FURTHER UPDATE – 7th February
After a few unforeseen technical glitches (not, it has to be said, all of our own making, nor that of our developers!), as well as extensive testing and an awful lot of database typing (a grand job by Andrew Cholerton) we are delighted to be able to say…
We can now cater for all our Members’ (and everyone else’s) shopping needs. Well, not in a get-your-baked-beans-here sort of way – but at least for all your Midland Railway book requirements. Please have a browse and we would be delighted if you were to make a purchase… not just because all sales are welcome, but mainly to ensure there are no hidden bugs that only heavy “real” usage will reveal.
Now that you can shop from your desk (or the comfort of your armchair if you prefer), please don’t let that stop you from turning out and attending Midland Railway Society meetings and model railway shows where we are in attendance, where you can enjoy browsing the bookstall in the traditional manner. Andrew will make you most welcome.
UPDATE – 20th January
We are almost there. The payment system is up-and-running and has been successfully tested. We have a few more titles to add to the stock lists and then we will be ready to go. A decision to “flip the switch” is imminent, so please come back soon and click on The Shop.
You might wonder what The Shop is, or more pertinently, what it will be? And why is it still “Coming Soon”?
All pretty simple; the Midland Railway Society publishes its own books and we have a large back-catalogue to share. We also generate revenue to support our objectives by selling relevant titles from commercial publishers. All this is managed by our stalwart volunteer, Andrew, who travels all around the country with his Well Stocked Bookstall™️ attending model railway shows on our behalf, as well as our own meetings for our members to buy.
The Shop, therefore, will allow you, the website visitor, to add to your library (everyone needs more railway books, despite what their local Management may be telling them!), all from the comfort of your own home.
So why isn’t it here yet? Our web developers (jiliallen.com of Cumbria – a ‘shout out’ to them as they’ve done a tremendous job for us) have put in place the framework we need to make it all happen. The delay is all of our making and amounts to administrative glitches over how we are implementing the online payment method. Only we can do it, and when it comes to this e-commerce malarkey, we are undeniably amateurs. To coin a phrase, We’re Getting There — though like wading through treacle, not as fast as we’d like.
Thank you for your forbearance.
