News & Events

Monday 16/09/2024

PLEASE NOTE: I will be away from 17th September until 10th October on Holiday, my son David will be looking after things and I will be monitoring and replying to emails as they are received. There will be no parcels packed or dispatched during this time, if you want any item/s you can order them and they will be reserved for you until I return. David will be manning my tables at the Gaydon HRCA event  on Saturday 5th October so a large number of my select items will be available at the event…………………………………… 

I have listed new items including a No.E020 and 1 Tender Locos,  2 * boxed LMS Princess, one in a Blue presentation box, E220 ‘Brahman Moor’ all in 20 volt electric, No.2C Special LMS Compound’,  and other items,  I have some super items on the website including a EPM16 in LMS, E120 Special Loco & Tender GWR in 20 volt electric, Boxed LMS Corridor Coaches, LMS & LNER Passenger coaches, boxed ‘Palethorpes’ Private owner, I still have a super early LNER 6 volt electric 0-4-0 Tank Loco in Near Mint condition, no takers on this on at the moment which is very surprising, Boxes of Tinplate Double clockwork Straights and Curves, No.2 Goods Depot  as well as other items still to be listed. I still have the  E220 Special ‘County of Bedford’ in Excellent/plus overall condition and others, many matching No.1 and 2 Passenger coaches. A good quantity of accessories, Stations, a rare ‘BRISTOL’ electric Island platform and station, Passenger platforms, Signals, Lamps standards etc…. so keep coming back …………………. I will be listing a E220 Export Compound , Boxed clockwork SR ‘Eton’ and other items when I return,

I have a number of items on the site to suit all types of Vintage 0 Gauge collectors from Hornby £12 post war wagons to Princess Elizabeth at £1595, an excellent clockwork Eton boxed at £895 (Sold) and many more items. Bassett lowke Winteringham wagons from £28 to a Bassett Lowke BR Duchess and Rebuilt Royal Scot, LMS 3-rail electric Duchess at £1250, Stanier Tank at £795 and ……..many more items……………. so keep looking………

Post office Current Parcel prices – For the UK – Please be aware I only use Royal Mail 1st class and Special Delivery (note Special Delivery parcels over 2 kilos to 10 kilos). Prices are 2-10 kilo = £18 insured to £750 and £28 insured to £2500. 1.0 -1.99 kilo = £13 and up to 1 kilo = £10, 1st class parcel signed for £6.00 (small parcel) Medium £8.00 – up to 2.00 kilo.

On Parcels to Holland, France and Germany are taking a few extra days, but there appears to be a vast improvement in delivery times in the last 6 months. 

CAN ANY ONE HELP……..I have been asked about this for some time but information to date including Post office personnel. The Post Office has removed (or hidden) a form for calculating postage costs to the UK and overseas destinations, and the information available now is ‘as clear as Mud’. I am trying to calculate accurate overseas postage costs but have not had a lot of success at the moment, I will just keep trying, if anyone out there can point me in the right direction, I would be pleased to hear from you, any help would be appreciated. Still no information so a clear as MUD.

Thank you to all customers who are paying through the website that should be easy for you, if you are having difficulties please let me know. I am aware that the website link was broken twice which did not allow customers to pay for items, I apologies, this has been sorted out so if you experience any issues please let me know. There has been a bank transfer matching problems apparently my name did not match the name on the bank account so I have changed it to comply with the bank details I have always been known as Mike but the account is under ‘Michael Delaney T/A Vintage Toys’, so apologies to those who were effected. 

PayPal – I do not accept PayPal as a direct payment unless agreed with me. Paypal charge me 5.1% once the money hits the paypal account before any transfer to my Bank account. I find this percentage of deduction by them to be wholly unacceptable, these costs are not included in my costs of selling. There is a transfer facility under Friend and Family for which I understand there is no charge, so please, I will reluctantly accept that method as a last resort. I closed one of my Paypal accounts a while ago because paypal held on to the money and would not allow the money to be transferred to my bank account so I return the payment to the sender.

Payments can be made directly on the site which is fully secure, and I have to complete an annual audit to make sure that I comply. If you prefer you can ring me with card details, pay by Direct Bank Transfer or send a Cheque whichever suits you. I am more than happy to talk to anyone who has a problem in making payments or is concerned about security of payment through the internet process. My ultimate aim is to make sure your transaction process is smooth, easy for you to operate, secure, and you are happy with your item. I am all for making it as easy as possible in this complicated world live in today.

Don’t forget to support/attend your local events and for me under the HRCA banner that will be Mortimer near Reading and for the Bassett Lowke Society at Digswell AL6 0EA, so go along and enjoy the running events.

 I have been adding Bassett Lowke items as and when they become available, I will be listing a Rare Bassett Lowke A4 Loco & Tender ‘Sir Nigel Greasley’,  I have listed a BR Duchess and Rebuilt Royal Scots both 3-rail electric and boxed, 2-6-0 GWR 3-rail electric Mogul alas no tender, BR Prince Charles’ in 3-rail electric, 3-rail electric track, Straight, curves, points etc, we still have a Black electric 2-6-4 Stanier Tank Loco, continuing to add Winteringham 1930’s wagons in LMS, GWR and SR all types including Open, Covered and Brake vans, I also have a number of Exley coaches. I have not had the time to list some Marklin Pullman coaches so they will have to wait until I return home. On the larger Gauge front, I have nothing more to add. I have purchased some 1960’s corgi diecast Car and commercial and have listed just a few of them.

Collections of Hornby and Bassett Lowke are still coming in but much slower than last year I am afraid that some sellers expectations of value are well above my own in the last number of months which makes it impossible to purchase some collections and I know of a few that are ‘making the rounds’, but not for me. I pride myself in offering the best quality available in the market place and I strive to try and keep to the quality level. Offers are being made on a weekly basis and I will add them to the site as time permits. 

My own layout is coming on very well with 2 ovals with inside engine shed area and a terminal station all fitted in, The problem with some of the older mechs continue to be a problem but that is something I have had to accept in collecting some of these near 100 year old vintage trains, but still very frustrating, I do like to make sure they all run and perform well on the layout. Of course the layout will never be finished there is always some to add/change which in many way is part of the enjoyment so happy collecting and running……………………………………………………………… 

Events – The Hornby Mortimer event near Reading has running facilities in 0 and Dublo, every second Wednesday of each month (some dates do change so keep an eye of the magazine for changes) starting at 5.00 pm. The Bassett Lowke meetings at the Cowper Arms Digswell AL6 0EA include the Bassett Lowke 3-rail raised centre 3rd layout. I will publish dates as I am made aware of them. Please support your local events and bring something to run.

When you have placed an order please make sure your basket shows the item/s, and you WILL receive confirmation of the order. If this does not happen, please check your spam box/s to make sure the email/s has not ended up there. Please get in touch with me if you do not receive a total, including the posting/shipping cost. Please do not pay the order until I have added the postage/shipping cost, which will depend on the packed weight of the item/s and the destination. You can always ring me if you have any doubts about your order or other matters on 07979 910760. I accept payment on the site by card or bank transfer. PLEASE PLEASE do not pay by paypal in the UK they charge 5% to transfer the money to my bank account.

If you prefer to do it over the phone directly with me or send a cheque or cash, that is fine too.

I realise that we all have a budget to work to, so you can secure any item with a deposit on an agreed time frame, so give me a call to discuss this option if it is of interest. Don’t forget to let me know if you are looking for anything in particular I will always keep a look out and let you know if they are in stock. Additional pictures are available for all items on the site. If you are unsure about an item/s, you can also contact me to discuss the item/s on the phone, and I can also describe it to you.

Many of my recent items have quickly found new homes, so if you are looking for something particular, you can always ask, and I will let you know if/when they are in stock. 

I am always looking for nice items to add to my updates, so if you have something to sell, a single item or a whole collection let me know I might be able to offer you the price you are looking for, we can also offer to sell your items on a commission basis (subject to agreement on the selling price) so give me a ring or email with details.

I do valuations for probate and insurance at competitive rates of £200 per day plus travelling expenses, I will also sell your items on commission at 10% subject to a minimum value. Any collections purchased (subject to the right quality) where a valuation has been paid will be fully refunded. Payment will be transferred direct to your bank account on collection so if you are thinking of selling a collection, require help in disposing of one then give me a call on 07979 910760 or email me at [email protected]