Railtec Transfers

[rob D2]

@dmh   I'm literally out photographing the EVR diesel gala in a horizontal blizzard but I saw this ping through. I've just checked that ticket ID and a response was sent within an hour. Maybe your email provider filtered it into Junk (not uncommon). "Recipient mailbox full" is another common issue. I will re-send. All that said, I get in the region of 200-250 incoming emails a week asking for new packs or one-off custom work. This is in addition to dispatching all the web site orders, replenishing stock, research and design of new packs incl test printing, numerous meetings with manufacturers, TOCs and other stakeholders. As the web site and every email footer states - it's simply a physical impossibility to help every single request despite 90+hr weeks every week. I do what I can and help where I can.

 

I replied to Rob within minutes but for the wider benefit of everyone else - the Railtec match to EWS maroon has been described as "superb" so hopefully the EWS range should fit the bill. Besides the ready-printed stock items there's also a custom EWS pack with your choice of number:

 

 

 

 

4mm-2230

 

 

 

I’m ready to order Steve, having removed the numbers, but it’s now showing out of stock...any idea when it’s returning ?

[railtec-models]

Folks - as alluded to previously, I unfortunately just don't have the resource to monitor this thread as a second inbox. I wish I did. I already get ~250 emails a week at the info@ email address in addition to a now unprecedented number of web site orders for stock items (which are absolutely not a problem as most get dispatched same day). Many of these emails ask for bits which are not yet packs or completely one-off work, and I respond to as many as I can. It's not uncommon to have the exact same request also get submitted via IM, a tag on a Facebook post and possibly other channels all within a short space of time. It risks quickly becoming unrealistic and unmanageable. As I mention in every email footer - please help me help everyone by keeping requests to a single channel. Every working week is 90+hrs and I do as much as I can and help as many people as I can. Regrettably it's physically impossible to be everything to everybody, even if the catalog is growing at an alarming rate and an increasing number of items are becoming available off-the-shelf (approx 400 new product lines every year).

Thanks in advance for your understanding.

Right, back to put my feet up...

[rob D2]

Yeah, sorry Steve,

It’s easy for those of us sitting on our asses to fire off emails like some internet scattergun and forget you guys are beavering away behind the scenes.

 

This young tractor will wait , no problem

[D6775]

Apologies from me also Steve, I will continue to wait patiently & promise not to bother you.

[Not Jeremy]

Another huge thank you and vote of confidence for Steve and Railtec from here in Bath.

 

I recently decided some bogie bolsters would look a whole lot better with appropriate lettering and Steve really came up trumps.

 

The service and communications were way beyond my expectations and the transfers themselves are superb.

 

 

I am currently hatching some more lettering opportunities.....

 

Thank you very much Steve!

 

Simon

[Daddyman]

@dmh   I'm literally out photographing the EVR diesel gala in a horizontal blizzard but I saw this ping through. I've just checked that ticket ID and a response was sent within an hour. Maybe your email provider filtered it into Junk (not uncommon). "Recipient mailbox full" is another common issue. I will re-send. All that said, I get in the region of 200-250 incoming emails a week asking for new packs or one-off custom work. This is in addition to dispatching all the web site orders, replenishing stock, research and design of new packs incl test printing, numerous meetings with manufacturers, TOCs and other stakeholders. As the web site and every email footer states - it's simply a physical impossibility to help every single request despite 90+hr weeks every week. I do what I can and help where I can.

 

I replied to Rob within minutes but for the wider benefit of everyone else - the Railtec match to EWS maroon has been described as "superb" so hopefully the EWS range should fit the bill. Besides the ready-printed stock items there's also a custom EWS pack with your choice of number:

 

4mm-2230

Has the shade of maroon changed since last year? The ones I bought from you do not match the Bachmann 37. 

[railtec-models]

Has the shade of maroon changed since last year? The ones I bought from you do not match the Bachmann 37. 

 

I think I need to add to my signature the reiteration of the post just further up this thread that I just don't have the resource to monitor RMWeb as a second inbox.

 

The shade of maroon has not changed. Heavy testing was carried out, resulting in the image below. I've sold literally hundreds of these and people seem pretty happy with the match. Without knowing any of the detail which I would ask you to email in, I can only assume:

 

- There may be something specific to the model you have.

- There may be something specific to Bachmann's factory run of the model you have.

- There may be a possibility that the product you used in this instance may not have been Railtec (I'm not sure how closely some other vendors match the maroon), all the more so since I have no record of any order from you since Oct 2017.

- Something else.

 

David, if you could please reply privately via email including more detail, that will see the most effective way forward.

 

Edited April 5, 2018 by railtec-models

[russ p]

Steve,I went on your site the other day as I messed the numbers on D6753 think I put varnish on too soon

It said or at least I think I was in the right place that sets of five numbers are currently unavailable

 

Cheers

 

Russ

[rob D2]

He said he can't monitor this , I'd suggest email .

 

A lot of personalised products are out of stock whilst they catch up ithink

[rob D2]

Received my 37669 decals from Steve , and very nice they look too...

 

 

Colour match looks pretty good, much better than fox. The donor is 37411 , an older Bachmann 37 and I’ve noticed coming up to date with 37174 , that even the Bachmann shade of maroon has changed slightly !

[railtec-models]

Tried using some Railtec transfers today for the first time. They went on ok but then curled up as they dried. What am I doing wrong?

 

Can you PM me? There's a section on the instruction sheet which reads, "Any issues? Please email us as the first port of call and at least give us the opportunity to resolve." This is because:

 

- If someone does hit upon an issue then it's often something very easily resolved.

- It's not uncommon to be user error - which is fine by the way. I'm here to help.

- A faster resolution is more likely if the supplier knows about it first.

- Due to the nature of forums and social media, it can give a potentially incorrect impression of the product to a large number of people, which in turn can have an adverse impact on a small business and ultimately impact how that business serves the community with such a very niche product and service.

 

I'd like to have banks of Amazon-esque customer service agents monitoring social media for feedback, but alas the ecosystem of specialist suppliers for a hobby such as this is a completely different (and often more delicately balanced) beast.

Edited April 17, 2018 by railtec-models

[railtec-models]

Hi

No intention of suggesting the product is at fault, the positive reviews on this thread speak for themselves. The transfers in question were supplied by Little Loco as replacements for their Cl15 loco. There were no instructions included to the best of my knowledge.

Thank you for your prompt response, I wish more traders were as proactive.

Do you still want me to pm?

Bob

 

Hi Bob, yes please that would be great. Just email me at info@railtec-models.com. I sense this can be very easily resolved. Will look out for your email.

 

PS - if they were supplied by LLC then I suspect you're entirely correct in that there may not have been any transfer instructions in with the kit. (If memory serves I think I just provided Steve with a large qty of transfer sheets).

Edited April 17, 2018 by railtec-models

[Jack374]

Today I received a letter with "Please Do Not Bend" printed on it...that can only be good news! I placed an order for a custom pack with my preferred number of loco on Thursday afternoon, and the pack arrived this morning with today’s post. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced service on par with that of Railtec...outstanding effort by Steve and the team, especially considering it was a custom pack. Do you guys sleep??

 

Many thanks,

Jack.

[rob D2]

Just a note to say, how good I think these products are. Haven’t got round to the EWS stuff, but using their TOPs numbers to change this 37. The definition and density of the numbers I believe in far superior to what I was using before. Good job guys .

 

[96701]

Ordered 4mm breakdown crane transfers on the morning of the 6th and they duly arrived on the 7th. Excellent service.

[46444]

Just repainted some blue Hornby INSUL-FISH into white for a good friend.

 

I'll reiterate what others have said....

 

The best transfers I've ever used!....

 

Great service and packaging too.

 

Thanks Steve

 

Cheers.

 

Mark 

[Waverley West]

Just wanted to belatedly put on record my thanks to Steve once again for sorting me some transfers for my 150001 conversion as a custom order.

 

Excellent service. Excellent transfers. Full stop.

 

 

 

Apart from the numbers, small BR logos and so on, Steve also did some black lining for me for the cab front panels which made doing the fronts much easier and produced a better looking result too.

[Banger Blue]

Just to echo the above comments really, another big thumbs up for Railtec Transfers.

 

My first time renumbering locos:

 

 

 

I must really mention Railtec’s 3D printed nameplates & numberplates, very impressed with them, I used these to renumber my Dapol Western (this has already appeared elsewhere on RMWeb):

 

 

 

Would thoroughly recommend them!

[John M Upton]

Just tried the 3D printed name plates for the first time, renumbering and renaming a Farish Large Logo Class 37/4 as 37403 Isle of Mull.  I didn't know but do like that they also came with the numeral set as well which is excellent.

 

So far I am impressed, so much so I might re-do the numbering and plates on the other five when I get a moment...

[railtec-models]

Just tried the 3D printed name plates for the first time, renumbering and renaming a Farish Large Logo Class 37/4 as 37403 Isle of Mull.  I didn't know but do like that they also came with the numeral set as well which is excellent.

 

So far I am impressed, so much so I might re-do the numbering and plates on the other five when I get a moment...

 

Thanks John. I should probably say that the "plates only" packs don't normally come with matching numbersets unless it indicates so on the web site (they're clearly indicated if they do). It just so happens that in the print I was making for yourself, it was just as easy to include them as there was room on the print run. There are "numbers and (standard) plates of your choice" packs on the web site (catalog #s 9096/97/98 if memory serves), whereas the plates only packs are catalog #9099. You just got lucky :>)

Edited July 10, 2018 by railtec-models

[adb968008]

Any chance of rub on steam locomotive numbers ?

[hoovernut]

I must congratulate railtech again. With in three days of requesting some decals of a specific type Steve had them done for me. Top marks yet again.

[Coach bogie]

GWR 1930's coach transfers back in stock

 

FANTASTIC - serious lettering/varnishing this weekend

 

Thanks Railtec

 

Mike Wiltshire

[railtec-models]

A couple of items:

1. As usual, there has been an extremely high volume of new releases since the last post, but I'll not list all of them here. I've included some highlights below.

 

Includes 3d nameplates, 3d builders plates, 3d shed codes (incl 64B Haymarket if they are ever applied), 3d kick plates as well as the usual conventional 2d bits.

 

 

A series of packs for OHLM electrification vehicles in both 2mm and 4mm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. This is aimed to help me help you, and as it's something I'm having to communicate with an increased frequency, this doesn't seem like an unreasonable place to mention it in the hope that it can pre-empt some avoidable situations.

Web site orders
Despite a continued steady increase, these still get dispatched same day, unless indicated otherwise on the product page (for example a pack which may require some info from you, such as what running number you would like). No change here.

 

Emails, IMs, social media tags, etc

I continue to receive more emails, instant messages and tags than Donald Trump. I love that there is such enthusiasm around the product, but it does mean that it's simply a physical impossibility to respond to everything as quickly as we'd all like despite working hours that even junior doctors wouldn't touch with a bargepole. Those of you who have seen the Railtec stand on a Saturday afternoon at Warley might get an inkling into some of the challenges faced. Please do remember to check your Junk folders though, as many email providers (Sky, BT, TalkTalk etc) seem to filter emails from my (US based) web host provider into there. At some point when I get a spare day (cough) I intend to migrate the site to a UK provider which should also increase speed. If you haven't yet received a response - I apologise. I have one pair of hands but I will get to it eventually.

 

"Why don't you take somebody on?"

A common question. If anybody happens to know a (very good) graphic designer with an intimate knowledge of railway insignia from 1890s to the present day, and is happy to work 80-85hrs a week then let me know. A working knowledge of commercial printing processes and a sense of humour would also be beneficial .  I could take on a standard graphic designer (costs regrettably being passed on to customers, naturally), though the thought of my phone ringing every 14 seconds with a question like, "Steve.. what's a class 37?" will only inspire me to reach for the valium and/or a rifle.

 

Requests for new work

These pile in by the bucket load, and I help where I can - even if it's something that I may only ever sell 2 of. But please remember:

 

- Just because somebody may ask somebody to create something, it doesn't place the other person under an automatic obligation to do it.

 

- If I agree to create a new product, it often requires a lengthy process even if the job may appear straight-forward. Researching/finding decent photos, measuring, designing vector artwork, colour matching, proof printing, testing and final print all take time. Lots of it. Consequently it's often impractical to commit to time scales, not least because an obstacle may be encountered which sets everything back (or even make the project unviable). It's for this reason that I take no cash up front for new design work or give any specifics around any anticipated completion dates. That seems the fairest way to be. If a point is reached where a project absolutely could not wait and product has been sourced elsewhere - that's absolutely fine and I do genuinely understand. I do what I can.

 

- If you're asked for artwork, this will not be the same as a JPG photograph. Vector artwork will typically be an EPS, SVG or perhaps PDF file, and makes the likelihood of your project seeing the light of day that much higher. Similarly if measurements are requested, a photograph probably won't hit the mark, nor will a photo of a ruler next to a model. Such is the continued mammoth influx of design requests that if somebody can make the job easier, then it stands a higher chance of a positive response. The only alternative is to decline a high proportion of requests, which would be regrettable.

 

- The very nature of providing such a niche product and service means that priorities often have to evolve on a daily basis. It is not unheard of for high profile jobs to come in at extremely short notice from TOCs, government organisations (many of whom are kind enough to grant me licences to reproduce trademarks so that we can all benefit), magazines, societies and manufacturers. Also when new liveries emerge (c.f. Biffa / large logo 66s) - these need to take priority to satisfy such spikes in demand which, for a small business, can be critical. Sometimes even real life can get in the way. Thankfully most modellers understand this and avoid the sentiment that they are entitled to a niche product being created for them within their expected timeframe. Against this backdrop I should also mention that no individual receives preferential treatment, as is a remark that gets made from time to time.

 

Managing expectations

There are an increasing number of instances where some individuals have enthusiastically pre-sold or promised finished models which incorporate designs that I have not yet made, and in some cases not even agreed to make. Thankfully they are few in number but I cannot be held responsible for expectations which are set on my behalf without my knowledge, collaboration or consent. I don't think this is an unresaonable viewpoint so please help me help you (and your customers where applicable).

 

It's encouraging to see that the product gets used so extensively, and as ever I'm continuing to dedicate every spare moment to new design and new concepts so that you have more choice and the boundaries of our hobby keep on getting pushed. Love seeing the images of finished products being shared - makes it all the more worthwhile as those who know something of me will know that I don't even have time to have a layout of my own, so I have to live through others on that front!

[bazjones1711]

Railtec Sheerness steel transfers on a Paul Rolley  O gauge resin  cast JXA

 

Railtec Sheerness steel transfers on my handbuilt oo gauge JXA

 

Railtec VTG  transfers on  a Paul Rolley O gauge resin cast JXA , weathering by myself

Edited July 19, 2018 by bazjones1711