Major New Announcement: Accurascale Acquires Heljan

[irishmail]

5 hours ago, BosKonay said:

In fairness, where is the hypocrisy? Massive discounting undercut small retailers, and hurt the manufacturer, leading to the closure of small retailers (we've lost 14 this year alone) and a downward spiral of customers waiting for the massive discount, again hurting the manufacturer. Any direct retailer customers of Heljan were given a heads up before the announcement. 

The only way to 'fix' it is a commercial reset. Which is what has happened. Anything else is just rose tinted goggles unfortunately, and we're enormously excited about what we can bring to this 70 year old Brand and legacy.

Its that fact that it been mentioned about retailers discounting, but Accurascale/IRM/Heljan are now selling items at discounted prices, my point being why can you do so but the model shop/retailers cant.  

I stand to be corrected, but once the retailers have the stock to sell, have the manufactures not already got the money for them ,so its up to the shops if they want to reduce or not?   

I have no objections to direct selling, but why not give the model shops an option to stock items as well if they wish to do so?

[DJ Dangerous]

33 minutes ago, irishmail said:

I stand to be corrected, but once the retailers have the stock to sell, have the manufactures not already got the money for them ,so its up to the shops if they want to reduce or not?   

This bit here seems fuzzy. Hornby’s 2024 / 2025 accounts show £7 Million owed by customers, and of that, they expect that £1,3 Million won’t be recovered.

That sounds like shops don’t pay, or don’t pay in full, until the stock has been sold.

If a retailer decides to discount stock to shift it, it’s possible that the retailer is also reducing what they’re prepared to pay for stock already received, and the manufacturers never see that money back.

[Flying Snail]

39 minutes ago, irishmail said:

Its that fact that it been mentioned about retailers discounting, but Accurascale/IRM/Heljan are now selling items at discounted prices, my point being why can you do so but the model shop/retailers cant.  

I stand to be corrected, but once the retailers have the stock to sell, have the manufactures not already got the money for them ,so its up to the shops if they want to reduce or not?   

I have no objections to direct selling, but why not give the model shops an option to stock items as well if they wish to do so?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but do the bigger retailers not request discounts from the manufacturers? I would have assumed a large retailer that moves significant volumes would "negotiate" with the manufacturer regarding discounts - in much the same way as the supermarkets do with their suppliers. i.e the big retailer protects their margins by passing the pain back to the manufacturer

 

[DoctorPan]

Also as a punter I have a limited budget and back when I modelled UK 00 stuff, I wouldn't buy stuff at release, why would I when Rails or Hattons a month or two later wack on a further discount. Made me think the stuff wasn't worth the full price, after all it was already getting discounted. 

 

If I missed out on something I wanted because it sold out quickly, I could always turn to TMC and pay their premium to get something. 

[irishmail]

28 minutes ago, Flying Snail said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but do the bigger retailers not request discounts from the manufacturers? I would have assumed a large retailer that moves significant volumes would "negotiate" with the manufacturer regarding discounts - in much the same way as the supermarkets do with their suppliers. i.e the big retailer protects their margins by passing the pain back to the manufacturer

 

That's a fair point, but surely manufactures would not be selling stock at a loss to retailers unless they want to shift  some slow moving stock.  Having recently done a business admin course, there is no reason why manufactures/retailers can not sell stock at much reduced prices once original cost and margins have been covered, eg, Total fixed cost, Variable cost and Units produced, then once a set amount has been sold, what ever is left can be sold at reduced cost.  Obviously the profit margins will not be so great, but it clears space for new stock. 

[BosKonay]

5 minutes ago, irishmail said:

That's a fair point, but surely manufactures would not be selling stock at a loss to retailers unless they want to shift  some slow moving stock.  

That's the issue and why this reset was needed. 

[murphaph]

7 hours ago, BosKonay said:

In fairness, where is the hypocrisy? Massive discounting undercut small retailers, and hurt the manufacturer, leading to the closure of small retailers (we've lost 14 this year alone) and a downward spiral of customers waiting for the massive discount, again hurting the manufacturer. Any direct retailer customers of Heljan were given a heads up before the announcement. 

The only way to 'fix' it is a commercial reset. Which is what has happened. Anything else is just rose tinted goggles unfortunately, and we're enormously excited about what we can bring to this 70 year old Brand and legacy.

To be honest I would expect the crowd here to "get it", even if many on RmWeb don't. IRM was obviously a product of the internet itself. How many model shops existed in Ireland when the ballast was produced? Maybe ten premises on the whole island, if even that? Buying "from your local model shop" was never really an option for most of Ireland. Small Irish towns and cities never had model shops. You had a long way to go to reach one, even if you lived in Dublin it was a trek into town to the Modeller's Den or whatever. Most of them in the cities were  long gone by the time IRM set up shop(ify). It was always going to be predominantly online or not at all really.

[Colin R]

4 hours ago, Georgeconna said:

2 009 Lynton and Barnstaple disasters that never ran and could not get them repaired so did not tip my toe back in that scale again. 

 

Yes, I think most Narrow Gauge modellers in 009 have faced that problem. I do have a fleet of all the Manning Wardles, which currently totals seven, some in independent livery and the rest in Southern Livery and 1 Black Baldwin. I have been after two other Baldwins, but I am told none are available any more.

The 1st Batch was shocking and very disappointing; one of my first MW fell apart as I was taking it out of the box. Like many others, I emailed Heljan and received an apology and an email telling how I could fix the problem, or I could send it back for a replacement (which I did at the time).

The fact that there are still a high number of these models out there with these problems will make any future narrow gauge modeller wary of buying any new model products coming from the Heljan stable.

As a knock-on effect, the development of the much-awaited Vale of Rhediol 2-6-2T in 009 has stalled due to various internat changes at the promoters. Now, while several UK-designed steam locos would be welcomed in 009, Heljan's reputation has done it no favours.

If the team behind the L&B manning wardle disaster wanted to have another go, but tried to get it right next time, I would suggest the Welsh Highland Railways 2-6-2T Russell as the first of a new 009 Hunslet Family, which could include locos from the Welshpool and Llanfair light railway and a number of other Hunslet designs in the long run using a tried, tested and most importantly a reliable chassis. Get the chassis right, and you will have every 009 modeller flocking to you on every release you do.

Well, that's my cents' worth.             

Edited March 27 by Colin R

[Georgeconna]

2 hours ago, DoctorPan said:

Also as a punter I have a limited budget and back when I modelled UK 00 stuff, I wouldn't buy stuff at release, why would I when Rails or Hattons a month or two later wack on a further discount. Made me think the stuff wasn't worth the full price, after all it was already getting discounted. 

 

If I missed out on something I wanted because it sold out quickly, I could always turn to TMC and pay their premium to get something. 

yep, Priced at what they think the market is willing to pay and FOMO playing a big part. I just sit back now, Been burned big time with FOMO. Last one was the EFE Booster, bought at full price and now is still being discounted. A look at rails site shows quite a lot of bits being marked down, every day I get a sales email from Rails, German Model shops, Plastic model shops so are these yokes being overpriced at placing them on the market?

A great example was Airfix Buccaneers 1/48 retailing @ €84.00 notes. Simply not worth it. A year later picked up 3 for €75. Result. Missing out wont change my life TBH. 

1 hour ago, murphaph said:

To be honest I would expect the crowd here to "get it", even if many on RmWeb don't. IRM was obviously a product of the internet itself. How many model shops existed in Ireland when the ballast was produced? Maybe ten premises on the whole island, if even that? Buying "from your local model shop" was never really an option for most of Ireland. Small Irish towns and cities never had model shops. You had a long way to go to reach one, even if you lived in Dublin it was a trek into town to the Modeller's Den or whatever. Most of them in the cities were  long gone by the time IRM set up shop(ify). It was always going to be predominantly online or not at all really.

The big pull in was the Rewards and Bundle % off really. You wont get that from the Shops.

I rarely go into the City now. If I Dublin I call into Greenouge for a chat and a look around, pick up some paints etc. don't be long adding up a bill!!

41 minutes ago, Colin R said:

Yes, I think most Narrow Gauge modellers in 009 have faced that problem. I do have a fleet of all the Manning Wardles, which currently totals seven, some in independent livery and the rest in Southern Livery and 1 Black Baldwin. I have been after two other Baldwins, but I am told none are available any more.

The 1st Batch was shocking and very disappointing; one of my first MW fell apart as I was taking it out of the box. Like many others, I emailed Heljan and received an apology and an email telling how I could fix the problem, or I could send it back for a replacement (which I did at the time).

The fact that there are still a high number of these models out there with these problems will make any future narrow gauge modeller wary of buying any new model products coming from the Heljan stable.

As a knock-on effect, the development of the much-awaited Vale of Rhediol 2-6-2T in 009 has stalled due to various internat changes at the promoters. Now, while several UK-designed steam locos would be welcomed in 009, Heljan's reputation has done it no favours.

If the team behind the L&B manning wardle disaster wanted to have another go, but tried to get it right next time, I would suggest the Welsh Highland Railways 2-6-2T Russell as the first of a new 009 Hunslet Family, which could include locos from the Welshpool and Llanfair light railway and a number of other Hunslet designs in the long run using a tried, tested and most importantly a reliable chassis. Get the chassis right, and you will have every 009 modeller flocking to you on every release you do.

Well, that's my cents' worth.             

One went back as it was like your broken in the box, Valve gear off despite me asking the UK shop to double check the loco. They did not.

It came back and the gears dont mesh not, Zero traction, Sitting in the display case. shame as they are quite lovely 

Frankly not even bothered now running the 2nd one at all if indeed it does at all. 

[Colin R]

I am like you, I have taken them all out of the box to look at them, but running them? No chance at the moment. Over on a narrow gauge forum, one of the small UK kit manufacturers was going to look into producing a replacement brass chassis etched kit and valve gear, with new wheels coming from the former Markits Co. 

I have a feeling that once they started to look at the problem, they realised it would be too expensive to do. One finescale modeller has taken an old Backwoods L&BR brass chassis under the Heljan Body, and from what I can tell, it appears to work OK. There again, he has built his own to run on 8 mm gauge. 

[Ironroad]

4 hours ago, irishmail said:

Its that fact that it been mentioned about retailers discounting, but Accurascale/IRM/Heljan are now selling items at discounted prices, my point being why can you do so but the model shop/retailers cant.  

I stand to be corrected, but once the retailers have the stock to sell, have the manufactures not already got the money for them ,so its up to the shops if they want to reduce or not?   

I have no objections to direct selling, but why not give the model shops an option to stock items as well if they wish to do so?

All good if the retailers are playing fair, but I suspect they are not.  The attached video contains information on the woeful state of Hornby's  financial affairs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmcvfA-KjHY

You'll note their in their last published accounts, they are owed £7m by their customers (the retailers) and of this £1.26m is considered to be bad debt!!!!!!!!!  On top of that they are carrying inventory of £15m.   Bottom line they had losses of $11m which equates to 20% of their sales £56m. They are also carrying debt of £17m, which is costing them interest of £2m annually. 

It is a very grim picture for them and without their financial backer they should have closed shop long ago. This makes the case for radical change in the business model.  As an outsider I can only guess at what is going on. But here are scenarios;

(1) Producer is releasing a new model. Retailer's account is in arrears. So does the producer refuse to supply that retailer with the new model and risk losing sales (with the knock on of carrying undesirable high level's of inventory) or bite the bullet and extend the retailer more at risk credit just to get the item on the shelves, a catch 22 for the manufacturer.

(2) From a comment I seen elsewhere it may be that the retailers margin could be as high as 40%  IE an item retailing at 100 costs the retailer 60. This allows the retailers some latitude to discount if they so choose. The smaller ones typically don't. But this is common practice on the part of the bigger retailers who may actually be negotiating volume discounts from the manufacturers and very often these larger retailers sell out within days of receiving desirable new releases and if they have 30 days credit they benefit from a very healthy positive cash flow that can be used for financial gain elsewhere.

(3) But what if a new release doesn't sell out in the short term. Well I'm fairly certain that the retailers will baulk at accepting further offerings from the producer unless they receive some additional concessions that will cover the cost of further discounting stock that is already on their shelves this despite the fact they already have a healthy margin designed to cover the cost of carrying that stock. Or maybe they withhold payment to the producer for the stock that isn't moving briskly and use this tactic to blackmail producers into granting concessions.

It seems to me that in the world of model railways the power resides with the retailers ( probably a handful)  and it is they that brought Heljan to its knees.   I believe that Heljan were about one tenth the size of Hornby in terms of sales and had no ability or means to deal with the situation they were in. I think the e-mail that  Rails of Sheffield sent to their customer list this morning was obnoxious and hypocritical. I would ask what benefit they actually contribute. Rather than serving you they are profiting at the expense of the producers and putting the entire hobby at risk.

If we want the hobby to survive we need to adapt and accept change.  

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 27 by Ironroad
typo

[Flying Snail]

Definitely causing quite the stir over on RMWeb. I see Marks Models have issued the joint statement from retailers on their socials now too.

[irishthump]

1 hour ago, Flying Snail said:

Definitely causing quite the stir over on RMWeb.

So much so that the thread had to be locked!

Been watching this unfold since the announcement (good luck to Accurascale btw) but what strikes me as ironic is the likes of Rails harping on about supporting small local model shops. (That cut-and-paste template of an announcement made me laugh!)   The big box-shifters are as big a threat to small, independent shops as anything else.

 

[ttc0169]

4 hours ago, Rosslare Ranger said:

Both of them are full of shit

Make Accurascale Great Again……

[Horsetan]

On 26/3/2026 at 10:01 PM, Mol_PMB said:

They sound a bit miffed!

I notice a fair few retailers - AGR, Rails of Sheffield, etc. - have come out with quite verbose "Support your local model shop" press releases on antisocial media in the last 48 hours. Could this possibly be related to the Accurascale takeover? I think we should be told.....

4 hours ago, Colin R said:

I am like you, I have taken them all out of the box to look at them, but running them? No chance at the moment. Over on a narrow gauge forum, one of the small UK kit manufacturers was going to look into producing a replacement brass chassis etched kit and valve gear, with new wheels coming from the former Markits Co. 

I have a feeling that once they started to look at the problem, they realised it would be too expensive to do. One finescale modeller has taken an old Backwoods L&BR brass chassis under the Heljan Body, and from what I can tell, it appears to work OK. There again, he has built his own to run on 8 mm gauge. 

The Markits wheel option is dead in the water as supplies are no longer available.

[Georgeconna]

1 hour ago, irishthump said:

So much so that the thread had to be locked!

Been watching this unfold since the announcement (good luck to Accurascale btw) but what strikes me as ironic is the likes of Rails harping on about supporting small local model shops. (That cut-and-paste template of an announcement made me laugh!)   The big box-shifters are as big a threat to small, independent shops as anything else.

 

I always thought those big retailers sunk quite a lot of the smaller shops TBH. Good Pricing but the smaller shops are up against it. 

 

1 hour ago, irishthump said:

So much so that the thread had to be locked!

Been watching this unfold since the announcement (good luck to Accurascale btw) but what strikes me as ironic is the likes of Rails harping on about supporting small local model shops. (That cut-and-paste template of an announcement made me laugh!)   The big box-shifters are as big a threat to small, independent shops as anything else.

 

LOL Locked, some forum that is.  I was enjoying the meltdowns, Everything wiped.

Edited March 27 by Georgeconna

[Mayner]

3 hours ago, Flying Snail said:

Definitely causing quite the stir over on RMWeb. I see Marks Models have issued the joint statement from retailers on their socials now too.

Some interesting discussion on "Independent Retailers Campaign on RM web https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/199406-independent-retailers-campaign/ including comparing "Independent Retailers" press release to Amazon advising its customers to support independent book shops and perhaps more aptly King Canute trying to hold back the tide . 

 

 

 

[irishthump]

12 minutes ago, Georgeconna said:

I always thought those big retailers sunk quite a lot of the smaller shops TBH. Good Pricing but the smaller shops are up against it. 

 

They absolutely did, they dictate discounts on bulk orders so they can sell much cheaper than small shops while selling mainly online  But when the tables are turned they scream blue murder! 

[Mayner]

14 minutes ago, Georgeconna said:

LOL Locked, some forum that is.  I was enjoying the meltdowns, Everything wiped.

Nothing wiped, just a separate forum on the "Independent Retailers" campaign. No meltdowns no worse than this thread

[west_clare_wanderer]

10 hours ago, GSR 800 said:

Heljans TT range gives some hope for Irish 00n3

I'd love this to be the case, but I just don't know whether there would be enough interest. 009 benefits from having all those preserved railways where tourists visit, especially in Wales. The Tally, Ffestinog and the like are in the (railway) public consciousness. 

We don't really have that. Maybe the Manx lines would be a better place to start for 00n3?

But, in a hypothetical world, what would you go for, personally I'd love a big West Clare diesel! 

 

1 hour ago, Georgeconna said:

LOL Locked, some forum that is.  I was enjoying the meltdowns, Everything wiped.

Ha. Everything 'over there' seems to descend into petty minded squabbling. With know alls telling everyone else what's really going on. I do find it somewhat amusing. 

Edited March 28 by west_clare_wanderer

[Colonel]

7mm broad gauge is pretty niche and have long had to rely on mail order for materials, especially as specialist suppliers are increasingly reluctant to visit shows. Traders have to pay for their stands, so factor in travel costs as well and they might not make much money at all. When I joined the Chatham Club's exhibition team, my bright idea of supporting the Trade by letting them come free was soon shot down. Essentially entrance fees for the public would need to at least double...

 Traders and manufacturers are the backbone of our hobby, so like everything else, they have to move with the times. Don't always like it, but better than the alternative, I suppose.

[irishthump]

6 hours ago, west_clare_wanderer said:

Ha. Everything 'over there' seems to descend into petty minded squabbling. With know alls telling everyone else what's really going on. I do find it somewhat amusing. 

I find them a pretentious bunch over on RMWeb. I browse it a lot but steer clear of engaging them.

[Mayner]

 

Wondering whether West Clare Wander and Irishthump actually read the RM Web treads on the Accurascale acquiring Heljan and or the "Independent Retailers" campaign, my impression from reading both threads is of a balanced discussion/sharing of opinion on the Accurascale take over of Heljan, pushback from the major boxshifters and its potential impact on the hobby in the UK. Majority view appears to be supportive of Accurascale acquisition of the Heljan British Outline range and critical of the major boxshifters in particular Rails for their treatment of Heljan and throwing a tantrum at Accurascale switching Heljan to a direct sales model.

Not sure how this relates to 'know it alls telling everyone else what's really going on" or being a 'pretentious bunch", personally I found the RMweb mens mental health group friendly and supportive while I was going through a difficult time during the last few years, or maybe I have spent too much time as an Irish man living and working in the UK and further abroad and I have learned to appreciate people who 'speak their mind".

 

[GSR 800]

2 hours ago, Mayner said:

 

Wondering whether West Clare Wander and Irishthump actually read the RM Web treads on the Accurascale acquiring Heljan and or the "Independent Retailers" campaign, my impression from reading both threads is of a balanced discussion/sharing of opinion on the Accurascale take over of Heljan, pushback from the major boxshifters and its potential impact on the hobby in the UK. Majority view appears to be supportive of Accurascale acquisition of the Heljan British Outline range and critical of the major boxshifters in particular Rails for their treatment of Heljan and throwing a tantrum at Accurascale switching Heljan to a direct sales model.

Not sure how this relates to 'know it alls telling everyone else what's really going on" or being a 'pretentious bunch", personally I found the RMweb mens mental health group friendly and supportive while I was going through a difficult time during the last few years, or maybe I have spent too much time as an Irish man living and working in the UK and further abroad and I have learned to appreciate people who 'speak their mind".

 

Couldn't agree more John, I find RMWeb to be very good in terms of members noting inaccuracies and whatnot in CADs and samples so the manufacturers can get models right. At the end of the day, its all our money going into the hobby, our opinions are the ones that matter.

A quick browse through the latest few pages of the inde retailers shows a decent discussion with good points brought up on all sides of things. 

It was mentioned here before but our ecosystem, or economy in terms of Irish railway modelling is a very different beast to the other side of the Irish Sea. We've 1-2 RTR manufacturers and a diverse range of brass kit suppliers, 3d print suppliers, etc. In both cases almost entirely an online presence. In the latter case, we've the rather serious issue of the traditional part suppliers in England going bust meaning wheels, motors, various other parts become increasingly difficult if not impossible to source. 3d printing can bridge some of the gap but not all.

GB is a different kettle of fish altogether, with several largescale RTR suppliers that have been around for half a century or more, traditionally having sold via retailers. Many of those manufacturers and retailers are facing increasing losses showing that the current model there, as it stands, is not working. I wonder also about the sheer amount of models being sold now v the past. There's such enormous ranges and diversity, one has to wonder.

There's also a conversation to be had about spare parts and the distribution of them. Spares are (obviously) a critical component of keeping models running longterm, but also (as can especially be seen in the likes of bachmann and rapidos 009 spares) used for kitbashing, scratchbuilding, etc. 

Edited March 28 by GSR 800

[Tractionman]

2 hours ago, Mayner said:

balanced discussion/sharing of opinion on the Accurascale take over of Heljan

interesting how the focus in much of the dicussion (espeically on RMWeb) has been looking at things more from the Heljan future point of view, which is fair enough, but for us here I wondered about the implications--if any--for IRM (aka Accurascale) plans and for developing new Irish models... I see the brand expansion as a good sign, a portent perhaps that there will be benefits down the line for modellers and modelling this side of the Irish Sea too 

cheers,

Keith

[GSR 800]

1 hour ago, Tractionman said:

interesting how the focus in much of the dicussion (espeically on RMWeb) has been looking at things more from the Heljan future point of view, which is fair enough, but for us here I wondered about the implications--if any--for IRM (aka Accurascale) plans and for developing new Irish models... I see the brand expansion as a good sign, a portent perhaps that there will be benefits down the line for modellers and modelling this side of the Irish Sea too 

cheers,

Keith

Hardly surprising given we're an Irish railway modelling forum, from which Accurascale spouted from.

How many have actually bought Heljan models? I've never bought a thing from them, their poor quality control made sure I wasn't putting money toward them, even for the odd model I'd have a vague interest in.

[Tractionman]

6 minutes ago, GSR 800 said:

How many have actually bought Heljan models?

I have!

British and Irish modelling are not mutually exclusive... and my point was exactly that IRM and Accurascale are one and the same (from a buyer's POV)

[Horsetan]

34 minutes ago, GSR 800 said:

How many have actually bought Heljan models? I've never bought a thing from them, their poor quality control made sure I wasn't putting money toward them, even for the odd model I'd have a vague interest in.

I have two-and-a-half Heljan Hymeks, half a Western, and one of their 1366 class pannier tanks. All bought at substantial discounts, and all for conversion to P4.

When Howes of Oxford were running the Heljan spare parts service years ago, I frequently hoovered up whatever they had available, including a set of spares for the Met Bo-Bo, as they were useful for detailing a resin Bo-Bo body. Likewise, the Hymek bogie casing is the correct overall wheelbase for a CIE Sulzer.

[irishmail]

3 hours ago, GSR 800 said:

Hardly surprising given we're an Irish railway modelling forum, from which Accurascale spouted from.

How many have actually bought Heljan models? I've never bought a thing from them, their poor quality control made sure I wasn't putting money toward them, even for the odd model I'd have a vague interest in.

Re Heljan models, I have a 23, 26, 33, 45, 52, 86 and a DPU.  Only real issue I have with the Heljan's is that they pre fit all the buffer beam detail at the factory.  Quality control wise they are no worse than Dapol,   At least the DPU runs well, whereas my Dapol 121 I have had to repair the drive shafts.

[DJ Dangerous]

On 27/3/2026 at 12:21 PM, Georgeconna said:

It would be interesting to see how many locos from the Heljan Stable people have bought on this forum, will it really hit the shops big time?

Have quite a few Heljan diesels and coaches, plus one or two wagons. Not done much mileage but from a visual perspective, they are stunning. The Class 50 in particular has a wonderful presence to it. Picked up a OO Gauge Class 57, too, but still haven’t run it.

Almost all of mine have been bought at various levels of reduced prices, usually between €300-ish and €400-ish for the diesels. I think that the Class 26 may have been a little cheaper, and one of the Class 50’s a little more, but roughly in that range.

Coaches all around the €75 to €150 range, more towards the lower end of that spectrum. Bit the bullet and paid the extra for the Mk2’s, but that was still when they were something like 50% off.

Only picked up one or two wagons as pricing was excessive, went for Dapol and Accurascale instead.

Pricing has been the big thorn in Heljan purchasing. If not for the retailers basically doubling the price, I’d have bought more, a lot more, but that money has either gone on other brands, on OO, or on 1/18 Otto models instead.

The changes brought about this week mean that I will definitely be buying a lot more. @BosKonay says that they will have several deliveries from Heljan over the coming months. Expect to see a chunk of stuff Canarias-bound!

[irishthump]

8 hours ago, Mayner said:

 

Wondering whether West Clare Wander and Irishthump actually read the RM Web treads on the Accurascale acquiring Heljan and or the "Independent Retailers" campaign, my impression from reading both threads is of a balanced discussion/sharing of opinion on the Accurascale take over of Heljan, pushback from the major boxshifters and its potential impact on the hobby in the UK. Majority view appears to be supportive of Accurascale acquisition of the Heljan British Outline range and critical of the major boxshifters in particular Rails for their treatment of Heljan and throwing a tantrum at Accurascale switching Heljan to a direct sales model.

Not sure how this relates to 'know it alls telling everyone else what's really going on" or being a 'pretentious bunch", personally I found the RMweb mens mental health group friendly and supportive while I was going through a difficult time during the last few years, or maybe I have spent too much time as an Irish man living and working in the UK and further abroad and I have learned to appreciate people who 'speak their mind".

d 

As a matter of fact I read both threads in their entirety. The original thread was locked because of several snarky, completely off topic comments from exactly the sort of people I was referring to. The second thread IS a balanced discussion, but I'd say the mods will have to keep a close eye on it.

The "pretentious" sort of course make up the minority (thankfully) but it doesn't take too many bad apples to make things unpleasant, and there were plenty of them putting the boot in without knowing the full facts, calling for boycotts or Accurascale and Heljan products, throwing the baby out with the bathwater type bullshit, especially at the start.   

[Colin R]

18 hours ago, irishthump said:

They absolutely did, they dictate discounts on bulk orders so they can sell much cheaper than small shops while selling mainly online  But when the tables are turned they scream blue murder! 

Yes, they do, and I do wonder if sometimes they drive the price so low that the manufacturer might only just be covering their costs, which should not be the case; there should be a gap for R&D in all the models, and to make a profit to cover all the running costs.

When the likes of Hornby, etc. started to have the models made in China, everyone complained about the loss of manufacturing jobs in the UK and Europe at the time 

I see this as the next step in the modernisation of the modelling hobby   

[Robert Shrives]

4 hours ago, GSR 800 said:

Hardly surprising given we're an Irish railway modelling forum, from which Accurascale spouted from.

How many have actually bought Heljan models? I've never bought a thing from them, their poor quality control made sure I wasn't putting money toward them, even for the odd model I'd have a vague interest in.

I guess an 0 gauge 071 is a big ask  as it is a big model!! but you never know now..

[DJ Dangerous]

2 minutes ago, Robert Shrives said:

I guess an 0 gauge 071 is a big ask  as it is a big model!! but you never know now..

I’ll take ten, please!

[Colin R]

I wonder how many would convert to 7mm scale if that were the case. If I had both the money and space to do it, I could be persuaded