Amiami.jp is a merchandise company (under Oh-Ami Inc, a design company) based in Tokyo, Japan, that does online retail of anime and related goods all over the world. Recently they opened up their market to include overseas orders and received positive response. Quite some of my friends ordered goods through their site and are impressed by their shipping time and services rendered. I got my first set of Bus Musume (バスむすめ) through them as well and this time, they are selling their giant tote bag that was given away free at Wonder Festival 2010. Needless to say, I did not have a giant pocket yet to be able to fly to Japan on my own to attend, but they are selling the bag online now for a mere 300 JPY, so its a good chance for me and my friend to get ourselves one and pretend that we had been to WF 2010.

Bags came in a EMS package…

Showing how to be eco with the package…

Two bags are folded nicely inside. A reduction in shipping costs, definitely a plus.

Look how gigantic it is~!

Tetsudo Musume (鉄道むすめ) started out in 2005 with its figurine and merchandise spreading all over Japan in a frenzied craze. Recently I brought the official novel and manga of the series, aiming to be a true “鉄道むすめ Kee-siao” (Devoted fan of the series). At least in Singapore, its hard to maintain such a hobby and as of now, one level of my cabinet is filled with them.

This time, I purchased the case for storage of the N-gauge cargo containers. As I have yet to get any of those containers, I used the case to keep another N-gauge train of my collection, leaving the enclosed sponge for future usage.

A big packing that contained the A4 sized case…

Resting inside the packing…

Look, how many Amazon trees were destroyed in protecting the Musume cause…

As tall as a wine bottle…

Inside…

In the next post I will feature the shifting in of the models that it isn’t exactly designed to carry… Stay tuned.

About 10 months ago (October 2009), I brought myself a second Citaro model, which was the first right-hand-drive (RHD) production model from Mercedes-Benz for First Manchester. Less than a month later, news was out that SMRT Buses had taken one (real) Citaro RHD, which was also fitted with a OM 906 hLA diesel similar to the First Manchester’s unit, with a Euro 5 version compared to Euro 2 of First’s unit. Most importantly, it has two doors, an urban use Citaro.

Given some tip-off by a visitor to this site, a few more Citaro RHD are destined for Singapore in the coming months. At this juncture, I decided to get another Citaro RHD model, again a one-door ‘sub-urban’ version, but with a larger radiator, then, in 2006, used for the OM 457 hLA. Presently, all Citaro buses use the larger radiator for greater energy efficiency, a practice since the advent of the Euro 4 model, hence identifying their engines is no longer possible by looking at the radiator itself.

This unit is owned by Arriva Guildford and West Surrey, which is based in Guildford, Surrey. It is located 43 kilometers south-west of London on the A3 trunk road linking the capital with Portsmouth. In 1974, the Provisional IRA carried out the Guildford pub bombing which killed five persons, in which four were off-duty British soldiers. The suspects arrested thereafter are known as the Guildford Four.

Pardon me for the history thing; when it comes to the UK, I always focus myself on the IRA and ethnic conflicts.

Bus services in Guildford is primarily served by Arriva with additional services by Countryliner, Safeguard and Stagecoach.

This Mercedes-Benz Citaro model depicts 3903/BX56 VTW, a O 530 Euro 3, fitted with a 300 PS OM 457 hLA diesel engine. One-door design, barrier-free access and ample amount of seats (42 seating), this Citaro also carries my favorite color of blue matched with grey.

What defines your Citaro? For me are the radiators. Facing the traffic-side for a RHD model, the large and horizontal radiator makes it easy to identify Citaro buses. Another model of bus that has these similarly big horizontal radiators are the Volvo Super Olympians (B10TL).

With the other Citaro models.

A comparison on radiator sizes.

Mercedes-Benz/Evobus/Daimler O 530 Citaro Euro 3
Chassis number: WEB62804023110741
Registration: BX56 VTW
Body and seating code: B42F
New: September 2006
Owner: Arriva Guildford and West Surrey, UK

春日部しあ (Kasukabe Shia) is a Sales Staff on the Tobu Railways (東武鉄道) Limited Express ‘Spacia’ from Asakusa (浅草) in Tokyo to Nikko (日光) in Gunma Prefecture.  First featured in Tetsudo Musume (鉄道むすめ) 5, she is a popular character featured in her own character CD and official novel. Today I brought her to Sushi Tei, to try out, the sushi!

Sushi Tei has 12 restaurants in Singapore. Minghui and I went to the one at West Coast Plaza. Of course, with Shia-san in tow.

Ambience: 6/10, light music played on the background doesn’t do justice to this Japanese styled restaurant. Given the fact that many Japanese frequent West Coast Plaza, this slight mismatch in ambience may have deterred some from trying out.
Food: 7/10, as expected, the seaweed on sushi products are much to the ‘soggy’ level, owing to the long time on the conveyor belt. Even fresh sushi from the chefs (Temaki) are also facing this problem.  Storage or production? Unagi rice was served hot, a plus point.
Menu: 7/10, some wrongly named/translated food names.
Pricing: 7/10, value for money especially for weekday dinner.
Service: 7/10, attentive, yet lacking the small details. Too much いらしゃいませ (Irashaimase/Welcome) by one of the staff makes it feel flattering.

Total: 68/100 (B rank). Can consider going back.

Some photos of Shia-san and food~!

ああ、幸せ～！

Some of the coaches seen and taken so far.

Scania K94IB 4×2 with Scania ComfortShift 7-speed transmission

Isuzu LT134P

A rare old breed; Mitsubishi Fuso RK125N with 6D14 diesel of 160 PS only!

９月、’MRTC蒲田駅’高架化工事は、東西線と、南北線影響出つ。うちの７駅は利用停止あります。

工事の時は、東西線のJOO KOON, PIONEER, BOON LAY, LAKESIDE, CHINESE GARDENと、南北線のBUKIT BATOKとBUKIT GOMBAK駅は運休です。運休の日は、バス振替輸送しています。

＊区間運休予定：９月４、５日と、１８、１９日。

In September, 7 stations on the East-West and North-South Lines may be closed on two weekends due to elevated track works at ‘MRTC Kamata’ station.

These 7 stations are Joo Koon, Pioneer, Boon Lay, Lakeside and Chinese Garden for the East-West, and Bukit Batok and Bukit Gombak for the North-South. On the days of service disruption, buses would be used to ferry passengers between affected stations.

Dates of the works are identified to be 4th, 5th, 18th and 19th.

☆

As comparison, Keikyu Kamata (京急蒲田駅) elevated section works  and joining it to the main line took place for only a night, including installation of switches and signaling system. No stations were closed and services resumed at reduced (later full) speed, Keikyu style. JR East Chuo Line (中央線) also implemented minimal disruptions (early last train and late first train) for its elevated works. MRTC however…

Note: MRTC is my latest pun for SMRT Trains. Not ill-intending, it is a small hope that SMRT Trains could one day return to its heydays of MRTC (Mass Rapid Transit Corporation), a name dropped when it converted to SMRT Corporation. This likely, would require many steps of restructuring…

MRTC Kamata = Jurong East Station, pun-named for the similarity in elevated works as the station on Keikyu Main Line.

All pictures here are copyright their respective owners. Links to their pages are embedded.

The Straits Times 27th July 2010

Daily train rides cross 2 million mark

Abstract: “SMRT will soon start upgrading its train controlling system on the East-West and North-South lines – a multimillion-dollar project that will allow it to increase service frequency.”

So train frequencies are weakened by the 80′s, ATC-4/CS-ATC look-alike, Westinghouse train controlling system? What about this?

Time: 1820h. Location: Clementi Station Westbound. Train: 10M, 049. Load factor: 170 percent. Front train: 4 minutes (4Q-GTO C151). Next train: 5 minutes (VVVF C751B).

As you can see, this is our very own Tozai Line (東西線). Like Tokyo Metro’s, we have commuter type trains, trains that are designed to carry as much people as possible, trains designed to push limits. We also have Electric Chopper trains, 4Q-GTO Chopper to be exact. Unlike Tokyo Metro however, we could still have 5 minutes frequency, slow algorithm programmed driving (ノロノロ運転), during evening rush hour and dry weather!

After this scene this evening, I would rather SMRT not spend this multimillion-dollar on a new ‘train controlling system’, but to employ several JR and ex-JNR scheduling staff to do up schedules and control our trains from the Operations Control Center (OCC).

This is one good example where the human brain can be superior to the computer chips.

Never blame the computers;
never blame the people for abandoning their cars and taking the public transport;
never blame the signaling system for being inadequate for the needs of now.

Because a 5 minute frequency during morning/evening rush is both unacceptable and caused by humans.

Note: All of the passengers you see who are outside the train and on the platform were unable to board the train.

Itacho Sushi opened its first store in Singapore at Ion Orchard in 2009. The business started out in 2007 in Hong Kong and expanded to other Asia countries such as Australia, Macau, China and Taiwan. Nick and I decided to have lunch at the restaurant this afternoon (August 2nd).

Ambience: 8/10, Japanese songs played is definitely a plus point.
Food: 8/10, fresh from the sea smell and taste. Rice not too sticky, but green tea bag could do with a small string to pull it out of the drink to avoid having a strong brew.
Menu: 9/10, no mixed/bot translated Japanese.
Pricing: 8/10, not too steep, pricing = food quality.
Service: 9/10, constant ‘spamming’ (serving) of hot water for your green tea!

Total: 92/100 (S Rank).

Food ordered: Hokkai Don (北海丼), Tamago Don (卵丼), Octopus Sushi x2, Matsu Sushi Set (松すしセート).

Colorful Menu.

北海丼 (Hokkai Don).

Itacho Sushi (板長寿司)
2 Orchard Turn
#B2-18 Ion Orchard
Singapore 238801

Tel: (65) 6509 8911
Fax: (65) 6509 8912
Email: info@itacho.com.sg

20日午後5時くらい、SMRT南北線、カーティブとヨー・チュー・カン駅間信号トラブルが、ジュロン・イースト行きの電車は減速運行あります。また、数々の電車は、アン・モ・キオ駅折り返す、全線遅延、運転見合わせています。

信号トラブルは、ほぼ落雷の影響です。現在調査中。

20th July 5 pm, a signal fault caused service disruption to SMRT North South Line between Khatib and Yio Chu Kang stations. Jurong East bound trains are affected and some trains are turned around at Ang Mo Kio.

It is believed that lightning had caused signal problems and investigation is underway.

Note: This is not an official document from SMRT. Any inference about this accident is deduced personally and reported according to sources at the scene.

Above images are copyright steps.jp and allatanys.jp, rights reserved.

Recently we have heard of the complaints following the Distance Fare implementation on 3rd July 2010. More commuters voiced their displeasure at SMRT for running their trains with such crammed situations, and ‘where are (our) trains?!’, they shouted. Well, fact is much of the system is already fully jammed by themselves, and nothing much could be done other than;

1. Coupling two 6-car train together, creating a (京急本線 快特) 12-car train (mind which doors will be opened; only 24!),
2. Changing to C-ATS system (forget it, no space for signals!),
3. Using a new CS-ATC system (there may be improvements).

Let me include a small explanation here.

Each train is ran on the ATC (Automatic Train Control) theory. Leaving all the ATO and ATP aside, the ATC is the root of the operating system. The ATC system used on SMRT EWL and NSL is akin to the ATC-4/CS-ATC of Japan, which started operations in 1971 on the JNR Joban Kanko Line (常磐緩行線)/Eidan Chiyoda Line (営団地下鉄千代田線). It consists of signals entirely displayed in the cab (hence CS, Cab-Side) without speed signals at the trackside (in the case of WS-ATC, Way-Side).

ATC speed limits are 0, 20, 30, 40, 60 and 80 km/h, and are consistent through the three types of trains on the system.

Whenever passing over a signal transmitter, the speed limit is transmitted to the cab and the computer slows down the train automatically. The higher the running speed, the larger will be the distance, to create safe separation between trains.

For example, when approaching a station that is occupied (train on the line), the signal would reduce from 80>60>40>30>20 and train will coast the remaining distance to hit the 0 km/h point where brakes will bring the train to a full stop, in this case, 6-car length from the station’s end (another train’s rear). All signals are transmitted via track-side transmitters to the train. When the train in the platform moves off, it must clear 6-car length away from the station’s head in order for the following train to start moving, with signals incrementing 0>20>40 and so on.

When braking, ATC-4 deploys full service brake (B3, about -2.88 km/h/s) to reach speed limit, hence the discomfort when the train slows.

Each block can only accommodate one train. Stations have protective buffers, as mentioned, 6-car in length, forward and rearward of the station. Hence trains cannot be cleared without having this space freed up.

Is it still hard to understand the station block? Here is one photo to illustrate.

A Siemens C651 (Series 200) is stopped in the station with doors opened. A KHI C151 (Series 0) rolls at below 20 km/h and about to stop 6-car length from the Siemens. Now, you could insert another train in between them, and the couplers would just nice be touching each other when the trains become stationary.

One rather illegal way to close up this gap would be to switch to RM (Restricted Manual) mode right after stopping, however, this is counted as an illegal operation during revenue service and will likely endanger passengers and trains.

Chiyoda Line changed to new CS-ATC (1-brake-notch speed control, digital ATC) in 1999. The only ATC-4 zone left in Japan is on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, between Shin-Kiba (新木場) and Shintomicho (新富町) stations, and this too is slated for progress to new CS-ATC in 2011.

So will the new CS-ATC land in Singapore to hope to improve the running frequency? If our system is still:

1. Three brake notches,
2. Drivers not well trained to stop accurately, stop with specific technique (N>B1>B3>B1>N or similar).

then no ATC system will be sufficient. Go back to the semaphore, not that its bad (it means back to the basics)!

After looking at my cabinet containing books, I found a section at the top storing unused items, so I decided to clear out the cabinet, clean it and rearrange all the stuff!

This cabinet contains all my prized books (a few which are long out of print or carries high market value), so I couldn’t afford for the white ants to get to them before I do! There was once a white ant episode in the same cabinet so I am extra careful.

I don’t have photos before the change, here is one when its in progress.

Moe Moe Kyun~!

All the pop culture books.

Another useful item, the (still) leftover Tokyo Figure Show postcards! Thanks to Danny Choo for these.

Stage 1 complete.

Settled placement, after shifting all the magazines inwards and according to chronological order.

All the railway and bus related books.

Good lighting tool, the Lego Brick Light.

Some photos of the Chitson owned Mercedes-Benz OC 500 LE.

A filling meal at Manhattan Fish Market.

S rank with Keikyu (京浜急行) 1500 Chopper, Haneda Airport to Keikyu Kamata.

“東名高速バス炎上２件、異なる原因で出火

静岡県牧之原市の東名高速道路で昨年３月と９月、ともにドイツ・ネオプラン社製の大型バスが炎上した事故を受けて、２つの事故を調査していた国土交通省の調査委員会は３０日までに、エンジンのターボチャージャー（過給器）が、異なる要因によって潤滑不良となったことが、出火の原因だったと結論づけた。

２つの事故は、ともにダイムラー社製の同型エンジンを搭載し、走行中に出火しているなど類似点があったため、調査を行っていた。事故車のターボチャージャーには、交換時期が明示されていなかったため、同委員会は、交換時期や定期点検の時期を明確にするよう、バスの輸入会社やメーカーに求めた。

（2010年6月30日19時55分  読売新聞）“

Two separate cases of fire that occured to German-made Neoplan coaches were due to different causes but led to lubrication problems of the engine’s turbocharger, an investigation team of the Ministry of Transport made this finding on 30th June.

The two fires that happened on the Tomei Expressway in Makinohara city of Shizuoka happened to the same type of Daimler engine and also occured while the coach is in motion. The turbocharger of the burnt coaches did not exhibit any date of change to the part, hence the investigation team will request for information on replacement and inspection dates from the importer and manufacturer of the coaches.

☆

The first bus that was burnt in March 2009 was D750-03501 (better known as 1502, its license number), a Neoplan Megaliner (N128/4) of JR Kanto Bus. It was travelling on a upslope section of the expressway when the driver saw fire erupting from the rear. The bus went into a service area nearby, its 78 passenger and crew escaped unhurt but bus was left with write-off damage.

A less-seen picture from sakura.ne.jp showing the burnt out Megaliner.

In September 2009, a Laurel Tour Neoplan Skyliner (N122/3) caught fire at the same upslope area. The driver felt the bus lost power and saw fire at the rear, stopped the bus by the shoulder of the road and evacuated 57 passengers and 2 crew safely. The rear of the bus was write-off damaged.

Both of the vehicle engines are Mercedes-Benz OM 442 LA Euro 3 (V8-TI, 14618 cc) and both buses are fitted with ZF 12-speed automatics.

If its being pointed out, you would notice that the frames of 1502 still remain despite the fire. Then you know how legendary Neoplan vehicles are. Lest, they are betrayed by their engines.

47 News article on the fire of 1502: Link

47 News article on the fire of Laurel Tour’s N122/3: Link

Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. Presently this land is called North Ireland, and had been the stage of many events from the 1960s till recent, when the Ireland Peace Process brought about a positive change to the land scarred by ethnic and religious conflict. That was about the time that this Swedish moved in to join his brothers in who first migrated in 1990.

Donnell & Ellis Heavy Haulage is based at Omagh, South Tyrone County. It started out in 1990 and built itself to be one of the most successful heavy haulage company in Ireland. Its fleet consists of Scania trucks and numerous types of trailers including the 8-axle Nooteboom Teletrailer featured with this Swedish.

Pictures are here!

Front of the box.

Rear of box.

698 of 2000.

Details of decals just like the real thing.

Corporate and Nooteboom logos.

Normal.

Extended.

Now here’s the story:

Sprinter support vehicle comes with technicians on the Hybrid to receive the truck.

Getting into position around the giant.

Having a group picture.

After inspection, papers signed and escorted back to the depot!

Make: Scania AB
Model: R580
Engine: Scania DC16-03 580 Euro 3 (Euro 5 EEV with addition of Computerized DPF)
Outputs: 426 kW/580 PS 1900 RPM, 2700 Nm/275.2 kg/m 1100 to 1300 RPM.
Cab: R type Topline sleeper.

18th June 2010, a FOSMRT tour to the SMRT Kim Chuan Depot opened eyes for many folks. Interested in the technical aspects of trains, this is the first visit to a depot which has comprehensive technical coverage. Some pictures to share about the tour.

A C151 (Series 0) 4Q-GTO Chopper entering Paya Lebar Station.
From CCL-EWL connection.

Fellow enthusiast inside the train.
Paya Lebar Station.

A C830 (Series 8000) in Kim Chuan Depot.
Kim Chuan Depot.

Controls explained. C830 Singapore CCL (Series 8000).
Kim Chuan Depot.

Mc2 (Motorized Control Car 2) IGBT type, VVVF inverter voltage controller units (1C4M). C830 Singapore CCL (Series 8000).
Kim Chuan Depot.

T1 (Trailer) Air compressor. C830 Singapore CCL (Series 8000).
Kim Chuan Depot.

T1 SIV. English term: Auxiliary Inverter. Japanese term: Static Inverter (SIV). C830 Singapore CCL (Series 8000).
Kim Chuan Depot.

Mc1 (Motorized Control Car 1) Coupler. C830 Singapore CCL (Series 8000).
Kim Chuan Depot.

Yamakawa store at Tampines One.
Tampines MRT.

*Note: All photos taken in Kim Chuan Depot are pre-authorized. They do not cover sensitive parts of the system and all knowledge seen and explained are public knowledge.

If you have gotten yourself a copy of The Sunday Times (Singapore Press Holdings), flip to Lifestyle and on page 8 ‘Hot’ section you will find an article on aviation, bus and railway enthusiasts in Singapore.

The press approached my friends last week for an interview and I gave my views on the two hobbies that I have, buses and railway. Credits to the two friends who gave us enthusiasts an opportunity to speak to the general public about our hobbies.

In case you are not residing in Singapore and/or have not gotten a copy, here are the scans courtesy of Wei Xiong.

Among the articles, I feel that the aviation one had been well-written on. Not being biased, furthermore not trying intentionally to lower attention of myself, I feel that aviation fans are those who need the most coverage. Many fans overseas have been caught by police, ‘suspected’ of terrorism activities and spend hours interrogated, problems that bus and railway fans have yet been involved in, at least not in a large scale.

Some points I would like to add on to what was quoted from myself, obviously the papers are not big and not everything can be dissected clearly.

From the train article:

Quote:
“has met female train fans overseas but, even then, “men tend to dominate the group”.”

I have seen train fans in Japan who are female and also seen blogs by some of them. True to say, they like the cute side of trains like advertisements and drawings, especially like the recent Sebu trains that feature Galaxy Railway 999. Such things attract females more than just the electric motor and inverters that are not always the mens’ cup of tea as well.

Quote:
“I think men tend to like trains more. Maybe it’s in the genes.”

True to speak, just like above, genes play a large part. Although there are females who like technical aspect of things, the numbers do not exceed that of men. But think on the bright side, there are less men who like cute things than things cold. So isn’t that an equivalent?

From the bus article:

Quote:
“I will check if the air-conditioner duct is leaking, or if the engine is making noise or emitting too much heat in the carriage, and feedback to the operators.”

By common sense I wouldn’t do that every trip, every day. I would only look out for serious cases of engine malfunction. Ears not only play a good part here but identifying the correct component of error. An ‘engine vibration’ is different from the compressor vibrating, hence this takes experience. So far I have only feedback about serious problems that will lead to operational hazard and they are too kept confidential from others.

Nonetheless because I love the technical aspect and spending so much time on it, feedback to operators is not really the thing to do all the time, cause I came to the understanding that operators cannot tend to every small problem. So in the future if you want to try doing the same thing, think about the money going in to this problem, whether there will be any operational problems arising, before making the move.

8th June (Tuesday) marks the second anniversary of the Akihabara Incident, when a contract factory worker who was disheartened by life drove a lorry that hit pedestrians, then used a large knife to slash others, causing 17 deaths and injuries.

While taking a minute of silence while I type this post, below is the article for today from Yomiuri News.

１７人が死傷した東京・秋葉原の無差別殺傷事件から２年になる８日、現場の交差点近くに献花台が設けられ、地元住民や通行人らが花をささげた。

この日に合わせ千代田区が設置した献花台には午前９時、電気街や町会など関係者らが集まり、白い菊を手向けた。「住民には、また事件が起きるのではないかという不安がある」。献花した万世橋地区町会連合会前会長の大塚実さん（７６）はこう打ち明ける。勤務明けで現場に立ち寄った杉並区の会社員安藤孝さん（５９）も「事件当日の午後、秋葉原に来るはずだった。自分も巻き込まれていたかもしれない」と話し、静かに花を手向けた。

休日の雑踏が狙われた２年前の惨劇。事件直後に中止された歩行者天国は、夏休みに合わせ再開することが決まったが、事件への不安は決して消えない。

１年前に比べ、訪れる人は少なめ。現場の交差点の路上に花束や飲み物をそっと置いていく人も目立った。週に１、２回は秋葉原を訪れるという埼玉県新座市の男性会社員（２７）は、清涼飲料水を置いて手を合わせた。「どこか周囲を不安そうに見回す人が目立つように思える。事件後、秋葉原の雰囲気が変わってしまった」と話した。

（2010年6月8日18時56分 読売新聞）

2 years after the Akihabara Incident, on 8th June, a flower table was set up at the junction (where the incident happened) where passer-by and residents offered their flowers.

On this same day that Chiyoda Ward set up the flower table, associates of the town council and ‘Denki-Street’ (basically the Electric store street of Akihabara) gathered to offer their flowers. “Residents are still disturbed by this incident’, said the former town council chairman of the Manseihashi area. 59 year old officeman from Suginami Ward said “I was to come to Akihabara that day. If I had, I may had been involved (in the incident)” and offered his flowers.

The incident happened on a bustling weekend. Due to this the “Walker’s Paradise” had all but discontinued. This summer its making a comeback, but worries about it are not all gone.

In this post, I will do a review on the 1:76 scale Dennis Dragon 9.9-meter model made by Concorde Hobby Shop and released for sales in May 2010 for 400 units worldwide. Routes 2, 107, 108 and 606 are featured with a run of 100 for each variation.

The model is made from synthetic resin, which is casted from plastic in a mold. Resin models are made in very limited amounts due to the rapid wearing of the molds. Hence each resin model is not only rare in quantity, but also slightly different from each other due to the molding process!

Each molding requires labor work unlike injection molding for die-cast models, hence resin models do not come cheap.

Some pictures of the model before I continue in words.

Description behind the box.

The certificate.

A crude packing due to the nature of the model. No plastic roof-securing included.

Showing the short body.

Rear nearside with decals.

Rear offside with decals.

A close up macro.

With the other double-deckers in the cabinet.

Packaging

The packaging is done using a white thick-card wrapper box with details printed on a stick-on paper at the back. Inside, a normal plastic clear-case contains the model. The model itself is secured to the base using two screws and spacers, with a clear plastic wrapper bounding the model to the base as a substitute for the roof-securing. This makes the model over-tightened on the base and may cause damage to the wheels during packing.

Construction/Detailing

The body of the model is constructed using synthetic resin, with its interior largely plastic as well. This enhances the lightweight quality of the model and details are not left out as well. Seats are correctly modeled (including the 3+2 configuration of seats on the upper deck) and so are the handgrips on the first floor. The smallest detail; a red plate with ‘Bus Full’ is also included at the front of the bus, for use when the bus is fully loaded.

Wheels

The wheels of the model is made rather tight. The drive axle has its tires in contact with the body and are not free-wheeling. This may vary between models as the securing part for the axle is cemented manually to the bottom.

Color/Livery

The ‘Air-Conditioned’ livery of Kowloon Motor Bus is portrayed on this model, bringing it back to the days when it was just introduced into service in 1993. White bottom, red stripes and ‘Air-Conditioned’ wording at the rear quarters of the bus is shown accurately.

Water-slide transfers (decals) are included for the two large ‘KMB’ logos on the sides and the smaller logo for the engine hatch.

Pricing/Value-for-Money

This model is sold by Concorde Hobby Shop at 468 Hong Kong Dollars. It is also sold on Jotus.Com.

For a resin model with limited quantity at HKD 468 it can be considered a good purchase. However, if you are into a free-wheeling model, then this will prove a difference. The value is also enhanced with it being the only 9.9-meter three axle Dennis Dragon model available on the market.

Points for…
Packaging: 5/10
Detail: 26/30
Features: 12/20
Quality: 20/25
Price: 12/15

Total: 75/100 (B+ –> SP Standard)

In my next post  I will feature the Bus Musume (バスむすめ) Volume 2, the first set in Singapore~!

Now that is not Metro-Cammell Weymann.

Its, the Most Costly Week.

And I believe that it is true, just a picture to show you here.

Typing error, Photobook should be Picture-book. There are no real Tetsudo Musume in the World and if there is, most likely I will be staying with them all by now.

Yeah so there you go, the Most Costly Week, SGD 226.50, not including food and consumables.

Next up will be a photo review on the latest edition to bus model fleet, the 1:76 Scale KMB HK Dennis Dragon 9.9-meter Resin Model.

Afterword: I suppose the moon-clock that Nemuru is holding is spoilt, if its red even if the full moon is over. It used to appear red for one day, on the Lunar 15th, then it will go back to the pattern. Guess Konami spoilt the clock and now wolves are always out.

Introduction

The first Heisei 21 Emission Regulation compliant citybus was launched by Mitsubishi Fuso on 18th May 2010. Boasting the cleanest diesel emission regulation till date in the World, the Heisei 21 Emission Regulation features almost 50% NOx and PM reduction as compared to the current Euro 5 in force since October 2008, and a 65% (NOx) and 63% (PM) reduction from the previous Japanese Emission Regulation (Heisei 17/2005).

Emissions

The values are as follows, average values in brackets.

NOx: 0.9 (0.7)
PM: 0.013 (0.010)
CO: 2.95 (2.22)
NMHC: 0.23 (0.17)

Variants

The New Aero Star is sold in eight variants, one of the most so far in the market for a single bus design. The variants include:

LKG-MP37FKF, a 10.5-meter Non-Step bus (low entry) for urban use. Sliding door. B30+44D.
LKG-MP37FMF, a 11-meter Non-Step bus for urban use. Sliding door. B31+47D.
LKG-MP37FMFS, a 11-meter Non-Step bus for sub-urban use. Sliding door. B32+47D.

LKG-MP35FKF, a 10.2-meter One-Step bus (one step WAB) for urban use. B26+50D.
LKG-MP35FMF, 10.7-meter One-Step bus for urban use, with a choice of sliding door or four-fold doors.
Sliding door version B32+47D. Folding door version B31+49D.
LKG-MP35FPF, 11.4-meter One-Step bus for urban use, with a choice of sliding door or four-fold doors.
Sliding door version B34+52D. Folding door version B33+54D.

LKG-MP35FMG, a 10.7-meter Step Bus (multiple steps non-WAB) for private use. Front door only. B49+31F.
LKG-MP35FPG, a 11.4-meter Step Bus for private use. Front door only. B53+33F.

Specialties

Exhaust treatment

The New Aero Star is powered by a 6M60 T2 diesel engine with 7545 cc (7.5-liter) displacement. It incoporates the Bluetec technology (SCR) by Daimler Group, and being so is the first JDM citybus in Japan to bear the Bluetec logo. In addition to the Bluetec system is the Active DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) to further lower emission levels.

Transmission

Allison 6 speed auto is used on all of the variants of this bus. A change to automatic transmission (in the past most buses are sold with manual transmissions) is due to higher safety concern and better working with DPF. With the driver now not needing to shift gears, this enables him to watch out for traffic in urban environment.

Fuel Consumption

This is the first AT citybus that conforms to the Heisei 27 Fuel Consumption Regulation. 4.25 km/l (23.5 liters per 100 km) and 4.10 km/l (24.3 liters per 100 km) fuel consumption for over 14 tons (Urban) and 14 to 16 ton (Private) respectively.

Others

All buses are fitted with ABS (anti-lock braking system). IVIS information system displays fuel consumption and other parameters. A change of design allows more headroom space at the rear. ISO standards of 10-nut for wheels is also implemented.

Target sales is 640 units per year. Retail price 27,142,500 JPY (about 423,000 SGD).

Mitsubishi Fuso Press Release