News - March 2021

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	*March 2021* *- News*
Previous month's News	To find a specific month's News, click here	Next month's News

Whilst carrying out some maintenance work today on the site, I checked the number of pages and images - and the answer is:-

3,196 pages

44,044 images

The above three Kowloon Motor Bus models have been released in Hong Kong today:-

Left - Enviro500 ATEE1 (RE508) on route 32 to Shek Wai Kok - 600 pieces (KMB2020088).

Middle - Training Bus Enviro500 ATEU5 (NX3426) - 450 pieces (KMB2020092).

Right - 12.8 metre 'facelift' Enviro500 E6X33 (WJ1792) on route 74X to Kwun Tong Ferry - 680 pieces (KMB2020145).

In last month's news, I featured Model Bus Evolution Citybus Duple Metsec bodied Dennis Dragon in what has to be one of the most bizarre packaging, a paint tin. Well, this Tiny 1/110 scale release may just beat that, being packed inside a television - well, what appears to be a cardboard replica of a television!! No other details are currently known about this livery or the featured bus.

31st March 2021

Ten years ago today, Kowloon Motor Bus registered its first ADL Enviro200. AAU1 (PU4458)

Continuing with Tiny 1/110 scale news

First is this Kowloon Motor Bus three-door Duple Metsec bodied Dennis Dragon 3N187 (DK8238) on route 36A to Sham Shui Po (Tonkin Street) (KMB2020139).

A second three-door Dragon, this time featuring all-over advertising for Shell, is 3N178 (DK5902) which is on route 102 to Shau Ki Wan (KMB2020130).

The white Bruce Lee 80th anniversary model featuring Kowloon Motor Bus 12.8 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500 E6X132 (WW4016) has been released (KMB2020099).

It is rumoured that the Kowloon Motor Bus MTR Feeder liveried Enviro500 is likely to be released at the HK Mega Showcase, which opens on 2nd April (KMB2020014).

Is this Dragon Boat Festival liveried Kowloon Motor Bus Olympian another new model?

Having received no negative comments regarding the removal of the 'Home' page, I can confirm that the revised header for this 'News' page is here to stay!

30th March 2021

Another Tiny 1/110 scale release is the second white and blue liveried China Motor Bus Volvo Olympian. It features VA56 (HP3011) on route 38 to Chi Fu (Box 92/ATC65067).

I have not previously reported the fact that the first Enviro500s to enter service with Kowloon Motor Bus are being retired. ATE12 (KY7641) is the latest, and was photographed yesterday awaiting scrapping.

29th March 2021

Yesterday's news focused on a new bus, but today's news focuses on a few older vehicles. Pictured above are former Kowloon Motor Bus Volvo 'Super' Olympians 3ASV480 (top) and 3ASV484 (bottom). It is believed both are to be used as a restaurant in the Yuen Long area.

I can confirm that the Tiny 1/110 scale Kowloon Motor Bus 'Millennium' liveried Duple Metsec bodied Dennis Trident has been released (KMB2021012). It features ATR109 (HZ8186) on route 87D with a destination of Kam Ying Court.

28th March 2021

Tiny has announced new 1/110 scale model, this being in the form of China Motor Bus Volvo Olympian VA63 (HR2439 on route A20 to the Airport.

A new page has tonight been added to the Xtra section of the site for the Sun Bus Wrights StreetDeck.

27th March 2021

Following yesterday's news on Tiny's latest Bruce Lee model, here is a further photograph of the model.................

and here is the real thing, Kowloon Motor Bus 12.8 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500 E6X132 (WW4016) photographed earlier today operating on route 27.

Today saw the last day of operation for Citybus's Alexander ALX500 bodied Dennis Tridents. Fleet no, 2312 (KN4257) took part in the event, but unfortunately broke down in Lion Rocks Tunnel. It is pictured above around 2240hrs in Central.

26th March 2021

Visitor Survey - Update

A suggestion was received to create separate pages for the Enviro500 types, splitting the existing page, which lists around 230 models, into the standard Enviro500, the Enviro500NG and the 'facelift' Enviro500. The work required would be quite considerable, including changing all the links to these pages, however, I have added buttons to the existing page, which will take you to each of the types, rather than having to scroll down the whole page.

Another suggestion, from a like-minded collator of model bus information, was to create a page that listed any models where the full details are unknown, e.g. route number, destination, quantity, etc.. Primarily this page would be for my benefit, but it would enable visitors to easily view what information is missing and, where possible, provide assistance. Clearly, the aim is to minimise the contents of this page! This new page, which is still being added to, can be accessed from the 'Diecast Models' page, as shown below, or just click on the image itself.

Several visitors commented that one of the pages least visited was the 'Home' page. Likewise, my bookmark takes me directly to the current 'News' page. For this reason, and as a trial, the 'Home' page has now been incorporated into the current 'News' page. If you have the 'Home' page bookmarked, there is no need to change anything, as you should automatically be redirected to this 'News' page.

As mentioned, this revised layout is being trialled and should you experience any problems or have any comments, good or bad, please do e-mail me.

Announced back on 9th February was Tiny's new casting of its Leyland Victory featuring China Motor Bus LV18 with Hot Line decals and on route 3. The above images appear today on Tiny's Facebook page.

Continuing with Tiny news, a 1/110 scale white version of the Bruce Lee 80th anniversary series has been announced, featuring a Kowloon Motor Bus 'facelift' Enviro500. Further details will follow when known.

25th March 2021

Today saw the Sun Bus Wrights StreetDeck enter service on route NR331S and it was captured about to depart Ma Wan for Tsuen Wan (Nina Tower) this afternoon.

This year's Visitor Survey has now closed and I have now added a new page giving an overview of the statistics. This can be accessed by clicking on the image below. My thanks to all who participated.

Several more Tiny 1/110 scale models have been announced along with a 1/43 scale Kowloon Motor Bus Leyland Victory Mk 2, which appears to be the subject of a promotion with the 7-Eleven chain of stores.

Pictured above is the 1/43 Leyland Victory featuring G43 (CA8146) on route 82M with a destination of Yuen Chau Kok. It is being promoted as a 50th anniversary model - the first 7-Eleven store opened in Hong Kong in 1981.

These two 1/110 models carry all-over advertising for Line Friends (see below for further details). The top photograph shows Kowloon Motor Bus Daimler Fleetline D1007 (BU3648) on route 35 (ATC65157) whilst the bottom shows Citybus Enviro500NG 8329 (SE3989), route and destination unknown (ATC65154).

Line Friends began with the introduction of sticker characters 'BROWN & FRIENDS' for leading mobile messenger app LINE and its active worldwide user base of 200 million. Since then, the company has emerged as a global creative studio based on its range of exclusive Intellectual Property's(IP) including 'BT21'– characters created in collaboration with worldwide pop-sensation BTS, and Supercell's mobile hit game 'Brawl Stars', winning the hearts and minds of the youth worldwide.

And yet another one!!

24th March 2021

Released today are the two Citybus standard liveried Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8Ls. Fleet no. 8800 (WM5832) is on route 22 to Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (63623/CM166), whilst fleet no. 8806 (WM5165) is on route X962 to Tuen Mun Pier (63624/CM167). Each is limited to 1,688 pieces.

This Collector's Model 1/50 scale China Motor Bus MCW Metrobus was announced exclusively on this site 20 years ago today (MCW-70101).

Tiny has announced a further 1/76 scale Toyota public light bus, this version being in red. It features JG2930 and has a destination of Kwun Tong (Box 183b/ATC65034). A new page for the green public light bus announced on 17th March has also been added today (Box180b/ATC65035).

And in their 1/110 scale range, Tiny are set to release this violet liveried Kowloon Motor Bus Dennis Dragon.

23rd March 2021

News pages have today been created for the three Kowloon Motor Bus Enviro500s announced yesterday and links to each have been added below.

Pictured above is North America's first electric double-deck bus. Foothill Transit, the American public transportation leader in electric bus deployment, has purchased two electric versions of the Alexander Dennis double deck bus. The twin Enviro500EVs made their way from the UK and will debut in the Foothill Transits Southern California fleet this year. A new page with further photographs has tonight been added to the Xtra section. My thanks to Issac Chan for allowing me to share his photographs.

MTR Bus has registered four new 11.3 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500s, allocating them fleet nos 546-549.

22nd March 2021

80M Bus Model Shop has today announced the above three Kowloon Motor Bus models, namely:-

Top - Enviro500 ATEE1 (RE508) on route 32 to Shek Wai Kok - 600 pieces (KMB2020088).

Middle - Training Bus Enviro500 ATEU5 (NX3426) - 450 pieces (KMB2020092).

Bottom - 12.8 metre 'facelift' Enviro500 E6X33 (WJ1792) on route 74X to Kwun Tong Ferry - 680 pieces (KMB2020145).

All three images are 'clickable' and new pages will be added shortly.

A full set of photographs for Kowloon Motor Bus Mercedes-Benz O305 ME36 (DG5708) in all-over advertising livery for Route 3 has now been added (BR-024).

21st March 2021

Registration numbers feature in several of today's news items ..........

Citybus Enviro500 8206, recently repainted into this 'retro' livery, has been transferred to the non-franchised fleet and at the same time has lost its RL4470 registration in favour of AD4589. This new registration was originally allocated to China Motor Bus single-deck Guy Arab Mk V, which was subsequently fitted with a Metal Sections double- deck body becoming S1. It later was converted into a water bowser. It was later carried by New World First Bus Volvo Super Olympian 5084, which in turn became Citybus 253!

The above model is rather special, despite appearing to have an identity crisis!!
(Further details can be found here)

Dave Rogers is continuing his excellent work on the restoration of former Citybus Van Hool bodied Volvo B10M 1273 and yesterday saw it reunited with its original Hong Kong registration, FC9356. Dave also has confirmed "she'll be yellow again soon!".

And finally, as far as registration numbers go, captured today operating on route 182 were Citybus's two 11.3 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500s (these are, of course, due to be released in model form). 9149, on the left, is registered EM6616. This registration number was originally carried by Leyland Olympian 127, when new in June 1990, before being transferred to Enviro500 8170. 9150 (WG6188) is pictured on the right.

Discovery Bay has recently introduced route DB01P, which operates between Tung Chung and Discovery Bay Plaza Bus Terminus via Discovery Bay North. Noted in service yesterday was MAN A95 DBAY216 (UX5874) and Wrights Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TL DBAY209 (TN8184).

20th March 2021

New World First Bus 'Rickshaw Bus' liveried ADL Enviro500 no. 5550 was noted on route 82M yesterday, operating between Chai Wan Station and and Siu Sai Wan (Island Resort) - both images are 'clickable'. My thanks to Alex Cheng for allowing me to use his photographs.

More Tiny news to report - announced today is a second version of their 1/76 scale Toyota Coaster 19-seat public light bus. This features CN1108 on route 67A and with a destination of Shek Mun (Box 180/ATC65035). A new page will be added shortly.

Also available to pre-order is this 1/110 scale Kowloon Motor Bus 12.8 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500 3ATENU176 (VP603). It is on route X89D with a destination of Nai Chung (Box 60/ATC65237). Details of this model have now been added to the Tiny page of the site.

17th March 2021

Still looking good after 19 years service is Citybus Dennis Trident 2312, noted operating route 88R over the weekend. It is one of three Tridents remaining in the company's non-franchised fleet and set to retire later this month.

My thanks to Keith Wood for sending me this stunning shot of the soon to be modelled New World First Bus Neoplan Centroliner no. 6008 (64401/20099).

15th March 2021

New pages have now been added for the three New World First Bus Neoplan Centroliners and the three Citybus 11.3 metre ADL Enviro500NG models from Model 1 announced on the 10th March - just scroll down to see the links.

Citybus has applied another 'retro' livery to one of it's buses, this time it is the turn of ADL Enviro500 8207, which is believed to to be joining the non-franchised fleet shortly. It was noted today operating route E22A.

Set for release tomorrow is this Tiny 1/110 scale Kowloon Motor Bus 12-metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500 with route 33 branding. I features ATENU1567 (VR7897), which is of course on route 33 and has a destination of Tsuen Wan West. Of particular note is the addition of wing mirrors. It is a Members only release (KMB2020018).

Now available to pre-order on the 80M Bus Model Shop website is New Overground Publishing's Hong Kong Bus Review for 2020.

12th March 2021

My thanks to BusLanes for allowing me to share the above photographs of Singapore's first 12.5 metre 'double-glass staircase' three-door ADL 'facelift' Enviro500. All these images are 'clickable'.

Once again I am grateful to Benson Ho for advising me of yet another 1/76 scale tram not previously recorded on this site. This one features tram no. 98 which carries all-over advertising for Allianz Global Investors. It's destination reads Sheung Wan (Western Market) in Chinese. A new page and further photographs will be added shortly.

New pages have tonight been added for the three trams mentioned in yesterday's and today's news updates - just click on an image.

11th March 2021

No less than six new models have today been announced by Model 1, details of which are shown below.

Citybus 11.3 metre ADL Enviro500NG:-

Fleet no. 9102 (SA4728) on route 88R to Central - 1,288 pieces (63395/CM174).
Fleet no. 9108 (SC124) on route 48 to Ocean Park - 656 pieces (63396/CM175).
Fleet no. 9122 (SF4678) on route 6X to Stanley - 656 pieces (63397/CM176).

New World First Bus 12 metre Neoplan Centroliner:-

Fleet no. 6008 (JU1220) on route 2X - Wan Chai Express - 1,200 pieces (64401/20099).
Fleet no. 6025 (JX9422) on route 720 to Aldrich Bay - 650 pieces (64402/20100).
Fleet no. 6027 (JX9980) on route 18X to Belcher Bay - 750 pieces (64403/20101).

Whilst updating the OMB spreadsheet with these latest announcements, I note that it is the first time a model has featured the destination 'Belcher Bay'!

Believed to be a recent release is fictitious tram no. 1669 with all-over advertising for Tong Ren Tang with a destination of Western Market. The livery marks the 350th anniversary of it's founding, in 1669. The quantity is confirmed as 2,000 pieces and a new page and further photographs will be added as soon as time allows.

Here is another commissioned tram which I have not previously recorded. Fictitious tram no. HK60 carries an all-over advertising livery for BNY Mellon. The destination reads Hong Kong and I do not believe it came with a certificate. A new page and further photographs will be added as soon as time allows.

My special thanks to Benson Ho for providing the above information and photographs.

10th March 2021

Pictured above is another specially commissioned tram for Hotel Indigo. It features tram no. 109 with a destination of Sheung Wan in Chinese. No certificate is included and it comes in a clear plastic display case. A new page and further photographs have now been added - just follow this link.

And thanks to Keith Wood, here is a photograph of sister tram no. 56 carrying the same livery and taken back in 2013. Take a look at Keith's flickr site for plenty of other tram, bus and aircraft photographs.

Having posted photographs of the Citybus and New World First Bus buses carrying the new Brand HK livery last month, I am now able to post photographs of the Kowloon Motor Bus example, thanks to Andrew Chan. This features 12 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500 ATENU1243 (VA8980).

9th March 2021

I must congratulate Anthony Lui, whose progress I have been following on his Facebook page, on his superb efforts in building a model of China Motor Bus Chai Wan Depot, as pictured above (all images are clickable). And for comparison, here is a photograph of the 'real thing', courtesy of Donald MacRae. Further photographs of the actual depot and its history can be found in the Xtra section of the site.

Tiny has announced this new 1/110 scale model of a pale purple Kowloon Motor Bus Duple Metsec bodied Dennis Dragon.

8th March 2021

I am grateful to Stefan König, a long-time supporter of my site and an avid collector of Hong Kong tram models, for sending me photographs of some tram models that he has recently received.

The first features the Bitcoin liveried tram, details of which first appeared on this site on 31st December. This features tram no. 110 and is limited to just 210 pieces.

The second, and previously unrecorded, is tram no. 80 with Art Basel all-over advertising and with a destination of Western Market.

New pages with further photographs have just been added for both - just follow the above links.

7th March 2021

One of my favourite and one of the heaviest models in my collection was released 10 years ago today. Kowloon Motor Bus Duple Metsec bodied Dennis Dragon 3N164 is on route 11 to Diamond Hill MTR (92601).

Confirmation has now been received regarding the product codes for the two versions of Mercedes-Benz O305 ME36 from BR Bus Model.
That on route 76K to Yuen Long (West) is numbered BR-023 whilst that on route 70 to Jordan Road Ferry is numbered BR-024 - quantities currently remain unknown.

6th March 2021

With the arrival today of the plastic Peak Horse 1/87 scale 'Bridgestone' liveried Dennis Dragon, my search continues for the last (or maybe even the first) two!!

4th March 2021

Noted earlier today undergoing driver training was Sun Bus Wrights Streetdeck XD8994.

3rd March 2021

80M Bus Model has announced two new 1/76 scale trams, details of which are shown below.

The first features tram no. 15 with a destination of Western Market (TT33402).

The second features tram no. 160, with trailer, and it is on route to North Point (TT33502).

Both models are limited to 800 pieces each.

2nd March 2021

Pictured above is Tiny's 1/110 scale version of Kowloon Motor Bus Mercedes-Benz O305 ME1 (CZ6686), which was first announced back in early December. It is on route 101 to Kwun Tong (Box 74/KMB2020112).

1st March 2021

	*March 2021* *- 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]

Page updated Tuesday, 30th March 2021