sidmouth
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Posts posted by sidmouth
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the internet has sadly become little more than a lawless wild west, where everyone's desire for a little piece of the action usually at the expense of someone else, manifests itself . Whether its grifters using urbex to boost their fledgling youtube/tiktok etc channels , to the cheaper than possible sellers on Farcebook marketplace who will take your £30 for that desirable model worth significantly more, as they know we are suckers for a bargain and the providence doesn't matter when it is that cheap. Ebay sellers look legit , good feedback so we assume authorised Dapol sellers but who happen to be in China . there is a very broad selection and what would constitute a good stockholding for a model shop available, so we are not talking about sneaking a couple of the production line
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Always sad news when a shop closes down and my best wishes to all at Hattons, but I suspect the model railway world will continue to turn . Warwick model shop closed many years ago which was my local one but I found somewhere else . I confess to never having been a hattons regular customer , I did buy from them many years ago and no complaints about the service which was excellent but I do like to go into a model shop, browse , peruse and make my purchases even if I have to drive a distance. Liverpool though was just too far
what does scare me about the model railway retail model , is how much even a relatively small shop has to in effect fund in stock . one model shop I know is sat on say around £250k worth of stock but carries borrowings or in excess of £100k to fund that stock . Manufacturer payment terms are fairly short for an item that may sit for 3m , 6m, a year before being sold . Now I'm sure you will tell me that this is just retail (in which why would anyone do it ?)
Model railways are relatively niche business with a comparatively small market and certainly one major manufacturer who blows hot and cold about model shops does not help and I wonder whether hattons trading with both Bachmann and Hornby in recent times has been a factor in the decision. There has to be a better way for manufacturers and shops to work in a way that doesn't shift all the stock holding costs from manufacturer to retailer quite as quickly as currently happens
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For those visiting the Severn Valley Railway between Christmas and the winter steam up David Postle at the Kidderminster Railway Museum has asked me to share the following events that are on . I suspect Cafe is open as well for refreshments and the museum itself is always worth a look around
December 27th daily to January 2nd, January 6th and January 7th - book fair, selling over a thousand rare and out of print railway books, most in mint condition, and extremely hard to find. In addition there are thousands of other railway books for sale, all at half the labelled price, plus new books from publishers Lightmoor Press and Kidderminster Railway Museum. Opening hours 10am to 5.00pm
Janaury 6th - photograph fair, with thousands of photographs for sale from 20 tables of dealers. Kidderminster Railway Museum's own photograph archive will also be available. Opening hours 10am to 4.30pm.
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https://tonystrainsofrugby.com/collections/exclusives
We have teamed up with our friends at Rapido Trains UK to bring you our first ever exclusive product!
Utilising their new Lowmac tooling we are taking some minor liberties to produce the model in Great Central livery as a near representation of the Mac N, the wagon which evolved into the LNER Lowmac. Taking influence from Rapido's own decision to make the "Not Quite Mink" Range based on their GWR Iron Mink wagons.
A minimum of 150 will be made and expected delivery is Q4/2024. Unusually for us we have had to take the decision to request either 25% Deposit (£10) or Payment in Full (£39.95) on ordering. This payment is due to having to pay Rapido a deposit on closing of the order book. However, if paying in full enter the discount code FACEBOOK at the checkout to save 10% on the total price. Postage can be paid at the same time or if you want to delay that payment until arrival select "collect in person" at checkout.
I'm afraid ALL payments are NON-REFUNDABLE.
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9681 at the Dean Forest Railway by Martin Creese, on Flickr
although a little off topic and as an avid reader of the thread and an admirer of the creation, Monday found me deep in the forest hunting a pannier on ballast empties for Whitecliff quarry . Just before the sun set this is what I found
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Very enjoyable afternoon on Sunday at Blaenavon . Very hot and humid and well done all for running the event . Coal Tank looks fabulous as dies Furness 20 . Timetable drifted through the day
Footage from my youngest
https://youtu.be/NI28DNZVpIM?feature=shared
Blaenavon Steam Railway - 40th Anniversary gala by Martin Creese, on Flickr
Blaenavon Steam Railway - 40th Anniversary gala by Martin Creese, on Flickr
Blaenavon Steam Railway - 40th Anniversary gala by Martin Creese, on Flickr
Blaenavon Steam Railway - 40th Anniversary gala by Martin Creese, on Flickr
https://youtu.be/0316fKHGDLE?feature=shared
eldests footage
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slope sided mineral is one I'm looking forward too . Captioning images for a book currently and they turn up so regularly
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https://www.minervamodelrailways.co.uk/news/minervas-next-locomotive-the-gw-56xx-0-6-2-tank/
Now on Minerva website too
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5 hours ago, Chris M said:
I've been a regular visitor to the SVR since before it opened sometime as a volunteer but for the last few decades just an ordinary member and shareholder. Volunteers will often moan about the management but I have to say I have never heard or seen anything like the animosity towards Helen Smith ever before. Volunteers will tell complete strangers how bad the SVR was under Helen's management and that is unusual. On discussing the fact that Helen had moved on to manage St Michael's Mount one volunteer said "It will probably sink with her in charge". From all I have heard it seems Helen didn't really understand how a heritage railway works or the importance of appreciating everyone's efforts. I have heard many reports of Helen having no interest in volunteers or loco owning groups.
It is perhaps all too easy criticising those who have left . Individuals rarely act solo though the actions or inactions of others empowered the decisions made . That said and despite many positives her departure is marked by the SVR being in a business sense in the worst place I have known it . The covid bounceback or as others who took one out call it , biteback loan is a major causal factor and the decision to take it out in hindsight was probably wrong .
What is positive is the volunteers fabulously support the railway and from a lot of conversation have faith in the new the new general manager .
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2 hours ago, woodenhead said:
Whilst th SVR is asking for funds to stay afloat and the WSR fumbles along, over in the middle of the country the GCR is asking for a similar amount to continue it's aim of reunification.
What's different at the GCR that they are able to push on with reunification whilst the others struggle after Covid, energy woes and general issues from the current state of the country?
I'd be tempted to wait for the accounts to come out
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For anyone planning on going over the weekend and please if you can do go and support the SVR , I've tried to bring everything that is on together in one place
Timetable
https://svr.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Spring-Steam-Gala-Timetable-ALL-DAYS.pdf
Tickets
https://my.svr.co.uk/events?view=list&k=Spring-Steam-Gala
Station updates
Kidderminster
Kidderminster Railway Museum should be open with their excellent cafe and book sale .
Kidderminster shop and buffet
Coalyard minature railway
King and Castle
Station fund stall
Bewdley
Bewdley station fund shop
Erlestoke Manor Fund Shop
GW SVR A Fund shop
813 fund shop
Bewdley Buffet
Bewdley Buffet, Fund Shop & Beer Tent opening times over Spring Steam Gala:
Buffet:
8am-3.30pm Fri/Sat/Sun.
Station Fund Shop:
10am-6pm Fri/Sat/Sun.
Beer Tent:
10am-10pm Fri/Sat
10am-6pm Sun
ArleyTom's Cabin will be open every day 11am till 3pm serving teas/coffee's and biscuits, run by the station volunteers. Come and have a cuppa!
The station fund shop will also be open throughout the event.
Highley
Engine House and station cafe
Hampton Loade
Station open day Thursday
and then the weekend
Bridgnorth
Bridgnorth buffet will be open tomorrow 8.30 - 1.30.
LMS/BR Carriage fund shop
Railwaymans Arms
Fri, sat, sun will be open 8.30 - 4.30.-
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A very enjoyable day as part of a two day photocharter at the Bodmin and Wenford and Railway
weather was a challenge and Spring hadn't quite arrived as Storm Mathis hit on Friday
30742 Charters - 5553 at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway by Martin Creese, on Flickr
leaving Boscarne Junction
30742 Charters - 5553 at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway by Martin Creese, on Flickr
arriving at Bodmin General
30742 Charters - 5553 at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway by Martin Creese, on Flickr
Dreasons Woods
30742 Charters - 5553 at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway by Martin Creese, on Flickr
Charlie's gate
Video compiled by my youngest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQWVOHJQSw0
And by my eldest
Many thanks to all involved at Bodmin for making us so welcome
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Scots Guardsman put in a rare appearance in the midland on a Railway Touring Company, Manchester to Stratford upon Avon tour . This had the bonus of both ways along the North Warwicks line and my local station of Shirley
Last of the snow at Earlswood Lakes
46115 Scots Guardsman - Railway Touring Company Manchester to Stratford by Martin Creese, on Flickr
Shrewley on the ECS Turning movement
46115 Scots Guardsman - Railway Touring Company Manchester to Stratford by Martin Creese, on Flickr
Video from my eldest
Earlswood captured by my youngest
His slightly different viewpoint of Shrewley
and finally his footage in the rain of the return at Shirley . checked for the Preceding stopper
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18 minutes ago, Phil Bullock said:
Looks like an excellent day! Couldn’t turn out due to trip to Prague but will be out for two castles up the Lickey on 18th March and 4079 on the Severn Valley.
I think 18th March is being postponed as the industrial action that day means they cannot use Shrub Hill station
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Hatton bank on the return
Castle Centenary event at Didcot by Martin Creese, on Flickr
Castle Centenary event at Didcot by Martin Creese, on Flickr
Castle Centenary event at Didcot by Martin Creese, on Flickr
Castle Centenary event at Didcot by Martin Creese, on Flickr
and my eldest's video of the Birmingham - Didcot and return working which does include my hatton footage as well
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thanks for the questionaire
never easy as we are all very different in our modelling preferences . appreciated being able to give multiple answers as sometimes a single one is not enough
the one that would intrigue me is by gauge and maybe by manufacturer do we feel we get value for money
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apologies for bouncing the thread
The offer from Rails was too good to resist so at £295 a carmine and cream one has joined the collection . One buffer compressed in but otherwise all ok . looks lovely and runs well
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apologies if this has been posted earlier , specsavers visit may be in the offing
https://railsofsheffield.com/collections/o-gauge-sale
AEC railcars now down to £295 (BR Green and Carmine and Cream versions)
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On 24/12/2022 at 13:03, Porfuera said:
I've not really read much of this thread, so I'm not sure whether this qualifies... apologies if not...
I have one of the analogue versions of this set so I'm guessing that might be worth a couple of grand...? However I think even I'd baulk at charging £500 postage...
I was thinking that maybe it was a decimal point error in the prices but there are several more - and this is about the only thing that the seller hasn't described as "rare" or "very rare"!
Happy Christmas to all!
Cheers, Neil.
looking at sold items someone paid £850 for a Hornby R1172 Majestic set .
so ultra rare there are at least two on eBay for £400 . Maybe should buy and double my money !
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Ultimately and looking at sold items , people are willing to pay the prices , so who is the fool now ?
I know its quite entertaining to be outraged at the prices but the twisting of the name and derogatory inclusion is really a bit low
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A further selection of footage from the last week of operation . filmed and compiled bymy eldest
7029 Clun Castle on the Polar Express by Martin Creese, on Flickr
7029 Clun Castle on the Polar Express by Martin Creese, on Flickr
7029 Clun Castle on the Polar Express by Martin Creese, on Flickr
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Would it be wrong to suggest Hornby re engage with the model shop network and engage with it to further the hobby and their business
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Chris was also an avid photographer and for many years maintained the diary of photo charter events , helping organsiers avoid conflicts of dates and spreading opportunites of event to all on his mailing list
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Being local to us and up to five trains a day we've been enjoying the sight and sound of 7029 Clun Castle on the Polar Express from Birmingham to Dorridge and return . Video by my eldest , turn up the volume
Vintage Trains Polar Express 2022 by Martin Creese, on Flickr
Vintage Trains Polar Express 2022 by Martin Creese, on Flickr
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Railway Touring company Great Britain tour
in Preservation
Posted
The annual tour of the UK this year was very much in the hands of Ian Riley's Black 5's
Firstly seen at Pikes Pool on the Lickey Incline on the 14th April on the Cheltenham to Lancaster leg
and then at Knucklas viaduct on the 20th April on the Liverpool to Swansea leg
Both clips filmed by my youngest