[WIP] 2005 Orion V (05.505) Bee-Line Bus

[JLiu15]

My fifth bus model will be smaller than my previous ones. It maintains the same scale, but the model is of a shorter bus - a 32ft Orion V (model 05.505) operated by the Bee-Line System in Westchester County, New York.

The above photo was taken by Elyse Horvath in January 2023.

I decided to model a shorter bus this time because I plan to bring two bus models to Brickworld Chicago this year, one of which is my New Flyer D60HF model. Because I have already used a lot of my white System pieces on that model, I could build this model without having to order as many pieces. It also guarantees that I have enough space to display both MOCs with a good view of both, as display space can be pretty limited at Brickworld Chicago. My original plan prior to signing up for Brickworld was to disassemble my New Flyer D60HF model and have most of the pieces needed to model a PRTC OmniRide 40ft Orion V (model 05.501), which I saw at the NJ bus festival last fall.

The tentative list of functions are:

• Drive (with single PF XL motor or two PF L motors)
• Steering with working steering wheel
• Opening doors (pneumatic?)
• Detroit Diesel Series 50 engine model (removable)
• Opening engine door

I had considered powering the model with BuWizz 2.0, but my BuWizz has been having issues recently, mostly with there being a delay from when a command is sent from the app and when the motor responds. Because of this, I may just end up using PF IR receivers, which I have not used in a MOC for many years now.

Unlike my previous bus models, I am starting from the bodywork this time in the Stud.io build. This should reduce the need for last minute revisions to the chassis to accommodate the body panels. As of right now, the Stud.io model largely consists of partially built body panels with the front/rear axles and engine model to mark their locations. By being a smaller bus model, it also serves as a challenge in building compact as there is less interior space to hold all the mechanisms.

The livery will be mostly brick-built, as it is largely just two side stripes, but the diagonal section I plan to use custom stickers since it gives it a much cleaner finish than solutions using LEGO pieces, even though I try to avoid custom stickers unless necessary. The left and right side views, as of right now:

One of the things I've been most satisfied about so far is the front windshield design. The Orion V has a slanted driver's side window to reduce glare, and since using LEGO window pieces becomes more impractical when building at larger scale, I wanted to have the windshield be outlined in a way that clearly shows how it appears on the real bus. Thankfully, it was not as complicated as I thought, and I really like the way it turned out. Once I have most of the bodywork designed, I could then probably begin designing the chassis and begin the building process from there.

Edited April 6 by JLiu15
Incorporated model number in MOC name

[JLiu15]

UPDATE 3/14/26

I've gotten more of the bodywork designed in Stud.io, particularly the front destination sign area. The model is starting to take shape. The roof uses tiles, but I left openings in it for PF IR receivers since I will most likely be using PF IR control for this model given that my BuWizz 2.0 has been having issues.

I've also designed the rear engine door using Technic pieces. While it may look a little out of place given the System finish of the rest of the model, I figured it would probably make it easier to open and close.

Once I have the bodywork finished, I will then move onto designing and building the chassis.

Let me know if you have any suggestions! I've added a few Stud.io screenshots below.

[ludov]

I like your buses, always follow the builds. 

 I feel that you can do better with the wheel arches. They look very basic with a very wide spacing between wheel and panels. Perhaps with a more advanced steering geometry and parts that are not bricks you can get it a bit tighter? 
 

[JLiu15]

UPDATE 3/19/26

The bodywork is essentially complete in Stud.io now, and I made a few renderings. A challenge was designing the rear section around the grille - the real Orion V bus has a slight angle there, and the center section with the grille and rear destination sign has a slight curvature. Because I don't think LEGO makes any sloped pieces with that steep of a slope, I ended up using Technic panels at the edges held at a specific angle. The center section is built using SNOT techniques. While I feel the rear proportions could be better, especially with the grille height and exhaust pipe, I'm overall satisfied with how the model looks so far, and I feel it captures the shaping of the bus pretty well. Here is a photo of the rear of the bus, for comparison.

Below are the Stud.io renderings of the model so far.

[Thirdwigg]

These bus builds are always fun to watch come together. You have figured out how to translate the look into LEGO bricks well. The shaping on the rear of this particular bus is great.

I find the windshield on this particular bus to be a little odd, but you did manage to replicate it well. I'm excited to see what you do for the drivetrain.

[Paul B Technic]

This looks great, well done.

[JLiu15]

On 3/16/2026 at 10:54 AM, ludov said:

I like your buses, always follow the builds. 

 I feel that you can do better with the wheel arches. They look very basic with a very wide spacing between wheel and panels. Perhaps with a more advanced steering geometry and parts that are not bricks you can get it a bit tighter? 
 

 

17 hours ago, Thirdwigg said:

These bus builds are always fun to watch come together. You have figured out how to translate the look into LEGO bricks well. The shaping on the rear of this particular bus is great.

I find the windshield on this particular bus to be a little odd, but you did manage to replicate it well. I'm excited to see what you do for the drivetrain.

 

16 hours ago, Paul B Technic said:

This looks great, well done.

Thank you guys!

I wanted to use arch pieces for the wheel arches, but unfortunately many options are too large and I would have to interrupt the black line down the side. Even with the slope pieces, I had to compromise by placing the turn signal lights further back slightly. I have considered placing flexible hoses around the wheel arches to make them look more rounded. I do wish LEGO would release smaller arch pieces for more compact builds...

As for the windshield, Orion V buses (and Orion VI and VII OG buses) have the driver's side windshield slanted to reduce glare. This photo from Wikipedia shows it pretty well. It was a challenge trying to mark the outline of it since options for LEGO windshield pieces are pretty limited for larger scale builds, but I definitely like how it turned out on my model.

[JLiu15]

UPDATE 4/2/26

I've begun the building process for this model, starting with the chassis. The Detroit Diesel Series 50 engine model and some of the passenger seats are in place; I'm still waiting on a Bricks & Pieces order to get the rest of the seats in. I used a single PF L motor for propulsion; I was initially concerned that a single L motor would not be powerful enough, but given that this is a model of a smaller bus I figured gearing it down would be sufficient; it also helps me keep the build compact, as the motor is completely hidden by the rear stepwell. I also have wiring in place for a PF AA battery box which will then go to two PF IR receivers later in the building process.

Photos:

Edited April 4 by JLiu15

[JLiu15]

UPDATE 4/4/26

I've largely finished the chassis, with all passenger seats in place. There is a working steering wheel connected to the steering mechanism. The front and rear bumpers are also in place.

For the passenger seats' layout, I largely relied on images with a good interior view of the bus, such as in this auction listing.

I am overall satisfied with how the build is progressing. At this rate, I definitely anticipate finishing the MOC before Brickworld Chicago, perhaps as early as next month.

Let me know if you have any suggestions!

Photos:

Edited April 4 by JLiu15

[captainmib]

What a great build.

Didn't expect the chassis to be made from technic bricks. 

How much parts are you on?

[JLiu15]

2 hours ago, captainmib said:

What a great build.

Didn't expect the chassis to be made from technic bricks. 

How much parts are you on?

Thanks! Currently the parts count according to Stud.io (where I have the body modeled as well) is just under 2900.

[yqc]

I really like this design. At first I was kinda disappointed by the System being used, but in the final renders, I really liked it, I think it goes great together. And then when seeing the base being built up by such a great (mostly studless) Technic structure, it made up for all System used. I still wouldn't use any traces of System in my Technic MOCs, but I think it does fit this model very well.

Great work and I can't wait to see future progress updates!

[JLiu15]

1 hour ago, yqc said:

I really like this design. At first I was kinda disappointed by the System being used, but in the final renders, I really liked it, I think it goes great together. And then when seeing the base being built up by such a great (mostly studless) Technic structure, it made up for all System used. I still wouldn't use any traces of System in my Technic MOCs, but I think it does fit this model very well.

Great work and I can't wait to see future progress updates!

Thanks! I like using System exterior and Technic interior for my bus models because it offers a much greater level of detail aesthetically, while the Technic structure keeps it robust.

[Shiva]

Thumbs up :)

[JLiu15]

UPDATE 4/11/26

I've finished building the System-built "skins" of the bus - the left and right side body panels. When I place it next to the chassis, I can definitely feel the model starting to take shape.

I've built the passenger doors as well. I still need to build the Technic roof frame which will house the door mechanisms and PF IR Receivers, but once that's installed I will be able to attach the body panels and doors.

I've also added the engine door, which is openable and made with Technic pieces so it connects to the Technic chassis well. Because there won't be an easy way to get your fingers around the door to open it once the bodywork is installed, I added an axle behind it that you can push on to get it to open slightly, then it can be opened the rest of the way.

I anticipate finishing the building process in early May, and I expect the model to have 3000-3500 pieces once finished. Currently, Stud.io shows that the model is just over 2900 pieces.