Trains4U

I'm expecting delivery of our stock on Thursday! looking forward to it!

Yes, we are taking pre-orders (in store and over the phone) Unfortunately our website cannot handle pre-orders, but we are looking to rectify this, and non-EU ordering, over the course of the year.

That would be the 10% special edition premium, that is added by Bachmann

I wasn't aware of this until this morning - it is not something I have sanctioned... I'll have a word with my team.

You know, just because Hattons and Hornby have sold out, doesn't mean they won't be available elsewhere...

These locos are awesome for the price. I've just been playing with my first O-gauge motive power acquisition. It is surprisingly large (seen with an old £5 note)

Ours have only just arrived - along with our HIA hoppers. (due to an unfortunate clerical error at Dapol) We've advertised them in the press at £175.00, so we intend to honour this price for the next two weeks (Until Thursday 8th December) after which we will increase our price to £195 (Still cheaper than most!)

Hi, Yes, I did see the email, and intended to respond today. John (Who works for me) picked it up but was unfamiliar with the reference to the model that you supplied - hence his further questions. I apologise for the confusion in this instance. I also wanted a little time to confirm delivery dates, as whilst it is hopeful these will arrive in November, it is not yet guaranteed that they will arrive by Christmas.

We have a visitor... The Little Loco Company (Nth Degree on here) has lent us one of the pre production O Gauge BTH type 1 (Class 15) locos Please don't judge the images too harshly as they are from my humble iPhone... It runs beautifully, though, being pre-production, it does have some odds and ends to be ironed out before the final production models are delivered towards the end of the year. If you want to take a look, it will be on display in the shop from Tomorrow. We are accepting pre-orders at £375.00

We have a visitor... The Little Loco Company (Nth Degree on here) has lent us one of the pre production O Gauge BTH type 1 (Class 15) locos Please don't judge the images too harshly as they are from my humble iPhone... It runs beautifully, though, being pre-production, it does have some odds and ends to be ironed out before the final production models are delivered towards the end of the year. If you want to take a look, it will be on display in the shop from Tomorrow. We are accepting pre-orders at £375.00

That is looking seriously good (Most N gauge items are now, to be fair) Is there any provision for a speaker?

And to think, these were brought in to replace dirty polluting steam hauled trains

Not really *my* modelling But I took this pic for a local advert that I'm running next month. Judicious use of Woodland Scenics trees and real trees, outside in the sunshine Virgin East Coast power car 43311, Passing Kings Dyke on a diverted Aberdeen - Kings Cross service

Hi all, we have properly kicked off our Facebook page, Juliette has started to add regular updates and pictures. Please like us for updates on what is going on at the shop and for new arrivals, special offers and promotions! https://www.facebook.com/Trains4U/

That's better, Juliette is differentiated by her purple arrow! Hopefully this is the start of a transformation within the business - My team are fantastic and have worked extremely hard over the last 12 months to overcome some very significant troubles, and I am extremely proud of them all. Juliette joins today with a view to transforming the marketing and customer engagement, as well as helping to address and deliver the many changes and enhancements that I simply don't have time to do, such as upgrading the tills and website and improving the stock handling. (I'm flat out elaborating requirements for new point of sale and supporting retail systems for a "high end supermarket"...) I'm positive that Juliette will build upon an already strong foundation to deliver a stronger and better Trains4U! Now then, to change my banner...

I think it is a fair compromise. If you have a layout where small radius curves are not an issue, it should be a relatively simple task to remove the steps from the bogies and fix them to the running plate instead. (dare I suggest a little bit of modelling!)

Hi all, I'm afraid we are now all sold out! Thanks Gareth

Not everything is on the website (which i due for replacement this year) If in doubt, pick up the phone... As of 12:00 we only have 003 (White) x 2 004 (White) x 2 005 (Green) x 1 006 (Green) x 1 with no current plans to put them on Ebay at silly prices.

Remaining stocks as of close of business today... 003 (White) x 2 004 (White) x 2 005 (Green) x 6 006 (Green) x 6 all at £24.90

It seems I've managed to secure some more from Dapol, but not nearly as many as I'd have liked - and only of 005 and 006 - so I'm guessing they are sold out or being rationed! Perhaps a batch of de-branded green ones next? (and soon)

I disagree. Many of the issues raised here are now being addressed, and in communications to the trade at least, the reasons for change are practically an admission of the things that have been stated as going wrong by members of this forum. You may not seem to think so, but this forum is immensely powerful - it is read by the manufacturers (I know, I've been in the same room whilst they do it) and they DO respond to what they see and read (And it is possibly a slightly more reliable communication tool for some things than direct contact!) Additionally, it seems as though conversation on here has been referenced (though not credited) in the press. Yes, in days of yore the rep may have been leaving shops with a flea in his ear, and word may have gone back to HQ, but in this day of instant news and comment, those messages are getting right to the top very very quickly. Hornby might have identified some of what is going wrong, but don't feel that we (rmWeb and it's members) haven't had an influence. After all, none of us want Hornby to fail, and much of the criticism is constructive. I'm pleased to say that Hornby appear to be closing off the issues as quickly as it would seem practical. I don't just own a model shop - I also work with senior figures of tier 1 retail companies - I know they use forums like these regularly as it is often a very reliable gauge of opinion, and they are very experienced at picking the diamonds of information from the "waffle"

I shouldn't think for too long... They are going FAST

To be fair, they have made a number of steps this year. (Some before the MD departed, some after) Relaxation of margins on some lines Extension of the rebate scheme to all purchases issuance of catalogues (if somewhat rushed) Access to discounted line items at the same time as Hornby website Removal of the "Buy, Buy, BUY!" type messages from the website homepage Prominent link to the dealer network pages 72hr promotion of the dealer network and now removal of exclusivity of previous concession/website only products. I think they've really grasped the nettle - next stage - get more facetime with reps and return margins to where they used to be on rolling stock and scalextric cars. (and perhaps close accounts of those who sell from residential properties)

Yep, I ordered some yesterday. Yet to decide on price - likely to be £199.95

If I were playing management buzzword bingo, I'd have called "House" after the second line...