 Feedback or contributions? Send me an email  Page last updated Sunday, August 7, 2005 NOTE: Some of the links and resources may need updating - I'm working on it, will hopefully have it all fixed shortly. I've removed stockists from the page because I want to keep this a non-commerical site, although I still have preferences about who's good to deal with and who isn't.  |
  Whether
you are interested in the models or the real buses, there's no shortage
of reference material available. With
the advent of the internet, it is now possible - like never before - to
find vendors, collect news, and connect with other collectors around the
world. My experience has been very positive - we're a pretty friendly
group of enthusiasts! |
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  The John Ramsay British Diecast Model Toys Catalogue is an excellent reference tool when collecting Routemasters of all lines. In addition, general price ranges are included. The Guide is updated every couple of years - a new one just came out. http://www.swapmeet.co.uk  The Model Price Guide is published each year by IPC, the publisher of Model Collector magazine. It's a very good reference, but doesn't list all of the variations. I found it useful when I started out.  "The Great Book of Corgi 1956-1983" by Marcel Cleemput is the essential guide for all things Corgi. He was a very important figure in the company's history for many years. Some editions of this book even came with a model Routemaster.  Consider "Dinky Toys" by Dr. Edward Force if you're interested in Dinky models. This is one of a series of books published for the collector market by Schiffer. http://www.schifferbooks.com  If you're interested in bus models from the Far East, consider "The Complete Book of Little Buses", also by Vic Davey and Danny C.Y. Chan. It's also published by Northcord International of Hong Kong.  I haven't actually seen a copy, but have gotten several positive comments on this Tomy/Tomica reference guide. Another Northcord publication by Vic Davey and Danny C.Y. Chan, but may be difficult to get in Europe or the States.  A book that I found to be useful early on was the "Diecast Price Guide" by Douglas Kelly. It contains a wide assortment of manufacturers and is generously illustrated. Not too many buses, but very interested for general diecast. |
 "The Complete World of Exclusive First Editions", by Vic Davey and Danny C.Y. Chan, covers the entire history of all EFE releases from 1989 to 1997. Text is in both English and Chinese. Published by Northcord International of Hong Kong, it's worth acquiring if you can find a copy (not easy).  A recent but important addition is the "EFE & Corgi OOC Model Buses" guide by Anne Letch. I got my copy at http://www.mdsbooks.co.uk/  Another book by Dr. Force, this time covering Corgi Toys, also published by Schiffer.  Another volume that I found useful when collecting Corgi models is this "Encyclopedia of Corgi Toys" by Bill Manzke. It is also published by Schiffer.  I don't know if it's still in print or not, but Graham Thompson's book is certainly one of the best references for Tri-Ang Spot-On models.  On the general topic of bus models, an interesting read is "A World of Bus Toys and Models" by Kurt M. Resch and Richard Romagnoli. It's simply amazing how many different models exist.  If you are interested in the various Budgie models, consider "Budgie Models" by Robert Newson. Diecast Collector published his email address, and I was fortunate enough to order directly from him.  Finally, consider "Lesney's Matchbox Toys" by Charlie Mack if you're interested in diecast RM's...there are many different volumes from Schiffer on Matchbox, each covering a period of this company's colorful history. |
  Model Collector magazine is published monthly and is an excellent reference for new releases. They currently do not have an online presence.  Diecast Collector magazine is also published monthly and is also an excellent reference for new releases. http://www.diecast-collector.com  Model Buses, published very other month, is aimed at a number of audiences, diecast collectors as well as kit and scratch built modelers. http://www.modelbuses.co.uk/  "Buses" is published monthly and also appeals to those who are interested in the "real thing".  Model Auto Review is published monthly and contains a tremendous amount of information about a wide range of diecasts. http://www.zeteo.com/mar/  "Classic Bus" is published every other month and appeals to those interested in the "real thing".  The Model Bus Journal is produced monthly for members of the Model Bus Federation. http://www.model-bus-fed.org.uk/  Worth a mention is "Toy Cars & Models" - it focuses on the US market (no RM models), but still provides an interesting look at various scales (including kits) with a lot of articles on Hot Wheels. |
  Interested in the real thing? There have been many books written about the Routemaster in the last 40+ years. My two personal favorites are the two companion volumes by Ken Blacker. They don't seem to be in print, however, and may be difficult to find.  Ever wondered what happened to all of the real ones? Although a number of the RMLs still run, many of the RMs and RMCs are now history. The book "Routemaster Dispersal" by Keith Jenkinson documents the history of every single bus built, along with it's current status. Sad indeed.  The "Routemaster Handbook" by Andrew Morgan has appeared in several editions.  If you like lots of pictures, I would also recommend the books shown at left, both by Geoff Rixon.   Of course, the most accurate information about EFE releases comes from EFE directly in the form of the subscription service mailings. It's available for a nominal fee, just contact them for details.. http://www.showbus.co.uk/efe/index.html  As part of the subscription service mailing, they publish release information sheets showing the current month's models. They will often include a spotlight sheet on a particular series or fleet.  http://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/ About the only way to get information about Oxford Diecast releases is to become a member, which includes their newsletter "Globe". |
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LINKS
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  http://www.corgi.co.uk The official Corgi site - new releases, news, corporate updates and a full list of all Corgi stockists and distributors. 
http://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/ Yes, I know all of the reasons why I shouldn't collect their RMs...and yet I do.  http://www.showbus.com As close as it gets to an official EFE web site...the Showbus site lists all of the new releases each month along with some interesting archival information. In addition, there is a tremendous amount of information and photos of the real buses. The Showbus event is worth attending, if you happen to be in the UK.  
http://www.toynutz.com/ A pretty comprehensive site for all kinds of model cars and trucks.  http://www.modelweb.co.uk A search engine for model collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. 
http://www.swapmeet.co.uk Publishers of the essential guide to collecting diecast, as well as several other interesting guides.  http://www.toymart.com/ I haven't made it all the way through yet, but this site is certainly worth a look.   http://www.mremag.demon.co.uk/hpsite/index.htm Although their focus is consistent with their name, this excellent site also features diecast news...in addition, our site got a nice mention from them in December 2001!  http://www.p22.com/products/london.html Looking for the Johnston London Underground font? Look no further than the P22 Type Foundry! 
http://www.keychaintags.com/ I remember these as a kid...turns out to be something that people collect!  http://www/scalextric.com Slot cars, anyone?  http://www.minidiecast.8k.com/ I don't collect Minis - like Beetles, there are a whole lot to choose from - but if I did, then this site would be invaluable. |
  http://www.routemaster.org.uk If you're interested in the real thing, take a look at the site for enthusiasts who take their collecting to the next level - owning the real bus! 
http://freespace.virgin.net/ian.smith/buses/index.htm Well worth a stop if you're looking for information on a wide range of buses.  http://www.busweb.co.uk/aecbus/index.htm A great website dedicated to buses built by the Associated Equipment Company Ltd, and later by British Leyland Motor Corporation under the AEC marque.  http://www.aecsociety.co.uk The AEC Society exists for the appreciation, preservation and documentation of the products of AEC Limited, including the Routemaster. 
http://www.aecsouthall.co.uk/ Another great site dedicated to the real buses produced by AEC over the years.   http://www.picture-pride-displays.co.uk/ What's the point of collecting if your models spend their lives in storage? Picture Pride Displays makes a wide range of cases, which are unfortunately too expensive to ship to the US. If you live in the UK, give them a look.  http://www.Customdisplays.com/ Here's one of the few US-based companies that I've found that makes displays similar to the nice ones from the UK. |
  Click to visit the listing of webrings that we belong to As you can see on our home page, there are quite a few webrings around - dedicated to model buses, diecast, collecting, transport...you name it.  Interested in a wide range of diecast buses? Make sure to visit the Diecast Buses Interactive Yahoo Group.  Another excellent source of information is this Yahoo! group moderated by Gerry Brown.  Another Yahoo! group worth taking a look at, the UK Model Bus Forum.  If your interest involves broader diecast, consider joining the excellent Diecast Toy Cars Yahoo! Group moderated by Dana Johnson, who also runs the excellent Toynutz site. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/diecast-toy-cars/  The Model Bus Federation was formed in 1968 by two enthusiastic bus modellers as a means of extending their hobby by communicating with other modellers, and swapping ideas and tips to help improve their modelling. If your interest in buses extends to the world of models - then becoming a member of the MBF is the ideal way to help you develop your hobby. A monthly journal, regular local and national meetings, model competitions, the exchange of ideas with fellow modellers, a sales shop and special supplements are all part of the membership benefits of the MBF. http://www.model-bus-fed.org.uk/  
http://www.britishmodelbuses.com/ An EXCELLENT site dedicated to 1/76 scale British model buses. HIGHLY recommended.  http://www.hong-kong-buses.co.uk/ There's an entire field of collecting dedicated to Hong Kong buses...this is an excellent site.  http://www.hobbiesandcrafts.freeserve.co.uk/diecast/Page_1x.html Jim Howat's site is often the first to post new pictures...take a look!  http://www.modelroadandrail.co.uk/ Do you need to repair or customize a model? Model Road & Rail carries an extensive collection of parts and transfers.   http://www.londonbuspage.com Just about everything you would ever need to know about London buses - tons of links. 
http://www.routemasterwebsite.fsnet.co.uk/ Lots of information and pictures of the real buses! 
www.homepages.hetnet.nl/~theovereecken Interest in the Routemaster isn't just limited to the UK...take a look at the Dutch Routemaster Society site, managed by Theo Vereecken. 
http://www.busstation.net About a gazillion links on every imaginable bus and transport topic. Make sure that you have a comfy chair before visiting. |