We have only been once, and it was in 2008, but perhaps we can be excused as it is a long way from New Zealand.
Based on this long ago visit, I would tend to agree with some of the points raised by Roy L S regarding marketing etc.
We visited as I had an interest in the model railways, but I also felt at the time that the building and display looked a bit tired, and was more taken with the Miniature Railway, the gardens and the wonderful views of Lyme Bay.
I was left feeling that as a whole the place didn't have a clear focus on what it was wanting to achieve, ie was it intended to boost the sale of Peco products, to promote model railways generally, or as a place for a family day out.
I am not a marketer, but my thought would be that the first thing to do could be to change the name. With due respect to the owning family, "Pecorama" seems a bit of a nothing name,and means nothing to anyone not involved with model railways. Locals we spoke to in Devon didn't seem to have heard of it.
Maybe they should rename the whole attraction "The Beer Heights Light Railway," and focus on promoting this along with the gardens and the location. It wouldn't mean they necessarily had to close the shop or the model displays, but I think those would be more of an optional add on for visitors who are interested rather than the casual visitor.

We've only been once in our adult years and enjoyed the day. We also enjoyed our evening when we did a runner from the pub in the village without paying. Not intentionally of course but we did save a few quid 

We did actually go back the next day to pay but there was nobody home.

Quote from: Roy L S on November 17, 2025, 07:25:03 PMI was told by someone more expert than me that plastic worm onto plastic pinion is not optimal as there is more "stiction" (the inability to overcome inherent friction between the surfaces) than using a brass worm onto plastic or nylon pinion gears.

This is probably achievable. All I would need is a plastic duplex gear, which I could potentially have moulded and could be used in multiple future mechanisms. Brass worms in M0.3 are easy to source.

Will.

Quote from: EtchedPixels on November 17, 2025, 05:10:21 PM

Quote from: Will_J on November 17, 2025, 05:07:53 PMThanks again everyone I really do appreciate the perspectives here.

Do reach out to the 2mm scale association wheel people for their experiences on the replacement drive axles they did. I am sure they'll be happy to share their experiences and possible supplier info and the like.

Asking The Model Railway Club might be an idea as well. Locos on Copenhagen Fields cover many miles (real, not just scale!) and I don't recall hearing many reports about worn gears. One of the recent posts on RMWeb from Tim Watson is about overhauling a 25 year old A4 due to worn rods and axleboxes - no mention of drivetrain problems.

Yes...wot he says! 

Brass worm onto nylon gears every time.

Quote from: me00rjb on November 17, 2025, 05:30:43 PMI think others have covered the salient points, so I will only add the following thought.

Plastic gears are the better engineering solution for a number of reasons, however I have a theory (and it is only that), that if presented with two identical mechanisms, one with brass gears and one with plastic, most people would judge the one with brass gears to be 'better' or 'higher' quality.

Therefore, a product might be more commercially viable with brass gears rather than plastic, due to perception of quality / value, despite it being a worse technical solution.

I was told by someone more expert than me that plastic worm onto plastic pinion is not optimal as there is more "stiction" (the inability to overcome inherent friction between the surfaces) than using a brass worm onto plastic or nylon pinion gears.

Just my personal opinion on this - I have never had a brass gear split!
Kev E.

I think others have covered the salient points, so I will only add the following thought.

Plastic gears are the better engineering solution for a number of reasons, however I have a theory (and it is only that), that if presented with two identical mechanisms, one with brass gears and one with plastic, most people would judge the one with brass gears to be 'better' or 'higher' quality.

Therefore, a product might be more commercially viable with brass gears rather than plastic, due to perception of quality / value, despite it being a worse technical solution.

Quote from: Will_J on November 17, 2025, 05:07:53 PMThanks again everyone I really do appreciate the perspectives here.

Do reach out to the 2mm scale association wheel people for their experiences on the replacement drive axles they did. I am sure they'll be happy to share their experiences and possible supplier info and the like.

Quote from: Bob G on November 17, 2025, 04:46:19 PMI know this is off-topic, but the OP might not be aware of all the problems this community has faced over the years.

Bob G

That's exactly right Bob. I can design and make things well enough, but I haven't got decades of immersion in the hobby behind me to know what pitfalls to avoid, so I rely on the collective wisdom of the community and am very grateful to receive it !

@Nick thanks for your answers both here and on Facebook. It's clear that there are definitely some mechanical considerations to it, but it's also great to get a feel for people's perceptions and whether I have any "bad BR" from previous manufacturing eras to overcome with it.

I am pretty sure I can find a good quality supply of M0.3 worms in nylon or acetal, and that should mitigate the possible wear issue there.

Thanks again everyone I really do appreciate the perspectives here.

Will.