for the last two years and it claims it is unlikely that market conditions will improve markedly in the near future to return the business to profitability. An ADL statement said, ‘Whilst as a Company we are genuinely saddened to be taking this step, we continue to invest in new product development, underpin our market-leading UK position and build market presence in new territories including Malaysia and Singapore. The ADL Group continues to be in robust financial health with a strong balance sheet and will continue to focus on key business priorities. My thanks to Stephen Cho for providing the above information. 7th June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
| An unconfirmed
report makes
reference to a new model featuring an MTR ADL Enviro500NG -
no other details are presently known. I can confirm that three other models are set for release soon - the first two both feature Kowloon Motor Bus MCV bodied Volvo B7RLE
Citybus 12.8 metre ADL Enviro500NG has been allocated fleet no. 6300. 6th June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
Further details
of the two Citybus Enviro500NGs models (see below)
have today been received. As expected, these are produced by Model 1 -
fleet no. 8328 has a destination that reads '19 and 8X same route' (see
photograph below) and is limited to 1,400 pieces. Product codes are
CM091 (Citybus) and 63303 (Model 1). Fleet no 8320 is on route 171 to
South Horizons and is limited to 1,100 pieces. Product codes are CM094
(Citybus) and 63304 (Model 1).
My congratulations to Kevin Ellis, whose EFE Zone celebrates its 10th Anniversary
 Regular
visitor to the site Simon Ayres made his first visit to Hong Kong
recently and since returning has uploaded some excellent videos to
YouTube. Titles include 'By rail around Hong Kong', 'Hong Kong Buses -
Scenic bus ride on bus 3M to Mui Wo', 'Around West Kowloon'
and 'A
ride on VA66'. The images above are from 'Hong Kong Buses - Discovery
Bay Transit and Hong Kong Buses - Around Hong Kong Island 2 - The
scenic bits'. They vary in length from around 5 minutes to over 30
minutes. Simon's view is that the internet has given him so
much
for free that he considers it only fair to give something
back. His 'YouTube' page can be found by
following the above link.
4th June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
I
am reliably informed that two models featuring Citybus Enviro500NGs are
expected to be released later this month and are believed to represent
fleet nos. 8320 and 8328. Further details will be published when known.
section of the site. 3rd June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
Kowloon Motor Bus officially launched its first 12.8 metre bus today and issued a press release, more of which will be added shortly.
Whilst the ADL Enviro500NG took centre stage, the similar length Wrights Gemini 2 Volvo B9TL was also in attendance. 2nd June 2014
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
To celebrate
the 110th anniversary of Hong Kong Tramways, Tramric Product &
Design has
designed and produced a number of new products, which are detailed
below, and should be available mid-June.
Tram
no. 120, the classic and well-known tram
Tram
no. 110 in special 110 anniversary livery
Tram
no. 138 with I love Hong Kong banner ads.
The
above three battery operated trams come with a tram stop.
Limited
to 1,500 pieces, with a certificate, is this tram logo pin box-set
and
finally, this 110 anniversary tram folder.
1st June 2014
|
|
|
|
| Previous month's News |
|
Next
month's News
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
