Widnes Model Centre

Hi Jtn, did it break where it had been crimped to stop it sliding? We have had a number break in the same spot. They have been returned to Gaugemaster as we believe they were a faulty batch. Suggest take it back to wherever you bought it from for possible replacement.

We never received any of the first batch and we have absolutely no idea when and what is due in the next delivery. Our disappointed customers were pointed in the direction of this post. They then asked if they could cancel their orders and this has been done. I feel sorry for Peco, an excellent company with great staff.

New website just launched, in it's infancy as we have over 1400 lines to load. Just the bare bones up at the moment. www.widnesmodelcentre.co.uk http://widnesmodelcentre.co.uk/

Evergreen 9005 is what you are looking for I believe. I have looked at our suppliers and they appear to be the only manufacturers of 5 thou.

Thanks Richard, not that long I spoke to them. Had me worried uksweet.

uksweet Which Model Shop in Halifax?

Jason, that sums up the Echo, only ever look on line and then give up. Z- listers is so true :-)

Interesting piece of investigative journalism from the Liverpool Echo, used to be a brilliant newspaper. Some very well researched figures........ http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/model-train-companys-x-rated-13228009.amp

A big thank you to those who made the effort and turned up for our first late night opening. Didn't quite pan out like we thought. We were receiving calls stating people were on their way but stuck in traffic. Ended up closing the doors at 9pm. Long day......

Even though I had prior warning: Read this and nearly spilt my coffee again. Back to Hornby Financials.

Detracting slightly from this thread: Marketing Strategy, Wonder Woman, look what she has done for swords???? This is a model railway forum! Having just promised 87029 (Mike at C and M Models) to bring his marketing strategy to the forum. We need to sell more trains and we need it to be made loud and clear. Bring it on Mike!

I think this an excellent well thought out synopsis. If a retail colleague of mine is correct, Hornby have also had a reduction in stock of £4 million. Humbrol paints are still in some variants not in stock and have been for some time. The result for us is that we have had to obtain paints from different manufacturers. The replacements have become very popular and it is difficult to see Humbrol getting back our market share. If we haven't got it, no one else has either. Paint is essential for everything from touching up a broken vase to actually completing that Airfix model. Hornby track has been missing from stock for a considerable time and has only arrived this week. If we haven't got it you cannot buy it... step up sales of Peco. The market still is awash with Hornby sell-offs. Many shops still have lots of aged stock that was bought at higher prices and that is no good to anyone. So you reduce it to less than what you paid Hornby for and it still might be overpriced after comparing to Hornby stock dumps. When new stock arrives at higher prices it just makes the new price look outrageous. Certainly for the occasional buyer who wants something to start with and or to get their grandchildren an interest. No idea what will be in it. My experience is that with regard to Hornby many retailers are waiting to see what happens, before going back to our previous order patterns. A quick snapshot of 5 shops a few weeks ago showed we were between five of us (combined) ordering in the £100's, when in previous years it was in the £10,000's. It is better for us retailers in terms of Direct Sales with "Out of Stock... Contact your local retailer" Chances are we haven't got it either. Personally we acknowledge that Hornby are trying but there is still a long way to go. As I am writing this I have just received a text to say that we have a Hornby delivery via DPD tomorrow. No idea what will be in it. Cannot advertise when we don't know what to advertise. Fingers crossed, it might be paint. Cross more fingers and hope we can sell it! Whilst we benefit from Hornby Distribution sending out random small deliveries below Carriage Paid costs, it certainly cannot help Hornby Finances.

Perfect, photo must have been taken on a day we weren't sat outside! Can I suggest that you share your build with the staff at Carrog? Or would you mind if I forwarded it to them?

Certainly hope there will room for the tea rooms, maybe with a mini Janet outside? Looking great, really enjoying this build.

I am sure a lot of members who live in this general area are aware of the ongoing Mersey Gateway and Runcorn Widnes Bridge traffic disruption. At the moment it is difficult during the normal working day and even weekends to get into Widnes from via the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge or from Liverpool South. In an effort to make it easier for our customers, as from Wednesday 21st June 2017 we will remain open until 8pm. This will be until further notice.

I would still take that up as a warranty claim. I might have a shop but I still buy models for myself. Was it fit for purpose? We still resolve issues that are out of warranty with the consent and help of the manufacturer/importer, albeit this tends to be on the radio controlled models we sell. Not sure what relevant act was in place when these were sold, Sale of Goods or Consumer Protection. But as consumer protection is relevant now, within that act you may have to prove the item was faulty when you received it. That seems fairly easy given this forum. I am currently fighting a similar issue for a friend. Not within any hobby I would add. The retailer is blaming the manufacturer, the manufacturer says there was a known fault and the retailer was aware. The customer (my friend) has been fobbed off basically. As a retailer the law is not on my side and we should use it but I would add with a sense of fairness and honesty. I say that as we have had faulty goods returned to us and on examination by ourselves and the supplier, customers have been trying it on shall we say? I would add that Hattons may have commissioned these loco's but the fault clearly lies at the manufacturers door.

Yes, it was posted with all good intentions. I am aware of the problems with these loco's. The guide price as I remarked also seems to suggest that this has not been missed by the auctioneers. It is for 46256 to decide whether he wishes to spend more, his suggestion that he may take a hammer to his own suggests that he is well aware of the issue. I don't think I overlooked anything. From posts on here and various reviews, why weren't they returned to the source? It was up to the manufacturer to solve this problem. I cannot recall (without going through every post) seeing any comment from the trade.

You could try buying another one. It has the Aston's Auctioneers guide at £60-80. Aston's have always had very knowledgeable staff from my dealings with them. Lot 215 OO Gauge. Heljan. LMS Beyer Garratt. No. 4978 weathered edition. OO Gauge. Heljan. LMS Beyer Garratt. No. 4978 weathered edition. Overall G+ with part box Powered by Translate * Auction sale details Toy & Model Railway Auction Sale Date(s) 08 Jun 2017 10:00 BST Venue Address Baylies Hall Tower Street Dudley West Midlands DY1 1NB United Kingdom Ask auctioneer about this lot Category Models, Toys, Dolls & Games Important information & T&C's for this Sale Live Auction: 08 Jun 2017 10:00 BST Estimate: 60 GBP - 80 GBP Additional fees apply Current bid: 40 GBP

I have had a reply from my GWR man, he says "varying shades of cream!" Sadly I no longer have any living relatives who worked on the railway. As a young boy I spent my summers staying with relatives in Aberystwyth. Trips to Devil's Bridge were a frequent day out, especially if it was raining. I stayed just around the corner from the station. Great memories of a time gone bye. Always seemed to end up covered in ash from leaning out of the carriage window. Too young to ride on the footplate though.

Yes, it was the swatch I was referring to. On my monitor it definitely shows as a lemon tint. I meant to add that there is some references to modelling the Welsh Valleys and other links. Perhaps the author could be contacted? I have also contacted a friend of mine who among his other duties has to repaint their stock on a heritage GWR line. I await his reply to pass on. Hopefully he won't just reply "Cream" but may have a colour paint reference.

This may help Graham. http://www.gwr.org.uk/liverieschoccream.html

Our magazine sales have all but disappeared and customers have now worked out when the next free issue is due. We receive around 100 free copies and they all go. To answer Gas Cupboard we have never dealt with the new distributors. On reading this, we won't be. As Mike says it is hard enough to sell magazines. It isn't worth the effort.

Outsourcing and delivering to wrong addresses is down to Hornby to sort out. We shouldn't have to make phone calls to get to the right address. The distributors can only go on the information they are provided with by Hornby.

Hopefully who ever is in charge can explain why our Hornby delivery was sent to our home address. Is this Hornby's idea of getting retailers to feel more at home with them? Basics, can we get back to them please?

Maybe even more basic than that. Hornby and Scalextrix Track in short supply. Please don't ask for matt black paint.