wellseasoned

So, I have just spoken to my C.C. company. They tell me that before a dispute as she put it can be opened I have to attempt to speak to DJ Models, or the insolvency company. Has anybody else had this response or been able to make contact with them? I think I know the answer but thought I'd ask anyway. Thanks guys.

I have just checked my CC statement and it shows a payment made to DJ Models Ltd, Liverpool. I am waiting to see what unfolds today before I contact them in pursuit of a refund under a section 75 claim. We can certainly all assist each other on here with our experiences in seeking a refund. To coin a famous phrase "we are all in this together" , well most of us I assume.

I'm sure that a great many of us are waiting with bated breath to hear something from D.J. I am talking about those of us who have shown faith in him and paid deposits towards the King class loco. He has had a right mauling this last couple of weeks, so perhaps he is waiting for the dust to settle a bit before surfacing. He has become very much a Marmite character, and is a target for attack whatever he does. It has to be said that he brought some of it on himself with his sporadic communication to his crowdfunding backers. Hopefully things will become clear in the very near future.

Well, we haven't got long to wait for the anticipated response from D.J. I have a feeling it will come as a shock and/or surprise to the many who have speculated over things since the "announcement" So, we'll see.

As this has become so high profile I believe it's in everyone's interest that there is a positive outcome. Some who read these posts will have paid a deposit/s on the King loco. Obviously we await some clarification from Dave Jones on exactly how things stand. I continue to hope that the King makes it through to delivery. If it doesn't the fall out will probably deter a fair number of people from taking part in future crowdfunding initiatives...whoever is behind it.

Yes I think it is exhausted now, and will just go round and round. Spare a thought for those of us who have paid deposits for the King loco and are awaiting an update. Ongoing negativity/speculation isn't helpful guys. As for D.J. we call all speculate on his out of office message, but do not know what personal problems he may or may not currently have. He may be taking a break, or in China sorting a few things. All we can do is wait for him to come back with some updates and explanations. We might even be pleasently surprised.

There is a side to things we are not normally privy to, the trade itself. During the early days of the King class announcement i had several emails back and forth with Dave Jones. On this one to one basis he indicated a few instances where it sounded as though he wasn't getting a fair crack of the whip from certain others within the wider trade. I of course have no way of verifying his comments but they did sound plausable. Dave Jones does seem a marmite like character, and those who for whatever reason/s do not take to him can be very "vocal" on forums. Some years back I asked him a question on the Dapol stand and was taken aback at a quite surley reply. I retorted strongly and he backed down and apologised. Therefore he may well have a "snappy" side to his character. My own view is that he is a good designer but has been trying to undertake too much on his own. Consequently those of us who have crowdfuned the King project have had long periods of time with no updates/P.R. His recent "announcement" that has created so many ripples may have some justification, but was probably not the best of ideas. I have paid deposits on two Kings and some have ordered several. I'd like to think that the majority of people who've paid a deposit/s will stay with the project, and treat his announcement as an unfortunate hiatus. What he really needs to do IMO is get the King finished and out there. Hopefully it will be a super(b) loco that will go some way towards calming things down, and proving what he is capable of.

As an aside. When KG5 was taken to America in 1927 my grandfather was the ships engineer on the S.S. Chicago City that took her there. He had served a 7 year apprenticeship as a steam engineer at Swindon works. Out of his time he moved to Bristol joining the Merchant Navy. Two of his sons, one being my Father, followed him into the M.N.

All quiet on here for a few months now. Anyone doing anything interesting? Any new coach products around, kits, decals, etched sides or parts? Anyone purchased from Etched Pixels of late? Me, I've had a break from coach building for a few months, but making a re-start on some Hawksworths.

All things said and done I do believe he should give some brief updates to those of us who have shown faith in him and parted with our cash. It does not need to be reams, just a couple of lines of project update to reassure people that things are "on track" It also serves as good P.R. when modellers speak to each-other. The sparse updates and not knowing where the model is at doesn't fill me with confidence to go for the Mogul. This must surely be the same for many others, so it's a sort of own goal he is scoring, but maybe he just doesn't recognise this? Granted he has come in for a fair bit of stick from people, many saying when I actually see something from him then maybe I will part with my money. He would therefore do himself some great favours if he kept those of us supporting the King project in the loop (no pun intended...honestly)

A month has passed by...have I missed something relating to the King class locos I've invested in?

Well, my comment above has certainly generated some discussion. Sadly I don't think Dave does himself any favours with often long periods with no updates. It does not have to be reams of information, just something to reassure those who have shown faith in him and parted with their money. In so many walks of life a lack of information can lead to rumours, suspicion, and loss of faith. I have always wanted the King to succeed as I believe supporting Dave Jones could lead to further models. I have parted with my money, so like others have put my money where my mouth is. There will always be unseen expense that can lead to many of us having to drop a planned expenditure. However, the number of expressions of interest not backed up with firm orders and money is really annoying. Hopefully we will get an update from D.J. fairly soon.

Well they say no news is good news. However, I cannot be alone in craving for just a few snippets of info'....can I?

Did anyone manage to get a picture or two?

Dave Jones, Will the King in a condition beyond the 3D sample you posted a picture of be making an appearance at Warley? Apologies if I have missed something relating to this.

Thank you for your response and side of things Grahame. As a member of the NGS I was only too aware of the disruption and knock on effect that occurred with the sudden resignation of the long time shop managers. As always there are two sides to a story/situation. I feel that both sides have chosen to tell us what suits re' the decals, and somewhere in between will be the reality. As an example Jim at Modelmaster said a couple of weeks back the decals are ready to go back to the NGS but that they have not been collected. An unfortunte war of words possibly? Anyway, for the sake of the membership I hope a happy conclusion is not too far away.

Decals. A while back I posted some comments on the Modelmaster decals, mainly the unforseen disruption that had developed due to decisions made by the NGS committee. I will not go into the rights and wrongs of their decisions. However, the debacle over the decals and a couple of other decisions did not sit well with me. Suffice to say I have not renewed my membership after several years a member. Within the last few days a question came up on the N gauge forum with the poster asking what had happened to all of the Modelmaster decals. A reply from a NGS member stated that whilst a decision had been made to bring them back from Modelmaster and again in house, a subsequent decision has been made to dispose of them and not re-order. I had always considered the access to value for money Modelmaster decals and society kits as a core benefit of membership. I have spoken to the proprieter of Modelmaster on a few occasions since late Spring. During our recent conversation he told me that all of the Modelmaster decals that were obtainable through the NGS are in fact NGS property. They have requested their return so he's therefore unable to sell any of them. The exception is some loco lining which is on his website. He said he had never been paid for producing them by the NGS, so they belong to him and he's at will to sell to anyone. I asked him if he would go on to expand his own range of N gauge decals, to which he replied doubtful as producing them is not cheap and time consuming. I think he is interested in expanding his range of etched name and numberplates in all scales. I recently phone ordered some coach numbers from Fox that arrived the very next day. I have to make my desired numbers for Hawksworth's up from them but the old eyes have held up surprisingly well! I thought it worthwhile to let other coachbuilders know the situation with Modelmaster, and the decision by the NGS not to re-order. Some earlier reports say their are copious numbers of decals, although Jim at Modelmaster told me that when he received a huge parcel of decals from the NGS they were "best mix" and some had become damp in storage. I get the distinct impression their is no love lost between Modelmaster and the NGS committee! It's unfortunate that things have degenerated to the situation that now exists, but there you have it. What would be useful is if a person/s in the know of what is available from who in the decal World could put together some sort of list. For example, does anyone do a No Smoking window "sausage" ? Anyway guys, I hope the aforementioned is of use to you. Steve Falmouth W.Cornwall

I had hoped as I'm sure many others will have, that more deposits would have been paid by now. I suppose the expression of interest scenario does get a number of people saying I'm interested, but when it comes to laying down hard cash some will always melt away. I reckon if we can get this model over the line and it turns out a real show stopper, any future models would/will attract positive interest where deposits are forthcoming in abundance. Thinking back to when this crowdfunding was announced the N gauge forum had a number of posters saying they were interested, but would not commit as they hadn't seen a model from DJM. Many are likely holding back and letting others take the plunge. Well, I really do hope the King does come to fruition, and I dare say Dave Jones will remember those of us who have shown confidence in him and his business.

Dave, I'm certain there will be many others who like myself are really pleased to read about the approved tooling. Thanks you for the update, and as they say on Call the Midwife...all we need is one last push. As Dave has said If you are dithering it's time to get your order and deposit/s in.

I can see both sides here, that of D.J. and also that of us the customer. It could be said that without some indication of "when" it's a bit like the notice I remember seeing in pubs in the 1970s...Free beer tomorrow. When asked the landlord of course replied...tomorrow. I tend to think that said publicity push accompanied by some indication of a proposed/provisional cut-off date for orders would spur on a few waverers/unaware of project to order. It could also appease those that have placed a firm order with their deposit/s. Of course some who have ordered may well be happy to wait for how ever long it takes. That said D.J. is the businessman here and will know the score, so we may have to just sit tight.

Order just placed for 2 kings, a blue one and early B.R green one.

Dave, Can you advise me of what cards/methods of payment can be used for a deposit/s please? Thank you.

Toilet windows. On another forum coaches were being discussed and the question of how do you make toilet windows appear opaque/frosted came up. I had simply been using some off white paint on said window/s by painting the inside of the glazing. To be honest it didn't look quite right so had me pondering. I then had one of those light bulb moments. Got it, why not use some heavyish tracing paper. I glued a small trial piece onto a scrap of my glazing material with canopy glue. The result is very good and a vast improvement on paint, so this is the way forward for me. Cheap as chips but very effective...I like that. Canopy glue as was advised on here is a good choice. I have been able to dismantle a couple of my very early attempts at coachbuilding. The sides can be stripped and start again, utilising what I have learnt along the way.

At the recent Thornbury show I was fortunate to buy 2 unopened packs of Modelmaster LMS/B.R. coach lining (along with several etches) It's a pleasure to use compared to some ancient Ultima lining I was labouring away with. For me the knack is after the soaking period to place the slightly overlength lining near to it's final position. I slide off around 6-8mm of lining to the right hand side of the body,passing the end by a few mm and gently hold it down with a damp finger. With my left hand and some tweezers I can very carefully pull the backing paper away to the left. This leaves the decal in a fairly straight line and it can be teased into position with a 45 degree straight edge brush (around 10mm wide) It's likely that some if not most of you already do this, but it may be of use to somebody.