Some years ago I was told retailers were allotted their stock from manufacturers in alphabetical order. At the time I didn't believe in such a crude method but I have been waiting for Farish item 374-045 to arrive as I've ordered it with vouchers from Rails of Sheffield.
End of last week I was advised Model Railways Direct had stock. Having checked both Osborns and Kernow, they also have stock. This seems to bear out the 'alphabetical theory'. Either that or Rails are exceeding slow at updating their system and they are usually pretty quick to advise of arrivals

John dutfield maybe worth investigating. Hope rails can deliver mick the mk1 Gangwayed Brake

I don't have vouchers for John Dutfield

Mick. Can I say please check pm. Offer an idea

You could be on to something, I had noticed Rails not having stock as I am waiting to pay my Preorder bill.
Having a look it could be alphabetical as of the shops I use online Rails of Sheffield and The model Centre are currently showing pre-order/awaiting stock.
Whereas I can see in stock at:
C&M,  Harburn Hobbies, Kernow, KJB models & KMS Railtech

Guess the test would be if anyone knows any other model shops with a name starting with R or Higher.

I dunno, Collets always seem to be at the back of the queue for new stock, so not sure that's borne out.

I guess it's as good a way of despatching as any, although I'd assume Bachmann would issue new stock in a day or two at most, so curious there's any meaningful delay. More likely at the RoS end I suspect.

The Wagon yard seemed to get the NGF wagons out before anyone else too.

Now, what did I do with my coat?

Quote from: CaleyDave on February 13, 2022, 11:54:22 AM
You could be on to something, I had noticed Rails not having stock as I am waiting to pay my Preorder bill.
Having a look it could be alphabetical as of the shops I use online Rails of Sheffield and The model Centre are currently showing pre-order/awaiting stock.
Whereas I can see in stock at:
C&M,  Harburn Hobbies, Kernow, KJB models & KMS Railtech

Guess the test would be if anyone knows any other model shops with a name starting with R or Higher.

Obviously I'm not privy to the top 10 selling retailers of Bachmann products, but I do know all businesses I've worked for looked after those 10 in priority and smaller retailers were fitted in as and when possible. I still find it difficult to believe an alphabetical system would be used but without ploughing through retailers after 'Rails' cannot prove anything.

Perhaps Rails' order is just bigger than most, takes longer to check into stock and they're short handed if folk are off with Covid?

Steven B

Or they're just busy with releases in other gauges too - I'm sure there orders on OO run into hundreds and thousands of units on some models

Quote from: CaleyDave on February 13, 2022, 11:54:22 AM
You could be on to something, I had noticed Rails not having stock as I am waiting to pay my Preorder bill.
Having a look it could be alphabetical as of the shops I use online Rails of Sheffield and The model Centre are currently showing pre-order/awaiting stock.
Whereas I can see in stock at:
C&M,  Harburn Hobbies, Kernow, KJB models & KMS Railtech

Guess the test would be if anyone knows any other model shops with a name starting with R or Higher.

Sorry to possibly blow this theory out of the water, but my order of new Farish coaches from Rainbow Railways arrived on Saturday, having arrived with them a couple of days before.

Quote from: Steven B on February 13, 2022, 04:12:15 PM
Perhaps Rails' order is just bigger than most, takes longer to check into stock and they're short handed if folk are off with Covid?

Steven B

As per the last sentence in the OP, Steven. I do think Rails are struggling to keep up with things but they still remain as my 'go to' box shifter even though some changes to their website and it's operation have not been improvements.

Quote from: Steven B on February 13, 2022, 04:12:15 PM
Perhaps Rails' order is just bigger than most, takes longer to check into stock and they're short handed if folk are off with Covid?

Steven B

Having spoken to Rails just now it appears Steven is very close to it. They tell me they have their deliveries on pallets so have to wait longer than those who get their stock in smaller parcels.
They are being booked in today so I should have the coach by end of the week maybe. It's not that I'm in a hurry but I do like to know how systems function.

Rails were also at the Doncaster show last weekend - meaning more staff away from the shop/warehouse for the weekend.

Steven B.

I got an e-mail from Rails this afternoon announcing receipt of a big delivery from Farish.