Model buses

[Ryan Art]

How many model buses do people collect?

 

[37114]

I had over 70 at one point but now only have 24, the majority are DMS Fleetlines and Leyland Titans.

 

[scosutsut]

Used to have a decent little EFE and Corgi collection but alas they were left behind at parents house for too long and sadly disposed of without my knowledge, gutted.

Been considering getting back into it but by heck they are a lot more expensive than I remember!

 

[Cymroglan]

Until an enterprising business starts releasing models of buses from the fleets of independents of North West Wales (Whiteways, Deiniolen Motors, Purple Motors etc), my collection has about half a dozen Crosvilles oh and an incongruous Bournemouth trolley bus.....

 

[Daniel740]

Ask Boris, he loves making model buses from boxes...

 

[507021]

I have between 40 and 50 model buses in my collection, although I doubt I'll be buying many more because I'm running out of shelf space.

They're mostly Liverpool and Manchester buses, but I have others from France, the Isle of Man, London, Northampton, Southport and Warrington.

 

[Flange Squeal]

I began collecting second hand ones at the model rail shows I used to go to with my Dad as a kid, and things soon got out of hand. Pocket money, birthdays and Christmas! Probably got up to around 75 in the end. They used to come out for driving in the living room (an angled corner meant an awkward shaped gap between fireplace and TV stand made a handy bus station ). They never crashed though! ‘Growing up’ saw me move into computer games (mainly simulators!) and the buses were parked in the loft.

In more recent times my parents had a clear out and I selected a few that had local/sentimental connections, with the rest being split between eBay or donating to the IOW Bus Museum for them to try sell in their fundraising shop. I found in the years of my absence a few local models had been produced by Creative Master Northcord (and the newer Northcord reincarnation), so the reduced collection has been slightly added to. Probably only up to around 8-10 though. Expensive, but the level of detail is fantastic!

 

[507021]

I began collecting second hand ones at the model rail shows I used to go to with my Dad as a kid, and things soon got out of hand. Pocket money, birthdays and Christmas! Probably got up to around 75 in the end. They used to come out for driving in the living room (an angled corner meant an awkward shaped gap between fireplace and TV stand made a handy bus station ). They never crashed though! ‘Growing up’ saw me move into computer games (mainly simulators!) and the buses were parked in the loft.

In more recent times my parents had a clear out and I selected a few that had local/sentimental connections, with the rest being split between eBay or donating to the IOW Bus Museum for them to try sell in their fundraising shop. I found in the years of my absence a few local models had been produced by Creative Master Northcord (and the newer Northcord reincarnation), so the reduced collection has been slightly added to. Probably only up to around 8-10 though. Expensive, but the level of detail is fantastic!

Although CMNL/Northcord models are expensive, I do think the level of detail makes them worth the money.

I won't say how much exactly, but a very rare one (one of only 480 produced) in mint condition cost the equivalent of half of my weekly wages.

 

[gka472l]

About 150 at the moment, generally pre-order any new stuff when announced as they end up going for silly money as time goes on (look at the CMNL E400's for instance....). More interested in modern stuff rather than the old rear loader types.....

 

[Strathclyder]

I have semi-seriously considered getting into the model bus scene a few times over the last few years, but a consistent lack of money and overall lack of space are the 2 main stumbling blocks. Like most enthusiasts of my age/generation, I'd go for models of the rear-engined/front entrance stuff (the Volvo Ailsa, Guy Victory J/Leyland Victory Mk.2, Dennis Jubilant and Guy Wulfrunian being the notable exceptions to that rule), but I wouldn't turn down a model of a rear-loading/front-engined bus out of hand. Of course, I'd mainly go for Glaswegian/Scottish stuff, but models of Hong Kong, London, West Midlands & Dublin* vehicles would also have their own bits of shelf space set aside for them.

*: Now that I'm thinking of it, are there any models you wish you had, but for whatever reason weren't able to get you hands on? Doesn't matter whether it ran in your area or not. Mine has to be this simply sublime Bombardier KD model. Limited run of 300 and my aforementioned lack of funds means I wasn't able to get my grubby mitts on one. :/

 

[GusB]

I think I still have a few model buses kicking around the house, probably still in a box under the stair. The earliest ones I can remember were Dinky Atlanteans, of which I had two; one was in an allover scheme for Yellow Pages, and the other was all-over Silver to commemorate the silver jubilee of good old Aunty Betty. I don't remember ever getting rid of those, so I'm hoping they're still there. Unfortunately they succumbed to my "repaint everything" blitz in my mid- to late-teens. Before anyone berates me for doing this, please bear in mind that these vehicles were given to me as toys and had very little paint left!

Matchbox had a double-decker model around the same time, and I recall that it was named "The Londoner". One was in LT red (If I remember correctly the centre doors were yellow and could be activated by a switch on the side of the bus) and the other was again silver for the jubilee. I was also given a couple of Dinky FX4 taxis around the same time - one as a standard black cab and the other was in jubilee silver. Now I remember, I also had a couple of Corgi Routemasters. One of them was also silver for the jubilee, but I can't remember what the other one was; I assume it'd be standard LT red because at that point in time

There is one I do remember, and it was a Dinky model of a Duple Viceroy coach - branded for PTT. I'm not sure why it was my favourite, but i'm guessing it's because it was yellow and my local operator (Northern Scottish) had similar Duple coaches at the time.

---

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has attempted to build kits. When I used to attend the local model railway show as a kid, there was always one guy that had a display case full of models painted up in local liveries. I think the manufacturer for most of those was Anbrico? Anyhow, they would have an advert in the Railway Modeller every month, and I'd have a look to see what I couldn't afford. There was another metal kit manufacturer which appeared and they seemed to offer much newer models.

Tower Models had a few plastic kits - the Mk1 Leyland National was one, and I think they did an RT kit as well.

 

[37114]

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has attempted to build kits. When I used to attend the local model railway show as a kid, there was always one guy that had a display case full of models painted up in local liveries. I think the manufacturer for most of those was Anbrico? Anyhow, they would have an advert in the Railway Modeller every month, and I'd have a look to see what I couldn't afford. There was another metal kit manufacturer which appeared and they seemed to offer much newer models.

Tower Models had a few plastic kits - the Mk1 Leyland National was one, and I think they did an RT kit as well.

I have built loads of kits over the years, countless tower models national's (correcting the bendy roof was always fun), Olympians and also a few of the resin ones from Lancer Models some years ago. Also had a go at a few B20 DMS conversions years before EFE released theirs. I have done a few diescast repaints, the last one was an EFE Atlantean into Bedminster Coaches colours as HHF15 for my current model railway layout.

 

[MackTen]

After getting three as gifts, I soon maxxed out at around 120 after about two years collecting. Strictly bargain basement after I realised how costly a hobby this could be. Bought from fairs, shows or online, and a handful from model shops. As I realised things were getting serious, I traded in about 20 of my early scattergun buys, so as to focus on what I really want to collect.

I open them all, and keep the empty boxes in the loft, and the models in drawers, rotating them to a display cabinet that holds around 30. Don't understand anyone who doesn't buy these to open and display them. I don't particularly see it as an asset, but you would certainly hope to get at least £50 for them as a job lot on Ebay. Probably not even worth the effort of photographing, re-boxing and posting, tbh.

I'd happily bequeath them to anyone, on the strict understanding they are not toys they are models. To be displayed, not played with.

I bought a few half decent looking Corgi models to sooth the hurt feelings of the children who are inevitably disappointed to learn that the display cabinet is locked and I AM THE KEYMASTER.

Ideally, my own recognition of my lack of money or space would be the reason I have finally stopped, but in reality, I had just run out of desired models, at least ones I could find in my price range. Truth is, there isn't that much variety out there, for the selective buyer, and it's very patchy in coverage. Entire operators and models missing. Quite frustrating.

The next logical step for me, should the passion return, would be very scary. I'm talking lockup garage scary. Must resist. Mortgage at risk.

 

[busesrusuk]

I have been a collector of 1/76 model buses for many years and have lost count of how many I have but runs into many, many hundreds despite thinning the collection a couple of years ago. The focus is now on London and Hong Kong although I do stray from time to time.

Yesterdays announcement by Oxford Diecast that they are doing the M type coach will mean I would be straying once its released. This is the actual vehicle to be modelled:

Preserved Eastern Scottish XS750 Mar17 | With the news that … | Flickr

This is an image of the main "toy" cupboard (this is the front row!):

 

[GusB]

I have been a collector of 1/76 model buses for many years and have lost count of how many I have but runs into many, many hundreds despite thinning the collection a couple of years ago. The focus is now on London and Hong Kong although I do stray from time to time.

Yesterdays announcement by Oxford Diecast that they are doing the M type coach will mean I would be straying once its released. This is the actual vehicle to be modelled:

Preserved Eastern Scottish XS750 Mar17 | With the news that … | Flickr

This is an image of the main "toy" cupboard (this is the front row!):

View attachment 89502

That's some collection!

Thanks for the heads-up, by the way. I quite fancy getting one of those M-types myself.

 

[MackTen]

All brand new by the looks if it. Looks more like a stock cupboard! Do you not open and display them at all? Can't get my head around that sort of collecting, but each to their own I guess.

Collectors like that would probably have a fit at the sight of my collection, nearly all the boxes are clearly used, many quite scuffed, and at least fifteen of my buses have only an insert, or no box at all.

On the flip side, I would only even have been able to stretch to a (much coveted) Hong Kong bus (Citybus triaxle R Type) in my collection, if it wasn't for the joy of being able to negotiate a discount for broken boxes (and even there, it was properly broken, the perspex cover was literally almost in two pieces).

As long as the model is mint condition, and this one surprisingly was, I'm a very happy bunny. I only even keep the boxes in case I ever have to move house, although even then, I'm wondering If it wouldn't simply be quicker to layer them all in bubble wrap, and transport them personally, under guard, on the car seat.

Not sure how the rail people feel about this, but when I am unlucky enough to have bought a bus which I thought or was reassured was mint, but which in reality has a dint or a bit of a faded paint job, since I'm too ethical to try and get rid of it in the same way, and would only get pennies if I was honest about its condition, I put them aside. They are my model railway scenery buses!

A definite downgrade in status. I am perfectly happy for them to be touched by the little people, or be at risk of getting knocked over as I reach to mitigate a derailment. Even though even these models, would probably be fine for being displayed. If the damage is so obvious you can see it from two foot away, it just doesn't get bought, not by me anyway

It's really odd to me how precious I can get about the condition of the model. At least three times, I've passed up the opportunity to buy a model of a type/livery combination I really really want, solly because it isn't mint condition. The railway scenery buses are not even given the dignity of being stored under cover, with my rolling stock. They're parked up in the dank dark loft when not in use (my layout is not permanent).

 

[busesrusuk]

That's some collection!

Thanks for the heads-up, by the way. I quite fancy getting one of those M-types myself.

Thanks - been waiting years for the M type so really looking forward to see how this turns out. A good selection of liveries to do as well...

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Jan 2021 ==

All brand new by the looks if it. Looks more like a stock cupboard! Do you not open and display them at all? Can't get my head around that sort of collecting, but each to their own I guess.

Collectors like that would probably have a fit at the sight of my collection, nearly all the boxes are clearly used, many quite scuffed, and at least fifteen of my buses have only an insert, or no box at all.

On the flip side, I would only even have been able to stretch to a (much coveted) Hong Kong bus (Citybus triaxle R Type) in my collection, if it wasn't for the joy of being able to negotiate a discount for broken boxes (and even there, it was properly broken, the perspex cover was literally almost in two pieces).

As long as the model is mint condition, and this one surprisingly was, I'm a very happy bunny. I only even keep the boxes in case I ever have to move house, although even then, I'm wondering If it wouldn't simply be quicker to layer them all in bubble wrap, and transport them personally, under guard, on the car seat.

Not sure how the rail people feel about this, but when I am unlucky enough to have bought a bus which I thought or was reassured was mint, but which in reality has a dint or a bit of a faded paint job, since I'm too ethical to try and get rid of it in the same way, and would only get pennies if I was honest about its condition, I put them aside. They are my model railway scenery buses!

A definite downgrade in status. I am perfectly happy for them to be touched by the little people, or be at risk of getting knocked over as I reach to mitigate a derailment. Even though even these models, would probably be fine for being displayed. If the damage is so obvious you can see it from two foot away, it just doesn't get bought, not by me anyway

It's really odd to me how precious I can get about the condition of the model. At least three times, I've passed up the opportunity to buy a model of a type/livery combination I really really want, solly because it isn't mint condition. The railway scenery buses are not even given the dignity of being stored under cover, with my rolling stock. They're parked up in the dank dark loft when not in use (my layout is not permanent).

Yes they are all new and what is referred to as "mint and boxed". And, no, none are on display. I have been waiting until I get a big enough house with a basement kitted out with floor to ceiling glass cabinets to hold both the bus models and my 1/400 model aeroplane collection (we can all dream!!). maybe I should be described a a hoarder rather than a collector .

I think the most apt message here is, collect what you like and like what you collect. If you are happy to take them out of the box and play with them or leave them in a cupboard gathering dust then so be it as long as you get the enjoyment from owning them.

 

[MackTen]

One thing about display cabinets, is you soon learn there's a goldilocks zone, in terms of shelf height. I've got an eleven shelf cabinet, and I basically only put stuff on the top shelf because it would look daft empty.

You can't really see the models up there, and anything on the top three shelves have to be placed right at the front too, for best viewing. But if I lowered it by one or two shelves, the bottom ones would be at an impractical height too, as you're basically just admiring the roof paint job. And it would just make the kids even madder that they're not allowed to get at them.

Far better imo, to use any of the less useful wall real estate, to store the rest of the collection out of sight, probably behind more shelving, but with solid doors. Part of the fun for me, is definitely rotating the models. Less fun is the dusting, so whatever you do, make it air tight. I've got barely a 2mm gap in mine, and the damn things still get dusty.

 

[Kremlin Stooge]

I’ve never really collected model buses as such, more that I’ve purchased them as vehicle accessories for model railway layouts; as a result I have a hodge-podge of different vehicles, operators and eras, probably amounting to 2 dozen or so.

Regarding the post earlier in this thread about kits; for many years N Gauge/2mm railway modellers only really had this as an option for buses as a feature. Long before Oxford models came on the scene with their output there was really only Langley Models and P & D Marsh, both of whom produced whitemetal kits for buses. Langley were more geared to vehicles that were suitable for Grouping-era modelling, for “modern image” there was really only Marsh, who (from memory) made an ECW/Bristol VR (crude), Bristol RE (not too bad), a MK1 National (pretty close) and an MCW Metrobus (which could look very good in ‘Wumpty’ livery). The biggest challenge was none of these came with glazing. I built a National but for a while I could not work out how to replicate the compound curves of the windscreen, until one day I looked at a clear plastic tray that supermarkets sell their meat in. After much trial and error I had hacked out something that looked OK (well, at least if viewed from the front of the layout while the bus was at the back!).