Garden Railway Forum

I have been trying to contact Loco-Boxes (Cambridge) for nearly a month now, have emailed, phoned and left numerous message, does anyone have any news of them, I was hoping to buy a couple of boxes. thanks

Oh dear, lets hope its not another one on the big list of closing

Hoping they are just on an extended break and that they are ok, website was last updated on 17 Nov, have sent 3 emails and left several messages on the answerphone, fingers crossed,

It is alarming the number of cottage industries that have disappeared recently

I received a loco box for Christmas and I do know they can be very busy. Hopefully you will hear back soon.

Thanks Roby, at least that's a good sign but still rather odd that 3 emails and as many phone messages have gone unanswered in nearly a month, tried to leave another last night and answerphone was full.

Was your box a present or did you order for yourself, my first email was sent on 15 December

I ordered a carry box for my K-28 nigh on 3 years ago, with an added feature of an adjustable stop so I could use it for my NGG16 or 2 smaller locos. Several e-mails and numerous assurances when pressed at 2 consecutive Peterborough shows and a load of platitudes and still........nothing. Not so much as an apology for mucking me about for such a long time.

I really wonder why they seem to be so highly regarded and still in business. My experience goes beyond what would raise the understandable "on extended holiday/unspecified illness" concerns. I have now given up on them. Can't work out what the problem is. Always been polite when pressing for a commitment. Anybody else had this treatment from them. Max

Well after hearing that, not only wouldn't it be a surprise if they did go under, but also understandable, that's majorly disgusting. Personally never had any dealings with them all all, spoke to him once at a show and he just seemed a little up himself, but thought no more of it as I never judge people on a first chat, especially under show conditions.

Does not make sense to ignore potential customers, while I could probably find an alternative solution for the box, I do need some rolling road units (Hog Hill) which they now own. I never expect a next day service from cottage industries but IF they are simply ignoring me I am reluctant to place any order

vc10rocks:115592 wrote:Does not make business sense to ignore potential customers, while I could probably find an alternative solution for the box, I do need some rolling road units (Hog Hill) which they now own. I never expect a next day service from cottage industries but IF they are simply ignoring me I am reluctant to part with any cash

Either way, its not the way to run a business is it. I certainly would never use them in the future, no matter what, but your experiences have put me off them. If it were me, I would find someone else for a rolling road and make my own box, lol

I feel a visit to B&Q coming on LOL

vc10rocks:115594 wrote:I feel a visit to B&Q coming on  LOL

This is a box I made for a friend of mine a short while ago. 4 bits of MDF, a bit of clear polystyene, one bit of hardboard, some screws and a small knob, so to speak, lol. Oh and a form of handle. Very simple, yet very effective.

http://www.16mmforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=18

Steve

With some basic workshop equipment it is a simple matter to construct stock boxes, as simple or complex as the mood takes you.
I make a wooden (6mm ply) box for every item of stock so that they are all protected for storage or transport to exhibitions etc. Each one is glued at the corners, glued and pinned to attach top and base, hinged and fitted with a catch. After painting they can be fitted out inside to protect delicate items and lined with felt.....
Mass production....



Samples of finished interiors....

Delightful Peter absolutely delightful

Yes indeed , lovely boxes Peter and they look very well made too. I would prefer an off the shelf solution as I don't have a lot of spare time at present. My first steam loco, that I aquired from ebay and probably paid a little over the odds for is currently resting on the kitchen table and needs more permanent storage.
Its really very frustrating that Loco boxes just seem to be ignoring me. Their answerphone is now accepting messages again so I guess they are listening to them. All I want to know is availability, shipping costs and a realistic delivery time,
I don't mind waiting as long as the supplier sticks to what they have said. Thanks to everyone that has replied

Its worth considering these type of boxes as they make great display cases too, as I said, very easy to make.

http://www.16mmforum.co.uk/download/fil ... &mode=view

http://www.16mmforum.co.uk/download/fil ... &mode=view

I can appreciate the display case aspect, but how do you access the loco inside, from what I can see from the images you kindly posted, you need to remove the Perspex front each time?

vc10rocks:115603 wrote:I can appreciate the display case aspect, but how do you access the loco inside, from what I can see from the images you kindly posted,  you need to remove the Perspex front  each time?

No sorry, crap pictures. One end has a drop in screw from the top that stops the side falling off, pull that out and then the end comes off using the little knob on the end. All those at the club that have seen them, love them.

Is this any clearer, as I said, terrible pictures. ON the bit that comes out, at the bottom, there are just 2 screws part screwed in, heads cut off, and they are just used as locators for putting it into place, at the top, just a drop in screw. I use these for up to 0-6-0 live steam, very strong, look great on display, and I use the for carrying to club meets and house meets. Couldn't be happier with them. Original design by my father, I liked it that much I started making them too and have made them for others as well as gifts.

Note the screw in the top, just lifts out and drops in, you don't need any tools to open and close this box.

Ah I see how it works now, yes another good idea, and a display option as well.

I did ring loco boxes again today and to my surprise I got an answer, Chris explained that they have been away over Xmas and have had a family bereavement, only getting back a couple of days ago and slowly going through a mountain of emails and messages. so we discussed my order and will see how it goes I guess, Will let you know how it works out

Since my last post I received one email confirming my order on 15 Jan requesting my shipping address and saying my order would be a week and since then (1 month) nothing despite 3 emails requesting an update. Loco boxes do seem to be hard work!!