Creative Master Northcord Limited is proud to release the South West Trains livery on its well-known 11-metre, tri-axle Leyland Olympian /Alexander R-type coach model. The model represents Stagecoach South 13640 (G283 YRJ) in South West Trains livery. The bus itself has a long service history in different fleets and liveries. Delivered new to Hong Kong as Citybus 113, this Alexander-bodied 11-metre Leyland Olympian coach was numbered 13640 by Stagecoach when she returned to the UK in 2003 to operate services for Megabus.com. Retired from Megabus.com service in December 2005, 13640 is one of six converted with luggage and cycle racks for the Rail Support Unit operated by Stagecoach South on behalf of sister company South West Trains, whilst still retaining the WC and Air Conditioning. Additionally, the buses are specially painted in South West Trains livery in accordance with the agreement. 13640 can often be seen operating across the SWT rail network during engineering works at weekends or late at night.

This early version of the 11-metre Alexander coach differs somewhat from its sister vehicles, most evidently by having gasket-glazed windows fitted instead of the more modern-looking bonded type seen on most of the Olympians returned to the UK by Stagecoach.
As on the previous successful hkbus 2000 series models produced by CMNL, hkbus 2008 has many innovative designs on the tooling, some of which are seen for the first time on a CMNL double-deck model – including the specially designed luggage and cycle racks. This replica features further excellent detailing, inside and out, including all handrails on board and detailed, individual air-vents above the seats. Of note is the improved upper-deck ceiling detail that features the correct colours of the prototype coach. The most remarkable accuracy is seen on the front dome that represents this feature of the Alexander R type bodywork. Once again, this is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the windows and livery application. The model has no ugly metal poles to hold it together. The hkbus 2008 model is limited to 1700 pieces worldwide. They will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Concorde Hobby Shop (HK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan) and Transit Graphics (Australia).

------The World’s Miniature Bus Co.

The bus - Citybus ordered 12 Alexander bodied 11-metre Leyland Olympian air-conditioned coaches in 1988. These were delivered in 1989 and featured coach seats, soft trim and curtains. These coaches were used on the cross-border service to Shenzhen as well as residential commuter routes. Windows were of the gasket type, with radiused corners. Further orders were placed, and these later batches are easily identified by their bonded windows. 

In 2003, several of these vehicles returned to the UK where they entered service with Stagecoach on Megabus and Magic Bus  services. 

13640 is one of several vehicles operated by Stagecoach Hampshire Bus and carries South West Trains (also part of the Stagecoach Group ) livery for use on rail replacement services.