Jol Wilkinson

There is no mention of that on the Squires website as far as I can see. I have taken a look and it doesn't look very "searchable", given the range of items Squires sells.

We have already discussed the effort and incidental costs involved in exhibiting a layout. Paying for van hire and fuel up front is usually a cost only over the weekend as expenses are normally paid on Sunday. If show organisers want to put exhibitors to the further hassle of booking their own accommodation, which may involve paying weeks/months in advance to get rates that fit in with what they will be reimbursed, then some will undoubtedly pull out. Clubs should also know which hotels are best suited to exhibitors needs from their local knowledge and also be able to negotiate better rates through group bookings. Further, if the organiser's attitude was "take it or leave it" as you suggest, then some exhibitors would probably prefer not to deal with that organisation.

Ironically it is keeping control of stocks of non packaged and small items that sell in volume which are generally harder to manage. Boxed, slow selling kits are relatively easy to manage as stocks are low, easily identified, counted and kept under control. As you say Squires staff do a great job at exhibitions. I generally have a specific list and sometimes find difficult to see what I want amongst the myriad of items.

Graham, or Phoenix Precision Paints, another business that has been on the acquisition trail. They already own Sharman Wheels, although they haven't really kept that going strongly. Markits is a somewhat different proposition though. A wide range of machined parts parts, produced on one - possibly two - CNC controlled large and expensive machines. The wheels use dicast centres manufactured outside, and the assembly process has to press in the centre to the tyre while incorporating the insulation, which I believe is a bit tricky. I have been told that the die casting and pressing was done outside and it is that which I believe may be causing the delays in getting wheels. Jol

At least one "Small Supplier" has managed this by setting up a system where all items are bar coded and has a reader that can record sales as they happen. That feeds back into a stock record system. The items sold are modelling materials (wire, tube, nuts, bolts, glues, solder, etc.) and not usually individually packaged. He attends some shows and has an online sales website. That would probably be similar to what Squires would need to do. It would take some time, effort and cost to set up but would, over time, provide benefits. I have found that telephone orders placed with Squires now usually have several items not identified as unavailable when ordering or charged for when the shipment arrives, but listed as "Backorder". However, their system doesn't put them on Backorder, so they aren't supplied unless re-ordered at a later date. The sales of SEF and DJH kits will be a relatively small percentage of overall unit sales, although of a greater financial percentage. So dealing with those, managing stock, etc. should be more straightforward, although the associated bits, pieces and accessories will be more time consuming. I think that Squires perhaps need to reflect that they are effectively running two different types of business alongside each other and set out strategies to ensure that they can manage each most effectively. One is based on buying in, storing and retailing a wider range of differing items in volume, the other is about manufacturing as well as buying in some items, packaging, storing and retailing a smaller range of more expensive items at lower volumes.

Fortunately a few kits (LNWR NPCS and various brake vans) transferred to London Road Models. Possibly others went elsewhere. However, I believe that the layout of Danny's artwork and tooling made this rather difficult with other kits in his very comprehensive range.

Keith, the size of Romford wheel flanges sometimes meant that you had to go to the next size down with some kits, to avoid touching the splashers or footplate. Undoubtedly the finer flanges on Markits wheels look better. I have been told that the Markits wheel centres were cast by someone who now wishes to retire, now making supply difficult. Hopefully this will get sorted out for those who are dependant on Markits wheels for their kit building. Jol

Mike, the definitive book on the Coal Tanks is Bashers, Gadgets and Mourners by Peter Skellon, published by the Bahamas Locomotive Society (who have just been given Coal Tank 1054 by the NRM). It provides much more detail than Talbot. It doesn't appear in the BLS shop so may now be out of stock but does pop up on the usual online booksellers sites from time to time.

Stephen, the Renowns ran with 2500g Webb tenders, the Precursors 3000g Whale versions. My post was in reference to Bucoops comment that the BM Precursor kit (or the GEM one) are no longer available If the Precursors were stopping for water between Bushey and Brighton as claimed, then the Renowns would have to do the same. Jol

Try an email to Brassmasters. It may be that they could have a set of etches and castings available. The Whale tender top casting isn't available but it might be possible to scratch build that. The other option might be a LNWR Renown, sometimes referred to as "Little Precursors".

and cast number plates, wooden brake blocks and possibly a steam heat valve and a second whistle (I can't see if the valve is fitted). Are the coal rails plated/filled in? If so they should be open. I'll have to get the book out to see what else.

Mike, those that exhibit models probably do so for a number of reasons. Amongst those are probably and significantly; They like showing off what they have made. They enjoy the camaraderie of those viewers/fellow modelers that they interact with. The time and effort that goes into exhibiting a layout is perhaps not always appreciated, especially a larger one. However there are limits, perhaps not always financial, which some are not willing to accept. Although I now longer exhibit my layout, I would draw the line at taking it to an exhibition where I was required to significantly subsidise a business putting on a show for profit, beyond the normally accepted minor incidental costs, evening meals and drinks. Jol

Probably because that is what the venue (school, college, sports hall, etc.) has available. We don't have many dedicated exhibition venues in the UK. Even those we do have will be used to exhibitors providing their own facilities (Motor and Motor Cycle shows, the Boat Show, The Clothes Show, etc.). Some exhibitions that are heavily trade orientated will also have traders providing their own purpose built stands. I worked at the London Boat Show for several years after I retired from the motor industry and it took three to four days to build and stock the large chandlery stand I worked on and two days to dismantle it. So the needs of a group of people at a model railway show are rather outside what the NEC, London ExCel and others are likely to provide. Some exhibition layout builders recognise this and provide suitable height legs, lighting gantries, etc. for their layouts. Other rely on using venue tables and lighting, which is usually not the best way to display your work. Some traders and national modelling or line Societies have their own purpose built stands, others sit behind a low table. If you want something better suited to your needs, it seems you have to provide it yourself.

Like you I have difficulty sleeping in a shared room. I have found that show organisers will provide a single room if you offer to pay.

In the same way shouldn't exhibitors expect reasonable out of pocket expenses to be reimbursed, rather than subsidise the profits of commercial businesses? Exhibitors freely give up time to transport and exhibit a layout. They also put themselves and their models at some risk. More than once I have driven back over 200 miles from a show after a weekend exhibiting and a couple of hours packing up, to unload a SWB Transit in the dark so I could return it early on Monday morning. I received reimbursement of van hire and fuel cost, while the operating team were provided with overnight accommodation. Apart from tea/coffee and lunch (sometimes a sandwich and packet of crisps) all other costs were down to us including operators' fuel. I kept costs to a minimum where possible, hiring the smallest van that would take the layout and three of us travelling in it. You are suggesting that we should respect the need for commercially run exhibitions to make a profit from their business. Nothing wrong with that but should not those businesses also respect their "suppliers" by covering their reasonable out of pocket expenses as has been the norm?

The Markits wheels situation appears to lie with Markits supply. Roxey Mouldings website shows a similar picture.

As Graeme points out, much depends on how much influence accountants are given within an organisation. My experience in the companies I worked for was that they were relied upon to provide an accurate picture of the company's financial performance and situation, offering advice on action that could be taken. Ultimately it was down to the directors and operational management to decide what to do, given their knowledge of the business.

The water capacity of the I3 is given as 2100 gallons, as opposed to 3000 for the Precursor. So the LNWR loco apparently used at least twice that of the I3, but that isn't reflected in the GPM figures of 36.6 and 22.4 respectively, a difference of about 64%.

It was the performance of the I3 that opened the LNWR's eyes to the befits of superheating. However it seems odd that the Precursor needed three tender refills (15 tons) whereas the I3 managed it on one bunker full of coal (3.25 tons). That would have meant that the Precursor was consuming about 125lbs of coal per mile, five times that of the I3 and something even the strongest fireman might have found difficult to do for 135 or so miles to do. I sense a bit of partisan LBSCR b*llsh*t

Current recommendation is to email Jeremy Suter, S4 Stores to enquire/order. stores@scalefour.org

One way to get some tuition/mentoring is to join a local club, EMGS or S4 Society Area Group. As EMGS or P4 modellers tend to build models rather than buy RTR, there will be group members who have experience of kit building and finishing. My local S4 Group has several members who model in 00 and 7mm as well as P4. We have members whose skills include building kits and track, resin casting, electric wizardry, etc. and are more than willing to share their experience and knowledge. Most groups will welcome people who aren't Society members, although there may be a little gentle persuasion to join. Local clubs should be able to provide the same sort of support although some I have encountered increasingly prefer to follow the RTR/RTP route strongly and consider kit building as witchcraft.

I used to use that approach, but it invariably took too long to get a chassis running as wall as I wanted. So I bought a George Watts wheel press and found it very good. The wheels on this LNWR Class C were fitted with the GW press. The loco is driven on the rear axle, uses LRM horn blocks on the front three axles, aligned with taper end axle jigs. After fitting the wheels it ran perfectly first time.

It sounds as though the EMGS have persuaded Peco to do what those who have been building their own points have been doing for years.

Ian, no one is, as far as I can see, criticising RMRC and the organising team, who do a great job. My criticism is aimed at those venue owners/operators who provide poor facilities for the revenues they receive.

You could perhaps break this down into two parts, someone to build the kits and, if you want a particularly good paint job, one of the top line professional painters such as Ian Rathbone or Geoff Haynes. If it is the "finishing stage" that you are least confident about, then you could do the building yourself. Like Steamport Southport, I don't know of any professional builders (but do know a lot of amateurs who get great results). The moulded plastic kits should be easiest to build (Peco and Slaters). The mainly etched kits (Caley, Wizard) more complex but not actually difficult. The Stephenson kits have a more diverse set of components that may take more time/experience.