August 2010

The “Holiday Season” is upon us, and we’re ready for it! It has been an exciting start this year, as you all well know, with the introduction of our new Yard lamps. We’re also developing more, and by Autumn 2010 we will be releasing our freelance “Coal Yard Lamp” which will be a relatively simple, but attractive small lamp typical of types seen in less glamorous locations - such as coal yards, walk ways, and other areas off the ‘main stage’.

Another main-stream production will be our Midland Region Yard lamp. (RML07/MR).

The release of this one has seen some administrative difficulty, as we were unable to locate the photographer who took the picture we would like to use on our packaging. In corresponding with the publisher of the book in which the photograph graces one of its pages permission to reproduce the photograph, in part, and use it on our packaging, has been granted.

The book, entitled “Steam on Shed” by John Stretton, and published in 1984 by the Orion Press, London, features many Engine Sheds up and down the Country. The artistic and beautiful photography captures the true essence of “steam on shed”.

We are very grateful to the publisher for granting permission to use an image from the book, and If anyone knows of David Richards, Railway Photographer, then please pass his details on to us. We would very much like to hear from the photographer, via the publisher, if only to acknowledge him correctly.

Ill-health has thwarted me since 2008. I am beginning to see an improvement due to the expert care of medical professionals – to whom we are very grateful for saving my life after suffering a torn aorta. There is little chance of survival at onset – I was very, very lucky to be in the right place at the right time, and I would like every man reading this blog to seriously consider having a check-up – just ask for an aorta scan; many hospitals and GPs are gearing up towards screening for this problem – which is a silent killer. No warnings, few symptoms - it is a 98% fatal condition. The statistics are frightening. My surgeon said that if I hadn’t come to the hospital when I did, I would’ve been dead within the week. At onset a 2% chance of survival. During the operation a 30% chance and a 50% chance post surgery of having paraplaegia or other paralysis, brain damage, kidney or liver failure.

Please, if you are male 50ish or over then see your GP and ask for a scan – it’s free and just might save your life. I was one of the lucky ones – very lucky!

Malcolm has been busy carrying on many of the processes of running the business and I am very grateful to him. We have some fantastic administrative support, and we are trying to fight off the necessary stigma of continual hospital check-ups!

The modelling world is now buzzing with excitement at the forthcoming release of the “Blue Pullman”. I thought there must be something in the pipeline when it was written about so much in the modelling press, perhaps a real case of the “Tail wagging the Dog”? – but with “wish lists” being produced by varying magazines, then surely something had to happen. The price is something to be believed, but I guess substantial discounts are less than likely, once the RRP has been released.

Perhaps we will get a “proper” Royal Train formation too with Class 47’s - 47498 Prince William and 47499 Prince Harry at the head and tail? Now wouldn’t that be nice?

My letter to Marketing Manager Simon Kohler of Hornby regarding the RRP of some of their models caused me recently to bring it to notice. I really can’t understand it when one manufacturer can produce an excellent ‘00’ Coach and sell it for £20 or less, and yet the other manufacturer charges nearly £40 for a similar item…may be I’m being ultra critical, but there are signs in the “Readers Letters” of magazines of unhappy customers for the same reason. May be there’s a message here; and could we really bring manufacturing back to the UK? Would it really mean cheaper models?

Have a great summer, and holiday, if you’re fortunate enough. Roll on Autumn – and we’ll be back in full production!

Happy Modelling!                                                                                 Robert

There’s good reason for the delay in this Month’s Blog – and for the omission of March’s ramblings. Things have been extremely hectic over the last couple of Months, the supply of orders being top of the list and we have fulfilled our orders 100%.

In January we were asked to look at some more designs based on Regional variations of Yard Lamp. We responded with our new release in January – the Southern Region Lattice post Yard lamp – which has been very well received.

Others are now in development; the imminent release of a London Midland Region Yard Lamp is due in May. This 115mm lamp will have a white LED, scale ladder and safety hoop, and is representative of an example once seen at Chester. We’re hopeful that permission will be granted by the publisher and an image of the prototype will be approved for reproduction. We can then use this on the packaging for this lamp which will help determine its authenticity.

We have a small “Coal Yard Lamp” in progress which is similar to the 90mm Yard Lamp, but without the safety cage. It stands 75mm high and has a white LED. It looks simply attractive. This will be released at the same time as our new NER Yard Lamp which is also well in the design stage. Subject to prototype matching, this should be ready for release before autumn.

We’re very pleased to report that our prices remain the same at the start of this new financial year hopefully giving you the opportunity to order what you need whilst the current range of stocks are in production. We’re concentrating on supplying our quality hand-made products to you at the best price we can.

Enquiries from the trade and club members are always welcome and Malcolm Pearson, our Commercial Director, will be happy to quote our terms. In the mean time please continue to visit and look out for those new arrivals!

The last six months have been very busy with our order book full and the range continuing to grow. I’m sure we can predict exciting times ahead!

Thanks again to all our customers, old and new, and for the excellent trade and retailer support - our continued success is down to you.

Oh, and if you have a photo of our products on your layout, then please send it to us with your name and location, and we’ll feature it in the gallery!

email address - rmlectronics@btinternet.com

Happy Modelling! Robert Denton.

N

USE OF PAINTS – A HEALTH WARNING

THIS MONTH I’d like to draw attention to, and make a point of a general advisory note regarding the use of paints and solvent adhesives, etc, when enjoying our hobby.

From a personal point of view I have had reason to become concerned after suffering some alarming symptoms.

Late last year we were completeing an order for a customer. The customer requested articles in a specific finish – one of the "RailMatch” colours. One evening following work, I was taken to our local hospital, by ambulance, suffering from shortness of breath, severe wheezing, 'ruttling' in the chest, headache, high temperature, and heart palpitations. Thinking it was connected with recent surgery for cardiac/vascular complications, (and obviously with some anxiety), concern was never envisaged regarding the day's manufacture and completion of components for our customer.  The condition subsided after about six hours, and seemed to magically clear up. I was discharged from the Accident & Emergency Unit.

A couple of weeks passed by and again further work was undertaken - some time after the first batch, and again the symptoms reoccurred, although not as bad as the first. This time I suspected that the use of the Railmatch Paint and associated thinners might be of some issue here.

The label clearly states "TOXIC N- Contains Lead Chromate - UN1263"

Internet research into UN1263, informs that this toxic chemical does, or can, produce symptoms similar to those I suffered. Still being sceptical of the cause, I regarded the warning as an 'obligatory notice', and didn't really think that, in this day and age, a chemical compound could be made readily available for general sale - and not least to the modelling sector – which could cause such severe symptoms!

However, at this point I did alert the Manufacturers, HMG in Manchester, and I also informed a number of outlets, including Howes of Oxford, a well known UK distributor of Model Railway products.

I haven't heard anything in reply from either the Manufacturer or Howes, but having had other instances of symptoms, and although not as severe as previous, I believe that I can clearly and safely summise that the cause is the Paint product used. There has been no other obvious cause.

Obviously we use recognised safety precautions and use the products in ventilated areas, yet still this has caused some concern.

So, please take care when using any paint, thinners, adhesives and solvents, and take note of the labelling!

It is not my intention to cause or promote any ill-will to anyone, or malice toward the Company/ies involved, but I felt that a timely reminder might not come amiss  of the safety principles  we modellers should be taking  serious note  of.  TAKE CARE !

ON A HAPPIER NOTE we are proud to present our new product for February – a Yard Lamp representative of those on parts of the Southern Region.

This example demonstrates a type once seen at Sidmouth and at Yeovil. Use has been made of photographic material to determine the accuracy and our model uses  a beautiful lattice work scale post which supports the ladder. The bright white LED lamp atop shines amply around the base. At the bottom of the post a representation of an electrical junction box, which existed on the original, really sets the model off to great effect.

Thank you for your support, and Happy Modelling!

Robert Denton & Malcolm Pearson.