567 Victorian 4-4-0 New Build

Inspired by this, I just went to the website to join.
But no, I have to print a form and fill it in, find an envelope and stamp, write out a cheque, and then go out in the wind and rain to post it. Maybe another time........
Come on chaps/chappesses, it may be a 19th century locomotive, but we are in the 21st century. It should be as easy to join as writing this message was, without moving from my computer.

Andy

 

absolutely, who has a cheque book nowadays?

 

This actually puts me off joining things

 

I have two: one for me, one for my company.

Seriously - in fact, I have to write two cheques to pay for a 'toy' I purchased recently and as has been seen on numerous occasions, the cheque can be less susceptible to fraud than a spoofed email asking for a bank transfer. One society I am a member of lost £20,000 that way.

 

The comments made re payments via the website seemed sensible so I have e mailed that suggestion to the 567 secretary. However, I'm not sure if the cost of implementing the changes to the website would outweigh the potential benefits? If I get some feedback I will report back on here.
They have now ordered the other three hornblock castings for the mainframes and are progressing with the bogie frames.

 

Payment with Paypal would avoid them having to deal directly with credit card payments.

 

Care to elaborate.? A credit / debit card plugin like Stripe offers cheaper commission than PayPal, and there is no more hassle in receiving payment than through PayPal.

 

OK, I'm not going to argue!

 

There is a delicious irony in the discussion of 21st century "Fintech" in a Victorian Steam locomotive thread!
Could this be the realisation of a steam-punk fantasy??

 

Oh Lord, please... not bl**dy Steampunk!

 

I have had a reply from the 567 secretary and it has been deemed too expensive to modify the website to accept direct payments....however it is suggested that "... you could make a BACS transfer using the account details on the sponsor form" and e mail the society to that effect. So no cheques or walks in the rain needed.

 

I'd just like to show some appreciation of the communciation from the 567 Group. A few weeks ago I sponsored one of the parts on the new list, within two working days of posting my cheque I had an email thanking me for my support. I then had another email last night updating me about manufacture of the component and its anticipated delivery date. I think it is really good of them to show appreciation and thank their supporters in this way.

 

The March newsletter is now on the website for general public consumption, I also see that there's an update on the sponsorship list with quite an encouraging uptake on sponsoring items. I might send in another cheque next payday and sponsor a few bolts.

 

J Rob't I agree with you that the 567 team are good with their communications and there does seem to be a steady increase in the momentum of this project.....and I will also sponsor a bolt or two!

 

Things are going further it seems, Richard Trevithick had to collect donations with homing pigeons

 

The latest update on the website (April 23rd) has a "Spot the blowdown valve" question! On a more serious note, this does highlight how modern regulations have to influence "historic" recreations.

 

As J Rob't Harrison has reported, I am pleased that I too received a prompt e mail of thanks.....but "my" bogie frame stretcher will be machined in May!

 

Sounds like they're putting in a batch order then, as I had the same notification.

 

Finally decided to become a regular "Supporter" of this project and received my "Welcome Pack" yesterday. Wasn't expecting a 10mm thick wad of all of their Newsletters and Accounts from 2011 to date though!
Interesting to read through them all and see that the pace of the project seems to be increasing of late. Looks like their are only 13 Supporters seats on the first train left (out of 200) now.....

 

I have now received a very nice framed numbered print of 567 at East Leake Station, Certificate and "Thank you" letter for "my" Bogie frame stretcher. It is good that they are doing exactly what they say on these small aspects of the project, it does make you feel that the major aspects are going to be delivered in a similar fashion.