hayfield

You could install a trailing crossover or two just for operational interest

It seems to be with a lot of folk who take over businesses there is a very steep learning curve, Phil was in one way well positioned in that he ran the smaller stand for a few years, but having a franchise and running a business is quite different. When Peter took over the business he had the benefit of existing premises and staff who were used to the business. Not seen Phil since Railex so not completely up to date with the situation, but am aware of a number of challenges which had to be addressed, it will take a few months for everything to settle in and for Phil to bed in a system that works for all (him and customers) I am only guessing but when moving from being employed to self employed, then trying your best to keep all the balls in the air at the same time is very difficult. I am certain Phil will quickly see what is working and what needs altering and attend to it. Don't forget it is in his best interests to make a go of it.

Chris There are get out clauses and get out clauses. The accounts are prepared using the info supplied by the customer, if the customer decides to withhold information how can it be the accountants fault On the other hand, if the accountant makes an error in compiling the accounts, then it is their fault I know of a builder who built his own house and included the invoices for the personal materials into his business account, the accountant informed him that his invoices exceeded his billing to customers, the builder requested his accountant to throw a few invoices away. True story

I think the owners name is Chris, just give him a call, he is extremely helpful (think there is a competition between him and Dave Ellis of Southeastern Finecast for the most helpful model railway trader) and will be able to advise if it will suite your purposes

Colin I think we mainly agree, when in business I felt the cost of using an accountant was well justified not only in saving me time but also keeping me the right side of the taxman. I also agree that a face to face meeting was useful in explaining what was going on, my analogy of time was purely to show there is more to accountancy than just constructing a set of accounts and completing a tax return. Now I just have to complete a simple tax return, which is a statement of fact in monies received and tax + NI contributions paid. The assessment calculates any outstanding liability.

I don't know is Mark is unwell, certainly 2 years ago he said he was visiting a hospital and took it that he was visiting someone else rather than attending him self. He was always hard to contact and orders took a week or so.

It will always be far cheaper doing it yourself than to pay for others to do it, accountancy costs are like every thing else once they get staff and premises the costs just sky rocket, rents, business rates etc, staff wages and benefits. Many small businesses suffer from having to greatly increase costs when they try and expand. When I had an accountant doing my simple accounts, I expect it took him longer to see me and explain than do it, but it was one thing less for me to do. I now have to do a tax return each year, takes me longer to find the information than fill in the return This does not excuse what the accountant has done, but explains the high charges

Mike I do agree with most of your thread, and I do accept there are modellers who are extremely ham fisted, or have a total lack of being able to build anything, maybe just do not have the time to spare But there is a myth that building track is either difficult and or time consuming. Like all things you need the correct materials, a decent plan (and set of instructions) and a selection of tools including gauges Look at Airfix kits, why is it that some cannot even stick 2 parts together without having rivers of glue everywhere where as others turnout pristine models. Building turnouts is a simple process, which needs basic tools and can be made easier using things like jigs, gauges and materials (liquid flux) Whats hard in measuring and cutting a few timbers and rails to length? Or sticking a few timbers to a plan Filing the ends of some rail to a point is not too hard OK either soldering some rail to the timbers needs a little tuition and practice, or threading a few chairs to some rail again takes a little practice, neither is rocket science I can accept that some do not like building track, that's fine, as its a hobby which we should find pleasurable. Also a very few just do not either have the coordination or patience to build anything . But in the end there are no massive skills required to build track, just the ability to follow a few basic and simple easy to learn processes. As for time consuming, like all things with practice building become easier and quicker.

I have just bought an un-built K's GWR 97xx kit, I have a couple of other whitemetal kits on Triang chassis but the wheels look awful. My initial thoughts were to try and get a 3mm Society etched chassis, get some Romford/Markits TT axles and use some old Romford wheels I have Looking at track what code of rail does TT scale use please

Rich Don't worry, as someone who has modelled for years I have never had this issue, though I can see it could be an issue and perhaps if I wish to build my locos to be DCC compatible it would be wise to insulate both sets of wheels. Back to your issues with the valve gear, you have chosen one of the harder types to build as a first build, cannot help you with this one

This is the best advice of all, on an 8 x 4 baseboard you will never fit an accurate scale model unless you model in T gauge, even then you may not have enough room. Call the layout whatever you like, enjoy building the layout (using modellers licence) and running the trains. Dont forget you can run visiting locos, how about a nice big King or an A3

Have a look at Highlevel kits, not used their bogies, but their gearboxes are stunning, the owner is so helpful. I have a Pacemaker to fit into an old MTK railcar, not quite the same but the quality is exceptional http://173.254.28.51/~highlev3/chris/Pages/bogiepage.html

Good luck and I hope all goes well, certainly ask for detailed bills and unless you have had several years of accounts not been agreed and extra work has been undertaken then I cannot see what they are asking for. Its up to them to give you a statement of accounts for each year, if they have failed to do so then that's their problem not yours

Its your model railway and using set track is a good idea as it can easily be reused if you decide to alter the track plan, purists will advise you differently, I and others will recommend that you have chosen a great method for a first layout, just enjoy the direction this layout takes you as your interests develop and as new skills are learnt

My next layout will be bases like yours on Bodmin General, but in preservation era, so I can run both GWR and SR locos in varying liveries. I too thought of a bit of kit bashing for the buildings plus altering the goods yard slightly, as the turnouts and crossings will be hand built I have decided to build it to EM gauge, I have mostly kit built locos with Romford/Markit wheels so a quick chassis rebuild and axle replacements is all that's needed Great set of photos and more would be interesting, thanks for the thread

I guess its the same in this instance for both DC and DCC, normally the couplings keep stock apart, and most wagons and carriages have insulated wheels. Excellent point to consider though

Just received a still packed Keyser TT scale 97xx pannier tank body for £7 plus £3.50 p&p. Just like buying K's kits and may try and put an etched chassis on rather than the Triang TT chassis

Just put a bit of plastic tubing (stripped from a piece of wire) on the non insulated side, both brushes are insulated from the live chassis, no cost solution. Makes no odds if the frame of the motor is uninsulated, as a can and open frame motor (Anchorage etc) bodies touch live chassis without any issues, as far as I know this is fine for DCC operation

Nothing wrong with either constructive comments, words of warning and good advice. But then there are some who for whatever reason just take offence

Branchlines may well include P4 or EM gauge spacers if requested. I bought the kit off eBay and the parts were enclosed, as it is a revised SEF kit no idea why the chassis was changed, still in 2 minds about using the Branchlines detail packs and may revert to a SEF chassis

I should not worry too much, it's your railway and if you are happy with your interpretation then that's fine. Railway modelling is full of compromises and if you only have a small space in most folks books that's OK. It's mot as if you are modelling in P4, just enjoy the hobby as that's what its all about

I listed it for the photos, and was not sure anyway whether you wanted the whole kit or chassis, if you have an old kit Dave is happy to supply the additional parts that the revised kits have in them

Phil is working full time with his C&L project, don't forget a 2 day show takes 2 days extra to pack up and un pack, being self employed can be a bit of a culture shock plus sometimes the simplest jobs take longer than expected, also systems have to fit within the businesses budget and owners skill sets

I am one who has had poor service from them in the past. I have found they have a wonderful tracking system which actually shows how bad they are. The first point of complaint is they only pick up once a day (normally midday). So if the seller deposits the goods after 1pm its not picked up till the next day Given that the Royal Mail has several pick up times, latest on average is 5pm and is not too much more expensive (customer pays anyway)I rather the item arrives in either one or two days without any hassle.