santafewillie
Same Ol' Buzzard
Seems kinda lonely in here. Where is everyone? Did Mel pull a Secretary of Defense maneuver on us?
Running Bear's January 2024 Coffee Shop
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I have received the same message. Good to read that pre-orders will be honoured.
As for the U.S.A. part of the company? I understand that it is separate to the U.K. part and not affected by the U.K. closure. I stand to be corrected if otherwise.
Suppose we will have to sit back and see how this all plays out!
I have used Hatton's several times, their prices on Peco turnouts and truck couldn't be touched by any of the online hobby shops in the States. Their service was top notch as well! I made an order, and it was 3 days from the time of the order till it was on my doorstep. MBK was 2-3 days just to hand it to a shipper.
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Smudge617
Well-Known Member
This is Hattons official statement on their website.
Bill Tidler Jr.
Retired N&W/NS Signalman
Good morning!
NE Interlocker (NS), New Haven Indiana, 2003
NE Interlocker (NS), New Haven Indiana, 2003
NorthBrit
Well-Known Member
This is Hattons official statement on their website.
I have received the same message. Good to read that pre-orders will be honoured.
As for the U.S.A. part of the company? I understand that it is separate to the U.K. part and not affected by the U.K. closure. I stand to be corrected if otherwise.
Smudge617
Well-Known Member
If you think about it, Hattons closing in the UK makes financial sense, the market for OO scale modelling is closing fast.
OO modelling is mainly a UK hobby compared to other scales worldwide, and HO is probably the biggest seller. You can get some UK rolling stock in HO from European suppliers such as Marklin which, in my opinion, is better quality for your money anyway.
There's a finite number of OO modellers worldwide compared to an infinite number in HO, as there is a much wider variety of models available in HO compared to OO, which is pretty much all Hornby, and honestly, how many versions of the Flying Scotsman do you need anyway. (Hornby alone have produced nearly 50 versions since 1969).
My own collection of models of HO far outnumbers my OO by about 4 to 1 simply because of the variety of roadnames, liveries and better all round quality available.
OO modelling is mainly a UK hobby compared to other scales worldwide, and HO is probably the biggest seller. You can get some UK rolling stock in HO from European suppliers such as Marklin which, in my opinion, is better quality for your money anyway.
There's a finite number of OO modellers worldwide compared to an infinite number in HO, as there is a much wider variety of models available in HO compared to OO, which is pretty much all Hornby, and honestly, how many versions of the Flying Scotsman do you need anyway. (Hornby alone have produced nearly 50 versions since 1969).
My own collection of models of HO far outnumbers my OO by about 4 to 1 simply because of the variety of roadnames, liveries and better all round quality available.
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Smudge617
Well-Known Member
They've made no mention of it, but if anything, that announcement would be made in the US. to calm fears that MBK would also be closing after their takeover.
NorthBrit
Well-Known Member
Good morning all. A cold, cold day. Too cold to snow as the saying goes.
Friend of Dawn's is visiting today. A good excuse to disappear in to the train room.
Some scenes of the layout.
A cold Winter's Day at Leeds Sovereign Street Station. On a 4ft x 1ft board. Is operated separately. Can be a small switching layout.
Looking Towards Thompson's Timber Yard in the Corner.
Looking from Charlie Marston's Salvage Yard.
Clarence Dock Goods Yard and Station. The Dock beyond.
Friend of Dawn's is visiting today. A good excuse to disappear in to the train room.
Some scenes of the layout.
A cold Winter's Day at Leeds Sovereign Street Station. On a 4ft x 1ft board. Is operated separately. Can be a small switching layout.
Looking Towards Thompson's Timber Yard in the Corner.
Looking from Charlie Marston's Salvage Yard.
Clarence Dock Goods Yard and Station. The Dock beyond.
ctclibby
Well-Known Member
Good Morning All!
30F @ 86% and white is falling ... again. Weather guessers are telling us 'Winter Storm Warning'; what ever that means. Geesh, live in Montana AND it is winter - isn't that enough? Anyway, supposed to hit -16F come Friday, depending on how that front comes down. We have the Cabinet Range that is North/South(ish) situated and usually the front picks a side to go down. Most of the time stuff goes down the Idaho side, but we will see. We also have the river effect that helps keep stuff warmer somewhat and with the valley we live in everything swirls about with usually not much wind. If it comes down our side, that will chase the warm weather folks out.
Helix is progressing, have one end of the base on the work table and started marking it up for the inside and outside radii but found that I did not have a good pivot for curve marking. So took a break and looked for a dowel, or some of those steel 'shelve holder pins'. No luck with that as they are in the somewhere place. Had to visit Ace for a roll pin for the pivot ( got a few anyway ). I decided that just using a nail or screw the pivot bar was somewhat loose. I want to try and get it as close as possible. I would post a pix, but who wants to see a 4x8 sheet of plywood with a couple of rulers and pens on it?
I was sitting in the middle of the Helix footprint trying to imagine the breadth of the build in my minds eye. Sure have the trackplan drawing but it kinda was like the old Physics 101 action - walk around trying to imagine stuff while moving your hand and arms up and down, side to side and rolling eyes. Stairs are an isleway away from the helix, so looking at the stairs I decided that those stairs 'are always up to something'. I guess that I should practice that more often?
The Hatton's deal is wishy-washy. My bet is that they closing down the UK operation and moving everything here with a possible sattelite operation there. Maybe there are enough customers state side that warrants moving. How many customers here vs there? Who knows, time will tell. I can't believe that they would spend big money then bag the whole nine yards. I have no idea about the difference of business operations in the UK vs USA; there must be some advantage if that is the case.
Later
30F @ 86% and white is falling ... again. Weather guessers are telling us 'Winter Storm Warning'; what ever that means. Geesh, live in Montana AND it is winter - isn't that enough? Anyway, supposed to hit -16F come Friday, depending on how that front comes down. We have the Cabinet Range that is North/South(ish) situated and usually the front picks a side to go down. Most of the time stuff goes down the Idaho side, but we will see. We also have the river effect that helps keep stuff warmer somewhat and with the valley we live in everything swirls about with usually not much wind. If it comes down our side, that will chase the warm weather folks out.
Helix is progressing, have one end of the base on the work table and started marking it up for the inside and outside radii but found that I did not have a good pivot for curve marking. So took a break and looked for a dowel, or some of those steel 'shelve holder pins'. No luck with that as they are in the somewhere place. Had to visit Ace for a roll pin for the pivot ( got a few anyway ). I decided that just using a nail or screw the pivot bar was somewhat loose. I want to try and get it as close as possible. I would post a pix, but who wants to see a 4x8 sheet of plywood with a couple of rulers and pens on it?
I was sitting in the middle of the Helix footprint trying to imagine the breadth of the build in my minds eye. Sure have the trackplan drawing but it kinda was like the old Physics 101 action - walk around trying to imagine stuff while moving your hand and arms up and down, side to side and rolling eyes. Stairs are an isleway away from the helix, so looking at the stairs I decided that those stairs 'are always up to something'. I guess that I should practice that more often?
The Hatton's deal is wishy-washy. My bet is that they closing down the UK operation and moving everything here with a possible sattelite operation there. Maybe there are enough customers state side that warrants moving. How many customers here vs there? Who knows, time will tell. I can't believe that they would spend big money then bag the whole nine yards. I have no idea about the difference of business operations in the UK vs USA; there must be some advantage if that is the case.
Later
migalyto
Well-Known Member
Willie: Your retired! What are you doing up at 4:30?
TLOC
Well-Known Member
Good morning from Wisconsin. The snow event of the “Century” as the new Chief meteorologist on our local TV jokingly called it last evening started at around 11pm. Looks like per the new guy and the WeatherChannel app the snowfall has paused at maybe 2-3”. The rest of the 9-12” is due to start back around 9-10 this morning. It looks real pretty out there when I flipped on the lights at 4:30 and very peaceful!
The Son in Law with a definite ok from me hired a person to take care of the snow at the office and another to handle it at the stables, his house and ours. Something kept getting repeated about me getting up there in age and I shouldn’t be out there moving snow. Like I said I’m fine with it.
The attorneys received notification from the Town that the “eminent domain” final transaction will be on the agenda for the next monthly board meeting. That’s in March and the transaction has to be approved by the whole board not just the committee handling all this crap. I discussed with Terry that since there is NO final agreement we will take somemore trees out of the section being taken from us. But, I will call the attorneys office today to make sure it’s ok. The goal was 300 trees by the crew and as of Friday last week they had 403. That alone will keep them busy in the sawmill for the rest of the year! Firewood sales of 2 year old naturally dried have been huge since September. Slabs are going well but are sold now directly to new distributors as of November. The original guy realized he couldn’t handle what he promised us $$$ wise in August but helped find a few outfits that sort of could. Yes, we negotiated 4 different contracts but it’s still fair to us and the crew. Plus it’s steady monthly pickups. Slabs now go out with different moisture levels and of course, pricing. There is still another 400 acres MOL of hardwoods on the property that trees can be culled from. We have a conservationist marking the trees that should be cut besides the storm damaged ones. Really none of the tree is wasted. The conservationist crew is currently working on where the next subdivision and house placements will go based on the survey of a couple years ago. Lots going on with the trees!
After 7am this morning I am off the internet till midnight. Day 3 this year so far. Tuesday and Thursday is the goal. I have a 2:15 appointment with my Endocrinologist. Because of the snow event I expect it to be cancelled but if not it’s only 5 miles on a 4 lane that I’m fairly certain will be driveable. I will not accept a video meeting. I want a hands on office visit. My test results from Thursday’s lab are a bit concerning as my A1C went from 5.8 to 6.3 in 6 months. A few of the other results while still in the acceptable range have moved (I think) in the wrong direction.
Enjoy the day
The Son in Law with a definite ok from me hired a person to take care of the snow at the office and another to handle it at the stables, his house and ours. Something kept getting repeated about me getting up there in age and I shouldn’t be out there moving snow. Like I said I’m fine with it.
The attorneys received notification from the Town that the “eminent domain” final transaction will be on the agenda for the next monthly board meeting. That’s in March and the transaction has to be approved by the whole board not just the committee handling all this crap. I discussed with Terry that since there is NO final agreement we will take somemore trees out of the section being taken from us. But, I will call the attorneys office today to make sure it’s ok. The goal was 300 trees by the crew and as of Friday last week they had 403. That alone will keep them busy in the sawmill for the rest of the year! Firewood sales of 2 year old naturally dried have been huge since September. Slabs are going well but are sold now directly to new distributors as of November. The original guy realized he couldn’t handle what he promised us $$$ wise in August but helped find a few outfits that sort of could. Yes, we negotiated 4 different contracts but it’s still fair to us and the crew. Plus it’s steady monthly pickups. Slabs now go out with different moisture levels and of course, pricing. There is still another 400 acres MOL of hardwoods on the property that trees can be culled from. We have a conservationist marking the trees that should be cut besides the storm damaged ones. Really none of the tree is wasted. The conservationist crew is currently working on where the next subdivision and house placements will go based on the survey of a couple years ago. Lots going on with the trees!
After 7am this morning I am off the internet till midnight. Day 3 this year so far. Tuesday and Thursday is the goal. I have a 2:15 appointment with my Endocrinologist. Because of the snow event I expect it to be cancelled but if not it’s only 5 miles on a 4 lane that I’m fairly certain will be driveable. I will not accept a video meeting. I want a hands on office visit. My test results from Thursday’s lab are a bit concerning as my A1C went from 5.8 to 6.3 in 6 months. A few of the other results while still in the acceptable range have moved (I think) in the wrong direction.
Enjoy the day
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migalyto
Well-Known Member
Their website crashed yesterday as news of the closure hit.This is Hattons official statement on their website.
Suppose we will have to sit back and see how this all plays out!
Smudge617
Well-Known Member
Well, they are, or were, one of the best known model stockists worldwide and one of only a handful that shipped internationally plus an excellent reputation, so there would have been a lot of interest worldwide when the news broke.
NorthBrit
Well-Known Member
migalyto
Well-Known Member
True!
I have used Hatton's several times, their prices on Peco turnouts and truck couldn't be touched by any of the online hobby shops in the States. Their service was top notch as well! I made an order, and it was 3 days from the time of the order till it was on my doorstep. MBK was 2-3 days just to hand it to a shipper.
troyphoto
Snarky Old Fart (in training)
Well howdy there internet peeps and those wishing they could visit Hatton's one more time
It's Troy again.
Got up at 4:30 with a nagging little headache. Looked out side and saw the white stuff on the ground.
As of an our ago we were just on the edge of Pink/Lt Blue vs Green/Dk Blue on the radar. Looks to be green stuff (rain) for the rest of the day.
We're supposed to have this type of wintery mix through the week. But this weekend still looks like a big snow event (maybe...)
Since this weekend is also ops session for the NTrack club that I was going to attend, I'm not optimistic that I'll make it. The drive is only about 20 minutes across the city from where we are. But, with weather that could easily go to 45-60 minutes.
I've decided that I really need to get back into the habit of reading in the evenings again. I love books, BUT I see where a tablet (iPad, etc) is the best delivery method. Lightweight, and increasing font size. Books have turned into needing BRIGHT light coming in from over my shoulder, and a big pillow on my lap to raise the hardcovers up high enough for my bifocals to hit the right spot and be comfortable on my neck.
I've got waaaaay too many books in my 2B-Read stack, even on the iPad.
If anyone is a podcast listener, I've got a recommendation:
This was formerly the Thomas Jefferson Hour, but the host, Clay Jenkinson, has expanded the subject matter. He is a Jeffersonian scholar, as well as Lewis and Clark scholar, Steinbeck, and Oppenheimer. He reenacts each of those characters for lectures as needed. This summer, he plans on travelling America in the spirit and style of Steinbeck's "Adventures with Charlie". I'm not sure if he'll actually have a small doggie like Steinbeck did (the "charlie" part of the equation.)
OK, back to the audio book editing. Bah! I want to get back to wording the words!
It's Troy again.
Got up at 4:30 with a nagging little headache. Looked out side and saw the white stuff on the ground.
As of an our ago we were just on the edge of Pink/Lt Blue vs Green/Dk Blue on the radar. Looks to be green stuff (rain) for the rest of the day.
We're supposed to have this type of wintery mix through the week. But this weekend still looks like a big snow event (maybe...)
Since this weekend is also ops session for the NTrack club that I was going to attend, I'm not optimistic that I'll make it. The drive is only about 20 minutes across the city from where we are. But, with weather that could easily go to 45-60 minutes.
I've decided that I really need to get back into the habit of reading in the evenings again. I love books, BUT I see where a tablet (iPad, etc) is the best delivery method. Lightweight, and increasing font size. Books have turned into needing BRIGHT light coming in from over my shoulder, and a big pillow on my lap to raise the hardcovers up high enough for my bifocals to hit the right spot and be comfortable on my neck.
I've got waaaaay too many books in my 2B-Read stack, even on the iPad.
If anyone is a podcast listener, I've got a recommendation:
This was formerly the Thomas Jefferson Hour, but the host, Clay Jenkinson, has expanded the subject matter. He is a Jeffersonian scholar, as well as Lewis and Clark scholar, Steinbeck, and Oppenheimer. He reenacts each of those characters for lectures as needed. This summer, he plans on travelling America in the spirit and style of Steinbeck's "Adventures with Charlie". I'm not sure if he'll actually have a small doggie like Steinbeck did (the "charlie" part of the equation.)
OK, back to the audio book editing. Bah! I want to get back to wording the words!
santafewillie
Same Ol' Buzzard
Good Morning All. Partly cloudy and 33°, with a wicked north wind of 25-30 mph that started around 8:00 last night. Might hit 49° today. Then around midnight, an equally vicious wind from the south will hit us and tomorrow and Thursday's high will climb to 65°. Then the roller coaster weather pattern begins, with potentially single digit lows on Monday and Tuesday nights. Meanwhile the rain yesterday was varied. I got 0.3" in my rain gauge, but we drove through some much more severe rain about 25 miles south on our way to the doctor's office. One city on the way recorded 1.8" during the time that we passed through. Then nothing when we got there. Off and on again light rain from there to our other stops, culminating at Discount Model Trains in Addison TX where I dropped $375 for just a small bag of goodies. No rain for the 65 mile trip home thankfully.
The doctor visit went well, pending the results of the blood draw. He gave me a steroid shot that should alleviate some of the issues with the sciatica that I am experiencing with more frequency. I did feel much better this morning. Hopefully I can extend my daily walk back to 1.5 miles instead of the .3-.6 miles that I am limited to right now. Sometimes I don't turn back soon enough!
Today is the dental hygienist turn to play with my body. I still don't understand why I pay full price when she does nothing to the 8 implants and 9 crowns except polish them!
Otherwise, I will make a few extra trips in to the house with firewood as the chimney draft makes it burn at a greater rate.
As posted above, I made a visit to the LHS, Discount Model Trains yesterday. Wow! Atlas #6 switches have gone up 25% since I last bought them. I need two in order to reverse a crossover. Here's a overview of the booty.
Not a whole lot for my $$$.
I got a JL Innovative Design kit of two small outbuildings, the only structure kit that I bought.
I also got a few track bumpers, the two switches, a few vehicles and figures that I don't really need. And then to detail some scenes, there are some "Jersey Barriers" for a road construction project that I have in mind, and another grain elevator (the mechanism) that I needed to complete the Ethanol facility that's already built.
There's also a few more packs of Woodland Scenics fencing, both chain-link and barbed-wire, that make fence construction a lot easier and faster than my old scratch-built methods.
Troy - I experience a similar battery life situation with my hearing aids; since I first got them. Mine are not rechargeable but require new batteries. The battery in the left one lasts for 6 days and the battery in the right one lasts 7 days. Being the frugal person that I am, I don't automatically change them together, but stagger them. There's a mysterious voice that tells me when the battery needs changing about 45 minutes before actually failing; and every 5 minutes after the initial event. But every 7 weeks, they get changed together, or close to it. I don't believe that volume has anything to do with it, as I keep the right one set at volume level 9, while the left one is at volume level 8. The phone app also tells me, but I don't use that and disabled it. The batteries are about 40¢ each.
Mike -
Everyone out there have a great and productive day.
The doctor visit went well, pending the results of the blood draw. He gave me a steroid shot that should alleviate some of the issues with the sciatica that I am experiencing with more frequency. I did feel much better this morning. Hopefully I can extend my daily walk back to 1.5 miles instead of the .3-.6 miles that I am limited to right now. Sometimes I don't turn back soon enough!
Today is the dental hygienist turn to play with my body. I still don't understand why I pay full price when she does nothing to the 8 implants and 9 crowns except polish them!
Otherwise, I will make a few extra trips in to the house with firewood as the chimney draft makes it burn at a greater rate.
As posted above, I made a visit to the LHS, Discount Model Trains yesterday. Wow! Atlas #6 switches have gone up 25% since I last bought them. I need two in order to reverse a crossover. Here's a overview of the booty.
Not a whole lot for my $$$.
I got a JL Innovative Design kit of two small outbuildings, the only structure kit that I bought.
I also got a few track bumpers, the two switches, a few vehicles and figures that I don't really need. And then to detail some scenes, there are some "Jersey Barriers" for a road construction project that I have in mind, and another grain elevator (the mechanism) that I needed to complete the Ethanol facility that's already built.
There's also a few more packs of Woodland Scenics fencing, both chain-link and barbed-wire, that make fence construction a lot easier and faster than my old scratch-built methods.
Troy - I experience a similar battery life situation with my hearing aids; since I first got them. Mine are not rechargeable but require new batteries. The battery in the left one lasts for 6 days and the battery in the right one lasts 7 days. Being the frugal person that I am, I don't automatically change them together, but stagger them. There's a mysterious voice that tells me when the battery needs changing about 45 minutes before actually failing; and every 5 minutes after the initial event. But every 7 weeks, they get changed together, or close to it. I don't believe that volume has anything to do with it, as I keep the right one set at volume level 9, while the left one is at volume level 8. The phone app also tells me, but I don't use that and disabled it. The batteries are about 40¢ each.
Mike -
After 43 years of getting up at 4:00 am, mostly without an alarm, I still do it 8 years after retiring! I don't really mind it as I can peruse the news and railroad forums on the Internet without any interruptions. In the summer when it is warmer, I go for my daily walk well before dawn...there's little to no traffic then so the dark isn't an issue. Actually there's less traffic during the day. Since I don't watch TV, I am not missing anything by going to bed between 8:30 and 9:00 pm. I have tried going later but it made no difference in wake up time, I was just more tired. To quote Billy Joel, "And so it goes..."
Everyone out there have a great and productive day.
Grizzled
Well-Known Member
Morning folks.
Not sure how this day is going to play out. The forecast is for perhaps 60 mph wind. With the half foot of new snow on the ground from yesterday, that may prove a bit interesting. When it actually gets light, time for the Bobcat Toolcat 5600 to visit the bulk tank.
Not sure how this day is going to play out. The forecast is for perhaps 60 mph wind. With the half foot of new snow on the ground from yesterday, that may prove a bit interesting. When it actually gets light, time for the Bobcat Toolcat 5600 to visit the bulk tank.
Smudge617
Well-Known Member
Speak for yourselfEven too early for retired Brits who are at least five hours ahead..
Smudge617
Well-Known Member
I think that was what made using Hattons a delight to order from, no matter where you were in the world, 3-4 days after ordering, and it was in your hands, that says a lot about their attitude towards their customers.
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Sirfoldalot
Days Gone Bye!
Good Morning FLO and MEL! A cold 31 degrees here in the Southwest looking for 60 later with cloudless skies.
The Spousal Unit daughter and myself have all been flat on our backs with severe colds or flu!
The overseas "bunch" (band members and parents, etc) who were on the trip mostly came down with Covid - including the pharmacist SIL and youngest daughter. Spousal Unit has so far not tested positive but has a really severe cold. Whatever they all have/had really hit me like a truck. One minute we're doing OK, then the next - we are all on our butts.
You folks have been busy - it will take a while to view the several pages of posts!
I see many many photos which I like to see and study!
TomO - I'm concerned about you as well as myself. I don't like to hear of changes in one's health numbers. Take care and stay safe.
FLO - Please ask MEL for three eggs scrambled with bacon and toast. I seem to have a little hunger this morning - tired of soup - need something more hearty.
The Spousal Unit daughter and myself have all been flat on our backs with severe colds or flu!
The overseas "bunch" (band members and parents, etc) who were on the trip mostly came down with Covid - including the pharmacist SIL and youngest daughter. Spousal Unit has so far not tested positive but has a really severe cold. Whatever they all have/had really hit me like a truck. One minute we're doing OK, then the next - we are all on our butts.
You folks have been busy - it will take a while to view the several pages of posts!
I see many many photos which I like to see and study!
TomO - I'm concerned about you as well as myself. I don't like to hear of changes in one's health numbers. Take care and stay safe.
FLO - Please ask MEL for three eggs scrambled with bacon and toast. I seem to have a little hunger this morning - tired of soup - need something more hearty.
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