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I am advised that a further Buses Model Co. KMB Volvo Olympian model is to be released, which will feature S3V17 (GK9141). Two versions will be available, one with route no. 93K and the other route 1A. It is believed each will be limited to 900 pieces. 


Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

Set for release in Hong Kong next week is this 1/76th lorry from Best Choose. It carries attractive 'Gulf Oil' colours.
31st May 2012

   
New pages have tonight been added for the Network Shuttle commissioned resin Kowloon Motor Bus Dennis Dragon, S3N44 (DN143). NWS38A features this bus on route 38A to Riviera Gardens, whilst NWS43A features the same bus on route 43A to Cheung Wang. 
30th May 2012

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

Three of the four resin Citybus MAN NL262s from Model 1, which are set for release in June, are pictured above. On the left is fleet no. 1569 (JL8007) in Cityflyer livery on route A10 Airport (300 pieces). In the centre is fleet no. 1537 (HV6508) in standard livery on route 11, Jardine's Lookout and on the right is fleet no. 1501 (HP6440) in Stagecoach style livery on route 85, North Point (200 pieces). The fourth, which is not shown, will feature fleet no. 1516 on route 12A, but no further details are yet known. Pre-orders are currently being taken by Network Shuttle.


Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Buses Model Co.

My thanks to Buses Model Co. for allowing me to use this photograph of a pre-production sample of their forthcoming KMB Volvo Olympian S3V27.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Buses Model Co.

As reported below, this Buses Model Co. Volvo Olympian, S3V23, with JRteam decals is set for release on Saturday (2nd June).



Whilst in London over the weekend I came across this immaculate Big Bus Tours Dennis Condor. G952 FVX now carries a fleet number of DM952, but was formerly China Motor Bus DL41.
29th May 2012

   
New pages have tonight been added for the two Kowloon Motor Bus Enviro200s released on Saturday - 93001 and 93002.

 
Further photographs of the MTR Bus 140 on its first day of service have now been added to the Click here to visit the Xtra pages section.
28th May 2012

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

A weekend break, at short notice, has resulted in a delay in announcing the release yesterday (26th May) of the two versions of KMB's Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart, AAU1. Produced by Cars  Workshop, 93001 has a destination of Tin Tsz whilst 93002 has a destination of Sheung Shui. Each is limited to 1,000 pieces. New pages and additional photos will be added shortly.



Set for release on Saturday (2nd June) is KMB Volvo Olympian S3V23 (GK9710) with JRteam decals, in association with Buses Model, and limited to 1,288 pieces. My thanks to Fai Ho for providing this news.


On Friday Buses Model Co. posted a notice on Facebook inviting those interested in purchasing KMB Volvo Olympian S3V27 (GL390) to register their interest. It is not yet known whether this model will be available from the usual retail outlets.



Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

As reported on 19th May, Network Shuttle has commissioned the above two resin models.
Both feature S3N44 (DN143), one on route 38A to Riviera Gardens, whilst the second is on route 43A to Cheung Wang. The total quantity for both is 118 pieces (updated 29th May). Each is limited to 118 pieces. New pages will be added shortly.

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Samson Ng

The first of the MTR Bus Enviro400s entered service on route K65 today and my thanks to Samson Ng and Bobby Liu for providing photos. Larger images will be added to the Click here to visit the Xtra pages section shortly.
27th May 2012

   
The release of the KMB Enviro200 model appears to be imminent, with a photograph of a boxed example appearing on Facebook. Any further details would be most welcome.
25th May 2012

 
The model of the Kowloon Motor Bus Enviro200, fleet no. AAU1, will come in two versions, both on route 276 - one with a destination of Sheung Shui and the other Tin Tsz.

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Bobby Liu

New World First Bus has now registered Enviro500s 5542-5551. 5543 was operating on route 2X today and was captured by Bobby Liu.
24th May 2012

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Bobby Liu

My thanks to Bobby Liu for sending me a photograph of newly registered Kowloon Motor Bus MCV bodied Volvo B7RLE AVC67, which was captured yesterday whilst on its first day in service.


Similar thanks go to Alexandro Lim after he noticed some missing information regarding the recently issued resin Dennis Lance. He advises that model no. 10503 is limited to 100 pieces. Model no. 10504 is limited to only 25 pieces, and is believed to have been specially commissioned by Network Shuttle. As for model no. 10502, the correct quantity is 100 pieces and not the 200 pieces as previously recorded.



I today received today the Hong Kong version of the Big Bus Ankai, which is very impressive - hence the change of image on the 'Home' page!
23rd May 2012

   
Another new casting is on its way, this being an Alexander Dennis Enviro200 representing Kowloon Motor Bus fleet no AAU1, the first of the batch, which is on route 276. Further details will be published when known.



This purple tram has just been issued by Tramric Product & Design and it is limited to 1,000 pieces.


New World First Bus registered three new Enviro500s today, fleet nos 5542-5544, and the Across website has further details.
22nd May 2012

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of NR5800

My thanks to NR5800 for sending me photos of recently registered MTR Bus Enviro400, fleet no. 141. Further photos have been added to Click here to visit the Xtra pages the section of the site.


It is believed that the two 'hot-dogs' to be preserved by Kowloon Motor Bus will be Volvo Olympian S3V26 (GL258) and Dennis Dragon S3N370 (GD605).
21st May 2012

   
My thanks to Eric Chan for advising that the two resin KMB Dennis Dragons, S3N51 and S3N54 on route 59A & 93K respectively, were released recently (B0040). There will also be a second batch of S3N models that will be released later, which will feature S3N44 (DN143) in its later life and the model will come in two versions. The first is on route 38A to Riviera Gardens, whilst the second is on route 43A to Cheung Wang.  It is believed that S3N44 is being commissioned by Network Shuttle and the total quantity will be 200. New pages will be added shortly.


Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Set for release tomorrow are the two versions of KMB's Scania N113, AS2. DW11202A (top) is on route 102 to Mei Foo whilst DW11202B (bottom) is on route 6A to Lai Chi Kok. Each is limited to 1,000 pieces. 
19th May 2012

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

Pictured above is the resin Cityflyer liveried MAN NL262 from Model 1, which is expected to be released shortly. Further details will be published when known.


Photograph courtesy and copyright of
3cubian.com/

The 1/24 scale Morris lorry from Best Choose was released yesterday in Hong Kong. The model comes with two separate ramps and the canopy is made from real linen and as the photograph shows, is foldable.

18th May 2012

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Kowloon Motor Bus

The first images of Kowloon Motor Bus Scania N113 AS2 have appeared in 'KMB Today'.
15th May 2012

   
Kowloon Motor Bus has announced the next release of the new Scania N113 casting will feature AS2 in two versions, one on route 6A the other on route 102. Both are in standard air-conditioned white livery.


The Across website confirms that the first two MTR Bus Enviro400s, fleet numbers 140 and 141, have now been registered RJ7286 and RJ6613 respectively.


A new page featuring the last day of the KMB 'hot-dogs' has now been added to Click here to visit the Xtra pages the section of the site. I am grateful to Alex Cheng, Michael Ching, Wallace Shek Siu Ki and S3N92 for allowing me to use their excellent photographs. Owing to the sheer number of photographs offered, for which I am extremely grateful, it would be impossible to upload all of these, so please accept my apologies if your photos do not appear.
 14th May 2012

   
It is rumoured that a model of the Citybus twin-axle Wrights Gemini 2 (fleet no. 7500) is likely to be released soon.


I plan to add a new page to the 
Click here to visit the Xtra pages section of the site shortly which will highlight the last day of KMB's non air-con bus operation.
13th May 2012

   

Best Choose is shortly to launch a new 1:24 Morris lorry (M11224R). My thanks to 3cubian.com for this information.


Further details of the UK Big Bus Tours Ankai have tonight been added (80871A).
11th May 2012

   
Click on image for larger photograph
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
S3N92

Kowloon Motor Bus issued the following press release today.

Farewell to KMB Non Air-Conditioned Buses

Following the retirement of the last batch of non air-conditioned (non AC) buses on 8 May, all KMB bus routes now provide a full air-conditioned service. At today’s press session, the Company exhibited the last two models of non AC buses and invited relevant staff members to share their experiences and anecdotes of driving and repairing the non AC buses. KMB also plans to keep each of the last two models of non AC buses as pieces of living history to help chart the development of its bus fleet.

Since its establishment in 1933, KMB has been introducing the latest bus models to upgrade its services. At the early stage of service, KMB had only 106 small single-deck non AC buses in its fleet. Due to the shortage of buses after the Second World War and Japanese occupation, KMB even converted some trucks to carry passengers. Initially there were only single-deck non AC buses in service, offering first-class and second-class seats. However, as the population soared, KMB supplemented its fleet with the first-ever double-deck non AC bus in 1949, becoming in the process the first bus company to introduce double-deckers to Hong Kong. In the 1970s, fare-collection boxes were installed in place of bus conductors, and since then the bus captain has been in sole charge of the bus. Non AC buses have been progressively replaced following the introduction of KMB’s first air-conditioned bus in 1988. KMB single-deck non AC buses were fully retired in 1992, and this month KMB’s non AC double-deck buses followed suit.

The last batch of KMB’s non AC buses consists of two models, the Dennis Dragon 11M and the Volvo Olympian 11M, which were introduced to Hong Kong in 1986 and 1994 respectively, with a total of 369 buses and 30 buses operating at their peak. The buses feature a red top, milky-yellow livery, brown seats and windows that can be opened and closed.

Besides the two buses that will be kept for commemorative purposes, other retired non AC buses will be put on tender for sale. According to the terms stipulated in the tender document, all scrapped buses sold cannot be re-licensed for operation within the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.



Photograph courtesy and copyright of
John Bennett

Following yesterday's news, I am grateful to John Bennett for sending me a selection of photographs of London's recently delivered Big Bus Ankais, and some of these have been added to the page featuring the UK version of this model (80871A), which has also been updated tonight.
10th May 2012

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Set for release tomorrow in Hong Kong is this Big Bus Tours Ankai open-top sightseeing bus. Two versions will be available, one representing a Hong Kong example and the other from London, which has recently taken delivery of a batch of these buses.

The Hong Kong version (80871) features fleet no. 9 (FX5737) with a destination of 'Hong Kong Route'. It is limited to 1,500 pieces . The UK version (80871A) has a registration of B16 BUS and again is limited to 1,500 pieces. Bo
th are expected to retail for HK$358.
9th May 2012

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Dennis Law

The scene earlier this evening at Mong Kok (Park Avenue) Bus Terminus awaiting the final non air-con journey of route 16, thanks to Dennis Law.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Wallace Shek Siu Ki

and no apologies for this keeping this superb photograph 'large' - the scene at Lam Tin
my thanks to Wallace Shek Siu Ki for allowing me to use it.

8th May 2012

     
It is confirmed that the four remaining non air-con routes, 5A, 16, 93K and 98A will become full air-con services as from 9th May, making tomorrow the final day for the 'hot-dogs'.

The official KMB Press Releases, issued today, read:-

Full Air-conditioned Bus Services of KMB Routes 16, 93K and 98A

To provide more comfortable bus services for passengers, KMB Routes 16 (Mong Kok [Park Avenue] ←→ Lam Tin [Kwong Tin Estate]), 93K (Mong Kok East Railway Station ←→ Po Lam) and 98A (Hang Hau [North] ←→ Ngau Tau Kok Railway Station [Circular]) will be converted into full air-conditioned bus services, with effect from Wednesday, 9 May 2012. The fares of Routes 16, 93K and 98A will be $6.10, $8.10 and $5.40 respectively

Full Air-conditioned Bus Service of KMB Route 5A

To provide a more comfortable bus services for passengers in Kowloon City District, with effect from Wednesday, 9 May 2012, KMB Route 5A (Kowloon City [Shing Tak Street] ←→ Star Ferry) will be converted into a full air-conditioned bus service. The fare of Route 5A is $3.90.


Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Vincent Chong

My thanks to Vincent Chong for sending me the above photograph of Volvo B9TL/Wrights Gemini 2 AVBWU270, which was registered only last week.
7th May 2012

   
Further to yesterdays news, today was in fact the last day of non air-con operation for KMB routes 1A and 40 and it is rumoured that the final day of non air-con operation will be Tuesday 8th May.
6th May 2012

 
I understand that non air-con services will end today for KMB routes 1A, 32M, 39A, 40. No final day has yet been announced for the remaining non air-con routes 5a, 16, 93K and 98A (I am informed that non air-con buses have not been used on routes 93K and 98A since March).


Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Dream Bus Model

The New Lantao Bus fleet has seen only a handful of models produced, the last being over ten years ago, so a model like this Plaxton bodied Dennis Dart from Dream Bus Model would be most welcome.


Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Alex Cheng


Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Hin Volvo

My thanks to Alex Cheng and Hin Volvo for allowing me to use their excellent photographs taken today capturing the final non air-con journeys of route 1A. A further selection of Alex's photographs has been added to the Click here to visit the Xtra pages section of the site.
5th May 2012

 
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Released in Hong Kong today is Kowloon Motor Bus Volvo Olympian S3V15 (BLV61005). This licensed KMB release, produced by Buses Model Co., is on route 16 to Lam Tin (Kwong Tin Estate) and is limited to 1,800 pieces. A new page and further images have now been added.


With the current demise of KMB's 'non air-con' routes, I would welcome any photographs that capture these events - please e-mail me


According to the excellent Across website, KMB registered a further 14 Wrights Gemini 2 bodied Volvo's today.
4th May 2012

   
Photograph courtesy and copyright of
Network Shuttle

A third version of Bus Factory's resin Kowloon Motor Bus Dennis Lance (10504) features AN7 on driver training duties and is available on the Network Shuttle website. A new page will be added shortly.

3rd May 2012

   
I am reliably informed that the Buses Model Co. Volvo Olympian (S3V27), detailed in the news update for 17th April and with a destination of Star Ferry, is expected to be released on 15th May and will be limited to 600 pieces.


Photographs courtesy and copyright of Albion Kwok

My thanks to Albion Kwok for allowing the use of his photographs of these new Alexander Dennis Enviro500's which are awaiting registration. New World First Bus fleet no. 5544 is one of the five and the identity of the Citybus example is unknown.


Today was the last day of non air-con operation on Kowloon Motor Bus route 30X.
1st May 2012
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