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Features:
Van Hool Double Deck Coaches - Plan by Terry Blois, model by Paul Theobold.
The Forgotten VR's - The first Bristol VR's were a little different...
Detailing the EFE TWM Liberator (Part 4) Mike Hill adds the finishing touches.
A National Instutution - It's over 30 years since the first Leyland National rolled off the production line.
Newport Street Bus Station, Worcester - Ron Trill describes his model of a vanished bus station.
News, reviews and regular features:
Historical Atmosphere - 'Now that would make a nice model...'
Postbag
Product Reviews
Die-cast Focus
Bookshelf
Product News
Other Road Vehicles - What We Want Is...Brain Minter unearths some specialist suppliers.
Other Road Vehicles - More Petite Cars - Mike Hill gets more new cars.
Not On Service
Duty Roster
Gallery
Looking through the books that we have received for review recently I was struck by how much things are changing. Take the London Bus. Now those words conjure up a red double decker to a large percentage of the world's population. Enthusiasts will probably think of an RT or RM depending on their age. The current 'standard' .London Bus is the Alexander ALX400 with 953 on Dennis Trident chassis, 346 on DAF DB250LF chassis and 110 on Volvo B7TL chassis. That's over 1,400 of them out of 4,665 red double deckers. Since you ask there are 629 RM's still in London service, but the ALX400 is the current 'standard'.
Then there are the big fleets. First is currently sweeping away not only the old company names but also their fleet numbers. They are applying a 5 digit number allocated simply on the basis of when the bus was put on the computer. There is no information there for the enthusiast, or indeed operating staff. Most of the larger companies historically had a fleet numbering system that provided some information to those in the know.
We are living in a world of constant change and this is reflected in the bus world. Fortunately as modellers we can take it or leave it. Embrace the changes and keep your models up with the latest liveries, numbers and •'Styles or wallow in nostalgia for the days when half-cabs were the norm. You can even do both. There are publishers and model manufacturers who will cater for you whichever option you choose.
If this is your first issue of Model Buses, welcome aboard. If not, thank you for your continued support. Enjoy this issue and make more of your hobby with Model Buses.
