tigermoth
Seasoned Member
Birthday 27 Aug 1941
Posts: 141
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Post by tigermoth on Jul 21, 2021 16:14:23 GMT
Hi All.
Can anyone tell me if the Steam Workshop is still in business please?
I placed an order with Blackgates including some bits from Steam Workshop, two of the Swab boxes had not been cast properly so I returned them to Blackgates whom I understand returned them to Steam Workshop and sorted me out a refund as they could not get replacements from them.
I have tried to place an order with the Steam Workshop for the 5in swab boxes and Buffer steps on line and the order would not go through, I then emailed them explaining the situation and asking them to phone me, after a week or so of no response I tried phoning them and leaving messages, still not heard from them.
Very frustrating or what.
Norman.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2021 16:57:56 GMT
Hi Norman
this sounds odd for Simon's outfit, service is very good.... have you tried contacting them on FaceBook? alternatively, try giving them a call, this number is given on their FB page. +44 7816 963463
Regards
Pete
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Post by simplyloco on Jul 21, 2021 17:04:36 GMT
Hi Norman this sounds odd for Simon's outfit, service is very good.... have you tried contacting them on FaceBook? alternatively, try giving them a call, this number is given on their FB page. +44 7816 963463 Regards Pete Yes, that's his personal mobile number.
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Post by ettingtonliam on Jul 21, 2021 17:21:51 GMT
Very frustrating, but in my ignorance, what is a swab box?
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Post by RGR 60130 on Jul 21, 2021 19:12:59 GMT
I emailed them before Covid kicked off and I'm still waiting for a reply.
Reg
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tigermoth
Seasoned Member
Birthday 27 Aug 1941
Posts: 141
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Post by tigermoth on Jul 21, 2021 20:11:41 GMT
Swab oil box.
I have used the 07816 963463 and left messages, have tried email and their own web page order form, none got any response.
Do not do Facebook, twitter etc.
Norman.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2021 21:10:34 GMT
Hmm...I am very surprised by this info...I hope Simon is ok..?
Pete
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Post by cplmickey on Jul 21, 2021 21:35:53 GMT
I know they are still working on their Fowler loco so I'm sure there's no actual problem. Don't know why folks are getting no response though. I know he's not the best at replying to emails (had the same issues myself) but you would think the phone would be answered. Ian
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Post by cplmickey on Jul 22, 2021 8:46:16 GMT
A friend of mine has been in touch with Simon who says he is aware of the problems. He's very much in business and still enthusiastic but really needs someone to field his calls, answer simple queries and take messages where necessary. It sounds like the business has overtaken them and needs another member of staff. He says he will put out a statement very soon. Ian
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Post by simonhudson on Jul 22, 2021 9:10:26 GMT
Hi All,
Sorry, we are no good at all on emails and messages. Literally hundreds of messages come in daily through all the different media. We have 60,000 followers on Facebook alone which generates tonnes of messages & emails. We just don’t get time to filter through everything, so messages regularly get missed. If you want to contact us, telephone calls are the only safe way.
I see you said you’d called and left a message, which I’m afraid is something else we are rubbish at. I never listen to messages, but I do try to call back every call that shows up on the phone as having been missed. I’m on the phone pretty much all the time during the day, so it’s not unusual for people to find me engaged, but calling back 10 mins later usually solves it. 🙂
Hewson stuff. Nightmare!! Most of you probably know, we now own D Hewson models, have done for about 5 years. We manufacture the bits. Katie is in charge of trying to make sense of the thousands of bits and she’s done a great job but she’s been off on maternity leave for over 6 months now, and Covid Buggered up all the foundries supply and supply chains. We employed two more people, Lucy & Mel to try to take over from Katie last year, but it proved beyond them, so we let them go. Jenny, my mum now comes on 2 days a week for free to try to keep it ticking over until Katie gets back later in the year. In a nut shell, we are doing our best, but the Hewson side of our business runs at a financial loss. We are effectively keeping it going out of respect for Doug’s achievement. But our main daily focus is always going to have to be on Steam Workshop’s core business of buying, restoring & selling locos,…….because that’s what pays the bills. 🙂
So. Apologies. Try again on the phone, 07816 963463, or try again on the website (it works properly as far as we can tell),….. Jenny monitor’s those sales and delivers on em as quick as we can, foundries and stock permitting. And bare with us while we all await Katie’s return!! 🤣
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don9f
Statesman
Les Warnett 9F, Martin Evans “Jinty”, a part built “Austin 7” and now a part built Springbok B1.
Posts: 960
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Post by don9f on Jul 22, 2021 17:51:17 GMT
Very frustrating, but in my ignorance, what is a swab box? These are the samples of swab boxes....they contain trimmings to drip oil down the pipes. Used for such things as axlebox, hornguide, piston rod gland lubrication etc. The walls of the boxes are very thin and I’ve had a few over the years where something went wrong in the casting process, resulting in holes in the walls. The last ones I received were actually very good. Cheers Don
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tigermoth
Seasoned Member
Birthday 27 Aug 1941
Posts: 141
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Post by tigermoth on Jul 22, 2021 19:22:56 GMT
Well am glad to report that I finally got through and am collecting a pair of quad pipe swab boxes in the morning.
The last ones I had out of 4 one had a mounting lug missing and another had one of the outlet pipe connections missing.
Must admit that the look very good when piped and fitted, the lids open just like the real thing.
Norman.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2021 19:37:56 GMT
Shame they don't have LNER types...
Pete
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dscott
Elder Statesman
Posts: 2,438
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Post by dscott on Jul 22, 2021 23:29:37 GMT
I wonderfully Met Simon's Parents when they came and delivered their Baby Midge. She is about the size of an Ajax and just about ready to run on air.
Supplies are getting difficult and our Blackgates order has just arrived at the shop. I delayed it ready to pick up at the exhibition but not now. Makes a longer shopping list and it arrives in a box. At least got to chat with Phil at the Rugby weekend.
David and Lily.
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Post by ettingtonliam on Jul 23, 2021 16:46:24 GMT
Well am glad to report that I finally got through and am collecting a pair of quad pipe swab boxes in the morning. The last ones I had out of 4 one had a mounting lug missing and another had one of the outlet pipe connections missing. Must admit that the look very good when piped and fitted, the lids open just like the real thing. Norman. Doen't say much for their 'pre delivery onspection' does it? At least if you are picking your new ones up in person, you'll be able to check them out first.
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tigermoth
Seasoned Member
Birthday 27 Aug 1941
Posts: 141
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Post by tigermoth on Jul 23, 2021 20:17:00 GMT
Right, say it as it is.
I met Simon and was offered a coffee, had a problem keeping the wife from buying a pretty little traction engine, oh and she was quite taken by a Manor that was on a stand looking very nice.
Anyway picked up the pair of swab boxes and explained to Simon about returning the last two because of defects and he suggested we checked the two I had just picked up, we found that one had a lug missing, bugger, we went up into the stores and sorted through the drawer and found two that had cast properly, he was telling me that the foundry they had used were having problems doing the castings, anyway I got two that will go on the engine and I must say that when the foundry get them right they are the best castings I have ever used and the detail is spot on.
There must be a healthy demand for such high grade parts, shame he cannot find a reliable foundry to do the work, I wanted 4 buffer steps but he only had one in stock and no real idea when he was getting more stock in.
As Simon put in his response to my original post, he needs some help on the spares side of the business, I would be the first to offer a couple of days a week to help out if it was not so far to go.
Would like to add that it is the friendliest place I have been to for a long while, wander round as long as you like, blindfold for the wife would have been a great idea though.
Norman.
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dscott
Elder Statesman
Posts: 2,438
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Post by dscott on Jul 26, 2021 0:12:05 GMT
2 years ago I got to do a Supermarket Sweep upstairs at Poly... Yes at every bend there was something nice to put in the basket. We got as far north as Oldham but no further.
Yes Doug got older and needed someone to take over and indeed the parts are eagerly sought after. We spent some time riding behind a Winstons Brit with a scattering of nice bits embellishing!!!
David and Lily.
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