EFE 1/76 AEC RT - LT

EFE's old faithful RT was its first ever bus. when introduced, it was such a detailed model that it was such a detailed model that it virtually created the hobby of 1/76th scale bus collecting on its own.

But even something that set new standards in 1989 could be seen as tired by 1999, and the model was needing a new lease of life. And it has got one.

It has new under-chassis 'running boards'; side traffic indicators  tween decks; a new radiator; tided up casting around the driver's area.

These changes have really bought a new lease of life to the casting. The radiator makes it look most authentic with its masterful grille effect and tiny AEC/LT badge.

This model is of an unusual variant it features an off-side information panel (Routh 29) and roof mounted route code box as well. This combination was short-lived, but it did happen. Shop herehttp://www.amazon.co.uk/EFE-Anniversary-London-Transport-16405/dp/B00BVM1SNE/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738

EFE 1/76 LEYLAND NATIONAL - BARTON

There's a real appeal to the Barton fleet, with plenty of people who have never had a ride on a Barton Buses vehicle still unable to resist models in the livery.

The Barton livery this National I appears in really suits the shape of the bus, and the archer logo is very well done.

A nice touch is the Barton logo on the drivers windscreen. There's no sign of any legal lettering on our pre-production sample, we rather think it should be for Trent, new owners of Barton. Shop here

EFE 1/76 XA ATLANTEAN - LT

The Atlantean was hardly an unqualified success for London Transport. In its short life it wore few livery variations, but XA18 is seen with open bullseye livery. It also features nice LT house ads for travel enquiries and exact fares.

The EFE advertisements feature a gold stripe, but the production release features the correct white stripe appropriate for the open bullseye era. Shop here

EFE 1/76 DAIMLER UTILITY MIDLAND RED

What a real delight this model is. It may only be a 40's bus, but in many ways it looks older, thanks to the old fashioned Midland lettering and the squareness of the Utility body.

Look up close, and it is yet another virtually new casting around the cab area. Of course the radiator is different from previous Utilities, but so also is the area below the driver's screen, with new positioning again for the cast-in headlights and the cover box.

The bonnet is the same length as the previous Mk I Arab, not the Mk II with the extended length. The mudguards are created in the plastic moulding used for the chassis, and follow a different pattern for the odd Mk II or curvier Mk I wings.

he fluted top of the Daimler radiator is nicely cast-albeit in plastic- and again there is the well-detailed interior roof. Shop here

BRISTOL REEL - EASTERN NATIONAL

EFE's version in Eastern National colours is superb. The cream band with black lining is spot on. The lettering and characteristic Eastern National fleet number plates are also excellent. But the best feature is, to this reviewer's mind, the cream windscreen surround.The Bristol RE with flat front may have been the unsung bread and butter stalwart of its time, but EFE has still gone to town on detail touches such as the cream band with black lining. Shop here

EFE 1/76 LEYLAND OLYMPIAN TYPE B - CAPITAL CITYBUS

The H K bus market looked to London to expand its operations and the vivid colors of Hong Kong Citybus appeared on the streets of East London. We have many requests for this livery and fleet number 143, registered J143 YRM is working on route 86B to Dagenham Dock.Shop here

EFE 1/76 DENNIS DART/POINTER 'BADGERLINE'

Accompanying the Badgerline VR, this popular bus is a common sight in most urban areas. The large badger character on N240 KAE makes this bus unmistakable on route 332 to Longwell Green, which is displayed on the latest dot matrix type destination blind. The Dart/Pointer is in the yellow and green of Badgerline, complete with the badger motif on the sides and rear. Not also the route/destination indicators, shown in the modern digital style. Shop here

EFE 1/76 PLAXTON PARAMOUNT 3500 - BLACKBURN TRANSPORT

Blackburn Transport's striking green compass looks superb in this rendition; the high windows mean there's a big space for the superbly reproduced logo. The model was introduced back in 1999, but its excellent front glazing still make it a top class model. shop here

EFE 1/76 ALEXANDER Y TYPE - SELNEC CHESHIRE

This clessic vehicle shape is this time released in the simple but attractive SELNEC livery. This particular vehicle carries the registration number VDB 959 and fleet number 959 working route 124 to Hazel Grove. We caught sight of a pre-production model. Shop here

EFE 1/76 LONDON TRANSPORT MUDEUM BUS SET

 

Bus set 14 comprises of two Dartford model buses from 1963, the London Transport Central Area RT Type and the London Transport Country Area AEC Renown. This limited edition bus set was commissioned exclusively for the London Transport Museum and comes in attractive gift box detailing its contents. Contents: AEC Regent III double deck bus, fleet number RT4528 on route 96 to Dartford and AEC Renown double deck bus, AEC Demonstrator 8071ML on route 480 to Gravesend via Dartford. Shop here

EFE 1/76 PLAXTON PARAMOUNT 3500 - STRATHTAY

This livery certainly enhances the look of this attractive vehicle. There is plenty of lettering, legal and otherwise, along the vehicle's side and this is crisply reproduced. The modelled vehicle carries fleet number 435, along with registration number 365 DXU. Shop here

EFE 1/76 BRISTOL RELH D/P COACH - EASTERN COUNTIES NBC

This popular fleet vehicle dates from 1975 and carries the rather nondescript NBC livery. It has the fleet number RLE 742 with a registration of GCL 344N. The vehicle is working route 851 to lpswich. NBC fleet collectors will be pleased with this rendition. Shop here

EFE 1/76 PLAXTON - GREENLINE

This Plaxton is on the Maidstone-London express run. The quite complex livery iswell reproduced, and there are some very nice detail touches such as the excellent Kent horse logo. Shop here

EFE 1/76 BRISTOL UTILITY - PROVINCIAL

The Gosport based company have a large fan-base and their unusual emerald green livery looks good on the Utility. Love the advert too! Shop here

EFE 1/76 PLAXTON PARAMOUNT 3500 - EAST LONDON COACHES

We rather like the East London coaches red livery, it's actually a part of Stagecoach, but there's not a candy stripe in sight. This model looks most impressive and will tempt a great many London fans. Shop here

EFE 1/76 BRISTOL VR III OPEN TOP - NEW FOREST TOUR (SOLENT BLUE LINE)

This model, with its sunny eye-catching City Sightseeing livery, should attract tour bus collectors. It is serving route 149, taking in the New Forest and surrounding area. The model carries fleet number 901 with a registration number of UFX 857S. Shop here

EFE 1/76 LEYLAND OLYMPIAN - GO NORTH EAST

Exclusive First Editions (EFE) are the leading brand of 1:76 scale die-cast vehicles for model collectors and railway enthusiasts. Each item is produced with the closest attention to detail and authenticity, being only produced once at an accurate 1:76 scale (OO Gauge). All subjects are researched meticulously and made to the highest standards of detail and period effect to recreate the character and spirit of the original vehicle. Being the same scale the models complement each other and create a fascinating historic collection. EFE take great pride in setting new standards of excellence, which, combined with expertly detailed hand finishing, gives each model its unique individuality and collectability. 

What is now one of the older vehicles in the Go Ahead North East fleet, but nicely finished in the company's striking modern livery.Shop here

EFE 1/76 PARAMOUNT 3500 - GREENLINE INVICTA

Perhaps the most interesting of the Paramount release so far is this Green Line-liveried model in Maidstone & District's Invicta branding for the Maidstone to London Express service.

The colourful London Greenline coach services livery sets off the rather formal lines of the Paramount well, and in fact the liverly could have been designed specially for the Paramount, so cleverly does it pick up on that characteristic plunging side window.

The front grille is to a slightly different pattern than the previous versions.

One of the neatest touches is the appearance of the small Plaxton badges front and rear, while the Invicta prancing white horse logo in its red triangle is a gem. A characterful latter day Greenline coach from EFE. See more