Mike at C&M

C&M Models are a Sudexpress stockist. At present, it is not our intention to stock the 'TT' items, but we can easily handle an order for an 'TT' models that you want. Best way to contact us is by e-mail to sales@candmmodels.co.uk

When I was in Hamburg back in October, I visited 2 model shops. The best was Uwe Hesse, a very short walk from Landwehr S-Bahn station. Excellent stocks of many ranges, but check opening times before you visit. They didn't re-open, after lunch, until 3 p.m.. I also visited Zuge und Mehr, on the Altstadter Strasse, close to the Hauptbahnhof. I was disappointed, as the shelves had many spaces which I would have thought could have carried more extensive stocks. Also, with regard to Miniatur Wunderland, I suggest you book advance tickets, and aim to go as early as you can, to be in there before it gets busy. It was suggested to me that I book for more than one day, so I booked tickets for 3 days, and used them all! Being in my 60s, it was the amount of time I could stand that governed how long I spent there, but managed at least 6 hours on each day, and definitely did not get bored at any time - there is an incredible amount to see.

C&M Models simply haven't had the time to add these to the online shop, as yet. We have ordered them, so if anyone wants to throw an order our way in the near future, an e-mail to sales@candmmodels.co.uk is the best way, at present Mike Parsons C&M Models Carlisle

C&M Models are delighted to announce that they are now a stockist of Sudexpress models. Sudexpress have been licensed by Stadler to produce the Eurodual locomotives which are now appearing all over the European network. also the Euro4000 diesel locomotives are already in the range, and the Euro6000 electric locomotives will follow in the future. This family of locomotives are being obtained by many private operators, and tend to work large block freight trains all across Europe. One such traffic is timber traffic, and Sudexpress also have available the Gigawood twin wagons which work for a number of different European companies. The full family is available in 'HO' scale, Euroduals are being done in 'N' and 'TT'. Sudexpress also do a number of Iberian prototypes. Best known is the Portugese Class 1400s, based on the British Class 20s - a batch of these is due later in 2024. The accompanying Schindler coaches are also becoming available. Various Portugese coaches and Spanish/Portugese freight vehicles are within the range Initially, we are stocking items which Sudexpress currently have available, but orders are being placed for items yet to be released. Our current stocks are listed at https://cmmodels.7.ekm.shop/sudexpress-586-c.asp . Sudexpress have a website at https://www.sudexpressmodels.eu/ , and by clicking on the 'Catalogue' button on the menu bar, you can download the 2023-2024 catalogue. Any enquiries or advance orders are best e-mailed to sales@candmmodels.co.uk

Pardon my ignorance, but what can be speedier than pressing a button to choose what you want - locomotive/function or accessory, and then putting in the number of your chosen item, and hit the select button to confirm your choice? For example, [Locomotive][1][Select], rather than inputting 0001 for your 4 digit address? Once you are used to a system, speed of selection on most systems takes a tiny amount of time.

The big red "STOP" button on the Kinesis will do this.

Very easy. There are three buttons towards the bottom of the handset - locomotives, functions and accessories. Press the one you want to choose. Enter the number of locomotive/function or accessory and then hit the select button. And on you go.

Having been at a Bachmann traders workshop earlier this week, can I recommend the forthcoming Bachmann Kinesis system. Due out in about 3 months time, and with an RRP of £399, which many retailers will discount. An initial appraisal is available at https://news.Bachmann.co.uk/2023/11/Bachmann-kinesis-model-railway-control-redefined/ and further detailed information will be made available as release time approaches.

My father has a photograph of me at the age of 3 weeks, sitting next to the WCML at Brock, in my pram. Start 'em young!

Before, and after.

There are 8 shops in all who are selling the class 56s, and I think we are all struggling with the overwhelming number we have to send out. So for those who are still waiting, please be patient. We are getting them despatched as quickly as we are able.

C&M Models are sold out of all the sound versions. We still have most of the non-sound versions, but these too are selling fast.

Flashback to Thursday morning, and that moment when you realise you are the proud owner of 157 Cavalex Class 56s.

As another Cavalex retailer, I can confirm that this release is overwhelming when it comes to the sheer volume of models we have to despatch. Whichever retailer you may have used, please be patient with us - we are being as fast as we can!

Let me put your mind at rest. The answer is C&M in Carlisle. All being well, the Cavalex delivery service is booked into Carlisle tomorrow

Craig, I always go to Glasgow on the Friday, so looking forward to Model Rail Scotland 2025 already!

Craig, Great to see you on here. Austria is my favourite country to model, albeit of an earlier era to Wolfstatt. The layout captures the alpine scenery perfectly. Looking forward to seeing much, much more! Mike

As another Cavalex retailer, we are happy to accept advance payment, by instalments. Whilst we don't have a system set-up as part of our online shop, we are happy to deal with people over the phone, or over the counter.

Some pictures from the Carlisle end of the late 1980s tours. Many a trip was taken to Armathwaite to get the "line in the book"

You should consider yourself lucky I get the Jim correct! 😊 Names were never my strong point.

LS Models have announced they will be doing the "Regiolis" family of units in 'HO' scale, but as yet, there are no specific details as to what variants, liveries will be covered, and when they will be released.

I haven't been able to find Cav's Facebook post. but I am happy to be corrected. I will throw in the following from our experience of waiting for models to arrive from China. If the ship changes route or incurs delays (finding berths when everyone else is getting their Christmas stuff unloaded becomes a realistic scenario here), or if Customs are being bl**dy-minded, you can easily find what you expected to happen on a certain day slips... and slips.... Pin-pointing the exact date is as unpredictable as knowing when the latest Icelandic volcano eruption is going to take place. You know it's going to happen, but just cannot say exactly when.

Spoke with Cav yesterday. Realistically, factoring in transport, customs clearance, QC checks, distribution to retailers, and then re-distribution by retailers etc. etc., they are unlikely to be available by Christmas, so that should see them being on the shop shelves in early January. It is hoped to have the first samples off the production line in Cavalex's hands by the time of the Warley show, so you should be able to see exactly what you are getting at the NEC show.

The reason for the having both Mark 1 and Mark 3 catering vehicles in the same train was that the Mark 3 catering vehicles were so new that they hadn't been passed to be used in service by themselves. So effectively, the Mark 3 buffet is on test in the train photographed.

One omission from the loco-hauled Mark 3 list is the buffet car in blue/grey. I have e-mailed Dapol to suggest that this be added to the list.