NHY 581

Nick, see this excellent warts and all build by our very own @Gilbert Drewry-Final-2_240506_223417.pdf I'm certainly using the 1927 trial as a precedent for an occasional Sentinel Y3 visit. I also must get to grips with sorting a chassis for my Y10. Rob

Hi Nick, May 1927. A Y1, 8401, was tried over line, including passenger duties. Trials were unsuccessful and 8401 was returned to Lowestoft sleeper depot. Photo ( same one) in both the Oakwood and Middleton press volumes. Of the current crop of Sentinels from Model Rail, 68144 seems to be the only Y1. The other three are Y3s. Rob.

Do expand upon that remark. I suspect I know what is meant but at face value that seems rather insensitive and unpleasant. Careful what you wish for. £10 an issue may be affordable for yourself but many might not be in that fortunate position. Such s move could ultimately affect sales. End result ? There'd be no MRJ. Rob.

As the CVs have been altered, try doing a factory reset putting CV 8 back to 8. This will restore the factory settings to the decoder and put the address back to three. That should restore the volume to factory set level. Rob

All noted CB but much as I try and refrain from criticism of layouts at shows, and bearing in mind my liking of all things S&D, I visited Templecombe at least twice on Friday and as per @Crantock, nothing was moving* with a cluster of operators standing round chatting, with no engagement with the visitors stood in front of the layout. It was somewhat disappointing. Looked fab mind you but.............. Rob * and yes I do have periods when nothing moves on mine at shows but that's because I'm chatting with the visitors. I'm simply incapable of making things go AND chatting.

Darling Jerry sounds more arty.

Yum.

To continue, too many layouts are spoilt by inadequate lighting. Great modelling but you can't see it properly. Shwt "pops". I find it quite surprising that some layouts are still unlit at shows whilst others rely on 80s style spots etc. It's easy for me with my predilection for Cameoesque presentation but I firmly believe layouts need to be seen, as advocated by the likes of Ian Rice, Chris Nevard and more recently, James Hilton etc. Rob

And on the subject of anticipation,Barry Norman's next layout should be a corker. East Anglian branchline, J15, love it. Rob.

I thank ewe.

Breakfast of Champions, Sir !

Oh.....and GER E4 and F5 or F6 please. Asking for a friend........

Thought Rapido's presence at the Bristol show was first class. Corbs, Dan and Chris were really good company and a great advert for Rapido. Knowledgeable, enthusiastic and articulate. Add in the chance to look over the forthcoming Port of Par twins, E1, 01, Fireless etc etc and my day was made. Roll on Maidstone I say !! Top stuff. Rob

Sorry Snoops but cannot agree with you there. I thought the presentation was spot on. I've seen Shwt on a number of occasions and the lighting really compliments the outstanding modelling on show. A subjective view of course but it ticked my boxes. Rob

Just to pick through some of your points here...... Yes, Hall 4 was, in my opinion, a bit of an after thought and frankly, there seemed space to tuck what was there into the other halls ( possibly freed up by exhibits being unable to attend ? ) But I agree, Hall 4 was a tad superfluous. Layouts. Yep, some big one's there but there were a few narrow gauge, a bit of continental and overall, a good selection of layouts of all sizes. My preference is for the smaller cameo type layouts and those that were there were well done. As to the overall standard of the layouts, I thought it was pretty representative of our hobby and all were worthy of their place at the show. Demographic. As Phil @Phil Parker says, what can you expect on a Friday afternoon ? Children are in school and younger adults are in work. I was there all day, until 6 ish and there were families walking around later in the day, obviously after school. I'm at the younger end of the older chap department and I go on a Friday as it's generally less crowded and easier to move around and see things. No drama seeing the layouts or browsing at the traders. I can't comment on the catering as I took my own but I certainly sat up in the gallery overlooking the hall catching up with chums and as @Gilbert demonstrated, had that view. You clearly missed that. What was evident and enjoyable was how light, airy and spacious it all was. And finally, to return to your comment about the affordability of the hobby for children, I work in a model railway retailer. We have no shortage of young customers. It irks me when people go to a show and on seeing few youngsters there on a particular day, assume it's a problem with the hobby. It isn't. The hobby is fine and the sooner we start believing that the better it will be. Sure, other things occupy children these days but there are those who do partake and shows like Bristol, which demonstrate a broad spectrum of layouts are accessible and appealing to them. I don't do big shows. Annual trips to Warley finally put me off. Not my bag. Bristol is now an exception. Warners involvement with the Bristol show is the best thing that could have happened. Pre-Covid, it was dying on it's feet and I had stopped going. I returned last year for the first time in many years, only because of Warners involvement and clearly it is this that has invigorated a rather tired show. So rather than taking a glass half empty view of the show, regard it as a glass half full. Rob.

Yep, have to agree. Overall very good standard of traders and layouts and lots of familiar faces to gossip with. My second show since Warners took over and the difference that's made is evident. Not sure about the upstairs hall though...... BUT..... The car park field is already very boggy and I saw at least one driver having issues trying to escape it's clutches this evening. That said, the forecast for the weekend is not as wet..... Rob

All sorted, Jerry. Picked up a copy from Booklaw........along with a couple of other.....cough........"essential reference items " Rob

I've highlighted a few points here. Over the last few years I've seen quite a few locos built from kits. Some of these have been 'professionally built". Some have been outstanding, some have been excellent, others very good but a significant proprtion of all have been diabolical runners with poorly assembled chassis etc, despite them utilising high quality components. Simply put, the contracted professional builder has contrived to produce a sow's ear out of a silk purse but still charged a premium for their highly priced low standards. RTR these days is now arguably surpassing the abilities of all but the "best " of these professionals at considerably less cost than that which they charge to produce an ultimately poorly running model. So what's the point ? Yes, there will still be prototypes for which there are no RTR models and if it's a must have model then, if you lack the ability to do it yourself ( as I do ) then you have no alternative but trust these individuals. But it's not without risk. I'm happy with my lot and derive my modelling satisfaction from building a background to suit, using careful weathering etc to personalise rtr stock and rtp buildings to produce what I want to see. None of this means I don't appreciate a model of whatever built from a kit or that I think my way is the be all and end all. It's simply me taking advantage of what is now available and using it to the best of my abilities to allow me to model my chosen prototype. Rob

Going later today, Ducky. I see you noting bus stuff on that thread. You flapping south ? Rob

So glad the retro look has been maintained and they do seem to be arriving a bit quicker as of late. Seems to be a good spread of content as well. I'm particulary intrigued by Barry Norman's contribution. Hopefully available at the Bristol show. Rob.

Callum is normally the Angel of Death when he points his camera at my layouts.........and yes, he's indeed a very good editor. Rob

Many thanks, Callum. As ever, a great record of a lovely day. Thank you, Rob.

As per my earlier post, Bachmann are handing us a very good start, if not all that we need to build a nice little narrow gauge Cameo layout. I'm very much looking forward to these landing. A good opportunity to try something new. Rob.

Morning all. Anyone going to the Bristol show tomorrow ? Rob

BRING AND BUY Evening all, An update for those whose items sold in the Bring and Buy. All being well, I'm hoping we can start contacting you over the coming weekend and make arrangements to send over the monies we owe you. Stand by to stand by. Rob.