Rang a big retailer this morning (in Sheffield) to enquire about the cost of a Dapol 43 and having sound fitted. Surprised to hear that 'they don't generally fit sound into n gauge', especially as I already have a 43 supplied with sound fitted from another big dealer in Yorkshire, (they don't have any at the moment so can't go back there). Definately NOT a good attitude towards customers.

Not overly helpful locations as to who these large retailers are - as far as I can recall, Sheffield is in Yorkshire 

I'm guessing Rails of Sheffield (Rails) and The Model Centre (TMC) of Whitby.

At the end of the day it's entirely the retailer's decision what DCC (or other) services they offer in addition to retailing products. I happily use both of these retailers.

There are also many aftermarket firms fitting DCC sound in N. You just gotta get things done in two places if you can't get them done in one shot.

Bob

Maybe the guilty party is Marcway Models, also in Sheffield??

...The Model Workshop....Olivia's Trains...The Henderson's Relish Factory... all in Sheffield

Not surprised Henderson's don't do DCC sound fitting.

Rails. Major retailer who can't be bothered. Simply unimpressed.

Why should they? Would you expect them to respray a loco for you? Service items? Build kits? Wire your layout? Just because they sell stock that doesn't mean they should offer all facets of the hobby.

Very simply sound conversions aren't a service they offer. They don't say it is. 43s (assume you mean an HST, rather than a Warship) are not sound-ready, it's not plug-and-play, so requires modification. This takes time, and they presumably don't have someone with this expertise and/or they don't feel they can make sufficient margin on this.

You sound like a nightmare customer, and they've dodged a bullet.

Quote from: KipperPK on September 09, 2025, 12:44:39 PMRails. Major retailer who can't be bothered. Simply unimpressed.

Simply not part of their business model. They are very much a classic "box shifter" in my view.    Doesn't make them a bad retailer (they're generally very good actually). [edit] Actually they do list a "decoder fitting service" but that sounds like it is simply a plug'n'play install of a non-sound decoder.

https://railsofsheffield.com/products/decoder-fitting-services-dccfitting-dcc-decoder-fitting-service-for-n-oo-and-o-gauge-locomotives

You'll find the majority of retailers don't offer that sort of specialised sound decoder fitting service especially if it involves anything more than popping the body and fitting a plug'n'play decoder. A sound decoder install may involve speaker fitting and wiring, loading the sound file and tweaking CVs.   It's just a few establishments which have the resource and time available - for a price of course.  If it is a plug'n'play install then buy the bits and do it yourself

Quote from: ntpntpntp on September 09, 2025, 05:42:54 PMSimply not part of their business model. They are very much a classic "box shifter" in my view.    Doesn't make them a bad retailer (they're generally very good actually).

I have used Rails' advanced weathering service (on OO engines and rolling stock) and have found it good value and professionally on a par with TMC. But they only work with what they have got. TMC will renumber, rename, add fittings, real coal, etc. Rails will not.

So it is horses for courses. You can't diss them for not providing a service that another retailer does just because they won't do what you'd like them to do.

It does seem strange to criticise a business for not providing a service they have no obligation to provide. If a business doesn't have the staff and processes in place for a service then they are absolutely right to not offer it. Fitting sound into a loco is nothing like dropping a DCC chip in.

Quote from: KipperPK on September 09, 2025, 12:44:39 PMRails. Major retailer who can't be bothered. Simply unimpressed.

Like saying: "I went to Tesco and bought some Kippers and a bottle of Ketchup. You know what, they wouldn't cook the kippers for me and I even had to open the bottle myself!!!"

Quote from: PLD on September 10, 2025, 07:44:12 AMLike saying: "I went to Tesco and bought some Kippers and a bottle of Ketchup... "

Ketchup on kippers? Don't like the sound of that one bit.

Agree with other responses. I use Rails and TMC (or did up until tariff time). Anything I want weathered, accessory-fitted, cab crew, etc. I go to TMC. Anything vanilla I'm perfectly happy with Rails.

Quote from: KipperPK on September 09, 2025, 12:44:39 PMRails. Major retailer who can't be bothered. Simply unimpressed.

Seriously dude. Get a life.

Quote from: KipperPK on September 09, 2025, 12:44:39 PMRails. Major retailer who can't be bothered. Simply unimpressed.

Rails have done more for N Gauge than most in recent years, given their support to Sonic Models and the number of retailer exclusives they have commissioned.

Fitting decoders to models just isn't part of their business model, and there are plenty of of others around who specialise in that sort of thing.

Tom. 

Remember the Dapol HST is not designed to have a speaker fitted, so this would be a bigger and more skilled job than the retailer may wish to take on.

There are plenty of shops and individuals who offer this service, so it is unfair to Rails to criticise them.