Gilbert

"So my plan tonight is to draw up a 2001mm long scheme (evil laugh....)" Will you be allowing for the expansion and contraction caused by variable temperatures and humidity in exhibition venues....???

Apart from a very small number of additional booksales - I'm sure very few potential entrants would buy the book just to enter the competition or would not have bought it anyway - could you please explain what you think Mr Castens is gaining from this competition. Rhetoric question....Why is it so many threads on RMweb just go sour - to such an extent that when one sees a pleasant constructive thread - maybe a helpful response about lost instructions for an old kit you pinch yourself and go - "that's what this forum should be about" Chris

Bristol to Newport and return c. 80 miles at 15p (fuel only not true cost inc wear & tear, repairs etc etc ) = £12 per day + bridge at £6.70 = £18.70 per day x 5 x approx 47 weeks = nearly £5000 - simples.... Chris

I think if they've been in MRJ it's OK....

While I completely recognise the issues of space, circulation, temperature (sometimes) etc associated with the Town Hall it would not be "Railwells" if it was not in that venue - in addition the Saturday market means we have a family day out including lunch in town as well - and where else do you get a wedding taking place in the middle of a model railway show!? Great show btw...nice to see a few blue diesels in action. Chris

Looks black in the print version too.

Presumably that means someone has been playing "hide the sausage"....

look out for any "stepped" tension lock couplings - obviously developed to allow the NEM pocket to be far too high!

In fact a US commentator on the radio this morning was saying that Gatlin's performance profile was "unusual" - he peaked very "late" for a sprinter...apparently

I don't think the benefits to physiology etc disappear when the drug is gone - the improvements gained through adaptation from harder training are potentially there for keeps...I think some "endurance" sports would be happy to see life time bans for this reason

I won't go into massive detail on this - simply to say the benefits of illegal drugs to training effect massively outweigh anything that shows up in competition...two strikes = a life ban for me.

How nice to see Jessica Ennis-Hill have her 2011 Gold Medal moment in front of a home crowd.

I hope it all goes well Dave - its usually a great day out - we've been enticed to play out at MOMING in Pewsey tomorrow which is an annoying clash but hopefully see you next year. ATB Chris

It is brilliant....

I did....

I couldn't possibly comment... ok then.....it was something about "route selection"...leading to a completely mysterious short (obviously)

Can I add these shots - I did pass by AJ first thing when all was quiet and later in the day but Phil seemed to be dealing with operator error - I thought it best to move swiftly by after a good look at the Warships and Brush 2 on show..

"We children of the fifties often fail to appreciate how fortunate we have been in avoiding the traumas inflicted on earlier generations." How true...and not just the fifties..

Is there a list of traders/model railway exhibits anywhere? Thanks Chris

I'm no expert but I think is it true to say that an insignificant short can cause chaos with DCC but may not effect performance on DC - and a brass loco has many opportunities for shorts..

I've have had a few issues with my second loco and have agreed with Rails to hold on to it but I do fear that when I fit the decoder etc all the steps, buffers and under frame bits will fall off again - they really should be friction fits and I am now in correspondence with Hornby themselves as I now dread finding a gap where a bit should be and having no idea where it fell off! Chris

Looking forward to the trip up on Saturday - see you there Chris

Make a small jig so each turns out the same and hold bits in alignment??

or the ubiquitous coffee stirrer?

How about using some packing to spread the force - strip of cardboard maybe?