Welcome to the December ‘Blog’ – and it is our pleasure to wish you the very best of the Season’s Greetings from us all at RML. We certainly hope that you have a great Christmas time and enjoy what was traditionally a new Train Set time for many especially in days gone by. That tradition seems, by all accounts, to have resurfaced and I think we have the advent of DCC to thank for it. Back in 2006 I wrote to a popular Railway Magazine who published my letter but the editorial gave it an unusual ‘twist’. To be honest I didn’t really think that DCC was the answer to ‘all our problems’ and also didn’t advocate that DCC would take off, so to speak. Clearly I was wrong!, and a bit of forethought on the subject reminded me of one of my College lecturers who announced that “digital is not always best” – and we did an experiment to show that it actually took longer to read a digital clock than it does an analoge one. The basis of the fact was that you have to convert the thought process to read “Twenty-Two Fifty-Five” rather than simply glance at an anologue clock and say it’s “Five-to-ten”. A comparison was made to reading a Volt-Meter, but, in this case, the answer to the query may have to be accurate and not an expression of approximation. However, it took longer to read an “Avo8” than it did a digital multimeter! The difference meant that you have to set a digital meter to the correct range otherwise it can transfer the information into another ‘scale’, but in the case of the Avo8 you had to set the range correctly before taking a measurement! All good fun, and very confusing at times! It goes without saying that the comparison between these examples can be taken as ‘tongue in cheek’ but the class lecturer did his job in making you think about what you were doing before committing your answer! Therefore making you think whether digital was best.

The magazine editorial allowed me to get the point across but did twist it to place the emphasis on the digital aspect rather than deny it. The serious angle to my point was relating to the saying that “digital is not always best” and I was fearful that attaching two wires to the track, adding accessories and running the train from a computer based system just might see neglect in the skills and understanding involved in the woodwork, electrics, planning and historical interest, and that once done, the owner might just get ‘fed up’ when these skills were not used any more in “building a layout”. I admit that, in some areas of thought, I was wrong and I can only marvel at what has been achieved, helped along in a business way by the our major manufacturers and them making it easier than ever to create a decent layout ‘from scratch’. My clair-voyance well and truly failed, perhaps. However, one thing that didn’t fail me in my mystic skills was the forecasted prediction of poor weather – the extract from my September blog proves that beyond doubt!

Have a very Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year, and thank you to customers throughout the Country for your valued custom and for choosing RMLectronics to provide you with quality enhancements to your model railway.

We look forward to your continued support in 2011. Kindest Regards from us all and we hope that you really do have a “traditional” Christmas!                                                      Robert & all at RMLectronics.

Here’s the extract from September’s Blog!

……………..and, notably, the weather featured in it being the coldest August for 17 years. It was also reported that Sunday 30^th was the coldest night for a long time! Perhaps a fore-runner of what's to come?..................

November 2010

Hello again and welcome to November’s ramble!

After an extremely busy Autumn with our new releases we continue forward with great anticipation of the New Year’s business and a new release.

We have expanded our distribution with new retailers whose customers are asking to see our products and are showing great interest in them. We have received some excellent feedback and comments, some of which can be seen on our ‘Guest Book’ page. Others have been received by letter or email and by word of mouth through our dedicated retailers. We welcome your orders through  the  site,  but  please  remember  to  support  your local Model shop – if you  have  one !  We thank  you  for  your  continued  support!

Exciting news for January 2011 will see the introduction of two new products. A new design Yard Lamp for ER and NER modellers and a Flashing Tail Lamp Kit. This super little kit was designed as a “rainy day” project, and is a simple red flashing Tail Light, which will suit both Modern Image or where older stock is to be run on Moden Image layouts, and Steam layouts.

Our thanks are also repeated as we have been very lucky in so much as a couple of our good Internet ‘friends’ have kindly offered to trial the product for us. This will demonstrate it both working, and being installed in a tutorial type video. We hope too that it is found to be a novel feature on the YouTube channels so that it can be shared for the benefit of all. The kit will be demonstrated by two very successful, expert modellers and enthusiasts.  Some soldering and minor modification is required to your stock, but the end result is worthwhile! The first video is from Dave -  Howarth004 - on his outstanding 28’ x 8’ layout – which has now been uploaded. The second will come as an instructional video so that you can see how it all goes together. We thank Iain - ay76 – for his expert tutorial. Dave’s video can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkEkW4S1Lpo  and we’ll post details of Iain’s tutorial video as soon as it’s ready!

This photograph shows how very much things have changed!

My brother’s model railway came out every weekend. The board was kept behind the settee in the Lounge! This very simple layout and the cars (mostly Matchbox™) kept us amused for hours! Our budgie ‘Joey’ loved to ride on the train and he would hop onto the Bogie Bolster wagon and ride around which was very comical to watch! All the pieces were put out and away again into an old blue suitcase each session. There are some classic pieces on this layout - now long gone!

This picture would be taken in the early 1960^s - Happy days indeed!

Happy Modelling!                                                 Robert H.

Well, August is over – autumn is on the way! There seemed to be something cool about August and, notably, the weather featured in it being the coldest August for 17 years. It was also reported that Sunday 30^th was the coldest night for a long time! Perhaps a fore-runner of what’s to come?

August, for us, brought a welcome two week holiday enjoying the warmth and friendship of Portugal and a return visit to our favourite spot in the Algarve. We hope you also had chance to unwind and feel ready to gear up for the autumn. Let’s hope that the winter is going to be bright for us all.

Enough of this rambling –

Our commission for a client modelling the LSWR at Poole in Dorset was completed after many weeks of research, development approval and construction. The customer was delighted with the result and we hope soon to publish some photographs of our products on the layout. The main product of the order was a representation of the square tapered posts of the SR, and in particular those which were used as Yard Lamps. Our supplier of the base components made a magnificent effort to provide us with a re-run of parts normally reserved for club members. We are very grateful for the new business association.

A photgraph of the finished article can be seen here in our gallery and, should demand seem viable them we will certainly look into the possibility of introducing the product as a special order item.

The Midland Region Yard Lamp is now in final stages of finishing ready for its September release. Again we are indebted to Orion Press, London, and publisher of “Steam on Shed” by John Stretton, for granting permission to use the photograph by David Richards, depicting the prototype Yard Lamp at Chester, on our packaging. We would still like to hear from anyone who can put us in touch with Mr Richards.

Autumn promises to be a very busy time for us with many more welcome orders in the book. Though some products are made to order, many are available from stock for despatch within fourteen days; some immediately.

We are grateful for your continued support and interest in our Company’s products and whether you are a modeller, enthusiast, retailer, club member or professional modelling company, you can be assured of our best attention at all times.

If you would like to submit a lamp design or photograph for consideration, then please do so. We can discuss commissions by email and, as was proved in our recent commission you could, depending on approval, end up with a unique model for your desired layout location.

Remember to send us photographs of our products on your layout and we will consider them for the gallery for fellow modellers to enjoy.

Happy Modelling!

Robert Denton.

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.