sub39h Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Hello guys, This is a bit of an appeal for the above model shop. I have no affiliation with it other than being a satisfied customer. I've been there three times now, and the owner really is a delight. He's been running the model shop sort of as a hobby, and has been operating at a loss for the last 3 years. I went into the shop yesterday and was chatting to him and as per usual he couldn't have been more helpful. However I got the impression that he's considering closing up as the venture (albeit as a hobby which he was willing to make a small loss on) is now losing more money than is sustainable. He mentioned for example he didn't even take £190 last week. If you're new to the model railways game, he will give you practical tips and advice on how to get started. He is a former school teacher who used to build model railways for his kids. He does not have much experience with DCC but will certainly get you well on your way if you're a beginner and are wanting to start out with DC. Trust me, he always has time for his customers. I urge you all to visit or call. If he doesn't have items in stock he will order them for you or do his best to track them down. He has some older Bachmann items and a good selection of 2nd hand stock and is definitely worth a visit if you're after something a little unusual or no longer in production. He doesn't have the space to display everything but if you give him a list he might have it in storage. He will do his best to price match online competitors as well. It would be a shame for another model shop to go the way of many others. From what I can tell, model railways are not a popular endeavour in London (no spare space). But if you're visiting, he's only a short tube ride away on the Piccadilly Line and definitely worth popping in for. Many thanks 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 I've been in there twice. It's quite an anarchic place. Unfortunately the proprietor didn't have what I was looking for at the time...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oldlugger Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 It must be really tough running a model railway shop these days (or any small shop, for that matter). The recession; the internet; cost of fuel; limited model runs, etc, etc, must be knocking the the trade for six. Unless you're on the scale of Modelzone or Hattons with a huge turnover via the shop and online, I think the possibility of making a living from a small business such as this must be hard to say the least. My sometimes local model shop in west Wales is such an example of this tricky situation. Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickL2008 Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 I went there a few weeks ago, lots of stuff a shame that he wanted expensive prices for it, no doubt to help keep the shop going etc ... picked up a few nice Intercity Lima mk3s from there in decent condition NL Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sub39h Posted June 18, 2013 Author Share Posted June 18, 2013 I've been in there twice. It's quite an anarchic place. Unfortunately the proprietor didn't have what I was looking for at the time...... Haha yes it is a bit of a mess but there are some absolute gems to be found in there if you're willing to spend a bit of time. Tbh it's no worse than some other model shops I've been in! It must be really tough running a model railway shop these days (or any small shop, for that matter). The recession; the internet; cost of fuel; limited model runs, etc, etc, must be knocking the the trade for six. Unless you're on the scale of Modelzone or Hattons with a huge turnover via the shop and online, I think the possibility of making a living from a small business such as this must be hard to say the least. My sometimes local model shop in west Wales is such an example of this tricky situation. Simon No doubt being in London doesn't help. However I think now that Hattons are having their hands forced by Bachmann to not undersell items things may change. I went there a few weeks ago, lots of stuff a shame that he wanted expensive prices for it, no doubt to help keep the shop going etc ... picked up a few nice Intercity Lima mk3s from there in decent condition NL haha i was wondering where those had gone. i was eyeing them up myself. glad they've gone to a good home though Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium MrSimon Posted July 2, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 2, 2013 Hi Does he sell N? Will have to pop in Cheers Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sub39h Posted July 3, 2013 Author Share Posted July 3, 2013 hi mate, he definitely has some stock in N gauge locos in the glass cabinet on the right as soon as you enter. i've also seen various bits of rolling stock as well. but how much i couldn't tell you as i model in OO so that's what i was looking out for. certainly most of his stock seems to be OO. best of luck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sub39h Posted October 11, 2013 Author Share Posted October 11, 2013 (edited) Just a quick update on this - sadly i think this is a battle we are losing. I spoke with the owner yesterday when I popped in and he feels that unless his rent stays the same he is likely to shut when his lease expires. I do urge people to pop in and not be put off by the disorganised nature of his shop. I've been visiting for a few months now and it even takes me quite a while to sift through and find things I'm after. Items that may interest someone that he has in stock at the minute: Bachmann Class 350 vinyl conversion to SWT Class 450 Bachmann Class 221 Virgin livery Bachmann DRS Class 66 Hornby Railroad Class 9F Cock o' the North Hornby Harry Potter train set Hornby Brighton Belle 1934 I'm sure there's lots more but that's all I can remember for now. Definitely worth a visit guys. He is also an unofficial service centre as well but seems to have a wealth of experience. (I have no financial affiliation with Northfields Model Shop - just a satisfied customer that wants to see my local-ish model shop live a little longer.) Edited October 11, 2013 by sub39h Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pint of Adnams Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Going to stay in Ealing Broadway later this month and I'd like to pay a visit, but is he still open and is it still worth the trip along the Piccalilli line? Looking for coaches more than locomotives... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I popped in there yesterday so yes, he is still open. Stewart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pint of Adnams Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I popped in there yesterday so yes, he is still open. Stewart Thanks very much for the courtesy of replying... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pacific231G Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 (edited) I discovered him just before Christmas and he couldn't have been more helpful so I hope he's able to keep going. I'm not sure why Greater London is so peculiarly short of model railway shops but Peco stockists (probably a good indication of a general model railway shop) only have three stockists in the capital (four if you include Feltham in Middlesex) and that's fewer than the five or six on the Isle of Wight! It seems odd because there are plenty of modellers in the capital and a good number of MRCs and there are plenty of small specialist shops of other types in the London suburbs where houses are also large enough for model railwaying. Edited January 17, 2014 by Pacific231G Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pint of Adnams Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 I called in there a week ago and had a long (unavoidable) conversation with the proprietor. Picked up several items, all bar one now out of production, on which he offered me a 10% discount - generous given his trading circumstances. As has been previously posted, if you are looking for old models (e.g. Tri-and to as far back as the odd Rovex and Hornby-Dublo), boxed good condition or unboxed second-hand, some Palitoy and Mainline, and various items in N gauge older and new, plus Revell and similar plastic kits, and track and scenic items then he could well be the go-to man. He had a good stock of Bachmann Mk1s but mainly in blue/grey or chocolate/cream liveries, plus several recent discontinued Bachmann and Hornby locomotives. In our conversation he mentioned that the Bachmann rep is very pleasant and helpful, but that Hornby no longer wants to deal with him or any of the small retailers any more, even to the extent of saying products were not available but one of his fellow model club members found them on sale in Harrods and they were in stock in Hornby's website shop! Also Hornby appears to have set a substantial minimum order quantity of any item as another tactic to drive out the real model shop. Lease is up for renewal this September and if the rent goes up he will not be there any longer. He only deals in cash (card machine too expensive) but there is a Sainsbury's Local with ATM a couple of doors down. Open from 10.30 a.m. Very close to Northfields underground station and on the E2 'bus route between Brentford/Ealing Broadway/Greenford. I shall definitely be calling in again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyneux Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Worked in Ealing for a year and didn't know about this. Might pop by later as I'm out that way! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 (edited) Going to stay in Ealing Broadway later this month .... You may be very close to where I work..... ....In our conversation he mentioned that the Bachmann rep is very pleasant and helpful.... He has an ex-S&D 7F, brand new, in the tall display cabinet on the left, as you walk in. It's hidden amongst the model cars.... He also has some old Wills and NuCast loco kits hidden on the shelves. Edited January 29, 2014 by Horsetan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium MrSimon Posted July 5, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 5, 2014 I went in today for the first time - excellent little shop. Didn't buy anything this time, I completely forgot what I was looking for and a bit pressed for time - but next time I'll be prepared! Definitely take the trip over to northfields Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swesaint Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 I'm visiting London in three weeks time and Northfields Model Shop is on the list. Just hope that he's still open. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEAMYAKIMA Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I'm visiting London in three weeks time and Northfields Model Shop is on the list. Just hope that he's still open. Please post an update on his short term plans ...... I used to visit him when I lived that way and will call in again soon when I visit friends in Ealing ( if he is still around ). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
40F Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I'm visiting London in three weeks time and Northfields Model Shop is on the list. Just hope that he's still open. He was on 5/7/2014 Shop 217 Northfield Avenue, Ealing, Greater London W13 9QU 078 064 711 73 Opening Hours: MON-SAT 10:30-17:00, THUR 13:00- Please post an update on his short term plans ...... I used to visit him when I lived that way and will call in again soon when I visit friends in Ealing ( if he is still around ). See above post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swesaint Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Please post an update on his short term plans ...... I used to visit him when I lived that way and will call in again soon when I visit friends in Ealing ( if he is still around ). I will. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEAMYAKIMA Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 OK ...... I visited on Friday August 15th and he is still open ............... he has no plans to close although it is true that his lease is up for renewal ......... The owner (Viteck ... hopefully the correct spelling, he's of Polish ancestry) is as chaotic as ever and as helpful and charming as ever ... Whilst I was there he was starting a family off with a Hornby trainset ......... a great advert for our hobby Expect plastic kits, old HD 3 rail, Dinkys ................ all piled up on top of each other ........... just the kind of shop we would like to spend the day in! But I didn't buy anything - which is the problem he has! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 ...and the thing about all the chaos is that Witek knows exactly where everything is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyneux Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 ...and the thing about all the chaos is that Witek knows exactly where everything is. Hmmm I'm not sure I agree with this. When I asked after something in one of the cabinets, he was looking for the box for it for ages which he wasn't able to find. In the end it lost him a sale. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Hmmm I'm not sure I agree with this. When I asked after something in one of the cabinets, he was looking for the box for it for ages which he wasn't able to find. In the end it lost him a sale. It would have to be you that's the exception to the rule....! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyneux Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 It would have to be you that's the exception to the rule....! I felt like I ought to buy something and had a £20 burning a hole in my pocket so walked away with a wagon never-the-less. He seems like a nice guy just running the shop as a bit of a hobby. These kind of places always seem to have some hidden gems even though it wouldn't be my first choice of model shop! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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