News- July 2021

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	*July 2021* *- News*
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Model 1 has announced two 12.8 metre New World First Bus ADL 'facelift' Enviro500s in 1/120 scale, as detailed above.

Captured earlier today on its last day of service and looking as good as new is Kowloon Motor Bus Transbus Enviro500 ATE47 (LB8103) which was first registered on 1st August 2003. This bus has been the subject of two models, both of which were released in August 2016 - just click on an image to view the model

Route 268C (left) - route 269B (right)

Not surprisingly, Tiny has announced it will release 1/110 scale models of the two Kowloon Motor Bus ADL Enviro500s that carry the Disneyland Hong Kong 15th anniversary decals. ATEU12 (PG9874) is on route 9 and features Mickey (KMB2021013) whilst ATEU16 (PH6192) is on route 7 and features Duffy (KMB2021014).

31st July 2021

Two further Tiny Kowloon Motor Bus 1/110 scale model appear to be on their way! ATR1 (HJ2127) is on route 1A to Star Ferry whilst Dennis Dragon 3N143 (DK1992) is on route 42A to Cheung Hang.

Alexander Dennis has posted the above photograph on their Facebook page - of course, details of this bus, and the model, can be found on the site - just click on one of the images below.

29th July 2021

Announced by Tiny yesterday and now available for pre-order is this 1/110 scale Argos liveried Leyland Fleetline (ATC64778). It features fleet no. 31 (DD2972), which was former London Transport DMS2123.

Coincidentally, it was 20 years ago yesterday that the first model of an Argos Bus was released, this being ABC Model's Alexander bodied Daimler Fleetline (001301).

28th July 2021

Released in Hong Kong today is this Kowloon Motor Bus Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8L with route 900 decals. It features V6B185 (XG591) on route 900 to Pak Shek Kok (KMB2021080). A new page and further photographs have now been added, thanks to 80M Bus Model Shop.

My thanks to Steve Mills, Andrew Shirley and Jotus.com for their assistance in providing further information on the Peak Horse tram with The World of Diecast decals, as featured below.

The reference to Shau Kei Wan has been confirmed as being the location of the original shop, as detailed in the above business card, which appears on 'The World of Diecasts' Facebook page. The business appears to have closed on 29th June 2017.

27th July 2021

As Kowloon Motor Bus are withdrawing their early ADL/Transbus Enviro500s, a UK operator has just registered a 2004 example!

This example was used as a development bus for ADL/Transbus. It never made it to Hong Kong and eventually was acquired by Ensign Bus, who have cut off the roof applied this attractive livery. It is being used in Southend on open top route 68. It was first registered earlier this month.

My thanks to Ensign Bus for allowing me to share the above photographs

26th July 2021

I am grateful to Thorsten John from Germany for sending me photographs of a Peak Horse tram that he recently acquired through a popular on-line auction site. The model appears to be based on Peak Horse tram no. 11102 (tram no. 28 to Happy Valley) with the addition of 'The World of Diecast' decals and the roof mounted fleet number changed to 120. The original fleet number is still carried on the front and rear bumpers.

Whilst aware of 'The World of Diecast' being based at Sai Wan Ho, I am not aware of a link with Shau Kei Wan or to Unit 20 - if you are able to provided any further information, please e-mail me.

Kowloon Motor Bus has registered thirteen Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8Ls so far this month and of note with these latest buses is the reduction in the upper deck seating from 59 to 55. Captured earlier today at Tsing Yi Station are V6B194 (XL4432) with an orange destination and V6B195 (XL4482) with white.

25th July 2021

My thanks to Tan Hao Rui for sending me photographs of the three recently released resin Singapore Bus Services Volvo B57s, which have now been added to the appropriate pages - SBS4903U, SBS4774A and SBS4833M.

Following the news item below regarding BC Transit's new Enviro500s replacing the company's Dennis Tridents, here is a photograph showing both old and new.

As promised earlier in the week, I have now added a new page to the Xtra section of the site for the heritage gallery at the Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange in Singapore - just click on the above image.

24th July 2021

Pictured above are some recent 1/120 scale releases from 80M Bus Model and Model 1. The two Model 1 Citybus Enviro400 models were missing from my post of 11th July and I can confirm that all eight of these models have now been released.

Please note, unfortunately I do not have the time to post details of the increasing ranges of 1/120 scale models, but I will endeavour to continue with the Tiny 1/110 range (see below). Keeping abreast of the 1/76 scale models and 'real' bus news keeps me rather busy!

Well, yesterday I updated the page for the 1/76th version of KMB's 88th anniversary liveried Enviro500 and today it is the turn of Tiny's 1/110 scale example, now released, which is on route 88 with a destination of Tai Wai Station. I believe the model can be illuminated when using an associated app! (KMB2021074).

Also available for pre-order from Tiny is this 1/110 scale KMB Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8L in all-over advertising for Ricqles. It features V6B104 (WH5413) on route 307 with a destination of Tai Po Central (ATC65354).

As promised, a new page has tonight been added to the Xtra section of the site for the new ADL Enviro500s for BC Transit, Canada - just click on the above image.

22nd July 2021

A new page and a full set of photographs have tonight been added for the recently released KMB 88th anniversary liveried Enviro500 (KMB2021003).

21st July 2021

Below are two news items, further details and photographs of which will follow shortly.

© Cheow Yi Jian

An update from Singapore, where a heritage gallery has opened in the new Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub. It features displays of various artefacts and diecast models of TIBS/SMRT buses throughout the years.

Released today in Hong Kong is the Kowloon Motor Bus 88th anniversary liveried 12 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500 ATENU997 (UB7843). It is on route 88 with a destination of Sau Mau Ping Central and is limited to 830 pieces (KMB2021003). A new page will be added shortly.

20th July 2021

New pages have tonight been added for the three resin Singapore Bus Services liveried Volvo B57s from Masterpiece Collectibles - SBS4903U, SBS4774A and SBS4833M.

19th July 2021

As detailed below, Kowloon Motor Bus began operating new routes P960 and P968 today, using the ten V6P class of Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8Ls, which were originally destined for Long Win Bus. These buses were 'parked up' for a long period of time before being repainted and upgraded for these premier routes. A new page and further photographs are currently being added to the Xtra section of the site.

New pages and photographs have now been added for the two KMB 11.3 metre 'facelift' Enviro500 models released yesterday - (KMB2021007) and (KMB2021008) along with the two Disneyland 15 liveried Enviro500s (KMB2021015) and (KMB2021016).

Kowloon Motor Bus is to release a two-model set, both models featuring Alexander Dennis Enviro500 NV966, one in original Long Win Bus livery and the other in its current red KMB livery. The Long Win version is on route E34B with a destination of Airport whilst the KMB version is on route 8 to Star Ferry.

18th July 2021

The two Kowloon Motor Bus 11.3 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500s carrying 'Heartbeat of the City' decals were released in Hong Kong today. E6M61 (WV8002) is on route 91 with a destination of Clear Water Bay (KMB2021007) whilst E6M48 (WU9777) is on route 64K with a destination of Tai Po Market Station (KMB2021008). Each is limited to 800 pieces.

My thanks to Colin Britteon and Simon Ayres for providing photographs of the recently released resin Singapore Bus Services New Zealand Motor Bodies Volvo B57 from Masterpiece Collectibles. These will be added as soon as time allows.

TCM01 (TP7807) and TCM02 (TR4341) are both new additions to the New Lantao Bus (NLB) fleet, being replacements for the Mitsubishi Rosa. They were acquired and delivered to NLB in March 2021 and did not enter service until yesterday (16th July), when TCM02 made it debut trip on route 34. Both are second-hand and are believed to have been transferred from the Kwoon Chung Group.

17th July 2021

A "long-haul, first class bus service" will be launched by Kowloon Motor Bus on two routes running from New Territories West to Hong Kong Island. But fares will be higher for the more comfortable rides, with fewer stops.
Launching this Sunday are P960 from Siu Hong Station to Wan Chai and P968 from Yuen Long West to Tin Hau, charging HK$32.80 and HK$36.90 respectively.
And standing passengers will not be allowed - a first - as everyone is guaranteed a seat for hour-long journeys.
The buses will have 80 passenger seats, with 51 on the upper deck and 29 on the lower. All will have belts.
There are also curtains, USB charging ports and free Wi-Fi service.
The buses also roll with environmentally friendly engines, safety features, including a system that guards against drivers dozing, an advanced driver assistance system and a system to provide feedback.
Route P960 will take in 20 stops from Siu Hong station to Wan Chai North Bus Terminus from 6.45am to 3.45pm and 21 stops in the opposite direction from 10.45am to 12.45am.
It will head to Sheung Wan, Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay via Tuen Mun Road and the Western Harbour Crossing.
It will be "most convenient'' for working people, according to KMB. "It is also the first KMB route between Tuen Mun and Causeway Bay."
Travelling time on the existing route 960 is one hour and 43 minutes.
Route P968 will go directly from Yuen Long to Sheung Wan and on to Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Tin Hau using the Tai Lam Tunnel and the Western Harbour Crossing from 9.15am to 3.55pm, and in the opposite direction from 10.55am to 12.45am.
The route with some variations is also available from 6.50am to 8.30am, departing from Long Ping station bus terminus.
The HK$2 fare concession scheme and KMB's monthly pass cannot be used on the routes.

The above article was published in The Standard (Hong Kong) on Tuesday 13th July.

Interestingly, the company registered ten Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8Ls last week, allocating them a new class, namely V6P1-V6P10. My thanks to Keith Wood for informing of the above.

I have received further details of the three recently released resin Singapore Bus liveried Volvo B57s from Masterpiece Collectibles - SBS4903U is on route 16, SBS4774A is on route 192 with a destination of Jurong Inter - South Canal Road and SBS4833M is on route 273. No product codes are carried. I hope to add new pages shortly and would welcome photographs of any of these models.

No less than four new books have recently been published - The Fleet Directory of Hong Kong Buses 2021-2022 from BSI Hobbies, Hong Kong Bus Yearbook 2020-21 from Northcord Transport, The Fleetbook of Hong Kong Buses 2021-2022 from New Overground Publishing and finally Dennis Trident, also from New Overground Publishing. I have no other information on these books, but if the publishers are willing to send me a copy, a detailed review would follow!

15th July 2021

Released in Singapore on Monday (12th July) was this resin New Zealand Motor Bodies Volvo B57 in Singapore Bus Services livery. This model was first announced back in October 2020 and comes in three variants (route 16, route 192 and route 273), each of which is limited to 100 pieces.

Now released is this Tiny 1/110 scale New Lantao Bus Leyland Victory Mk 2, which features LD8 (CT5641) on route 4 to Tong Fuk (Box 75d / ATC65064).

Continuing with Tiny 1/110 scale news, a further version of Kowloon Motor Bus Mercedes-Benz O305 ME1 is set for release tomorrow.

The following two models are believed to be set for release at the ACGHK (Ani-Com & Games) Show which is to be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre between 23rd and 26th July 2021.

14th July 2021

The 80M Bus Model Shop website has announced four new Kowloon Motor Bus models, details of which are listed below.

The first features ATENU997 (UB7843), a 12 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500 with KMB 88th anniversary decals. Appropriately it is on route 88 with a destination of Sau Mau Ping Central and is limited to 830 pieces (KMB2021003).

Next are two 11.3 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500s carrying 'Heartbeat of the City' decals - E6M61 (WV8002) is on route 91 with a destination of Clear Water Bay (KMB2021007) whilst E6M48 (WU9777) is on route 64K with a destination of Tai Po Market Station (KMB2021008). Each is limited to 800 pieces.

And finally, V6B185 (XG591) is a Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8L with route 900 branding. It is, of course, on route 900 with a destination of Pak Shek Kok and is limited to 700 pieces (KMB2021080).

13th July 2021

Photograph awaited

Model 1 are to release eight 1/120 scale models later this month, being split equally between Citybus and New World First Bus. Four will feature Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8Ls and four will feature ADL 'facelift' Enviro400s.

11th July 2021

Well that little holiday went rather quickly😂😂

Further to the news below, pictured above are the two models in question, courtesy of 80M Bus Model Shop - ATEU12 (PC9874) on route 7 (KMB2021015) and ATEU16 (PH6192) on route 9 (KMB2021016).

Tiny has announced three Chocolate Rain models, one of which is this 1/110 scale Wrights Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TL (CCRA003).

A glimpse of the two standard liveried New World First Bus Neoplan Centroliners from Model 1 - 6025 (JX9422) on route 720 (64402/20100) and 6027 (JX9980) on route 18X (64403/20101).

10th July 2021

Kowloon Motor Bus has announced it will release two Disney liveried ADL Enviro500 models on Monday (5th) celebrating the 15th anniversary of Disneyland Hong Kong, which opened in 2005. ATEU12 (PG9874) carries Mickey Mouse decals and is on route 7 whilst ATEU16 (PH6192) carries Duffy decals and is on route 9.

2nd July 2021

Released today in Hong Kong is this Tiny 1/110 scale 'PuPu Aliens' liveried Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8L. This is a fictitious model carrying a registration of 'PuPu', a route number of 88 and destination of 'PuPu' (PUPU002).

Also released today is the Tiny 1/110 scale 12.8 metre Long Win Bus ADL 'facelift' Enviro500, details of which were included in the News for 28th June.

A selection of retired Kowloon Motor Bus buses stored in the Yuen Long area that are believed to have been acquired for preservation.

1st July 2021

	*July 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 last updated Sunday, 1st August 2021