Are we at a crossroads?

[Enterprisingwestern]

One of the "problems" with the model railway hobby is that not much ever disappears, manufacturers are trying to to sell us variations on a theme of something we've all already got plenty of, and the bucket is getting fuller.

Our models don't wear out unlike other electrical goods, so the option to sell another, say, Hornby Black 5, after your existing one has worn out after 7 years don't occur.

The hobby has endured many crossroads and survived, I have no doubt it will continue to do so in whatever form long after I've gone.

 

Mike.

[Dunsignalling]

I try to steer clear of making assumptions as to what others may think and how they might react to any hypothetical set of circumstances so I'll stick to my own position.

 

1. In OO, we, as consumers have never had it so good as in first decade-and-a-half of the 21st century. We have a wider choice of models than at any time in the past. They feature more detail and most are more accurate and run better than what went before. All this at prices that, for all the moaning, are broadly similar to those of the 1960s in cost-of-living terms.

 

2. Our two largest suppliers currently have difficulties which need to be sorted if they are to thrive in the long-term. However, others judge the hobby to be sufficiently healthy to enter the marketplace, either by diversifying their existing business to include model trains (Oxford) or "commissioning", be it via an established producer or direct with Chinese factories (the rest). I consider any firm that doesn't physically produce the models themselves to be a commissioner at some level and that includes Hornby. 

 

3. There is much talk of we, as consumers, becoming more selective about what we buy. Some attribute this to rising prices but they are only one of the factors in play. In my own case they have had some impact on multiple purchasing though I've not yet foregone buying at least one of anything I really wanted.

 

4. The next factor to be considered is whether the market has satisfied all our desires and we will stop buying because there is nothing left that we will want to buy. This will never actually happen but, in my own case, as a Southern Region (ex-LSWR) modeller, it has come far closer than I ever dreamed would be possible. My list of "must haves" not yet produced (or announced) in r-t-r form got surprisingly short but is gradually growing again and becoming more esoteric!

 

5. The final consideration is very basic - the space to keep everything we own. New houses in the UK still seem to be shrinking. My own dates from the sixties and is quite spacious for my needs as a single man but, even for me, things are getting a bit tight unless I want model railways or railway books to feature in/dominate every room (which I don't).

 

6. To summarise; I anticipate a gradual reduction in the number of models I will purchase in the future, because much of what I want has already been done and I don't have the space or the inclination to diversify (much) into other areas. That may result in an overall reduction in spending, but only if fewer models are produced that interest me, it's not a direct consequence. I also have a feeling that, as my "mainstream" wants are ticked off, my purchasing will be skewed towards more specialised items that may be more likely to come from commissioners.   

 

7. If I do spend less on new locos/stock, it will probably lead to greater expenditure on timber, track, scenery and electrics anyway, so I can enjoy my accumulated models to the full. It will still contribute to overall turnover within the trade.

 

Maybe "crossroads" is a bit strong but, if very many others find themselves in my position, some change is inevitable.

 

John       

[luckymucklebackit]

One of the "problems" with the model railway hobby is that not much ever disappears, manufacturers are trying to to sell us variations on a theme of something we've all already got plenty of, and the bucket is getting fuller.

Our models don't wear out unlike other electrical goods, so the option to sell another, say, Hornby Black 5, after your existing one has worn out after 7 years don't occur.

The hobby has endured many crossroads and survived, I have no doubt it will continue to do so in whatever form long after I've gone.

 

Mike.

 

Mike - I Agree that models do not wear out, but given the improvements to appearance and performance I personally have replaced several old models which when I bought them were considered "state of the art", one being the example you have given - the Hornby black 5, I retired my 1980s tender drive version for a current model and the comparison between the two is night and day.  OK we don't replace over 7 years, maybe nearer 27 years :-)  I have plans to replace other (mainly Lima) models for more reliable and accurate models.

 

Jim

[Neil]

.... Are we at the crossroads ? No , I think we are two years past it .....

 

Actually I think we're just over a week away from it.

 

Andy's initial post seems to be based on there not being big changes in the background that would affect the specifics of the model railway industry. If we remain in Europe then the logic is valid and reasonable, if we opt out then there will be complicating factors.

 

As I see it the general health of the country's finances will be key followed by the duty on imports/exports. If the pound plummets and we enter another recession there will be less spent on hobbies as income is directed at the necessities of life. Even if we manage to avoid this there will be the impact of duty on what we buy from Europe and duty on those things we seek to export to Europe. For the former it's not just those with an interest in the continent who will pay more for their models, don't forget that Heljan serve the UK outline market. While I guess that the percentage of British outline stock sold to continental Europe will be small, there are other UK companies who sell those non regionally specific items, track, control and accessories who will be vulnerable to increases in duty.

 

I can't in all honesty see the UK getting Norway style access to the single market; the EU will want to be tough on the UK if we leave as they will wish to discourage other countries following and a weakening of the EU.

[Revolution Mike]

model-availability politics (for want of a better word) Many companies, including the major ones, have now resorted to batch manufacturing. In fact, the likes of Rapido et all exist only because of it. They choose to release a large number of models of the same type with different numbers and sometimes in conjunction with a earlier or later type/colour scheme whether or not with appropriate body moulding changes. They make an X amount and will not produce/order a rerun unless everything has been sold, if any. Repeatedly these runs are advertised as "one run only" for a particular vehicle number, livery and/or body shape. That's fine, it's a matter of economy of scale that allows these manufacturers to offer these models at the prices they do. But it leaves quite a few modellers at a loss. For me, I'd loved to have ordered particular models by Rapido (and others) but couldn't due to lack of funds (being unemployed is an increasing curse for this hobby, precisely because prices rise more then inflation*). Then while trying to accumulate sufficient funds for such model, it sells out. So it doesn't matter what funds I have, they're out of reach anyway. Imagine how frustrating this is, and the impact it has on the will to continue with the hobby.

 

That is true of all the manufacturers now even Bachmann or Hornby - the difference is the batch sizes are larger. You certainly see very popular items sell out quickly and not get rerun for a considerable period.

 

I don't particularly like it, but accept that it is a necessity that enables companies to produce more varied prototypes.

 

Cheers, Mike

[Legend]

This is actually boosting the second hand market too. People are now having to buy second hand to secure the model they need because its out of production at the manufacturer eg try finding a new Rebuilt Merchant Navy for sale

[Dunsignalling]

 

 

I can't in all honesty see the UK getting Norway style access to the single market; the EU will want to be tough on the UK if we leave as they will wish to discourage other countries following and a weakening of the EU.

The gaping hole in that argument is that the rest of the EU exports considerably more to the UK than flows the other way.

 

If they collectively decided to "get tough" in terms of tariffs, one would expect equal rates to be levied by the UK.

 

Numerically, they have far more to lose by such a course of action than does the UK.

 

Of course, they might be willing to stand that "pour encourage les autres" but I doubt such resolve would last long once the German car industry started to feel the pinch.

 

John

[The Stationmaster]

This is hugely important - selling direct vs through a retail network is not a fair comparison. It is not to criticise Phil for selling direct, but just to recognise the difference it creates in pricing. The rest of things like admin/support functions are part and parcel of the advantage (?) that SMEs tend to have.

 

Cheers, Mike

 

Maybe not fair ti criticise but working as a  sort of 'one man band' or small/tiny business makes a massive difference in the cost base.  Say you employ a person to do your research and initial development work - the total cost to the business will probably exceed £35,000 pa before that person actually does any work.  Even if the person researches and develops a model a month that's 12 a year so that's c.£3,000 per model before you even think about actually making it - and how many companies in the UK market could actually release 12 completely new models every year for years on end?

 

Now let's assume you're 'Happy Model Commissioners UK' - you probably have a retail premises but you might not but whichever your premises overheads are already covered whether or not 'HMCUK' actually commissions anything.  You - when you have time - and a couple of your mates do all the research and initial development to the stage where you can pack off the details to a factory in China, nett additional cost to your business probably no more than a few drinks or couple of meals out or maybe an example or two of the model when it appears; in the scheme of things all of those are small amounts and you're still nowhere near £1,000 let alone more than 3 times that amount.

 

Next you start to receive CADs - you have to pay for them, irrespective of size of your business so 'HMCUK' pay the same as anyone else (the same goes for scanning as well) but the CADs now need to be checked, probably need amendments and so on which is back to you and your mates and not someone in your design dept or drawing office so again £s (thousands) are saved. And this goes all the way through - right to promotional cost and advertising, packaging for despatch and so on.

 

Thus 'HMCUK' and the like are working to much smaller overheads and have less to add onto the actual development and production cost of a model so if they are selling for a broadly similar price to Bachby they are possibly making a larger gross profit per model but they need that because of the way they have had to borrow to finance the project compared with the way finance works in the lager companies.  In reality it is always going to be cheaper, loan costs/rate of return aside, for 'HMCUK' and similar to develop and market any models than it is for a large company but these people inevitably will have to recover their costs from their initlal production run so retail price per unit could well be perceived as 'high'.  

 

An interesting question to ask anyone who tells us how cheap things really are from a Chinese factory is to ask that person for a breakdown of the costs of the whole project including the overheads they have charged to it and what they are adding to their buying-in unit price in order to arrive at their retail price.  And don't forget many of the Chinese factories involved in model railways are always looking for business and can afford to offer 'inducements' to new customers in the expectation that such folk will become regulars and will be able to increase prices as they gain market acceptance and reputation.

[Ravenser]

 

No; it isn't just labour. We have covered it on here before several times and it's been reference above by others that there was a re-alignment of pricing. If you wwere Bachmann Europe 4 years ago and you wanted an XYZ then Kader said how much it would cost $x. Kader subsequently realise there's been an increase in costs, probably both material and labour, in producing and adding ever increasing levels of detail; time and motion studies are carried out and an accurate assessment of costs plus factory margin is then made determining the new price the products could be sold to Bachmann for. Included in these revised costings would be the currently increasing labour rates. Bachmann Europe still have to cover their costs and demonstrate a margin above the price they've bought in at. I'd forecast that when their next accounts are visible you'll see the same percentage gross margins.

 

I therefore stand by the assertion, backed up by reference to external sources that costs have risen for any factory producing for this market (if they've been doing it for longer than a short spell).

 

 

There is an important difference between the breakdown of costs from a major 'manufacturer' and a smaller importer.

 

Simplistically:

 

Major manufacturer: 

Initial Research, CAD for tooling, tooling costs, review process, component production, assembly, packaging, shipping, marketing, distribution to buyers, VAT costs, service/warranty provision, administration/payroll/support functions, re-investment; retailers margins to cover their overheads and their profit/wages.

 

Small importer: Red = costs absorbed into overall role of director/proprietor  Green = dependent on annual sales volume

Initial Research, CAD for tooling, tooling costs, review process, component production, assembly, packaging, shipping, marketing, distribution to buyers, VAT costs, service/warranty provision, administration/payroll/support functions, re-investment; retailers margins to cover their overheads and their profit/wages.

 

I'd say that the bits in red would add £50-£60 per unit if they were costed in within the process from a major so the differential is still there when comparing apples and grapes.

 

Someone told me at DEMU just how much a Sutton Loco Works 24 cost - I think it was over GBP200 without sound. Certainly it was over GBP300 for a sound loco. I simply can't afford to pay that, even when things are good, and at those sorts of gold-plated prices he has scope to absorb an increase . From that position , it's a bit much to claim there's no justification for a competitor's models increasing from £90 to £125.....

 

This is effectively the Aussie RTR (business) model - a specialist commissioner selling the models direct, order through the website - and not through shops. With a low production run - and we're starting to see where the price point settles for that.

 

On the other hand the members' stand at DEMU was selling very nicely detailed and reworked second-hand Lima locos for about £50...... So there was an alternative available at a dramatically lower price point

 

The number of bricks and mortar model shops has been in steady decline for many years. The thing that ties traders to retail premises is that the big RTR manufacturers won't supply without that. But if you are a second-hand dealer you can operate from home, sell via ebay or other internet trading, and attend shows with a stand. You don't need retail premises. And the big "organisers' second hand stand" at many shows - such as DEMU, St Albans or Ally Pally - may well become an increasingly important source of models

 

Come to that, anyone can sell secondhand on ebay - that channel simply wasn't there 15 years ago . Now it's large.

[Ian J.]

An interesting question to ask anyone who tells us how cheap things really are from a Chinese factory is to ask that person for a breakdown of the costs of the whole project including the overheads they have charged to it and what they are adding to their buying-in unit price in order to arrive at their retail price.  And don't forget many of the Chinese factories involved in model railways are always looking for business and can afford to offer 'inducements' to new customers in the expectation that such folk will become regulars and will be able to increase prices as they gain market acceptance and reputation.

 

But such a question won't get an answer. I can't imagine there wouldn't be clauses in trading agreements between companies to keep such cost information confidential. Even if I were to commission a model and wanted to be fully transparent with the costs, I'd be blocked by the confidentiality clauses from saying anything.

[Adrian]

Hi Andy,

 

Who's this we in your topic title?

 

 

I thought it quite clear in that the very first sentence in the original post he says "we will be at a crossroads within the RTR aspects of the hobby".

 

Modelling in 2mmFS and Scale7 the RTR element is in the extreme minority so I didn't think the rest of the post was relevant for me. In terms of the make it yourself side of the hobby - as far as I'm concerned it's never been better, developments in 3D printing have allowed people to design and supply a myriad of new components for the builder. Affordable laser cutters etc. etc. are allowing people to create some wonderful, inspirational modelling.

[Legend]

Its £160 for a basic DC Class 24.  I made the comparison to Bachmann Warship at £149.50 . As Andy pointed out there are different routes to market, one sells direct ,the other through a network of retailers, so I accept the comparison is flawed.  The point is , though , that SLW is able to deliver a model with substantial labour content , I think the comment at the time was there are more parts on the bogie than the competitors entire loco, at a price just slightly more than a mainstream manufacturers model. He is presumably making reasonable profit on it. This has also produced a loco which is perceived to be a step up in specification (see Railway Modeller review). So I think you can complain about items increasing in cost from £90 to £125 due to realignment while accepting £160 for what is apparently a top notch product

[Ravenser]

Its £160 for a basic DC Class 24.  I made the comparison to Bachmann Warship at £149.50 . As Andy pointed out there are different routes to market, one sells direct ,the other through a network of retailers, so I accept the comparison is flawed.  The point is , though , that SLW is able to deliver a model with substantial labour content , I think the comment at the time was there are more parts on the bogie than the competitors entire loco, at a price just slightly more than a mainstream manufacturers model. He is presumably making reasonable profit on it. This has also produced a loco which is perceived to be a step up in specification (see Railway Modeller review). So I think you can complain about items increasing in cost from £90 to £125 due to realignment while accepting £160 for what is apparently a top notch product

 

Can the market accept "a top notch product"  in the longer term? Clearly there is a sector of the market that is willing to pay big money for sound - or pay for Gauge O, but it's finite.

 

Quoting RRP is misleading. Kernows are offering Bachmann Warships at £127 down to £119. Rails are similar. Those are not "bargain" /"sale" prices , but can be considered as a going market price: there are plenty of locos on "bargain" for less. Kernows charge £4 postage below £150 value, though they were also at DEMU Showcase, so no postage would have then applied. However SLW charge £8 , and as they only deal mail order that's an unavoidable part of the price. So the true comparison is £119-£131 plays £168

 

There can be no discounting of SLW models - that's the whole point of the direct model. And SLW are taking the retailers' margin for themselves. Then to argue that the competition are overcharging at 2/3rds of SLWs price won't hold water.

 

I think that around GBP200 a loco in today's money is where we will be in 10 years time - this being an actual market price, rather than a list price. Costs will force the ordinary model to that price point.

 

( But as SLW shows, under a direct sales business model there is no difference between RRP and actual price - other than mandatory postage on top. The market may largely be direct sales by then - as it is in Oz)

 

Meanwhile the second-hand market may be lower in cash terms than it is today.

 

You could have a situation where a Hornby Black 5 - assuming you can get one - costs £200, but a nicely built DJH kit can be had second-hand for £70 from a trader at a show.

 

There would options - quite good ones, at moderate prices - for those not able to pay new RTR prices. Secondhand might mean erratic supply - buy it when you see one . But RTR might be even worse. The forum might well be full of posts about the "desperate RTR supply position" - "we've not seen a run of 66s for 3 years and the last run sold out double quick when announced so I couldn't get one on pre-order". "Its been 7 years since the last batch of Black 5s!" - etc.

[Arthur]

 

 

Yes, just where do we go from here.

 

[Clearwater]

I think Andy raises some interesting questions around spend and spending habits. I'm also of the view that the survey question will illicit a certain response. I suspect a lot of us, particular my those of us who are fortunate to have comfortable lifestyles, don't really monitor exactly what we spend and therefore both underestimate our spend and when we do calculate it think "gosh that's a lot. Hmm better cut back" so when asked the next question about will we spend more or less instinctively veer towards answering less.

 

Also, within the spend thread, there was a definite "well clearly the apt-e/ blue Pullman/hattons King etc etc" is a one off so I won't be repeating that hence my spend will be lower. But the marketing teams know that. Hence each year, they try and think of a new one off to tempt us to make another exception. We'll see what spurious anniversary can be though to f next (I thought 75th anniversary of sir Nigel grealey's death was, in private eye terms, desperate marketing). We've also seen the trend of shorter notice commissions, eg the S stock last year. I'd expect to see at least one 'wow' item a year emerging from the manufacturers /commissioners. Where they think they will sell 2000 quickly, they don't need to two years of pre sales building up that a more obscure prototype requires. We'll see what they come up with.

 

However, I suspect the net impact is to contribute towards a collective underestimate of expenditure however whether the market is 130m or 200m, I think the trends and pricing impacts of smaller runs will drive the market going forward

 

David

[Scottish Modeller]

Hi all,

 

If we are at a crossroads....

 

We have been for the last 5 years, probably longer.

 

In fact, I think it's been since the first of the so called 'cheap models' that were released in an attempt to provide better quality models but still keep under the so called 'magic £100' price barrier.

 

The situation isn't going to improve either.

 

How is the hobby going to manage to grow if the products are priced above the maximum price the man in the street can afford?

 

It's no good saying that 'relative to the past, locos are no more expensive'.

 

In real terms - they are more expensive, especially when you compare the prices to other hobby items that are available.

 

The price increases in model railways seems to have been greater than in other hobby areas.

 

But, as always, there are two sides to every coin.

 

For instance?

 

Who would have thought that you could buy an N Gauge loco for less than the price that they were years ago?

 

Yes - if you are not particular about what model you want, starting in N can be almost the same cost as it was over 20 years ago!

 

Yes - By buying carefully you can keep the cost of the hobby down.

 

You don't have to have every new item that is released, when it is released, do you?

 

Thanks

[stovepipe]

 

Our models don't wear out unlike other electrical goods, so the option to sell another, say, Hornby Black 5, after your existing one has worn out after 7 years don't occur.

 

Mike.

 

Though judging by Rails website and the like, there are plenty that do get broken, often in quite innovative ways. Some super detail models are almost impossible to find in good condition.

[grahame]

Can the market accept "a top notch product"  in the longer term?

 

.

I'd say undoubtedly yes.

 

CJM has managed to find a high quality premium priced niche as a tiny company producing top notch product in the N Gauge sector for over a quarter of a century now. He has built up a viable and loyal customer base.

 

However, he has announced his intention to cease production, but that is simply to retire. Age claims us all in the end.

 

G

[Revolution Mike]

By not buying that coveted model now, one must expect to pay through the nose once it's sold out. Sadly, quite a number of buyers do so in anticipation of making money flogging their purchases off on auction sites at considerably increased prices. Look no further then the APT-E: not even 24hrs after release, folk had theirs on a certain auction site at twice (or more) they paid themselves. This is a direct consequence of bespoke batch production: if 1896 are ordered, 1896 are made. Not 1897, let alone a round 2000! That leaves modellers who where unaware of the announcement and ordering period loose out. Are manufacturers really that daft they expect modellers to read each and every scrap of "news" from every possible manufacturer in the world, on the very odd and unlikely chance one of those may probably perhaps hopefully announce a model said modeller may want to own? Get real!   In my case, when Rapido announced their "the Canadian" set I had the finances to purchase one. But I wasn't aware of the company, let alone the announcement nor the quality of their models. I only found out after the order period had ended. Should someone sell their set now, it'll be at a higher cost due to the limited amount made, but now I cannot afford it anymore at any price

 

That has already happened with the "main manufacturers" - when Dapol first released their N gauge class 67 I missed out from the first run despite a pre-order (which wasn't fulfilled) and then the rest of the batch selling out almost immediately. 

 

From a manufacturer's perspective it is about ensuring that no stock is left sat in a warehouse (though that doesn't prevent a retailer purchasing some stock for exactly the eventuality that you describe).

 

Cheers, Mike

[Dunsignalling]

Yes, just where do we go from here.

 

image.jpg

If I wanted to go there, I wouldn't start from here.

 

[Dunsignalling]

 

 

 

 

The situation isn't going to improve either.

 

How is the hobby going to manage to grow if the products are priced above the maximum price the man in the street can afford?

 

It's no good saying that 'relative to the past, locos are no more expensive'.

 

In real terms - they are more expensive, especially when you compare the prices to other hobby items that are available.

 

 

 

The trouble is, I know both what I can afford and what I will stand if I want a particular model badly enough. No doubt you do too but it's unlikely that your figures and mine will tally.

 

All of us tend to think we are more-or-less typical but few of us are and neither you or I can do more than guess at what any notional "man-in-the street" can or cannot afford.

 

However, I have to disagree with your other assertion. The whole point of relating prices and income now to levels of the past is to find what models of the past would cost now if their prices were adjusted for general inflation. Everybody who does it comes up with figures not greatly at variance (either way) from current prices. In real terms, therefore new locos purchased now cost roughly the same as their counterparts did forty years ago. However, in absolute (cash) terms, they cost around ten times as much. 

 

Of course, whether one finds those prices manageable will depend on how well ones income has kept up with inflation - some have fared much better than others over the years.

 

Some "men in the street" will therefore be taking it all in their stride and others will be struggling to afford all they want. 

 

I'm somewhere in between, so does that make me "typical"?

 

John

[LNER4479]

Interesting discussion (as always). A few thoughts - and apologies if points have already been made.

 

The thread is very loco-centric - there's a lot more to this hobby than the thing at the front of the train. Does the overall 'millions of pounds' figure include wood from the DIY shop (for baseboards), wire from Maplins (other electrical equipment retailers are available), etc?

 

I would describe it as a 'milestone', end of an era (perhaps?) rather than a 'crossroads'. 'Crossroads' implies the hobby has an uncertain future, which I don't really agree with. It (the hobby) has been in existence for over 100 years and has survived two world wars and the collapse of an empire (speaking purely from a UK perspective!). I believe it will exist in some form in 100 years time.

 

I believe that what we're seeing in China is being seen in many industry sectors. I have personally witnessed the 'dash to China' in heavy engineering and the price differentials are narrowing there too, to a point in some cases where it isn't worth it any more and firms are reversing strategic decisions made 10-15 years ago. My personal prediction is that at least one of the main players will recommence manufacture back in the UK (or Europe) once we get nearer to the £200-250 loco.

 

Talking of which, I recently visited Gleiss 11 model shop on Munich station. Anyone been? Pity our continental cousins as the RTR prices are eye-watering. I would say that a £150 finely detailed loco is still a relative 'steal' for ourselves!

 

(where do Fleischmann, Piko and co get their locos manufactured, just out of interest?)

[bmthtrains - David]

Very interesting points Andy raises. I think there is a bigger issue facing the hobby however, and that is disposable income. Peak modelling age seems to be around retirement (that strange period of limbo now unimaginable to anyone under 40). The hobby is being fuelled by a generation who are retiring having paid off their mortgages and can afford to indulge their passions. My generation and below have no hope of living in the same levels of comfort and with the same disposable income as our parents, so when I am in my sixties, I will still be working - probably until health stops me maybe in my 70s.

 

How any manufacturer will be able to sell a £120 model (at today's prices) is beyond me. Quality and cost will have to drop or nobody will be able to afford anything at all.

 

David

[grahame]

Are manufacturers really that daft they expect modellers to read each and every scrap of "news" from every possible manufacturer in the world, on the very odd and unlikely chance one of those may probably perhaps hopefully announce a model said modeller may want to own. get real!  

I think you need to accept that batch production is currently the way of model railway manufacturing. And even if the batch size was larger than the total of pre-orders there is the chance of stock sitting on shelves because you, as a potential customer are not aware of it. Plus, of course, even the old continual drip feed of specific models still did finish and were no longer made when they were considered obsolete - so what do people who want one now do?

 

You can't really expect manufacturers to somehow ensure every potential customer worldwide is aware of impending new models so they can order one. They certainly do promote them quite extensively now by means of trade announcements, advertisements, press releases, on websites/forums like this, in commercial magazines and so on. If you happen to miss it you can't really blame them and call them daft. There is a certain onus on you to keep you eyes open rather than roll them.

 

G

[stewartingram]

I was thinking that the other day - but there are probably some good reasons why heritage railway model shops seem to be doing well while high street model shops are closing.

 

One reason of course, is the passing trade - particularly when a gala or similar event is on at the railway.

 

But perhaps more significantly, running costs are lower. The staff may well be volunteers, and if the railway owns its premises then there may well not be any rent to pay either. If the heritage railway is a registered charity and the shop is a part of that, then there may also be business rate/tax advantages.

 

Don't forget the overall change in our High St. The traditional High St. is dying, being filled with major chains, charity shops and empty properties. The major chains though are turning to the internet, leaving the "coffee shops" as the chain names that remain. We always used to go to the town centre on a Saturday afternoon not for anything specific but a browse and impulse buy, but I honestly can't remember the last time I went it was years ago. Most of our shopping, be it large purchases (say furniture) or small items (say birthday presents) are now from the internet. I also work all over London (since 2004) and it is noticeable that apart from the odd major area (Oxford Street, Westfield and the like), I just do not see ordinary shops! Coffee shops, takeaways and "corner" shops fill almost every retail premises.

 

Stewart