London city centre model shop

[Paudie30]

Hey all,

 

I am heading to london in 2 weeks time and i would like to call to a city centre model shop. Can anyone point me in the direction of a model shop in the city centre or Earls court area. Many thanks.

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

Unfortunately shop rents are so high in central London that shops are few, and full RRP is charged. The Modelzone on High Holborn, and the Ian Allan Bookshop are the only two central London model railway shops, stock is basically RTR. http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/county/Greater%20London

 

For a traditional model railway shop you have to go out into the suburbs: North London models in the Finsbury Park area, and The Engine Shed, Leytonstone, are the two nearest the centre in Norf London. Sarf of the rivva is an enormous area of badlands, I wouldn't know where to go there, but any surviving natives may be able to advise...

[Ian J.]

Unfortunately shop rents are so high in central London that shops are few, and full RRP is charged. The Modelzone on High Holborn, and the Ian Allan Bookshop are the only two central London model railway shops, stock is basically RTR. http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/county/Greater%20London

 

For a traditional model railway shop you have to go out into the suburbs: North London models in the Finsbury Park area, and The Engine Shed, Leytonstone, are the two nearest the centre in Norf London. Sarf of the rivva is an enormous area of badlands, I wouldn't know where to go there, but any surviving natives may be able to advise...

 

Actually, for locomotives Ian Allan has a price only a percent or two above what most of the main stores like Hattons and The Signal Box charge. It's not that wide a range of classes though. The rest of the rolling stock is RRP, as are the Scenecraft and Skaledale stuff. Most of the detailing parts kept are Peco and Hornby.

 

Agreed that The Engine Shed in Leytonstone (out in the wilds north of Stratford but direct from Holborn on the Central Line) is probably as close as you're likely to get to a traditional model railway shop.

[Paudie30]

So where do all the london modelers do their shopping? Online??? Think i will try the Ian Allen shop. i am window shopping anyway and flying Ryanair so can't buy much.

[Ian J.]

I make occasional trips to The Signal Box in Rochester for most things, The Engine Shed at Leytonstone infrequently. Exhibitions are important sources too though, but as you say online for the rest.

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

So where do all the london modelers do their shopping? ...

There is no human life as normally understood in central London. It's basically populated by sharks, who if they ever heard the term 'model railway' would immediately envision a system for moving beauteous young women to a location where they might most profitably be sold, leased back by a tax efficient corporate mechanism from several holding companies, competitively operated by franchised service providers. If you shake hands with anyone, immediately count your fingers...

 

It is a real shame, in the not so distant past there was W&H in New Cavendish Street, Hamblings just off Charing Cross Road, and Kings Cross models just across the road from the finest railway station in the world. Gone, but not forgotten.

[AndrewC]

So where do all the london modelers do their shopping? Online??? Think i will try the Ian Allen shop. i am window shopping anyway and flying Ryanair so can't buy much.

 

as Ian said. Usually Signal Box in Rochester. Kent Garden Railways in Orpington is pretty good but a b*tch to get to unless you are driving. Outside of that its online and exhibitions. The Ian Allen shop isn't bad but as mentioned its just RTR.

[Burkitt]

There's also the 4D model shop near the Tower of London, which is aimed at architectural modellers but provides a lot of good raw materials, including massive sheets of plasticard and foamboard.

 

Paul

[Bernard Lamb]

 

 

It is a real shame, in the not so distant past there was W&H in New Cavendish Street, Hamblings just off Charing Cross Road, and Kings Cross models just across the road from the finest railway station in the world. Gone, but not forgotten.

Not forgetting Victor's just up the Pentonville road from King's Cross.

Ironically for a city so lacking in model shops there is a glut of well stocked book shops. Ian Allen as mentioned. Motor Books near Trafalgar Square and Foyles five minutes walk north along Charing Cross road.

Bernard

[Chris116]

South London has Janes Trains just by Tooting National Rail Station.

 

A good range of new and second hand stuff.

 

Chris

[Lukasz]

Theres RTR at Hamleys toy shop on Regent Street. It's prices are like toymasters for locos though. A good sum of money over the boxshifters.

 

 

Lukasz

[43179]

There's also the 4D model shop near the Tower of London, which is aimed at architectural modellers but provides a lot of good raw materials, including massive sheets of plasticard and foamboard.

 

Paul

 

I'll second that!

I work about 2 minutes walk from the 4D modelshop (as i type this infact) and while it does not sell 'railways' as such - Its excellent for materials and tools. They have a great range - Ive also found some very nice fine grade light grey ballast there- ideal for N - which I've never seen anywhere else. Well worth popping in if your in the area! They nearly always have something very usefull in there which you would not find in a model railway shop: little 'angle poise' glue brushes for example, very handy . Make sure you go armed with lots of money!

 

 

tfn

 

Jon

[steviesparx]

....Can anyone point me in the direction of a model shop in the city centre or Earls court area. Many thanks.

 

Well, there are plenty of ' Models ' around the Earl's Court area...

...just check the cards in any phone box !

[Trains4U]

Theres RTR at Hamleys toy shop on Regent Street. It's prices are like toymasters for locos though. A good sum of money over the boxshifters.

 

 

Lukasz

 

Try - A good sum of money over RRP!

Hamelys are often 15%+ over list price

[unravelled]

I made a useful first trip to the 4D Modelshop last weekend.

For the next couple of days they are giving 10% off vouchers (to be used in March), with web orders.

4d modelshop.

 

Dave

[andyman7]

'Sarf of the rivva', there's Janes Trains, come out of Tooting station and turn left, it's a few yards along. Secondhand and new, not box-shifter prices but plenty to rummage through and lots of deleted stuff. You could also try EF Russ, on Battersea Rise about 5 mins from the St John's Hill side of Clapham Junction. It's about the last shop on the street that isn't a boutique or something similar, rather because I suspect Mr Russ opened the shop sometime in the 1950s when lock up shops in South London cost about ten quid freehold. I wouldn't say it has a comprehensive slection per se, but it is like stepping into a time warp, and Mr & Mrs Russ don't seem ready to retire just yet.

[cb900f]

[

 

Kings Cross models just across the road from the finest railway station in the world.

 

I presume you are referring to St Pancras and not that little shed between St P and the shop ?

 

Pete

[Trevellan]

Blimey. Reading this topic has made me realise just what we've lost. In my mis-spent youth I would often find my way to that small, but fascinating emporium in York Way. And who can forget the inimitable Chuffs, near Marylebone, staffed by complete (but highly knowledgeable) nutters. Actually, that probably explains why I enjoyed going there...

[G-BOAF]

London situation is not great. I work within walking distance of Ian Allan, Modelzone Holborn, and the LT Museum

The latter has a great range of EFE, Pocketbond, Oxford, Corgi etc diecast models. Plus a reasonable selection of Hornby and Bachmann RTR, including some now hard to find discontinued models, all at RRP.

Of course none of them are able to offer advise and provide all the extras that a real model shop does.

 

For that I have to get myself out to K S Models Stevenage (half hr from Kings Cross... (or Hannants near the RAF museum for general materials and a/c kits). Finally there's mailorder - boxshifters and other reasonably priced shops with a web presence and good reputation.

 

Oh for the days of H.A. Blunt and Sons of 133 The Broadway, Mill Hill (closed and sadly missed since 1998; one of the last real model shops in London) Interestingly, the shop hasn't had a proper use since - years as a fireworks shop open 3 months of the year, a party office at one of the elections (I think 2001), and now sells radiator covers or something else equally useless (although I suppose you could build an end-end layout on offcuts!!).

[Trevellan]

As a London commuter I too have supported the IA bookshop at Waterloo for certain items. I also visited Modelzone in High Holborn once to pick up a limited editon set of wagons. They honoured my telephone reservation, but I can't say I enjoyed the atmosphere in the store. A bit like the difference between a gentleman's outfitters and a brash, noisy boutique!

[tomstaf]

London situation is not great. I work within walking distance of Ian Allan, Modelzone Holborn, and the LT Museum

The latter has a great range of EFE, Pocketbond, Oxford, Corgi etc diecast models. Plus a reasonable selection of Hornby and Bachmann RTR, including some now hard to find discontinued models, all at RRP.

Of course none of them are able to offer advise and provide all the extras that a real model shop does.

 

On the plus side Holborn ModelZone have notices advertising that they will price match models. They usually have a stack of Railway Modellers on the counter so you can get the 'box shifter' prices without the need to pay their hefty £4 postage.

 

Thomas

[Peter Bedding]

Most ironic, but at a time when we have never been better served by the widest range of quality rtr and rtp, the retail part of the hobby is having to fight for survival.

 

Use it or lose it is a well used saying. Having just driven through Yeovil without stopping.

 

PB

[Horsetan]

....in the not so distant past there was W&H in New Cavendish Street.....

 

Still in New Cavendish Street are Continental / Swiss HO/HOm specialists MARNO (see adverts in Continental Modeller). You have to call them to make an appointment first. That's how exclusive they are.

[stewartingram]

On the plus side Holborn ModelZone have notices advertising that they will price match models. They usually have a stack of Railway Modellers on the counter so you can get the 'box shifter' prices without the need to pay their hefty £4 postage.

 

Thomas

Look carefully at that notice though - I think it states local retailers only,.....which given the sparcity of London shops, rather restricts the price they will match!

[C&WR]

Bit of a thread resurrection here, but when looking for opening times for Holborn Modelzone it appears they are relocating & will put up details of where they're going when they know.  Thank goodness the reason I'm going through London is to go to Faversham for the Sheps Brewery tour & there appears to be a really rather lovely model shop there...