Popular Post Andy Y Posted May 12, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted May 12, 2018 Today sees the opening of Rails of Sheffield's new showroom extension to the public; a substantial investment in making the shop attract more physical customers bringing a designer touch to hobby retail. Everyone I spoke to yesterday was very impressed. It was a good opportunity to catch up with Brian Greenwood for bang up to date information on Rail's Dynamometer Car and the NCIM Stirling Single which we saw running around the high level display track. Fran and Patrick from Accurascale were on hand too so I tried to pump them for some info on future projects (again!) Sorry for the lack of HD in the main as I'd put the spare batteries in the wrong gear bag yesterday. Idiot. Thanks to John and Tracy for their hospitality! 34 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted May 12, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 12, 2018 Rails have upped the ante on visiting a model shop with this establishment but I wonder if taking swmbo might be such a good idea as she might see the price of some of their goodies. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Looks really good, I wish them well. Thanks Andy for the Video. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted May 12, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 12, 2018 They are cordially invited to open a branch in South Devon, especially if they also serve good coffee and have comfy chairs on hand for customers. I'd go there. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted May 12, 2018 Author Share Posted May 12, 2018 have comfy chairs on hand for customers. Unsprung OLEO buffers to you! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted May 12, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 12, 2018 Unsprung OLEO buffers to you! If they sell 'em, I'll buy 'em! (Well, sprung ones, please, with extra milk). Seriously, I do think that slick, ultra-modern and professional presentation of the hobby in this way is an excellent way to attract potential new custom, so full marks to them for what must have been a considerable investment. I wonder (in an idle, not-being-nosy and rhetorical way) how long the pay-back period is, as would probably have been calculated to support their business case for the new premises. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Legend Posted May 12, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 12, 2018 Yep it’s true that good model Railway shops are becoming days out in themselves. Good to see that Rails taking this on board. Just wish we had a Rails of Glasgow! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
APOLLO Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 (edited) How much is that Sulzer in the window?The one with the wiggly wheelHow much is that Sulzer in the window?I do hope that Sulzer's for sale I must take a trip across to SheffieldNot leaving my poor wallet at homeIf I buy that Sulzer, I won't be lonesomeAnd the loco will have a good home I read in the papers there are modelsWith headlights that shine in the darkI really need a Sulzer to haul wagonsAnd runs without a flash or a spark I don't want a Brush 4 or a DelticI don't want DCC that gruntsI don't want a rake of shiny PullmansI just want a Sulzer that shunts How much is that Sulzer in the window?The one with the wiggly wheelHow much is that Sulzer in the window?I do hope that Sulzer's for sale (and that it's not a dog !!!!) Brit15 Edited May 12, 2018 by APOLLO 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium melmerby Posted May 12, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 12, 2018 Rails have upped the ante on visiting a model shop with this establishment but I wonder if taking swmbo might be such a good idea as she might see the price of some of their goodies. They'll have two displays, the one that SWMBO sees "That loco is quite reasonable, dear" and the one with the real prices on! Keith 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Rails have upped the ante on visiting a model shop with this establishment but I wonder if taking swmbo might be such a good idea as she might see the price of some of their goodies. Don't be deluded, she knows everything already. A well presented shop with friendly and helpful staff is a winner. We are for example going back to TMC when we visit her aunt and uncle (who live near Pickering) in the autumn, because she had so much fun there. Fortunately TMC didn't detect her liking for Pullman cars. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted May 12, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 12, 2018 Thank you Andy. However, standing in front of a display of 7mm scale Class 37s was unfair. Chunky Ones. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.prior Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Yep it’s true that good model Railway shops are becoming days out in themselves. Good to see that Rails taking this on board. Just wish we had a Rails of Glasgow! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted May 12, 2018 Author Share Posted May 12, 2018 Seriously, I do think that slick, ultra-modern and professional presentation of the hobby in this way is an excellent way to attract potential new custom, so full marks to them for what must have been a considerable investment. I wonder (in an idle, not-being-nosy and rhetorical way) how long the pay-back period is, as would probably have been calculated to support their business case for the new premises. They're more hospitable than me; I would be standing there with a cattle prod today warning everyone to keep their sweaty noses and greasy fingers off the steelwork and glass. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.prior Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Rails of East London Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pteremy Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Yes, the new shop looks fab. I don't think that I will be leaping on a train from London for a day trip, but if I was nearby I would certainly make a detour. (The high level track circuits made me think of Hamleys, although its been a long time since I shopped there!) I also recently discovered that I can see all my orders/preorders online. Don't know if this is new, or if i only just discovered something that has been there for a while. But it is helpful to see that I have inadvertently duplicated an order, perhaps not surprising given the time that some models take to appear! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 I took a trip to Rails last year whilst in Sheffield and was a little disappointed that like Hattons it's shop face was somewhat lacking so this new approach is to be welcomed, if I'd had more time today I would have popped in between trains back to Manchester from Derby. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 It's useful having family members studying up there - gives a ready-made and plausible excuse for a 150 mile round trip 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Accurascale Fran Posted May 12, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 12, 2018 Thanks to John, Brian and the whole Rails team for inviting us over for the grand unveiling. We were delighted to hand deliver the production sample of the Rails Limited / Railway Museum special edition HOP 24 pack which received lots of positive comments. Really great to see Andy again and have a chat and meet Stationmaster too! Cheers, Fran 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Chamby Posted May 12, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 12, 2018 They are cordially invited to open a branch in South Devon, especially if they also serve good coffee and have comfy chairs on hand for customers. I'd go there. And a scone tea - with the clotted cream over jam, of course! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold adb968008 Posted May 12, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 12, 2018 Wow, those premises look astounding. I remember John, when I was 18 and did some swap meets to make ends meet at Uni and frequently was alongside Rail’s stall in various halls in the NW/Midlands. I interviewed him as part of my thesis at University on the hobby. Never would I imagine a retail store like this then. It’s such a positive side of the hobby. I’ll be dropping in next time I go that way for sure. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium melmerby Posted May 13, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 13, 2018 And a scone tea - with the clotted cream over jam, of course! Sounds like war Tin hats everyone! Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted May 13, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 13, 2018 Fortunately Andy managed to capture no more of me that a distant glimpse of the back of my head in that video - which is the bit with hair so quite acceptable. Excellent video Andy and I think it really brings out what John and co are doing with their new showroom/shop area which was extremely impressive and shows great faith in being a 'high street' model shop. Rails is a good distance away from me so hardly my 'local shop' but they are showing what investment in retail premises can do. Oh and it was a really well managed 'opening day' for which Rails and their caterers are due considerable credit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted May 13, 2018 Author Share Posted May 13, 2018 Rails is a good distance away from me so hardly my 'local shop' but they are showing what investment in retail premises can do. I think it's interesting to consider the benefits of such investment. Firstly there will be a curiosity factor which draws people in locally and indeed from further afield. With the more distant visitor it probably matures into future distance sales on a repeat basis. As mentioned in the video it's a bit of destination shopping where you wouldn't be embarrassed to take partners/children/grandchildren. Most model shops probably have a catchment area but I would say upping their game like this increases that catchment area without any physical movement. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
County of Yorkshire Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 Fortunately Andy managed to capture no more of me that a distant glimpse of the back of my head in that video - which is the bit with hair so quite acceptable. Excellent video Andy and I think it really brings out what John and co are doing with their new showroom/shop area which was extremely impressive and shows great faith in being a 'high street' model shop. Rails is a good distance away from me so hardly my 'local shop' but they are showing what investment in retail premises can do. Oh and it was a really well managed 'opening day' for which Rails and their caterers are due considerable credit. Were you in attendance for, perhaps, a R&D meeting about a Western Region prototype perchance Mike? CoY Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted May 13, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 13, 2018 Were you in attendance for, perhaps, a R&D meeting about a Western Region prototype perchance Mike? CoY I was indeed in attendance but was really only there to have good look at the new showroom and to partake of some of the excellent proffered refreshments. While I spoke to various manufacturers etc (see the Accurascale thread) they were - as one would expect - all sensibly tight lipped; it was not that sort of occasion. The only products which took centre stage were the NRM (Locomotion) NCIM Stirling Single in its delectable, and highly desirable, latest pre-production version and the Rails Dynamometer car which, also in latest pre-production state, actually arrived on the day and joined the Single on the demo track as seen in Andy's video. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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