RichardT

Bachmann don’t just make things in 00, and as always the plural of anecdote isn’t data. 😉 RichardT

Looking good. Plausible deniability: the pseudo-GWR livery unit has obviously been transferred to Stratford depot to cover an urgent motive power shortage so they’ve not had time to repaint it yet. As for the bridge at the LH end of the layout, if it’s running between two warehouses why not make it a pipe bridge/covered conveyor rather than a foot/road bridge. Can be a bit more complex (to distract the viewer), and perhaps a bit lower, closer to track level (having been installed after the line was truncated) so as to mask the blank end of the cameo? But great anyway. RichardT

Lots to debate about this, but I just want to point out that the one thing oil-firing steam locos *isn’t* is inauthentic, both here and in the USA. RichardT

Packed with modelling inspiration! £10 incl postage to UK address. Less for collection/handover in person: I can do Darlington, Durham localities or York city centre. PM me if interested. Richard Softcover, ISBN 9780901115430 Publisher: R.C.T.S., 1978 Detailed history of the Brampton Town branch and the colliery railways around Brampton, east of Carlisle, via Hallbankgate to Lambley on the Alston branch which originated from early tramroads and were finally operated by the NCB. 127pp, photos, drawings, maps etc. Very good condition - no fading.

https://www.trains.com/mrr/news-reviews/news/in-memoriam-kirk-reddie/ Perhaps not so well-known in the UK, but his N Scale Railroading magazine was a very useful source of tips and inspiration, and he was a talented modeller (should probably say “modeler”) in his own right. Thought he should be remembered here as RMWeb is fast becoming the model railway journal of record. RichardT

“FTFY”, as I believe the young shavers say nowadays 😉 RichardT

Beat me to it - I was going to say A Stringency of Auterities.

Congratulations to an excellent model shop. Always a port of call when I’m in Edinburgh. And now I finally know where the name “Harburn” comes from - saves me fruitlessly poring over Edinburgh maps looking for a local small stream called the Har Burn… RichardT

Hi Pilotman You don’t need to restrict your potential buyers in this way. The restriction on selling NGS kits only to NGS members only applies to sales by the NGS: it allows the society more favourable tax treatment from HMRC because they are trading with members only, not the public. These kits are now your property: you can sell them as secondhand goods to whoever you like. You never know - the person who buys them may become inspired to join the NGS to get access to the other kits! Good luck with the sale. (Not my period I’m afraid 🥲) Cheers, RichardT (NGS member)

Oh bless. The whole point was that the factory management - well, the shop floor supervisory grades at the very least - were in on the fiddle. RichardT

Oh yes, and there’s absolutely no doubt that these are illegal products (or in breach of contract.). My point about the use of “counterfeit”, as meaning “a physical fake” was a more philosophical one. RichardT

Tried to reply to the other topic but it’s been deleted. On the thin evidence available this sounds like a revival of the old “third-shift counterfeiting” trick: the contract manufacturer runs the two main shifts for the benefit of their Western client, and then runs a shadow third shift producing the same items for “local” benefit. To what degree these third-shift items are “counterfeit” is a nice semantic question, depending on whether the third shift uses the same quality of materials and assembly techniques as the two other legit shifts, but they won’t be covered by any manufacturer’s (or should I say commissioner’s) warranty. It’s the risk you run contracting out your manufacturing to plants where you can’t supervise them on the ground. But hey, we wanted cheap stuff. RichardT

It’s a brand new item, announced to members in the last Newsletter, so possibly hasn’t made it into the online shop yet. (Planning to pick up a copy at the NERA AGM on the 13th!) Richard

You must speak as you find but I thought there were lots of traders selling rtr items, both new & second-hand, including some attractive show discounts from Locomotion Models, and the excellent local trader Monk Bar Model Shop. If what you mean was “no box shifters offering stuff at mega discounts” then yes, you’re correct. But they’re available all the time on the internet. Whereas it can be very useful to see the small specialist suppliers’ items in the flesh, and chat to the owners about their products and plans. And ditto the various scale societies and railway historical groups. That’s the value of shows like York. But YMMV as our US cousins say. Richard

I believe that this was the sense intended - if only because when I attended yesterday I noted a very large number of specialist traders. (But then again, I also noted a lot of stands selling core rtr stock in all scales, so I think all bases were covered.) An excellent day out all round. I do enjoy seeing a variety of scales and both UK & non-UK prototypes modelled, rather than the over-domination of “BR transition-era”. Seeing Grantham working a full sequence in grand LNER 1930’s style was worth the price of admission alone. So many excellent layouts it’s invidious to name all my favourites. But especial thanks to @queensquare for patiently staying around answering my questions about Iain Rice’s models, even though Mick Simpson had just taken over from him on Trerice specifically so Jerry could go off and see the rest of the show. It was a joy to see “Hercules”, “Pioneer” and the rest in reality, evoking cover photos of “Model Railways” past. Nick Freezer joining the conversation was incredibly serendipitous! Well done @John of York61 and the team. Sorry not to catch you, but I suspect that you were busy… Richard

So, business as usual John? See you on Sunday! Richard T

Seconded. Received my two Buggleskelly N open wagons this week - exquisite. More please! RichardT

As York will be rammed with visitors all weekend I suspect that virtually all shops that can open on any day will do so... And in any case there's plenty of other things to do! RichardT

Just seen this comment under an article* in The Guardian yesterday: “The model shop under Monk Bar is the northern equivalent of the ravens at the Tower - if it ever closes...” RichardT * Article by Emma Beddington about nostalgia triggered by shop closures

Very welcome announcement for N gauge. Glad to see that Bachmann are prepared to be flexible about the quarterly announcement cycle. The quotes from the Bachmann representative in the press release are also positive re N gauge. Just a pity that the tank wagons themselves are too late a period for me! Means I can save my cash to hoover up the earlier versions… RichardT

MB Klein has been acquired by Factory Direct Trains - see yesterday’s announcement on Trains.com: https://www.trains.com/mrr/news-reviews/news/model-train-stuff-to-reopen-under-factory-direct-hobbies-family/ RichardT

Thank you for that reminder! ISTR that for a year or two in the 1990s (?) there were direct through services from York to four different London termini: Paddington (as above); St Pancras (Saturdays-only MML Leeds service extended to York & Scarborough); Waterloo (service to connect into Eurostar as a short-lived sop for the cancellation of the NoL Eurostar services); and, of course, King’s Cross. RichardT

When will I learn that tone just doesn’t come across in online comments. 🤣🤣🤣 RichardT

It would be lovely if Sonic could get around to producing the A5 in their N range before doing another product for the incredibly over-supplied 4mm market…especially as there’s already a 4mm kit for an A8. (Tongue partially in-cheek: I know they’d be daft to ignore the market opportunities in 4mm; but it’s still mildly irritating when we get a new manufacturer in N who them promptly diverts effort into 00! Especially given current glacial delivery timescales.) RichardT

I think this is worth a separate small thread, as we don’t do obituaries for businesses. For those not on the Hatton’s email list, I’ve pasted in below the text from their farewell email received today. There’s been a lot of discussion around the closure, but given that it’s happened, I think this is a really classy sign-off. Particularly appreciate the evident care for their staff. RichardT “Dear Richard, From all of us at Hattons, we want to thank you for all of your support and business. Over our incredible 77 year history we have been proud to serve the model railway industry and our wonderful customers. Hattons Model Railways has now officially closed but we wanted to send you one last email to bid you a fond farewell. A Message from our CEO Richard & Chairwoman Christine Christine Hatton: "My 26 years of full time work here have been an absolute blast. I will have fond memories of Hattons, the people I've worked alongside and the community we have served. I am now looking forward to a happy retirement including plenty of travel, golf and tennis - as well as some part time voluntary work. I would like to thank all of our customers and everyone associated with Hattons over the last 77 years." Richard Davies: "I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has worked & shopped with Hattons over the 25 years I've had the privilege to work here. Since 1999 the internet has transformed the world and invigorated our wonderful hobby. Hattons have sold over £225 million of model railways to over 425,000 different people in more than 150 countries - it's been an incredible journey and experience. After Hattons I'll be: Doing some consultancy work in the UK model railway industry. Consultancy work with companies outside of model railways - feel free to enquire by connecting on LinkedIn. I'm particularly interested in working with firms in Chester & North Wales on an ongoing basis, but more than happy to use Zoom to speak to anyone around the world Potentially visiting model railway clubs around the world and telling the story of Hattons - feel free to invite me! Spending time with family in Flint, North Wales Contactable at davieshq@gmail.com I would like to say thank you to Christine Hatton for asking me to help run Hattons, after her brother Keith died in 2008. Keith was an such incredible & unique person, that it was understandable many assumed his passing would lead to our closing - we surprised many by achieving a huge amount between 2008 & 2023. I wish Christine, and all the dedicated colleagues of Hattons, all the very best for the future. I am very sorry my best wasn't good enough to maintain Hattons success." Connect with Richard on Linkedin → Contact Richard via Email →   Hattons Staff move on to new pastures... We are pleased to announce that several of our staff members are continuing to work in the model railway industry. You may be familiar with Dave, Jack, Christov & Tom: Dave - Commercial Projects Manager Dave has been with Hattons for many years working in practically all areas of the business! Dave is moving on to Rapido Trains UK to assist with their forthcoming projects. Jack - Chief Content Officer You may recognise Jack from our popular Platform 1 livestreams and at exhibitions. He started in 2017, managing our marketing campaigns and content. He is moving on to work with Rails of Sheffield. Christov & Tom - Helpdesk Assistants If you've ever called or emailed us, you have likely spoken to Christov or Tom - who were two of our extremely knowledgeable helpdesk remote workers. Both have now moved to The Model Centre. Seeking staff for your organisation? We are more than happy to circulate any opportunities you may have to our highly capable former members of staff. Contact Us →”