24th March, 2014 – Product Update / New Retailer

24^TH MARCH, 2014 – PRODUCT UPDATE / NEW RETAILER

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AUSTRALIA’S PREMIER RAILWAY MODELLING MAGAZINE IS ON THE NEWSSTANDS

READ ABOUT US IN

We will be attending the

KALEEN EXHIBITION THIS COMING WEEKEND

KALEEN HIGH SCHOOL – 104 Baldwin Drive, Kaleen. ACT 2617

KALEEN 29TH – 30TH MARCH

SEE US ALSO AT

HOBSON’S BAY 19TH – 21ST APRIL	BRISBANE   3RD – 4TH MAY	TOOWOOMBA      31ST MAY – 1ST JUNE

PROJECT UPDATES

VICTORIAN & SA RAIL TANK CARS

We have a number of projects running behind their scheduled release date. These include the Victorian 45’ Rail Tank Cars & the Vlocity DMU sets. By inference, since the Tank Car Projects are coming from the same factory, all Rail Tank Car projects including the Ampol / Freight Australia & Queensland OLO’s are all running behind schedule.

Last week we posted ‘No news is good news”. Unfortunately this is not the case. During last week we have pushed & pushed for an update on the project and asking if the factory will meet our shipping date so that the models could be released at Hobson’s Bay.

Finally, I got really angry and having conveyed this successfully to the Factory, answers were at last forthcoming.

The project is basically divided into two. Those models that are using the tooling from the first round + parts from the new tooling. These are the oblong dome with elbow – production is completed on these models

 The second part of the project has required all new tooling for the 3, 2 & 1 dome versions. This includes new tooling for five additional bodies, (bodies with enamel signs means another body tool) end covers, domes & two new sections for the underframes.  

The truth is, the factory has stuffed up with the new body tooling & has not got the holes for the several different types of walkways in the right places. This tooling has had to be remade.

The new schedule is:

• Tooling completed by 10^th April 2014
• Production completed 2oth May
• Airfreight around 22^nd May
• Despatch to customers around 3^rd June 2014

It was last August when we made the decision to move this project from one factory to another due to sever cost blow outs at the original factory. Since then it has been one difficulty after another with lost drawings and now tooling problems. We readily understand our customer’s disappointment as I am sure it matches our own. However my frustration level cannot be matched.

From our inception, the Southern Rail team has always tried to bring projects to the market within a reasonable time of the projects announced release date. By in large, this has been successful, the Tank Cars & V/locity being an exception.

To date there has not been one cancellation of our Victorian Tank Car orders and only one for a V/locity set.

The Southern Rail team would like to thank all of our customers for their continued support of the Victorian Tank Car Project and Southern Rail in general.  To that end, all current customers with orders for Victorian Rail Tank Car 3 car sets will receive a  Southern Rail Gift Voucher for $30.00 with their order that can be redeemed  against any future Southern Rail Project of your choosing.

V/LOCITY DMU

Some good news. The factory running the Vlocity project has advised that tooling is 70% completed and keep your fingers crossed, test shots should be available for  Hobson’s Bay Exhibition over Easter.

PRX/NPRY CEMENT HOPPERS

Final drawings have come to hand for review and the project should be signed off for tooling this week

WEB SITE

The Southern Rail Web site continues to be updated, virtually on a weekly basis. The “Products Page” for our new Trackside models has gone live and order forms are available for downloading

For a short time only, all three models are offered at a combined, fully paid with order pre-delivery price of $168.15 + free postage

WAGGA & 2650 HOBBIES

 JOIN THE SOUTHERN RAIL PREMIUM RETAIL TEAM

Wagga Hobbies & 2650 Hobbies have merged forces to form a new formidable hobby retailer in Wagga Wagga NSW as Wagga 2650 Hobbies 

Based at 207A Edward Street Wagga the business now has a combined experience of over 60 years in the hobby industry covering all areas of our miniature world including model trains, plastic kits, diecast and collectables & radio controlled models of all descriptions.

The merging of the two hobby stores – Wagga Hobbies under Steve Peel & 2650 Hobbies under Craig Laughton will see the expansion of stock and new ranges carried as well as re-developing the online site to cater for the needs of the two merged stores & their customers.

The enhanced range of products offered includes specialising in Australian Prototype Model Trains, Australian Die cast and large scale radio controlled Patrol Boat Manufacture.

Craig said “Our new dealership with Southern Rail will go a long way to improving our range of Australian Rolling Stock”

Southern Rail proudly supports our second NSW country retailer, wishing Steve & Craig huge success.

BUY LOCAL – SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HOBBY SHOP & COMMUNITY

Wagga & 2650 Hobbies can be found @

www.waggahobbies.com or www.2650hobbies.com.au

Phone: 02 6922 4970 fax: 02 5963 2720

THE RETAIL MARCH MADNESS SALE CONTINUES AT THESE GREAT STORES

Including

SEE OUR BLOG of 7^TH MARCH 2014 FOR DETAILS

OFFICE HOURS

OUR OFFICE HOURS ARE 9AM TO 5 PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY

Do not expect a courteous response outside of these hours.

Fax & e-mail facilities are available.

 A special call back time can be arranged by email or by sending a text message

Helping to keep your dream alive

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