Can I just wholeheartedly recommend Rails of Sheffield to all fellow Forum members. In particular their fantastic Customer Service, where they've absolutely gone above and beyond many other companies I've ever dealt with.
I've recently had a complete disaster with a brand new Hornby Class 08 shunter that I bought from them. The model arrived by post and I was so very careful in its handling. These models are superbly detailed, but are so very difficult to handle without damaging them.
Trying to get the model out of the box was the first challenge, despite the newer style packaging! Then the supposed simple removal of a couple of plastic tanks and some screws to open the body shell to fit a decoder, was anything but.
I've fitted a decoder to a Class 09 before, which was fiddly, but this was ridiculous. It was as though the shell and chassis had been literally glued or sandwiched together. Three hours spent with no movement!
It literally broke in the process of trying to remove the bodyshell from the chassis, despite only using proper slim plastic pry tools. Eventually, I was left with a broken coupling rod and bent wheel contacts. The yellow coupling rods are also not available for some reason to buy as a part either. I was ready to give in and bin the loco and just forget the whole experience.
After a telephone call with them, my thanks go to Adam in the shop (who suggested returning the model for investigation). Adam suggested something didn't seem right if the model had been so difficult to open. Back the loco went by post to Rails.
Rails have helped me out all the way, eventually replacing my shunter with an identical brand new one (fitted with a decoder as well). I would also recommend the Rails DCC fitting service and would say to anyone wanting to get a Hornby Class 08 apart (for decoder fitting anyway), to spend the extra money and use their fitting service as well!
Thanks also to Ben, who dealt with the paperwork and shipment very promptly.
Previous purchases, have been delivered quicker than others and their prices are very good. I for one, will be continuing to use Rails as my first choice when I need any more model railway kit.
Cheers Rails of Sheffield