News - December 2021

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

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2022

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy New Year and to thank all of you who have contributed over the past year. There are too many of you to mention, but your help has been invaluable in ensuring the site continues to provide the latest model and real bus news.

Meanwhile, I think I am safe to publish the following two tables that give a summary of the 1/76 scale releases for the past three years.

Model Manufacturer	2019	2020	2021

80M Bus Model	31	22	43
APEC	3	3	0
Automodel	4	6	0
Best Choose	2	0	0
BMCU	8	5	0
BR Bus Model	13	4	2
Buses Model Co.	3	0	0
Cars Workshop	3	0	2
Go Idea	0	5	0
MGG Workshop	4	4	0
Model 1	64	47	14
NP Model	5	17	7
P & T Diecast	9	0	2
Tiny	3	6	2
Unknown/Others	1	0	1

TOTALS	153	119	73

Operator	2019	2020	2021

China Motor Bus	0	14	2
Citybus	24	11	5
Discovery Bay	3	3	0
HZM Bus	1	0	3
Kowloon Motor Bus	68	45	45
Long Win Bus	5	5	5
New Lantao Bus	7	5	1
New World First Bus	8	13	9
Others	37	23	3

TOTALS	153	119	73

Finally, and purely for information, the table below is an extract from one of the site's tracking reports, as at 1839hrs today. This details the number of visitors to the site, by country, since the tracker was set up in September 2008. The total number of visitors during this period is 4,119,744!

31st December 2021

I particularly like the Kowloon Motor Bus 11.3 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500s and photographed earlier today is the newest bus in the KMB fleet, E6M110 (XU3057) which was registered yesterday along with E6M108 and E6M109.

Following on from the update below (28th December), captured today in daylight is Kowloon Motor Bus Enviro500 ATEU39 (NW3460) with new KMB logos - whilst liking the new logo, I'm not sure it sits well on this ex Long Win livery!

My thanks to Arthur Jie for allowing me to share this super photograph of one of Tower Transit's new 3-door 2-staircase ADL 'facelift' Enviro500. Further photographs have just been added to a new page in the XTRA section of the site.

30th December 2021

Catching up with the latest Tiny news sees the announcement of two versions of a Long Win Bus ADL Enviro500NG, one featuring 6503 (TH659) on route A38 to Allway Gardens (Box KMB11 / KMB 2021139) and the other featuring 9538 (SW4184) on route E36A to Tung Chung (Yat Tung) (Box KMB11 / KMB2021140).

Next comes this Kowloon Motor Bus Dennis Jubilant carrying 'Shop theft is a crime' all over advertising. It features N260 (CN9137) on route 3E with a destination of Jordan Road Ferry (KMB2021120).

29th December 2021

Full sets of photographs have today been received from 80M Bus Model Shop for the recently released Kowloon Motor Bus 12.8 metre MCV EvoSeti bodied Volvo B8Ls and the Long Win Bus 12.8 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500s.

Kowloon Motor Bus 12.8 metre MCV EvoSeti bodied Volvo B8Ls V6X1 (WZ2690) on route 269C Tin Shui Wai Town Centre (KMB2021022).

Kowloon Motor Bus 12.8 metre MCV EvoSeti bodied Volvo B8L V6X13 (WZ7521) on route 27 to Shun Tin (KMB2021023).

Long Win Bus 12.8 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500 feature UE6X3 (XH4232) on route A47X to Airport (KMB2021026).

Long Win Bus 12.8 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500 feature UE6X1 (XH3226) on route E37 to Tin Shui Wai Town Centre (KMB2021027).

Kowloon Motor Bus has applied its latest KMB logo to former Long Win Bus Enviro500 ATEU39 (NW3460) this being originally numbered 8405 in the Long Win fleet.

28th December 2021

This unpainted 11.3 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500 is believed to have been issued on 24th December. It comes in a plain white box with no certificate. If you are able to provide any further details please e-mail me.

26th December 2021

Wishing you a Merry Christmas

My thanks to Leo Kong for allowing me to share his photographs of the Kowloon Motor Bus/Long Win Bus set of two MCV EvoSeti bodied Volvo B8Ls released yesterday (KMB2021194).

The renovation work at Shek-O Bus Terminus appears to be nearing completion as indicated in the above photographs taken today by Dennis Ngan. These photographs have been added to the Shek-O Bus Terminus page in the XTRA section.

25th December 2021

A box set containing two 12.8 metre MCV EvoSeti bodied Volvo B8Ls has been released today. The first features Kowloon Motor Bus V6X22 (XA3903) on route 290 to Tsuen Kwan O whilst the Long Win Bus example features UV6X1 (XM2899) on route A43 to Airport. The set is limited to 600 pieces (KMB2021194).

24th December 2021

Two further models from Tiny have been announced, one in 1/76 scale and one in 1/110 scale.

The 1/76 scale model follows closely behind the cream and green Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa public light bus (Box 33/ATC65440) announced on 17th December and features DC2168 (Box 38/ATC65439).

Meanwhile, the 1/110 scale release features Kowloon Motor Bus BACo bodied Fleetline D968 (BR3691) on route 105 (Box KMB31 / KMB2021210).

Changing to 1/120 scale and Model 1 has released this model of Shek-O Bus Terminus.

Citybus has allocated a new series of fleet numbers for its latest and yet to be registered 12.8 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500s. With the 63xx series currently having reached 6497 - fleet no. 6700 was noted yesterday.

22nd December 2021

Dave Rogers' former Citybus Leyland Olympian no. 152, has been spotted in Hong Kong - or has it?

The following is an extract from an online Daily Mail post yesterday.

"Netflix transforms London's West End into Hong Kong to film The Crown as the drama's fifth season recreates the return of Britain's last major overseas territory. The fifth season of Netflix royal drama The Crown was spotted filming in London's West End this morning. Royal drama is filming in London and Elstree ahead of series' highly anticipated return in November next year. The series appears to be recreating the return of Britain's last major overseas territory Hong Kong in July 1997. The Royal Yacht Britannia's final foreign mission transported the last Governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten back to UK".

My thanks to James Dawkins for advising me of the following press release from Alexander Dennis published yesterday (20th December)

Alexander Dennis Limited (“ADL”), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (“NFI”), one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, today announced that it will supply a further 72 Enviro500 double deck buses to Hong Kong’s largest bus operator The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (“KMB”).

KMB is the largest franchised bus operator in Hong Kong, operating on over 400 routes with a fleet of around 4,000 buses, including more than 2,500 Enviro500 buses bought from ADL since the current generation model was launched in 2012.

The new order is for 46 buses built to a length of 12.8m, able to carry up to 144 passengers including 92 on seats fitted with three-point safety belts and two wheelchair users, as well as 26 shorter vehicles. At 11.3m length, these will have 78 safety-belted seats, one wheelchair space and a total passenger capacity of up to 124. They feature a steered tag axle to ensure excellent manoeuvrability on routes serving the hills of the New Territories as well as in narrow city streets.

ADL President & Managing Director Paul Davies said: “We are delighted that we continue to meet KMB’s expectations as it once again places its confidence in Alexander Dennis with this latest order for 72 double deck buses. We are honoured to contribute to Hong Kong’s world class transport system and look forward to further supporting KMB’s commitment to innovation and first class customer service.”

Tiny's 1/110 scale China Motor Bus liveried Daimler Fleetline looks set to be available as a limited edition model at the forthcoming MegaShowcase event. It features LF107 (BL483) on route 102 (ATC65398).

Another 1/110 scale model is this Wright Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8L with all over advertising for Dr Kong (ATC65448). No other details are currently known.

My thanks to Tony Leung for sending me the above 'first shots' of Tiny's new 1/110 scale MCV bodied Volvo B7RLE.

21st December 2021

Released today in Hong Kong is the long-awaited New Lantao Bus 'Year of the Ox' decorated ADL 'facelift' Enviro400 from Model 1 (63378). It features AD07 (VR2286) on route 3M with a destination of Interchange Tung Chung. It is limited to 306 pieces.

I clearly tempted fate when I published the two tables of this year's new releases (see News 17th December) and therefore these have been revised to include today's release.

Operator	No. of releases
China Motor Bus	2
Citybus	5
HZM Bus	3
Kowloon Motor Bus	44
Long Win Bus	4
New Lantao Bus	1
New World First Bus	9
Public light bus	2
Total	70

Manufacturer	No. of releases
80M Bus Model	41
BR Bus Model	2
Cars Workshop	2
Model 1	14
NP Model	7
P&T Diecast	2
Tiny	2
Total	70

Also released today is the 1/120 scale version, also on route 3M, but with a destination of Mui Wo Ferry.

20th December 2021

The Land Transport Guru website has a detailed article on the recently released SG Bus Volvo B5LH model from Knackstop and this is well worth a look.

Pictured yesterday at Barry, South Wales is former Kowloon Motor Bus 1966 AEC Regent no. A165. My thanks to Clive Williams and the Cardiff Transport Preservation Group for allowing me to share these photographs, all of which are 'clickable'.

19th December 2021

Pictureview Wong Chuk Hang Depot November 2002

The Depot	One proud Bus Captain

18th December 2021

Released 20 years ago today was this Model Bus Evolution Citybus Dennis Dragon with Japan Home Centre allover adverts (MB105). This limited edition model was launched to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the advertiser.

A quick check of the OMB spreadsheet confirms the following releases so far this year:- (Note - tables now updated, see News 20th December)

Operator	No. of releases
China Motor Bus	2
Citybus	5
HZM Bus	3
Kowloon Motor Bus	44
Long Win Bus	4
New World First Bus	9
Public light bus	2
Total	69

Manufacturer	No. of releases
80M Bus Model	41
BR Bus Model	2
Cars Workshop	2
Model 1	13
NP Model	7
P&T Diecast	2
Tiny	2
Total	69

And now for some Tiny 1/110 news.

Set for release is this Kowloon Motor Bus Duple Metsec bodied Dennis Dragon with 'Let's Get Moving' all over advertising (KMB2020080). This appeared in Tiny's 2021 catalogue and it features 3N65 (DD6577) on route 6C to Mei Foo

Next comes this Kowloon Motor Bus Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8L featuring V6B198 (XL6027) on route 68E to Yuen Long Park (KMB2021122).

Next is this 12.8 metre Kowloon Motor Bus Alexander Dennis 'facelift' Enviro500 featuring E6X71 (WN3588) on route X42C (Box KMB 28 / KMB2021186).

And finally this 1/76 scale Mitsubishi Rosa Public Light Bus (Box 33 / ATC65440).

Continuing with the 1/110 scale theme, Masterpiece Collectibles has released four unlicensed Singapore liveried Mercedes-Benz Citaro single-deck buses, as detailed above. Please note I will not be including details of these models in any lists.

17th December 2021

I can confirm that the SG Bus Volvo B5LH from Knackstop is NOT a Model 1 product - this company supplied only the clear plastic case and plinth.

On the subject of this model, it appears that several purchasers have found faults with it and are seeking replacements.

My thanks again to Tan Hao Rui for sending me this photograph of the actual bus on which this model is based. This photograph was taken in September this year whilst operating for SMRT Buses prior to its transfer to Tower Transit.

16th December 2021

Here are photographs of the recently announced models.....

Kowloon Motor Bus 12.8 metre MCV EvoSeti bodied Volvo B8L V6X1 (WZ2690) on route 269C Tin Shui Wai Town Centre (KMB2021022).

Kowloon Motor Bus 12.8 metre MCV EvoSeti bodied Volvo B8L V6X13 (WZ7521) on route 27 to Shun Tin (KMB2021023).

Long Win Bus 12.8 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500 feature UE6X3 (XH4232) on route A47X to Airport (KMB2021026).

Long Win Bus 12.8 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500 feature UE6X1 (XH3226) on route E37 to Tin Shui Wai Town Centre (KMB2021027).

New pages for each will be added shortly. UPDATE - new pages have been added for these four models .

My thanks to Ishak Ismail for providing the above photograph of the SG Bus hybrid MCV Evora bodied Volvo B5LH from Knackstop. The model has a destination of Volvo E6 Diesel > Hybrid Bus and is produced by Model 1 (VOV001).

Since preparing and uploading the above news and images, I have received further photographs of the Knackstop SG Bus Volvo B5LH, thanks to Tan Hao Rui, and these will be added later today - UPDATE - these have now been added to a new page, just follow this link.

and here is the first!

15th December 2021

The identities of the four recently announced Kowloon Motor Bus and Long Win Bus models have now been received and are as follows. The two KMB 12.8 metre MCV bodied Volvo B8Ls will feature V6X1 (WZ2690) on route 269C and V6X13 (WZ7521) on route 27. The two Long Win Bus 12.8 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500s will feature UE6X3 (XH4232) on route A47X and UE6X1 (XH3226) on route E37.

Tiny has announced a further version of its 1/110 scale Kowloon Motor Bus 11.3 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500, which comes in a special presentation box. It features E6M36 (WU7904) on route 64K to Tai Po Market Station (KMB2021137).

Believed to have been released yesterday is this SG Bus hybrid MCV Evora bodied Volvo B5LH from Knackstop. The two usual Singapore retailers, Shopee and Lazada, already show it as sold out! The model features SG3000T, however, its destination is unclear. If anyone can provide any further details, please e-mail me or post a message on the site's Facebook page.

and here is sister vehicle SG3006C

13th December 2021

Kowloon Motor Bus Alexander Dennis Enviro500NG ATENU634 (TN6154) has received this Asiaray sponsored all over 'Merry Christmas' advertising.

I have found that a search for 'Oriental Model Buses' in Google may result in the site's Tiny Index page appearing at the 'top of the list'. To ensure you reach this News page directly, may I suggest you 'bookmark' this page.

12th December 2021

The Kowloon Motor Bus Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8L announced earlier this week has today been released in Hong Kong. It features V6B73 (WF6025) on route W3 with a destination of Jordan (Austin Station) and is limited to 700 pieces (KMB2021107).

11th December 2021

Four new models are on their way!

© Philip Chan

There will be two versions of a Kowloon Motor Bus 12.8 metre MCV bodied Volvo B8L, one on route 269C and the other on route 27.

The other two will feature Long Win Bus 12.8 metre ADL 'facelift' Enviro500s, one on route E37 and A47X.

10th December 2021

Following yesterdays posting of an early photograph of Citybus ECW bodied Leyland Olympian C52 at Leyland Bus Workington Plant, the above photograph was taken a short while after in Blackpool. My thanks again to Ron McCullogh and Basil Hancock for allowing me to share this photograph.

Moving forward 36 years and here is another new double-decker for Hong Kong!

Photographed earlier today undergoing tests is this new 11.7 metre 'facelift' Gemilang bodied MAN A95 for New Lantao Bus.

9th December 2021

Tiny has announced several new 1/110 scale buses

The first is a China Motor Bus 11 metre Alexander bodied Leyland Olympian with all-over advertising for Hong Kong TV. It features LM8 (FW2508) on route 606 and is expected in the third quarter of 2022 (Box 174 / ATC65529).

The second is a Long Win Bus 12 metre Alexander bodied Dennis Trident with all over KMB advertising. 523 (HU2132) is on route A41P to Ma On Shan (Box KMB29 / KMB2021152). This too is anticipated to be released in the third quarter of 2022.

Tiny Singapore has announced this Singapore liveried MAN A95 is to be released during the Singapore Mini ToyCon event which will run from 17th - 19th December.

And finally, UK model and toy wholesaler John Ayrey Die-casts is to stock a range of Tiny models from, according to their website, March 2022. Prices for the range of 1/110 scale buses are shown at £20.99. These models retail for around HK$99 in Hong Kong, so Ill let you calculate the mark up!

Pictured above is a 3-axle Leyland Olympian chassis outside the Leyland Bus Workington Plant in June 1985. Also in the photograph is Citybus ECW bodied Leyland Olympian double-deck coach used by Leyland for publicity with the Lancashire registration B336 YRN. This was to become C52 in the Citybus fleet (later 103). My thanks to Ron McCullogh and Basil Hancock for allowing me to share this photograph.

8th December 2021

Now available for pre-order is this Kowloon Motor Bus Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8L. It features V6B73 (WF6025) on route W3 with a destination of Jordan (Austin Station) and is limited to 700 pieces (KMB2021107).

CORRECTION
The New Lantao Bus Bus 'Year of the Ox' liveried ADL 'facelift' Enviro400 featured in yesterday's news is in fact a 1/120 scale model!

7th December 2021

This Tiny 1/110 scale Kowloon Motor Bus ADL Enviro500 in Long Win livery has now been released. It appeared in Tiny's 2021 catalogue and features ATEU50 (PG7174) on route 21 with a destination of Choi Wan (Box 111 / KMB2021056).

Model 1's New Lantao Bus 'Year of the Ox' decorated ADL 'facelift' Enviro400 looks set for release shortly. It features AD07 (VR2286) on route 3M - (please note this is a 1/120 scale model).

6th December 2021

New World First Bus has applied Merry Christmas decals to Rickshaw Sightseeing Bus Enviro500 5550 (RK4924) and it is seen here earlier today at the Central Ferry Piers.

Since posting the photograph of the renovation works being carried out at the Shek O Bus Terminus (see News 21st November), work is progressing well and the above photograph taken yesterday shows the vast improvement to the cantilevered balcony and a full compliment of letters! This photograph has been added to the Shek O Bus Terminus page in the XTRA section of the site.

5th December 2021

I have received a good selection of photographs taken at the International MotorXpo Hong Kong 2021 which opened yesterday - more will follow later today.

The actual bus was featured in my News update for 13th November and Tiny's 1/110 scale version is pictured above. KMB's Wrights Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B8L V6B86 (WG596) is on route 673 to Hong Kong Station. I am currently awaiting a product code.

I have tonight added a new page to the XTRA section of the site that includes some further and larger images - but a lack of time means this page has not been completed, but hopefully will be tomorrow!!

2nd December 2021

Released 20 years ago today was this Buses Model Co. China Motor Bus Alexander bodied Leyland Olympian with CMB Hotline decals (L020101-680).

Continuing my trip down 'Memory Lane', here is the final selection of photographs taken 10 years ago today.

Pictureview 1st December 2011

KMB Dennis Dragon S3N339 Kwun Tong	KMB Volvo Olympian S3V15 Mong Kok

KMB Dennis Dragon AD247 Kwun Tong	KMB Volvo Olympian 3AV130 Kwun Tong

NWFB Dennis Dart 2090 North Point	NWFB Enviro500 5503 Year of the Rabbit

Citybus Dennis Dragon 867 North Point	KMB Volvo B7RLE AVC22 Kwun Tong

1st December 2021

	*December 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 Friday, 31st December 2021