rodshaw

It's probably the loco manufacturers who are in love with wiring. If affordable, reliable RC locos existed commercially with reasonable battery lives then I'm sure people would jump at them. I know I would.

There was a large OO scale analogue layout called Hallgates around 10-15 years ago which used radio control. However, at least one fixed-formation coach was needed behind the engine to accommodate all the batteries. Even with recent advances in technology, particularly miniaturisation, I don't think the push will come from the major manufacturers any time soon, they have too much invested in existing systems.

All the more challenging given the likely increase in the RPI over the year, making £100 worth about £96!

Hi Rob Sounds fascinating. As regards 'grown men playing with toy trains', one comment I would make is that although we are essentially playing, children couldn't possibly put in all the detailed, lengthy and quality work that adults do in building a model railway, so good model railways are very much an adult perspective on the real thing. They are no more toys than, say, an iPad or an MP3 player. Good luck

Taken in Bridlington, 1997:

"Drawing a foul" is another expression much beloved by the pundits, and no doubt an activity practised by many strikers when they see they've no chance of scoring. Though I sometimes wonder whether there really is more cheating going on in football than there used to be, or whether it's just that it's caught on camera more and more often and every movement is scrutinised.

For me it was all three, plus the fact that it was all so simply and honestly explained. Well done. So next...a layout for £80? (I'll get my coat...)

Oooh, I do like a good well thought-out and well presented study. It could almost be the subject of a Ph.D.

Indirectly, footballers are paid on results. Generally speaking, the bigger a club's wage bill, the better its performance. This is borne out by hard facts, as in, say, the Fink Tank column in the Saturday Times.

They have an Eastwood and a Westwood - that seems to have it covered!

What I like about the women's game is there's a lot less fouling, diving, shirt-pulling, complaining and general skulduggery. Give it time, though...

Is the price perfect too?

This is the first time I've looked at this thread - delightful layout, well done to make it attractive, user friendly and (presumably) foolproof.

It would be nice to get a layout to an exhibition or two as a sign of having achieved something. But I'm not sure how I'd behave to nitpickers, I'd probably say something which ensured I was never invited back!

But you've got to admire his grit and determination, he gets all the plaudits and accolades.

Something brought this to mind recently so I looked it up: It’s got to be the cheesiest song ever! Still, it has a modelling theme. I'd never realised it was written by 2 of the Python team though.

I'll have made it when my wife says I can have a whole room for a layout.

You mean we can once again start to build up exceedingly high expectations of them and be outraged when they get knocked out in the quarter finals?

In theory, going by AVB's methods, at least Spurs should be meticulously prepared for every game and know the opposition inside out. Of course, that's no guarantee of anything.

Greece, maybe?

Maybe they'd change their name to Jamòn Oeste.

I think it's impossible to compare teams from different eras, but Spain are certainly among the very best. Until yesterday I had my doubts, and if they'd won 1-0 and struggled to break through, I'd still have been sceptical. But they tore Italy apart, especially in the first half, when Italy still had all 11 players. On another day it might have been different, but they rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion. That was the biggest ever winning margin for a Euro championship or world cup final. But I don't think national sides are ever as good as the best club sides.

Nothing short of brilliant.

The offside rule was invented to promote lively debate.

Console yourselves with the knowledge that before the tournament started, the "Fink Tank" stats column in the Saturday Times gave England about an 8% chance of winning, based on overall performance to date. They were fifth in the list. Spain had a 25% chance, far higher than any other team - but even that means they have a 75% chance of not winning! I'm sure we'll see at least one or two more upsets yet.