Gone but not forgotten

[Mikkel]

Nope it was the 1/24th scale P51 Mustang from Airfix which I promised myself I'd do again properly one day but never got around to it.

 

Well there's still time, Rob :-)

[wainwright1]

Just picked up this thread.

Coming from sarf of the river, Thames that is, I can recall the following:

W & S Stamps in the Old Kent Road. Penny in the slot train set in the window, good stock of Tri-ang 00 and TT, not sure if he kept Dublo, but he did have some glass cases on the inside of the window display which I think may have contained Exley coaches, but I do not think I ever saw any sold.

There was also the new Co-op in Walworth Road (mid 60's) which had lots of Tri-ang that was sold off cheap a few years later and provided me with a layout equipped with the old grey and series three black track.

Moving to Deptford on the Broadway there was Nobles Toy Shop which was well with stocked Hornby Dublo, Tri-ang, Meccano and much more. In the High Street close to the entrance to the station there was a kiosk which only opened on Saturdays and only sold model railway stuff. I got lots of bits from there when it closed down.

Back to the Broadway in the 90's the was Alpek Models. Alan Bower who was made redundant and decided to open a model railway shop. He was there for a couple of years, but had to move as the premises needed to be demolished to make way for the Lewisham extension of the Docklands Light Railway. We helped him to move to to Evelyn Street. He was there for another couple of years, then the developer next door managed to cut away the foundations of his shop causing it to subside. He then gave up and shut the shop and got trained as a signalman !.

At Lewisham on Lee High Road we had Lewisham Models, a well stocked model shop I think, owned by a woman and employing a young Dave Brewer, later chair of Greenwich and Dist. Narrow Gauge Railway Soc. Much later on almost the opposite side of the road there was Lewisham Toys and Models, mostly diecast and books, but also selling railways for a few years. Porprietor Colin Haynes, who is still with us and still selling by mail order and at bus rallies, but not model railway stuff.

Up the road at Catford almost opposite Lewisham Hospital, there was the Model Hobby Consortium. Not sure who owned this, but it later became a Beatties. After a little while this burnt down, I think that another one up in Liverpool burnt down around the same time ! Anyway, after a short while a new one opened in the Lewisham Riverdale Centre, employing guess who, Dave Brewer. From memory after Beatties collapsed, I think that Dave went on to work at Modelzone Bluewater and later the Signalbox at Rochester, before passing away prematurely a couple of years ago.

I do not think anyone has mentioned ABC (Allan, Brett Cannon) on London Bridge Station Approach. It was there for many years. I started working just north of the river in 1970 while they were re-building London Bridge Station and London Bridge itself at the same time. While they were doing the station. ABC also moved just north of the river for a couple of years until it was finsihed and then moved back to a different arch before its demise a couple of years later. The Allan in the name was if fact Ian Allan the publisher, one of the partners and I believe that they had a second shop in Shepherds Bush.

About 1973 we moved offices to Finsbury Circus which backed on to Liverpool Street and Broad Street Stations. there had been a model shop an an arcade opposite Liverpool Street which had shut just before we moved there, but there was also a shop in an arch on the side of Broad Street which I think was called Ross Shields. A few years later a new shop opened in Middlesex Street (Petticoat Lane), and the shop in Broad Street closed with the chap who worked there now at the new shop.

I also used to visit Son of Chuffs in Bucklersbury, (and once Chuffs in Lission Grove). Son of was most difficult to negotiate as the floor was covered with boxes of second hand stock, but we got some good bargains when they closed down after a couple of years.

I don't think anyone has mentioned Hamblings of Cecil Court, off Charing Cross Road. One of the old establised businesses that were very early providers of kits and small batch built ready to run models, plus litho printed coach and wagon sides and wooden components to make complete models. I believe that the litho sides and a large range of buidlings and backscenes are still available from the Engine Shed at Leystonstone and Freestones.

On a very local level to where I live now, there used to be Charles Covey the O Gauge specialist of Queens Road, Peckham, who started in one room in a house and then moved across the road to a shop in Kings Grove. He sold out to Home of O Gauge. By the way, when Hamblings closed their shop down they moved to the same room in the house in Queens Road to sell off their remaining stock.

I did of course visit all the other well established shops: W and H at New Cavendish Street, Kings Cross Models alongside the station and Victors just up the hill, although he only sold continetal and american models. there were many other shops which also sold model railways as part of their stock, but most of these have now disappeared.

Happy days

 

RB

[Weaselfish]

Just found this thread. Also in Birmingham was Thorntons, which was up a little alleyway by the Kings Arms pub. Got my Triang-Hornby GWR pannier from there in about 1972 for £3.99. I don't know when it closed.

[tomparryharry]

Just picked up this thread.

Coming from sarf of the river, Thames that is, I can recall the following:

W & S Stamps in the Old Kent Road. Penny in the slot train set in the window, good stock of Tri-ang 00 and TT, not sure if he kept Dublo, but he did have some glass cases on the inside of the window display which I think may have contained Exley coaches, but I do not think I ever saw any sold.

There was also the new Co-op in Walworth Road (mid 60's) which had lots of Tri-ang that was sold off cheap a few years later and provided me with a layout equipped with the old grey and series three black track.

Moving to Deptford on the Broadway there was Nobles Toy Shop which was well with stocked Hornby Dublo, Tri-ang, Meccano and much more. In the High Street close to the entrance to the station there was a kiosk which only opened on Saturdays and only sold model railway stuff. I got lots of bits from there when it closed down.

Back to the Broadway in the 90's the was Alpek Models. Alan Bower who was made redundant and decided to open a model railway shop. He was there for a couple of years, but had to move as the premises needed to be demolished to make way for the Lewisham extension of the Docklands Light Railway. We helped him to move to to Evelyn Street. He was there for another couple of years, then the developer next door managed to cut away the foundations of his shop causing it to subside. He then gave up and shut the shop and got trained as a signalman !.

At Lewisham on Lee High Road we had Lewisham Models, a well stocked model shop I think, owned by a woman and employing a young Dave Brewer, later chair of Greenwich and Dist. Narrow Gauge Railway Soc. Much later on almost the opposite side of the road there was Lewisham Toys and Models, mostly diecast and books, but also selling railways for a few years. Porprietor Colin Haynes, who is still with us and still selling by mail order and at bus rallies, but not model railway stuff.

Up the road at Catford almost opposite Lewisham Hospital, there was the Model Hobby Consortium. Not sure who owned this, but it later became a Beatties. After a little while this burnt down, I think that another one up in Liverpool burnt down around the same time ! Anyway, after a short while a new one opened in the Lewisham Riverdale Centre, employing guess who, Dave Brewer. From memory after Beatties collapsed, I think that Dave went on to work at Modelzone Bluewater and later the Signalbox at Rochester, before passing away prematurely a couple of years ago.

I do not think anyone has mentioned ABC (Allan, Brett Cannon) on London Bridge Station Approach. It was there for many years. I started working just north of the river in 1970 while they were re-building London Bridge Station and London Bridge itself at the same time. While they were doing the station. ABC also moved just north of the river for a couple of years until it was finsihed and then moved back to a different arch before its demise a couple of years later. The Allan in the name was if fact Ian Allan the publisher, one of the partners and I believe that they had a second shop in Shepherds Bush.

About 1973 we moved offices to Finsbury Circus which backed on to Liverpool Street and Broad Street Stations. there had been a model shop an an arcade opposite Liverpool Street which had shut just before we moved there, but there was also a shop in an arch on the side of Broad Street which I think was called Ross Shields. A few years later a new shop opened in Middlesex Street (Petticoat Lane), and the shop in Broad Street closed with the chap who worked there now at the new shop.

I also used to visit Son of Chuffs in Bucklersbury, (and once Chuffs in Lission Grove). Son of was most difficult to negotiate as the floor was covered with boxes of second hand stock, but we got some good bargains when they closed down after a couple of years.

I don't think anyone has mentioned Hamblings of Cecil Court, off Charing Cross Road. One of the old establised businesses that were very early providers of kits and small batch built ready to run models, plus litho printed coach and wagon sides and wooden components to make complete models. I believe that the litho sides and a large range of buidlings and backscenes are still available from the Engine Shed at Leystonstone and Freestones.

On a very local level to where I live now, there used to be Charles Covey the O Gauge specialist of Queens Road, Peckham, who started in one room in a house and then moved across the road to a shop in Kings Grove. He sold out to Home of O Gauge. By the way, when Hamblings closed their shop down they moved to the same room in the house in Queens Road to sell off their remaining stock.

I did of course visit all the other well established shops: W and H at New Cavendish Street, Kings Cross Models alongside the station and Victors just up the hill, although he only sold continetal and american models. there were many other shops which also sold model railways as part of their stock, but most of these have now disappeared.

Happy days

 

RB

 I remember a shop at Crystal Palace. Penny in the slot train set. !964-71 ish....

 

Ian

[sagaguy]

Just picked up this thread.

Coming from sarf of the river, Thames that is, I can recall the following:

W & S Stamps in the Old Kent Road. Penny in the slot train set in the window, good stock of Tri-ang 00 and TT, not sure if he kept Dublo, but he did have some glass cases on the inside of the window display which I think may have contained Exley coaches, but I do not think I ever saw any sold.

There was also the new Co-op in Walworth Road (mid 60's) which had lots of Tri-ang that was sold off cheap a few years later and provided me with a layout equipped with the old grey and series three black track.

Moving to Deptford on the Broadway there was Nobles Toy Shop which was well with stocked Hornby Dublo, Tri-ang, Meccano and much more. In the High Street close to the entrance to the station there was a kiosk which only opened on Saturdays and only sold model railway stuff. I got lots of bits from there when it closed down.

Back to the Broadway in the 90's the was Alpek Models. Alan Bower who was made redundant and decided to open a model railway shop. He was there for a couple of years, but had to move as the premises needed to be demolished to make way for the Lewisham extension of the Docklands Light Railway. We helped him to move to to Evelyn Street. He was there for another couple of years, then the developer next door managed to cut away the foundations of his shop causing it to subside. He then gave up and shut the shop and got trained as a signalman !.

At Lewisham on Lee High Road we had Lewisham Models, a well stocked model shop I think, owned by a woman and employing a young Dave Brewer, later chair of Greenwich and Dist. Narrow Gauge Railway Soc. Much later on almost the opposite side of the road there was Lewisham Toys and Models, mostly diecast and books, but also selling railways for a few years. Porprietor Colin Haynes, who is still with us and still selling by mail order and at bus rallies, but not model railway stuff.

Up the road at Catford almost opposite Lewisham Hospital, there was the Model Hobby Consortium. Not sure who owned this, but it later became a Beatties. After a little while this burnt down, I think that another one up in Liverpool burnt down around the same time ! Anyway, after a short while a new one opened in the Lewisham Riverdale Centre, employing guess who, Dave Brewer. From memory after Beatties collapsed, I think that Dave went on to work at Modelzone Bluewater and later the Signalbox at Rochester, before passing away prematurely a couple of years ago.

I do not think anyone has mentioned ABC (Allan, Brett Cannon) on London Bridge Station Approach. It was there for many years. I started working just north of the river in 1970 while they were re-building London Bridge Station and London Bridge itself at the same time. While they were doing the station. ABC also moved just north of the river for a couple of years until it was finsihed and then moved back to a different arch before its demise a couple of years later. The Allan in the name was if fact Ian Allan the publisher, one of the partners and I believe that they had a second shop in Shepherds Bush.

About 1973 we moved offices to Finsbury Circus which backed on to Liverpool Street and Broad Street Stations. there had been a model shop an an arcade opposite Liverpool Street which had shut just before we moved there, but there was also a shop in an arch on the side of Broad Street which I think was called Ross Shields. A few years later a new shop opened in Middlesex Street (Petticoat Lane), and the shop in Broad Street closed with the chap who worked there now at the new shop.

I also used to visit Son of Chuffs in Bucklersbury, (and once Chuffs in Lission Grove). Son of was most difficult to negotiate as the floor was covered with boxes of second hand stock, but we got some good bargains when they closed down after a couple of years.

I don't think anyone has mentioned Hamblings of Cecil Court, off Charing Cross Road. One of the old establised businesses that were very early providers of kits and small batch built ready to run models, plus litho printed coach and wagon sides and wooden components to make complete models. I believe that the litho sides and a large range of buidlings and backscenes are still available from the Engine Shed at Leystonstone and Freestones.

On a very local level to where I live now, there used to be Charles Covey the O Gauge specialist of Queens Road, Peckham, who started in one room in a house and then moved across the road to a shop in Kings Grove. He sold out to Home of O Gauge. By the way, when Hamblings closed their shop down they moved to the same room in the house in Queens Road to sell off their remaining stock.

I did of course visit all the other well established shops: W and H at New Cavendish Street, Kings Cross Models alongside the station and Victors just up the hill, although he only sold continetal and american models. there were many other shops which also sold model railways as part of their stock, but most of these have now disappeared.

Happy days

 

RB

 

Hi,the shop in Liverpool St.was Ross Shiells.There was also a model shop in an Arcade opposite where i bought a Fuji 3.5 cc Glo engine for my model boats!!!.

 

 

    Ray.

[gismorail]

It is amazing how many of these once treasured model shops have disappeared over the years and how it would appear that most large towns have had at lease one good model shop.

Reading through these pages has made I remember back to the number of model shops that graced the Chester area over the years.

My first train set was purchased from a tiny shop in the Garden Lane area run by a gentleman called Mr Trickett ( think the spelling is right) He used to combine the sale of model railway items with a sweet shop and post office.

In the city centre there was Arts & Crafts which was a family run business who's youngest son Nick became of very close friend to this day (in fact he and I are going to the Chester FC match tonight come on the blues) It was not just a model railway shop but also sold any type of toy that was available in 'the day' as well as a craft shop opposite in St Michaels Row. The shop moved location a few years ago and became a Model Zone outlet which we all know about the failings of that set up ..... but good news came out of its demise and we now have The Chester Model Centre which is run by 'Penekth Paul' who had a shop in Warrington until this new venture in Chester. 

Other shops that I can relate too in this fair city:

The Model Shop which was originally in Northgate Street near the cinema and finally ran out its time just by 'the cross' alongside 'Siddalls' the opticians and was run by a lady by the name of Miss Needham.

There was for a while a tiny little shop in Greyfriars Street which you had to go down a narrow passageway to get to called the Trainshop I think. There was hardly room to swing a skinny cat in there as it just had a tiny customer area and all the stock was stacked floor to ceiling along the back wall behind the counter ad I can remember purchasing a Traing green DMU from there.

I do recall that for a while there was another shop in Frodsham Street the name escapes my memory but I bought a Woodhead Electric loco from them along with masts and overhead that never did get used probably early Hornby ???

These shops would have been in the late 60's early 70's if anyone can remember them

I remember Waltons of Altricham having a shop by the new Chester market for a number of years and a member of the staff Simon Scott later took over Hart's Models  in Buttermarket Street  Warrington and it became CDS Models which later moved around the corner, that again has now gone but fortunately I have been able to keep in touch with Simon .

Other shops in the local area were Runcorn Model Supplies run by the late John Dutton , City Models in Liverpool , near the St Johns Market , There was also another couple in Liverpool by the old Exchange Station and one in Stanley Street near the old Radio City Studio's. Can anyone remember the one on Queens Drive??? or the electrical shop in Formby that sold model railways as a side line.I think he ran a show in the town for a number of years as I remember taking a layout there one year.

It seems to be a common link that a lot of these shops moved quite a few times during their trading days

 

Happy days and sad that so many have now disappeared but I have to say that I have met so many of my model railway friends through these shops.

[5050]

The 'shop' I remember in Chester was down a street that went to the right of the Wrexham Rd. not far from Davies bike shop.  It was on an upper floor of a terraced building (possibly an old house?) and had a display case on the ground floor full of Hornby 0 Gauge - to which I 'donated' a loco and coaches.  It was the first place I saw such exotica as K's kits and Peco track and I think that some of the younger members of the Chester MRC either worked or spent their Saturdays there.  This would have been in the late 50's.

 

There was also a toy shop at the end of one of the small 'cul-de-sacs' on The Rows but I knew of this when I was quite young.  It was a place I was taken to for a look in the window as a treat if I had been a 'good boy' on one of my mother's shopping trips, the best bit of which was the bus ride from Wrexham on the top deck of a Crosville Bristol double decker!

Edited December 2, 2014 by 5050

[railroadbill]

Nope it was the 1/24th scale P51 Mustang from Airfix which I promised myself I'd do again properly one day but never got around to it.

It was in the Airfix Black Friday sale so still around. Mind you it was £29 or so, but nearly half price. Have seen them on e-bay for less though but a big model to display.  :-)  I bought a s-boat and couple of mtb kits (same reason as you I guess) but also a DH 88 comet (for £1.99)  which I first made as a teenager having bought it in-- Woolworths!  The supplier of my plastic kits when I was a school boy and they cost 2'  in a plastic  bag....

 

So, Woolworths, another disappearing shop...

[railroadbill]

Denmark's oldest and best model shop closed last year. 65 years in the business. Located in a basement, it was a classic treasure trove. The best thing was that you had direct access to all the goods, so you could hold things in your hands and get a feel for them.

 

And then there were the owners of course, who added loads of character. The web can do a lot of things, but it can't give you this!

 

Image1.jpg

 

Where was that, Mikkel?  I used to visit Trinbrættet in Århus on trips there which was in Frederiks Allé not too far from the main station. Got a cast MH body that came from them on my shelf still to do, but did buy various wagons plus the wonderful Heljan Pølsevogne kit which I have made up... The shop was very friendly and it was a shame when Mads died and it closed a while after.

The other great shop in Århus was Henning Clausens boghandel which was just about the most amazing book shop ever, large railway section,  books piled to the ceiling and only the elderly owner can have known where they all were...    Same shop under new ownership and much better organised, some train books but not as many.  (And yes they do speak English...)

[Mikkel]

Where was that, Mikkel?  I used to visit Trinbrættet in Århus on trips there which was in Frederiks Allé not too far from the main station. Got a cast MH body that came from them on my shelf still to do, but did buy various wagons plus the wonderful Heljan Pølsevogne kit which I have made up... The shop was very friendly and it was a shame when Mads died and it closed a while after.

The other great shop in Århus was Henning Clausens boghandel which was just about the most amazing book shop ever, large railway section,  books piled to the ceiling and only the elderly owner can have known where they all were...    Same shop under new ownership and much better organised, some train books but not as many.  (And yes they do speak English...)

 

It was in Copenhagen, in the basement of a street called Frederiksborggade near Nörreport station. They didn't actually have all that much in the way of model railways, but lots of very useful tools, paints and materials (metal, wood, plastics, you name it).  I never managed to visit Trinbrættet in Århus, I think it's gone now, as a physical shop at least. 

[railroadbill]

 

It was in Copenhagen, in the basement of a street called Frederiksborggade near Nörreport station. They didn't actually have all that much in the way of model railways, but lots of very useful tools, paints and materials (metal, wood, plastics, you name it).  I never managed to visit Trinbrættet in Århus, I think it's gone now, as a physical shop at least. 

 

Thanks for that, because of where relatives live at present we go to Århus a lot more than København so I've never really had enough time to visit any model shops there but I guess there must be more choice. Trinbrættet closed completely, sadly, must have been about 2004 or so. The owner died and his wife and family went on with it for a while but no trace now. Pity, they did some of their own products, the MH shunter  body, bodies for YM railcars that I've never seen anywhere else, and he had a conversion for a litra E pacific from a Marklin loco (think it was an 18) long before the Heljan one came out (not that I've ever seen one of those!)

I've just tried googling the name but didn't come up with anything.

There was also Tog and Techno in Aalborg but only went there once.

 

I'd better stop at this point...

[sir douglas]

since the closure of Wakefield, ive been going to the Lofthouse shop, ive noticed that they've expanded their range slightly to take over some of the stuff that wakefield had. Also a new shop opened up not long before just up the road towards the city centre but its mostly RC stuff

[Xerces Fobe2]

MTK & Model Shop 33 Stoke Road Slough - Colin Massingham's  lair in the 1970's - Talc and metal filings everywhere!

 

Crownline in Maidenhead at 2 locations in the 1980's  Dave King with Colin Massingham too!

[TheWeatheringMan]

Hi All,

Wow! - i've just discovered this thread and does'nt it bring back happy memories from my formative years in the hobby.

Some of those long gone names are fondly remembered.

Perhaps I might add a memory or two of my own.

 

Paid several visits to 'The Home of OO Gauge' - Messrs Hamblings Models of Cecil Court, off Charring Cross Rd. Remember it as not that big but packed with fabulous items. Was an enthusiastic user of their wheel range that went on true and properly quartered if used with the special tool.

Another shop I used and i've not seen mentioned was Jones Bros. of Chiswick - well stocked and an excelent mail order service as well.

 

In Coventry there was 'Models and Leisure' on Sewell Highway and home to M & L 'Premier' cast kits (i've got an original M & L Dean 'Single' still untouched awaiting building, complete with 24 carrat gold plated dome and safety valve.

This shop was a partnership between Ron Cadman and one P. Waterman - I seem to think that Mr Waterman went onto other things including playing with real trains but has since returned to the fold!.

 

We have had the old Fratton Bargain Centre ('Altogether Now'!) mentioned earlier and more recently Trevor Salt's two shops in Southampton.

It might interest some that Trevor (a very nice chap) is the son of Jack Salt of FBS. (edited here as I accidently made it sound as though Trevor was no longer with us - sincerest appologies Trevor).

 

(mention to StationMaster)

Thanks Mike for refreshing my memory as to what E.A.M.E.S stood for - was trying to recall that several months ago but could'nt bring it to mind.

Lovely shop in Tudor Road - provided you remembered the step down straight inside the door or you could 'fly' to the counter!.

Had a 'run in' with Ted Morris once - I was asked to 'set' an advert for E.A.M.E.S. in connection with buses. He supplied 'copy' as text only and I, thinking I was doing right, added the well known train logo at the top of the advert. When I took the proof to Reading to show him he was very angry to see the logo included and instructed me in no uncertain terms to remove said logo and substitute plain text.

Ted could indeed be a gruff old chap who didnt suffer fools gladly and could be very short if a young modeller asked what he (Ted) thought was a basic question. Clearly remember Paul Karau of Wild Swan as a young assistant.

Several years earlier my mum used to take me on the train to the shop where she bought me a Hornby Dublo MetroVic Co-Bo and a growing collection of 'super detail' coaches - wonderful days indeed. On one of these trips I saw the GWS 14xx operating on the Wallingford branch in the bay at Cholsey and Moulsford.

 

Yes indeed, this thread has brought back happy memories - many thanks to all for your memories.

 

Regards All

Edited December 2, 2014 by TheWeatheringMan

[andytrains]

A few years later a new shop opened in Middlesex Street (Petticoat Lane).

That was Hadley Hobbies.

[TheWeatheringMan]

MTK & Model Shop 33 Stoke Road Slough - Colin Massingham's  lair in the 1970's - Talc and metal filings everywhere!

 

Crownline in Maidenhead at 2 locations in the 1980's  Dave King with Colin Massingham too!

Hi,

Whilst a guard on the railway I used to travel to Maidenhead regularly to Crownline. Always a laugh with Dave and the late, much missed Colin.

Regards

[railroadbill]

A few years later a new shop opened in Middlesex Street (Petticoat Lane).

That was Hadley Hobbies.

Hadley Hobbies were great. Last things I bought from them were a Lima 47 and 40, still got those,musdt have been late 80s. Also,   a Ks Princess kit still not quite finished...   Used to have showcases of  Liliput, Trix and so on,  very good and with price tags to match.  Chap who started it, whose name I don't know, used to have a shop in Eldon St the other side of Liverpool st going towards Moorgate.  Half shop sold railways, half sold stamps.  My H & M controllers came from there! Good advice from that shop. Looking back at another world, really.

[andyman7]

A few years later a new shop opened in Middlesex Street (Petticoat Lane).

That was Hadley Hobbies.

I remember the last day's service into Broad Street - 28 June 1986 I think -  I had about 30 minutes to kill and nipped over to Hadley Hobbies

[Greengiant]

Hobbytime of West Wickham was a real treat when Mum and Dad took me and my brother there occasionally.

The owner puffing on his pipe, the secondhand section at the back of the shop and the kit built selections in the display cabinets.

 

Martin

[railroadbill]

I remember the last day's service into Broad Street - 28 June 1986 I think -  I had about 30 minutes to kill and nipped over to Hadley Hobbies

Only 30 mins?  Must have missed a lot!  :-)

 

 

Think Broad St station used to have a model of a North London tank in a glass case?  Those were the days.

[Mike Storey]

Does anyone remember Barrett's of Canterbury?

 

Spent many an hour in there model and or toy department (this was downstairs in the basement). Later years saw me go up to the first floor where the records were sold (only vinyl and cassette tapes then).

 

Barretts are still going, and have expanded into the shops either side, but are just a DIY store now, although absolutely fantastic for all those things you can't find in the usual suspect chain stores.

[Mike Storey]

Just found this interesting thread,brings back memories.Mentioning the model shop in Lincoln rd.Peterborough,i remember driving there fro Northampton in the late 8o`s/early 90`s to get my HD 3rail locos repaired,he also supplied me with a Lima Cl.81 converted to 3 rail with a Marklin skate & a Lima 3 car DMU(Cl.117?) on the same principle.I had never been along such a long cul desac,i seem to remember it was one of the last shops in the road!!!.

 

 

  ray.

 

Technically, no, as Lincoln Road continues a further mile or two on the other side of the roundabout. But yes, it was a great little shop (now a Chinese takeaway, or similar, opposite Morrisons) but the current Trains4U, on the other side of P.boro, is far, far superior.

[stewartingram]

With all due respect, I wouldn't class the Lincoln Road shop and Trains4U in the same league. T4U is a fantastic resource, but in the modern idiom of modelshops. Well stocked with rtr and pre-owned (posher than secondhand lol), with some extras from the smaller suppliers that back up the rtr (Peco,Metcalfe, and more). But none of the older stuff that was stocked in Lincoln Road, such as whitemetal kits, Craftsman brass etches, etc,etc. I would class these 2 shops as of equal status, but from different eras.

Sadly the names escape me, but originally the Lincoln Road shop was run by the father; later on his son took over after he passed away. I still see the son visiting exhibitions and swapmeets, so he is still enthusiastic. Maybe even on here?

 

Stewart

[40F]

Was`nt the father called John Fowler and he used to be a signalman at Werrington Junction

[salop89a]

There was a model shop in Redditch in one of the shops surrounding the "market square" (a dismal municipal precinct in the shopping centre) where I bought my first rolling stock with my own pocket money (a Mainline flatbed wagon, cost me around GBP 1.35). It wasn't a proper model shop, the main business was a photo studio and I don't think they sold much in the way of accessories. No idea what it was called, and it vanished without traced a couple of years later, by which time I was taking my (modest) business to Beatties above Birmingham New Street station.

My wife used to help out occasionally in that shop but I think it had probably closed by the time we met in 1980. She thinks it was called the Camera Shop and as you say, that was the main business. That area of the precinct was redeveloped years ago. The former owner of the shop is still active in the Redditch Model Railway Club.