Following the significant success in launching the brand new casting of the Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC model in the liveries of National Express West Midlands, Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, Bluestar, Stagecoach West Scotland, Southern Vectis, Stagecoach South, Stagecoach MacMillan Cancer Support, Ensign Bus, Xplore Dundee, Stagecoach North West, Go North East, Stagecoach Ambassador, Stagecoach North Scotland, Go South Coast, Reading Buses, Greater Manchester Bee Network and McGill’s Midland Bluebird, Northcord Model Company is now releasing the twenty fifth version – ukbus 6541 in the livery of McGill’s Xplore Dundee with branding for “your city your buses”.

ukbus 6541 represents fleet number 8905 (SN69 ZNV) that has 10.9 metre, single door bodywork with SmartVision camera mirrors, and was new to National Express Group-owned Xplore Dundee in December 2019 when it was allocated fleet number 6683. 8905 is one of the nine Alexander Dennis Enviro400 SmartHybrids finished to Emerald-specification entering service in late 2019. At this time, it carried branding for route 5, primarily, with additional route identification for “Outer Circle” routes 9 & 10.

Since the acquisition by McGill’s Bus Services in December 2020, 8905 was repainted with McGill’s corporate-style Xplore Dundee livery in early 2024. This livery mirrored double deckers that were in service with Midland Bluebird – the Dundee ones carrying a green-based scheme whereas the Midland ones featured a blue-based scheme and exemplified by ukbus 6536, released by NMC last month.

8905 carries a full, branded livery of ‘your city your buses’ for route 22, showing the destination to Ninewells H. The special, comprehensive livery and branding are 100% reproduced onto the ukbus 6541 model. The stand-out features of the branding are : “your city your buses since 1921” on both sides and the rear; “we’re McGill’s” and “XPLORE DUNDEE” on both sides; “WiFi usb pay” at the front and on the nearside; “buses with latitude get around in style” on the rear, together with the name “RUBEN PEARSON” on the front, below the destination screen.

ukbus 6541 is the second ADL Enviro400 MMC Xplore Dundee model produced by Northcord Model Company. The previous Enviro400 MMC, ukbus 6521, representing 6695, and registered SK68 MBO, carries full branding for route 22 with the destination at the front displaying “Craigowl”. ukbus 6521 models were launched in December 2020 with twin traditional mirrors.

The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC ukbus 6541 is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the square, gasket-mounted windows and the livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. Another main feature on the ukbus 6541 model is its tree deflector at the front to protect the front screen, front dome and side window. The front dome on the model is significant, with curved windscreens on both upper deck and lower deck.

Northcord Model Company is also creating new design standards within the interior of both saloons. These features, inside the compartments, will represent the real, outstanding layout of the Enviro400 MMC, such as the extensive portrayal of handrails on upper deck and lower deck, etc.