Fancy running your own business?

[ge_rik]

Does anyone want to take over RC Trains?

I set up the business just over a year ago and, without any advertising or any self promotion, it has become quite successful. A bit too successful from my point of view. I am now finding it too much.

In addition to running the business (which I would say takes up about half the week), I am looking after my 96yo mother, my wife is not in the best of health and I have recently developed some health issues of my own. And besides all that, I'd like to spend more time playing with my own railway - which has been somewhat neglected for the past year.

If you are interested in turning your hand to something productive then please PM me. You need to be handy with a soldering iron and have a basic understanding of electrics, electronics and radio control. All the stock, documentation, spreadsheets, website etc will be transferred 'at cost' to the new owner and I will guide my successor through the hand-over period and initial stages.

This may suit someone who is just retiring or maybe someone who is a lot more entrepreneurial than me who would like to make something more of the business.

Please pass the information on to anyone else who you think might be interested - my contact details are on the RC Trains website.

Rik

[Peter Butler]

Hi Rik, I am not in the running to take on such a project and sorry to hear of your circumstances forcing this change. I will certainly support and promote your system to anyone who needs confirmation of its excellent quality and value for money.
Good luck with the plans, especially the one to spend time playing trains.

[ge_rik]

Hi Rik,  I am not in the running to take on such a project and sorry to hear of your circumstances forcing this change.   I will certainly support and promote your system to anyone who needs confirmation of its excellent quality and value for money.
Good luck with the plans, especially the one to spend time playing trains.

Thanks Peter. You were one of my first customers about this time last year and so your support is much appreciated. As much as I enjoy running the business (there are some lovely people out there engaged in this hobby), it does take up time which I'm finding I now need to devote to other priorities.

Rik

[Soar Valley Light]

Hello Rik,

It sounds like you've made a great success. We seem to have seen less of you and your lovely line over the last twelve months and no doubt the two are connected! I'm very sorry to hear about your problems in other directions.

I can't even work the TV remote (seriously!) so I can't contemplate getting into this line of work. Good luck with finding an amenable solution to the problem. I hope this means we hear more about your railway!

All the best,

Andrew

[tom_tom_go]

I did not realise you getting into live steaming was going to involve you packing up!

I am another fan of the Deltang products you sell so whoever takes it on will be on to a good thing.

[ge_rik]

I did not realise you getting into live steaming was going to involve you packing up!

I am another fan of the Deltang products you sell so whoever takes it on will be on to a good thing.

Thanks Tom
The two are unconnected and coincidental. Live steam has been on the 'maybe' list for some time - I was just waiting for the right loco to come along.

I do hope I find someone who's willing and able to take on the business and maybe take it on to the next stage.

Rik

[LNR]

Sorry to hear of your circumstances Rik, hope the situation resolves in your favour. Would be good to see more of your line, and your fascinating builds.
Grant.

[Chris Cairns]

Sorry to hear of your problems Rik. You've certainly done a lot of hard work to promote & educate others about the advantages, etc. of the Deltang control system. Not easy 'boots' to step into.

However, with Mr Deltang not producing assembled models, there surely must still be a viable market for these out there.

Not sure on costs incurred, but would it be worth advertising the business for sale? Just missed the SMT/Bulletin deadlines, how about Garden Rail?

All the best for the future.

Chris Cairns

[ge_rik]

Not sure on costs incurred, but would it be worth advertising the business for sale? Just missed the SMT/Bulletin deadlines, how about Garden Rail?

All the best for the future.

Chris Cairns

Thanks Chris
I might try that if nothing is forthcoming from this and the GSC forum posts. I've had a nibble of interest but not a full bite.

Rik

[ge_rik]

Just thought I'd let you all know that I have had a couple of responses, one of which is a very serious contender. I think we've reached the stage where it's a case of 'when' rather than 'if' he will take over.

Thanks for all your support and kind words. I will let you know what develops.

Rik

[tom_tom_go]

That is good news Rik.

I hope we can retain you though as our Deltang guru on here

[Sylvian Tennant]

Good luck and I'll defiantly look toward your new man for equipment. I wish you all the best for the future and speedy recoveries.

[ge_rik]

That is good news Rik.

I hope we can retain you though as our Deltang guru on here

I shall certainly keep up my interest in Deltang. I've invested too much time and energy to give it up entirely. I've offered to take the reins of the business from time to time if he wants to take a break, so I'll certainly be keeping my hand in.

Rik

[Chris Cairns]

That's great news Rik, and here's to a successful outcome.

Chris Cairns

[ge_rik]

A further update. The new owner of RC Trains will be Phil Partridge who has a lot of experience of large scale model trains and also of electronics. As such I am confident he will be ideally suited to taking over. I'll be supporting him in the early stages and so, hopefully, the handover will be seamless. We aim to complete the transfer on 15 March.

Many thanks to all on here for your support and encouragement when I was setting up the business and subsequently.

I shall be sorry to say goodbye the RC Trains, but am looking forward to having more time to spend developing the Peckforton Light Railway as well as looking after my various ailing family members.

Rik

[LNR]

Best wishes for the future Rik, hope the issues, specially the family and health ones turn out well.
Grant.

[Big Jim]

Congratulations Rik and Phil both.
I wish the new proprietor all the best for his new project and Rik, enjoy the time it frees up.

[markoteal]

That's great news Rik - a great win win

[Soar Valley Light]

Congratulations Rik,

I'm looking forward to the first update from the PLR already!

Andrew