Bezzy Oppo

Polak UK ceased trading last year. A combination of Brexit, chronic supply / communication issues and market forces left no viable alternative.

A purpose-built shop has been completed in Pickering which was to house the UK operation and a new model shop but, well, you’d be mad to now wouldn’t you?

Outstanding stock is limited but is available for viewing/ purchase here in Pickering only. DM for further details (not wishing to fall foul of Mods!).
Alex

Remember the derelict SR PMV?

And the internals are coming on:

Plodding on! Let's hope we can open this summer...

Well transmission has failed on mine after moving two feet. Nasty noises ☹️

Well, it looks as if Dapol are going to beat me to the release after all! Just awaiting new duckets configured with double glazed glass panels, verandah windows and external doors. Roof covering will be flat roofing vinyl material and she’ll be painted in late Bauxite. On with the internals, first fix leccy and ironmongery. Phew.

You will of course be welcome to stay in one of the converted railway wagons when we're up and running!

We've just installed the land drainage for the car park which took just over a week to accomplish. Next is a ground condition survey to determine whether the building can be rafted or if it needs to be piled. I suspect piling may be the order of the day due to the ground having been made up at different times. We're having to do all this in height of season too, so the parking requirements of railway visitors is taking more managing than usual.

Hi Doug,

Unfortunately no caravans are allowed on site - condition of the planning permission!

Paging Mr Jones...!

Infamy, infamy...!

I must certainly will not....this is York show!

That’s true, more Cap’n AWOL!

Class 47/0 advertised on eBay for £1500 buy it now (or serious offers in excess of purchase price).

Shameless. Tenner to charity says this kit will be available again in the not too distant future...

I know at Doncaster you said the point rodding was a ball-ache to do Tony but it ain’t half worth it, really looks the part in these shots. And I take it the voice returned fairly swiftly!

Alex

I've always thought it would do the Guild well to release some of the gold from its vaults and invest it in a small, permanent full-time team with the skill sets and authority to undertake (no Guild pun intended) those tasks with which it regularly struggles. A marketing/communications/events/web team; it could comfortably be self-sustaining after a couple of years and start turning a decent profit for the Guild off its own bat. I've done this in the public sector, it would be a breeze for an organisation like the Guild. But is the will there?

I believe Tornado is there at the moment?

Don,

Yes, it is. Scheduled to now start running Tuesday after the weekend running was pulled due to the white stuff. Which was probably more to do with people being able to get to Grosmont rather than the running conditions, I hazard a guess.

Whoa there, easy tiger. Just that some might view your comment about sharing your workbench on the Guild forum and showing some real modelling a la brass kits in itself carrying a whiff of the elitism you alluded to in the previous paragraph. Hope you enjoyed the show chap!

I think you may wish to re-visit those last two paragraphs...

End weights shown here, each had 14 three link couplings and angle incorporated in them. Concrete was flint rich, hence eventually resorted to JCB attachment that rhymes with decker but isn't allowed to be typed on RMWeb!

A Faverdale BR Standard 20 ton - built '52. Three link couplings for sale!

If anyone is after a Z21 complete set-up, I have one surplus to requirements, used once to prove a loco. Just sat in its box so can be reasonable to an RMWebber! PM if interested or questions. (Apropos AY)

And this beauty is being restored by the good folk of Llangollen railway (just a bit big for my shed!). It may be Polak's showroom or a bar, I haven't decided yet. Could be a bar with a layout I suppose.....

All's progressing steadily on site now. Those who've visited the NYMR last season have had our new carpark to spread out in albeit only currently stoned up. I set seed in the newly topsoiled areas and the wildflower meadow is sown in the flood swale at the bottom end of the site - dogs love it. Now comes the invisible very expensive bit, namely drainage and fuel interceptors. Once the house is sold we can start building! (Again). The old flat on site is acting as our interim retail shop; this is also where internet orders are despatched from.

At my workshop the first (and most challenging) of the brakevan restorations is moving along nicely. Shotted, painted and timbered out ready for floor and superstructure, it'll hopefully be somewhere near by the time the warm weather arrives. Anyway, some pics.

And when my JLTRT Class 37 with twin ABC motor/gearbox bogies is complete with extra detailing packs and all manner of spoiling embellishments and sits in its custom made carry box ready for exhibiting, I shall not once rue the fact I could have had three RTR products in lieu. Instead I shall think of all the cottage businesses I've supported and one man bands I've chatted to/ made friends with and all the new skills I've learnt along the way. 

And... move away from the soapbox.

'Why spend upwards of 600 quid on a locomotive kit (once you add wheels motor finish etc) when you can get RTR for half that?'

Because I enjoy modelling?