jchinuk

When I hear "permanent exhibitions" one name comes to mind, Bernard Otto. This link is to a previous thread on these forums. I remember one of his layouts at Colchester Zoo many years ago. jch

News here. jch

Perhaps Tesla could be persuaded to build suitable wagons containing batteries and drive motors. Hitch one to the steam trains to power the whole thing along? jch

Quite correct, but despite numerous attempts, the NHS' computerised medical records are local (well primary care trust) based and many and varied formats. The NHS number is generated when you first have contact with the NHS, obviously that's at birth for most of us! jch

Quite correct, the NHS only has a list of people registered with GPs, plus those who have had contact with a hospital, for example in A&E. I used to work in breast screening before I retired, the GP lists are used as the basis for calling ladies in the right age group for their screening appointments. kch

Firstly on the "image" problem, many years ago (probably the 80s) I took my Dad to a Model Railway Exhibition at the Wembley Conference Centre. I had an interest in modelling, more plastic kits at the time, but Dad was a keen railway modeller. At the same time there was a country music festival at the Empire Pool (I think it's called the Wembley Arena nowadays), so there were country music fans dressed as cowboys, complete with (I assume) replica six-shooters and covered in rhinestones, walking by and taking the piss out of those playing with "toy trains". The irony was not lost on me. On the second point about less hygienic characters at shows, I still make scale models and these folk are a regular subject of discussion on the modelling forums. They do not just frequent model railway shows. I cannot explain their behaviour, though one hopes they are at least washing their hands at the moment. As to seeing these unfortunates "in the street", I have encountered several, both male and female, over the years at work, so I think you can assume they are about in the community. jch

The BBC reported this in 2006 when the 70s patent turned-up in the EU Patent office. The patent lapsed when the renewal fees were not paid, a pity they could have flogged the design to Musk to pay for HS2. jch

My cynical side thinks the original writer arrives from Surrey, bikes hanging off the back of his Range Rover, wanting an idyllic ride through virgin land. jch

A variation on those who move to the country and complain about "farm yard" smells, muck spreading and mud left on the roads. jch

To be fair, 99% or more of those reading it will know exactly what "nose dive" means, though I admit a "tail dive" would be a good aerobatic manoeuvre. Pitch down would mean nothing to the general public. jch

In my (humble) Fiesta, the music is on the phone and the car links to the phone to call for assistance in the event of an accident. That said, I agree on taking calls. Thinking of pedals, try driving a Ford Model T, as you can see the three pedals are totally different and foot brake acts on the transmission, not the brakes on the wheel hubs. jch

We share the same views on "Honest John", but you put it more eloquently than I would. He seems to have been supplanted from the "Honest John" website. The whole set-up seemed odd, he was obviously living in Thailand, he frequently mentioned the "lube shops" ( I hope that wasn't some sort sexy local slang ) there as an alternative to using a main dealers, yet he also pontificated on the UK driving experience and his time "in the trade". jch

It is true that far too many drivers (of ICE cars) treat the accelerator / brake as 'on / off' switches. While I tend not to engine brake, if I see the lights ahead are red I just ease off the accelerator and allow the car to slow down, finally braking. Unlike some who rush up to the car in front and (hopefully) brake at the last minute. jch

While I tend to agree, if you read "Honest John" the motoring correspondent who occasionally pops up on the BBC News, he is quite evangelical on the subject. He often cites examples of deaths caused by "one footed" driving of automatics and claims he has "proved" during tests away from public roads that "two footed" driving of automatics is demonstrably safer. I offer no endorsement of his views, but it's not as unusual as you might think. jch

Regarding the discussion on brakes / engine to slow down, the problem is that all too many drivers use the brakes to slow down prior to a sharp corner, but then fail to select the correct gear for the turn, so the car is frantically trying to pull away once around the corner. You often notice this when they pull out and fail to accelerate. With reference to EVs, the Nissan Leaf has an "e-pedal" mode, which is essentially "one pedal driving" the car comes to a stop if you lift off the pedal. Given the number of accidents where drivers lose control of automatics by pressing on the accelerator, thinking it's the brake, I fear such accidents and tragedies will become all to common once EVs are the rule, more so in the case of "one pedal", I've driven over 40 years with three pedals. If I get an EV (or an automatic) do I adapt to using both feet, "right go, left stop" or try to drive one-footed? I can only find figures from the US, but such driver errors are causing concern there, albeit automatics are far more common. I have to say that there seem to be equally vociferous arguments from both sides on this issue. jch