Quote from: ntpntpntp on Yesterday at 01:38:11 PMSeems to be some "support your independent retailer" content appearing on Facebook, I've had at least 2 emails with it too. (Rails and TMC)

It's interesting that the thread on RMWeb moved as this one has from the acquisition message through outrage to what are the retailers going to do if everyone adopts a D2C model (and then it was locked by RM administrators).

I've had the emails too. The body text is the same from every retailer. Just the presentation and tweaks to make it retailer specific.

There are photos in the header blocks of 30 independent retailers (some of which don't stock Heljan, by the way) but the first two are Rails and TMC, so it feels like a retailer cartel quickly got together to launch their "Retailer First" campaign on the back of this message, in response to the D2C approach for Heljan.

It seems quite brutal. For example, Rail's own sponsored Warships with early 3 character headcodes are now no longer "available only at Rails", but are now "available only on Heljan's website", and at a lower price. Heljan 47s are now sub £100 or sub £200 with sound, whereas some box shifters are still trying to sell sound versions at 15% of the previous RRP of £350. I'm sure that the dust will settle, and retailers and manufacturers will get used to it, but I think the most important point to remember is if this business model was not adopted for Heljan, the firm would have gone bust.   

Bob

This week... time to repaint a Farish D67 to convert it to 45012 in blue. Photo here of it at teatime today; it has all glazing removed, full yellow ends and a blue roof:

Tested it out. The main rails carrying the voltage is good. However when it comes to the brass coloured rollers not all of them appear to pick up the voltage. I'm tempted just to bin it rather than experimenting with workarounds. 

Yes indeed. I sometimes wonder about myself 

Kernow and Gaugemaster have sent the same comms. Very interesting to see the retailers standing united. The whole thing appears to have left a very bitter taste in a lot of mouths, which I can understand frankly.

Trains4U's narrative on it was interesting - they're an Accurascale retailer and a Heljan one, but weren't told anything ahead of this, totally blindsided by it. I can't help but think Accurascale may need to climb down slightly on some of this.

Quote from: Bealman on March 26, 2026, 09:30:47 PMBealman update.

Well, I got transferred to Wollongong Hilton Private Hospital at 7am yesterday morning and had a good (ish) day. Highlight of which being a visit from Mrs B and her brother (who brought a couple of VBs with him - what a champion).

Er, wasn't it that that put you in hospital in the first place?

Seems to be some "support your independent retailer" content appearing on Facebook, I've had at least 2 emails with it too. (Rails and TMC)

Not one for me, sadly

Quote from: kusojiji on Yesterday at 11:06:21 AM

Quote from: Newportnobby on Yesterday at 10:05:07 AMA song that I like but I much prefer the Joe Cocker version

I didn't know he did this song. I just found it and wow, it is completely different. I don't recognize it at all.

How about this version from Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi with their band: