What is it about suppliers?

After soe very good suggestions re my last thread "bored bored bored" I 
identified some kit that I'd very much like to make.

I send expo a quick email and a day later some new soldering iron bits 
arive through the post - 5 star service!

I do teh same with a couple of model rail supplier and am still awaiting a 
reply - despite one claiming "Normal dispatch within 24 hours". Some can't 
be bothered to post phone numbers, one or two make it perfectly clear that 
they won't even accept emails ... oh yes I am going to put a cheque in to 
the post in order to place an order for a kit that may or may not be 
available that may or may not be what I want.

For crying out loud ... it makes me bloody mad.

-- 
All the best,

Chris

On 24 Sep, 23:44, Chris Wilson <ulm@.4rubbish.britwar.co.uk> wrote:
> What is it about suppliers?
>
> After soe very good suggestions re my last thread "bored bored bored" I
> identified some kit that I'd very much like to make.
>
> I send expo a quick email and a day later some new soldering iron bits
> arive through the post - 5 star service!
>
> I do teh same with a couple of model rail supplier and am still awaiting a
> reply - despite one claiming "Normal dispatch within 24 hours". Some can't
> be bothered to post phone numbers, one or two make it perfectly clear that
> they won't even accept emails ... oh yes I am going to put a cheque in to
> the post in order to place an order for a kit that may or may not be
> available that may or may not be what I want.
>
> For crying out loud ... it makes me bloody mad.
>
Hi Chris

Yes it does make you wonder how these types of companies keep in
business.

Things are a bit hit & miss with post these days so you sensibly take
all possible steps to make your purchase is as easy as possible.

I can imagine some companies don’t bother with enquiries about things
they advertise but do not have in stock.  They have a “ we’ll order it
when we get your payment “ sort of attitude.

I always like the idea of knowing were their front door is so I can go
bang on it if they let me down.

‘Name and shame’ is my motto for people who give bad service and don’t
care if they do.

So now you’re not Bored, Bored, Bored but MAD, MAD, MAD !

Chris

"Chris Wilson" <ulm@.4rubbish.britwar.co.uk> wrote in message 
news:Xns9C90F19DFFD62ulmbritwarcouk@69.16.176.253...
> What is it about suppliers?
>
> After soe very good suggestions re my last thread "bored bored bored" I
> identified some kit that I'd very much like to make.
>
> I send expo a quick email and a day later some new soldering iron bits
> arive through the post - 5 star service!
>
> I do teh same with a couple of model rail supplier and am still awaiting a
> reply - despite one claiming "Normal dispatch within 24 hours". Some can't
> be bothered to post phone numbers, one or two make it perfectly clear that
> they won't even accept emails ... oh yes I am going to put a cheque in to
> the post in order to place an order for a kit that may or may not be
> available that may or may not be what I want.
>
> For crying out loud ... it makes me bloody mad.
>
> -- 
> All the best,
>
> Chris

Does vary over the suppliers, as have only just started kit purchased in 
June am not usually worried about a few days.
What you after ?

Soar valley Model Railway Club on this weekend in loughborough - always a 
pleasure to visit. None of your snappy southerners or dour northerners here 
!

Cheers,
Simon

Chris Wilson wrote:
> What is it about suppliers?
> 
> After soe very good suggestions re my last thread "bored bored bored"
> I identified some kit that I'd very much like to make.
> 
> I send expo a quick email and a day later some new soldering iron bits
> arive through the post - 5 star service!
> 
> I do teh same with a couple of model rail supplier and am still
> awaiting a reply - despite one claiming "Normal dispatch within 24
> hours". Some can't be bothered to post phone numbers, one or two make
> it perfectly clear that they won't even accept emails ... oh yes I am
> going to put a cheque in to the post in order to place an order for a
> kit that may or may not be available that may or may not be what I
> want. 
> 
> For crying out loud ... it makes me bloody mad.

Most kits are produced by one man bands in there spare time. It does not make a living so they have to go out to work too.

"Chris Wilson" <ulm@.4rubbish.britwar.co.uk> wrote in message 
news:Xns9C90F19DFFD62ulmbritwarcouk@69.16.176.253...
> What is it about suppliers?
>
> After soe very good suggestions re my last thread "bored bored bored" I
> identified some kit that I'd very much like to make.
>
> I send expo a quick email and a day later some new soldering iron bits
> arive through the post - 5 star service!
>
> I do teh same with a couple of model rail supplier and am still awaiting a
> reply - despite one claiming "Normal dispatch within 24 hours". Some can't
> be bothered to post phone numbers, one or two make it perfectly clear that
> they won't even accept emails ... oh yes I am going to put a cheque in to
> the post in order to place an order for a kit that may or may not be
> available that may or may not be what I want.
>
> For crying out loud ... it makes me bloody mad.
>
> -- 
> All the best,
>
> Chris

You didn't try '5522' then, in spite of having my list sent within hours of 
your request. I always reply to correspondence and emails the same day. I 
agree that some cottage firms are less than efficient. I get odd bits from 
some of them to go in kits and it's hard work.

Alistair
'5522' Models

On Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:34:03 +0100, Trev wrote:

> Chris Wilson wrote:
>> What is it about suppliers?
>> 
>> After soe very good suggestions re my last thread "bored bored bored" I
>> identified some kit that I'd very much like to make.
>> 
>> I send expo a quick email and a day later some new soldering iron bits
>> arive through the post - 5 star service!
>> 
>> I do teh same with a couple of model rail supplier and am still
>> awaiting a reply - despite one claiming "Normal dispatch within 24
>> hours". Some can't be bothered to post phone numbers, one or two make
>> it perfectly clear that they won't even accept emails ... oh yes I am
>> going to put a cheque in to the post in order to place an order for a
>> kit that may or may not be available that may or may not be what I
>> want.
>> 
>> For crying out loud ... it makes me bloody mad.
> 
> Most kits are produced by one man bands in there spare time. It does not
> make a living so they have to go out to work too.

Very true, and it all worked quite well back in the days of yore when a 
modeller would "know about" a supplier through the grapevine so to speak. 
Sadly the internet, or rather web shopping, has raised customer 
expectations somewhat (as a retailer I'd say unreasonably so in some 
cases). For the kit market both sides probably need to re-think a bit, 
but there must be a danger of the kit maker getting peed off with being 
hassled and packing it in as a result. That wouldn't help anyone in the 
long run. As said above, kits are often something of a cottage industry 
often run by people who enjoy doing what they do as a bit of a hobby, but 
have no interest in, or desire to (or money!), set up a flashy web site 
with on-line ordering etc.

You pays yer money and all that, I suppose.   

Cheers
Richard



-- 
I have become...............comfortably numb

"Alistair Wright"  wrote in message 
news:1cSdnWxquK8GGiHXnZ2dnUVZ8kOdnZ2d@bt.com...
>

>
> You didn't try '5522' then, in spite of having my list sent within hours 
> of your request. I always reply to correspondence and emails the same day. 
> I agree that some cottage firms are less than efficient. I get odd bits 
> from some of them to go in kits and it's hard work.
>
> Alistair
> '5522' Models
True, can confirm your service is excellent. Nope am not after any special 
favours, just always think should let a supplier know when service is good 
as well as when theres problems.

Its all about expectations.
I get the impression when ordering from Rails that their delivery will be 
super fast, but it isnt and when go back to check their site they dont claim 
it will be. However, by then its too late and I'm slightly disappointed.
Recently ordered stuff (£200 worth) from cottage industry supplier and it 
took some weeks before received everything. But had met them at a show and 
knew how they worked and said right at the beginning that they need not 
worry if it took a while before they sent the goods out. Was more interested 
in getting what wanted with advice at a reasonable price than a box shifted.
Of course other people want different things and am not critisizing them.

Cheers,
Simon

"Alistair Wright"  wrote in
news:1cSdnWxquK8GGiHXnZ2dnUVZ8kOdnZ2d@bt.com: 

> 
> You didn't try '5522' then, in spite of having my list sent within
> hours of your request. I always reply to correspondence and emails the
> same day. I agree that some cottage firms are less than efficient. I
> get odd bits from some of them to go in kits and it's hard work.

Well if I don't get a reply in a couple of days it may well be you :-) In 
my trawls I spotted some wagons that were absolutely ideal for what I 
wanted. So of I wrote ... "hello, I'd like to buy nearly £200 for kits from 
you ..." etc etc ... and not heard a dickie bird by way of reply.

-- 
All the best,

Chris

"Trev" <trevbowdenatdsl.pipex.cominvalid> wrote in
news:NJadncHvg7wXHSHXnZ2dnUVZ8tmdnZ2d@pipex.net: 

...
>> 
>> For crying out loud ... it makes me bloody mad.
> 
> Most kits are produced by one man bands in there spare time. It does
> not make a living so they have to go out to work too. 

Granted, but not even bothering to reply to communications - or in one case 
refusing to accept any form of cummunication other than a posted letter 
simply isn't good enough. If you're going to the trouble of putting up a 
website the least you can do is service it.

Many many moons ago - very pre-internet together with a partner I produced 
15mm and 25mm military figures and accessories .. "Please send SEA for 
list" in the back of the magazines etc so I know exactly what it's like 
running a cottage industry and the pioint is that customers are customers.

The customers aren't there to provide a service to the producer its the 
other way around. Forget that basic principle and you'll remain a cottage 
industry right up until the point you can no longer afford to trade. As for 
me, I can always take my money elsewhere.


-- 
All the best,

Chris

Dragon Heart  wrote in
news:dbfe99e5-43db-4fb4-aea3-2938b70afc8d@g23g2000vbr.googlegroups.com: 

....
>>
> Hi Chris
> 
> Yes it does make you wonder how these types of companies keep in
> business.
> 
> Things are a bit hit & miss with post these days so you sensibly take
> all possible steps to make your purchase is as easy as possible.
> 
> I can imagine some companies don’t bother with enquiries about things
> they advertise but do not have in stock.  They have a “ we’ll order it
> when we get your payment “ sort of attitude.
> 
> I always like the idea of knowing were their front door is so I can go
> bang on it if they let me down.
> 
> ‘Name and shame’ is my motto for people who give bad service and don’t
> care if they do.
> 
> So now you’re not Bored, Bored, Bored but MAD, MAD, MAD !

And just to make it worse my good lady wife has just found some more 
gardening for me to do!

-- 
All the best,

Chris

"Chris Wilson" <ulm@.4rubbish.britwar.co.uk> wrote in message 
news:Xns9C918EF1BD913ulmbritwarcouk@69.16.176.253...
> "Alistair Wright"  wrote in
> news:1cSdnWxquK8GGiHXnZ2dnUVZ8kOdnZ2d@bt.com:
>
>>
>> You didn't try '5522' then, in spite of having my list sent within
>> hours of your request. I always reply to correspondence and emails the
>> same day. I agree that some cottage firms are less than efficient. I
>> get odd bits from some of them to go in kits and it's hard work.
>
> Well if I don't get a reply in a couple of days it may well be you :-) In
> my trawls I spotted some wagons that were absolutely ideal for what I
> wanted. So of I wrote ... "hello, I'd like to buy nearly £200 for kits 
> from
> you ..." etc etc ... and not heard a dickie bird by way of reply.
>
> -- 
> All the best,
>
> Chris

Sorry, have I missed something here? I  sent you a list exactly 27 minutes 
after you requested one. Did it not arrive? I'll try again if you didn't get 
it. It was sent to the email adress you supplied. I can't do better than 
that!

Mystified

Alistair

"Alistair Wright"  wrote in
news:FbKdnTA-m-oPeCHXnZ2dnUVZ8t2dnZ2d@bt.com: 

> 
> "Chris Wilson" <ulm@.4rubbish.britwar.co.uk> wrote in message 
> news:Xns9C918EF1BD913ulmbritwarcouk@69.16.176.253...
>> "Alistair Wright"  wrote in
>> news:1cSdnWxquK8GGiHXnZ2dnUVZ8kOdnZ2d@bt.com:
>>
>>>
>>> You didn't try '5522' then, in spite of having my list sent within
>>> hours of your request. I always reply to correspondence and emails
>>> the same day. I agree that some cottage firms are less than
>>> efficient. I get odd bits from some of them to go in kits and it's
>>> hard work. 
>>
>> Well if I don't get a reply in a couple of days it may well be you
>> :-) In my trawls I spotted some wagons that were absolutely ideal for
>> what I wanted. So of I wrote ... "hello, I'd like to buy nearly 200
>> for kits from
>> you ..." etc etc ... and not heard a dickie bird by way of reply.
>>
>> -- 
>> All the best,
>>
>> Chris
> 
> Sorry, have I missed something here? I  sent you a list exactly 27
> minutes after you requested one. Did it not arrive? I'll try again if
> you didn't get it. It was sent to the email adress you supplied. I
> can't do better than that!

Nope, not at all mate. My poor grammar, my first sentence should be read 
to mean that if I don't get a reply from those who I have emailed 
enquiries to then it may well be you getting the order.

You have a great list and as promised by you there's one or two very 
interesting models in there ... only I also saw some wagon stock that 
would be absolutely ideal for my layout, stuff that's been on my 
shopping list for a while - 1 plank wagons, 4 plank dropside, brake vans 
(all L&Y), a bit of LNWR stock ... from three different suppliers. So a 
quick email went out to them all along the lines of, "Nice catalogue, do 
you have x, y and z in stock if so and I place an order now when do you 
think you'd be able to dispatch" Or , "May I order x, y and z how can I 
pay you?"

Not one of them has bothered to reply ... and days have passed. I really 
wouldn't mind if they replied saying, "Sorry not in stock", or "Sorry 
can't deliver for 'x' months" it's the fact that they haven't even 
bothered to acknowledge my enquiry (or order in one case) that has 
really hacked me off.

Which brings us back full circle, if I didn't want these particular 
models so much I'd have already moved on. As it is I'll give them a few 
more days and if still no reply I'll be in touch with you.

Hope that makes sense now. Sorry for any confusion.

-- 
All the best,

Chris

If you really want wagons or perhaps I should say, vans, try Lochgorm kits 
( he has a web site and DOES reply to customers). He has a  'beginner's 
etch' (which I designed) which produces two nice box vans either LMS or LNER 
to your taste (D2079 odr Cov 'B'). this is real cheap and while you have to 
your own castings theses are available in the trade. Not only that, but 
these vans will test your skill at building etched kits. Build them and 
award yourself an 'A' level!

Alistair Wright
'5522' Models

"Alistair Wright"  wrote in
news:pYSdnZl-Ie7nbyHXnZ2dnUVZ8tadnZ2d@bt.com: 

> If you really want wagons or perhaps I should say, vans, try Lochgorm
> kits (...

Thanks very much for the pointer but I've got very particular requirements 
re wagon stock (if I can get drawings I may even make my own).

Nope if these other folks don't get back to me I'll be in touch with your 
good self. Those inspection saloons look very tempting. (I have previously 
built two Mercian Models loco kits - who by the way dispatched very quickly 
and were a please to buy from)


-- 
All the best,

Chris

simon wrote:

> Soar valley Model Railway Club on this weekend in loughborough - always 
> a pleasure to visit. None of your snappy southerners or dour northerners 
> here !

Oi - does a West Country bloke count as a snappy Southerner?  I've just 
moved to Mountsorrel and went to that show - very good, it was!

-- 
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.me.uk/

"Paul Boyd"  wrote in message 
news:4ac3c45c$0$2478$db0fefd9@news.zen.co.uk...
> simon wrote:
>
>> Soar valley Model Railway Club on this weekend in loughborough - always a 
>> pleasure to visit. None of your snappy southerners or dour northerners 
>> here !
>
> Oi - does a West Country bloke count as a snappy Southerner?  I've just 
> moved to Mountsorrel and went to that show - very good, it was!
>
> -- 
> Paul Boyd
> http://www.paul-boyd.me.uk/

Mountsorrel ? Wow, youre rich and posh. Will you be joining the hunt ?
West Country snappy - hardly, takes you lot at least 10 minutes to say 10 
words with interspersed 'oi be's.

Was good, really liked the quarry 009 one with figure of 8 on 2 levels. 
Guess where the loco will appear next !

This w/e its Mickleover - IIRC its a bit smaller with a similarly friendly 
bunch.

Cheers,
Simon

simon wrote:

> Mountsorrel ? Wow, youre rich and posh. Will you be joining the hunt ?

Rich?  Posh?  Much nicer house up here for the same rent as I was paying 
in Somerset.  Got a garage and garden as well!  Mind you, I work in 
Rothley, and that really is posh and rich!

-- 
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.me.uk/

"Paul Boyd"  wrote in message 
news:4ac4ff74$0$2537$da0feed9@news.zen.co.uk...
> simon wrote:
>
>> Mountsorrel ? Wow, youre rich and posh. Will you be joining the hunt ?
>
> Rich?  Posh?  Much nicer house up here for the same rent as I was paying 
> in Somerset.  Got a garage and garden as well!  Mind you, I work in 
> Rothley, and that really is posh and rich!
>
> -- 
> Paul Boyd
> http://www.paul-boyd.me.uk/

can you watch the GCR trains go passed ?

Cheers,
Simon

On 30 Sep, 22:20, "simon"  wrote:
> "Paul Boyd"  wrote in message
>
> news:4ac3c45c$0$2478$db0fefd9@news.zen.co.uk...
>
> > simon wrote:
>
> >> Soar valley Model Railway Club on this weekend in loughborough - always a
> >> pleasure to visit. None of your snappy southerners or dour northerners
> >> here !
>
> > Oi - does a West Country bloke count as a snappy Southerner?  I've just
> > moved to Mountsorrel and went to that show - very good, it was!
>
> > --
> > Paul Boyd
> >http://www.paul-boyd.me.uk/
>
> Mountsorrel ? Wow, youre rich and posh. Will you be joining the hunt ?
> West Country snappy - hardly, takes you lot at least 10 minutes to say 10
> words with interspersed 'oi be's.
>
> Was good, really liked the quarry 009 one with figure of 8 on 2 levels.
> Guess where the loco will appear next !
>
> This w/e its Mickleover - IIRC its a bit smaller with a similarly friendly
> bunch.

Mickleover ... agree 100 %

Soar Valley Model Railway Club ... has the parking been sorted out
yet ?

Mountsorrel Railway project     http://www.mountsorrel.org.uk/

Happy lot in Rothley !

'The Departure of the Dead', The Story of Burial in Rothley is now
available :-(

It is said that The Knights Templar used Rothley Court,  now an
hotel,  as a meeting place !

Chris

Dragon Heart wrote:

> Soar Valley Model Railway Club ... has the parking been sorted out
> yet ?

Er, no!  I drove into the school gate, was directed along the backs of 
cars where there was insufficient room to pass a couple of them without 
going onto the pavement, then round a corner where I was told there were 
"a few spaces" (there weren't) and eventually ended up parked on the 
grass at the back of a leisure centre!

--
Paul Boyd

simon wrote:

> can you watch the GCR trains go passed ?

No, but if the wind's in the right direction I can hear them!

"Paul Boyd"  wrote in message 
news:4ac75131$0$2479$db0fefd9@news.zen.co.uk...
> Dragon Heart wrote:
>
>> Soar Valley Model Railway Club ... has the parking been sorted out
>> yet ?
>
> Er, no!  I drove into the school gate, was directed along the backs of 
> cars where there was insufficient room to pass a couple of them without 
> going onto the pavement, then round a corner where I was told there were 
> "a few spaces" (there weren't) and eventually ended up parked on the grass 
> at the back of a leisure centre!
>
> --
> Paul Boyd
At least they had 2 people directing cars even if occasionally they got the 
number of spaces wrong. We were given the same instructions but found a 
space just round the corner, good job as was collecting nearly 10 years of 
MRC mags from someone.

Cheers,
Simon

"Paul Boyd"  wrote in message 
news:4ac7514e$0$2479$db0fefd9@news.zen.co.uk...
> simon wrote:
>
>> can you watch the GCR trains go passed ?
>
> No, but if the wind's in the right direction I can hear them!

But your new location means youre close enough for me to bring dodgy kit 
built chassis for a bit of advice :-)

Cheers,
Simon

On 3 Oct, 21:24, "simon"  wrote:
> "Paul Boyd"  wrote in message
>
> news:4ac75131$0$2479$db0fefd9@news.zen.co.uk...> Dragon Heart wrote:
>
> >> Soar Valley Model Railway Club ... has the parking been sorted out
> >> yet ?
>
> > Er, no!  I drove into the school gate, was directed along the backs of
> > cars where there was insufficient room to pass a couple of them without
> > going onto the pavement, then round a corner where I was told there were
> > "a few spaces" (there weren't) and eventually ended up parked on the grass
> > at the back of a leisure centre!
>
> > --
> > Paul Boyd
>
> At least they had 2 people directing cars even if occasionally they got the
> number of spaces wrong. We were given the same instructions but found a
> space just round the corner, >

" good job as was collecting nearly 10 years of MRC mags from someone
"

This link may help   http://factoidz.com/diy-project-how-to-build-a-bookcase/

Chris

"Dragon Heart"  wrote in message 
news:248faed1-a9ab-42d9-9b9a-ce95cebeb9f2@k26g2000vbp.googlegroups.com...
On 3 Oct, 21:24, "simon"  wrote:
> "Paul Boyd"  wrote in message
>
> news:4ac75131$0$2479$db0fefd9@news.zen.co.uk...> Dragon Heart wrote:
>
> >> Soar Valley Model Railway Club ... has the parking been sorted out
> >> yet ?
>
> > Er, no! I drove into the school gate, was directed along the backs of
> > cars where there was insufficient room to pass a couple of them without
> > going onto the pavement, then round a corner where I was told there were
> > "a few spaces" (there weren't) and eventually ended up parked on the 
> > grass
> > at the back of a leisure centre!
>
> > --
> > Paul Boyd
>
> At least they had 2 people directing cars even if occasionally they got 
> the
> number of spaces wrong. We were given the same instructions but found a
> space just round the corner, >

" good job as was collecting nearly 10 years of MRC mags from someone
"

This link may help 
http://factoidz.com/diy-project-how-to-build-a-bookcase/

Chris

Most thoughtfull, but all freestanding space disappeared a while back. Only 
got floor under layout and that has to be shared with much junk as well as 
Backtracks.

Cheers,
Simon

simon wrote:

> But your new location means youre close enough for me to bring dodgy kit 
> built chassis for a bit of advice :-)

Did I say Mountsorrel?  I meant Inverness :-)

-- 
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.me.uk/

simon wrote:

> At least they had 2 people directing cars even if occasionally they got 
> the number of spaces wrong.

Yup - never having been there before, I was quite happy to be directed. 
   When I was walking back, I was asked where I parked, and the look of 
relief when I said where I was and that there was plenty of room was 
palpable! I always remember that these guys are volunteering their time 
to help out.

-- 
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.me.uk/

"Paul Boyd"  wrote in message 
news:4aca3148$0$2538$da0feed9@news.zen.co.uk...
> simon wrote:
>
>> At least they had 2 people directing cars even if occasionally they got 
>> the number of spaces wrong.
>
> Yup - never having been there before, I was quite happy to be directed. 
> When I was walking back, I was asked where I parked, and the look of 
> relief when I said where I was and that there was plenty of room was 
> palpable! I always remember that these guys are volunteering their time to 
> help out.
>
> -- 
> Paul Boyd
> http://www.paul-boyd.me.uk/

Same with all of them. Plus if you have a laugh with em then they'll give 
you extra help, if your snappy then you may be on your own.

was same at Mickleover, had lot of fun there - his nibs won a pink purse at 
the tombola so they let him swap it for any other prize - he chose the 
whoopy cushion - I kept well away. However did buy an Alan Gibson Midland 2P 
kit and a water damaged Gem Precursor. Keep busy for a while - any advice on 
dealing with either would be wellcome.

Cheers,
Simon

simon wrote:

> However did buy an Alan Gibson 
> Midland 2P kit and a water damaged Gem Precursor. Keep busy for a while 
> - any advice on dealing with either would be wellcome.

Dunno about the GEM kit, but the AG 2P pretty much goes together as 
designed (as shown on my website, this was perhaps unwisely one of the 
first kits I built, so is being reworked - must update my site some time!)

I don't get on with Alan Gibson's sprung hornblocks, and if your kit has 
the two-part plastic gearbox you might want to throw that away as well. 
  The gears themselves are good, but once the gearbox is in place you 
can't turn the wheels to set up quartering etc!  I think High Level Kits 
can kill two birds with one stone here - any of their gearboxes are 
beautiful, and from what I've seen of their hornblocks you can't go 
wrong with them for either sprung or compensated chassis. 
http://www.clag.org.uk/class2p.html might be worth a look as well.

Have fun!

-- 
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.me.uk/

"Paul Boyd"  wrote in message 
news:4acb9ba1$0$2533$da0feed9@news.zen.co.uk...
> simon wrote:
>
>> However did buy an Alan Gibson Midland 2P kit and a water damaged Gem 
>> Precursor. Keep busy for a while - any advice on dealing with either 
>> would be wellcome.
>
> Dunno about the GEM kit, but the AG 2P pretty much goes together as 
> designed (as shown on my website, this was perhaps unwisely one of the 
> first kits I built, so is being reworked - must update my site some time!)
>
> I don't get on with Alan Gibson's sprung hornblocks, and if your kit has 
> the two-part plastic gearbox you might want to throw that away as well. 
> The gears themselves are good, but once the gearbox is in place you can't 
> turn the wheels to set up quartering etc!  I think High Level Kits can 
> kill two birds with one stone here - any of their gearboxes are beautiful, 
> and from what I've seen of their hornblocks you can't go wrong with them 
> for either sprung or compensated chassis. 
> http://www.clag.org.uk/class2p.html might be worth a look as well.
>
> Have fun!
>
> -- 
> Paul Boyd
> http://www.paul-boyd.me.uk/

Thanks for that, it will help, never tried sprung chassis but perhaps its 
time.

Precursor is already built and painted. Would have no problem with new kit 
as already done George Vth which is almost identical. Its cleaning up water 
damage that was wondering about. As its body is nicely painted and lined am 
hoping to just clean then patch paint with light waethering. Chassis is 
possibly scratch built and may be an old but good job. It has an X04 type 
motor and what looks like modern Romford wheels. Expect to replace motor but 
would be nice if could just clean up the wheels (perhaps replace axles). May 
be a s#d to remove wheels though.
Any suggestions of solutions that would help clean/strip bits without damage 
would be welcome.

Cheers,
Simon

simon wrote:

> Chassis is possibly scratch built and may be an old but good 
> job. It has an X04 type motor and what looks like modern Romford wheels. 
> Expect to replace motor but would be nice if could just clean up the 
> wheels (perhaps replace axles). May be a s#d to remove wheels though.

Isn't the Precursor a little loco, and the X04 a big motor? :-)

If the wheels are Romford, they should be easy to remove, shouldn't 
they?  I would definitely be inclined to replace the X04 with a High 
Level Gearbox and Mashima motor.  Assuming the chassis runs OK now, I 
would make a careful note of which way the coupling rods were fitted 
before stripping it down.  It's quite possible that the maker had to 
tweak the hole sizes slightly, so you really want to make sure the right 
holes go back on the right crankpin.  For cleaning things up, get hold 
of a can of this stuff:
<http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/tools/cycling-tools/bike-cleaning/product/disc-brake-cleaner-31411>

Once you've sprayed it around, you won't care how well it works ;-)

-- 
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.me.uk/

"Paul Boyd"  wrote in message 
news:4ace1a89$0$2529$da0feed9@news.zen.co.uk...
> simon wrote:
>
>> Chassis is possibly scratch built and may be an old but good job. It has 
>> an X04 type motor and what looks like modern Romford wheels. Expect to 
>> replace motor but would be nice if could just clean up the wheels 
>> (perhaps replace axles). May be a s#d to remove wheels though.
>
> Isn't the Precursor a little loco, and the X04 a big motor? :-)
>
> If the wheels are Romford, they should be easy to remove, shouldn't they? 
> I would definitely be inclined to replace the X04 with a High Level 
> Gearbox and Mashima motor.  Assuming the chassis runs OK now, I would make 
> a careful note of which way the coupling rods were fitted before stripping 
> it down.  It's quite possible that the maker had to tweak the hole sizes 
> slightly, so you really want to make sure the right holes go back on the 
> right crankpin.  For cleaning things up, get hold of a can of this stuff:
> <http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/tools/cycling-tools/bike-cleaning/product/disc-brake-cleaner-31411>
>
> Once you've sprayed it around, you won't care how well it works ;-)
>
> -- 
> Paul Boyd
> http://www.paul-boyd.me.uk/

Its a big 4-4-0, was an express passenger to take 400 ton trains down WCML 
at 60mph and that was without superheating (George Vth was the later 
superheated equivalent). Got wide boiler with lots of space - already have a 
GEM George Vth with mashima open can and branchlines gearbox - runs smooth 
as anything although havent checked what it can pull yet.

Believe chassis is scratch built, if cant clean it sufficiently and get 
running properly then will replace. Like that stuff to clean wheels etc, may 
be able to recover enough to not require new wheels/chassis thanks. Its EM 
although modified by wider axles and additional washers rather than EM 
spacers in chassis.

cheers,
Simon