Crisis In The Model Railway Industry
The above picture shows a selection of models of UK diesel prototypes retailed by the company Heljan. The company is based in Denmark, at Rebslagervej, Somderso, Copemhagen. And Google maps takes you to its "factory".
"Factory" is in quotes because very few model railway "manufacturers" make anything. Mostly models are made in China. A recent "Facebook" visit to the "factory" showed no pictures of production and packing!
Heljan used to make plastic kits ...
... road vehicles ...
... and some Danish (?) locos and rolling stock. But their catalogue is now mostly UK models including a very recent entry into the TT120 market.
Then there is Accurascale, a "manufacturer" of short-run OO models, notably locomotives ...
... but with a good range of goods and passenger stock as well.
fbb does not have their tank wagon in his now incomplete collection, because they are only sold in packs of THREE. fbb will NOT be persuaded to buy three when he only wants one!
Accirascale give their business address at 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London.
Looks very posh although it is a back street near Drury Lane. The two directors of the company give the same address.
fbb doubts you would find them at their desks - in fact he doubts whether you would find anything there.
But, in a surprise announcement ...
... Accutascale has taken over Heljan!
There is some sense in this. Both companies "manufacture" lots of locomotives and a small barrage of rolling stock, but folk are not happy at all.
The grief is caused by the fact that Heljan products will, in future, only be available from their new web site! To rub salt into various wounds, any pre-orders of Heljan products from model shops have been cancelled. Only on-line orders are on offer.
Modellers are unhappy and model shop owners are VERY unhappy.
Peachy 120, a keen YouTuber actively promoting TT120 (who works for retailer TMC), is certainly miffed. He "celebrated" the news on-line by drinking a substantial tot of whisky and smoking a cigar.
Sams Trains (he is universally critical of Heljan products) implies goodbye to Heljan ...
... but doesn't seem to be aware that the Danish company will still exist.
But modellers can expect big changes.
By selling direct, Heljan (and possiibly Accirascale in the future) can either make more money without the need to give the retailers a margin; OR they can sell cheaper!
But, if this direct selling trend continues, there will be no retailers.
Would you buy an expensive OO gauge model locomotive from a back street in Covent Garden with no obvious contact with a real person?
Hmmmm?
Puzzle Picture
The mysterious vehicles in the distance are Derby Corporation trolleybuses, but the artist has forgotten the wiring under the bridge itself. fbb will redress that balance!
Derby Friargate Station was originally operated by the Great Northern Railway on a branch from Nottingham Victoria, as seen below in BR days with an excursion special.
The bridge still stands ...
... but much of the line is now a footpath and cycleway.
Here is a map of the line.
You can see, watching from you chartered helicopter, where Friargate station was - but not much else.
Watford By-Pass Mystery
fbb was struggling to identify this junction on the Watford by-pass. But eventually he came across two vital facts.
The by-pass was built in the 1920s, so it would be reasonable to expect things to be more built up today.
Secondly, fbb was able to identify that stretch of water as Aldenham reservoir, slightly clearer in the aerial view below.
Of course, Aldenham is well known as the site of London Transport's huge bus maintenance depot ...
... closed in 1986. The works just peeps in at the bottom right of the aerial view below.
The site was to have been the depot for the extension of the Underground line to Bushey Heath.
So here is todays map.
The former Watford by-pass is now re-purposed as the A41: the A411 crosses the end of the reservoir and Aldenham Works has also been repurposed and includes a 'hotel" bottom centre.
The A41 has been joined by the M1 at this point and the former squareabout is now round!
But at l;east fbb found it!
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PALM
... 'cos today is Palm Sunday in the traditional Christian calendar. The live action 'picture' prepared by and acted out by Jesus, his disciples and hangers on who liked a good parade, was of a King coming in peace to claim his throne.
The leaves were thrown on the path, as were cloaks as a sign of welcome, commitment and obeissance to the peoples' Lord and Master.
Then, less than a week later, the authorities called for, and engineered, his death on a cross. The people chose a terrorist, Barabbas, to be released!
Which was the bigger surprise?
It gets worse.
Gentle Jesus, meek and mild?
Apparently not!
Choose the appropriate missing words.
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Next Variety blog : Monday 30 March
