Daniel Leavitt posted this link (on RailWire) to Iconic Replicas' coming soon page that features pre-production samples for their first N scale bus. https://www.iconic-replicas.com/coming-soon Wikipedia indicates the MCI D4505 were in production from 2005 to 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MCI_D-Series Carter
Oh, those are some nice looking modern bus models. Will be interesting to see how they will be priced. Thanks for sharing that link Carter!
Walthers has added the MDC D4505 buses to their web site, and the list price appears to be $29.95. https://www.walthers.com/iconic_replicas?productListFilters=scale:N Scale Also of interest, Walthers is showing part numbers for another N scale bus from Iconic Replicas, the NFI Xcelsior XN40. Carter
Since the new Iconic Replicas are the first “massed produced” N scale (1:160) bus models that are the first based on 21st Century North American prototypes, I thought it might be interesting to see how they compare with relative modern European prototype N scale bus models. The photo below shows the Iconic Replicas MCI D4505 Greyhound Neoclassic paint scheme and the Canadian Greyhound shadow paint scheme with a Lemke Setra S431 DT double-deck bus parked between the Greyhounds. And this photo shows two of the Iconic Replicas NFI Xcelsior XN40 buses with a Minitrix Mercedes O 405 bus parked between them. And while not easy to photograph, the mirrors on the busses even have a reflective surface! I am impressed with the first N scale busses offered by Iconic Replicas, and I am hopeful that the sales will be encouraging so they will offer more N scale busses. Carter
I have never done a Pre-Order for train stuff. But I want that Iconic Replicas MCI D4505 Greyhound Neoclassic. I have also ordered from the site before, got my construction keychains there I use for my N Scale layout. size is close enough for me I might get two of them. I have never seen USA type buses in N Scale before. Not saying they don't exist, I just never saw them. And I really like the Greyhound look. Hope the real thing looks like the picture?
Athearn, Rapido and Classic Metal Works have all come out with North American buses in N scale, but they were all mid-20th century prototype models (1950s-1970s). For the modern era (2000 to today), yes, Iconic Replicas have made the first mass-produced North American buses in N scale.
Well only place I could find them in stock and trusted and ordered 3 of the Iconic Replicas MCI D4505 Greyhound Neoclassic , probably paid too much but I almost never buy vehicles that cost this much, but have wanted modern buses for ages. And the pictures look really cool, hope the real product does Anyone know if they are diecast type products. I'm excited, hope for a good reason Got them from Walther's, they also mentioned a possible price increase in the future. So I took the bait and bought them. Bad in2tech I may even put one on my desk if they really look good. Anyway I don't really spend a lot on my model railroad hobby, and when I want it, I want it now, if possible. Matter of fact buy most of my items in the Swap Meet here And usually at really good prices too! I wanted a few of the Canadian ones, but where out of stock for now, maybe later, maybe not?
The comparison photos are of the real product! The buses are a combination of diecast (below the windows) and plastic injection molding (windows and roof. I haven't taken one apart yet to examine the interior (seats). The details for the diecast portion may be a little bit "soft", but are still very good for diecast 1:160 scale models. Also, wheels look great! And, if you special ordered from 3000TOYS you most likely got the best price around. Carter
Here's my dissection of the NFI XN40 transit bus, I presume the coaches are constructed simlarly. Everything is just 5 pieces - the two screws, the clear plastic shell, the plastic interior and the diecast chassis: I wonder if this could be modified somehow. I'd like to have a lighted destination sign, or at least a printed one showing up behind the glass. If one wants to light the bus, either the interior or headlights/turn signals, the screw holes provide an opportunity to run wires
So I canceled my Walthers order, might take a few days to clear as I paid via PayPal. Reason I found them at Awesome Diecast cheaper, shipping cheaper and no sales tax that I can see. I'm also thinking about ordering the Metro one and maybe, just maybe some other ones, maybe. I for sure want the Greyhound Classic and Greyhound Canadian one. They are a few more dollars then the 3000TOYS, but apparently in stock, I think? Learned one thing apparently there are Bus conventions and such while checking YouTube, pretty cool. Me thinks I am going to need a bus station or at least a parking lot maybe at some point. Here is the Awesome Diecast website, IF interested. They are $29.95 in stead of $35.04 now at Walthers, and Walthers ONLY had the classic one in stock. https://www.awesomediecast.com/ I might be a bus collector now in N Scale Are these Electric buses? And these: Have no clue why I addicted to buses all of a sudden
I was gonna recommend AD, that's where I got mine from (their prices are truly Awesome), but I didn't know whether the site filter would "Woo Woo Woo" out the name. Turns out AD is a retail "front" for Iconic Replicas - their Boca Raton, FL addresses are the same. Also on AD's social media, one of the staffers is depicted in their warehouse wearing an Iconic Replicas patch on their vest. Not trying to rat them out, I'm always happy to support their business directly! Nothing wrong with this at all; there's a huge overlap between train modelers and other miniature vehicle modelers. I posted a pic of the IR bus on my Instagram and a friend of mine told me, "Funny because I got AD's email blast and was thinking of getting the Metro bus myself." I had no idea he was into modeling and he sends me pics of the diecast cars he collects and his 1:400 scale airport diorama! He may not be a rail modeler, but he at least "gets" my world. I also have another railfan/model RR friend who is also a transit fan and has some of IR's HO scale buses, and also collects 1:400 diecast airliners. I really hope IR/AD sees these sales of their 1:160 products and get to put out much more of them, in different eras as well. I would totally collect buses in N scale. I already have IR's New Flyer Metro bus in HO when it came out a few year ago, I have it as a display model in my recording studio. But if they came out with classic GMC's RTS buses in N scale (the kind of buses I rode as a teen) then I'd totally get those.
The MCI D4505 is powered by a Cummins X12 engine, which is a conventional diesel-powered engine. The green liveries are just the branding colors of those companies/agencies. https://www.mcicoach.com/site-content/uploads/2023/01/MCI-D4005-D4505-Sepcs.pdf MCI does make CNG and Hybrid variants of the D4500 series buses, but they have unique model names.
Do you know what the actual size is of the N Scale 1:160 buses are in inches? If I get all the different ones it won't be realistic, but my layout isn't anyway I thought so when watching the YouTube channel. Have to say I was a bit confused Apparently not a "Woo Woo Woo" issue cause it's diecast. I guess? I didn't even think about that
I only have the New Flyer 40' transit buses, and it measures exactly 3". It's exactly the same length as my 40' intermodal containers, and the bus fits inside my 40' intermodal well cars, so it's accurate. The MCI intercity coach prototypes are 45' long, so they should be 3 3/8" long. I guess they censor the names of specific model train retailers (and all that stuff ). I mean, we can mention Walmart or Michael's or Lowe's on here without issue.
The MCI D4505 bus models are 3.428 inches long from bumper to bumper. This is about 45.7 scale feet. Carter
I have the four Iconic Replicas buses that are shown in the comparison photos. Carter https://www.trainboard.com/highball...bus-models-with-lemke-double-deck-bus.149194/ https://www.trainboard.com/highball...dels-with-minitrix-mercedes-o-405-bus.149195/
So placed my order Thursday night, and it shipped the next day, Friday, due around Tuesday. If you buy there and are brand new, be sure and check your email for the 5% OFF, almost paid for my shipping which is very reasonable, and NO sales tax MY order changed a bit from above, this is what I ordered. Excited to have something besides a bunch of smaller vehicles, which I have a ton of RPS clearance ones, 50 very cheap generic cars, and a few 18 wheeler items, need some more. Which I also really like. I've never paid these kind of prices for vehicles but these look really nice, I'll find out next week.
