Huw Griffiths

Well, I guess it's either that or a "special" version of 47799, playing "Letter From America" by "The Proclaimers". (OK - perhaps not ... .)

I hope the show goes well - and that everyone involved enjoys it (well everyone who goes - which doesn't look like including me). I can't get there - I don't have access to a car - and, as for any access to the venue using buses - well, it only looks easy if you've got access to a car. Edit: Last year, I was able to get a lift - which is why I was able to be there. Unfortunately, not an option this year - the lack of usable public transport links between Bristol Parkway and Thornbury Leisure Centre makes it impossible for me to get to the venue. Future years will need to be "on decision" until much nearer - and are likely to depend on bus links / lack of them. It says something about transport links when people like me can get to and from events a long way from home - London (Ally Pally) - the Birmingham area ("Warley show" at the NEC) - even Manchester (a model tram event a few years ago) - but not the northern outskirts of Bristol, about half an hour's drive away. This time, there's another issue for me - my home phone and broadband basically haven't existed for a while. I haven't had a phone line at all - whilst my internet has been down for most of this time (and at dial-up speeds when it has put in a guest appearance). My issue isn't with my phone / BB reseller - but OpenRetch have really jerked me about, making and breaking no end of appointments to actually fix an underground line fault ,which they acknowledged 3 weeks ago today. It doesn't help that I live on the edge of a town - although the nearest car parking to my house is a few corners away (which would rule out an electric car if I wanted or could afford one), the housing estate I live on actually has postcodes from a nearby village! For much of the UK, OR have competition, in the form of Virgin Media. Unfortunately, Virgin don't seem interested in areas like mine - so resellers tied to OR are "the only game in town". Somehow, I can't imagine OR being too worried about their local monopoly ... . The only upside for me is that I'll have no option but to watch the snooker - perhaps also do thorough quality control testing on some "nourishing beverages". I know - it's hard work - but it needs to be done.

Yes. Right.

Just out of curiosity, do you know the current position for DEMU and MERG (I'm a member of both) - and have the societies been contacted? If you're not in a position to answer in-forum, I've got no problem - I'd just like to check that the position has been established.

Stuff like this happens with lots of websites - I'm not exactly screaming about it. As Bill Shankly is reputed not to have said: "It's not a matter of life and death - it's nowhere near as important as that." For most of us using this site, short outages are a minor irritant - nothing more - we can always log in later, or tomorrow. I've certainly got other stuff stressing me out far more than the status of a hobby website - even a good one, like this one.

Ah, yes! The subtle approach ... .

I suspect there might be another issue - or excuse - not sure which. They don't want crumbs and spilt liquid everywhere - so as not to attract vermin. There's probably an assumption (likely to be reasonable) that exhibitors might not want their stands, layouts etc getting messed up - so exhibitors aren't likely to be a problem. As for me, all my food was in sealed plastic tubs (just as well, as a can of Lucozade burst during my journey to Newport (to catch my NatEx coach to London). Due to an unwanted game of "where's my booked taxi?" and having to book for a later coach, I had spare time. I also had spare bags inside the one I was carrying (all 3 of my bags were Aldi / Lidl chill bags - chosen because they're a similar size to NatEx's "carry on" limit), some hand sanitizing gel and a pocket pack of tissues. As a result, I was able to repack everything and pour any "stray" liquid down a drain. The rest of my journey was uneventful, apart from being forced to play "spot the Ally Pally shuttle bus". As you might have guessed by now, I was never a "scout" or anything like that. I just make sure I "always have a plan B, C, D, ... Z" - and then add some fallback options - you know - just in case ... .

Please, no! I would have gone hungry on the way home - not exactly what I would have wanted, having been on the go since 3 AM!

In Cwmbran, any talk of M&S would be closer to 4 years ago. Yes - they opened up the upstairs floor of their Cwmbran branch - then, a few years later, decided that the shop wasn't making enough profit. Well - they could always have tried selling stuff people wanted to buy at sensible prices - but I guess that might not have been quite as much fun ... . Changing the subject, last night's "E101" Zoom call was every bit as interesting and enjoyable as I've come to expect. Saying that, I'm not convinced that I actually add anything useful to proceedings ... .

Let's guess - perhaps a large model railway exhibition in a city like ... London? Good point - but they might also have been criticized for selling direct to customers and cutting shops out of the process. Saying that, if they'd had a stand at Ally Pally - with some sell-off GWR railcars, or (from one of their European mainland brands) some Akkuschleppers or Duewag artic trams - I might have been interested. Saying that - with deficiencies in public transport preventing me from getting there until an hour into "Sunday" - I wonder how many of them would have been left for me.

Interesting points. Instead of saying "sensors", I guess I could have said "transponders". Well I could - but I would not, for a related reason. I often "speed read" - when passages of text have said "transponders", I've occasionally misread this as "train spotters" - complete with mental images, which might or might not be relevant. I don't want to go into detail here - but, the other month, some innocent comments I posted in an unrelated thread were misread by a few people. Fireworks followed - and the fallout led to me questioning my future in this hobby. Nobody wanted this to happen - and linking to the thread in question would help nobody. Why am I mentioning this? Well, some people might have noticed that I edit a lot of my forum posts - I often revisit them to see if I could have reworded them more clearly. I know this might sound strange to some people - but I'm usually terrified of saying anything wrong or out of place ... . Anyway, let's return to this thread. Last night, Andrew, James (who won the first layout) and myself were involved in a MERG Zoom call on a different topic - and plans for the layouts featured in conversation. I don't pretend to fully understand a lot of the stuff - but, like a lot of engineering projects, it revolves around combining lots of elements that are already known to work separately. This "getting elements to work together" malarkey is often a particularly challenging aspect of engineering - and this project doesn't look like being an exception. Also, if you present the same project to a number of engineers, you might well get a number of different potential solutions. This sometimes causes issues with "legacy" projects, when engineers who weren't originally involved need to work on them - first of all, they might also need to work out what the original designer was thinking ... . Anyway, I personally wouldn't know where to start with a project like this - but last night I heard talk of different variants of RFID. All I know is that the project is unlikely to be straightforward ... .

Next they'll be saying they don't want "hash browns" ... . (Only joking - honest.) I can only assume that a lot of people forget what's in their bags (presumably there for consumption on the journeys there and back, when it might not be possible to visit the shops - which are likely to be shut before and after the show, especially on Sundays). Definitely a case of "too much information" ... .

Definitely the right call. Knowing Andrew, I've got a good idea what to expect. For people who don't know, Andrew is Vice Chair of MERG - runs a group introducing schoolchildren to model railways and electronics - and does a lot of experimenting with electronics based layout animations and other model railway enhancements. (Some of his experiments could be seen on the MERG stand at the show.) He also runs MERG's "E101" special interest group - which is mainly about creating interesting, easy to understand, journal and video content about electronics in a model railway context. I know he's set himself an ambitious target with this project - but I'm confident that, over time, he'll solve all or most of the challenges involved. Some of this stuff can be solved using electronics modules (MERG or otherwise) or adapting / programming various microcontrollers to do identifiable tasks (please don't ask me to explain this stuff). Strategically positioned sensors etc would also help here. Other stuff will involve working out new solutions to challenges - this takes longer - exactly how long varies, so please don't ask anyone to guess. I look forward to seeing what happens with this - and I don't think I'll be disappointed.

In the end, I decided to go to Ally Pally. As usual, there were a lot of things I liked - and a few I didn't (some not part of the show - but part of the visiting experience). Let's get the latter out of the way first: The journey there was a nightmare. I won't go into all the boring details (even if this does let 2 of my local taxi firms off the hook). When I finally reached Wood Green tube station, I really didn't need to be subjected to a game of "where's the Ally Pally bus?" When the bus eventually put in a guest appearance, it was soon very full - and even fuller when it crawled its way up Muswell Hill. It definitely seemed like a case of "missing inaction". Somehow, I suspect that Warners will have received an enormous bill for pretending to provide shuttle buses. If my experience (and others') is anything to go by, it wouldn't be unreasonable for them to challenge this bill, on grounds of "failure to perform". Other people have commented about the bag searches (which came after an enforced detour at the top of the steps). Apparently, alcohol was one item which would have been strenglich verboten - shame that, as a few "nourishing beverages" could have been more than welcome after my journey there. I don't want any show organisers to view this as an attack on them - it definitely is not. I enjoyed the show itself - but my journey there put my attendance at future shows "on decision". Well, that's what I didn't like about the day out of the way - let's think about what I liked: People who really know me also know that, for the last 6 months, life has been very tough for me - and particularly some of my relatives. It wouldn't be right for me to go into detail here - but the show and meeting people there provided me with desperately need respite, I'm generally a very "quiet" person - however, many thanks to the people who made the effort of chatting with me yesterday - you really don't know how much it was appreciated. The BRM tombola provided another, unexpected, bonus in the shape of a book which I know I'm going to enjoy reading. Many thanks. I enjoy seeing how people have solved various technical challenges - there was plenty to see there. I'm sure there will be plenty more in due course - but I don't want to "steal anyone's thunder". Overall, I enjoyed the show. Many thanks to everyone who made it happen.

"Details, details, details ... ."

... and expensive - especially since they insist on people renting it (as opposed to getting a copy they can keep).

Sorry about the hassle - like you, I didn't want anyone sending entries to the wrong email address. As for issues with video editing packages, I've heard of enough people having "fun" (and losing lots of time) doing videos for MERG SIGs (Special Interest Groups). Actually, one of their SIGs I'm involved with has a brief which includes producing videos ... . A few well placed posts, spelling out the correct email address, would probably do the job. Anyway, returning to the layout, it'll be a great start for the right person / people - I look forward to reading what they do with it.

Have you checked the email address in the video? (I know - "details - details - details".) Going back to the real topic of this thread - I'm not planning on entering. Nothing personal - and nothing wrong with this microlayout - it actually looks rather good. However, you've already hinted at some issues which mean that there'd be no point in me entering: In time, I'd like to build my own portable switching layout - I don't want to rip up perfectly good trackwork to make way for my own, rather different, concept. Right now, I don't even have space to build my own layout (never mind taking over one that's already been built). It's a shame - but I need to be realistic - that's just the way it is. However, this doesn't stop me thinking about what I might have been tempted to do with a layout like this one - to get people thinking of their own ideas - and I'm not really thinking about scenery. The built-in overhead lighting probably rules out "hand from the sky" uncoupling - so I reckon that some form of remote uncoupling might be a good idea. Might we be looking at Kadee couplers, with a number of magnets (or even electromagnets) concealed at strategic positions, in or under the track? Apart from this, it might be fun to add lights to the backdrop buildings (or rather inside them) - perhaps also yard lighting (which might be freestanding or possibly even fixed to the buildings) - extra points if some of these lights could be "homebrew". Would we also want lights built into some of the road vehicles? If we do, would these involve very small, prewired LEDs (like you might find in some decorative lighting sets, sold in certain discount shops and occasionally supermarkets) - or would we be looking at "fibre optics" (or clear, "shock leader" fishing line, 1 - 2 mm in diameter) fed by LEDS under the baseboard? As a member of MERG, I'm also aware that this layout offers loads of scope for layout animations and electronics. In fact, there's plenty of scope for lots of stuff. I don't know everything that could be added to this layout - I don't need to know - and I'm not trying, against all odds, to con(vince) anyone into believing that I've got the best ideas. Actually, there wouldn't be much point, when I know I haven't. Even if I were after the layout, I'd have no way of collecting it - no car - not expecting much in the way of trains on the Saturday - and, on the Sunday, trains from round here wouldn't allow me to get there early enough to make it worth my while. But seriously, I'm sure that somebody will be in a position to make use of this layout. For the right person, it's an excellent start - potentially the genesis of a great project - and, in time, it'll be interesting to look through my eyes and see what somebody makes of it ... .

Hmmm ... !

Thanks. When I say my comment about my age in full, I usually say that: "I'm 57. I don't look a day over 80. (I don't feel a day over 90.)" One problem with saying how long a company's been around - doing whatever it does - is that it often won't have been the same company all those years ago - or they won't have been doing the same stuff. Do we think in terms of Frank Hornby coming up with the idea for Meccano - a company being set up to produce that - the first Hornby Dublo appearing - any of the takeovers (however they're officially described) - the setting up of any of the companies that took over all or parts of the former business ... ? Chances are that a legitimate case could be made for any of these - and probably more that I haven't thought of. As for the programmes themselves, they probably give some idea of the sort of processes, decisions etc involved in getting some of their products into production (even though the actual production might tend to happen elsewhere). However, they won't show every detail (does anyone seriously expect them to?) and some of the stuff shown in the programmes might really be more "for illustration" than anything else. Am I complaining? No - and I'm not worried, either. I reckon that the programmes show the company - people working there - and the hobby - in a generally positive light. I'd guess that this is what they would have been looking for when they "signed up" - so it's probably achieving its objectives. As for the models showcased in the programmes, I'm not in the market. I'm not looking for a "circle of track + ultra basic loco + wagons" style toy train set. I'm also not looking for any of their "full fat" models - even less their special editions - I just can't afford them (and I don't think I'm alone here). If I buy any of their projects, I'm more likely to be after railcars, DMUs etc that I can modify - at a price that allows me to do this. In other words, I'm probably looking for something like Railroad models at the sort of prices I'd expect to pay for Railroad. Somehow, I'm not expecting to see too much emphasis on Railroad in these programmes - so I'm probably not particularly interested in the specific models being showcased in these programmes.

Hmmm ... 70 years in 2008 (85 years now) ... a century now (or was it last year, or ...). Anyone could be forgiven for thinking they might be referring to different anniversaries. Of course, I'm slightly too young to remember what they're commemorating. I'm 57 (I know - I don't look a day over ...).

Alternatively, I'm sure that a more "subtle" approach might also work. A burly guy - wearing steel toecapped boots - and carrying a claw hammer - is reputed to be effective. Certainly leaves an impression ... . Seriously though, some of us are short-sighted - and wish to be as close as possible - but would never touch etc. Other people seem to prefer the "touchy feely" approach - possibly even complete with "five fingered discounts" - and anything short of barbed wire (or "the nice Mr. Friendly") probably wouldn't deter them. I sometimes wonder if it's ever possible to win ... .

I seem to recall it being CD drive motors - but I might be mistaken. Saying that, I'd be surprised if someone hasn't found a use for HDD motors ... .

I haven't seen all the programmes (in this series) that have been shown so far - I'm not worried, as I'm sure I'll get plenty of "chances to watch them again". As for what actually gets shown, it gives a reasonable (and fair) picture of the sort of stuff that goes on during development of new models - stuff like that. Essentially, it's a mixture of PR and entertainment - with a liberal sprinkling of the general "flavour" of the sort of actions and decisions that need to happen. There'll be "spin" - fair enough. Some "meetings" etc are also likely to be set up "for the cameras". Meanwhile, they need to be careful not to divulge anything which might be commercially sensitive (or which they might have other sensible reasons for not showing). In other words, programmes like these have their limits - but I've got no complaints here ... . (As for whether I'd opt to buy Hornby RTR models, I decide at the time - and make decisions on their merits. I'm on a limited budget - so I'm more likely to buy Railroad models than "full fat" versions. This is especially true if I'm buying models to modify, or do "cut & shuts".)

Meanwhile, I've got a strategic bottle of "special reserve" Port, in the fridge - for those "I really need to chill" moments. It's actually been there a while (I've never been a heavy drinker) - whatever purists might say, I like what chilling the stuff does to the taste. As for models being developed, I'm sure they receive a lot more management oversight than shown in the programmes. This has already been hinted at - with various senior designers, engineers etc and also SK being shown taking an interest in various projects at different stages prior to "sign-off". However, this might not always make for the most exciting TV - so, instead, we get a show of: Boss gives designer a brief. Some generic footage, hinting at the sort of tasks involved in designing / testing new model. Designer summoned to boss's office, for inspection of test model / production decision. Of course, we mustn't forget shots of designer looking worried. We also mustn't forget that bit at the end - with 4 faces shown on the TV screen and the narrator wrapping up "story time" proceedings by running through their names and suggesting that "all ends happily ever after" these guys are ready for their next adventures. Cynical? Me? I wouldn't dream of it ... . Cue a big foot - and Sousa's "Liberty Bell". In some ways, this reminds me of GMRC (I wish they'd revive that - preferably somewhere other than Channel 5 - as they don't always seem to allow programmes enough time to get established). My late parents seemed to enjoy GMRC - even my mother, who never really seemed to fully appreciate the appeal of model trains. I wish they could do a spin-off series - with people encouraged to modify "train set" / Railroad locos, stock and railcars / multiple units - or even repurpose damaged / faulty RTR. (Loco traverser built from bits of damaged Mk1 coach, anyone?) OK - I probably won't see anything like that any time soon - but no harm in dreaming. I suspect that a lot of people use steel rules to open boxes - seems to make it easier to avoid tearing them! However, when I received Xmas presents from my brother's family, I took this sort of thing to a new dimension. My sister in law turns gift wrapping into an artform - and I don't like tearing stuff apart - so I'd often end up neatly cutting the tape used with a scalpel, then carefully peeling everything apart. I got loads of "stick" about that from my brother. They've hinted at stuff like this a number of times, in both series - and we're not just talking about tolerances, either. How about some of those diecasts of biplanes - in which struts between wings needed to be thickened, so the models don't break the first time anyone picks them up? I haven't seen much of this series so far (other things to do) - but I'm sure I'll see any number of repeats in due course. I could probably say the same about other series more to my personal liking - in the vein of "Architecture the Railways Built", "Secrets of the London Underground", "Secrets of the Transport Museum", "Abandoned Engineering", "Bangers and Cash" and Michael Portillo's "Train Journeys". Would I like to see these programmes? Yes please. Would I like to see more of these programmes? Definitely. Am I in a desperate rush to see these programmes the moment they're first shown? Not particularly - they'll get repeated. Ultimately, I'm not panicking about any of this stuff. I've got other things to keep me awake at night. I'm sure most of us have.