Model Railway Journal 293

[Dunsignalling]

2 hours ago, Bluemonkey presents.... said:

 

True but living between Bath and Swindon, in a town rather than out lying villages you would expect a little more.

From what I've seen of it, the effects of the strikes have been very patchy and don't seem to correlate to the size of the communities involved. 

 

Fairly remote rural areas often seem almost unaffected, possibly because lower volumes mean backlogs don't build up. 

 

John

[Hroth]

The problem of postal backlogs is expounded upon (in detail) by Junior Postman Groat in Going Postal by Terry Pratchett....

 

[Not Jeremy]

Without being political, I know the postmen round here pretty well and speak with them a lot, a helpful, bright and well motivated group of people.

 

Apparently, local management always hire extra warehouse space at around this time of year to cope with the extra Christmas mail, except that they haven't this year, which has exacerbated the effects of the strike and would cause problems even without any strikes. I think I am right in saying that they are also not taking on any extra staff, which they normally do at this time of year.

 

Just disgusting, and why on earth the BBC isn't reporting this and asking questions I don't know.

 

No doubt, at the end of all this woe the workforce will get royally screwed just the same.

 

I hope I am proved wrong.

 

Apologies for drifting away from MRJ, although an animated conversation I remember having with Iain concerned the deregulaion of fire regulations that arguably led to the Grenfell Tower horror.

 

"Great Britain" indeed.....

[2mmMark]

1 hour ago, Not Jeremy said:

Without being political, I know the postmen round here pretty well and speak with them a lot, a helpful, bright and well motivated group of people.

 

 

Our postie is a diamond and it's others of his ilk that often make up for the shortcomings of the company and service provided.  As my own experience showed in a long career with a Big Airline, the key to success for a service industry is a well motivated workforce.  This depends much on retaining goodwill between management and staff.  Sadly, goodwill is easily spent and fresh supplies are expensive.

[St Enodoc]

6 hours ago, 2mmMark said:

Sadly, goodwill is easily spent and fresh supplies are expensive.

And, like the post, they take a long time to arrive...

[Respite]

Quote

I think I am right in saying that they are also not taking on any extra staff, which they normally do at this time of year.

You are incorrect about this, they are taking on seasonal staff.  I know someone who is so employed for the second year running.

[NHY 581]

To perhaps illustrate the current state of the postal system, here's my example. 

 

28th November, parcel deposited at local post office in Cardiff, five minutes walk from Chateau Sheep. Sent 48hr tracked delivery to the South East. 

 

Since then, not a dicky bird, until..............

 

10.41 today, first update to the tracking information shows that it was recorded today at the main sorting office in Cardiff. 

 

It's either taken 14 days to travel six miles or sat undisturbed in the sorting office for the same length of time..............

 

Rob. 

[figworthy]

My subscription copy arrived at the Manor House this morning, which made for a very pleasant afternoon's read.

 

Strangely, it was accompanied by the January Steam Days, which isn't supposed to be on sale for another two days (not a complaint !) .

 

Adrian

[corneliuslundie]

May I comment on content rather than delivery?

The images of Foxcote New Pit are really impressive. I am still trying to persuade myself that the layout is 2FS rather than a larger scale. Really impressive. Plus a plan.

And good to see a wider range of contributors than in issue 293.

Jonathan

[Bluemonkey presents....]

Sadly still waiting my subscription copy, second issue to have suffered a seriously long delay in issuing.

[chris p bacon]

You're not alone as mine hasn't turned up yet either.

 

I'm going to check that the lasts subs cheque was cashed in case that went adrift in the post.

[Compound2632]

1 hour ago, chris p bacon said:

You're not alone as mine hasn't turned up yet either.

 

Do not despair. Mine arrived in yesterday's post - a huge mound, the first for days. It's all gone to pot, though hopefully in your case not Potton.

 

But well worth the wait - enjoyment enhanced by prolonged anticipation!

Edited December 17, 2022 by Compound2632

[Gilbert]

2 hours ago, chris p bacon said:

You're not alone as mine hasn't turned up yet either.

 

I'm going to check that the lasts subs cheque was cashed in case that went adrift in the post.

Mine has turned up but I consider myself fortunate as my main hub is Bristol...

[Dave 46]

Sorry, this is a bit off topic, but with respect to the post, a package from Titfield Thunderbolt, posted on Tuesday arrived in High Wycombe this morning.  The timing of deliveries is very patchy.

 

Dave

 

[Compound2632]

1 minute ago, Dave 46 said:

Sorry, this is a bit off topic, but with respect to the post, a package from Titfield Thunderbolt, posted on Tuesday arrived in High Wycombe this morning.  The timing of deliveries is very patchy.

 

The first shall be last and the last first, or something like that. i imagine parcels have been mounting up in sorting offices and now they're getting to grips with deliveries, starting from the top of the pile.

[Barclay]

Mine arrived today, don't lose hope out there !

[chris p bacon]

Mine arrived in the Borders today.

 

In theory with it having spent 4 weeks in the post it will only be another 4 weeks before the next one is on the way....(I did say 'In theory') 

[grahame]

. . . Or wishful thinking.

;-)

 

[Torper]

I'm half way up the right hand side of Scotland and still waiting hopefully for my copy.  Good things are of course worth waiting for but I am becoming a trifle anxious now.  If it hasn't arrived by next year I think a chase-up will be required.

[Torper]

It's arrived! (together with the Christmas edition of "Private Eye").  It's a cold dismal afternoon, so I'll be doing some reading in front ot the fire, perhaps with a glass to hand.  Winter has its consolations.

[Captain Kernow]

On 10/12/2022 at 14:34, Not Jeremy said:

Without being political, I know the postmen round here pretty well and speak with them a lot, a helpful, bright and well motivated group of people.

 

Apparently, local management always hire extra warehouse space at around this time of year to cope with the extra Christmas mail, except that they haven't this year, which has exacerbated the effects of the strike and would cause problems even without any strikes. I think I am right in saying that they are also not taking on any extra staff, which they normally do at this time of year.

 

Just disgusting, and why on earth the BBC isn't reporting this and asking questions I don't know.

 

No doubt, at the end of all this woe the workforce will get royally screwed just the same.

 

''Lions led by donkeys" (with sincere apologies to all donkeys).

 

Fortunately our regular friendly hippie postman delivered my copy to Kernow Towers some days ago, before Christmas and a jolly good read it was too. I was also marvelling at the sheer amount of detail and wonderful work on Foxcote.

 

 

[Tim Lewis]

Modellers in, or visitors to, Sweden, may be heartened to know that MRJ is available in the newsagent at Lund railway station, along with a good selection of other modelling and railway magazines:

 

However, any purchasers may be less heartened by the price:

 

239 SEK is round about £19!  Still..... worth every penny/krone.

 

 

[BR60103]

There were 3 copies in our local Chaptigo store yesterday. There were only 2 when I left.