Folk will have their favourite shops both to visit and online.

It may be handy to do a thorough search to see who is offering a decent deal.

On a personal level I have done business with:
Hatton's - large stocks and usually prompt delivery but occasional hiccups
Cheltenham - occasional excellent price and decent customer service
Kernow - again the every now and then bargain but always good service
RoS - good service and occasional bargain

Not got that much since moving up to the Worcester area other than what I had on pre order from several suppliers but Hereford Model Centre have been recommended to me. I've yet to visit that store.

Happy hunting!

Dave G

Quote from: daveg on January 12, 2016, 02:59:32 PM
Not got that much since moving up to the Worcester area other than what I had on pre order from several suppliers but Hereford Model Centre have been recommended to me. I've yet to visit that store.

This is my local shop, and well worth a visit. Slightly chaotic, but in a good way. If you can't see it in the cabinet, then ask...they seem to have a lot of stock hidden away! I also understand they test every loco before dispatch if you are mail ordering, which is useful to know.

Quote from: Jonas on January 12, 2016, 03:28:04 PM
they seem to have a lot of stock hidden away!

LOL, you better believe it !  I've had a tour of the warehousing, and it's amazing 

Quote from: Bob Tidbury on January 12, 2016, 09:01:42 AM
As allready said the track will come in handy as a test track ,in fact if you make a figure of eight then you don't even need to take the loco of the track just run it for about an hour in each direction gradually increasing the speed.
Sorry if I've repeated what's been said many times .
Bob

Cheers Bob, that takes care of me having to look up the running-in procedure then 

How come I never came across THIS thread in the last fortnight ? Typical innit, just about all my Q's are answered there 

Many thanks to all. 

Just a thought, you mention rail blue and an interest in passenger operations. In that case, the Steel Worker set might not be the best one for you.

Have a look around for the Newspaper Express trainset (product code 370-065) It includes a rail blue Class 24 with matching GUV and full brake coach ( as well as track and controller). It is no longer produced but can be tracked down second hand.

It might suit your eventual plans better than the Steel Worker as parcels and newspaper stock is much more at home in a passenger terminus than steel wagons.

Evening Darren,

Seeing that you are in Hull, you would be very welcome to visit us at Hull MRS one evening! 

Quote from: ShakyZZR on January 11, 2016, 08:00:21 PM
I used to spend loads of time at Hull Paragon in my mis-spent youth and loved to watch the loco's moving around their trains.

We are currently building a layout based on Hull's other Terminus - Cannon Street.
See the thread on here or our Blog for details!


Getting back to your original questions;

Quote from: ShakyZZR on January 11, 2016, 08:00:21 PM
Is it worth buying a train set v. separates to get started ?

They do offer a quick 'all you need' starting point, and if the stock in the set is something you particularly want, are definitely worthwhile - the prices are typically around 75% of the cost of buying the same items individually.
They also seem to hold value pretty well compared to mainstream production should you later change your focus. Typically the second hand price for an ex-set loco will be near enough the same as any other example of the type so given the lower original cost, the return is better.

Quote from: ShakyZZR on January 11, 2016, 08:00:21 PM
The only problem is that I would like to use code 55 rail for the extra realism whereas the set comes with setrack.

Code 80 Set track serves a useful purpose as a simple robust beginners entry point so it is a sensible decision to use it in the sets, but I'd never consider it for an exhibition layout. In fact we have made the decision to go a step further and use the finetrax code 40 on the new layout.

Paul

Quote from: Karhedron on January 12, 2016, 04:49:19 PM
Just a thought, you mention rail blue and an interest in passenger operations. In that case, the Steel Worker set might not be the best one for you.

Have a look around for the Newspaper Express trainset (product code 370-065) It includes a rail blue Class 24 with matching GUV and full brake coach ( as well as track and controller). It is no longer produced but can be tracked down second hand.

It might suit your eventual plans better than the Steel Worker as parcels and newspaper stock is much more at home in a passenger terminus than steel wagons.

Thanks for the heads-up bud. However, I'm always a little sceptical of buying 2nd-hand stuff, unless of course they're from someone who is known and trusted but thanks for giving me another option, it's appreciated. 

Quote from: PLD on January 12, 2016, 07:46:24 PM
Evening Darren,

Seeing that you are in Hull, you would be very welcome to visit us at Hull MRS one evening! 

Thanks for the invite Paul. I may just take you up on that sometime. Are you guys responsible for the large scale railway in West Park as well, or is that another group ?

Quote from: PLD on January 12, 2016, 07:46:24 PM
We are currently building a layout based on Hull's other Terminus - Cannon Street.
See the thread on here or our Blog for details! ;

I've seen that thread, looks like that will be something special. My Mam remembers that station although only being 50 myself, I don't. Would be great if she's still with us when you complete it to bring her to 'ave a gander  She's 81 in March but still as fit as a lop, put it this way, I STILL watch what I'm doing when I'm around her as she's not too fussed about giving me a slap if it warrants it 

Quote from: ShakyZZR on January 12, 2016, 04:35:14 PM
How come I never came across THIS thread in the last fortnight ? Typical innit, just about all my Q's are answered there 

Many thanks to all. 

Has anyone heard anything from the OP on that link above recently ? The thread just seems to stop abruptly in Nov 2014 and the last time he seemed to visit the board was January 2015  I was enjoying watching his progress.