[hairyhandedfool]

If you know what you want I find it better to shop online and compare prices, but if you need advice or are unsure the local one is better. However I would never leave an order of that amount anywhere (unless your into big scale models or kits).

I usually go to Hattons as they have my choice of loco's cheaper than else where but holt models do decent discounts too, rails are good and have second hand stock but when I left them an order for a to-be-released model it never came, although I wasn't charged for it. some people have had problems with hattons, namely some items not being included in the package but I have never had this happen to me.

Hattons and Rails are the most well known online shops but by no means the only ones. Pick up a couple of model mags and have a look at what is there.