Branchlines Site

[John Fitton]

I feel like a bit of a newbie asking this, but how does one access the Branchlines website? I get access to a blog but no data on wheels etc.

[Alan Turner]

The Branchline web site/Blog has not been untouched since the firm was taken over. As far as I can see it is dead and quite frankly totally useless.

Why anyone in business these days does this sort of thing is totally beyond me but there we are. It's almost like they have a death wish for their business.

Alan

[Rod Cameron]

That's all the Branchlines site is - but if you scroll about half way down there is an entry that invites you to email Brian and he will send you a pdf of products or information depending on your interests.

[rjh]

Hello,

Yes, it's an odd way to prmot your products, isn't it?
I did a Find on the home page on: wheels
and eventually located:
--------------------------------------------
Friday, February 01, 2008
Catalogue PDF Files

All our Catalogues and some other useful Information Sheets are available as PDF files which we can e-mail to you. The Catalogues cover the following interest areas:

Motor, Gears and Motor Bogies (May/08) this includes all associated items such as brass bushes, shims, cardan shafts, nickel silver coach/diesel wheels,flywheels and useful data tables for all the motors and gearboxes we sell.

(snipped, there are other areas listed)
================================

You could try emailing them and ask for some/all of the PDF files.

Why don't they just link to the PDFs?

Regards, Rodney Hills

[John Fitton]

Hmmm. Thanks everyone. From some of the posts here they seem to have a good product, especially for diesel applications. Is there a reliable source for them, other than direct?

John

[grovenor-2685]

I think you can order them direct from Steam Era in Australia, and possibly from Hollywood Foundry.
Steam era don't list the P4 ones on their wheelsets page although they are mentioned on the Black Beetle page and I understand that they are the makers, Branchlines being importers, Hollywood list them as part of their drive units.
Regards
Keith
(When Brian took over Branchlines we did offer him use of our small traders hosting servise on the S4 website but he didn't bother to follow up.)

[Brinkly]

(When Brian took over Branchlines we did offer him use of our small traders hosting servise on the S4 website but he didn't bother to follow up.)

What a shame Keith, such a loss of potential custom. In this day and age a decent website really is the key to successful sales.

Regards,

Nick

[craig_whilding]

DC Kits also now sells the Black Bettle range of wheels in P4.

[Andy W]

Their Midland coaches range is pretty good. The owner obviously isn't web friendly, but a visit to his stand at Leatherhead is worth the wait - he's a nice chap.

[LesGros]

I have dealt with him successfully, by means of email and telephone, and also found him to be friendly and helpful.
However, I do agree that an up-to-date website is an asset both for vendor and potential customer.
What a pity that he did not take up the scalefour soc offer of hosting, if only to give easier access to his products and price list.
regards

[David Thorpe]

I suppose it's possible that he currently gets all the business he wants without the necessity of a website. If you're a sole trader, you don't necessarily want to get bigger (said from personal experience!)

DT

[Mark Tatlow]

I have dealt with him successfully, by means of email and telephone, and also found him to be friendly and helpful.

Likewise.

The wheels are excellent too. The wheels of my preference in all honesty but they only do solid disks. You can get inserts from Dart Castings (http://www.dartcastings.co.uk/mjt/2202.php) to convert them to Mansells and it is possible to drill them to do three hole disks.