Garden Railway Forum

Not going to get into a frugality squabble here....let me just say that good engines can be come by much cheaper [and no, I will, for sake, exclude oscillators ].

If Accucraft continues upping it's QC, well...!!

However, in terms of looks - these are VERY attractive locos. Fit a trailer wheelset to them...

i guess they are ok, to slap laods of stuff on.
but the price....

Some interesting comments here regarding pricing, but I am puzzled if they refer to Roundhouse prices for ALL models, or just for George and Mildred.

Mildred is the same price as Katie and Billy, which is not surprising as they are the same loco underneath the body. George is about £180 more to cover the cost of the tender.

So, does the team think that Katie, for example, is over-priced too? And what about the limited-edition batch of 100 Jacks which sold out and had the same kind of price?

Mildred is the same price as Katie and Billy, which is not surprising as they are the same loco underneath the body. George is about £180 more to cover the cost of the tender.

So, does the team think that Katie, for example, is over-priced too? And what about the limited-edition batch of 100 Jacks which sold out and had the same kind of price?[/quote]

Hi Tony, that is the point i was trying to make, by mixing and matching existing components Roundhouse have produced two extra models with no extra cost to the purchaser, they are priced in the same range as their other generic loco's.
I do not know if they are all over priced, but the vast majority of owners seem more than happy which would suggest they are not over priced and Roundhouse continue to go from strength to strength where others have floundered over the years, again suggesting they are doing something right, best regards, Rob

Thanks Rob. My question was asked based on the number of "How much?!?!" statements made, and a genuine interest in how much people are prepared to pay for these locos.

Anyway... Two in, one out.

Just announced on Roundhouse's new Facebook page: Tom Rolt - Discontinued

Didnt think Tom Rolt would last long, It faultered from the start.

I really dont think that any of the Roundhouse prices are over priced. For what they are and what engineering and knowledge goes into them they are perfectly priced.

Infact I think the customer service you get is worth a great portion of the price!

Sir haydn:57107 wrote:Didnt think Tom Rolt would last long, It faultered from the start.

I really dont think that any of the Roundhouse prices are over priced. For what they are and what engineering and knowledge goes into them they are perfectly priced.

Infact I think the customer service you get is worth a great portion of the price!

Certainly agree there, there well engineered and built in this country too
Shame about tom rolt, but I suppose it was a risk.

When you live frugally and in a lower sector, you can't just splash out £800+ on what is essentially a non-necessity. Especially if something important [like my example - a car arises. Simpleas. I'll leave it at that.

However I still raise both eyebrows at £183 for a mere tender.

And yes, I'm hammering away in my underground lair making my own solution before anyone says put up or shut up.



As for G&M...I will give RH kudos for 'recyling' parts to make new designs. They look nice which is what had me investigating them.

So who's buying one?

Am disappointed at the Tom Rolt going though -any particular reasons why it faltered?

dougrail:57111 wrote:Am disappointed at the Tom Rolt going though  -any particular reasons why it faltered?

I'd suggest two reasons:
- It is a scale model, so has limited appeal.
- It needs to be lined (at additional cost usually) to make it more visually attractive.

3 - Its got side buffers and If you want to model it prototypically you have to make up a side buffer train!

Totally agree with the above reasons, especially the fact that it's a model of a prototype with a total class number of 1.

EDIT - Just to contradict myself though, there must be a lot of TR fans in the hobby and there's plenty of TR stock available, not many TR prototypical "Off The Peg" loco's about though is there?!

The 'scale model' thing I argue with  -people usually go ga-ga when they see a Ffestiniog *wards off evil* loco.  :evil:

The lining point however is very, very prominent - the difference is immense. Tom Rolt's lining also is very elegant, it helps soften what in essence is a tank of a locomotive.  

Side buffers? Mmm...upto different people, but I see where it's coming from.

Perhaps RH should have marketed it as an 'Andrew Barclay tank', leaving in potential for people to easily make it the actual Roltmobile - but allowing for different options ie livieries and fittings.

A shame. Might have to hound one in the s/h market in the future!

Thanks for the info gents.

Also it has only been around in its current form for twenty odd years, and associated with one railway only, compare this to say a Quarry Hunslet or a WD Baldwin, a very small envelope indeed. I personally thought it was a risk, as i do with the Leek and Manifold Loco but at least with that you are getting a lot of metal for your money size wise and it's easier to run freelance as the prototype is no longer with us. I suppose we are lucky that manufacture's are happy to try these prototypes as it enables someone's dream to come true, regards, Rob

I agree with that Rob, to me it does lack history & if I am looking for a prototype I like the appeal that an historic loco has. Maybe thats just me. I quite like the look of them (Then again I like Carries & VOR tanks) but I cant justify paying the price for a prototype loco to then make it freelance as I would want it.

I've always felt that Roundhouse engines are good value for money, but prices have risen faster than previously in recent years due to the increasing cost of raw materials; doubtless, this has an impact on what people can afford.

It is interesting to compare "Tom Rolt" with the consistently-popular "Russell". Both unique prototypes, but "Russell" is a little cheaper and you get a bigger engine for your money.

I wonder if the rarity of 2'3", as opposed to 2', also limited the appeal of "Tom Rolt"? But then, any loco can be given a new name and regarded as freelance.

I agree with taliesin in that I also think the Leek & Manifold was a risk, simply because its large minimum radius will restrict potential customers to those with very large gardens! But then, as long as Roundhouse continues to produce its core range of consistently popular models then perhaps it does them no harm to do smaller runs of more "interesting" prototypes?

TonyW:57086 wrote:Some interesting comments.....

So, does the team think that Katie, for example, is over-priced too? And what about the limited-edition batch of 100 Jacks which sold out and had the same kind of price?

Tony,

i was informed by a retailer that the uptake on the last 25 or so special edition Jacks was "very very slow"

MuzTrem:57182 wrote:........ I also think the Leek & Manifold was a risk, simply because its large minimum radius will restrict potential customers to those with very large gardens! But then, as long as Roundhouse continues to produce its core range of consistently popular models then perhaps it does them no harm to do smaller runs of more "interesting" prototypes?

Batches of the L&M loco are full well into the latter part of 2012 so there is certainly a market.

James-Buzz:57183 wrote:

TonyW:57086 wrote:Some interesting comments.....

So, does the team think that Katie, for example, is over-priced too? And what about the limited-edition batch of 100 Jacks which sold out and had the same kind of price?

Tony,

i was informed by a retailer that the uptake on the last 25 or so special edition Jacks was "very very slow"

However, from what I know the most of them sold very quickly.

I like 'em! I like 'em a lot! Do not like the price, though. It's going to be many years before I can afford such a thing. That said, if they're still being produced at that time then sign me up.

Isn't Harri from Roundhouse a member on this forum? maybe someone could ask for an insight into the pricing structure of the new locomotives?

I guess if one were to want Mildred lowered then one would also want all those engines in the same size class (Katie, Billy) lowered as well?

I guess one would like to see Lady Anne lowered in price too considering the age of the engine now with little change over the past decade, especially considering the price difference with say Lawley from Accucraft.

Considering the market trends i would think Mildred is to be very successful, with George less so as tender engines seem to have less followers in this scale.

The close up photo of Mildred does make her look small but lets just remember the chassis is pretty much a Billy, so she isn't really that small.

I wonder if Mildred would look just as nice with a William 0-6-0 chassis ?