Hello, and welcome to my Coachpark website. This is dedicated to showing my collection of model coaches, all to a scale of 1:76 (compatible with '00' scale model railways).
These models represent the colourful and changing scene of British Private Hire Coaches, and livery trends through the years. Many have been built from kits, from the early 1970's, while more recently the availability of good quality diecast models has enabled the collection to grow, as these often require just a repaint after removing the factory-finished livery. I have also been lucky to acquire a number of hand-built and individually converted models over the years, allowing some rare vehicles and liveries to be represented in model form. Every model is painted with the aid of all-round photographs of the actual vehicle, to reproduce it as accurately as possible, matching the livery, sign-writing and other details at the time of observation. They also carry the correct registration plates. After more than 45 years, these models include many well-known and not so well-known names of companies throughout the country, several of whom inevitably are now no longer in existence. Almost all of the models shown have been individually painted and sign-written by hand, by myself. I have done some experimenting with decals, or printing my own transfers, but while I can still do it in the traditional way, although they may not all be perfect, I get a far greater sense of achievement and satisfaction out of refinishing them myself, by hand. The coaches are mostly arranged into sets of 14 models, with seven facing forward and seven facing away, for display purposes. Each set represents a period of between one and three years, with most covering around a two year period. The relevant dates for each set are listed, as shown on the index to the left of each page. These sets are often displayed on my 'stately home' exhibition layout "Dodileat Manor", (pictured above), at model exhibitions around the country. My interest in buses and coaches has been a life-long hobby, which hopefully is set to continue for many more years to come! More pictures will be added to this site, as and when further new models are completed. WHAT'S NEW? In response to feedback from regular visitors, I am noting new additions here, for a period after they are added onto the site: 16 March 2020. Following a long absence, due to my lack of a suitable camera, a new page has now been set up to show the 2018-2019 set.
This site has been created by Terry Jones.
All pictures and content shown are copyright to Terry Jones. (c) February 2010.