NORTHCORD MODEL COMPANY - PRESS RELEASE
UKBUS6210 Alexander Dennis Enviro400 - Magic Bus
Northcord Model Company is proud to release its ninth model of the UKBUS6200 range on the former CMNL long wheelbase Enviro400 tooling.
This is UKBUS6210, carrying the trademark blue livery of Magic Bus.
UKBUS6210 represents Stagecoach Manchester 19288 (MX08GTY) on route 142 to East Didsbury with ‘via University Hospital’ carried in the front destination.
19288 was new to Stagecoach in 2008. Stagecoach Manchester had painted 19288 in the classic Magic Bus livery with yellow LOW FARES branding in December 2024.
Stagecoach continues to operate as a provider within the fully-franchised Greater Manchester bus system, taking on the yellow livery of the Bee Network.
As Stagecoach Manchester transitions into Bee Network, it says goodbye to the iconic Magic Bus branding.
Alongside buses in other commemorative liveries, 19288 made its final journey on 4th January 2025 from Hyde Road depot in the hours leading to the handover, and thereafter became a training vehicle based at Little Hulton then. Those that have already been released are UKBUS6207A and B in Greater Manchester Transport and GMS liveries.
19288 carries full classic Magic Bus livery, including ‘MAGIC BUS’, ‘LOW FARES’ and ‘BEST VALUE’ on all sides, ‘…IT’S MAGIC!’ on the nearside and offside.
The Magic Bus brand had been present in the conurbation since 1996, being deployed soon after Stagecoach purchased the former GM Buses South operation. Since then, it has been carried by what the operator says is over 1,000 buses, covering more than 65 million miles and utilising above 8,000 drivers.
Stagecoach first introduced the Magic Bus name in Scotland during the 1980s and later spread it to multiple other areas, but in its overall blue form the concept was inexorably linked with the then-highly competitive Greater Manchester market.
Magic Bus in Manchester debuted on the Wilmslow Road corridor, where heavy competition was underway. It later expanded to other areas and utilised a variety of vehicles, including both indigenous examples and others from much farther afield. Among the latter were tri-axle Leyland and Dennis double-deckers imported from Hong Kong and Kenya respectively, although a pair of similarly large Leylands that were built for Stagecoach in the UK also joined the operation. Later the Magic Bus brand in Manchester again focused solely on Wilmslow Road and was operated with a fleet of Alexander Dennis Enviro400H double-deckers.
UKBUS6210 is the third Magic Bus model produced by Northcord Model Company. The previous ones are HKBUS2006, an Alexander R-type bodied Leyland Olympian tri-axle coach (13642, H625LNA) working on route 216; UKBUS1049, an Alexander ALX400-bodied Dennis Trident (17647, W647RND) working on route 143. Both models were launched in November 2005 and September 2011 respectively.
UKBUS6210 continues the range of models that showcase historic and retro liveries that had been part of life for many decades in Manchester and giving a clear identity to the city and surrounding areas.
UKBUS6210 features excellent detailing, inside and out, such as realistic-looking handpoles and handrails. The Enviro400 model is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the windows and livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible.
Another main feature on the UKBUS6210 model is its dual individual tree protectors at the front. The front dome on the model is significant, with its curved windscreens on both upper and lower deck. The headlights at the front are made of individual components to look more realistic.
