Exclusive First Editions
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The Exclusive First Editions (EFE) is a UK-based die-cast manufacturer. It was born in the Summer of 1989, when the company released its first models of an AEC bus and truck, the models were all produced in 1/76th scale which matched the standard scale for UK 'OO' model railways. The initial aim of EFE was to provide a range of die-cast models representing diverse history of UK road vehicles. All the models are designed in the UK and manufactured in China.
The first releases proved a great success with the AEC RT bus in particular receiving much acclaim, little was it realized at the time that this model would mark the start of what was to become EFE's core market and eventually lead to a massive expansion in the UK collectors market for 'OO' scale die-cast model buses.
Following the success of these early models further expansion of the range occurred in 1990 with the launch of the first single deck coaches, the Harrington Grenadier & Cavalier. Around the same time another truck, the Atkinson Knight and a set of four sports cars were also added to the range, however it was once again the passenger service models that proved the most popular and from this point onwards the bus & coach models became the main focus of the range.
In the following years the range of bus models was vastly expanded to include among others the famous London Transport Routemaster, Bristol MW coach, MCW Atlantean & Fleetline, Bristol VRT, AEC RF and Leyland Titan.
The number of truck types was also doubled with the addition of the Bedford TK and Ergomatic cabs in 1996 and between 2005 & 2007 four further cabs an AEC Mark V, ERF KV, Foden S24 & Ford Thames Trader were added to the range. The original AEC Mammoth Major cab was withdrawn from the range and retooled to produce the later Mark III version in 2004.
By the end of 2007 the total number of EFE models produced had passed the 1600 mark and with around 90 new releases each year the list continues to grow as does the diversity of the range of models.
During 2005 EFE through its parent company Gilbow Holdings moved into the larger 1/24th scale market when it released a series of highly detailed London Transport Daimler Fleetline (DMS) models, this range expanded at the end of 2007 with the release of the MCW Metrobus Mark I and during 2008 EFE plan to release their first single deck 1/24th bus model which will depict London Transport's 1950's AEC RF.
Gilbow was also chosen as the brand under which a series of White Star Line ocean liners were produced, the models were issued between 1998 & 2000 and depicted the Titanic, Britannic and Olympic liners in various guises, these models no doubt came about because of the huge success of the Titanic Hollywood movie released in the late 1990s.
Another range launched under the Exclusive First Editions banner involved model trains, to be exact London Underground tube trains, three different types have so far been released depicting 1938, 1959 and 1962 stock carriages, these models are mainly of plastic construction but have been designed to allow motorization for used on model railway layouts if required.
A new range of trackside accessories were announced at the 2008 London Toy, items proposed include tube station style seating and sections of underground escalator. A number of roadside items are also in development and include various styles of UK pillar boxes, telephone kiosks and London Bus Stop flags.
Following the success of the EFE models other manufacturers have launched their own ranges of 'OO' scale model buses. Most notable among these are Corgi Classics Limited with their Original Omnibus Company range which now numbers over 800 models. More recents entrants to the field, Creative Master Northcord and Britbus are quickly expanding their own catalogue of models, the result of all this activity is a vibrant UK collector's market for models based on both current and past bus designs.
