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Wishing you a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year
 
 
 
   
   
     

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Hong Choi
   
2016 is the Year of the Monkey and Kowloon Motor Bus Wrights Gemini bodied Volvo B9TL AVBWU317 is the first bus in service to carry Year of the Monkey decals. My thanks to Hong Choi for allowing me to share his photographs taken earlier today.

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Busesboy's Photo Bucket

My thanks to Busesboy's Photo Bucket for allowing me to share the above photograph of New World First Bus BYD fleet no. 2051.
31st December 2015

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Joshua Hui

My thanks to Joshua Hui for allowing me to share his photograph, from yesterday, of Citybus 391.
29th December 2015

   
The three Kowloon Motor Bus models mentioned in yesterday's news are confirmed and all are produced by Roadshow Creations:-

KLE15028 - Enviro500NG - Route 290 branding
KLE16001 - Wrights Gemini 2 - Year of the Monkey - route 268X
KLE16002 - Enviro500 - Year of the Monkey - route 117


 
The first of New World First Bus two BYD electric single-deckers, 2051, was noted operating on route 81 today.


It is believed that Hong Kong's last revenue earning 12-metre Leyland Olympian retired today - Citybus 391 (FS7669) entered service on 20th August 1993 and today saw it's final journey on non-franchised route 88R from Wan Chai to City One Shatin.
28th December 2015

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Ken Hui

It is confirmed that the first Citybus BYD electric bus entered service this morning - 1581 was noted yesterday on test.
   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

and photographed this morning awaiting its inaugural revenue earning journey
further photographs have been added to the
Click here to visit the Xtra pages section of the site

 
Images of three new Kowloon Motor Bus models have appeared on a social networking site, an Enviro500 on route 290 with route 290 route branding and two Year of the Monkey models - an Enviro500 on route 117 and a Wrights Gemini on route 268X.
27th December 2015

   

     
May I take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas


Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

Not previously recorded is the arrival in November of five New Lantao Bus Gemilang bodied MAN A95s, fleet nos. MD01-05. 
19th December 2015

   
Photographs courtesy and copyright of KN Chan
   
My thanks to KN Chan for allowing me to use his photograph of one of the new MTR Bus Wrights Gemini bodied Volvo B9TL.

   
   
  
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop
 
and here it is (KLE15025)!!
   



These four resin China Motor Bus Guy Arab UF single-deckers are believed to be set for release shortly. Left to right they feature 616 (4113) on route 10 to North Point,   614 (HK4812) on route 2 to Cleverly St., 604 (HK4227) on route 8A to Chai Wan (San Ha St.) and 606 (HK4808) on route 1 to Happy Valley.



DTS Publishing has announced the publication of the above addition to their 'Far East Buses' series. It contains 198 A4 pages with 150 in colour and retails for £25.95 plus postage. It is only available through DTS Publishing or MDS Books.
18th December 2015

 
Due for release on Saturday is a Kowloon Motor Bus two-axle Leyland Olympian, BL18 (CZ9894) which is on route 11X to Sau Mau Ping Upper (KLE15025).

A number of AsianBus models have been or are due for release shortly, details of which will appear shortly.

   
I make no apologies for posting another photograph of the SMRT Buses Enviro500, this one taken hastily with my smartphone, but I think it better demonstrates the detail of the model.
17th December 2015

   
Photographs courtesy and copyright of Best Choose

Kowloon Motor Bus Daimler Fleetline D812 is the subject of these two Viceroy cigarette liveried models due for release shortly. Both have a destination of So Uk, one on route 2 (180110) and the other on route 112 (180111) - each is limited to 500 pieces.


Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

It appears that the Model 1 SMRT Enviro500NG is scheduled for general release tomorrow (63305).

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Keith L McGillivray

One of the perks of owning the site is that I need no excuse to post 'off-topic'! My thanks to Keith McGillivray for allowing me to share his photos of the new ADL Enviro400H City Bus now operating for Arriva London.
15th December 2015

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

New World First Bus Enviro500NG 5663 was noted in service today.
13th December 2015

   
Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

It is confirmed that the two China Motor Bus MCW Metrobuses mentioned in yesterday's news are set for release in Hong Kong tomorrow.

The top photograph shows ML56 (DU7795) on route 690 to Tseung Kwan O (BMC56690) whilst the bottom photograph shows ML62 (DU3433) on route 42 to Wah Fu (BMC62042). Each is limited to 900 pieces and new pages have now been added.

New pages have tonight been added for the two Park Island Transport Dennis Darts which I believe have now been released (63121 and 63122).

New pages have also just been added for the two KMB Leyland Olympians released today, KLE15026 and KLE15026A.
12th December 2015

   
Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

My thanks to Network Shuttle for providing the above photographs of the two forthcoming Park Island Dennis Darts, details of which can be found below (see 6th December).

   
 
Two China Motor Bus MCW Metrobuses from Buses Model are due shortly, these being ML56 (DU7795) on route 690 to Tseung Kwan O (BMC56690) and ML62 (DU3433) on route 42 to Wah Fu (BMC62042).

   
And now for some 'real' bus news:-

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

As reported below, New World First Bus registered it's first electric bus on 9th December, this being a BYD single-decker. It was spotted undergoing driver training today.
     
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Bobby Liu

KMB's 'facelift' Enviro500s continue to enter service at pace, ATENU849 was registered yesterday - today saw another seven examples registered.
   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

Whilst KMB has already registered fifty-four 'facelift' Enviro500s, New World First Bus are still registering the standard version - 5664 was noted today on trade plates.
 
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Bobby Liu

MTR Bus are continuing to place into service Enviro500NGs, with 532 one of three registered on 4th December - four more were registered yesterday. It is believed a batch of Wrights bodied Volvo B9TLs are set to enter service shortly.
11th December 2015

The two Yo Kai Watch decorated models went on general sale today - KMB Enviro500NG ATENU469 (TG2303) carries 'Merry Christmas 2015' decals (KLE15060) whilst MCV bodied Volvo B7RLE AVC54 (RG6339) features characters from the movie (KLE15061) - each is limited to 800 pieces. New pages have now been added and further photographs will be added as soon as time allows.


Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

These two versions of Kowloon Motor Bus 12-metre Leyland Olympian 3BL142 (DJ1848) are set for release on Saturday 12th December. KLE15026 (top) is on route 98C to Hang Hau North whilst KLE15026A (bottom) is on route 690 to Hong Sing Garden - each is limited to 750 pieces.

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of My Tiny
 
Further to yesterdays news, accessories for the bus garage have been announced today on the My Tiny Facebook page. My thanks to My Tiny for allowing me to use their photographs.
 10th December 2015

   
Congratulations to Gemma and Christopher on the birth of Thomas Cameron,
our second grandson, on Saturday.


   

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Alistair Liddle

My thanks to Alistair Liddle for allowing me to use his photographs of the Ultraman Enviro500NG (KLE15062), more of which are in the process of being added.

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of My Tiny
   
Some interesting items from the My Tiny Facebook page - hopefully further details will follow.

   
New World First Bus registered it's BYD single-decker today, allocating it fleet no. 2051 (TV8231).

Meanwhile Kowloon Motor Bus continues to register it's new 'facelift' Enviro500s at a rapid pace - ATENU849 being one of six registered today, following the seven registered yesterday.

9th December 2015

   
All I can say is that it is a good job I am on holiday this week, as news has arrived of yet another new release!

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Shop2gather
   
KMB Enviro500NG ATENU469 (TG2303) carrying Yo Kai Watch 'Merry Christmas 2015' decals. It is on route 102 to Shau Kei Wan.
8th December 2015

   
   
Two more new releases!

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Shop2gather

And since publishing the above news this morning, I have been informed of the release, or imminent release, of a Kowloon Motor Bus MCV bodied Volvo B7RLE AVC54 (RG6339) carrying Yo Kai Watch 'Ultraman' overall advertising. It is on route 18 to Oi Man. My thanks to Doug Coster for providing the above information.

   
Following the news below on the appearance of a diecast model of Kowloon Motor Bus Albion Viking EVK41XL, it appears that there will be no less than 5 versions!

I believe details are as follows, although these are not confirmed:-
 
Product Code Registration No. Route No. Destination Year
11001 AR7727 73K Man Kam To 1987
11002 AR7738 76 Sheung Shui 1981
11003 AR7743 34 Tsuen Wan West/Kwai Shing Circular 1982
11004 AR7740 15 Tze Wan Shan 1975
11005 AR7729 85 Tai Wai 1977

7th December 2015

 
Photograph courtesy and copyright of BusInterchange.net

I can confirm that the two Dennis Darts from Model 1 will feature fleet numbers 115 and 201, and my thanks again to BusInterchange.net for allowing me to use the above photograph.

115 (NE3283) is on route NR331 (63121) whilst 201 (MW3933) is on route NR334 (63122). Each is believed to be limited to 500 pieces.

   

Photograph courtesy and copyright of

Further clarification has been received in respect of the above Ultraman model (KLE15062) - it is currently only available at a 'pop-up' shop in Tseung Kwan O Plaza along with other Ultraman souvenirs. It is expected to go on general sale on Wednesday 9th.

   
Photographs of a new casting of a Kowloon Motor Bus Albion Viking EVK41XL have appeared, the model representing L248 (AR7729). No other details are presently known.

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Edward Yeo

Tower Transit Singapore was awarded the contract to operate 26 routes out of Bulim Bus Depot in May 2015, with services commencing in mid 2016. My thanks to Edward Yeo for sending me a selection of photographs taken today at the company's 'A Bulim Carnival Day' event, where the public were given the opportunity to look around the depot. Several buses were used to shuttle visitors to and from the Depot.
6th December 2015

 
Photograph courtesy and copyright of BusInterchange.net

Following yesterday's news I am grateful to BusInterchange.net for allowing me to use the above photographs of what is believed to be the actual buses (see correction above).

   
Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

As mentioned below, Network Shuttle are taking pre-orders for SMRT Alexander Dennis Enviro500 SMB5069E on route 960 with a destination of Woodlands Int via BT Panjang Road / LRT. Produced by Model 1 (63305) it is limited to 1,800 pieces.

   
Kowloon Motor Bus Alexander ALX500 bodied Dennis Trident has been noted in a plain white livery, having been converted to open top.
 
Meanwhile, New World First Bus Enviro500NG 5663 was registered TV5387 on 1st December and it is currently in the purple base colours for Rickshaw Bus. 
5th December 2015

 
Two further Dennis Dart models from Model 1 have been unveiled, these being Park Island examples - one in standard yellow and green livery the other in Airport Flyer livery.
   
4th December 2015

 
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Dennis

An unannounced release today in Hong Kong is this Model 1 Ultraman liveried Enviro500 on route 98C. It is limited to 1,000 pieces and further details will be added when known

   
Network Shuttle are taking pre-orders for SMRT Alexander Dennis Enviro500 produced by Model 1 (63305). The bus is on route 960 and will be limited to 1,800 pieces.

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

Noted at the Vehicle Examination Centre yesterday was this 12.8 metre Citybus 'face lift' Enviro500.

   
I am fairly confident that all pages of the site are now back 'on-line'. I am aware there are still around 50 broken links within the site following it's recent re-structure, but should you experience any major problems or missing pages, do please let me know. A reminder that my e-mail address is as shown below.
3rd December 2015

 
Following the recent problems with my web hosting company, I have registered with a new company. As a result of the transfer of the domain name, the site has been off-line for much of the day.
 
New software along with a new laptop has made things rather difficult, however I have just managed to upload some files onto the the new server - success!!

It will take some time to upload the rest of the site, but this will take place over the next few days.

As at 2330hrs I believe it is just the Xtra pages that remain unavailable - the remainder of the site should be available.

IMPORTANT

My e-mail address has changed and is :-

graham @ orientalmodelbuses.co.uk

please omit the spaces each side of '@'

2nd December 2015

Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

My thanks to Network Shuttle for providing photographs of the forthcoming KMB Trident ATR1, more of which have now been added (KLE15033).
1st December 2015
Go to November 2015 News
December 2015 - News
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This page last updated Thursday, 31st December 2015
 
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