TheWeatheringMan

Hi, Another example of how these idiots fail to do their research. The loco is clearly in green livery. This sort of rubbish churned out by fools looking for profit is just what brings our hobby into disrepute. Regards

Hi All, Could this be an example of the same 'trader' having two accounts and bidding with one to raise the 'bids' on the other. Or perhaps is he getting a mate to put these bids in. Seems very odd that almost every item from this seller has attracted a 'bid' from the same 'buyer'. And what happens if the 'bidder' wins all of the auctions - he's going to need very deep pockets. Regards

Hi, Having recently been buying several dozen diecast buses from an auction site they have almost all been delivered by RM or MyHermes and the experiences have been interesting as below. Before going into these i'd just mention that some while ago on another thread I mentioned the day that I found a card through my door upon returning from a hospital trip informing me that a parcel had been left 'in the green box' - which delivery service it was I forget now as its some months ago, but its hardly relevent - as you can guess, the 'green box' was one of our weelie bins - know how you feel JennyEmily, although luckily for me it was not bin day. What words can describe such total stupidity. Now going back to more recent deliveries of buses: Royal Mail/Postman - 'signed for' parcels being left with no signature collected and being told 'dont have handheld with me as shortage at office'. ditto - parcels being handed to one of my sons who was walking dog some 300 yards from our house and postman signing handheld himself. I have always understood that it is illegal for a postman to hand over any item in the street but could be wrong. ditto - 'signed for' parcels being left on front doorstep when house was empty - no idea what was done about signature. MyHermes - signed for parcels delivered correctly with a knock on door and signature requested in a polite manner. ditto. - non signed for parcels - knock on door and parcel handed to one of us with a pleasent 'thankyou' from the young driver. ditto. - non signed for parcel when we were all out - parcel placed at side of front door step in fairly discrete and sheltered place and card put through lettterbox saying what had been done. These are the experiences over the last few weeks. We have seen Royal Mail acting in a somewhat less than expected manner and MyHermes agents providing a service that has been beyond all complaint. Incidently its important to say that both RM (in letterpost and ParcelForce forms) and MyHermes have delivered everything with no delays. As has so rightly been pointed out by other posters the final level of service is down to individual personalities. I think that the examples quoted above of MyHermes service do show that its not fair to judge all by the low standards of the few. Our local MyHermes driver is in his mid 30's, very pleasent and polite and does appear to make some effort to provide a good service. Such a shame that such efforts are spoiled by those who dont seem to care. Over the last year or so we have seen occasional threads that seem to show a situation the other way round to what we have seen - I feel its important to keep the balance and report that over the last few weeks we have seen MyHermes in a far better light than RM. Regards

Hi All May I just add that although i've not visited the shop (yet) i've had the pleasure of dealing with Leigh at the Newton Abbott toyfair (Ray Heard's) where Colletts Models regularly takes a stand. Prices to compete with anyone and a very nice person to deal with. Looking forward to visiting the shop and am very happy to reccommend his excelent service. Regards

Hi, I was under the impression that our railways had already been 'converted' to busways with the regretable involvement of stagecoach, go-ahead, arriva and first etc. Certainly our once proud railways are no longer run like a railway since busmen got involved. Regards

Hi, Notice he mentions that he beleives it to be made by a 'finescale' kit maker - then goes on to mention 'K's'. Stretching the definition of 'finescale' rather is it not !. Regards

Hi Bernard, Must agree with your point of view on the price, especially as has been pointed out the complex is by no means a simple fitting together of RTR items but required careful measuring and cutting. I do agree too that its hard to see 'why' it was done - its a bit difficult to see just how one might use such a complex within a layout. The seller's history does not suggest anything untowards but I cant help wondering if he would be better putting his obvious talents to better use by producing rather more usefull formations - i'm pretty sure he will find a ready market for those talents. Regards

Hi, Absolutely right and very well said. In fact to be pedantic and use real railway terminology the thing would not be a 'double slip' anyway, and neither are the other four - they are 'double compounds'. What 'Grifone' describes is a 'double slip' (or single of course) - where the 'slip roads' are completely outside the 'diamond' or 'K crossing'. Regards

Why ?. Putting a 'double slip' in the centre will not add anything at all in extra operating flexibility as all possible 'to - from' routes are already available as it is.

Hi, Because its vastly overpriced poorly done tat - just like pretty well everything from this seller. Regards

Hi, Cant see the justification for questioning that its suitable for a train - of course its perfectly suitable. As a ballast weight inside 'the train', preferably melted and recast!!!!. Sorry could'nr resist ! Coat on, gone. All the best.

Hi, This was a very popular conversion in the early 1960's when GWR locomotives were less freely available. It is of course very inaccurate overall and particularly the firebox. The conversion was most commonly completed with a tender from either a Kitmaster/Airfix 'City of Truro' or that from 'Lord of the Isles'. Not a scale model by any means but an interesting throwback from the old days when we had to accept such conversions. At a reasonable price it will make a nice display model for anyone remembering those days - and nice it is to see it. Regards

I will make this my last comment here as it hurts to keep banging my head on the wall. What I said was that damaging comments about a trader should not be made until there is more proof that something untoward is happening. Everything else you infer i've said is rubbish. As the saying goes 'there's none so blind as those who wont see'

I think you should take the time to read my post properly before you press the disagree button and then post something so wrong. Firstly I said outright that what I was about to say would be only partly relevent to the discussion. Secondly, My commenting on the previous owners was intended to convey that any percieved problems at the moment should not reflect on the previous owners. I very clearly stated later in my post that I did not condone the situation as mentioned by another poster and that the new owner should tell customers what is happening and why. I also stated very clearly that my opinion was that advertising and taking money should cease if goods could not be supplied - or clearly tell the customer about any possible delay. All of the above was perfectly clear in my post but obviously totally missed by you. I also said that I felt it was wrong for anyone to say avoid this trader in such a sweeping way unless and until something more concrete is known. As I also very clearly outlined there could easily be a genuine reason for a problem so it is both wrong and very unfair to say something that could damage the traders reputation virtually before he has had time to get on his feet. I was not defending the alleged actions of the new owner as such, simply saying that consideration should be given to possible problems that may have occured before starting to tell all and sundry to avoid the trader. The damage this might do unjustifiably might be very difficult to put right.

Hi, The chimney on the GBL model 'should' be identical to that on the Bachmann version as the scan should not have altered anything and assuming Bachmann got it right. Havn't got my Bachmann C back from loan at the moment so I cant compare the two side by side but the GBL does look the same as the B going by memory. Regards.

Hi, Although this will only be partly relevent to the situation discussed in this thread I do think it is important. I have dealt with Craftsman Models for many years under its previouse owners - indeed my most recent order is still sitting in my workshop as yet unstarted on - and if there is now a problem or the range might dissapear then i'm very glad i've got those dmu conversion kits in stock. During a conversation with Darrel or Ian at CM when placing my order they told me that a couple of items would be delayed a few weeks due to needing to order in more etching brass. I had always had the impression that the etchings were done in house in small batches and that sometimes a kit would go out of stock for a while until sufficient brass needed to be ordered to meet the suppliers minimum. A perfectly acceptable situation and my kits were all delivered in the stated timescale. I must add that the owners of CM always provided exemplary service and on occasion went to some trouble to supply castings. The above does of course apply to the previous owners. Now as it seems that CM has changed hands we need to consider several factors prior to making sweeping statements that might do the new owner a lot of harm. Taking over such a range will of course involve a lot of work getting it up and running again. The previous owners may have run the stock down in preparation for sale as a safeguard should the buisiness not sell as a going concern. If the previous is correct then the new owner will need to address the issue. It is possible that the new owner will need to establish suppliers of raw materials prior to restocking the range - things like new accounts and meeting minimum orders will effect this. The new owner may be running the operation as a sideline and may have missjudged the ammount of work involved - this he will hopefully overcome given time and experience. Yes I agree totally that it is wrong to advertise and take money for items not in stock and yes he should make an announcement so customers know the position during the changeover - if he needs time to get up and running again we will all accept this as it wont be the first time an undertaking has transfered and required time to be sorted out. Comunication with customers will go a very long way. What we dont need is sweeping statements that could do a great deal of harm to the undertaking in what will be a formative period for the new owner. To the new owner I would say this : If you see this thread then please let your potential customers know whats going on. You have inherited a well liked range with a proud heritage in Craftsman Models - dont let it slip. We will all understand if you need a bit of time BUT LET US KNOW. The range has a strong following and you can build on that. Over to you Mr Jones. Regards All.

Hi Nick, Fabulous - very many thanks for that, its something that hasnt ever occured to me. I make replacement brass wheels for Lima locos and parting off has often had the odd problem. Will try your sugestion and see what happens. My lathe is an Axminster BV20M with Dickson type quick change toolpost/holders also from Axminster. Not sure how setting centre height will go with the q/c posts once tool is upside down but i'm sure it will be do-able. Many thanks again. Regards

Hi, Glad you didnt mind me pointing it out. You are of course quite right about Stanier - the LMS was looking for a good'un and knew where to find one. Those funny four digit numbers made life easier for us trainspotters on the Oxford to Worcester line though - I remember that when we saw a 'midland' or 'standard' aproaching two of us would get the number by one getting the first two numbers and another getting the third, fourth and fifth. I suppose we who were brought up on Western locos just couldnt cope with longer numbers !!. Oh happy memories indeed. Pleased you enjoyed your visits to a proper railway all those years ago !. All the Best, Regards

Hi, Looking carefully at that B/G coach i'd say it is a class 108 dmu vehicle. The roof is certainly distorted by reflections from being wet. Regards

Hi, I fear you memory is playing tricks on you here. Halls and Granges were never allowed onto the Cambrian Coast line west of Shrewsbury due to weight restrictions on the former Cambrian Railways line. The largest ex GWR locos allowed were the Manor class, several of which were based at Machynlleth and Aberystwyth over the years. Regards

Hi, Its an Airfix loco - the front coupling gives it away as its the narrow Airfix type rather than the very large Lima type. The cabside handrails are also moulded on whereas Lima were separate plastic mouldings. Regards Edit : Sorry just noticed that Mick had already said this above.

Hi OzzyO, Just a quick offer if its any help to you. I too have an Axminster BV20M lathe (in my book a superb machine) and have both printed and downloaded manuals for the lathe. If a copy would be useful to you let me know and i'll be pleased to arrange to get a copy to you. Regards