Model shops in Manchester

[pharrc20]

A quick update on Warren Kerfoot Models in Compstall, Stockport I have just found out last night that the shop is closing for good and the shop stock is to be valued and auctioned off.

 

Cheers Paul

[plarailfan]

Looks like I'll have to have a trip in the car, then!

Tony

If you do go by car, you could park at one of the tram stations and then go into Manchester by tram, to save car parking charges.

I tend to drive over to Newhey, which is just off the M62 and the tram on that route, goes almost past the superb, "Arcadia" at Shaw, where there is, indeed a tram stop !

There's a free and regular bus service, that goes around Manchester city centre to the Science and Industry Museum (MOSI)

Hope this helps

Simon. 

[TheSignalEngineer]

A quick update on Warren Kerfoot Models in Compstall, Stockport I have just found out last night that the shop is closing for good and the shop stock is to be valued and auctioned off.

 

Cheers Paul

Saw Warren today, the shop closes on Sunday 8th June. Pity he is closing down as it is my nearest shop but I think he is finding it not viable to carry on. I understand he will shortly be taking up a regular paid job in the model railway trade, so his knowledge will not be lost.

[Billystanier]

Saw Warren today, the shop closes on Sunday 8th June. Pity he is closing down as it is my nearest shop but I think he is finding it not viable to carry on. I understand he will shortly be taking up a regular paid job in the model railway trade, so his knowledge will not be lost.

 

The stock is going to Vectis. Last day was today and the adjoining pet shop is expanding into the model railway side. Warren is getting someone in to manage the pet shop when he becomes a sales agent for a well known model railway equipment manufacturer.

[CKPR]

 

The Locoshed, 48 Bury Old Road, M45 6TL   http://www.thelocoshedmcr.co.uk/

 

 

It's definitely got that proper model shop atmosphere and lots of stock (and not just the usual stuff) 

[muddys-blues]

It's definitely got that proper model shop atmosphere and lots of stock (and not just the usual stuff)

I can vouch for that, this is a top model shop, Jim the proprietor is very knowledgable Man, and way out Friendly and Helpfully, and his co-workers are the same, and with Jim being part of the old Modelfair set up he has a proven pedigree in customer service.

 

"Hey Jim don't forget my discount when I call in next weekend" ... Seriously folks this a great shop.

 

Happy Modelling

Craig

Edited November 29, 2014 by muddys-blues

[meurglys3]

I called in at Jim's shop (The Locoshed) today after dropping the ladies off in Bury. Jim was really friendly, asked my name and remembered it, made me a coffee and made me feel right at home.. We had a good chat as he is from Wigan like me and knew my local area and Springs Branch depot which we reminisced about. And he had everything on my list. Again it was a Saturday afternoon and the shop was busy and very friendly, with regular customers, one of which said the shop was like a model railway club. I will definitely call there again.

 

And he gave me a discount. :-)

[ComicalEngineer]

I live near Northwich (about 15 miles from Manchester) and would like to give a mention to The Model Shp on Witton Street in Northwich. Run by Dave Smith, it's a very small shop which caters for model railways and wargamers plus a few Airfix kits etc. Dave has a good stock of all the regular consumables, paints, thinners, plastic weld etc as well as stocking a lot of Wills and Peco stuff. He is a friendly bloke and good for a chat. I go in also because he stocks Peco 009 and will occasionally give you a discount.

 

http://www.themodelshop.org/

[87023Velocity]

I live near Northwich (about 15 miles from Manchester) and would like to give a mention to The Model Shp on Witton Street in Northwich. Run by Dave Smith, it's a very small shop which caters for model railways and wargamers plus a few Airfix kits etc. Dave has a good stock of all the regular consumables, paints, thinners, plastic weld etc as well as stocking a lot of Wills and Peco stuff. He is a friendly bloke and good for a chat. I go in also because he stocks Peco 009 and will occasionally give you a discount.

 

http://www.themodelshop.org/

This is my local model shop and has certainly seen plenty of use by myself for paint, thinners, brushes, Tamya masking tape etc and a few weeks ago a brand new Hornby class 08 08673 Intercity for £60.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

[Telford]

Re. the former Model shop on Ashton Old Road, Higher Openshaw ( called  Manchester Model Railway Exchange.) which I knew very well. 

 

It was created in 1979 by Mike and Geoff, with assistant Steve. Mike is now in his 70's and long since retired, but I know him well.Their main business was new and used furniture and white goods, to which was added the model section run by Mike, and a second-hand LP and CD section run by Geoff. The models had developed in 1979 from them using a motorised tram running around a loop track in one of the windows on which was a card advertising for house clearances etc.. This led to people thinking it was a model shop and calling in with items to sell, and so it was encouraged and grew into a major centre for modellers from far and wide, including abroad ( one postal customer being in Russia who lived on the amusingly named 'Samshina Street' in Leningrad ! ) Bernard Manning and the late transport General Manager and writer, Geoffrey Hilditch OBE were regular callers, plus the old owner of Hatton's of Liverpool ( Derek Hatton ?) surprised them by often calling in for 3-rail track and other bits.

 

Always fairly priced, Mike being mindful that sellers would later look to see the mark up, everything model railway was dealt in. It was something of a social club with ex-railway men telling their stories etc., tea and coffee always on the boil ! They lived in the flat above the double fronted shop, with Mike having installed a bell to ring for Geoff or Steve to come down if he was busy and they were skiving ! The test track, fitted on the customer side of one of the wood and glass display cases, often saw one of their cats swipe at a loco knocking it over.Dinky's and other models were also dealt in, including once the large miniature railway loco formerly at Belle Vue used for pulling the ride-on carriages there.

 

Saturday's were a mad house, with Mike having to test all the stock brought in by the queuing customers who often, to his annoyance, did deals amongst themselves while waiting for their turn. The Woodhead electrics were Mike's main interest,the real ones, not just the Tri-ang and Trix models. He had a large picture of the Woodhead line fixed on the wall, formerly from a station waiting room, and many callers had worked the route. At the end of the Woodhead system, I accompanied Mike to the Rotherham yard where the 76's were being scrapped with a view to him buying a cut off cab unit for a feature in the shop. This proved unworkable due to the weight and the need to have knocked a hole in the back wall to get it in !

 

In the late 90's, due to declining trade ( many former customers having seen the potential and taking stalls on the then just proliferating swap-meets ),the decision was taken to rent the shop to the Ritz video company with it being sealed off from the rest of the property. The hard work of lifting heavy furniture etc. was ended and just the railways were transferred to their large back street garage. This became non viable, and the whole enterprise was ended in 1992. In the large back yard, customers would often catch a glimpse of the two 1950's Austin Sheerline ambulances Mike had a passion for which he rallied. Happy day indeed.

 

Long since demolished, the site is now part of a large supermarket complex with the back lane ( Old lane) having been concreted over. The exact position the shop occupied is where the large feature of an industrial press now stands, representing the former industrial and railway building companies of that once thriving area.   

[bennyboy]

Re. the former Model shop on Ashton Old Road, Higher Openshaw ( called  Manchester Model Railway Exchange.) which I knew very well. 

 

It was created in 1979 by Mike and Geoff, with assistant Steve. Mike is now in his 70's and long since retired, but I know him well.Their main business was new and used furniture and white goods, to which was added the model section run by Mike, and a second-hand LP and CD section run by Geoff. The models had developed in 1979 from them using a motorised tram running around a loop track in one of the windows on which was a card advertising for house clearances etc.. This led to people thinking it was a model shop and calling in with items to sell, and so it was encouraged and grew into a major centre for modellers from far and wide, including abroad ( one postal customer being in Russia who lived on the amusingly named 'Samshina Street' in Leningrad ! ) Bernard Manning and the late transport General Manager and writer, Geoffrey Hilditch OBE were regular callers, plus the old owner of Hatton's of Liverpool ( Derek Hatton ?) surprised them by often calling in for 3-rail track and other bits.

 

Always fairly priced, Mike being mindful that sellers would later look to see the mark up, everything model railway was dealt in. It was something of a social club with ex-railway men telling their stories etc., tea and coffee always on the boil ! They lived in the flat above the double fronted shop, with Mike having installed a bell to ring for Geoff or Steve to come down if he was busy and they were skiving ! The test track, fitted on the customer side of one of the wood and glass display cases, often saw one of their cats swipe at a loco knocking it over.Dinky's and other models were also dealt in, including once the large miniature railway loco formerly at Belle Vue used for pulling the ride-on carriages there.

 

Saturday's were a mad house, with Mike having to test all the stock brought in by the queuing customers who often, to his annoyance, did deals amongst themselves while waiting for their turn. The Woodhead electrics were Mike's main interest,the real ones, not just the Tri-ang and Trix models. He had a large picture of the Woodhead line fixed on the wall, formerly from a station waiting room, and many callers had worked the route. At the end of the Woodhead system, I accompanied Mike to the Rotherham yard where the 76's were being scrapped with a view to him buying a cut off cab unit for a feature in the shop. This proved unworkable due to the weight and the need to have knocked a hole in the back wall to get it in !

 

In the late 90's, due to declining trade ( many former customers having seen the potential and taking stalls on the then just proliferating swap-meets ),the decision was taken to rent the shop to the Ritz video company with it being sealed off from the rest of the property. The hard work of lifting heavy furniture etc. was ended and just the railways were transferred to their large back street garage. This became non viable, and the whole enterprise was ended in 1992. In the large back yard, customers would often catch a glimpse of the two 1950's Austin Sheerline ambulances Mike had a passion for which he rallied. Happy day indeed.

 

Long since demolished, the site is now part of a large supermarket complex with the back lane ( Old lane) having been concreted over. The exact position the shop occupied is where the large feature of an industrial press now stands, representing the former industrial and railway building companies of that once thriving area.   

 

I remember trying to the find the shop in the 90s with some items that I had to sell. I walked up and down the street looking for a normal shop and it was only when one of the owners working on his car noticed me walking past and asked me if I was looking for the shop, that I actually found the garage which was where they were then running their business!

[Telford]

From my memories in the 1980s around the South Manchester and Stockport area .....

 

Bradford Model Exchange had a decent second hand window which was under cover in the ground floor of the Piccadilly Tower.

 

The shop on Ashton Old Road was a mecca for second hand stuff. Think the bloke running it was called Dave. He also did house clearances and half his shop was full of second hand furniture. I remember when he got a job lot of Jouef Class 40s from somewhere just as the final members of the class were being withdrawn from BR.... he had to keep them under lock and key in a secret drawer as he feared being burgled!  He was shifting them out for £30 to £35 each.  He eventually got stung with increased rent and rates and traded for a while from a garage round the back of the old shop.

 

The shops I remember in the Stockport area were:

 

The Railway Sidings on St Petersgate. Lots of RTR and lots of kits. Good all round stock, run by an old gentleman.

 

SRA Models in the craft centre and then in a shop near the Plaza. The guy did lots of repairs and kitbuilding and also later expanded in sci-fi models.

 

ABC Models in Hyde.  Half newsagent / half model shop. Right near the slaughterhouse / glue factory which gave off that awful Hyde pong which drifted across the town.

 

Model Exchange in Cheadle. Tiny thin shop with a good selection of second hand stuff in the window.

 

Phoenix Models had two shops on Reddish Road, but only one had model railways. Really good cheap new and secondhand, then all of a sudden it went to RRP. One shop shut, model railways moved and then the second shop shut a few years later. At their height, then wanted to move their two shops and combine into one 'mega model shop' in Gorton on the A57, opposite where the big Tesco is now. If anyone has old Railway Modellers from around 1984/85 then there is a bizarre cryptic advert saying that 'The Phoenix Is Rising'.... and nothing else. Very odd for those 'not in the know'.

 

More recently I have lived in Oldham, and I can safely say that Arcadia is one of the best model train shops I've been in. Others in the area were The Train Station in Royton (part of a photography shop and has recently shut) and the Handyman Hobby and DIY shop whch was recently advertised for sale. Norman Wisenden's shop may have shut, but I have seen a car recently with vinyl lettering on the back window suggesting that the business (or the name anyway) is still with us and is perhaps building kits from a spare room somewhere.

 

Only just spotted this Billy. The model shop in Higher Openshaw, Manchester, was called 'Manchester Model Railway Exchange'.I used to help out there in the 80's. It opened in 1978, closing in 1992. Mike was the owner and his relation, Geoff, bought and sold A1 condition LP's and CD's under the name of the 'Manchester Record Mart'. One of the double windows was for displaying model railways and the other, the LP's ( usually with one of their cats asleep there ! ). 

 

Mike was always concerned that anyone he'd bought railways from would not see them sold for much more than he'd paid for them and reckoned his profit margin was only around 18%. He could stand this as their main income was derived from the second-hand furniture which the main area of the shop floor was for. He often remarked that it would take days for the railway side to match the sale of just one item of furniture, but he loved the hobby and the chat with the regulars. Amongst the customers were many railway men, mainly off the Woodhead electrics. Mike actually considered buying the cut-off cab of a class 76 from the scrap yard in Rotherham to have in the shop as a feature, they quoted him £40, but it was too ambitious and would have involved knocking a hole in the back wall to get it in ! 

 

Bernard Manning called occasionally, once remarking "Gorton Tank's shrunk a bit !", a reference to the famous loco building area around Openshaw known as 'Gorton Tank'. Another prominent customer was Geoffrey Hilditch, the transport manager and PSV author. Norman Hatton ( of Hatton's ) used to call, looking for bits and pieces, mainly Hornby 3-rail track as I remember. The incredibly dynamic Dave Boyle also called offering us one of the first outlets for his Dapol products, the 'Pug' being the first. We took up his offer, but Mike wouldn't get into any other new items, only this, as we were second-hand specialists.

 

Mike actually owned the freehold premises and lived in the flat above. The move to the large, old coach-house at the rear in 1989 was due to declining trade, with many customers buying from us at very fair prices and then selling at stalls of their own at swap-meets etc.. Due to the heavy lifting with the furniture, he was also wanting a change and closed the business, eventually moving abroad in 1998.

 

One of the problems we had at the height of the business was the great number of people coming in to sell railways on a Saturday morning. As each loco had to be tested etc. the queue built up and customers began selling the stock they'd brought in to other customers whilst waiting !

 

We once received an unexpected box of Piko models from an enthusiast in Soviet Russia who wanted Hornby models in exchange. Piko were difficult to sell, but we sent him what he had requested and gained some kudos for having a customer from so far away. Thing was, after around 6 months, the box and contents was returned with official stampings all over it and never reached the man. We think it may have been to do with having included some Railway magazines, one of which had the Royal train on the front cover ! 

 

You may remember the picture below which hung in the shop, it was a large, framed one, ex-Piccadilly Station, Manchester.

 

Now it's all 'on-line' trading which, like supermarkets, is convenient, but there was something about good, friendly fair traders who were a magnet for special interests like model railways ( and customers who stayed gossiping for hours !).

 

 

[Telford]

Forgot I'd already posted an account here of the shop in 2017; a 'senior moment'........I'm at the    " Was it you who died last week, or your brother ?" stage !