Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Jeffrey Ng

My thanks to Jeffrey Ng for advising that Sentosa Leisure group in Singapore has received two units of Volvo B12BLEA articulated bus chassis and has configured them as trams for use on their beach tram routes. The 2 units have bodies jointly built by Comfortdelgro Engineering and Liannex Corporation, and have been registered as WC2649C and WC2820Z respectively.

The two units have several unique features:

Toast rack seating for 30 at the front section
Perimeter seating for 19 at the rear section on the standard floor portion.
A standing area on the low floor portion of the rear section. 
No passageway between front and rear section despite them being chassis meant for articulated buses, i.e., passengers in the front section cannot walk to the rear section without first alighting from the tram/bus
The standard floor portion of the rear section is open top.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Jacky Ho

My thanks to Jacky Ho for sending me further photographs of the recently released Venus Collectibles Dennis Dragon M3N01, the first of which is pictured above. More are in the process of being added to the relevant page.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Ernest Chu

Pictured above is a new diecast release from Venus Collectibles. It features Kowloon Motor Bus Dennis Dragon 3N1. It is on route 42A to Cheung Hang and is limited to 999 pieces. It carries a product code of M3N01. It does not carry any KMB logos and is therefore assumed not to be licensed by KMB. It is retailing for HK$339. 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Confirmation has tonight been received from 80M Bus Model Shop that the Buses Model Co. KMB Leyland Olympian (BLS30103), on route 70, is set to be released on Thursday 29th January. Additional photographs are currently being added. 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Northern Blue Transport Images

My thanks to Garry Luck for allowing me to use another of his 'what might have been images', this time being a China Motor Bus ECW bodied Leyland Olympian. A larger image of that shown above, together with some other interesting vehicles, can be found on Garry's Fotopic site, Northern Blue Transport Images . 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Dennis Wong

The ex-Argos Dennis Dominators have now joined the operational fleet of the Big Bus Company. Pictured today in Central is FX5737, which has been allocated fleet no. 9, whilst FW7510 has been allocated fleet no. 10. My thanks to Dennis Wong for sending me a wide selection of photographs, which have tonight been added to the Xtra section of the site.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Dave Rogers

With the recent press release from Creative Master Northcord, giving details of their entry into the North American model bus market with the 1/87^th scale Alexander Dennis Enviro500, it is appropriate to feature the above Megabus models for which Dave Rogers has kindly provided details. The first, from Hollandoto, is a  1:87 scale die-cast and plastic model, which represents Coach USA fleetnumber DD001, a Van Hool TD 925 Astromega.

The second is a single-decker, produced by Tonkin Replicas, Seattle and is a 1/64^th scale die-cast model. It represents Independent Bus Company fleet number 29045, a Motor Coach Industry (MCI) E4500, although the description on the box is simply 'Grayline Megabus'.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of 
Network Shuttle

I am now able to provide further details on the forthcoming resin releases commissioned by Concorde Hobby Shop.

Pictured above are the two versions of the Kowloon Motor Bus MCW Metrorider (CHS0901). AMR1 (DY6050) is on route 208 to Tsim Sha Tsua East. I am not sure whether this spelling error is limited to the pre-production model or not. AMR2 (EA4591) is on route 299 to Sai Kung. Both are limited to 200 pieces each. It is believed these models will be issued before the end of January, but after the release of the model below. 
 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

As reported earlier this week, Concorde Hobby Shop are also releasing a Kowloon Motor Bus Seddon Pennine 4 (CHS0902). It is now confirmed that there will be two versions, each limited to 150 pieces. The first features AR7604 on route 33 to Tsuen Wan Ferry whilst the second features AR7606 on route 40 to Kwun Tong Ferry. It is believed this model will be issued next week.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Dave Rogers

My thanks to Dave Rogers for sending me several photographs entitled 'From Tiger to Ox'. Further photographs have tonight been added to the Xtra section of the site, under the 'Other Items' category.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Alex Cheng 

My thanks to Alex Cheng for sending me photographs of the New World First Bus 'Year of the Ox' decorated Enviro500, which he took earlier today. 

New pages have tonight been added to the Xtra section of the site for each of the Year of the Ox vehicles. 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Dennis Wong 

My thanks to Dennis Wong for advising that all of Big Bus's ex-NWFB/CMB Condors have now been registered and all have been allocated fleet numbers, which are carried in the nearside of the front windscreen. Details of the fleet numbers can be found in the Xtra section of the site, along with a larger, higher resolution of the above photograph.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Creative Master Northcord Ltd. 

In a press release today, Creative Master Northcord Limited has announced the planned production of a new casting, the nabus1000 range, based on the 12 metre, left hand drive version of the Alexander Dennis Limited Enviro500 for the North American market. Produced to a scale of 1/87, or HO in railway terms, the nabus 1000 range will include three main castings:

40' two-door model - with separate front entrance and centre exit
40' single door model - with front entrance / exit
40' open top model

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Peter Harrison 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Alistair Liddle 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Alan W.L. Wong 

My thanks to Dennis Law for sending me Alan Wong's superb photograph showing Citybus Alexander Dennis Enviro500 No. 8103 in 'Year of the Ox' livery. A larger image can be found on the individual model page (80894). 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of 
Network Shuttle

This resin Kowloon Motor Bus Seddon Pennine 4, produced for Concorde Hobby Shop, is expected to be released within the next few weeks. It features AR7604 on route 33 to Tsuen Wan Ferry and is limited to 300 pieces.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Garry Luck

I am very grateful to Garry Luck for allowing me to use the above images of some 'might have been' buses, which I am sure you will agree are quite superb. I would strongly recommend viewing the full size images of these Routemasters, together with a vast selection of other types, on Garry's Fotopic site entitled Northern Blue Transport Images. 

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Hong Kong Model Co.

The Hong Kong Model Co. have released their second resin model of 2009, this time featuring a rebodied Kowloon Motor Bus Albion Victor CH13AXL (8164A). The model represents fleet no. L201 (AD7218) on route 69K.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

The above two Kowloon Motor Bus models are due to be released in Hong Kong on Saturday 10th January.

Drumwell's Mercedes-Benz 0305 (DW10403) in standard livery features ME16 on route 75K to Tai Mei Tuk and is limited to 1,800 pieces. The Cars Workshop Volvo Olympian (92203) carries 'Year of the Ox' decorations and features AV393 on route 3C to Tsz Wan Shan (North). The quantity believed to be shown on the Limited Edition certificate reads 5,000 although I am awaiting confirmation of this.

BSI Hobbies has announced that their latest publication – The Fleet Directory of Hong Kong Buses – KMB & Long Win Bus (2nd Edition) – will be released in mid-January. Priced at $128 each, members of Hong Kong Transport Society, Bus Fan World, as well as Universal Transport Fans Association, can enjoy a discounted price of $112 between 20th and 25th January at designated outlets. Further information is now available at the BSI Hobbies website.

 Photographs courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Due to be released in Hong Kong tomorrow are the Citybus (80894) and New World First Bus (80893), 'Year of the Ox' Enviro500s from 80M Bus Model Shop. Further photographs will be added during the evening.

 Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Hong Kong Model Co.

The Hong Kong Model Co. have released a resin model of a rebodied Kowloon Motor Bus Albion Victor VT17 (8166A). The model represents fleet no. L06 (HK4507) on route 77 to Sheung Shui.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

8042A/2 - 4113 on route 2 to Shau Ki Wan

8042A/5 - 4143 on route 5 to Tai Hang

8042A/10 - HK4806 on route 10 to Sai Ying Poon

Although reference was made to the three variants of resin China Motor Bus Guy Arab UF from Hong Kong Model Co. on 10th December, I was not aware that these had in fact been released on 7th December. Full details of these models will be added shortly.

My thanks to Network Shuttle for kindly sending me the above Alexander Dennis 2009 calendar, which features the company's Enviro models operating in Hong Kong.