Local model shop distance.

[ParkeNd]

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.

[Michael Shillabeer]

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

[Dorsetmike]

When 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

[Michael Shillabeer]

When 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

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

I bought my baseboards from Model Railway Solutions.

Best regards
Michael

[talisman56]

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!

[Vigo]

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), 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.

[Jerry Howlett]

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

[railsquid]

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.

[Railwaygun]

There is a shop in Sudbury!

http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/county/Suffolk

[Rabbitaway]

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.

[Railwaygun]

Sudbury, Suffolk! ( re reply #67)

[steve836]

There is a shop in Sudbury!

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.

[Webbo]

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

[joe cassidy]

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

[cornish yorkie]

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.