Popular Post Trains4U Posted January 17, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 17, 2020 (edited) When I was growing up, I often wondered what it would be like to have my own model shop. I had Beatties and the once mighty Fratton Bargain Shop on my doorstep, and The Engine Shed was not too far away in Ford. these places used to enthrall me, and I really, really wanted one of my own. Just over 15 years ago, I took the plunge and started Trains4U with my father Steve. one key driver for me was that It must be a destination, somewhere people will travel long long distances to visit. Now we have had our ups and downs, but the last few years have been really quite good. Business has been strong, we have a dedicated, knowledgeable and enthusiastic team, and the exposure of the business has come on in leaps and bounds since my wife, Juliette joined the team a couple of years ago. Ive had several long-term plans for improving our current location, and these are slowly coming to fruition. products and displays are being shifted , ranges expanded, we are even about to start tooling in our first exclusive model. This week one of my major milestones was reached. Ive always tried to display models as best I can. Impulse purchases were the driver of our initial growth, but our ability to display things well declined as the ranges grew. This is about to change thanks to our new cabinets installed this week. There is still work to do, and I’ll be adding stepped shelves, but I’m hoping that we can display all of our locomotives in all scales within this unit, as well as have a new items section. This will be developed over the next few weeks. The former Hornby cabinet is now upstairs and has replaced our fifteen year old wooden second hand cupboards. the transformation is slow, but my destination store is getting better all the time! Please do drop by and see how things are progressing. Edited January 17, 2020 by Trains4U 40 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trains4U Posted January 17, 2020 Author Share Posted January 17, 2020 The second hand display is enhanced by the replacement cabinet adding to the already impressive display... Whilst downstairs, displays will be moved and rearranged to better display the remaining product range (John and me shifting the Bachmann locos...) 17 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trains4U Posted January 18, 2020 Author Share Posted January 18, 2020 The HST fits quite easily 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 Fratton Bargain Shop was my local too, living at Waterlooville and working in Portsmouth, and the former owner was my friend until he opened his new Shop in Southampton and closed taking some of my Locos with him. I'm moving back down to the area shortly and called into FBS the other week, and could not believe how much it had gone down hill from it's hey days in the late 70's / 80's when it took double page spreads in the RM and others. I think I have more Locos at home than they had on the shelves. I have to say, your new cabinets look amazing, and I wish you well into the future, and having bought from you at Shows, I know the service is 1st class. I hope I can get into the Shop before moving, and see the displays first hand, and maybe even be tempted to open my wallet. All the very best. 2 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold tractionman Posted January 18, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 18, 2020 A veritable feast of lovely locomotives Looks fantastic. all the best, Keith 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_197011 Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 Visited on Wednesday or the first time, wow, what a shop. The wife is now worried 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomathee Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 Drove out an hour with my son between Christmas and New Year to have a look. Well worth it, the range is excellent and the shop is very spacious and un-cramped, as are the displays with everything easy to browse, which seems to have improved even further now. Left with several things, some planned others not, again helped by ease of browsing and the helpful staff. Probably be back in the next school holiday to get a few more bits... Well done & good luck for the future! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Phil Mc Posted January 19, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 19, 2020 (edited) On 18/01/2020 at 14:53, Trains4U said: The HST fits quite easily Does it still fit when the missing coach is added ?! Being more serious, the shop is looking good, will have to make a point of calling in ! cheers, Phil. Edited January 19, 2020 by Phil Mc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trains4U Posted January 19, 2020 Author Share Posted January 19, 2020 31 minutes ago, Phil Mc said: Does it still fit when the missing coach is added ?! Being more serious, the shop is looking good, will have to make a point of calling in ! cheers, Phil. I’m expecting our coach “C” s to arrive next week, then I’ll have the full 11-car rake on display. :) 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Phil Mc Posted January 19, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 19, 2020 We had to relay our fiddleyard to accommodate a 9 coach VTEC HST, but that’s not quite as drastic as relaying an entire shop !! Cheers, Phil. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Legend Posted January 19, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 19, 2020 (edited) Well done you . Just wish I had a model shop of your calibre on my doorstep Edited January 19, 2020 by Legend 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 Wow, that looks great ! if I’m ever that way I’d certainly pop in 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
truffy Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 On 17/01/2020 at 18:52, Trains4U said: we are even about to start tooling in our first exclusive model. Oh, joining the ranks of the commissioners? Good on you, hope it goes well! Diversity is a good thing, even if Simon Kohler doesn't agree. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trains4U Posted January 20, 2020 Author Share Posted January 20, 2020 A little bit more work this evening on the interim display 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold traction Posted January 20, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 20, 2020 Nice Gareth! Will have to pop in when I get time! Not been in for a good while now, shops looking good! Cheers Ian 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRDBLUE17 Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 That does look fantastic. Will have to find an excuse one day to visit but it is a long way from Scotland. Still will be looking forward to the exclusive Warflats. All the best Mark 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
montyburns56 Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 Are you going to fit a drool tray to those display cabinets? 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldgunner Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Looks much nice, I always thought it seemed dark around the back so hopefully this'll show up better. Maybe pop in when I get some spare time soon for a browse. Nothing worse than going into a shop and browsing a stack of boxed loco's and rolling stock, its nice to see examples out the box. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Phil Mc Posted February 6, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 6, 2020 Called into the shop for the first time this week. Ordered a couple of Warflats, but also picked up a few things that I didn't know I wanted until I saw them. Surely that's what a proper shop is for !! And yes, I did count 9 coaches in the HST in the cabinet. Was my first visit, but it won't be my last......... Cheers, Phil. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trains4U Posted March 23, 2020 Author Share Posted March 23, 2020 COVID 19 UPDATE Following tonights Prime Ministerial address, we are having to close our doors to visiting customers. Please do not travel unnecessarily. We will not be able to serve you. We are still maintaining a mail-order capability and will do so for as long as possible. In order to keep any risk to our employees to a minimum, ALL orders will be shipped via our contracted courier service (DPD). This means that all orders will be subject to a £4.95 postage fee and we are applying a minimum £10 order value. Please note that any orders to Highlands, Islands or non-UK addresses will not be posted until the lockdown is over, unless the appropriate courier charges are paid in full. Our phone line will be open Tuesday - Friday 9:30-17:00 (01733) 895989 The line will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday, though our website will be available 24/7. We will aim to process your order as quickly as possible Plans are in place to provide a virtual showroom, with regularly updated images of our stocks to help with any mail order requests. Thank you for your support and understanding, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PMP Posted April 22, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 22, 2020 Just a shout out for the T4U team, I don’t use them often, but when I do they’ve always come up trumps. Stock ordered yesterday, delivered this morning. Thank you 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
meatloaf Posted April 22, 2020 Share Posted April 22, 2020 Flext track turned up today only ordered Monday evening. Cheers folks 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium polybear Posted April 22, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 22, 2020 On 18/01/2020 at 15:39, Andrew P said: Fratton Bargain Shop was my local too, living at Waterlooville and working in Portsmouth, and the former owner was my friend until he opened his new Shop in Southampton and closed taking some of my Locos with him. A somewhat late reply, but: Did you not pay him a visit to "remind" him? A clump round the back of the head with a fire extinguisher can do wonders for the memory.... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted April 22, 2020 Share Posted April 22, 2020 (edited) 12 hours ago, polybear said: A somewhat late reply, but: Did you not pay him a visit to "remind" him? A clump round the back of the head with a fire extinguisher can do wonders for the memory.... I was living in Derbyshire at the time, but even his Wife didn't seem to know where he was at the time as I spoke to her several times. I will probably meet him once I move back down there next Month. Edited April 23, 2020 by Andrew P 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trains4U Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share Posted May 31, 2020 (edited) Edit: removed outdated covid guidance. Edited October 10, 2021 by Trains4U 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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