News - December 2019

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	*December 2019* *- News*
Previous month's News	To find a specific month's News, click here	Next month's News

I thought it would be interesting to publish an overview of the number of 1/76th scale diecast models released to-date (as at 30th December 2019).

Operator	Quantity
Argos	3
China Motor Bus	208
Citybus	171
Discovery Bay	15
KCRC/MTR	20
Kowloon Motor Bus	643
Kwoon Chung	16
Long Win Bus	30
New Lantao Bus	27
New World First Bus	105
Park Island	4
Singapore operators	13
Transmac	3
Others	110
Total	1365

Model manufacturer	Quantity
80M Bus Model	206
ABC Models	42
APEC	19
AsianBus	29
Automodel	10
Best Choose	63
BR Bus Model	12
Buses Model Co.	71
Cars Workshop	178
Collector's Model	56
Corgi	98
Creative Master Northcord	21
Drumwell	100
EFE	12
Model Bus Evolution	20
Model 1	222
P&T Model	30
Roadshow Creations	73
Venus	15
Others	88
Total	1365

The Small Print (or get out clause!) - these figures do not include Chinese, Japanese or Malaysian bus operators.
The quantities are based on my records, and as such, I cannot guarantee that they are 100% accurate.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Network Shuttle

Released today is this AK Classic resin Kowloon Motor Bus Albion Victor VT23L. It features L173 (AD7087) on route 20 to Sha Tau Kok (AK3506).

31st December 2019

Kowloon Motor Bus has today unveiled it's 2020 'Year of the Rat' liveries, as shown above. On the left is Long Win 12-metre ADL Enviro500NG 6508 (TH9318) and on the right is Kowloon Motor Bus 12.8 ADL 'facelift' Enviro500 3ATENU166 (VN5786). No doubt models will follow!

NP Models are set to release two further champagne liveried Neoplan Centroliners, these being AP49 (JT1608) on route 276P to Sheung Shui and AP89 (JV7178) on route 106 to Wong Tai. Each is limited to 150 pieces.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

Former KMB Leyland Fleetline D989 and Dennis Dragon S3N348, together with former NWFB Leyland Fleetline SF 15 and Sun Bus Neoplan Centroliner KR6160 (formerly KMB AP144) all participated in a Heritage Bus Running Day yesterday. My thanks to Philip Chan for providing a selection of photographs from the event, those above are all clickable.

30th December 2019

In what appears to be a bizarre incident, one of the two Sun Bus Neoplan Centroliners toppled over in Lai Chi Kok depot yesterday. Fortunately, there were no injuries and investigations are continuing.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

The two Sun Bus Centroliners pictured in August this year - that involved in yesterday's incident is on the right (KR6768).

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

New World First Bus 5232 (WN4282) captured in the sunshine today. A new page has tonight been added to the

section of the site.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of HobbyDigi.com

Details of the 1/43 scale China Motor Bus Leyland Victory Mk 2 have now been confirmed. It features LV30 (CH5001) on route 9 to Shek O. It is limited to 800 pieces (ATC43065). A new page will be added as soon as time allows.

I am reliably informed that an Airport Express Shuttle liveried Toyota Coaster is planned,

28th December 2019

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

Captured today, it's first day in service, is New World First Bus 5230 (WN26154), the first of the Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8Ls. It was registered on Christmas Eve along with 5231 and 5232.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Vincent Chong

Also registered on Christmas Eve were seven Kowloon Motor Bus 12.8n ADL 'facelift' Enviro500s (E6X67-E6X73). Pictured yesterday is E6X68 (WN3050) approaching Sha Tin Station.

As reported below, Tiny are to release a second Kowloon Motor Bus 1/43 scale Leyland Victory Mk 2. It features G127 (CD4320) on route 70 to Jordan Road Ferry and is limited to 1,000 pieces. 80M Bus Model Shop are now accepting pre-orders.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of 'TKN'

80M Bus Model Shop are also accepting pre-orders for a China Motor Bus version and a pre-production example is pictured above.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of 'TKN'

'Red Lantern' D989 was on display recently, believed to be part of a promotion by Tiny for their 1/110 scale model of the same vehicle carrying 'Greatwall Corned Beef' adverts and packaged in a corned beef tin. UPDATE 29/12/19: The quantity of the 'Greatwall Corned Beef D989’ is unknown, but Tiny issued 500 certificates featuring an image of D989 for 10 mins to visitors with boarding passes to see the real D989, along with a model of a previously issued BACo Fleetline (Mingson) as pictured below.

27th December 2019

A brief update tonight - Tiny has announced at least three further 1/110 sale models. The two pictured above are 12.8m ADL 'facelift' Enviro500s - Box L24 Citybus 6441 on route 20 to Kai Tak and Box L26, NWFB 6123 on route and X797.

And here is the third... more details to follow

26th December 2019

Several new models have been released/announced by Tiny.


Box L08 (ATC64719)	Box L09 (ATC64720)	Box L12 (ATC64724)

ln their 1/110 scale range, the above three models have now been released - Box L08 features New World First Bus Duple Metsec bodied Dennis Trident 3042 (HZ9589) on route 111 to Ping Shek, Box L09 features Citybus Duple Metsec bodied Dennis Trident 2226 (HZ1054) on route E22 to Chek Lap Kok whilst Box L12 features Citybus 'facelift' ADL Enviro500 8538 (VN5149) on route 606 to Chai Wan. As none of these are licensed products, they carry no fleetnames or company logos.

Also announced is this Member's Exclusive model of Long Win liveried ADL Enviro500NG 6521 (TN7334) on route S1 ( .......... via Asiaworld-Expo) (KMB2019107).

Next comes this 'Old Master Q' liveried Kowloon Motor Bus ADL Enviro500NG and finally (I think!) in 1/110 scale is an AEON all-over liveried Kowloon Motor Bus Wrights Gemini, details of these models will follow when known.

And finally, a second 1/43 scale Leyland Victory Mk 2, featuring G127 (CD4320) on route 70 to Jordan Road Ferry.

24th December 2019

Operator	Year 20xx								Manufacturer	Year 20xx
Operator	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	Manufacturer	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19

China Motor Bus	0	2	8	6	13	28	16	0	80M Bus Model	12	25	9	5	9	39	37	31
Citybus	4	9	5	5	18	16	9	22	APEC	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	3
Discovery Bay	0	0	0	0	0	7	5	3	Automodel	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	4
Kowloon Motor Bus	32	45	47	69	66	50	49	63	Best Choose	0	4	5	10	15	0	0	2
Kwoon Chung	0	0	0	2	6	2	3	1	BR Bus Model	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	11
Long Win	0	1	0	1	8	2	6	5	Buses Model Co.	7	2	3	8	10	13	5	3
MTR Bus	1	1	0	0	0	7	1	2	Cars Workshop	14	13	25	19	11	2	2	3
New Lantao Bus	0	0	0	2	3	6	2	7	Drumwell	10	13	12	0	0	0	0	0
New World First Bus	3	6	2	3	17	9	12	8	MGG Workshop	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4
Park Island	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	2	Model 1	0	4	2	15	35	55	44	59
Singapore operators	0	3	0	1	0	1	0	4	NP Model	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3
Others	5	4	2	7	9	5	12	25	P & T Diecast	0	0	0	0	0	11	8	9
									Roadshow Creations	0	0	0	35	32	0	0	0
									Others	2	10	8	6	28	12	5	10
	45	71	64	98	140	132	115	142		45	71	64	98	140	132	115	142

It is that time of the year when I like to recap on the models released for the year and to compare these with previous years. The above table is correct as of today.

Meanwhile Tiny continue to announce new models in their 1/110 scale range, the latest being this three-door, 12 metre Dennis Dragon in Christmas livery. More details will follow when known.

20th December 2019

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Jotus.com

Whilst looking like an 'oriental' model (the image is 'clickable'), this Duple Metsec bodied 11 metre Dennis Dragon was in fact new to Stagecoach Kenya in 1995, and is modelled here in Magic Bus livery of Manchester. This is a pp sample of one of four such vehicles being produced, in diecast, by Resin Specialist. They are:-

681 - M681 TDB - route 142 East Didsbury - 50 pieces
685 - M685 TDB - route 143 Piccadilly - 50 pieces
686 - M686 TDB - route 143 West Didsbury - 50 pieces
691 - M691 TDB - route 86 Chorlton - 50 pieces

Further details can be found on the Jotus.com website

Released today in Hong Kong are the two New Lantao Bus MAN NL262 from Model 1, first announced back in August.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Network Shuttle

MN12 (JM4266) is on route 38 to Yat Tung and the model represents the actual vehicle just prior to being retired, with blue seats and Amplus destination equipment.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Network Shuttle

MN13 (JM4418) is on route 37 to Caribbean Coast and the model represents the actual vehicle soon after its arrival from Citybus, with original Citybus seats and Brose destination equipment.

Each is limited to 499 pieces and new pages will be added shortly.

20th December 2019

I am planning to make a few minor amendments to the 'list' pages of the site, adding two additional columns:- the first to give a numerical count of the models and the second for the vehicle length. A screenshot of the first page to receive these amendments is shown, and a direct link to that page is included here

Before proceeding, I would just like to check that this revised layout does not cause problems when viewing. Please either e-mail me or post a message on my Facebook page.

19th December 2019

Sadly six people died today and more than thirty were injured when a Kowloon Motor Bus double-deck bus was involved in an accident on the Fanling Highway in Sheung Shui. It is believed no other vehicle was involved, but that the bus crashed in trees, rippng through the nearside upper deck and roof.

The bus involved was ATENU341 (TA6723) a 2014 ADL Enviro500.

18th December 2019

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Network Shuttle

Released in Hong Kong today is this 12.8 metre Gemilang 'facelift' bodied MAN A95 in plain green livery. It features SGBus SG5999Z on route 143 to Jurong East Harbourfront (BMCU143).

My thanks to those who responded to my appeal yesterday for the missing quantities and these have now been added.

Tiny are to release a 1/110 scale New World First Bus MAN A95 (Box L07 - ATC64717). It is on route 82X to Siu Sai Wan and being an unlicensed product it carries no fleetnames or logos.

Also set for release shortly, and again from Tiny in 1/110 scale, is this Kowloon Motor Bus BACo bodied Daimler Fleetline, which comes in rather unusual packaging! It features D989 (BT207) on route 101 to Kennedy Town and carries 'Greatwall Corned Beef' banner adverts.

16th December 2019

Available to pre-order at 80M Bus Model Shop is this 1/43 scale Kowloon Motor Bus Daimler 'A' type. The above image is 'clickable'.

Help required

I am trying to ascertain if the following models came with limited edition certificates, and if so, the quantity:-

APEC champagne liveried Berkhof bodied MAN 24.310 AMN29 (63002)

APEC champagne liveried Berkhof bodied MAN 24.310 AMN23 (63003)

If are are able to assist, please either e-mail me or respond via the site's Facebook page, a link to which can be found at the top of this page.

15th December 2019

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Mark Taylor

The above photograph appeared in the News 10 years ago today - below shows the models which followed, albeit not until mid 2011.

New sets of photographs for the two Long Win Enviro500NGs, released yesterday, have just been added, thanks to 80M Bus Model Shop (KMB2019071) and (KMB2019072).

14th December 2019

As reported below, the NWS Holdings 'Year of the Rat' models have been confirmed. Both feature 12.8 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500s - the Citybus example features 6389 (UM6569) on route 930X (CM163) whilst the New World First Bus 6111 (UN6601) on route 601 (20092). Each is limited to 668 pieces and the above image is 'clickable'.

Tiny is shortly to release this 1/110th scale Kowloon Motor Bus ADL 12.8 metre 'facelift' Enviro500 with glass staircase. The model carries trade plates and has a destination of 'KMB'. The above image is 'clickable'.

A look back at the News on this day 20 years ago reveals that New World First Bus announced plans to release a model of a 'Millennium' liveried Alexander ALX500 bodied Dennis Trident, a photograph of the actual vehicle appearing in the same update. The model was released on 1st January 2000 (99006).

The two Long Win Enviro500NGs, first announced on 2nd December, are set for release in Hong Kong tomorrow (13th). 6501 (TG8125) is on route E32A to Tung Chung Ferry (KMB2019071) whilst 6514 (TJ7312) is on route NA41 with a destination of HMZ Bridge HK Port (KMB2019072). Each is limited to 450 pieces.

12th December 2019

NWS Holdings has unveiled the decoration for it's Citybus and New World First Bus 'Year of the Rat' buses, albeit in model form. The above is an extract of the announcement to it's staff.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Network Shuttle

Another Bus Model Classmate Union (BMCU) model is on it's way, this time a Singapore MAN A22 3-door single-decker. It features SG4002G on route 190 (BMCU190).

My thanks again to KN Tam for advising that the four unlicensed champagne liveried ADL Enviro500NGs from Bus Model Classmate Union (BMCU) were actually released on 1st November, and not on the 3rd December as mentioned below (see News 4th December). All the relevant pages have now been corrected.

11th December 2019

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Network Shuttle

Network Shuttle are now accepting pre-orders for this Park Island Transport 11.3 metre ADL Enviro200. It features LK9179 on route NR331S to Noah's Ark (63381). Coincidentally, route NR331S will be handed-over to Sun Bus to operate from 15th December. The above image is 'clickable' and a new page has now been added.

Collectors in the UK may be interested to know that Lidl are again advertising Livarno display cabinets. They go on sale on Thursday (12th) until Wednesday (18th) and are still priced at £49.99. Here's one of mine that is fairly full!

10th December 2019

Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

Citybus 8800, the first numerically of the batch, was noted operating on route 22 today.

8th December 2019

Photograph courtesy and copyright of BusDreamLand

Kowloon Motor Bus took no time to place into service it's second MCV EvoSeti bodied Volvo B8L, AVBML2, which was noted operating route 81K earlier today.

Photograph courtesy and copyright of BusDreamLand

Also registered yesterday was the latest Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8L, V6B137 (WM5726), noted on service 49X today.

7th December 2019

The same bus noted in Central earlier today
Photograph courtesy and copyright of Philip Chan

Citybus 8806 on it's first day of service captured at Exchange Square Photograph courtesy and copyright of Watt Yung

Real buses dominate today's news, with Citybus placing into service the first of it's Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8Ls.

Meanwhile, nine months after the registration of it's first MCV EvoSeti bodied Volvo B8L, Kowloon Motor Bus has today registered it's second example AVBML2 (WM5028).

6th December 2019

A new page has tonight been added to the

section of the site featuring yesterday's unveiling by Citybus of the first of it's new Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8Ls.

5th December 2019

Citybus officially unveiled their new Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8Ls today. A new page with further photographs will be added shortly.

My thanks to KN Tam, Philip Chan and Andrew Morgan for assisting with the release dates of the four MGG Workshop red Gemini 3 models released during November. All the relevant pages and lists have been updated accordingly.

Photographs courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

Actual images of the two Long Win Enviro500NGs announced yesterday are pictured above, thanks to 80M Bus Model Shop. Each will be limited to 450 pieces. New pages have now been added (KMB2019071) and (KMB2019072).

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Network Shuttle

No less than four unlicensed champagne liveried ADL Enviro500NGs have been released by Bus Model Classmate Union (BMCU). They feature :-

ATENU551 (TL4218) on route 1A to Star Ferry (BMCU1A)
ATENU547 (TL3251) on route 102 to Siu Sai Wan (BMCU102)
ATENU503 (TJ9996) on route 112 to North Point (BMCU112)
ATENU801 (TU9982) on route N368 to Central (Macau Ferry) (BMCUN368).

The above for images are 'clickable'.

4th December 2019

Photographs courtesy and copyright of
80M Bus Model Shop

The two Citybus 40th anniversary models are set for release in Hong Kong tomorrow. Both represent 12.8-metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500s - fleet no. 6493 (VB9800), in the pale yellow livery, is on route 1 to Happy Valley (Upper) (63353/CM161) whilst fleet no. 6495 (VD980), in the canary yellow livery, is on route 182 to Shatin (63354/CM162). Each is limited to 1,388 pieces each.

3rd December 2019

Kowloon Motor Bus has announced that it will release three Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8L in March 2020. More imminent releases are two Long Win Bus Enviro500NGs.

V6B63 (WF3175) is on route N122 to Shau Kei Wan (KMB2019110), V6B15 (WB9327) is on route 868 to Sha Tin Racecourse (KMB2019111) and V6B53 (WF653) is on route 98D to Hang Hau North (KMB2019112). Each will be limited to 750 pieces.

The two Long Win Bus Enviro500NGs feature coach specification vehicles, 6501 (TG8125) on route E32A to Tung Chung Ferry (KMB2019071) and 6514 (TJ7312) on route NA41 towards HMZ Bridge HK Port (KMB2019072).

All the above images are 'clickable'.

If you have an interest in London bus models, I would strongly recommend watching Simon Ayres two YouTube videos on the subject. In his owns words, Simon comments :-
"Using more than seventy London bus models, I tell the story of the development of the London Bus since the 2nd World War. I attempt to tell you something about each model, against a background of the contemporary issues and politics."

Interestingly, the video ends with a Hong Kong model, but you'll have to watch it to find out the link!

I am finding the release of unlicensed models difficult to track, but it appears that all four of the MGG Workshop red liveried Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8Ls have now been released. V6B66 on route A31 (MGG-B8A31) was released on 3rd November, V6B61 on route 936 (MGG-B8936) around 21st November and V6B75 on route 33 (MGG-B833) and V6B82 on route 52X (MGG-B852X) around 30th November. If anyone can provide exact release dates, please e-mail me.

2nd December 2019

	*December 2019* *- 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]

This page last updated Tuesday, 31st December 2019