News - January 2018

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	*January 2018* *- News*
Previous month's News	To find a specific month's News, click here	Next month's News

The two Kowloon Motor Bus 11-metre MCW Metrobuses are now on general release - S3M13 (DL 4728) is on route 41A (KMB-M-2017047) whilst S3M26 (DL 7411) is on route 52X (KMB-M-2017048) - each is limited to 750 pieces.

31st January 2018

Photograph courtesy and copyright of China Model Bus

P&T Model have issued four resin KMB liveried Dennis Dominators (left to right) :-

DM9 on route 87 to Lek Yuen
DM9 on route 87 to Tai Kok Tsui
DM5 on route 70X to Kwun Tong (Tsui Ping Road)
DM4 on route 5D to Telford Gardens

The total quantity for all is 400 pieces (B00283).

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Network Shuttle

Also released today is this Network Shuttle Special Version, DM5 on route 61x (NP001) which is limited o just 100 pieces.

30th January 2018

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Jacky Ho

Released on 27th January was this Buses Model Co. Leyland Olympian. It features LM5 with anti-smoking decals 'Stand firm don't smoke. This release was limited to Buses Model Co. members and Facebook fans with a quantity of 380 products (BLC05008). My thanks to regular contributor Jacky Ho for providing this information and the photographs.

A recent publication from New Overground Publishing is 'The Fleetbook of Hong Kong Buses KMB/LWB 2017' (ISBN: 978-988-14531-7-4). The editor is Arthur Chan and contains 144 pages. It retails for HK$98 and its size is 19.69cm x13.97cm.

I have received the following summary :-
'KMB and LWB purchased new buses for improving omnibus services in Hong Kong. There are Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 MMC Facelift and Volvo B9TL. China made electric and super charge buses also being a new member of KMB and LWB. Which are funding by the Government of Hong Kong SAR.

The new livery of LWB and KMB’s red livery bus entered service in 2016 & 2017. They become a new looks on the road. We introduce the buses operated by KMB and LWB in this book.'

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Dennis Leung

This shot of the new Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8L for SBS Transit clearly shows off the unusual lines of the bus (I am being diplomatic here!) - again thanks to Dennis Leung for allowing me to share his photograph.

29th January 2018

Real buses feature in today's News - and this page will be updated through the day.


KMB Mercedes-Benz 0.305 ME30	KMB Alexander bodied Leyland Olympian BL66

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Scott Mitchell

CMB MCW Metrobus ML1

My thanks to Scott Mitchell for allowing me to share his excellent shots for these former Hong Kong buses now in Australia (larger images are available by 'clicking). Yesterday (26th January) was not only my wedding anniversary, but also Australia Day. The Sydney Bus Museum organised the event.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Dennis Leung

SG Bus (SBS Transit) today unveiled to the public a new Volvo B8L with Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodywork, to a 12-metre length. My thanks to Dennis Leung for allowing me to share his photograph, more of which have been added to the

section of the site.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Bobby Liu

Meanwhile, back in Hong Kong, Discovery Bay Transit has recently placed into service this Gemilang Lion's City bodied hybrid MAN A66, replacing a MAN 12.220 carrying the same fleet number. A larger image is available in the

section of the site.

27th January 2018

Photographs courtesy and copyright of 80M Bus Model Shop

New World First Bus 'Year of the Dog' Wrights Gemini 2 bodied 11.3 metre Volvo B9TL - fleet no. 4508 (TM 8052) on route 38 (20074) - limited to 1,000 pieces.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of 80M Bus Model Shop

Citybus 'Year of the Dog' Wrights Gemini 2 bodied 11.3 metre Volvo B9TL - fleet no. 9518 (TU 3200) on route 103 (CM134) - limited to 1,000 pieces.

80M Bus Model Shop are taking pre-orders for the above two models.

Model 1 yesterday issued the following statement:-

'A must-have for the collectors of the modern-era buses, our second casting is the ADL Enviro200MMC, also officially licensed by the operators and TfL, in London and provincial specification. Very much like our other products, a detailed interior, including individually moulded seats and realistic decals, is the standard for Model 1's model buses. The diecast ADL Enviro200MMC is in 1/76 scale, making this a great companion of our Enviro400MMC.'

And today a further statement was issued:-

'A completed built-up model of Alexander PS bodied Volvo B10M has been asked by many collectors over the years, and it would be our third new casting for UK. Our first range of release will be focusing on Stagecoach’s. Stagecoach is the biggest operator of the Alexander PS bodied Volvo B10M in the UK. They could be seen from Dover to the Highlands and a number were still going strong in Stagecoach’s fleet in 2015.'

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

My thanks to regular contributor Philip Chan for sending me a selection of photographs of the first day of service of the Optare Solo public light bus.

26th January 2018

Photographs courtesy and copyright of 80M Bus Model Shop

Two Kowloon Motor Bus 11-metre MCW Metrobuses have been announced - S3M13 (DL 4728) will be on route 41A (KMB-M-2017047) whilst S3M26 (DL 7411) will be on route 52X (KMB-M-2017048) - each will be limited to 750 pieces.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Network Shuttle

This AMS Optare Solo green public light bus, the first low-floor plb in Hong Kong, will enter service tomorrow on route 54M.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Network Shuttle

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Iris Yu

And a few more shots of the new buses for HZMBus

New photographs have now been added for this Model 1 Discovery Bay Gemilang bodied MAN A95 (63211)

New photographs have now been added for this P&T Model (Diecast) Citybus Daimler DMS (DC1014).

25th January 2018

Model 1 has today issued the following statement:-

'Model 1's first UK model bus was released in 2011, since then we have been receiving suggestions for our next release. We are pleased to announce that we are now developing three castings for the UK buses, with the first one being the ADL Enviro400MMC in London and provincial specification. Our model buses are welcomed by collectors for its detailed interiors and authentic appearance. These will be reflected in all of our UK releases, with the features of individually moulded seats with moquettes and precisely reproduced decals, whilst the price will stay competitive. We have already received approval from various operators, and the first release is expected at the third quarter of this year.'

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Doug Coster

I am grateful to Doug Coster for sending me details and photographs of these three commissioned trams, details of which have now been added to the 'Trams' section of the site.

My thanks to Eric Leung for highlighting the fact that some models of the Model 1 CMB Leyland Olympian LA6 (63502) appear to be missing an offside fleet number, as indicated in the above comparison shots.

24th January 2018

Photograph courtesy and copyright of
MOC Ma On Association

Following yesterday's news, I am very grateful to MOC Ma On Association for allowing me to share some photographs of the new 'facelift' Gemilang bodied MAN A95 for use as a shuttle bus on the new Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge. It carries HZMBus logos and a domain name of 'www.hzmbus.com' - just follow this link to the

section of the site.

Several updates have also been made to the

section of the site to add the various 'Year of the Dog' liveries.

A list of plain white and other 'un-liveried' models has today been added - just follow this link .

23rd January 2018

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Watt Yung

The changing face (or should I say rear!) of Long Win Bus - with thanks to Watt Yung

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

Photographs of the actual Discovery Bay MAN A95s modelled by Model 1 have just been added to the relevant pages (see 63210 & 63211) - thanks to Philip Chan.

A new Gemilang bodied MAN A95 has been noted in Hong Kong today carrying the same livery as the Higer bodied Scanias reported below (see News 19th January)

22nd January 2018

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Network Shuttle

My thanks to Network Shuttle for providing photographs of the two Discovery Bay MAN A95 released yesterday (see 63210 & 63211).

Photographs courtesy and copyright of 80M Bus Model Shop

The three Ma Pak Leung decorated KMB Enviro500s are set for release tomorrow (21st) - from top to bottom they are :-

ATE10 (KY6935) on route 3D to Tsz Wan Shan (Central) (CR178008)
ATE6 (KY5280) on route 106 to Siu Sai Wan (CR178009)
ATE103 (LF3218) on route 68A to Yuen Long Long Ping Estate (CR178010)

My thanks to 80M Bus Model Shop for providing a comprehensive set of photographs for each.

20th January 2018

Photographs courtesy and copyright of China Model Bus

The two Discovery Bay Gemilang bodied MAN A95s from Model 1 have been released in Hong Kong today (see 63210 & 63211) as have the two Citybus liveried Daimler 'DMS' Fleetlines from P&T Model (Diecast). The latter are limited to 400 pieces each. The top photograph shows the models as sold whilst the bottom photograph shows the models after the application of additional decals which are supplied - see DC1014 and DC1015.

I have received the following news bulletin from Model 1 :-

"Following the success of our model buses, we plan to to develop many different types of smaller vehicles and are focusing on the forthcoming release of minibuses and coaches. We have already signed agreements with various minibuses operators, including AMS Public Transport Holding Ltd, Koon Wing Motors (a.k.a Ma Ah Muk), Hap Fat, for reproducing their minibus fleets, such as Toyota Coaster (in green and red), Mitsubishi Rosa and Optare Solo, into 1/76 diecast models. The preproduction just arrived is one of our model coaches, GDHK Marcopolo Scania, which will be released along with the latest Gemilang bodied MAN RR2."

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Network Shuttle

Larger images are available by 'clicking' on each of the above smaller images.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Jays Chan

My thanks to Jays Chan for allowing me to share his photographs of this new Higer bodied Scania K250UB, spotted in Hong Kong today. It is believed to be destined as a shuttle bus for the new Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macau bridge. Note the offside passenger doors. Larger images are available by 'clicking' on each of the above smaller images.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Hong Kong Jockey Club

My thanks to Steve Smith for confirming that the above tram, which was detailed in the News item on 17th October, is now available direct from Hong Kong Tramways.

19th January 2018

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Network Shuttle

Model 1 are to release a model of a MarcoPolo bodied Scania in GDHK (Guangdong-Hong Kong Auto Transport) livery, as pictured above. No other details are presently known. The Company advises that it is working on several new castings and more details will follow.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Buses Model Co.

Buses Model Co. has announced two further releases of its China Motor Bus LF casting, this time featuring LF13 on route 20 to Central (BLC013020) and LF295 on route 94A to Lei Tung Estate (BLC295094) - each is limited to 350 pieces.

Tiny are to release a 1/110 scale model of the Long Win 'facelift' Enviro500 in Year of the Dog livery.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Bobby Liu

Macau bus operators Transmac and New Era have received new buses between the end of 2017 and early 2018. Pictured above are three such buses.

Higer is still the major supplier for Transmac and K414 (MX-46-04) is one of the newly registered KLQ6108GQ28E5 and this batch of 15 buses is mainly seen on Taipa - Macau trunk route 33.

Another new bus for Transmac is YL01 (MX-39-49) a Yutong ZK6180HGH, the first and the only articulated bus in Macau. The appearance is the same as those Yutong articulated serving in Tai Chung City, Taiwan and this bus only operates one early morning single trip on route 51 heading to the Portas do Cerco.

Finally, New Era also deployed a batch of 8 Golden Dragon XML6105J15 on the road, these serving mainly route 10B - 3166 is seen operating this route.

Larger images are available by 'clicking' on each of the above small image - my thanks to regular contributor Bobby Liu for providing the above images and information.

18th January 2018

Photographs courtesy and copyright of 80M Bus Model Shop

Hong Kong SAR's attractive 20th Anniversary livery is the subject of this 1/120 scale model of a Wrights Gemini Volvo B9TL from 80M Bus Model Shop, which has been issued today. Whilst a tram has been produced (see TT33681), I am surprised that no 1/76 scale bus model has been issued. Also pictured below is a Citybus ADL Enviro500.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of 80M Bus Model Shop

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Keith Wood

16th January 2018

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Kowloon Motor Bus

Kowloon Motor Bus has announced it will release models of its two Year of the Dog buses - now there is a surprise!

15th January 2018

Photograph courtesy and copyright of P & T Model (Diecast)

P & T Model (Diecast) has announced it is to release two Citybus liveried 'DMS' Fleetlines - D20 (CP2781) on the left (DC1014) and D25 (CZ5178) on the right (DC1015). No other details are presently known. As these are un-licensed releases, they carry no Citybus fleetnames or logos.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Shu Tou

My thanks to Shu Tou for allowing me to share his photograph of New World First Bus 11.3 metre Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TL 4508 in Year of the Dog livery

14th January 2018

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

Kowloon Motor Bus Enviro500 ATENU434 has received all-over advertising for KMB and Long Win night bus services.

2018 is likely to be the year that sees these two KMB types disappear - the Neoplan Centroliner (left) and the Berkhof bodied MAN 24.310 (right).

13th January 2018

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Network Shuttle

Noted in service today carrying Year of the Dog decals is Citybus 11.3 metre Wrights Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TL 9518 (TU 3200). This is of course the subject of a forthcoming model.

12th January 2018

Model 1 has announced it is to release no less than six Citybus 11.3 metre Wrights Gemini bodied Volvo B9TLs :-

Fleet no. 9500 on route 37B to Chi Fu (63606)

Fleet no. 9540 on route 40M to Central Govt. Offices (63607)

Fleet no. 9552 on route 96 to Causeway Bay (63608)

image not presently available

Fleet no. 9530 on route 75 to Central (63609)

Fleet no. 9509 on route 671 to Ap Lei Chau (63610)

Fleet no. 9559 on route 103 to Chuk Yuen (63611)

All the above images are courtesy and copyright of Network Shuttle and these are pre-production models and the production models may differ.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Jason Ng

My thanks to Jason Ng for allowing me to share his photographs of Year of the Dog decorated Long Win 'facelift' Enviro500 5521 (UD 3393).

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Boris Bus Image

Meanwhile, Kowloon Motor Bus has similarly decorated at least one bus in Year of the Dog decals - Wrights Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TL AVBWU669 (VB 6984). My thanks to Boris Bus Image for allowing me to share the above photograph.

11th January 2018

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Tim Williams

My thanks to Tim Williams for sending me a selection of recent photographs (click for larger images) from Sydney, Australia and for providing the following information:-

Transport for NSW (New South Wales) introduced a new service from 26 November 2017, known as B-Line between Mona Vale and Wynyard (Sydney CBD) with special liveried double-deckers running on a very frequent timetable, with limited stops providing an express service. The new buses are Gemilang bodied MAN A95s and these seem popular with both passengers and drivers (Sydney Buses). The main differences between these 38 new buses and the Hong Kong/Singapore ones are the height (4.3metres vs. 4.43metres), narrower (2.5mtr vs. 2.55mtr) and more generous seat spacing (85 seated vs. 90 KMB) with only 15 standees vs. 44 KMB – the axle weight allowances in NSW have been increased, but they remain lower than other places.

The unusual twin-steer Bustech CDI is seen operating for Hillsbus, part of CDC (ComfortDelGro and Cabcharge), who have a fleet of 21 of these buses out of a total of 55 believed to be operating in Australia.

6th January 2018

More Tiny models have been released.

5th January 2018

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Network Shuttle

Model 1 has announced it is to release a model of China Motor Bus Leyland Olympian, LM8 (FW2508) in standard blue/cream livery. It is on route 106 to Wong Tai Sin (63073).

Photograph courtesy and copyright of 312 Model

312 Model has announced three new resin models based on the Kowloon Motor Bus Dennis Dominator, as shown above - no other details are presently known.

4th January 2018

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Buses Model Co.

Buses Model Co. has announced it is to release a further version of China Motor Bus Leyland Olympian LM5, this time in an all-over anti-smoking campaign livery.

The following table^* gives a quick overview of the 1/76 scale diecast models released in 2017 along with those released in previous years.

Operator	Year 20xx								Manufacturer	Year 20xx
Operator	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	Manufacturer	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17

China Motor Bus	0	1	0	2	8	6	13	28	80M Bus Model	7	14	12	25	9	5	9	39
Citybus	1	3	4	9	5	5	18	16	Asianbus	0	0	0	0	0	2	4	0
Discovery Bay	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	Best Choose	0	1	0	4	5	10	15	0
Kowloon Motor Bus	26	37	32	45	47	69	66	50	Bus Factory	0	0	0	2	2	0	0	0
Kwoon Chung	0	0	0	0	0	2	6	2	Buses Model	1	1	7	2	3	8	10	13
Long Win	2	1	0	1	0	1	8	2	Cars Workshop	14	21	14	13	25	19	11	2
MTR Bus	2	2	1	1	0	0	0	7	Creative Master/ Northcord	7	1	0	5	2	0	0	0
New Lantao Bus	0	0	0	0	0	2	3	6	Drumwell	6	4	10	13	12	0	0	0
New World First Bus	1	2	3	6	2	3	17	9	Fulltech	0	0	0	0	0	4	4	0
Park Island	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	Go Idea	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
Singapore operators	0	0	0	3	0	1	0	1	KMB	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6
Others	11	1	5	4	2	7	9	5	Model 1	0	0	0	4	2	15	35	55
									P & T Diecast	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	11
									Roadshow Creations	0	0	0	0	0	35	32	0
									Others	8	5	2	3	4	0	20	4
	43	47	45	71	64	98	140	132		43	47	45	71	64	98	140	132

* - this table should be used as a guide only - its accuracy is not guaranteed.

2nd January 2018

	*January 2018* *- News*
Previous month's News	To find a specific month's News, click here	Next month's News

[diecast models] - [information] - [links] - [news] - [plastic models] - [resin models] - [trams] - [xtra]

his page last updated Tuesday, 31st January 2018