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

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.

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.

After some time on work and organising the Singapore Bus Model Show (SBMS) 2010, I finally found some time to update this space. SBMS 2010 was successful and I would like to thank the organisers and participants who made this possible. I cannot promise anyone, but there may be a second event on bus models to make these gatherings bi-annually.

Some Shenton Way drag racing… The Afro-Asia Building dates back to the 1950/60s and is presently one of the few historical modern-class buildings in Shenton Way.

PZ1163E, a Nissan Diesel RM81KXR (JDM: P-RM81) with Fuji Heavy Industry R16-6B (midi-coach bodywork) on service with JTB logos. The RM81 comes from the Nissan Diesel Spacerunner RM series of midi-coach and city-buses. The FE6 (L6-NA) engine that it carries has 180 PS and is the standard powerplant for this series, until the KK-RM252, and spanned 21 years.

Airport service numbers at Carl’s Junior.

Berkhof MAN Photo Review (Model from WJ)

When posed with the Mitsubishi Fuso Aero King model

With other MAN double deck city-buses

The MAN 24.310/350 city-bus chassis was derived from the 24.350 coach chassis and aimed for the Hong Kong market for high capacity double deck buses. Citybus HK ordered the received the first demonstrator, but the remaining units cannot be registered due to a limit on buses. They were sold to Kowloon Motor Bus later and serving till now under the AMN designation. Although MAN city-buses can be found in Europe, these buses in Hong Kong remain as the only MAN double decks sold as chassis form.

A filler episode. Having exams lately and just no time to gather more shit to fill this space, so I found some photos that I have taken in the past weeks to post here.

Yong Tau Foo with rice at Siglap Place.

Dennis Dart buses are withdrawing soon and service 42 is the last service you can see them regularly.

Going green even with bus models! MFBM Eco Hybrid at Hortpark.

Mirror repair for Hafiz owned Volvo Olympian SBS colors. The SBS Transit colors unit is the model that I modified earlier to a sweepback mirror.

March is going to be exciting with a bus model event coming up soon. Stay tuned here for updates!

Some random shots taken in my room in the past half-an-hour.

Got an itch to take some photos of the models that have not been featured yet on the models’ page, but I just could not stand the same green background. Checking back on some of the pictures on that page, I found quite some models already with the monotonous color backdrop.

Suddenly, I was reminded of the material I could use for covering the back; Tokyo Figurine Show postcards~! I grabbed several of them at AFA 09, might as well put them to good use! A good way to show the fusion between bus/transport and anime/Japanese Pop Culture~!

With a good amount of bokeh the cards look good with the models. Fuso AeroStar Eco Hybrid (BJG-MP37TMF).

At a straight angle. Fuso AeroStar MP (KC-MP747K).

The rest of the shots attached with the model descriptions on the bus model page.

Lunch today before proceeding to National Library…

I have somehow found the love for garlic chili again! It does not taste as bad as a few years ago, a spicy tinge with smelly garlic!

A grand welcome to the two newest Japan Domestic Model (JDM) buses into the model fleet, the cleanest (BJG- class) and most fuel efficient (5.00 km/l) Mitsubishi Fuso AeroStar Eco Hybrid (series hybrid type) non-step city bus and the most iconic Japanese double deck coach renowned for its quality in engineering and bodywork, the Mitsubishi Fuso Aero King (MU612TX).

A short introduction on the actual vehicles before the photos.

Mitsubishi Fuso AeroStar Eco Hybrid (model BJG-MP37TMF, wheelbase 5300 mm):
The Eco Hybrid went on sale on 26th September 2007, succeeding the AeroStar HEV. It is powered by a 4899-cc 4M50 N10 naturally aspirated diesel engine, the same engine used on the Mitsubishi Rosa minibus. The diesel engine runs at a constant RPM of 1600 delivering the maximum torque of 530 Nm. It is a trend for Mitsubishi Fuso to use EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) on majority of their diesel engines and this is no exception.
Series hybrid type, with a generator coupled to the engine and inverter systems made by Siemens (VVVF, not GTO, so there will not be any ‘music‘). Batteries (made by Hitachi and also used on the Citaro G Hybrid) are mounted on the roof. Two motors powering the wheels, each 79 kW (total 158 kW/211 bhp). Total torque 710 Nm.
Total of 25 seating (2 ‘navigator’ seats, 7 at low floor area, 6 sets of couple seats and 4 at sofa seat on last row) and 38 standing.
The rear tires are super-single (435/45R22.5) tires, basically a single tire with the width of two normal ones. This was, however, not shown correctly on the model. The model also depicts the shorter BJG-MP37TKF of 4.8-meter wheelbase (overall length 10.5 meters) instead of 5.3-meter for wheelbase and 10.9-meter for length.

Mitsubishi Fuso Aero King (model MU612TX):
The MU612TX is the fourth version of the line of Aero King coaches by Mitsubishi Fuso. The Aero King started out in 1984 as model P-MU515TA with a V8 turbocharged diesel engine of 380 PS. The humble machine received upgrades through the years, the U-MU525TA (emissions near Euro 1) with a similar engine as the previous series, the KC-MU612TA (emissions near Euro 2) with a refined 8M21 V8 naturally aspirated diesel engine of 420 PS and improved impact structure.
The MU612TX came next. Although its a KL- class (emissions near Euro 3) vehicle, but this prefix is missing from its model number. The reason being so is its being registered to produce as a demonstrator vehicle. The actual model number (supposed to be KL-MU612TX) was never registered. However not few of these buses were made. Engine 8M21-3, 430 PS V8 naturally aspirated. Production was terminated in 2005 due to new emission criteria and change of engine structure (V8 to inline-6).
The newest Aero King is the BKG-MU66JS conforming to the Heisei 17 Emissions, 10 percent reduction in NOx and PM category and Heisei 27 Fuel Consumption Regulation of 3.65 km/l for its class of >16-ton. SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) is used in the exhaust treatment. The new vehicle however did not lose its jaws; the maximum power is still at a high 420 PS.

Now on to the photos of the models!

Box: Mitsubishi Fuso AeroStar Eco Hybrid

Box: Mitsubishi Fuso Aero King

Model: Mitsubishi Fuso AeroStar Eco Hybrid

With the KC-MP AeroStar

With the Alexander Dennis Enviro 400H double deck

Model: Mitsubishi Fuso Aero King

With the Hino S’elega R FD

Rear quarters of the double decker and high decker

Engine hatches

From small to big…

Some trivia on the actual vehicles:

Presently the Eco Hybrid (7811, 7 for large route bus, 8 for 2008, which is the introduction year, 11 for the serial number, 11th bus etc) is in service on trunk routes with Meitetsu in Nagoya, Japan.

Meitetsu (名古屋鉄道) is the largest private railroad in Nagoya/Central Japan region. A network of 444.2 kilometers of railroad and a yearly ridership of 341 million passengers. Meitetsu Bus Company separated from Meitetsu on 11th May 2004 to form their own company in-charge of bus operations.

The Aero King (29621) was introduced in 2004 when new onto the Hiroshima to Tokyo express route, but the route itself was withdrawn after 20 years of operation, on 1st of June, 2008. The Aero King was then transferred to the express route between Hiroshima and Matsue (松江). The coach looks like this now. Photo from http://keyp1.blogspot.com/

Hiroden is the Japanese short-form for Hiroshima Dentetsu, English name Hiroshima Electric Railway Co, Ltd. The present company was set up on 10th April 1942 after separating from the old one. Its operation include the Hiroshima streetcar, route and express bus service in the Chugoku (中国) region. The streetcar operations include 6 lines with total of 19.0 kilometers and a 16.1-kilometer railway line (practically a high speed streetcar line), a total of 35.1 kilometers, the most distance of streetcars in Japan.

Presenting the latest edition to the model fleet, the Alexander Dennis Ltd Enviro 400H Hybrid double deck bus. 人と環境にやさしい、ハイブリッドバス. (Hito to Kankyo ni Yasashii, Haiburi-do basu).

Box side 1.

Box side 2.

1 of 1368.

Front view.

Rear view.

TEH915.

Rear hatch opens to show engine and generator unit.

Alexander Dennis, Transport for London, Metroline and… ComfortDelgro! Why are we not having these in Singapore?! Hahaha…

The real ADL Enviro 400H has the following specifications:

Length: 10.1 meters
Width: 2.55 meters
Height: 4.42 meters
Wheelbase: 5.25 meters
Unladen: 11960 kg
Maximum Laden: 17800 kg

Capacity: 65 seating, 25 standing passengers. 1 Driver.

Hybrid type: Series Hybrid
Engine: Cummins ISBe4 Euro 4
Power: 138 kW (185 bhp)
Driveline: BAE Systems HybriDrive
Generator: 120 kW permanent magnet
Motor: Electric 185 kW (251 bhp) oil cooled.
Torque: up to 800 Nm
Batteries: Lithium Ion
Steering: ZF 8098 integral power assisted
Brakes: Full air system, disc brakes front and rear.
Front axle: Krikstall NDS80LF I beam
Rear axle: ZF AV-132 drop center
Tyres: 275/70R 22.5 16 ply
Warranty: 5 years for batteries

Price: 315,000 UK Pounds (728,789 SGD).

Information from Issue 272 of’ ‘routeone’ published 5th March 2009 and available at ADL’s site.

So you know why we do not have these here… They are even more expensive than Japanese hybrids! Good to environment and humans but not the corporate wallet!

With the holiday projects over (either completed, on the way or not touched at all), school have already started and those have to go away for a while! Some small handicraft can still be done, and the installation of new mirrors on two of the models which had their original ones wrecked (by me of course) is underway!

The mirrors for the SBST Volvo Olympian is done. Some pictures of the work.

Workshop view.

The original idea for the mirror to be hanging forward of the bus.

But the frame will ‘block’ the mirror and it was not too feasible to do so, then the mirror is modified…

and twisted backwards, hence…

the unique style of some real life double deckers’ mirror is shown! The mirror is now closer to the driver’s view and easier for adjustment as well.

The Malaysia Travel Fair is on till today (18th October) and among the featured coaches is one ‘black horse’ (from what I can see of the numerous coaches there), Five Stars Tours’ MAN 24.480, 480-horsepower double decker coach. This by far the most powerful coach bodied locally and coupled with the cleanest engine of its class, an EEV rated inline-6 with maximum 2300 Nm of torque!

The rear portion of the coach with official badges. Coachwork by Soon Chow.

Special air scoop for this powerful machine! Integrating but not too elegant.

Site Admin at the wheel of the MAN 24.440 from the same company. Being a coach driver is an eye-opening job although more tiring than a route bus driver, but this would be the job that I don’t mind taking up in the future!

Friday also marked the delivery day of two new bus models to Singapore! Thanks to FS for making the delivery possible. One of them, a Scania N113 CRB double deck, is WC‘s birthday present. The other will join the bus models fleet in my depot. Here are some pictures of the new Citaro model.

The love of one-door buses can only be explained on these UK Citaros, which I name ‘Citaro Sub-Urban’. I would gladly have a two/three-door for urban and city routes but one-door buses look fierce and solitary in the countryside and meadows of England, and practically anywhere else in the world!

The air ventilation pods. This bus is technically non-air-conditioned.

The off-side showing the smaller radiator grill.

Side-by-side with the bluestar Citaro.

The different radiator sizes due to the different engines used! The bluestar unit a OM457hLA (11.9-liter), the First Manchester a OM906hLA (6.3-liter).

Look for the story behind this picture.

Brought some models to the Japanese Garden (星和园) for a small shoot. This is just a test run so anyone interested can ask for a time that we can go down together. I would do so again within this holiday. The time was not right and the weather hazy, but nonetheless some testing shots were done.

Lineup before the journey. Only three managed to get some photos taken of (Pentax).

Tilting precariously on the rocks.

A slightly better edge.

The most Japanese feel of them all.

Overall location:
Sunlight: 10/10 outdoors, 06/10 indoors.
Outdoor locations: 06/10. Few can accommodate low floor replicas.
Indoor locations: 07/10. Flat but more dimmer.
Heat/Comfort: 06/10. Very hot outdoors after 10 am.
Toilets/Amenities: 08/10. Three toilets along the way and in the Garden.
Wildlife: 09/10. Reptiles to birds can be seen.

Waiting for food…

Finally after the long wait for Aubus1002, the model of Sydney Buses (New South Wales) Volvo B12BLE is out! But first, some photos taken of the Stadium Direct buses on Saturday.

SBS7439Z from SBST Ang Mo Kio Depot.

Stadium Direct; Direct from Stadium to your Neighbourhood.

Photos of the model taken on Sunday:

Back of the box with descriptions.
Corrections: B12BLE Euro 3. Capacity 44 seating 15 standing (legally limited).

Number 138 of 1800 produced. First unit with a low serial number in the fleet. Numbers 133-144 are grouped in the Singapore order.

Left side view.

Bling bling!

Right-rear view.

Roof mounted exhaust pipe. More work for maintenance!

Bling with full length shown.

Longer than the Citaro? A very different 12.5-meter single deck!

Side view of the same position.

M/O 4805 (YV3R8F8266A111603, STA Body 672, Custom Coaches CB60) is a DH12D-340 engined Euro 3 emission Volvo B12BLE registered 2006. Currently at based in Willoughby Depot. 12.5-meter bodywork is sure a speciality of this bus and in Sydney itself.

Volvo B12BLE Euro 3.
Engine: Volvo DH12D-340. Maximum output 250kW (340 bhp) at 1800 RPM. Maximum torque at 1700Nm (173 kg/m) at 1200 RPM.
Gearbox: ZF 6HP602C/604C (based on engine performance).
Specialities: 12.5-meter bodywork, six tip-up chairs/two wheelchair positions, independent front suspension (IFS).

Some pictures of happenings taken this two weeks. Painted the MAN model rims, went to Illuma Bugis and Ion Orchard.

The MAN model from WJ (Bus Models West District Hougang Depot) with white rims! Jacked up and waiting for the paint to dry.

The modified and the original. The paint looks a bit rough, but that is what hand-painted is like.

Last weekend of AM Depot control of service 161. Full HG Depot 10th August.

The more ‘alternative’ shot of the models.

‘Maid restaurant’ on the 4th level of Illuma Bugis. Its just a gimmick. Sadly such imitation stuff in Singapore do not work well. I have yet to try the ‘maid cafe’ at Chijmes.

Collecting phrases in Ion Orchard.

Cabin view of a DAF 220. Lim Chu Kang.

There were no lessons for me today, so I went to city on a double deck (service 10). When passing by Alexandra area around 1230 hrs, I spotted a crane in a rather weird position…

Wheels are in the air! Obviously something is wrong…

Clear view of the chassis and wheels, but not anything above them… Another case of overloading?
Not sure how long it had been like this, but it seems pretty fresh.

A clear view of the TD102KF engine of a defective Volvo Olympian. Hougang.

WJ kindly allowed me to color and modify parts of his defective MAN model. A new model of the same arrived at his depot earlier today.
The preliminary plan is to color the rims with white and orange to test the effect of paint on the rims.

Today its the 20th year since this particular human is created. The story started off a bit boring, at a place that is not Singapore (boom!).

Soon, this little human travelled with his parents, like the African elephants (we are not so larged sized though) to a country named Singapore on the south of the Malaysian Penisula. This little human grew up, learnt 1 to 10 (I know 100 by then) in a place called the Nursery, in a town named Bedok. Then it was Kindergarten, where A to Z was taught. This little human also learnt that A to Z could be re-arranged to form different words, and such were the foundations to which some years later, the words ‘ZF’ and ‘Voith’ were known to this little human.

It was in year 1997, that the little human, not so small now, moved to the West of the island, a town named Bukit Batok. It was a peaceful place, with a larger school nearby, and a hometown bus service that the little human is proud of even till now. He continued to school, learnt what was friends and foes, love and hate. There were times of bad, times of good. But this did not stop the little human from continuing to live on. He soon learned the values, the practices, and the patterns of being a human who can live happily on this Earth. Most importantly, he learned to laugh, and that was a gift that could not be rivaled, no matter if its 10 tons of gold (Umineko no Naku Koro ni?) or a million dollars.

After some turbulent years in Secondary school, this little human, now much larger sized with a bigger stomach and appetite, went on to the next stage of education, in the long long road which proves both of useful and waste, joy and frustration. Polytechnic was where this little human went to, learning skills useful in the future, how to be lazy and the greatest knowledge of them all: the outside world. It was at this point that the little human learnt of the Japanese pop culture; anime, manga and mecha. These were to prove both fruitful and waste. Bus (vehicles and electronics) was the other knowledge gained. That, this little human has little to comment about.

Laziness proved to be a factor that affected this little human the most during his period in Polytechnic. However, he also learnt one thing recently; brute strength in study can save marks even at the last minute. This is not the best method though, but the truth that is, studying and revision is necessary to achieve the sufficient marks then necessary to pass!

This story has progressed for 20 years, and still proves worthy to continue.

Some aims for the next five years (5-year plan?):

2009: Pass all polytechnic modules as soon as possible.
2010: Complete NS in a timely and safe fashion.
2012: Travel to Japan (Summer Comiket and/or Tohouku (東北) Area).
2013: Get a decent engineering job.
After 2013: Look for job opportunity in Japan/other countries.

The last aim is one that would continue my (apparently) family’s tradition; moving to a different country. Humans are migrating animals, aren’t they. I shall not interfere with the natural cycle.

Birthday present! This year proves the break of continuation of a chain of 4 years that “nothing good and long lasting have presented themselves”. I am not asking for a present here, but the ill feelings that come with “totally no present on birthday” is hard to understand to all. So this year I broke the tradition and bought something for myself! They say, actions don’t start unless you have done your own part!

The inexpensive but memorable present for this 20 year old kid; a model Mitsubishi Fuso MP (KC-MP747K) of Itami City Bus, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. 1/76 scale, 258 HKD.

Some more shots as the model is extracted from the box…

Hey wait… No this is in no way related to Umineko no Naku Koro ni.

All the single deckers through the ages. Mid-engine high floor, rear-engine one-step, rear-engine low floor and rear-engine ‘non-step’. A good celebration of technology (and humans) maturing…

The Japanese Domestic Models (JDMs). This duo group will definitely increase in number as the days pass by. Wait for your friends to join the party!

So, a similar post might come like this next year? Who knows… Laugh and enjoy your day!

Lost in the city…

You have not seen my (ridiculous, useless, crap, crazy, non-moe) votes for a long time. Here they are!

ARENA 01: Hiiragi Tsukasa [Tsukimiya Ayu]

ARENA 02: Suigintou [Abstained] Chiba Kirino

ARENA 03: Kasuga “Ōsaka” Ayumu [Abstained] Alice Carroll

ARENA 04: [Nagi] Suzumiya Haruhi

ARENA 05: Shinku [Sunohara Mei]

ARENA 06: Izumi Konata [Furude Hanyū]

ARENA 07: [Fate Testarossa] Hinamori Amu

ARENA 08: Furude Rika [Kawasumi Mai]

ARENA 09: Shana [Abstained] Remilia Scarlet

ARENA 10: Evangeline McDowell [Abstained] Suiseiseki

ARENA 11: Konjiki no Yami [Tōsaka Rin]

ARENA 12: [Sanzen'in Nagi] Asahina Mikuru

ARENA 13: Mizunashi Akari [Ichinose Kotomi]

ARENA 14: [Ibuki Fūko] Kinomoto Sakura

ARENA 15: Kawashima Ami [Kamio Misuzu]

ARENA 16: Katagiri Yūhi [Abstained] Misaka Mikoto

ARENA 17: Louise Vallière [C.C.]

ARENA 18: Hakurei Reimu [Ryōgi Shiki]

ARENA 19: Kurata Sayuri [Ryūgū Rena]

ARENA 20: Takamachi Nanoha [Saber]

ARENA 21: Aisaka Taiga [Katsura Hinagiku]

ARENA 22: Illyasviel von Einzbern [Abstained] Chii

ARENA 23: Vita [Kōzuki Kallen]

ARENA 24: Holo [Maria]

ARENA 25: Kirisame Marisa [Abstained] Index Prohibitorum

ARENA 26: Minase Nayuki [Abstained] Furukawa Nagisa

ARENA 27: Kushieda Minori [Fujibayashi Kyō]

ARENA 28: [Sawatari Makoto] Nagato Yuki

ARENA 29: [Misaka Shiori] Anya Alstreim

ARENA 30: Kawazoe Tamaki [Abstained] Yagami Hayate

ARENA 31: Patchouli Knowledge [Hiiragi Kagami]

ARENA 32: [Sakagami Tomoyo] Shameimaru Aya

Found the way to open the Trident’s engine cover…

18th July was a rewarding day. First up, a photoshoot with WJ at Old School, with the models we brought along. Some photos taken:

The chassis + bodywork:

Volvo B7TL. East Lancs Vyking bodywork (original).

Volvo B7TL. East Lancs Vyking bodywork (second generation).

Volvo B10BLE. Wright Renown bodywork.

The integrals:

Mercedes Benz Citaro M-Spec 354. Mercedes Benz bodywork (facelifted Citaro).

Hino S’elega R FD (KL-RU4FSEA). Hino bodywork.

The single deck citybuses, low-floor and low-entry.

The lineup.

Comparing the radiator sizes!
Photo courtesy of WJ.

Then the birthday party for JY and KP!

Teaser for the birthday party! Two birthday boys are not inside. Want the photos, ask and link will be given to download the original fun.
Photo courtesy of WJ.

Spotted this rare guest to service 189 while on the way home. TIB838H was the demonstrator ‘bendy bus’ to Trans Island about 15 years ago. It was also the then-longest bus in Singapore, not to forget its the first of many articulated brothers to come to this Southeast Asia nation. Its condition today is already a far cry from when it was introduced; other than a dry sounding engine, there are holes in the joint fabric and sunlight comes through! On shift S103 today.

Another photo of a regular service 189 folk.

Check out the shiny Mercedes front badge! SMB15T is one of the OCs that I prefer on the fleet. After the accident, it seem to have gotten a bit ‘sick’ and has the hottest running engine around in the fleet (while sitting at the rear, it could be hot even in the morning or night). The best got to be SMB16R, but not captured today.

One of two batch 2 OCs on the service today. SMB71E is still quite new and here is a rear quarters view of it.

OC500LE comes in chassis form. But don’t you think its bodywork is a bit too high? I heard its about 3.6 meters. As compared to a shot of a model of a Citaro below, posed with the Hino coach…

The real-deal of the Hino coach is 3360mm. The Citaro can still clear the same amount with the ventilation pod. The Gemilang design for the OC is another 300mm taller than the two…

Small language lesson…

珍客万来 (日本語/Japanese. Pronounced ‘chi-n ki-ya-ku ba-n ra-i’) is sort of a custom phrase (I got the phrase/idea from another website) to describe the appearance of a rare guest. More often seen in literature-oriented media.