Welsh Signaller

Viewing via YouTube on a TV that doesn’t come up, so Sam please accept my apologies. Im big enough and definitely ugly enough to admit when I’ve made a mistake.

Surely if I had an axe to grind I’d be dialling 999 post haste? I watched the videos so instead of firing off unfounded statements, I had actual fact. Someone mentioned the channel, i added what I know.

Ive zero interest in the model, I’m certainly not having a mood because this lady and gentlemen have had a play with a new toy before me. The point is, by law - if you have a vested interest in a product or have a product on loan you must declare it. Sam has confirmed to me he is affiliated with Hattons, but doesn’t make that clear in his videos thus potentially giving people the misguided view he is wholly unbiased in his review. Hes incredibly popular on YouTube, people listen to what he says rightly or wrongly..if your in a position of trust (to a degree) you have to be open and honest about your background.

I just watched three (including his 66 video) at no point does he say he’s affiliated with or employed by Hattons. In his latest video the December news review he makes 9 references to the price of models at Hattons, with associated screen shots. In total there are 27 name drops to Hattons, compared to only two for Rails of Sheffield. You also have to wonder in the 66 “the best Diesel ever made” apparently, why he feels the needs to snip at Bachmann with their 66 being reduced to “£5 less than the Hattons Model” “funny how they can do this and still make a profit” considering the reported recent issue the two have had, if casts doubt on his impartiality. I couldn’t watch the 66 review all the way through after watching two videos in full, the lads enthusiasm and gushing was almost sickening to be honest and that’s coming from a modeller. Is Sam on here, maybe he would shut us all up with a statement perhaps? it appears by law channels need to make associations care which he isn’t, one mention in one video isn’t enough especially when he puts out a number each week. No axe to grind, just I like these things made clear in this day and age.

Indeed he does, just like Everard Juntion (my favourite YouTube channel, I must declare a bias). But it’s important he declares a wider partnership/employment with the biggest model railway retailer in the country.

To be fair to Everard Junction he is very clear he is not working with any retailer or magazine, and clearly points out he has been sent items such as the Hattons 66, an maybe if I recall (apologies if I’m wrong) the Hattons work beach draws/storage compartments. People watch these video “reviews” to decide whether they are going to buy the model or not, a raving review can push customers to buy the model, likewise a poor one goes the other way. If your reviewing a model produced by your employer, or someone you gain something from in return then you really need to be in your face clear that’s the case - it could also bias your review. You probably wouldn’t keep getting goodies to review if your reviews were poor.

I couldn’t think, Chris rang a bell - the point still stands either way.

Unfortunately I’ve no longer the message from him, but he did confirm in no uncertain terms he works for or with Hattons. I do have the message from Chris at New Junction confirming he works for Hornby Magazine and “a few shops”. I’ve nothing against the lads, fair play to them but it’s really not clear their relationship with retailers or magazines. I was always under the impression the lads where very lucky to have such fantastic collections, hence why I approached them.

Your right yes, I only order when I get an order. Luckily it seems to happen I get a flurry of orders at a time for some reason so carriage isn’t an issue - it’s quite low so one loco for example would push the total over minimum order total, wagons though are way below but people tend to order multiples. Looking into next year a small shop room type set is being investigated to see if it can be paid to enable a tidy up of our supply chain thus enable a peco account.

He’s confirmed to me he is, I had a brief discussion with him over a potential sponsorship of this channel by my shop - he couldn’t as he’s in with Hattons. likewise New Junction with Hornby Mag, and to a lesser degree with Hattons.

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When I started my business MonBank Model Railway Centre, back in August initially we had huge issues with gaining any suppliers let alone credit from them. Every supplier we approached didn’t want to know as we are a exclusively online enterprise, thus don’t have a bricks and mortar shop obviously they’ve not heard of the little know outfit called Amazon ! Thankfully we did find a supplier who has been fantastic in their support, and assistance. Naturally payment was prior to goods being despatched until we proven our worth with them, payment is now on a 28 day invoice agreement. I was taken aback to see the £250,000 stock level you say you have, this is why we operate a just in time policy of not carrying stock - we order items as required for our supplier. After close to six months of trading I’m delighted to say we’re making a profit, covering our costs and looking forward to the future. I notice there is another general model shop in Scotland who are also online only as well, is this a tread we’ll see increase in the future ? I would assume the likes of Hattons and Rails now sell the majority of their stock through their online arm so are becoming in all but name an online retailer with a showroom attached to their warehouse, certainly that’s what Hattons appears to be now. The major barrier to our growth is the likes of Bachmann, Heljan don’t directly supply us as we don’t have the shop - not a problem for us as we specialise in O Gauge anyway, but it’s still a major barrier to entry and growth.

Sam is in some shape or form on the pay roll of Hattons, like New Junction with Hornby Magazine, they have a very fine line to trend between their employer and neutral review.

Yes I was also a little taken aback by the yellow exhaust as well. Personally I think they should do a Heljan and not number these locos as standard, 99% of people will customise them in some form.

Hiya, I can offer you a nice discount package if your interested in a Dapol Class 08. Marc @ MonBank Model Railway Centre

Arrived today from Dapol, fabulous little loco.

Received my first load of bracket signals today, the look smashing.

EWS versions are due next week from your friendly small retailers, Sound versions of all colour schemes are still awaited.

9672 the latest arrival to motive power department.

Dapol phoned me yesterday to confirm by bank details for my 1401 with sound, she said they where being air shipped to the UK and said “they are telling people they’ll have them by Xmas”.... Who knows????

Bridge over the River Wye Update: Initial coat of paint on the bridge side plates.

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Bridge over the River Wye Pictorial update: Primed and ready for painting, and weathering - I just need to add wire to the handrails.

Bridge over the River Wye Pictorial update: (1) Prime the side plates ready for weathering. (2) Bake dry.