Sad news from the Isle of Man........

tac foley

tac foley

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I learn from another forum that the well-regarded mid-ocean Track Shack dealership are stepping back from garden railway scales. I have always had the highest regard for John and Neil, stuck over there in the middle of the Irish Seat, and will miss their nigh-on instant delivery service. A comment was made that delivery TO them was slow, and that might be the reason for the downturn. I have always found, over the many years that I've been dealing with them, that almost as soon as Accucraft, as an example, have announced the arrival of a new product, Track Shack have it ready to ship out.
 
That's a shame - Neil also used to have a large steam layout, the Leodest and Larrivane, but I don't think that he's still got that. We missed him when we visited the Island because he was on the ferry going the other way :oops::oops:
 
I had wondered why they had decided to discount our stuff recently...
Great shame - and no more special editions of Accucraft rolling stock.
 
For those of us who model the Island's railways -either the IMR/MNR and/or Groudle Glen- this is a particularly heavy blow: John has not only provided the excellent service already described by others, but also initiated several TrackShack-only models.
 
Let's be clear, Folks - this is LARGE SCALE railway models only .

Also, this is from another site - I do NOT claim authorship -

' I have had a response; there has, apparently, been a bereavement so condolences to all involved and they will forward the business in due course. I expect some understanding and patience is called for. '
 
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I used Trackshack pretty much exclusively when I was sourcing my G track in the late 00s (boxes of the AMS euro flexi), and indeed subsequently found them equally excellent for my small scale track and bits too. Usually faster delivery than the mainland box-shifters!
 
From their facebook post:

TrackShack is now closed permanently.
All outstanding orders will be posted to customers today Monday 3rd August 2020.
Arrangements are being made for customers who have Accucraft or Roundhouse locos on pre-order to have their loco supplied direct from the manufacturer.
After 14 years serving the hobby the recent death of the owner's wife, coupled with ill health and severe trading issues because of the Corona Virus, a decision has been made to retire.
Thank you to all our many loyal customers, it has been our pleasure to serve you.
Click to expand...
 
PaulRhB said:
Neil posted in June that sadly it’s John’s wife who has passed away. He didn’t say anything about changes to the business.
Click to expand...
From my recollection, the business was John's and Neil assisted - shame, but John obviously has got various bits of his life to pick up, not easy.
 
No a shame but they go out in a high. The service was always friendly and as close to perfect as I think is possible. A loss to the hobby but I hope it means John’s health improves especially after the recent sad news.
The shop that did a ‘Spinal Tap’ to customer service and turned it up to 11 ;)
 
John and Neil - if you are reading this post - I'm certain sure I'm not alone in stating that if more people treated their customers the way that you have done over the years, then the whole large-scale model train business would be a better place.

You NEVER let me down - ever - for even the smallest thing.

You must derive some satisfaction that in future people will look back at the TrackShack days and say, THAT'S how it ought to be done!

Thank you and thank you.
 
Neil's handle on this forum was 'New Haven Neil' and I think that came from an HO layout that he had.

As I've said before, his garden railway was Leodest and Larrivane (if I've managed to spell it correctly) and he rather favoured Roundhouse's yellow loco colour, although looking at their website, that may have changed a tinsy bit
 
I agree with all the other comments. Track Shack was always my first online port of call for both G and N. I will miss this shop. I would like to record my thanks to John and Neil for excellent service over the years and wish them the best possible for the future.
 
I echo all that has been said about the swift and faultless service that John and his team maintained over the years: a remarkably well-run business that was always a pleasure to deal with. There was always a warm welcome at the shop and a willingness to discuss our hobby; and as someone modelling the IOM railway, and also Groudle Glen, I appreciate all that John did in terms of producing rare models of the Island's railways.
 
Good evening folks, it turns out I do have a have a log in, although I thought it had been deleted and I did tell Paul that.

Thank you all for your kind comments, they are much appreciated. For clarification John owned Trackshack, I was a Director as well as Technical Manager.

John is coping well with his loss, but life moves on waiting for no man, we had both reached the point where we had enough due to both having other health issues and mutually decided to retire. After 14 years of trading we leave the market to others, and thank you all for your support over the years, I had worked directly with John for 6 years and several previously indirectly doing RC work before I retired from the 'day job'.

The Leodest & Larivane still exists together with the tan Fowler BTW!
 
Good to hear from you, Neil - sorry to have incorrectly mothballed your railway.

I think, yeah, you and John did a great job :clap::clap::clap: and yes, life goes on.

Go out on a high, and I hope that you and John both enjoy a happy retirement :):):)
 
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