A New Forum Request

[Martin Avis]

Hi Guys,

I am still around and checking in most days. Since my stroke I have very little energy, so have to limit my computer time, but hopefully I will improve over time and I'll be able to get back to arguing, ranting and discussing this endlessly fascinating hobby of ours!

One thing has struck me - I'm sure there are a few people, like me, who are curiously fascinated by the humble bus and have amassed considerable sub-collections of them. I personally have an extensive collection of the Superkings K15 (and have been building my own variations list) as well as a growing number of SF17 Londoners. On top of those I have many EFE LT buses, Corgis, RW74's, RW5's and a load of things whose makes I can only guess at. Funnily enough I just realised I don't own any Dinky buses - best I nip over to eBay to sort out that omission right away!

I have no idea where this obsession with buses came from and although my first collecting love is still Regular Wheels from the Series A era (anything that hit the stores up to and including the 75a), I find it very difficult to pass by a good bus that I don't already own. Weird, really, because I can't actually remember the last time I travelled on a bus!

My question is: Are there enough similarly minded bus nuts to make it worth Nick's while creating a sub-forum for us?

Martin

[SMS88]

There are already a couple of busy model bus forums on facebook. Matchbox bus models are crude toys compared to the detailed 1-76 scaled collectables made today and there is very little crossover between vintage v accuracy bus collectors. Probably half the current scene based upon model releases is London Transport related however London bus people regard the K15 as a very poor toy and expect to pay £5-10 for a perfect 1-76 scale version of the Daimler Fleetline DMS modelled by EFE. in contrast at London bus rallies expect to pay £1 loose and upto £5 mint boxed for any K15 or SF17.
I own about 250 small buses, mostly London Transport related in 1-76 scale by Britbus ABC or EFE but includes only 2 SF17 and my childhood collection of 15 K15s,about a dozen Dinky AEC Merlins and about 20 various Dinky or Corgi Routemasters. I have made 3 simple bus garage layouts to display these, one is very similar to my 1980 childhood layout with those same buses,the 2nd a London Transport circa 1978 garage and 3rd a London Country circa 1978 garage. Perhaps Martins next step should be some sort of bus station or bus garage to best display his buses??

[Martin Avis]

Thanks for your comments Mick. But I'm not sure if you are voting for or against my bus forum idea!

I do take your point about the different collecting mindsets, and I guess that applies to all diecast collecting. After all, if one wanted scale accuracy, we wouldn't bother collecting most Lesney toys. Jack Odell may have taken the diecast toys art to a higher level in his day, but his intension was to produce popular toys, not to produce highly accurate scale models of the kind that are available today.

To each his or her own. Of my bus collections the humble K15's are my favourites, while the many more accurately rendered EFE LT Routemasters I own are relegated to a box in my loft and I haven't bought a new one in years.

Values are not relevant to me. I'll pay what I have to to fill a gap. As I doubt I'll ever sell them on how much that price is doesn't really matter. But I understand that others think differently, which is why forums like this are so valuable: we can meet, chat, debate and share information with all kinds of folk from all walks of life and from all over the world. None of our collecting tastes are better or worse than any other - it is just what we choose to amuse ourselves with.

Facebook doesn't hold much interest to me, so the existence of groups there doesn't tempt me - despite being an online marketer who *should* be an expert in Facebook, the truth is that I'm a bit of a luddite in that regard.

As for building model bus stations, there are three problems associated with that idea: 1.. Talent. I am not a model maker by inclination and while I hugely admire other peoples' work, know that I would make a pretty poor job of it myself. Especially now the stroke has robbed me of fine motor skills in my right hand! 2.. Patience. I don't have much. period. 3.. A Wife. I can't imagine what Delia would say if I built a wonderful diorama, filled it with buses and announced that I was going to put it on display on the hall table. Well, yes I can imagine and it isn't particularly polite!

Sounds like you have a good collection there Mick - I'd be particularly interested in hearing/seeing more about the Corgis and Dinkys.

Best wishes,

Martin

[Ewan]

I think it has already 'come out' that I have a bit of an interest in buses
I used to be a member of the Model Bus Federation and although it definitely was EFE/OOC/resin kit based, there seemed to be quite a number of members who were pretty nostalgic for the days when they had to 'make do' by buying and altering Matchbox, Dinky and Corgi toys. Their website certainly used to be good.
If a sub-forum/new thread is started I would imagine I'll contribute!

[SMS88]

Martin I also have a wife - she accepts my collecting bug and the space it requires (our cluttered home has nothing in common with any IKEA catalogues!)- indeed she joins me at some weekend markets hunting for antique amber (plenty of it here at low prices) + silver . We both collect more than we sell on but we do enjoy the selling on part because it lowers the actual cost of what we keep!
The reason I suggest you start using facebook groups is that you will find they already have an expert collector base of 50+ contributors each whereas here you will be lucky to get half a dozen. Its all about your own enjoyment and opportunities to learn more and share more - I come here for the Matchbox however there is a FB group with many French + Italian collectors who share amazing photographs of vintage european diecast that just doesnt exist anywhere else on the english speaking internet. No matter what your attitude to FB is, the fact is that if you wish to find the most expert collectors of niches like buses its always going to be on FB.You dont need to actually disclose anything except a name and an email address to join FB,the name needs to match the email but it doesnt have to be your real name if you wish to remain private.If you wish to learn about Dinky + Corgi vintage bus variations there may perhaps be 2 or 3 of us here who know something but you will find 50+ on FB as well as large photo archives with discussions under them on FB to read anytime.
The EFE Routemasters are horrible castings with odd looking smooth sides,I only have about 10 of them (all bought for around £5 each save for 1 special) and wont buy anymore however that is a rare exception in the 1-76 world - early EFEs are poor compared to more modern tools from other makers. I collect different variations of the pre 1975 Corgi + Dinky Routemaster -had both from the age of 6 and still like them very much.MCCH had a bus forum,with their huge membership posts and views were always minimal.

[nickjones]

I will be happy to add a bus forum to the VBD but I think we probably need more than 3 users requesting it.
Talking of buses, I have a Superfast 74b Daimler bus with TWA stickers, I believe this was a promotional issue for Trans World Airlines, I'm just wondering how rare it is, does anyone else have one and how much did you pay for it, Cheers.

[shockwavediecast]

I'm not aware of any #74 with TWA labels. However the #65 Airport Coach was available in TWA livery. Could they have been swapped???

[Martin Avis]

I agree Nick - there is no point if there is not enough interest. Let's see if more people discover this thread.

[motorman]

Nick, I have never seen a #74 with TWA labels. It sounds like a reassignment.

[nickjones]

It is a genuine variation, see the second pic -
http://www.vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk ... sf74-b.htm