25th November 2009

Following our announcement on 23^rd November I can now provide more details on the ongoing relationship with HB Publications.

In an email received on 24^th November, HB Publications (HBP) has announced that, with effect from 1^st January 2010, it intends to terminate the relationship with ICRS. ICRS will continue to receive royalties up until that date for any ICRS Publications sold by HBP.

HBP have also announced that they intend to withdraw the 20% discount for ICRS Members with effect from 1^st January 2010. HBP will be announcing plans for their new discount strategy on their website in due course. It’s worth noting that joint ICRS/GB Bus Group Members will still be able to get discount on HBP titles, obviously this may alter depending on what the new HBP discount strategy is. Whilst this will be disappointing for ICRS Members, the 20% Member discount will still be available on the titles being published directly by ICRS;

UK Wagon Combined

UK Combined Volume

UK Pocket Book

In due course we hope to be able to also offer the following titles, which remain owned by ICRS;

Locomotive Datafile

EMU Datafile

DMU Datafile

Irish Datafile

Name Directory

Ultimate Sighting File Series

All other ICRS branded titles will continue to be available from HB Publications until 1^st January 2010, at which point they will be re-branded with the PTI name. This affects the European, UK Preserved and Tram & Light Rail series of publications.

From 1^st January 2010, in order to make it as easy as possible for Members to work out where they need to get their books we will ensure our website is updated to include links to the HBP website where appropriate. Full details will also be made available on our own titles and their planned availability. Members will receive regular updates on our plans for Publications through the ICRS Website (www.icrs.org.uk), Forum and monthly magazine ‘Tracks’ but if you have any specific questions please email chairman@icrs.org.uk or write to me at the address below.

Our aim is to make ICRS a better experience for all Members. We would like to thank you all for your past support and hope that you will continue to support us through these necessary but positive changes.

Kind Regards,

Please address all correspondence to

ICRS Chairman, 14 Partridge Gardens, Waterlooville, Hampshire   PO8 9XG

Email: chairman@icrs.org.uk

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23rd November 2009

It has been unanimously agreed by ICRS Officials on 22^nd November 2009 that, with immediate effect, ICRS will bring Publications activities back in-house to be wholly managed within the Society.

This means that Researching, Compiling and Production of all ICRS Publications will be carried out and managed within ICRS. All Printing will be carried out by outside companies on a commercial fee paying basis, rather than the current arrangement whereby ICRS receive a small sum in royalties for each book sold.

The main benefit in these changes will be the increased financial return to the Society for what have become popular titles within the general railway enthusiast community. This, in turn, will enable the Society to re-invest the additional money in projects to enhance Member benefits and improve the overall value of ICRS to its Members and Customers.

For 2010 this will mean concentrating initially on our core, Best Selling, titles;

UK Combined Volume
UK Wagon Combined Volume
UK Pocket Book

Release dates for these books will be made available in the ICRS Members magazine ‘Tracks’, on our Website www.icrs.org.uk and on the ICRS Yahoo Forum. Additional titles will be made available as and when possible and full details will be given in the above places at the appropriate time.

The Member discount of 20% will continue to be offered on all ICRS Publications.

Exact details of the ongoing relationship with HB Publications are yet to be finalised but ICRS anticipates fully supporting HB Publications in those Publications that ICRS no longer plans to produce, ie the many European titles.

Members will receive regular updates on our plans for Publications through the Website, Forum and Monthly Magazine ‘Tracks’ but if you have any specific questions please email chairman@icrs.org.uk or write to me at the address below.

Our aim is to make ICRS a better experience for all Members. We would like to thank you all for your past support and hope that you will continue to support us through these necessary but positive changes.

Kind Regards,

Carl Watson
ICRS Chairman

Please address all correspondence to

ICRS Chairman, 14 Partridge Gardens, Waterlooville, Hampshire   PO8 9XG

Email: chairman@icrs.org.uk

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