Stanier16

Callum’s team was miles ahead of the competition, pure and simple. It’s a good thing that Bob Syms is no longer with us, he must be spinning in his grave. Lightweight presentation and ignorance should not be the format, if we the modelling public are to be taken a little more seriously, and not seen as “little boys that haven’t grown up. It seems to me, at least that real ignorance is championed, rather than educating and informing in today media rich (sic) world. As for the other competitors, too many gimmicks, school bit errors and an overall lack of imagination, a bit like the shows format. The idea that , it must be good it’s on tv at least, should rather be, nice try, but, needs much improvement. Slapdash production, must not be footnoted as quality! That my opinion anyway. We, as they used to say, will have to agree to disagree.

I enjoy watching the programme, but the presenters (Channel 5 bods) actually get on my nerves. Mock delight, false jeopardy and smug expressions actually detract from the format. Repetitive inserts and the cheesy music were also a p@&££ take! Peco’s input is evident, but they could have found some better presenters. Stick to car sos Tim!

I also like the show. More seating in the public dining area and within the hall, wouldn’t go amiss.

All well and good Mr York, but your comments seem to completely miss the issue at hand. Would it not be better to taken onboard the justified complaints and come up with an amicable solution, rather than justifying the unjustifiable. It’s a great idea and laudable to try and hook new readers, but to alienate subscribers; I.e; your regular customers is tantamount to shooting oneself in the foot.

Hang on with the acidity and remonstrations chaps.

 

Firstly I've been out all day so this is the first chance to address it. The newsstand copies which include the Metcalfe kit are to hopefully get new readers to pick up the magazine - that's the reason for it and hopefully we can get them to become repeat customers. Yes, there is a cost to it which is reflected in the price change. We have had previous issues where a DVd wasn't included and as we explained then the best way to ensure you always get a copy is to become a subscriber (print or digital) - this also has financial benefits which we pass on to subscribers or the alternative is to take one of our offers to subscribe including other gifts at one of the shows. And yes, the digital version makes use of tech and our efforts to bring you extra content so there are different products from customers to choose from.

 

We have some further cover gifts in coming months on newsstand copies so if you want to make sure of getting the DVD, as said perviously, the best thing to do is subscribe if you want it every month. The cover mounted DVD won't be disappearing though as there's plenty of content lined up for further issues.

 

I will discuss with Steve about access to the material - this could mean a lower cost digital version which includes the DVD content later in the month.

 

We don't set out to upset any section of the readership but seek to get great value in different ways. Oh and one of the future cover-mounted gifts on an issue in a few months is a very good one (but I am biased).

Hang on with the acidity and remonstrations chaps.

 

Firstly I've been out all day so this is the first chance to address it. The newsstand copies which include the Metcalfe kit are to hopefully get new readers to pick up the magazine - that's the reason for it and hopefully we can get them to become repeat customers. Yes, there is a cost to it which is reflected in the price change. We have had previous issues where a DVd wasn't included and as we explained then the best way to ensure you always get a copy is to become a subscriber (print or digital) - this also has financial benefits which we pass on to subscribers or the alternative is to take one of our offers to subscribe including other gifts at one of the shows. And yes, the digital version makes use of tech and our efforts to bring you extra content so there are different products from customers to choose from.

 

We have some further cover gifts in coming months on newsstand copies so if you want to make sure of getting the DVD, as said perviously, the best thing to do is subscribe if you want it every month. The cover mounted DVD won't be disappearing though as there's plenty of content lined up for further issues.

 

I will discuss with Steve about access to the material - this could mean a lower cost digital version which includes the DVD content later in the month.

 

We don't set out to upset any section of the readership but seek to get great value in different ways. Oh and one of the future cover-mounted gifts on an issue in a few months is a very good one (but I am biased).

The Facebook relply isn’t clever, just a very badly worded corporate response! Even given the subscription cover price of £3,70 adding £4.99 for the kit is still more than the higher £5.49 for the high street copy! So if a subscriber want it he kit, the total cost will be £8,69! Perhaps the Facebook guru needs to come back into the real world rather than simple trying to B&@@ brains in the real world.

I agree with Christ! I received my subscription copy on Tuesday and must admit to being a bit mitf that if I want the kit I have to buy one from world-of-Railways for £4.99, where as a shop bought copy includes both the dvd and kit for £4.75! That of course excludes the cover cost of the subscription copy.Come on BRM aren’t subscribers (whether virtual or hard copy) your market? Equally, please look after your captive market. After all, we pay quarterly for the privilege! Comments please Mr York et al!

All that froth and the result, actually next to nothing. Perhaps Hornby could have made a rubber Simon Kohler temper toy! No strategy, lack of direction and now quite out of touch with their bread and butter. It is only my opinion, but it seems to be incapable of understanding the market in which it exists. Astronomical prices for what are 50 year old molds is highway robbery. No doubt the tame press will jump vigorously to their defence. It’s a pity really with more imagative management Hornby could do far better.

Fiona Bruce, Dan Snow, Jeremy “used car salesman” Vine and Tony Robinson are among the ones I cannot stand. The first two for being so lightweight and wooden. Whereas Vine and Robinson are so utterly arrogant and ignorant. Finally, the BBC news department, for being EU fifth columnists.

There is further south of Lincoln, the Sleaford MRC. Very friendly club it is too!

Excuse me for saying this, but, Hornby's position could well have been better, if they were to actually stock a decent range of spares for its recent and current range of locomotives etc. It seems to me that by no sticking said spares, or for that matter well known spares outlets, they either expect the purchaser to source a new, or secondhand item, if they can find one! All this forgetting that maintaining adequate stocks of spares would garner much goodwill with the public. Instead, all that can be heared is a thunderous silence! Not everyone has limitless disposable cash to maintain their fleet. A very short sighted attiude by those at Hornby.

I would have liked

1. A rundown of the layouts to be exhibited,

2. A rundown of the highlights of previous shows, over the years,

3. More modelling,

4. Perhaps some of the additional content offered to those who subscribe to the electronic version- no I don't want to go digital, as I prefer the paper edition, being more tactile and I don't own s tablet.

5. This is merely an afterthought, what about "real" budget modelling projects?

Not sure what the difference is but it doesn't matter. Feedback is always helpful - although it's useful to know what people have enjoyed as well as what they didn't.

 

As far as the DVD goes this month, it's all about the 10th Anniversary Peterborough show. Since it's a special year we wanted to make a bit of a fuss about it. Not everyone has seen the footage so for many it will be new stuff. However, if it's not what you wanted, what would you prefer? I'm not sure what the "the assets Warners do possess" are but we're always happy to do things differently next time.

Not sure what the difference is but it doesn't matter. Feedback is always helpful - although it's useful to know what people have enjoyed as well as what they didn't.

 

As far as the DVD goes this month, it's all about the 10th Anniversary Peterborough show. Since it's a special year we wanted to make a bit of a fuss about it. Not everyone has seen the footage so for many it will be new stuff. However, if it's not what you wanted, what would you prefer? I'm not sure what the "the assets Warners do possess" are but we're always happy to do things differently next time.

As a subscriber, I also felt very disappointed with the offering on the DVD. Perhaps the show special could have been approached in a more imaginative manner. A round table discussion and use of old footage struck me as a "what do we do this month?", approach. The extras were simply the same old recap of the advert in the mag for the Peterborough show. A Shame really considering the assets Warners do possess and the luminaries involved. Not a criticism merely a critical opinion.

And in second place, U517! So bad in fact that the US Navy and US Naval Institute forced the producers to add an historical note that the Germany Kriegmarine Enigma cyphers and machine had been captured by the Royal Navy in two separate incidents, not the US Navy!

Worst film - Pearl Harbor - over three hours of historical inaccuracies, half truths and Ben Aflek flying during the Battle of Britain, taking on the Japanese during the attack on Pearl Harbor and then taking part in the Doolittle Raid! Incredible to say the least. So bad in fact, I fell asleep in the cinema!

Given the declining and poor standard of programming offered by the BBC, I don't think they are worth a tenth of what they given. An organisation that ostensibly relies on money from the British people, I would love to see the license fee abolished. As it is I rarely view the BBC, especially because of lack of balance, their reliance on "celebrity" presenters and the poor standard of research with regard to documentaries. Concentrating on the presenter, rather than the subject really gets my goat! Chris Evans, we'll need one say more; an over priced, talentless public school boy.

Seems to me that Mremag will just fade away, like many a good idea, where enthusiasm bows to tough economic realities. Or is it the curse of Kohlerisation?

Whilst not railway usage, a Bailey bridge forms the roof of an infants school in Newark Notts- aptly named the Bridge School.

We also trained pilots in South Africa.

Also Southern Rhodesia, Canada - the Empire Air Training Scheme

Thanks Tony,

 

I'm very pleased that the Club profited from the sales.

 

Regards,

 

Gary

Gary,

 

Thanks for passing on the kind message. Usually, it seems more likely today that folk are more likely to post messages of complaint.

 

Yesterday, I very happily handed over the cheque to Howes of Oxford to cover the sales of the 'repaired' Tangos. 10% of what you paid went to Market Deeping MRC but it was still a good price.

 

Most of what I had to do to rectify any Tango problems was superficial - repairing handrails (our suggestions during the model's development included metal handrail pillars, but this was not taken up) or sorting out any running problems (usually caused by carelessly-handled valve gear or the keeper plate screwed in too tightly). Apart from one (where someone had knackered the DCC plug-in cover), all I had to fix were repaired and ran well.

 

It's amazing how comments made on sites such as this can have an effect on folk's perception. Last week, two friends came and one said he'd avoid Heljan's Tangos because of 'all the problems he'd read about'. After seeing and running what I'd got left, he bought two! And the other friend bought another. Granted, they chose the very best runners (though there were no poor runners) and were entirely delighted.

 

Also yesterday, Grahame Wareham (Brush Veteran) brought eight of his Tangos and two for Roy Jackson. All worked perfectly, and no bits fell off. None of these was pre-selected - just straight from stock. The three I've altered (cosmetically) for the magazine all ran yesterday, happily hauling 40+ wagon trains with ease, for ages. As I hope is well known, I wouldn't tolerate a poor-performing loco on my layout.

 

Regards,

 

Tony.

Tony,

I attended the recent Stamford exhibition and was able to pick up one of the LNER 02's that the Club was selling on your behalf, Aside from the marvellous bargain achieved, I just wanted to thank you for the repairs you made to the excellent model, it runs like a dream.

Best regards

Gary Burford

 

Do churches in South Africa face north? (Just curious.)

Do churches in South Africa face north? (Just curious.)