Ian Kirk Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Hi, I am coming very late to this thread having only just found it. I will not comment on the legal issues, I know David White (Slaters) very well and have heard one side but not the other. I have had no involvement in the coach range for more than 20 years now but as they still bear my name I sometimes get grief from someone who thinks that I should still be involved. I sold the Mailcoach range to Tony Brown many years ago and as these involved some standard parts from the IK range supplied him with mouldings. When I sold the coach range to Colin Ashby he continued to supply mouldings to Tony at Mailcoach and when he descided to work towards retirement Colin sold the LNER coach range to Tony. Tony had also bought Coopercraft which came with moulding machines. Problem was that the Coopercraft machines were horizontal and my machines were vertical and both had very different gating arrangements. Some of the smaller moulds could be converted fairly easily and I think that Tony made new moulds for some components. The long side/roof moulds were not so straightforward though. Most mass produced moulding machines work around a square moulding area. This meant that to produce a long component you needed a very large heavy machine. I had been using Austen Allen moulding machines (for my 4mm wagon kits) which were quite small (with a maximum mould length of about 6in.) When I wanted to make 00 coach kits I designed a variant of the machine with a long rectangular mould area and persuaded Austen Allen to build it. (they went on to build several but I have never been able to track the others down) When I sold the coaches to Colin I included this machine in the sale and Colin still has it. When he sold part of the range to Tony he continued to produce batches of mouldings on it. AS far as I am aware Colin continued to produce the long mouldings for Tony and the moulds were still functional on their own machine . Now I don't know for sure but I believe that there may have been some attempts to convert the moulds which if they have not been a success could explain the lack of saleable stock. I don't know the gentleman who now owns the range at all but hope that he sorts something out fairly soon. best wishes, Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 2750 Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Had a good chat with Mr Coopercraft at Railex. He seems to be getting things in order with his injection moulding machine, although he seemed to suggest there were issues with the machines automatic workings and he was having to add a lot of manual in put. Plenty of Kirks Greleys on display (which I bought several) plus the kitchen triplet set. I bought the first set when I first arrived and when I went back later they had all gone. Fingers crossed he is on the up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
micklner Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Thread on LNER Forum has a customer actually recieving via mail order as well. Good news !! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brassey Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Our friend was no-show at the Wigan show. Not a good way to treat your customers when you've advertised your presence on your website and in the programme. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Had a good chat with Mr Coopercraft at Railex. He seems to be getting things in order with his injection moulding machine, although he seemed to suggest there were issues with the machines automatic workings and he was having to add a lot of manual in put. Plenty of Kirks Greleys on display (which I bought several) plus the kitchen triplet set. I bought the first set when I first arrived and when I went back later they had all gone. Fingers crossed he is on the up. Thread on LNER Forum has a customer actually recieving via mail order as well. Good news !! Our friend was no-show at the Wigan show. Not a good way to treat your customers when you've advertised your presence on your website and in the programme. Two weeks would appear to be a long time in kit production..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikes Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 After reading through all of the comments regarding Coopercraft here, I have to say that I ve had a number of kits from them in the past few years and always found them to be very elpful. My most recent kit was ordered around two weeks ago, and was on my door mat very quickly, no more than about 4 days... very happy customer! Thanks Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 I placed an internet order with Coopercraft just over a week ago. At the same time I also ordered from C&L and Eileen's. At the time of the order I received two emails, one acknowledging that I registered and the other confirming my order. Trouble is, at no time was I asked to provide a card number and the confirmation email says "Payment for Overseas Delivery". I did send off a message via the Contact Us function asking about that - I thought that perhaps overseas shipping charges had to be calculated and a follow up email asking for payment would follow. I haven't received an answer. I read over some of the comments about the viability of the business and find that troubling. I especially like Slaters 4mm kits and would like some more along with a cleminson chassis. I have a box of Slater's kits - some of these are branded C&L who no longer seem to have them. Wondering if anyone overseas has successfully received an order recently. Oh, I got my Eileen's package on Friday and the C&L arrived today. Thanks John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium uax6 Posted June 17, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 17, 2014 John, Branchlines does a very nice midland clemmy chassis, it's not advertised as being available seperately, but I've had one from them... Andy G Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach bogie Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Brassmasters produce an excellent set sold as units and not part of a coach kit. http://www.brassmasters.co.uk/cleminson_underframe.htm Mike Wiltshire Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro_man Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Wondering if anyone overseas has successfully received an order recently. Thanks John Hi John, I have stocked Cooper Craft for years and despite emailing Paul several times over the past year or so about availability of product, I have yet to receive a reply. When I have tried calling, I have either not got an answer or have been told of the problem with the casting machine, a problem getting other bits, or a problem with something else but that everything would be sorted in a couple of weeks. Still nothing! I do have some Slater's kits and undeframes in stock and also some Cooper Craft ex C&L and ex Kirk, but when they are gone, they will most likely not be restocked - and not because we don't want to. Steve Model Railway Imports Canada Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Thanks for that Steve. If a major retailer can't get a response what chance do I have? I was wanting two more LMS/MR Cattle Vans, the charming short MR brake and a cleminson chassis. Your site doesn't show these unfortunately. I haven't used the Branchlines cleminson Andy, aren't Branchlines a bit stealthy? AFAIK they don't have a web presence. I have some old catalogues. I'm afraid dealing with them from over here may be a bit tiresome. Mike, the Brassmasters cleminson is great, I have a project on the go at the moment. For a future project (Chivers 6 wheeled fish) I need something with inside bearings because the axleboxes can't move, having reinforcing bars. I used one of these on an earlier model with great success. John Just a quick update, I reached Paul by phone and got my order sorted. Also got the payment sorted too - my fault. I'm feeling pretty happy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jol Wilkinson Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 I haven't used the Branchlines cleminson Andy, aren't Branchlines a bit stealthy? AFAIK they don't have a web presence. John ?? http://www.brassmasters.co.uk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 That would be Brassmasters, then. Branchlines have a blog but the new owners don't seem to update it. I think the contact and ordering details are still valid. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jol Wilkinson Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 That would be Brassmasters, then. Branchlines have a blog but the new owners don't seem to update it. I think the contact and ordering details are still valid. Yep, I missread John's post. I've been a bit confused after travelling the full length of the RH&DR, 15" gauge, 1/3 scale locos, full size passengers, etc. An out of date blog gives the wrong impression, surely better to close it and rely on people finding you through the CLAG suppliers.text site or the UK Model Shop Directory. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Just a quick update, I reached Paul by phone and got my order sorted. Also got the payment sorted too - my fault. I'm feeling pretty happy.That sounds like very positive news. Any details on your "fault" regarding payment as it might be something others may benefit from (ie failed to tick a terms and conditions box or something similar)? It sounded from your previous post that you were not asked for payment through a fault of the site not your own. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Rather embarrassing really, I failed to spot the "Pay Now" button on the account status page. I have found that it is usually invaluable to phone a person to talk one on one when there are problems. Email is a great tool, but shouldn't be relied on totally. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skaran Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Rather embarrassing really, I failed to spot the "Pay Now" button on the account status page. I have found that it is usually invaluable to phone a person to talk one on one when there are problems. Email is a great tool, but shouldn't be relied on totally. John I'm glad someone got something. I placed an order in July 2013 from Australia and used the paynow button. This was before the website was adjusted to state that Slaters coaches were not available (I had ordered two of them). Despite numerous attempts I have never had a reply and in the end I got the bank to recover the funds I had transferred to pay for the tiems. As of today that order is still sitting there marked pending. Sadly unless thing change drastically I seriously doubt whether I will ever purchase anything from there again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Well, Skaran, I guess it's wait and see. Which coaches were you after? I have three of the 6 wheeled Claytons that I'll probably never do - being out of period for me. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skaran Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 What I initially ordered was a C28 Toplight and D14 Clerestory Brake 3rd. This was basically to see if I liked the kits and if so would have been followed up by probably 6-8 more coaches to make up a couple of trains for my pre WW1 setting. I'm now looking at Worsley for at least some of what I want. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium uax6 Posted June 18, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 18, 2014 Branchlines are worth speaking too, the owner (Dave or is in Brian?) is very helpful, and is quite happy to mix and match things out of his kits to get you what you want. His clemmy chassis is etched brass (designed for midland stock) I can remember if it uses inside bearings or not mind. Andy G Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brassey Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 I've had a couple of GWR coach etches from Worsley with a very prompt service but I am still waiting for requested LNWR items that are listed on the website. I guess these are only get etched when there is a bulk order. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Cheers Andy, that is certainly noting for the future. Branchlines stuff look to be top notch. For now though, what I need is on the way. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncornwall Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 Has he got so much money tied up in the etches, he can't afford to now get the castings done. Bit late to this thread: However much he's got 'tied up',some £10 is what he took off me months/years ago and failed to supply the goods.. There's probably a law against it, but pursuing him ain't going to be worth the candle if the business is bankrupt? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColHut Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 Certainly a little frustrating trying to contact them from overseas using their contact form. I wonder if it goes anywhere now? I hope they sort themselves out as there are a couple of sets I would rather like to put together. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinjamesporter Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Hi all, I spoke to Paul on monday on the phone. Managed to get through on the first attempt. I had bought 4 of his 16mm slate wagon kits when i was at Garden railway specialists the weekend before and found one of them was missing tje mouldings for the bracket for the coupling. When i spoke to him he said i would have them by the end of the week. They turned up in the post this moring. Excellent service from Coopercraft. Best wishes Colin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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