Hi guys, just heard today that train times in eastbourne is closing on the 22nd of March which I had a feeling it was going to after the death of the owner last year.
Which brings me to my main point of this post, my local model shop is now gaugemaster at ford which is 56 mile away and a bus and train ride as I don't drive and will cost £14!!
How far are the rest of you having to travel without resorting to buying blind on the internet, I do buy of the internet don't get me wrong but I only buy what i know is good and what I want. Scenery etc I'd rather buy in person where I can see the colours etc
Meant to add with a decent range of N gauge in stock.
What a good question - I don't know where my nearest model shop is, at least with a decent range of N Gauge.
There are two model shops within about 10 miles, but neither of them stocks much N. I buy either from Hatton's or from shows.
I'm in Hertfordshire, so not exactly in the Scottish Highlands or depths of Cornwall. Maybe my nearest shop is Gaugemaster at Ford too - 90 miles.
Cheers Jon :)
I'm lucky, I have Richards Railways in Yatton and Model Railways Direct in Portishead, both about 10mins drive me from.
I'm very lucky, you guys are making me feel guilty, Gaugemaster is only 8 minutes away for me :-[ ..................4 if I'm riding the Triumph..............18 if I'm riding the BSA (plus 20 getting it to start)
I've bought some long lengths of flexitrack home on the bike which was interesting!!!
Jason
Nearest model shop is Antics in Gloucester 25 miles away. But they are quite poor for N Gauge. Next nearest is Cheltenham Model Centre 32 miles away. Hattons are so easy to deal with by internet and prices are so cheap I just don't bother with the shops anymore. Same for cycling items and camera items.
Quote from: silverfox on February 22, 2014, 11:53:36 PM
I'm very lucky, you guys are making me feel guilty, Gaugemaster is only 8 minutes away for me :-[ ..................4 if I'm riding the Triumph..............18 if I'm riding the BSA (plus 20 getting it to start)
You must be local to where I used to live in Ford and Bognor Regis!
I'm lucky to have the Loco Shed up in North Manchester and Waltons of Altrincham within 25 minutes drive of me. I can also jet over to Hattons on Sunday if I need something. I've not made the drive but Sheffield isn't too far (well, 1 hour ish...)
As has been mentioned, shows are your best best for picking things up, if not, you'll have to get on the train to Ford (Gaugemaster is next door to the stop) and bulk buy/make note for future online purchases!
My local shop is 32 miles away.
They stock a smallish amount of n but are happy to get things in and their prices are comparable to the larger well know stores
I do visit now and again but quite often I just phone them and they will post want I want, quite often without charging me postage.
They are a really nice father & son running it and are very helpful.
I have Kernow Model Rail only 8 miles away so guess I'm reasonably lucky.
I'll bet some of our Australian friends have to travel very long distances to their nearest model railway shop. My nearest shop is 11 miles away but none of the shops here have a really good range of N gauge and anything they do have is quite expensive.
Still, they usually have track, ballast,paint etc.
Nearest shop is a couple of thousand miles away - have to buy most of my stuff off the Internet. Do fly over to the U.K. at least a couple of times a year to either my son's in Chester (used to be a ModelZone shop there but now closed), or my daughter's in Chelmsford where Dutfields have a shop. Alternatively last December flew over for the big Train Fair in Chester and picked up a few items there although most stalls were selling 00 gauge only. Like Caz would like to make the Bamber Bridge meet, but not possible I am afraid although SWMBO has no objection to me flying over on my own (she didn't accompany me to Chester last December), but I have to pay for it in other ways!
Us Australians travel to Whup Whup.
Well, I'd have to - a local shop devoted to model railways died when the owner did.
Although I do believe that some of our capital cities have the odd hobby shop. I have made purchases in Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Launceston. However, they ain't been cheap.
Not only that, I'm glad when I fly in and land safely at these places, but Geez, me arms are tired. :D
Quote from: d-a-n on February 23, 2014, 08:25:44 AM
I'm lucky to have the Loco Shed up in North Manchester and Waltons of Altrincham within 25 minutes drive of me. I can also jet over to Hattons on Sunday if I need something. I've not made the drive but Sheffield isn't too far (well, 1 hour ish...)
Living in near to Manchester too, these are local to me as well.
I also have one in Audenshaw (F&S Models), but they sell mainly kits and OO.
However, I normally drive to Shaw near to Oldham and go to Arcadia Rail. Tim has lots of N-gauge stuff, is very reasonably priced, was Bachmann's retailer of the year 2012 (http://www.bachmann.co.uk/details.php?id=150&vis=4 (http://www.bachmann.co.uk/details.php?id=150&vis=4)), and you can often get a very nice brew too!
And there's also Transport Models in Preston (about an hour away).
Funny we were just discussing this at a NMRA Sig meeting today.
Here in Adelaide my nearest shop is some 25 miles away has a good range of European stuff no British Stuff to speak of and is bloody expensive. There are 2 shops further afield that don't have much stock and a lot of customers holding up the counter.
The group has been waiting some 5 months for some items from one of the local suppliers to complete a display layout for the forthcoming Dog Track Exhibition in June. We were told that the local wholesaler couldn't get the items as overseas manufacturer was out stock. Some 10 days later we had sourced it from the US.
And then the local hobby shops then complain that we don't support them.
As George has said prices here are quite high.
Kind regards
Geoff
Roxley Models in Great Bookham, 7 miles. Stock Kato and Peco Track, Alsosome Farish but will order stuff if you want
Masters in Tattenham Corner. 12 Miles. Stock Peco and have a really good selection of Evergreen Styrene, stripwood and Brass for scratch building.
Morris in Lancing about an hour by car.
Gaugemaster about an hour by car.
Also can go to Crawley and buy direct from Langley Models
As Mickeyflinn has alluded to, Transport Models in Preston is only about 4-5 miles away from me and is the only model shop I visit. They have a good range of N gauge stuff along with a cabinet at the rear of the shop with 2nd hand N for sale.
Price wise they are a conundrum as they can be expensive and will not offer discount for bulk purchase, yet they are selling the new Farish Jinty for £59 :confused2:
Basically I look at their prices then add on postage rates and, if they are in the ballpark, I'll buy from them as (a) I like to support the local shop (for local people :D) and (b) it's easy to return a lemon.
They also carry a good range of scenics, paints etc.
However, they are not known locally with some irony as 'The Chuckle Brothers' for nothing ::)
Quote from: cjdodd on February 22, 2014, 11:44:31 PM
I'm lucky, I have Richards Railways in Yatton and Model Railways Direct in Portishead, both about 10mins drive me from.
Model Railways Direct isn't more than 2 miles from me. Not been to Richards Railways for years, but at some point I'll go there again. I don't know where the best place to park would be, having not been to Yatton for so long.
12 miles .
20 min by bus to Waddel's who have a reasonable supply of new n gauge and same to Pastimes who carry a large stock of second hand in both UK and US n gauge as well as new
We're 40 miles from the nearest I have actually visited and 25 miles from one I have not been to yet. I wonder if I should go visit this weekend.
Hi,
Addlestone Models in Addlestone (der) Surrey. Has a nice cabinet of n gauge British stuff which is no good to me as a continentaller but do have a nose when I go there. Not sure what's Graham Farish or Dapol but they look good to me.
Answer- 2 miles away which is great for the little things, ballast, foliage, paint etc. but more importantly things like small bits of stripwood or other little bits.
They seem to be more of a radio controlled car/plane place but think the owner's into trains so I'm very lucky they're there.
Also they are open on Sunday lunchtimes which is great if you've forgotten something and there's a pub next door!
Cheers weave :beers:
Living near Lymington I have one about miles away that I visit about once a week for general items, otherwise I have one in Southamapton (15 miles) or two in Poole/Bournemouth (15-20 miles), not including the one we dont mention on this forum. At least twice a year I drive to Gaugemaster (65 miles) or more often if its something expensive and they are giving a good discount.
Postal or internet only if its essential.
Dodger
Quote from: silverfox on February 22, 2014, 11:53:36 PM
I'm very lucky, you guys are making me feel guilty, Gaugemaster is only 8 minutes away for me :-[ ..................4 if I'm riding the Triumph..............18 if I'm riding the BSA (plus 20 getting it to start)
I've bought some long lengths of flexitrack home on the bike which was interesting!!!
Jason
+1 Having Gaugemaster just up the road...don't know of anymore in this area with lots of N gauge stock
Phil
Fun thread!
West Texas isn't Australia, but it's 180+/- miles to the shops in and around Dallas. So, I shop mostly online and take my chances.
My nearest model shop used to be Kent Garden Railways, 8.5 miles away. However, a shop opened in Sidcup recently, and that is 7.5 miles away (but still takes about half an hour to get to!)
Nearest model railway shops to me:
Going Loco (Lofthouse)
Millennium Models (Morley)
If I only want basic modelling materials, there's a planes, boats, helicopters and cars place called Model Shop Leeds, or MB Models, which are both the nearest.
Quite lucky in the Mansfield Notts area, although lost Totally N Gauge last year. Small shop in Sutton in Ashfield, one in Edwinstowe, three in Nottingham, Malc's Models in Ilkeston (best one for N), and then Sheffield. Continental only shop in Cromford, near Matlock.
Kernow Model Centre in Camborne is probably the nearest to me. Only 3351 miles from Philadelphia according to Google :-[
Thankfully I have a model shop about 15 miles away which is good for Peco track and electrics, all scenic items etc. But for rolling stock and UK image buildings it is mail order for me!
Harburn Hobbies is 8 miles from me. Unfortunately the middle of Edinburgh is in the way, so about half an hour.
For quite a lot of scenery and the like it's nice to be able to see it as for things that aren't rolling stock it can be hard to find a decent picture online and it's easier to 'visualise' if you have it in front of you.
And sometimes it's just nice to sidle your way round a model shop...
I am very lucky, 53a Models is a five minute walk from my house! They have a decent stock of N Gauge and the couple who run it are very knowledgeable and helpful.
There used to be four model railway shops in Hull, now just the one.
Ian
Hattons is nearest to me (2miles away). Its handy having it on my doorstep, although sometimes you feel the phone orders seem more of a priority than the shop customers.
Its good to see them having more used items displayed in the store (noticeably an increase in N gauge in recent weeks),bit like the old shop before relocation.
:hellosign:
G'day All,
It would be nice to have a Hobby Shop in town we used to have one in Townsville which is about 20 KS South of us but it went down as the Guy running it was more interested in buying Coins and Notes. For us here in Far North Queensland it's on-line or Bugger All :( .
N Scale down under is a frightful price on or off line >:( . I buy direct from Contacts in The States and one of the Best and most honest Guys over there is Mike O'Brien from XTrains4U.com you can get Mike direct on sales@xtrains.com.
He is also very good at finding hard to get items I'm sure the Guy is part Bloodhound.
E/Bay or Greed Bay perhaps is a better name for it can have some bargains in N Scale Lots with the States version having more listings.
I'm enjoying the forum and hope to catch up with a few of you for a Beer or 3 :beers: when we invade the U K in May of this year for 9 weeks :thumbsup: .
I wish you all good times, good health and minmal derailments.
Cheers, Denis.
Despite two relatively recent closures I'm still relatively lucky in that I have a decent number of local shops, which I do try to support.
Castle Trains in Warwick became Avon Toys in Leamington and closed down a couple of years ago. Part of the problem (from my point of view) was that they didn't seem to get new stock in very often. Couldn't fault them for service or prices.
Much Ado About Toys in Stratford upon Avon closed last year. It had a good selection of N gauge rolling stock but only Graham Farish as the owner had a falling out with Dapol (I never had a problem with the owner but others have said he could be an odd fellow), but everything was at full RRP. Still, the shop was full of all manner of toys, models and modelling materials.
The one remaining local shop is a real little goldmine, Classic Train and Motor Bus in Leamington Spa. It is about 7 or 8 miles from my home and is a tiny shop tucked away on a residential street; packed floor to ceiling with a good selection of mostly OO but also plenty of N. The owner is an ex-railwayman who seems to know his stuff and is very welcoming and friendly. He also seems to get new stock pretty frequently and his prices are competitive with the likes of Hattons - not quite as cheap but with no P&P and no wait for delivery. He must be doing something right (I hope so) because his shop is often full of customers.
Further afield there is Antics in Coventry, which doesn't have a huge amount of N gauge but does seem to get new Dapol releases before Classic Train. The young guy in the shop isn't, by his own admission, an expert on trains but he's friendly, helpful and polite.
I'm also quite close to Bourton-in-the-Water, which has a good model shop (about 30-45 minutes away). Not cheap but very helpful and the only place that sells German outline N gauge (not that I do, although having seen them I am tempted).
About the furthest I'd go is either to Cheltenham Model Shop or DCC Supplies in Worcestershire; both of which I'm sure need no introduction.
I'm a happy customer of all the shops and this thread has certainly made me realise how lucky I am.
Quote from: QLD KID on February 23, 2014, 09:44:26 PM
:hellosign:
G'day All,
It would be nice to have a Hobby Shop in town we used to have one in Townsville which is about 20 KS South of us but it went down as the Guy running it was more interested in buying Coins and Notes. For us here in Far North Queensland it's on-line or Bugger All :( .
N Scale down under is a frightful price on or off line >:( . I buy direct from Contacts in The States and one of the Best and most honest Guys over there is Mike O'Brien from XTrains4U.com you can get Mike direct on sales@xtrains.com.
He is also very good at finding hard to get items I'm sure the Guy is part Bloodhound.
E/Bay or Greed Bay perhaps is a better name for it can have some bargains in N Scale Lots with the States version having more listings.
I'm enjoying the forum and hope to catch up with a few of you for a Beer or 3 :beers: when we invade the U K in May of this year for 9 weeks :thumbsup: .
I wish you all good times, good health and minmal derailments.
Cheers, Denis.
Hi Denis,
We should be dry by then (ha!)
Maybe we should make a model shop map for you. Don't know what country you model or if the 'we' are on your side 'modelwise' but might help.
Hope you have a great trip. Being a Queenslander, are you a Castlemaine XXXX man or is that a Brisbane thing?Been once and remember I liked Bundeburg rum and that's about it. Woke up in Airlie beach with an annoyed girlfriend.. We're not together now :claphappy:
Cheers weave
My local model shops are The loco shed, where Jim his very freindly and help-full and also Arcadia in Shaw, Oldham, where they are also friendly and have good stocks of n-gauge.
Quote from: Luke Piewalker on February 23, 2014, 08:50:39 PM
.
And sometimes it's just nice to sidle your way round a model shop...
Yes! I do wish I could do more of that. I'm reminded of this conversation between Captain Picard and Data;
"Sir, does tactile contact alter your perception of the Phoenix?"
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: "Oh, yes! For humans, touch can connect you to an object in a very personal way, make it seem more real."
Sometimes you just want to walk around and pick up all the toys!
Seems like I'm quite lucky then.
I have shops 4, 6, 8 and 18 miles away from me.
The one at 4 miles is good for little bits not much N but will order it but lots of those little bits you can't find elsewhere.
The one at 6 miles is Modellers Mecca. Lucy has a decent amount of N and lots of scenery and layout detail bits.
The one at 7 miles is like a treasure chest! Quite a lot of stock in a very small shop. Loads of 00 but a good amount of N. Always gives me a decent price and occasionally leaves me to mind the shop if it's near lunch time (not sure if that's a good or bad thing) bored on a rest day and when over there spent the day helping out and trying to organise stock for him. Got the few coaches and loco at a very good deal out of it though!
And the final one at 18 miles away is DCC Supplies. Really like Andy and Fiona who run it.
Alistair
Jeez! That is amazing.
I guess I am lucky as I live in Melbourne, about 15 minutes from a store called trainworld. They are arguably the best in Aus, although their n scale offering is limited very much to US and a bit of UK and NSW, very little Vic. However, they have some building materials, a nice manner and are always willing to order stuff in. Cheers, Bill.
:thankyousign:
Thank you Bill,
I don't shop in Australia much but I will take a peek at them as by your report they may be quite O K. :thumbsup: Cheers, Denis.
I'm lucky in Nottingham too, I've got GeeDee Models a ten minute drive away(even though they're quite expensive), not only them but there's also Sherwood Models, the Railway & Barter Shop in Long Eaton, Malc's Models in Ilkeston, Loughborough Model Shop in Derby, and slightly further away there's a model shop in Tuxford, Edwinstowe and the Signalbox in Anstey near Leicester. They're not all do able in a day, but they're within easy reach by car. I've found RBS in Long Eaton about the best for secondhand N, GeeDee's and Malc's have about the largest selection of new N in the area...
Seems I share a few common shops with alibuchan, Hobbyrail just round the corner and Modellers Mecca a short drive away. Between them there is very little that you can't get, and with club discount the prices are on par with Hattons. Then there is Tennants Trains about 15 miles away, though I rarely use them, and carrying on down the A456 there is Footplate Models about 45 minutes drive for me. I suppose I should also include Ian Allen in the city centre.
:thankyousign:
To everyone who made a comment Thank You indeed. It seems I shall need a Road Map to find my way around when we visit in May but I shall also need one to find all the Hobby Shops :confused1: . I'd be satisfied if we had one decent up here locally and so would quite a few other Guys. Maybe next year at least Townsville Shopping Centres are growing with the population we have close to 200,00 people here now just in the Townsville/Thuringowa area itself. Thuringowa is Aboriginal for " Bloody Expensive Land Blocks " but don't tell anyone I've said. Cheers, Denis.
Hi
I note Weave picked up Addlestone Models in Surrey. This is about a 15 minute drive for me.
As I model British I can confirm they have a very good stock of N gauge but only Graham Farish. He does not deal with Dapol any more but would not be specific why!
They do sell a lot of radio controlled models but that is a sensible business approach
Price wise locos are at about 20% discount but other items can be close to RRP
Good long opening hours which is refreshing
:)
I've got three model shops in my town (Dartford), but only one with any railway stuff - and then it's a handful of Hornby OO gauge. Im sorted for paints, Airfix and scenery stuff though.
My nearest N Gauge dealer is Invicta in Sidcup. I quite like a 15-minute train journey over there on a Saturday. Normally have lunch or something when I'm getting new railway stuff, so it's a decent couple of hours.
Quote from: QLD KID on February 24, 2014, 12:03:04 PM
:thankyousign:
Thank you Bill,
I don't shop in Australia much but I will take a peek at them as by your report they may be quite O K. :thumbsup: Cheers, Denis.
Hi Denis, they are pretty good, have a reasonable website but can be pricey for some things. Good range of US stuff. cheers, Bill.
I try not to go to model shops as I appear to be the kiss of death to them--as soon as I find one it closes. I live near Boston, Massachusetts and just lost an n gauge shop 30 minutes away in Sudbury and a hobby shop in West Concord that sold a few trainy things. My best bet now is Northeast Trains in Salem, 30 minutes away and entirely HO and O. Since most of the stuff I want is not available in the USA I buy online from the UK, favoring small businesses when I can.
If you favour small businesses, have you checked out the Buffers website? The business is owned by two lovely ladies who are an absolute crack-up!
I will definitely check out the website--thanks!
Living in Southend-on-Sea in Essex my nearest model shop is 'Plus Daughters' in Basildon who are N Gauge Model Railway Specialists having an excellent selection of British, European, American and Japanese N Gauge and who regularly attend model railway shows all over the country. My next nearest model railway shop is Flair Rail in Burnham-on-Crouch who stock some N Gauge and John Dutfield in Chelmsford who also stock N Gauge and both attend local model railway exhibitions.
My daughter lives in Manchester so I can visit Arcadia in Shaw which is an Aladin's cave of model railways including N gauge.
ajc
ModelMania in Clouds Hill Road, Bristol is nearest, Richard's Railways in Yatton is not too hard to get to. Is it usual these days that model railway shops are in somewhat out-of-the-way locations, never near town or city centres? Not handy if you don't have a car! When I got my Zephyr from DCC Supplies I just missed the bus, it was actually quicker to walk all the way back to Worcester than to wait for the next one!
Otherwise there's Antics... if only someone could un-invent radio controlled cars! ;)
Nearest model shop is 8.5 miles away, Junction 20 Models in Kings Langley which is frankly a bit sparse. I made the 18 mile journey to K&S Models in Stevenage Old Town today for the first time in quite a while. (In fact, for the first time since I started modelling in N). I was really impressed with the amount of N Gauge stuff, lots of accessories, a decent selection of stock and all the modelling basics and more. Helpful assistance in choosing soldering iron bits as well.
Came away with the 'bits', solder paint, a Knightwing bridge, a ratio signal box interior kit, two HAA wagons currently unavailable from Hattons and a container for my pocket wagon. Got a discount for being a member of Stevenage and District MRC too!
It's a fair old round trip but not much more than my weekly trip to the club room. I'll be back!
for me, its 14 mile to Pooleys Puffers which have a good stock of N Gauge in, but because he isnt stocked by bachmann, i have to travel 25 mile to get a whiff of bachmann stock at Rolling Stock in North Shields, even then its not the best range, mostly diesels and very few range of coaches or wagons.
which basically leaves me with TMC in beck hole, a whole 70+ miles which have a huge range of bachmann and dapol, its also more expensive but worth it for the jobs they do to the locos with weathering etc.
A quick plug for one of my local model shops Wicor Models.
They have now started stocking a very decent range of N gauge in their Bognor Regis branch at very competitive prices so if any of you are in my area of West Sussex they're well worth a look. They also have a branch in Portchester, Hants
Though they don't stock Kato unitrack they ordered what I wanted in at a great price, so I now have all the last bits I need for the next layout :D
Regards
Jason
Dodgy Derek's was the nearest at about 3 miles, but now Platform models have opened about a mile away
Back in the 70s and 80s I used to be able to spemd the best part of a day touring the shops in Poole and Bournemouth, including numerous excellent second hand model shops.
Until Platform opened I used to get a lot of my supplies from a shop in Westbourne that only did planes and ships and a few cars, mostly radio control stuff but they did carry a wide range of balsa, metal and plastic by Evergreen, & Plastruct, also tools, glues and paints.
Quote from: portland-docks on March 01, 2014, 08:28:20 AM
for me, its 14 mile to Pooleys Puffers which have a good stock of N Gauge in
Every time I see him at shows he tells me he has an enormous stock of N gauge but hasn't the time to catalogue it all. Instead, he appears at shows with naff all N gauge, although I did get some bargains at the Perth Show last year.
I was in Worcester yesterday and, out of curiosity, I thought I'd see if there were any Graham Farish stockists in the WR postcode area. According to Bachman's web site there aren't any! I thought there was a model shop in Worcester city centre but I suppose it must have closed down.
Antics had a branch in Worcester but that closed several years ago.
Whilst there are two model shops in my nearest town neither have much N gauge or scenic material. I either go to A C Models in Eastleigh (30 miles away) or use MRD and Hattons. It is a shame as browsing in a good model shop is a great way to past time.
Quote from: lil chris on February 23, 2014, 10:33:53 PM
My local model shops are The loco shed, where Jim his very freindly and help-full and also Arcadia in Shaw, Oldham, where they are also friendly and have good stocks of n-gauge.
Arcadia in Shaw are great.
Lots of N Gauge to browse, very helpful and always offered a tea or coffee whenever you visit!
Hello
Cheltenham Model Centre is only 10 minutes drive from work with a car park behind them
At home local shops are:
Spot On Models in Swindon has a good N Gauge section
Westons near Royal Wootton Bassett good for N Gauge and free parking
When returning to Poole I visit Platform Models (with a massive 4mm layout out the back) and Setchfields in Old Town Poole.
Best regards
Michael
Quote from: Michael Shillabeer on March 20, 2014, 09:20:44 AM
Hello
Cheltenham Model Centre is only 10 minutes drive from work with a car park behind them
At home local shops are:
Spot On Models in Swindon has a good N Gauge section
Westons near Royal Wootton Bassett good for N Gauge and free parking
When returning to Poole I visit Platform Models (with a massive 4mm layout out the back) and Setchfields in Old Town Poole.
Best regards
Michael
Cheltenham Model Centre 10 mins from work. You are truly one of life's lucky people. I suppose someone must even live just round the corner from Hattons but they haven't posted yet.
Quote from: ParkeNd on March 20, 2014, 09:30:37 AM
Cheltenham Model Centre 10 mins from work. You are truly one of life's lucky people. I suppose someone must even live just round the corner from Hattons but they haven't posted yet.
Their website accurately reflects shelf stock, so with a shopping list I can be there and back in half an hour. Mind you finding a parking space when I get back to work is a different matter!
Best regards
Michael
QuoteWhen returning to Poole I visit Platform Models (with a massive 4mm layout out the back)
Are you referring to Platform Models premises at Alder Hills? The East Dorset N gauge group layout is in the back room being readied for the forthcoming Bournemouth Show (April 12/13) also 2 other layouts are being worked on, one 00 (Kensal Green MPD) undergoing a bit of modification and one just at baseboard with lines drawn on it.
The "work rooms" are mainly used by Nodel Railway Solutions who make modular baseboards and other constreuction aids including an N gauge Helix
http://www.modelrailwaysolutions.co.uk/index.htm (http://www.modelrailwaysolutions.co.uk/index.htm)
Quote from: Dorsetmike on March 20, 2014, 11:05:30 AM
QuoteWhen returning to Poole I visit Platform Models (with a massive 4mm layout out the back)
Are you referring to Platform Models premises at Alder Hills? The East Dorset N gauge group layout is in the back room being readied for the forthcoming Bournemouth Show (April 12/13) also 2 other layouts are being worked on, one 00 (Kensal Green MPD) undergoing a bit of modification and one just at baseboard with lines drawn on it.
The "work rooms" are mainly used by Nodel Railway Solutions who make modular baseboards and other constreuction aids including an N gauge Helix
http://www.modelrailwaysolutions.co.uk/index.htm (http://www.modelrailwaysolutions.co.uk/index.htm)
Yes I am. When I last went 'out back' there was only Horfield.
Here are some photos before Platform Models moved in http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=14450.msg148382#msg148382 (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=14450.msg148382#msg148382)
I bought my baseboards from Model Railway Solutions.
Best regards
Michael
Richard's Railways in Yatton (10 minutes) - on the main road so parking not very convenient. Usually park in the close opposite or the side road down next to the newsagents and booze shop. Pleasantly surprised at prices, as usually the independent shops tend to charge near to MRP, but the price for the Farish Bulleids was only 1p different from those in the next closest emporium, which is...
Model Railways Direct in Portishead (15 minutes) - little difficult to find as it is in the depths of the new housing on the North side of Portishead docks, but has parking outside (reserved for the shops, only MRD and the shop next door). Prices are good, usually in the region of 15-20% off MRP. Relies mainly on mail order, but has a good display of N and other gauges and scenery, parts and spares. N Gauge stock can be a little difficult to get to as either side of main door and in afternoon the mail bags tend to pile up... Owner can be a little abrasive in attitude, has even banned one member of our MRC because he took a faulty (Hornby OO) loco back with DCC issues and then had to return the replacement because it had chassis issues and then wanted his money back.
Model Masters, Weston-super-Mare (25 minutes) - another one deep in a residential area, parking can be difficult at times (read - summer and sunny weekends). Mainly European (Fleischmann, etc), but a display case with British 'N', mainly Farish. Prices are at or near MRP, so I only visit there in an emergency, or they're the only one around with stock of what I want.
Modelmania, St George, Bristol (35 minutes) - on a main road with a bus stop almost immediately outside, so parking is on the side road round the corner. Good selection, competitive prices, will drop in when I'm in the area to see if I can pick up anything interesting.
Antics, Bristol Broadmead (25 minutes + whatever time it takes to find somewhere to park and then walk...) - been in there once, very little N gauge, not very knowledgeable/helpful staff, so not one I will visit again.
Edit: Ooooh, 200th post!
Quote from: mickeyflinn on February 23, 2014, 10:49:23 AM
Quote from: d-a-n on February 23, 2014, 08:25:44 AM
I'm lucky to have the Loco Shed up in North Manchester and Waltons of Altrincham within 25 minutes drive of me. I can also jet over to Hattons on Sunday if I need something. I've not made the drive but Sheffield isn't too far (well, 1 hour ish...)
Living in near to Manchester too, these are local to me as well.
I also have one in Audenshaw (F&S Models), but they sell mainly kits and OO.
However, I normally drive to Shaw near to Oldham and go to Arcadia Rail. Tim has lots of N-gauge stuff, is very reasonably priced, was Bachmann's retailer of the year 2012 (http://www.bachmann.co.uk/details.php?id=150&vis=4 (http://www.bachmann.co.uk/details.php?id=150&vis=4)), and you can often get a very nice brew too!
And there's also Transport Models in Preston (about an hour away).
My local model shop is in Compstall near Romiley, about 7 miles away, Warren Kerfoot Models. He has a good range of new and used stock in all major scales and is usually good for a brew and a chat. Occasionally I'll even buy something while I'm there.
More importantly, there's a very nice pub on the way. A good way to break up such a strenuous journey.
Okay, going to a wedding near to Sudbury (Suffolk). Any model shops nearby ? No I am not suggesting that I nip out while the happy couple are taking their vows, (then again.....) but I am in the area for a couple of days before.
Jerry
Local model shops? I recently discovered I live within about 15 cycling minutes of the only Hornby dealer in Japan (they also have a very small amount of N-gauge stuff, picked up an N-gauge Tardis); in the opposite direction there's a branch of Yodobashi Camera (a big electronics store) which also does toys, hobby stuff and trains; and also free parking, by which I mean "free bicycle parking", for which there's a queue if you go at the right time, and it's only free if you buy something, which is a terrible dilemma.
There is a shop in Sudbury!
http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/county/Suffolk (http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/county/Suffolk)
Hi All
Addlestone Models about 15 minutes drive and as said before a good stock of Farish - Locos discounted at bit but rolling stock close to RRP. I used to buy from them but not anything for a while.
There is also Richardson's of Feltham, this is a hardware store with a model section. Again about 15 minutes away, I have not been there for 5 or 6 years and they did have a few N gauge items but all at Full Retail Rumble!, not sure if they still stock GF N anymore
I travel into Waterloo and the Ian Allan shop is just around the corner, prices are better than you would think with loco's cheaper than Hatton's. Seems a bit of a "unnoticed" shop with a reasonable but small selection
I now have a lot of stock so only buy on-line / at shows / ebay when very heavily discounted.
:)
Sudbury, Suffolk! ( re reply #67)
Quote from: Railwaygun on April 17, 2015, 06:30:39 PM
There is a shop in Sudbury!
http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/county/Suffolk (http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/county/Suffolk)
Thought they had closed, they used to be nearer the town centre. Must have moved between visits! Often in Sudbury as the nearest Tesco is there. Must check it out, but they weren't a lot of good last time I went so I usually use Model Junction in Bury St. Ed's. They have a good range of railway stuff from N to Garden sized. Also plastic kits and radio controlled cars, boats & planes. This can be useful for wire in tube etc.
My local hobby shop is about 70 cm in front of my face. The next nearest hobby shop stocking a reasonable amount of railway stuff is 250 km up the road in Sydney where I can expect to pay exorbitant prices with a limited range of merchandise. The two hobby shops in Canberra stock lots of radio controlled cars and planes, and Thomas the Tank Engine. The concept of a local shop in which I can see real model locos and rolling stock even in HO or OO is beyond my comprehension.
Webbo
In Paris there are still a few model shops specialised in trains but I don't use them (except for track) because they don't stock British outline.
Even though I don't use them it still makes me said when they close down.
Clarel, the biggest one near Bastille, closed down around 10 years ago.
Central Train, another well-known shop, closed down a few months ago.
There are still a few left, notably in rue de Douai near Pigalle, and Le Train Bleu near place de la République.
Best regards,
Joe
Hi all, did not realise i am so lucky to have Kernow Model Railway Centre only 7 miles away here in the depths of West Cornwall.
regards Derek.
Hi All
There is a concern from forum members when model shops are closing down but the retail environment is changing and remote buying is the future even for small items.
We are all sensitive to prices and rightly want the best deal for our hard earned cash - so there is no reason to buy from a local shop if it is say 20% cheaper mail order.
The successful businesses are the ones that understand this and are moving with times and unfortunately the others stuck in the past retail model will go out of business. There are a lot of comments about "characters" running model shops with very questionable customer service skills and this just makes costumers less likely to use local shops as well
It is not helping new starts in the retail market when the main manufactures will only supply retailers with a shop in the "high street" and therefore significant overheads. What we will have over time is the traditional model shops going out of business and the market dominated by a few successful on-line sellers already established and new on-line retailers barred to entering the market because of the shop overhead barrier.
In the end competition will be eroded between the big three or four mail order suppliers and prices will increase and this can only be bad for us as customers. I would say this is happen right now!
:hmmm:
I just dropped into C&M in Carlisle while I was visiting my parents. Picked up a Deltic, a 37 and a Regional Railways 101. I didn't spend more than I would have buying them from the box shifters.