Trains4U

At the risk of sounding like a broken record... Hornby need a consistent core range. which must include high and low spec Mallard, Flying Scotsman and Tornado. Current mainline trains (HSTs/Pendo/800) as affordable sets, consistent Thomas stock, dare I say it, pecketts? All available, all the time. The Lima HST for example, is a reasonable model. Slapping Virgin East Coast colours on it may not be prototypically correct, but a lot of 10 year olds and their dads won't care. Its an HST that looks like the one they went to London on, and its under £100. They also MUST MUST MUST look at the prices of their accessories. these have been subject to broad-brush-beancounter price increases for years and years and years. A plastic platform section (RRP £6.99) or point motor switch (RRP £11.49) should be no more than £2.50 - £3.50 each. Economies of scale would quickly kick in if these were appropriately priced. I sell maybe 15 or 20 point switches a year. If they were £3.50 each, I'd sell that many, perhaps more, every week. as it is the sales go to Expo or Peco instead. I asked the marketing director last year if he has ever gone around and evaluated the phyiscal product in his hand before looking at the RRP (in this case a plastic platform section) and he said no. I suggested it would be a worthwhile exercise - do all of the products they sell command the prices suggested? Some of the recent product decisions astonish me. Why, for example, was the railroad class 90 released in Mainline livery (Which no-one really liked at the time the real locos were built) when it could have been Freightliner, or EWS or Greater Anglia? Why is the GWR HST a limited edition? Why not paint some Mark 4s to go with the VEC 91s they made? Why are they not increasing production runs of Pecketts? Why not re-release the items that really are selling, or which will compliment other products in the range? Hornby should also follow Bachmann in reducing output. The market is close to a precipice of diecast bus proportions, especially as models from the 2000s are now coming back into the market in larger numbers, models are not thrown away as often, they have residual value and the used market is burgeoning - sales of used models have boomed, stripping sales of new models to a fraction of the volume of only 5 or 6 years ago. A shake up of pricing, rationalising ranges, introducing some consistency and cutting down on deep discounts would all help (in my opinion) But what do I know?

What a great show! We didn't attend last year ( the only year in the last 10) The show seemed invigorated, Saturday was very busy, and Sunday, whilst it felt like a slow start, was also surprisingly busy, with many people still present at 4pm - when often it is dead by 3. I had lots of positive comments about the quality of the layouts and many saying they had only intended to stay for a couple of hours but stayed all day! I give credit to the organisers and supporting clubs for doing a great job. We had record takings, so thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand and purchased something, be it a £1.50 wagon or a £600 O Gauge peak! I look forward to the 2018 show ( and hopefully an even bigger 32-foot stand of goodies!)

Our in-house weathering expert, Matt has been busy with the airbrush preparing some locos for sale at the Peterborough show this weekend... Here are a couple of O Gauge items as a little taster of what will be available Heljan 37 37261 Caithness. £650 Dapol 08 in faded blue £275.

So ITV are asking if anyone recognises the person in the CCTV, but don't provide an image...

They are surprisingly easy to shift unfortunately Our place is like Fort Knox now after three break ins. Our current shop has not been broken into yet (touches wood) I'll keep an eye open, there are one or two dealers around that are less than scrupulous when it comes to buying 'collections' I hope the insurance pays out in the meantime.

Just a wee taster... This will be available to buy at the Peterborough show this weekend. Named, numbered and weathered by our in-house specialist Matt.

Also, the operational Container terminal is now sold. The other is being seen to...

Ok... Part 3 Container Wagons and some other Dapol wagons... These are all boxed (I have 3 pairs of unboxed FEAs and 3 pairs of unboxed Intermodals) Dapol FEA all £30 per pair Freightliner: B724A x 1 available B724B x 1 available B724C x 1 available B724D x 1 available B724E x 1 available Trainlines Weathered Limited pair (640351 +640352) x 3 available GBRf B740A x 2 available B740B x 3 available B740C x 3 available B740D x 2 available Dapol KQA/KTA Pocket wagon £25 each B779A x 3 available B779B x 2 available B779C x 2 available B779D x 2 available Bachmann Intermodal Pairs, With Containers £35 per pair 37 300 2x 45' ECS x 1 available 37-300B 2x 45' ECS x 1 available 37-301A 2x 45' AXIS x 3 available 37 301B 2x 45' Seawheel x 2 available 37-302B 2x 45' P&O ferrymasters (not seaco) x 1 available 37-310 2x 20' Haburg Sud x 2 available 37-311 2x 20' P&O x 3 available 37-312 2x 20' MSC x 3 available Bachmann Intermodal Pairs, Without Containers £25 per pair 37-316 - Intermodals without containers (Weathered) x 4 available (More Bachmann intermodals to be listed) Realtrack FLAs £35 per pair FLA twin Freightliner - 2 x Maersk 45' Hi Cubes x 2 available FLA twin Freightliner - 1 x Maersk 1x MOL 45' Hi Cube Reefers x 1 available FLA twin Freightliner - 2 x Red 45' Hi Cubes x 1 available Other Wagons Dapol Telescopic Hood Wagon VTG grey - Trainlines of Derby Ltd Edition weathered 3 available £40 each B777F EWS MBA 2 available £20 each B777G EWS MBA 2 available £20 each B778F EWS MCA 3 available £20 each B778G EWS MCA 3 available £20 each Part 3 to come... Includes Bachmann 100t tankers, VGAs, Heljan cargowaggons and Hornby carriages If anyone would like pictures, please ask - it may take a while to get them to you, but I'll do my best!

I've made some progress on the layout this week. The boarding around the front of the layout is now complete. The plug sockets added for the layout were attached to a huge MDF board. This was cut down. The sockets mounted to the frame and the remainder of the board reserved as the workbench. Today, I installed the workbench and supporting frame. and began installing some of the supporting framework for the storage beneath the layout. Next steps are to build the storage on the side closest to the stairs. I'll leave the storage on the other side until later as I'll need access to install the wiring. O gauge track laying will also commence shortly!

In the absence of a class 35 sound file from my supplier (SWD) They have kindly altered a Western to have a single engine startup. Not perfect, but my customer was happy! 8-pin sound decoders are widely available.

We have too much to list and keep track of as it turns so quickly. Where I get big collections in, I try to list on here, but it's not always possible. Part one of my latest batch is on the previous page of this thread

I've got a Paxman Valenta Piston head in the shop somewhere. We paid a fiver for it at the last Crewe Works open day

I'm going to have to get more cabinets for the second hand...

The Google maps link is correct (I was just looking at exactly the same spot and had even copied the link - but you beat me to it!)

You know the motor can be replaced? (£33 for a new one)

For your ESU fitted loco, put it on a clear length of track (at least 4 ft) Turn the sound off Set cv 54 to 0 Turn the sound on. The loco will shoot off like a scalded cat and stop. This auto-tunes the decoder to the motor in the model. Hope this helps

Not trains... but we've added more capacity to our kit-room with a newly acquired gondola. So we will be stocking up on additional kits to fill the space, mostly 1:35 military and 1:24 vehicles

First tranche of catalogued models... All models in this list are boxed Hornby R2421 Class 31 31110 Civil Engineers. Chassis failed, bodyshell, cab interiors and bulkheads only some small splits - easily repairable Weathered £20.00 Hornby R2421 Class 31 31105 Respray Network Rail Chassis Failed, bodyshell, cab interiors and bulkheads only, body good. weathered SOLD Chassis still available by separate negotiation Hornby R2413 Class 31 31233 Respray Network Rail Chassis failed, bodyshell, cab interiors and bulkheads only one small split weathered - easily repairable £35.00 Chassis available by separate negotiation Hornby R2577 Class 60 Mainline grey Canisp Nicely weathered DCC Ready £110.00 Hornby R2489 Class 60 Loadhaul Nicely weathered DCC Ready SOLD Hornby R2488 Class 60 EWS 60100 Renumbered and weathered DCC SOUND £175.00 Hornby R2488 Class 60 EWS 60026 DCC SOUND £175.00 Hornby R2639 Class 60 EWS/3TG 60014 Nicely weathered DCC Ready £110.00 Hornby R2747 Class 60 Sub sector Petroleum 60054 Nicely weathered DCC Fitted SOLD Hornby R2747 Class 60 Sub sector Petroleum 60062 Renumbered and weathered DCC SOUND SOLD Hornby R2984 HST Network Rail NMT Power Cars 2 ESU Loksound decoders (Paxman Valenta) DCC SOUND £350.00 Hornby R2703 HST GNER Power cars DCC Ready £150.00 Hornby R2511 class 156 Central Trains Express Models lights, door lights, interior lights (2 decoders) DCC SOUND £195.00 Bachmann 32-426 Class 24 D5054 Green (Early Model) no lights DCC Ready £50.00 Bachmann 32-801DS Class 47 D1746 Green As New DCC SOUND £175.00 Bachmann 32-525a Class 55 KOYLI Green 55002 (Early model) no lights DCC ready £75.00 Bachmann 32-520 DELTIC NRM blue Bass Reflex DCC SOUND SOLD Bachmann 32-780x Class 37 37038 DRS Limited Edition DCC SOUND £225.00 Bachmann 32-750 Class 57 57008 Freightliner Explorer DCC Fitted £60.00 Bachmann 32-753 Class 57 57011 Freightliner Challenger DCC Fitted £60.00 Bachmann 32-857 9F 92077 BR Late BR1C tender As New DCC Fitted £120.00 Bachmann 32-730 Class 66 EWS 66079 Renumbered weathered DCC SOUND £160.00 Bachmann 32-725DS Class 66 EWS 66042 Renumbered weathered DCC SOUND £170.00 Bachmann 32-725 Class 66 EWS 66194 Renumbered DCC Ready £85.00 Bachmann 32-977 Class 66 DRS 66411 Stobart Rail DCC SOUND £225.00 Bachmann 32-731 Class 66 DRS 66407 y SOUND 160 DCC SOUND £160.00 Bachmann 32-726 Class 66 Freightliner 66610 weathering is not great DCC Ready £75.00 Bachmann 32-726DS Class 66 Freightliner 66522 Shanks DCCSOUND £175.00 Bachmann 32-725 Class 66 66135 DCC fitted SOLD Bachmann 31-502 Class 158/9 WYPTE Lights not working on one side of the motor unit cab £55.00 Bachmann 31-504A Class 158 Central Trains £65.00 Bachmann 32-451A Class 170 2-car Central Trains Weathered DCC and Express Models Lighting fitted (2 decoders) DCC Fitted £115.00 Bachmann 32-451 Class 170 2 car Central Trains DCC and Express Models Lighting fitted (2 decoders) DCC Fitted SOLD Bachmann 32-451 Class 170 2 car Central Trains DCC and Express Models Lighting fitted (2 decoders) DCC Fitted £110.00 Bachmann 32-460 Class 170 3 car Central Trains DCC and Express Models Lighting fitted (3 decoders) DCC Fitted £160.00 Bachmann 31-528 A2 Happy Knight BR Green Late As new DCC Fitted £150.00 Bachmann 32-779 Class 37 37035 Civil Engineers As New DCC Fitted SOLD Heljan 58091 Class 58 58048 Coventry Colliery 3TG Coal weathering is not great DCC Ready £80.00 Heljan 53001 D0280 Falcon Lime Green First batch, original chassis - buffer beams good with spares included. Some glue marks and scratches on the blue FALCON decals due to previously applied etched parts. DCC Ready £110.00 Heljan 4005 LION Mint DCC Ready £110.00 Heljan 4000 HS4000 KESTREL Mint DCC Ready SOLD Heljan 40111 DP2 Two Tone Green DCC SOUND £195.00 Heljan 3300 Class 33 33065 Civil Engineers Express Lighting fitted - one tail light failed DCC Fitted £110.00 Sound Decoders ESU v3.5 Class 31 sound decoder Decoder Only 8-pin DCC SOUND 3 available £70.00 each Wagons Bachmann 37-325a JGA 90t Hopper "TILCON" 10 available £27.50 each Bachmann 37-326a JGA 90t Hopper "ARC" Orange 6 Available £30.00 each Bachmann 37-326b JGA 90t Hopper "ARC" Orange 4 Available £30.00 each Bachmann 37-327a JGA 90t Hopper "Buxton Lime" 8 Available £27.50 each Bachmann 37-327b JGA 90t Hopper "Buxton Lime" 1 Available £27.50 each Bachmann 38-030a Freightliner HHA Sliding End Door 6 Available £33.00 each Bachmann 38-031 Freightliner HHA Hinged end door 5 Available £33.00 each Bachmann 38-032 Freightliner HHA Hinged end door Weathered 4 Available £33.00 each Bachmann 33-430 POA scrap wagon 3 Available £12.50 each Bachmann 33-431 POA scrap wagon 3 Available £12.50 each Bachmann 33-435 SSA scrap wagon 3 Available SOLD Bachmann 33-436a SSA scrap wagon 1 Available SOLD Bachmann 38-131 Seacow Dutch 8 Available £22.50 each Hornby 6286c Seacow EWS Weathered 1 Available £22.50 each Hornby 6286d Seacow EWS 3 Available £22.50 each Hornby 6286e Seacow EWS Weathered 5 Available £22.50 each Hornby 6286f Seacow EWS 5 Available £22.50 each Hornby 6287a seacow Mainline 1 Available £18.00 each Hornby 6287b seacow Mainline Weathered 2 Available £18.00 each Hornby 6287c seacow Mainline Weathered 3 Available £18.00 each Hornby 6287d seacow Transrail/mainline 1 Available £20.00 each Hornby 6288d Seacow Dutch 1 Available £22.50 each Hornby 6285e Seacow Dutch Weathered 3 Available SOLD Hornby 6285f Seacow Dutch Weathered 1 Available SOLD

You mean like these? Class 74

The reality is very different... I still have Bachmann 4-CEPs and Hornby VEPs that are now 6 years old (as an example)

Ultimately, the contract of sale is between retailer and consumer. So if your purchase fails, you can return it for refund or replacement according to your statutory rights. even if it is more than 24 months since the retailer took delivery. Any retailer who tells you otherwise is pulling a fast one. and a retailer who can conduct repairs could attempt the repair themselves at their own cost. Retailers have no such protections unfortunately. but most manufacturers and suppliers offer good terms for replacing faulty goods. Heljan have always had a 2-year limit, its a risk we must face on "New old stock" The cynic in me believes that this may be to try and influence retailers to clear old stock, to get new stuff in. In reality, it will result in smaller orders, with less stock in storerooms and more "Just in time" ordering, to keep the shelf-life of stock as long as possible. With respect to repairs, Warranty repairs and refunds will be subject to this time limit, but it is worth noting, that whilst it is good customer service for Hornby to accept direct repairs, the contract does not exist between Hornby and the consumer to honour the warranty directly, as it is effectively between Hornby and the retailer. (Unless Hornby retailed the item of course) What are Hornby to do if the model cannot be repaired? how much did the customer pay? how do they account for refunds? These issues are easily resolved with the retailer (or they should be). this step takes away the confusion of introducing third parties or breaking links in the supply chain.

That is definitely a prototype that should have remained in someones imagination

Just to clarify, if not already stated above... All retailer orders placed prior to the price increase will be honoured at the previous price. All orders after the date, will be at the new higher prices. It is dependent on the individual retailer as to how they price the stock, they may choose to implement the increases immediately, or not until uplifted stock comes in.

Details TBC But I have: Bachmann: 08s x 4 24 37 x 2 47 sound 55 x 1 DELTIC 57 x 2 66 x 9 158 170 x 4 220 x 2 221 MPV Midland Pullman A2 J39 V2 9F EWS thrall hoppers x 19 SOLD Other large wagons, including HHAs x 76 Intermodal twins x 28 seacows x 8 POA x 10 VGA x 3 RES coaches x 5 Hornby 31 x 3 60 x 7 86 x 4 90 x 2 GNER 91 + 19 Mk 4s GNER HST (new) + 7 red-door Mk3s NR HST (New) 121 142 153 x 2 155 x 2 156 Pendolino (9 car) britannia A3 Seacow x 24 Heljan Falcon (Lime green) Kestrel Lion DP2 58 (coal) Conatiner Cranes x 2 Cargowaggon x 5 Lima 67 NR HST 33 Mk3 x 7 Other coaches x 12 Flangeway Snowplough x 2 Realtrack FLA freightliner twins x 4 Dapol FEA Freightliner Twins x 20 MBA x 4 MCA x 6 KTA x 6 VTG coil wagon x 3 MRA 5 car set Lenz set 100 Other: Misc coaches x 26 Misc wagions x 10 Misc containers x 30 More uncatalogued misc kit built stock and wagons Kit built BR standard steam locos x 18 detailing parts I'll publish more detail as I get it.

We have just taken delivery of another huge model railway collection. This is mainly modern image, Diesel and electric, with a large quantity of container and engineer wagons. And yes, there are TWO Heljan container cranes. These models are as yet untested and not fully catalogued. so are not available immediately, but we are happy to take enquiries. Many of the locos are DCC or DCC sound and have been renumbered and/or weathered. (Though we may strip out the decoders where we can) We will be offering these items through the shop starting from tomorrow, before putting any on ebay, though we expect to start listing them in just over a week's time. A list of available items is to follow soon. Much of this will also be available at the Peterborough Festival of Model Railways on the 14th/15th October.