Modelworks Administration

[kiltman20]

Fentmar:

I have not heard anything from the administrators, and the last kit I received for the 14xx was the boiler in November (I had kits 1-7 all shipped together). Should have been done in March with the one kit per month thing.

Interesting your note from the Admin though. Being in Canada anything that comes by post seems to get to me last.

Its also interesting that the 5" side of the business is the last part of the company to get sorted out. Wonder what that means . . . least economic? . . . most problems?

Rob

[stantheman]

Hi Rob, just interested, what part of Canada do you hail from, no need for directions, just roughly. I frequently visit friends over there in Ontario and the RHLS. No hidden agenda I assure you.

[kiltman20]

Hi Stantheman:

I'm actually about 3000 miles west of Ontario in Calgary Alberta. Only ever been to the airport in Toronto.

I had been getting over to London every 2 or 3 months for the last three years. Actually got up to Daventry in March with a friend of mine (likamobile owner and owner of 1/3 of a 5700) and did the tour of Modelworks shop and had been quite impressed. Everyone there was really great to deal with and were very accomodating.

Rob

[kiltman20]

Fentmar:

Have a look at the stream traction world forum. The latest post there from Dean suggests that he is in possesion of the remains of the 14xx and 5700 stock and parts. He further states that "there are other kits where 80% is available and again these could be made available".

Not sure why Dean et al have ended up with this material and it wouldn't have ended up with who ever gets the 5" side of the business, but there you go.

Rob

[richardearle]

Hi to all.
57xx
I also have up to kit 6 and monies were taken from my account 10 days prior to M/Works collapse for kit 7 and yes youve guessed it NO KIT!!
Can we 57xx builders start a self help group when the dust has settled. Also does any one know of any ex M/Works employees who may have working drawings or DXF`s.
There is a guy Tim who has finish buit a 57xx and is very helpfull.
As all engineers patience is a virtue!
Richard

[stantheman]

Any ideas anyone of the previous experience/business connections of the 'new' guys on the block.

[steamfittings]

Hi All,

The reason we ended up with all the material is because we bought the whole business. That was the IPR and the stock (which included any work in progress) of every model (vehicles, clocks and loco's).
It is our intention to continue with the vehicles and satisfy those customers with traction engines, steam lorries and Likamobiles. Due to our limited resource, it was always our intention, if we managed to secure everything to sell off the clock and loco side of ModelWorks. Currently we have a buyer for the clock business and the 7.25" loco business (designs, spare parts and complete kits). Most importantly the 7.25" loco buyer has expressed to us that he intends to contact all the MW's A3/A4 customers with unfinished models (he has one himself) and offer to complete them. He has his own engineering firm and is experienced in building loco's from scratch.
We are trying to do the same with the 5" gauge loco business. We do not want to sell it to someone who is just going to come in a asset strip it, we want someone who is prepared to assist the MW's customers with unfinished engines. There is one interested party and discussions are still on going.
In the mean time we are trying to put together as many kits that have been previously manufactured as possible. This will hopefully help any 14xx and 57xx customers with part finished engines get a little closer to completion. Once we have done this we will contact the relevant customers and offer what we have and the drawings for what is missing. The Duchess is a little more complecated as it has never been manufactured before therefore there are no stock from a previous run. There are some parts available from the kit that was being worked on which once again could be made available should anyone want them.

Regards

Dean

[paultomlinson]

Dean

Thanks for mentioning that there may be a few Duchess items. I am trying to help a group (approx 12) complete the Duchess. Could you let me know what is available, I believe you still have my email address.
Regards
Paul.

[steamfittings]

Paul,

Give me a call early next week and we'll see what we can sort out. It'll probably be easier if you come in and see what's there.

Dean

[duchessmike]

Dean,
Thanks for offering some help to the Duchess Builders, its appreciated.
Your comments regarding selling the 5" part of the bussines are also encourageing and I wish you well with the prospective buyer.
The Duchess group`s objective is to complete the loco, it`s too far down the road just to give up.
If Paul can`t manage to get to Daventry, then I can - being well north of London; a PM to Paul and I will get things organised.
Best of luck with the rest of the bussines, I really hope that you can get it to work, both practically and business-wise.
Mike

[duchessmike]

Dean,
Thanks for offering some help to the Duchess Builders, its appreciated.
Your comments regarding selling the 5" part of the business are also encouraging and I wish you well with the prospective buyer.
The Duchess group`s objective is to complete the loco, it`s too far down the road just to give up.
If Paul can`t manage to get to Daventry, then I can - being well north of London; a PM to Paul and I will get things organised.
Best of luck with the rest of the business, I really hope that you can get it to work, both practically and business-wise.
Mike

[paultomlinson]

Dean
Did you get my email earlier this week? As suggested we (the Duchess builders) are hoping to meet up next week to discuss the way forward. You are invited to attend and perhaps your new Company could help us with a few mass produced items. What are your views on the suggestion that I made about kit 14 that you are holding bearing in mind that we have bought piston rings for this loco which should have been in a previous kit?
Paul.

[steamfittings]

Hi Paul,

I'm sure i received an email but i can for the life of me find it. We are in the process of setting up internet providers and systems properly and have so many email accounts all forwarding to different accounts that it's all very confusing. I do have someone coming in next week to sort it.
I was thinking of asking the Duchess customers to come to the factory, then laying the parts from kit 14 out on the table and seeing what they want or what is useful to them. The problem is i've been so busy i've not had chance to contact them all and see what they think of it as a suggestion.
We would ask for some payment towards the parts from each person and i do not have a figure in mind yet but you can be assured it's not going to be a huge amount. I do know that over 50% of that kit was complete. We might even be able to provide what drawings were available for kit 14 and maybe kit 15 on a pen drive to each person if it helps.

Is this something you would be interested in orchestrating?


Regards

Dean

[paultomlinson]

Hi Dean
Thanks for your suggestions, could you PM me your mobile as I have misplaced it.
Paul.

[jvas]

Hi Dean,

Any movement on the Bagnall bits at all? I epect that you havent had much time to do anything yet!! Anyway I am still very much interested and await contact with excitiement.

Thanks

Jeremy.

[steamfittings]

Hi Jeremy,

Your kits are there when you want them. The sooner the better would be great please. Give me a call on 01327 301030 on Monday or Tuesday to talk about when and if your collecting or want delivery. I'm off to Pickering rally on Wednesday so it'll be no good phoning after then.

Dean

[jasper]

Jul 12, 2008 8:44:38 GMT steamfittings said:

Hi All,

The reason we ended up with all the material is because we bought the whole business. That was the IPR and the stock (which included any work in progress) of every model (vehicles, clocks and loco's).
It is our intention to continue with the vehicles and satisfy those customers with traction engines, steam lorries and Likamobiles. Due to our limited resource, it was always our intention, if we managed to secure everything to sell off the clock and loco side of ModelWorks. Currently we have a buyer for the clock business and the 7.25" loco business (designs, spare parts and complete kits). Most importantly the 7.25" loco buyer has expressed to us that he intends to contact all the MW's A3/A4 customers with unfinished models (he has one himself) and offer to complete them. He has his own engineering firm and is experienced in building loco's from scratch.
We are trying to do the same with the 5" gauge loco business. We do not want to sell it to someone who is just going to come in a asset strip it, we want someone who is prepared to assist the MW's customers with unfinished engines. There is one interested party and discussions are still on going.
In the mean time we are trying to put together as many kits that have been previously manufactured as possible. This will hopefully help any 14xx and 57xx customers with part finished engines get a little closer to completion. Once we have done this we will contact the relevant customers and offer what we have and the drawings for what is missing. The Duchess is a little more complecated as it has never been manufactured before therefore there are no stock from a previous run. There are some parts available from the kit that was being worked on which once again could be made available should anyone want them.

Regards

Dean

[jasper]

Hi Dean,Have you any news for the 57XX builders. Have you sufficient parts to supply the remaining kits i.e. kits 7 to 15.Some news good or bad would be helpful Jasper

[steamfittings]

Hi All,

We are extremely pleased to announce that we have been able to reach a gentlemans agreement for the sale of the 5" gauge locomotive business. The purchaser would like to remain anonymous until the deal has been finalised but he has made it clear to us that it is his intention to contact all ModelWorks 5" gauge locomotive customers and give them the option of him manufacturing the kits for their incomplete engines. We are unable to give any indication on timescale or pricing and will not commit on his behalf but we do see this as the very best solution for everyone concerned. The purchaser has many years experience in locomotives and manufacturing and would be more than capable of taking such a project on.

To Steve and I this brings an enormous amount of satisfaction as it potentially enables every MW's customers who started a project the opportunity to complete their models. It at very least gives some light at the end of the tunnel for everyone.

As soon as everything is finalised and the paperwork etc completed then as far as we are aware the buyers of both the 5" and 7.25" gauge locomotive business will be in touch.

Regards

Dean & Steve

[jasper]

Hi Dean, Many thanks for this information, I look forward to hearing from the mystery buyer. Jasper .