DCB Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 (edited) I found Bekra Models at Newton Abbot this afternoon. Truly an inspirational place! Very friendly and helpful sales lady, I guess the proprietors wife and a truly great layout operating of which more anon. Great range of sundries and bits and pieces, good selection of new items but sadly for me no second hand which is about all I can afford these days. But the layout. Bearing in mind I had come from the Buckfastleigh SDR shop with a massive layout around which Smokey Joe and his chum hurtled round at 300 mph pulling 1 coach and a Hornby starter DMU wobbled round (battery power?) the contrast couldn't have been greater for there was a 00 gauge class 47 pulling bogie coaches around sub 1 foot radius curve. The baseboard was 2ft wide, by about 7 or 8 foot with a station, loco shed and continuous run. If I hadn't seen I would never have believed it . OK I understand some modifications had been made to the class 47 loco but it crawled relentlessly around at may be a scale 15mph. It looked like the track was flexi track curved very tightly but it was laid beautifully. It really is fantastic! Well worth a visit. Edited September 25, 2018 by DavidCBroad 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCB Posted September 25, 2018 Author Share Posted September 25, 2018 More Pics. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted September 25, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 25, 2018 I would agree that this is a very good model shop, well-stocked and with friendly and helpful proprietors (as you say, husband and wife, I believe). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Gilbert Posted September 25, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 25, 2018 A complete new one for me. Definitely worth a stroll next time I visit SDR. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
devondynosoar118 Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 (edited) For people unaware of local geography Newton Abbott is some distance from Buckfastleigh, a stroll between the two would take several hours. Edited September 25, 2018 by devondynosoar118 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Gilbert Posted September 25, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 25, 2018 Thanks but I travel down by train and would break my journey... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianusa Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 For people unaware of local geography Newton Abbott is some distance from Buckfastleigh, a stroll between the two would take several hours. Possibly driving in the Summer would take several hours so strolling would be faster! Brian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted September 25, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 25, 2018 Thanks but I travel down by train and would break my journey... It's no more than 5 minutes walk up the main road towards the town centre from the railway station. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgman Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 I discovered the shop a few years ago when looking for Vallejo paints and was happily surprised to see not only an extensive range but a great many other useful items in stock. John and his good lady are extremely helpful and very modest folk who deserve this thread. I travel from the Mid Devon area by train to reach the shop and the trip along the sea wall makes it all the more enjoyable. A short walk from the station too. Usual disclaimers. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 When I lived in Buckfastleigh and Buckfast in the 80's there was a stall in the indoor Market at Newton that was all second hand, but very friedly, I'm wondering if he, or even the indoor Market still exists. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GER Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 (edited) When I lived in Buckfastleigh and Buckfast in the 80's there was a stall in the indoor Market at Newton that was all second hand, but very friedly, I'm wondering if he, or even the indoor Market still exists. The indoor market still exists and until very recently the second hand stall was extant. But when I visited the market a few days ago the stall was not in situ ;whether this is a permanent absence or not I do not know. Edited September 26, 2018 by GER Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgman Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 When I lived in Buckfastleigh and Buckfast in the 80's there was a stall in the indoor Market at Newton that was all second hand, but very friedly, I'm wondering if he, or even the indoor Market still exists. The Indoor Market still exists Andy, there is a secondhand stall too. The owner buys and sell mostly rail and vehicles, with the very occasional O Gauge item but you have to ask as he has a local chap who builds up kits for him. G Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCB Posted September 26, 2018 Author Share Posted September 26, 2018 When I lived in Buckfastleigh and Buckfast in the 80's there was a stall in the indoor Market at Newton that was all second hand, but very friedly, I'm wondering if he, or even the indoor Market still exists. There was a gap where the second hand railway stall used to be when I visited on Monday. There were bare shelves and a sign saying something about wools. It was one of the highlights of my visits to NA as he had very good as new railway books at very good prices. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgman Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 The indoor market still exists and until very recently the second hand stall was extant. But when I visited the market a few days ago the stall was not in situ ;whether this is a permanent absence or not I do not know. There was a gap where the second hand railway stall used to be when I visited on Monday. There were bare shelves and a sign saying something about wools. It was one of the highlights of my visits to NA as he had very good as new railway books at very good prices. Thats interesting, I will have to investigate next time I visit NA. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianmacc Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 (edited) There used to be a proper model shop in newton abbot market occupying two booths around the edges. Wasn’t a stall as such. Not sure if the same place or not. Went there every summer holiday from 89 to the mid 90s. Edited September 30, 2018 by ianmacc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSB Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 They are in the process of revamping the outdoor market and knocking down the kiosks. I understand some of the traders may be moving inside. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium John Besley Posted April 14, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 14, 2021 Bekra has changed hands and been brought out by the Teignmouth RC model shop people, still much the same inside as it always was... Hope to stock up on KS metal parts etc. This weekend 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCB Posted April 14, 2021 Author Share Posted April 14, 2021 35 minutes ago, John Besley said: Bekra has changed hands and been brought out by the Teignmouth RC model shop people, still much the same inside as it always was... Hope to stock up on KS metal parts etc. This weekend Is the OO micro layout with the wickedly sharp curves still there? Its about 6ft by 2ft 6" and is or was, absolutely brilliant Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium John Besley Posted April 14, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 14, 2021 6 hours ago, DavidCBroad said: Is the OO micro layout with the wickedly sharp curves still there? Its about 6ft by 2ft 6" and is or was, absolutely brilliant I think so... I'll update you later Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebem Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 Does anyone happen to know if they stock Farish/N gauge stuff? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium John Besley Posted April 17, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 17, 2021 (edited) Ok been over to Bekra and picked up KS tubing, Plastistriut, sections, Milliput, .... To update the model railway has gone as it was taking up space they wanted to use for stock, they are in the process of building a 0 gauge top shelf height layout to go round the back part of the shop. They are not going to stock masses of Hornby, Bachmann, Humbrol, etc. etc. But concentrate on core items, ordering every two weeks from Gaugemaster, Peco, Woodland Scenics. There is a section of old stock that once it's gone it's gone.... basically packs of scenery items from odd manufacturers (didn't really look) They don't want to compete with the Paignton Model shop so dont expect vast amounts of rolling stock Edited April 17, 2021 by John Besley . 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Royal42 Posted April 17, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 17, 2021 Looks like most of the plastic aircraft and ship kits have gone and the new owners have shifted back to full rail modelling stock. Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium John Besley Posted April 17, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 17, 2021 On 14/04/2021 at 19:35, davebem said: Does anyone happen to know if they stock Farish/N gauge stuff? Sorry not anymore, might have a few bits left buts that's it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium John Besley Posted April 17, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 17, 2021 Correction, :- paints well stocked Humbrol, etc. Paint brushes, and good range of small tools etc. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCB Posted April 21, 2021 Author Share Posted April 21, 2021 Excellent news. though shame about the OO layout. I will head down there and check out the O gauge overhead line. Don't blame them getting out of new OO / N RTR. Seems there is little profit in RTR, you either make a pittance per unit or it sits on the shelf for years. Some decent second hand would entice my credit card to do a bit of contactless though... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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