Mike at C&M

We decided to keep the specification the same to enable the coaches to be released sooner. To go through the whole process of changing numbers and roofs would have inserted extra steps into the commissioning process, all of which add time. Whilst we appreciate there are modellers who would have liked everything perfect, we felt that a majority would just be happy to get their hands on a set of these coaches. The flurry of orders already coming in would suggest that our feeling is correct.

The specifications are exactly the same as the previous run, and that will include colour.

It needs to put into context that Peco have been cursed with bad luck since the whole Covid shenanigans started. The need for safe working environments and social distancing meant they had to adapt their production methods for this. Hence the closure of Pecorama to allow them to spread out their production area. And all this with a limited workforce due to the initial lockdown. Factor in that the world and his dog suddenly found time to build layouts and use Peco products, and the production problems above. This saw existing stocks quickly exhausted and difficulties in replacing that stock. This problem is still to be fully resolved as they work hard on their production. Throw in a cyber attack that effectively locked up all computer records for a few weeks, and just this week despatching of orders had to stop when a member of staff had a positive CoVid test. As a retailer, I have to thank Peco for keeping us fully informed of what is happening down at Beer. They have been prepared to tell us the bad news, as well as the good, so that we are aware why what would usually be normal is not happening. They have made a Herculean effort to keep all shops supplied, so if you are unable to immediately find what you are looking for in your shop of choice, it is unfair to consider it to be a failing of Peco.

With the release of the Graham Farish DBSO finally about to happen, coupled to an increasing number of people asking if we have any ScotRail Mark 3 sets still available, we have ordered another run of these coaches from Dapol. Anticipated availability is May 2021. The set contains 4 Mark 3 coaches in ScotRail livery. A composite 1st/2nd and 3 x 2nd class coaches. To avoid delays in production, the set will be exactly the same as the previous set, even down to the coach numbers being the same. The details of this set were discussed at length in the original RMWeb thread covering these coaches, so if you have any questions/concerns, then we suggest reading this thread first (Click on link below to access this thread). Price will be £107.50 for the four coach set, with £4.50 postage per parcel. At this stage, we are talking pre-orders without advance payment. Orders can be placed as follows: E-mail to sales@candmmodels.co.uk Phone to 01228 514 689 (hours during lockdown will be Tuesday to Saturday, 10a.m. to 3p.m.) Online at https://cmmodels.7.ekm.shop/ekmps/shops/cmmodels/cmm008-scotrail-mark-3-coach-set-4-coach-pack-limited-edition-15577-p.asp . Please select the "Advance Payment" during Checkout. We look forward to receiving your orders. Thank you

Update: C&M Models have now run out.

C&M Models received them earlier in the week, but we too have sold all 5016s. We still have supplied of the others

I am now a supporter of the "Washington Football Team".

You haven't seen what lurks behind the perspex screen on the counter at C&M Models!

C&M Models in Carlisle will be re-opening on June 15th. We ask that visitors read a notice just inside our front door before they enter. At the top of the stairs into the shop, a sign will give permission to "Please Enter", or "Please Wait". If you are asked to wait, we request you shout up the stairs so we know you are there. Once inside the shop, we will have some further things to tell you. We are allowing 2 people/small family groups in the shop at any one time. Card is preferred, but cash will be accepted. Any updates will be posted at https://candmmodels.co.uk/

One method of locating models that often seems to be forgotten is to do a Google search for the specific model you are looking for. There are lots of other shops than just the larger box shifters, and we sometimes have items on the shelf that many believe are no longer available anywhere. Much of our mail order business through the lockdown has resulted from people doing such specific searches and finding we do still have stock a long time after release. This may seem to be extremely basic, but is often overlooked

I am sure I speak for every model shop owner around the country when I say we will be delighted to welcome you all on to our premises again. There will be guidelines/rules that customers will need to abide by, and we shop owners ask that you abide by these. There will be changes to the way you shop to what you have previously been used to Roll on June 15th, for those on both sides of the counter

That's two of us. There is only so much we can do, but we are doing our best to achieve as much as is practical. Let's hope it is enough

An updated version of the guidelines has been released, alongside the announcement that non-essential shops can re-open on June 15th. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5eb9703de90e07082fa57ce0/working-safely-during-covid-19-shops-branches-v1.1-250520.pdf

This is a potential problem we have identified, although our hope is that Royal Mail/Post Office may return to normal hours once lockdown is lifted. With last collection from our main Post Office scheduled to be at 3p.m. from this week forward, we may have to schedule a 'lunch hour' within our opening hours, and spend it standing in a queue. And you can almost guarantee that this is when customers will turn up at our door! Even once 'normality' resumes, we will be permanently changing our opening hours to allow for the fact that Royal Mail's last collection from the main Post Office is before what had been our closing time.

Queueing outside might not be a problem as long as the recent good weather continues. But what about when the weather is not so good? How many prospective customers will go down with colds after getting a soaking?

We are looking to re-open as soon as possible. We now need to re-build our business after a couple of months of minimal mail order business following the omission of us from what is perceived as the definitive list of those offering mail order. Several days of 'Nil' takings hurts! Because of how our shop is laid out, we will have to be inventive. Our front door and the shop are not visible to one another, so a system of 'traffic light' signage will be employed that is visible from the front door. Fingers crossed, this will work, and customers will honour it. One aspect we will not be instigating is separate entrances/exits, so we will not have to throw exiting customers out of the first floor window! We are still awaiting some items of required safety precautions to be delivered, assuming the couriers are not ignoring the "Deliveries, please knock' sign on our door. And this week will see us setting up the shop to give everybody the best protection possible. We will update our website home page as things progress, and hopefully we will get to see some of you at C&M in the weeks and months ahead

We recently sold a Roco ICE3 unit (reference 72040), but the customer has contacted us to saying there is a problem with the directional lighting, and this is the second time he has encountered this. Has anyone else bought one of these units and had the same problem where the white headlights and red taillights illuminate in the wrong direction? Indeed, has anyone had one that has worked correctly? We are looking for a way that he may be able to cure the problem. Any suggestions? Our customer is NOT using DCC. Thank you for any advice, in advance

Message sent

A heads up that although Bachmann have chosen to exclude us from their list of traders still operating a mail order service, C&M Models in Carlisle will be more than happy to deal with your order. We can be phoned on 01228 514 689 between 10a.m. and 1p.m. on our normal opening days; e-mail at sales@candmmodels.co.uk , or online orders through our website (address below) (We are excluded because we are unable to guarantee we can accept deliveries)

We have sat and done the sums about how long the cash we have will last, but what we don't know is how long the lockdown will last, and when, and if, our shop trading will return to what we would consider normal. Another consideration is what our suppliers will do once lockdown is over. Will we be deluged with the goods that we would have expected over the past few weeks, and will the cash then be available for to pay for these from a resumption in our trading, Many of us have received the rates grant, but we have had to use part of this to pay suppliers for goods that came in pre-lockdown, and where the monies that would have come in through normal trading, but didn't because of the lockdown. And then there are fixed costs such as rent, fees for online trading etc,, plus the need to support ourselves, as we are self-employed. There is deferment of VAT and income tax which will help cash flow, but it all needs to be paid eventually. The financial tightrope keeps moving around beneath our feet, and we do not know which direction it will go in next. Just so long as we can still be standing on it when things get back to normal. Interesting times.

ISIRTA ISIHAC Thx TB-T R.I.P

Omitted from the above list of Bachmann retailers offering a mail order service is C&M Models in Carlisle

Oops! Now corrected. Thank you, Barry, for pointing this out. To clarify: C&M Models will be more than happy to provide a mail order service. We will answer our phone when we are in the shop, which is not necessarily our full opening hours. Our online shop is now re-opened, but we are only able to take Paypal payments, or you can flag it as an "Advance order - payment later", and we will contact you for your payment details. Now back to those cash flows to see how much money we haven't got.

C&M Models in Carlisle are still dealing with mail order. We can be contacted by phone on 01228 514 689, and we will be here for as close to our normal hours as possible. Subject to going to the bank, or doing the essential family shopping in the city. Our online shop is still available from our website, https://candmmodels.co.uk . However, please be warned that our credit/debit card payment facility ran into a problem this past weekend, and will be down until normality resumes. There is an option of "Advance payment", which you can choose, and we can then ring you to sort out the payment. Paypal payments are working as normal. Mike at C&M