Original Omnibus Company

Corgi released its first 'Collectable' public transport model, the Bedford OB Coach in 1987, albeit in 1:50 scale. Its popularity grew and many new castings were added to the range. However, in 1994, the Original Omnibus Company was introduced, giving the collector smaller, easily displayed and cheaper public transport models. The range has gone from strength to strength and now includes more than sixty different bus and coach models, both classic and modern, and more than 300 different fleets have been represented!

In this, our Anniversary year, we have selected four very different OOC models to be included in this special range - the highest vote for the OOC models went to the Bristol Lodekka FS5G and this appears in the popular livery of Lincolnshire Road Car - a bus that has been meticulously restored.

From Wales, we present the stunning livery of Caelloi Motors, Pwllheli, Gwynedd on our new Van Hool T9 coach, who have been coach operators for more than 150 years.

The selected Irish model is the classic Burlingham Seagull in the well-loved and very popular livery of Ulsterbus.

Finally our Scottish model hails from Glasgow. The Wright Solar Fusion operated by Doig's of Glasgow provides the Strathclyde University Inter Campus Service.

Presented in bespoke Anniversary packaging, each model in this range includes a wood effect plinth, a replica timetable or route map, the Corgi Anniversary Booklet and a numbered Limited Edition Certificate. (Text description from the model box insert.)

Doig's of Glasgow rose from the ashes of Doig's Tours (Greenock) Ltd's demise in July 1991. Based in London Road, Glasgow, the Company leased several vehicles and slowly started to advance Doig's reputation. Due to the determination of both the management and staff, new contracts were obtained, culminating in being awarded the contract for all transport requirements for 1997 World Badminton Championships, when, during the sixteenn days, some 80,000 people were carried to and from the venue. The company now operates from purpose-built premises in Summer Street which were purchased in 1999, and are fully equipped to maintain and service the growing fleet of luxury coaches including the only privately owned 'Bendy Bus' in the UK. This Wright Solar Fusion bus provides an Inter Campus Service for Strathclyde University. (Text description from the model box insert.)

This 1954 Leyland Royal Tiger Burlingham Seagull 41 seat coach, was new to the Erne Bus Services in Enniskillen Co. Fermanagh and originally carried a cream and brown livery. When the Ulster Transport Authority (UTA) acquired Erne Bus Services in 1958, the vehicle became part of the UTA fleet as No. H205 and was repainted in a cream and eau-de-nil livery. The vehicle was employed on Tour operations for the UTA and at the formation of Ulsterbus in 1967, was renumbered 598.

Although 598 with its centre door configuration was unsuitable for one-man operation, it was one of the first vehicles to receive the new Ulsterbus livery of Trader Ivory and Riviera Blue, when it was refurbished as a luxury coach in 1967. Initially the Ulsterbus name was applied to the middle of the side panels in large lettering as shown on this model, but was later greatly reduced in size as the livery became standardised. The vehicle had a short touring life with Ulsterbus and was withdrawn and scrapped in 1968.