NEW BUS FOR LONDON - CORGI ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR DIECAST ‘BORIS BUS’

SMN update:

Corgi has announced a target release date of March 2012 for the 1:76 scale New Bus for London (NB4L) now under development, and currently running on a similar schedule to the real thing. The Corgi diecast model will scale out to 146 mm (5.75 in) long and be marketed under the successful London Original Omnibus Company (OOC) name. As planned, the first OOC New Bus will wear the livery, destination, and numbers of the first route that the new bus will serve. Corgi planners are expecting to see details of this route very soon.

New Bus for London background

It’s been a pet project for London mayor Boris Johnson, who drove the first one produced earlier this month, where they are being made in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. Fitting in with London’s eco-friendly clean-and-green ethos, the bus is powered by a diesel-electric hybrid system, which cuts fuel consumption and noxious emissions by more than half. 

On the highways

The target in-service date is in time for the London Olympics to be held in July and August 2012, and this should be met, with at least eight vehicles running on the streets of London during the first half of the year.

Riding on the New Bus

For passengers, bus travel should be improved by having much better access. The New Bus has three doors - at the front, in the middle, and at the rear, which has a traditional open platform for peak-hour use, but can also be closed off at other times. Two staircases will speed movement to and from the upper deck, and the designers at Thomas Heatherwick Studio have incorporated sweeping glass up each staircase - great views guaranteed. Interiors are pretty good too, with better lighting and stylish fittings.

Several scale and types of New Bus for London

Back to Corgi, which has plans for a range of these buses, including a 'fit-the-box’ toy, and a diecast key ring memento. This will partner the Routemaster bus keyring, already on release (below). In Corgi’s words, these assorted items are planned: “so everyone from school children to tourists can carry a London souvenir in their pocket”. 

More please

So far so good, but we have requests to make. Please Sun Star, can we have a nice big 1:24 scale diecast, and Revell, howzabout producing a detailed injection kit as soon as you can!

NB4L details at Corgi here.

See more NB4L here.

London Olympics 2012 here.

NEW BUS FOR LONDON - CORGI TO PRODUCE DOUBLE-DECKER ‘BORIS BUS’

SMN report:

The familiar double-deck London bus is returning to the streets very soon - as planned there’ll be some of them running on the streets in time for the 2012 London Olympics. Sponsored by London Mayor Boris Johnson, the New Bus for London (NB4L) is a designer treat to look at, with swooping glass exposing staircases at front and rear, plus easy access for entry and exit. In our view, easy-access alone makes it a worthwhile project - it’s no fun queuing in the rain while you wait to climb aboard one of the present designs.

Corgi New Bus for London

Now Corgi is getting into the act by planning a 1:76 scale diecast model of the NB4L, for release later this year, under the Original Omnibus Company (OOC) brand name. The pioneering NB4L design draws inspiration from the original Routemaster's instantly recognisable red paint, as well as the traditional hop on, hop off open rear platform, both of which will be reproduced in Corgi's new model, which will measure 146 mm (5.75 in) long. 

Several buses coming along

In fact the NB4L will be more than a single model - an entire range is being being planned, for Corgi isn’t stopping with 1:76 scale - the bus will be available in a selection of scales, including a 'fit-the-box’ toy. It will also be made as a diecast key ring - in Corgi’s words: “so everyone from school children to tourists can carry a London souvenir in their pocket”. Well, that’s a fine aspiration Corgi, so good luck from SMN. 

A big year for the people of London

2012 is going to be quite a year for Londoners - the Olympics will be running in July and August, preceded by the Queen’s Diamond (75th) Jubilee celebrations, due to take place on June 3. The Corgi NB4L should be in place to mark both occasions - expect some special editions with Olympic and Jubilee branding well to the fore.

All we need now is a Sun Star 1:24 scale diecast NB4L, backed up by a kit for model makers from Revell - a sweet duo indeed! 

Plenty of diecast buses at Corgi here.

See more NB4L here.