Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Non-Wargaming Discussion => Chat & News => Topic started by: Raider4 on 29 October 2020, 10:29:24 AM

Title: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: Raider4 on 29 October 2020, 10:29:24 AM
Hornby are doing well in the current climate: Link (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54729801).

Anecdotally I'd concur. Model railways are my other occasional hobby, and looking at the big online discounters/retailers during the last six months it seems like things like track are in short supply, and new models of engines come into stock and are very quickly sold out.

Unsurprisingly people seem to be turning to things they can do at home.
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 29 October 2020, 10:52:17 AM
Timecast say they have never been busier!
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: Steve J on 29 October 2020, 11:06:27 AM
Some good news for once!
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 29 October 2020, 11:53:38 AM
Baccus keeps closing down for orders
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: DaveH on 29 October 2020, 02:34:38 PM
I'm a member of an Airfix modelling forum and that has lots of new members this year coming back to plastic modelling, and Airfix is part of the Hornby group of companies so not surprising the whole group is doing well now people have more need to do things indoors.
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: Leon on 29 October 2020, 03:15:29 PM
Quote from: ianrs54 on 29 October 2020, 11:53:38 AM
Baccus keeps closing down for orders

I think Pete's had some trouble with staffing/equipment sadly, rather then being overwhelmed by order volumes.  I've just seen that Igor's had to retire from casting as well so hopefully he can get back on track and up to full speed again soon.
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: Raider4 on 12 January 2021, 01:21:23 PM
Warhammer sales surge for Games Workshop despite shop closures (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55629984)
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: Ithoriel on 12 January 2021, 01:29:36 PM
Vanguard (https://vanguardminiatures.co.uk/) have just announced that their website will have to disable "add to cart" from time to time to cope with volume of orders.
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: Raider4 on 13 January 2021, 07:49:02 AM
Quote from: Leon on 29 October 2020, 03:15:29 PM
. . I've just seen that Igor's had to retire from casting as well . . .

Ha! Just seen this. A caster named Igor?

<best The Count impression>: "Igor! Bring me the molten lead. And then up on the roof to attract the lightning . . . "
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: petercooman on 13 January 2021, 08:05:03 AM
The biggest unknown is, when lockdowns end, will the orders return to normal levvel, or will there be a decline, when everybody gets out and about doing other stuff.
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: Techno II on 13 January 2021, 08:19:41 AM
What I'd like to know is...How many more folk have joined the forum during the pandemic ?

Cheers - Phil. :)
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: Techno II on 13 January 2021, 08:21:22 AM
Actually, I think I can look that up myself.  8-} 8-}

Cheers - Mr Dummy.  X_X
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: sean66 on 13 January 2021, 12:35:26 PM
Quote from: Techno II on 13 January 2021, 08:19:41 AM
What I'd like to know is...How many more folk have joined the forum during the pandemic ?

Cheers - Phil. :)

Quote from: Techno II on 13 January 2021, 08:21:22 AM
Actually, I think I can look that up myself.  8-} 8-}

Cheers - Mr Dummy.  X_X

Maybe we should start calling Techno 'IGOR'  ;D
Regards
Sean
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: mmcv on 13 January 2021, 12:37:44 PM
Quote from: petercooman on 13 January 2021, 08:05:03 AM
The biggest unknown is, when lockdowns end, will the orders return to normal levvel, or will there be a decline, when everybody gets out and about doing other stuff.

Or continue at their current levels now many people have realised getting out and about doing other stuff is overrated when they could be settling in with their hobbies?  ;D

In seriousness though, I suspect many people have taken up or rediscovered such hobbies, and with the investment they've put in over lockdown, may continue the trend into "normality" (whatever that is).
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: Techno II on 13 January 2021, 12:43:36 PM
Quote from: sean66 on 13 January 2021, 12:35:26 PM
Maybe we should start calling Techno 'IGOR'  ;D
Regards
Sean

Yeth Mathter. ;)

Cheers - Phil.
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 13 January 2021, 12:57:36 PM
Quote from: sean66 on 13 January 2021, 12:35:26 PM
Maybe we should start calling Techno 'IGOR'  ;D
Regards
Sean

Na - he's far to ugly  :-*
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: petercooman on 13 January 2021, 01:17:23 PM
Quote from: mmcv on 13 January 2021, 12:37:44 PM
Or continue at their current levels now many people have realised getting out and about doing other stuff is overrated when they could be settling in with their hobbies?  ;D

In seriousness though, I suspect many people have taken up or rediscovered such hobbies, and with the investment they've put in over lockdown, may continue the trend into "normality" (whatever that is).

Well, if that doesn't work out, at least we get cheap scraps on ebay :D :D
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: sean66 on 13 January 2021, 02:42:07 PM
Quote from: ianrs54 on 13 January 2021, 12:57:36 PM
Na - he's far to ugly  :-*

:- which one ??  :o
Regards
Sean
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: Raider4 on 27 July 2021, 09:15:59 PM
Quote from: Raider4 on 12 January 2021, 01:21:23 PM
Warhammer sales surge for Games Workshop despite shop closures (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55629984)

Warhammer maker Games Workshop hands staff £5,000 bonus after lockdown sales surge (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jul/27/warhammer-maker-games-workshop-hands-staff-5000-bonus-after-lockdown-sales-surge).
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: Steve J on 28 July 2021, 06:22:02 AM
That's a very handsome bonus and way, way better than anything I ever received during my working career!
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: steve_holmes_11 on 28 July 2021, 07:45:38 AM
Quote from: mmcv on 13 January 2021, 12:37:44 PM
Or continue at their current levels now many people have realised getting out and about doing other stuff is overrated when they could be settling in with their hobbies?  ;D

In seriousness though, I suspect many people have taken up or rediscovered such hobbies, and with the investment they've put in over lockdown, may continue the trend into "normality" (whatever that is).

That's certainly the case with my D&D group.

A set of old workmates:
One form the graduate intake who was into Warhammer, but looking for less figure bulk.
Myself, the old Grognard who used to bore the Warhammer guy with "In the days before the Evil Empire, there were still Dragons".
One guy who's dabbled in boardgames.
Another whose experience was video gaming.

We managed two meetings before the lockdown began on March 23 2020.
Graduate Intake guy did a lot of work on a virtual tabletop to enable us to continue in an online virtual world.
This made the videogame guy very happy.

Probably wouldn't have continued past the first 5 sessions if there had been "normal life" in the way.

Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: Big Insect on 28 July 2021, 10:16:21 AM
Quote from: petercooman on 13 January 2021, 08:05:03 AM
The biggest unknown is, when lockdowns end, will the orders return to normal levvel, or will there be a decline, when everybody gets out and about doing other stuff.

But is it a 'known unknown'???

I noted the recent passing of Donald Rumsfeld with a wry chuckle (in the nicest way) and remembered all of those Radio 4 'Rumsfeld of the week' quotations.
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: Orcs on 28 July 2021, 01:22:58 PM
Quote from: Steve J on 28 July 2021, 06:22:02 AM
That's a very handsome bonus and way, way better than anything I ever received during my working career!

Yes It Is , The company i work for has made more than 18 x GW revenue in PROFIT. £7.5 Billion ,yet it says it cannot afford a cost of living pay rise.
Title: Re: Model train maker steams ahead in lockdown
Post by: Techno II on 28 July 2021, 04:21:49 PM
Yes.....But they'll say that they're going to reinvest it in new technology, Mark.....

(Plus nice bonuses for the top bods.) =)

Cheers - Phil. ;)