Popular Post rapidoandy Posted October 9, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 9, 2020 (edited) Good evening everyone, I hope everyone is well. With the evenings drawing in and the weather turning we thought it would be nice to have some good news. Well here it is: Rapido are back in the UK! I would like to introduce myself as the new UK Operations Manager. Rather than trying to waffle on myself I have copied our announcement from our latest Rapido Trains Inc newsletter: We have a new guy here at Rapido HQ! Well actually, we don’t; he’s in England! But that means... We're back, lads! Go let it out, a nice long yell of excitement out the window. Maybe even bash your arms around as if the locomotive just started to thrash. (Well, maybe not, if your neighbours don't appreciate loud noises and flailing arms.) (Note that I also included the "u" in "neighbours" without being asked to. I want a gold star.) We would like to introduce Andy Hardy who has joined us as our UK Operations Manager. That’s right - we're coming back to the UK with a bang. Andy has a life-long obsession with railways, so much so his parents say his first words were “coal” and “buffer." He has worked at the National Railway Museum and on a heritage railway, he's written a railway book and he is also a pretty snazzy trumpet player. He is a qualified steam loco driver and even works out on the mainline with the A1 Steam Trust. Andy will be responsible for the day to day operation of everything Rapido in the UK. Website, orders, procurement of biscuits and lots more will be keeping him busy for some time to come. In true Rapido style we thought we would share some interesting and random facts about Andy. Only one of these is a lie – it's up to you to work out which! Andy has performed in a concert for HM the Queen. He’s ridden the footplate of an East Coast Pacific across the Forth Bridge. He’s driven an RT double-decker bus. He collects and plays oddball brass musical instruments including the slide trumpet. Andy has driven the Hogwarts Express. He has built an extensive collection of Lego trains. He has raised money for charity with a team by completing 100 miles in one day on a rail handcart. Andy applied for our job with a covering letter talking about his hair. Since joining the Rapido team he has hit the ground running getting everything ready for our launch later in the year – not an easy task in the short space of time he has! Not only is he laying the infrastructure but also helping with new project ideas for our UK range. Within three weeks he has already been out with a camera, drawings and a measuring stick looking at certain things. We look forward to seeing our UK range grow. Welcome on-board Andy! Well there is not much more to say about me. I always like hearing from fellow modellers so please do feel free to say hello with ideas and suggestions in the future. I am hugely excited to be taking up this new role and to help Rapido build its UK operation. There are some very exciting times ahead! Take care. Andy Edited October 9, 2020 by rapidoandy 50 1 2 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Hilton Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 Great news, congratulations Andy. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 Congratulations Andy. Looking forward to seeing you and Rapido take the UK market by storm. Kind regards Paddy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 You're not about to launch any Consett Hoppers are you? 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richscylla Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 Very excited to see what is next to come! IHA covered steel wagons would be very welcome Andy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanley Melrose Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 As you take up your new responsibilities, may I plead with you to ensure that any future UK Rapido products take account of those who model to the more accurate wider track gauges (18.2mm and 18.83mm)? Accurascale and Sutton's Locomotive Workshop have shown the way and already produce easily convertible rolling stock as well as committing that their future products will be easily converted to run on more accurately gauged track, while still supporting the traditional (and admittedly much larger) 00 market. If these two new entrants to the market can do it, surely Rapido can as well. I'm certain the EM Gauge Society and the Scalefour Society will be only too willing to provide any information that you may require to ensure that Rapido's UK products are available to the "widest" possible market. I wish you every success in your new role. Stan 3 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted October 10, 2020 Share Posted October 10, 2020 The newsletter also has this request for help regarding the Rapido UK operation: Quote Note From Jason About Our UK Launch We are having an extremely difficult time opening a bank account in the UK, and we can't do our full UK launch without a bank account. Janet has been tearing her hair out for months, and she has very pretty hair so we don't want that. Anyone who has recently opened a UK business bank account knows what we are talking about. Due to the fact that the owner of the business is in Canada, it has been doubly difficult for us to open our account. If this is something you can help us with, please send an email with the subject line "Janet's British Saviour." We will be eternally grateful and will shower you with praises and gifts. Back to you, Knobby... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nova Scotian Posted October 10, 2020 Share Posted October 10, 2020 1 hour ago, mdvle said: The newsletter also has this request for help regarding the Rapido UK operation: This is a tough one, because if I remember correctly for a non-resident director to set up a bank account the director (signatory) has to present themselves at the bank with ID. That's a difficult one in a COVID-19 world. In the old days one went to somewhere like HSBC, which has branches in Canada as well as the UK. Very little presence in Canada of UK retail banks and vice versa, but HSBC is an exception. In the brave new world companies such as transferwise have business accounts and can set up bank accounts in multiple locations through their service. I don't know the details of it though (I use their service purely for personal currency transfers). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted October 10, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 10, 2020 6 hours ago, mdvle said: The newsletter also has this request for help regarding the Rapido UK operation: I have a friend in Nigeria who I'm sure could help. Just how much money have you got? Mike. 19 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted October 10, 2020 Share Posted October 10, 2020 9 hours ago, mdvle said: The newsletter also has this request for help regarding the Rapido UK operation: Father Ted Crilly, Craggy Island Bank, Craggy Island Parochial House. 1 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caradoc Posted October 10, 2020 Share Posted October 10, 2020 That money was only resting in the account ! 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DIW Posted October 10, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 10, 2020 At the moment, there does seem to be dificulty in opening a business bank account anywhere in the UK. This article explains the problems people have been having. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Adam1701D Posted October 11, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 11, 2020 Try Metro Bank - I was able to set up a business account with them in about two weeks. Really nice, friendly service. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Vistisen Posted October 11, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 11, 2020 (edited) On 09/10/2020 at 22:46, richscylla said: Very excited to see what is next to come! IHA covered steel wagons would be very welcome Andy! It must have been a slow day, just over hours before the wish list started Edited October 11, 2020 by Vistisen 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butler Henderson Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 Easy one, tool up the small tender that must people recognise GNR no.1as being coupled to, as when it had steamed on preserved lines, and do a new batch of Stirling Singles with that tender. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
salop89a Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 On 11/10/2020 at 09:26, Captain Electra said: Try Metro Bank - I was able to set up a business account with them in about two weeks. Really nice, friendly service. Not accepting new applications for business accounts until next year according to their website. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 For completeness, link to North American newsletter #130 with the above quoted introduction https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Rapido-News-130---Big-Order-Deadlines-and-videos-.html?soid=1101318906379&aid=77KX1Vg29IA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapidoandy Posted October 15, 2020 Author Share Posted October 15, 2020 Thank you everyone for the comments. We are indeed having a bit of fun sorting a bank account here. Nova Scotian has hit the nail on the head, it would be a lot simpler if we could physically get people over here to do it. Exciting times ahead! Thanks Andy 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nova Scotian Posted October 15, 2020 Share Posted October 15, 2020 3 hours ago, rapidoandy said: Thank you everyone for the comments. We are indeed having a bit of fun sorting a bank account here. Nova Scotian has hit the nail on the head, it would be a lot simpler if we could physically get people over here to do it. Exciting times ahead! Thanks Andy Did you try Transferwise and some of the others that offer business accounts across different jurisdictions? I don't know how they navigate the requirement to present onesself to the bank... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheesysmith Posted October 16, 2020 Share Posted October 16, 2020 I have to say good luck, and having already got their first UK model (APT-E) I look forward to more. As for future models, the DMU is ripe for models, and just think of all that under body detail for Jason to get excited about. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rembrow Posted October 16, 2020 Share Posted October 16, 2020 23 hours ago, rapidoandy said: Thank you everyone for the comments. We are indeed having a bit of fun sorting a bank account here. Nova Scotian has hit the nail on the head, it would be a lot simpler if we could physically get people over here to do it. Exciting times ahead! Thanks Andy Just a thought, of the UK clearing banks, HSBC has an associated banking business in Canada - HSBC Canada, with 133 branches, mainly in British Columbia. Probably too simple a thought, but would it be possible to open a UK HSBC business account via a HSBC Canada branch. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nova Scotian Posted October 16, 2020 Share Posted October 16, 2020 2 hours ago, rembrow said: Just a thought, of the UK clearing banks, HSBC has an associated banking business in Canada - HSBC Canada, with 133 branches, mainly in British Columbia. Probably too simple a thought, but would it be possible to open a UK HSBC business account via a HSBC Canada branch. Importantly they have one in Markham. I had wondered above whether this would work, but I know with my Barclays account (personal) in the UK I still have to present myself in person for certain changes/updates. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted October 16, 2020 Share Posted October 16, 2020 5 hours ago, cheesysmith said: As for future models, the DMU is ripe for models, and just think of all that under body detail for Jason to get excited about. Jason, in the May 20th Facebook Live session, said Rapido wasn't interested in doing DMU/EMU models given that the UK market was unrealistic on the costs of bringing such models to market - particularly for 3 or more car units (my summary of what was said based on memory). Certainly things could change - for example someone bringing an expensive 4 car unit to market successfully showing that those vocal about price are wrong - but it would seem unlikely at this point. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neal Ball Posted October 28, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 28, 2020 On 16/10/2020 at 19:55, mdvle said: Jason, in the May 20th Facebook Live session, said Rapido wasn't interested in doing DMU/EMU models given that the UK market was unrealistic on the costs of bringing such models to market - particularly for 3 or more car units (my summary of what was said based on memory). Certainly things could change - for example someone bringing an expensive 4 car unit to market successfully showing that those vocal about price are wrong - but it would seem unlikely at this point. Possibly unlikely to see dmu / emu initially.... but Bill might be swayed to do a couple of GWR Toplights. Loads of variety and detail changes over the years. Bill is the Rapido resident GWR enthusiast. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 23 minutes ago, Neal Ball said: Possibly unlikely to see dmu / emu initially.... but Bill might be swayed to do a couple of GWR Toplights. Loads of variety and detail changes over the years. Bill is the Rapido resident GWR enthusiast. Wonder if people would be willing to spend the money on what would be an expensive project given the extensive tooling? There might well be a market, but would anyone be willing to take the risk. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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