Not Jeremy

What on earth are you talking about with "inflatable hospitals" what does that mean? I'm talking about planning and resourcing of the hospitals and medical side of things, I'm not thinking about your "restrictions". Personally I believe this has been carried out well in the UK and continues to be well thought out and prepared for different eventualities I do wonder whether you haven't created a bit of a straw man or straw men with your concern about a group of people who you say want to throw away all precautions. Apart from possibly a very few raving nutters(?) I do not believe that such a group of people actually exist. And as to the extent that this mythical group of ill intentioned bogeymen/women would be able to influence what happens - well even if they existed they haven't, they can't and they won't. I certainly do not advocate any such approach, ie throwing away all precautions. But, dare I say it, people not wearing masks at a football match, in a supermarket, on a train are not necessarily uncaring assassins out to wipe out octogenarians. I am just less worried by it all I think and don't really see too much point in over analysing everything as some here seem to do. It is what it is.

Well you take precautions and have contingency plans for coping with the worst if it happens, obviously. Which is what the UK has so far done very well, so again I don't see what point you are making here? Stop fretting about it for heavens sake.

Really? A "study" of "some" experts have suggested a "worse case scenario" - big deal. And it doesn't suggest or predict any outcome as far as I can see, having read it. And its a report on a study written by the BBC, who do tend to the "We're doomed" side of things. So OK, maybe you are all right to quake in your boots, and we should cancel Christmas and tell all those naughty naughty footballers and supporters (all out in the open air, enjoying themselves, mixing - whatever next?) not to be so wicked. I don't think so. Of course I could be proved wrong when we are all wiped out by the plague and troops start shooting unvaccinated rioters trying to get their sick brethren into the barricaded A& E departments already full of sick and dying people! What japes! I have just been boosted and Flu jabbed by my local surgery, for which I am grateful. I fully intend to continue to have a life through this pandemic - have "fun" in your bunkers of disapproval you all and I'll try not to be put off by the hand wringing and catastrophising. Have any of you built any small trains while this is all going on? Just a thought..... Simon

Re this who is and who isn't in hospital business. Statistics aside, it seems to me that it would be really surprising if those admitted to hospital with Covid weren't more likely to be unvaccinated than vaccinated. To my mind this demonstrates the great efficacy of the vaccinations and the way in which they have been deployed in the UK. Which is a reason for having optimism and hope for the future, it seems to me. I however despair at what appear to be suggestions that those who are unvaccinated should therefore be penalised, discriminated against, or even left untreated. There will be many reasons for an individual to be unvaccinated I would have thought. Lumping this last ghastly "thought trait" with what the apparent "need" for everyone to "conform" makes me feel distinctly unoptimistic!!! I'll put it down to most of us train people being a bit "binary" and wanting everything to fit into neat little boxes and on that basis not let myself get too troubled by it. I'll even dare to hope for the best - for everybody, unvaccinated included. As far as more detailed statistics on Covid go, it seems to me that the most interesting stats to see now would be the effects of Covid has over different age groups. Stay safe everyone! Simon

Great news that you are back at home Ian - I am packing your book up right now. Very Best Wishes Simon

Regarding "Moronic" not being quite as "Omicron" than "Delta", or whatever, I rather think the notion that it might be less harmful came from the factual reporting of what it had and had not "done" to those who had it from the Doctor who reported it to the world from South Africa. Really, who gives a fig about some headline or other or where it came from, its the facts that ought to be considered. Listening to the radio yesterday, it is astonishing (to me) that all the experts I heard being asked about it could not bring themelves to even slightly articulate or agree that it might not be as bad as the doomsday scenarios you lot are so fond of. I don't mean they shouldn't have expressed caution or given caveats (which they all did in spades), just admit the possibility that the outcome or prospect we face might possibly be better rather than worse. Crackers. Time will tell, of course. And please don't anyone tell me that South Africa is a different country or that it has a different age demographic, as I already know that, thank you very much. So it seems we're either Fraser: "We're Doomed!" Or Jones, "Dont Panic!" (Mr Mainwaring) I'm with the Joneses myself.

Reverse 'em up to Oke for the bus connection - simples! Sorry....

Go faster driver at Bishops Lydeard! Alan Dorrington hamming it up on the weekend of the SWAG members day in Taunton back in 2017.

For myself I'm kind of talking about this thread. Covid Coming out of Lockdown 3, no politics, less opinion, more facts and information Where does endless didactic pontification, emotive point scoring or handwringing come into that? Or selectively quoting from what someone writes (ignoring the rest) and responding to the partial quote in such a way to back up your own point of view, ensuring all the time to do all this in very "reasonable" terms. To reinforce just how very reasonable you are yourself. Because you are a very reasonable person. Sound like anyone here? Thank you to Woodenhead for a thoughtful and informative post, we are not all the same but I recognise and agree with a lot of what you wrote. I am "somewhere in between" too and am not denying anything for sure. If the risk from various other aspects of life were reported, presented and discussed in the way that Covid is being, currently, then we would all be a lot more afraid of lots of things we currently don't give much thought to. Lets hope that Moronic* spreads like wildfire, hardly hurts a fly and wipes out worse strains of Covid. Apologies, I will try and say no more. The sunshine was nice, it still is. *Moronic; amusing anagram of Omincron as flagged up by Beast some pages ago.

I completely and utterly disagree with all of the above and the point of view expressed Emotive nonsense. I guess I must be the only one who thinks this way. On which basis no-one need worry about what I think. I'm off into the real world for a walk and some sunshine!

I take your point, but the pub I was in was much busier than the bus I went home on, and the virus doesn't know any difference does it? It's probably just me, but I absolutely hate being told what to do, and much less the idea that quite normal and rational behaviour is now "illegal". And I am thoroughly depressed by the talk, much of it on here, of "conformity" - the necessity of "conforming", the hand wringing and prurient horror of people not "conforming" etc etc. And also, the crude characterisations, cheap shots and hostility towards politicians who might just possibly be trying to do the right thing in damn near impossible circumstances. And no, I'm no great fan of Boris or the dodgy PPE contracts either. I've a feeling that in retrospect any real damage done by the Coronavirus will be societal rather than medical, but then what do I know? Bloody depressing

Well, as everything else wants to kill you out there , I'm sure you'll (mostly) all be OK.... Possibly (like Woodenhead) I have just been out for the evening, with and without masks as deemed legal, and speaking for myself I still hope to see my next birthday. Funny how no masks is fine in a social setting but unacceptable on buses - go figure..... Not going out is really not a sensible option after the best part of two years of not going out, in my opinion. I guess I'm just one of those "Covidiots" eh? I think we should all look at the actual risks and take a judgement based upon our own situations. And try to stop worrying unless we really feel we have to, and then don't, because it will make no difference, apart from adding to the general sense of woe that we all feel about the current situation. It is what it is - the virus is unaffected by indignation, righteous or otherwise.

As of this issue, all correspondence to Cygnet is now: c/o Elgar Books, 10 Bradshaw Crescent, Honley, Holmfirth, Huddersfield, HD9 6EG. The telephone contact number remains the same on 01235 816478. Simon

Just delivered and in stock now, the latest issue of Model Railway Journal. Ironically devoted to the Midland Railway and its society, given the sad passing of the legendary Bob Essery, this is an issue that Bob would have approved of I am quite sure. It is edited by his long time friend and Midland stalwart David Hunt. My take on it is here, visually pleasing, a great read and a forward looking celebration of both the Midland Railway and this wonderful hobby of ours. Vale Bob

Wonderful to see your progress on this really great layout, an ambitious project by any standards - bravo!

I have great pleasure in announcing that Wild Swan Books have just published a brand new book from by Giles Favell on Radio Control For Model Railways. It is now in stock and available to purchase. Trains Cranes And Automobiles Radio Control For Model Railways 112 Pages, printed in full colour on art paper with sewn laminated card covers, uniform with earlier Wild Swan modelling titles. £24.95 plus £4.25 P&P within the UK if ordered direct from The Titfield Thunderbolt Copies are already on their way to the wholesalers and so the book will also be available from your supplier of choice. As you would expect, it is absolutely full of information on the subject, all written in Giles engaging and informative style and very well illustrated with lots and lots of photographs. Thank you very much Giles and to our own Andy York too, who allowed us to use several of his excellent photographs to illustrate the book. Simon

A pleasure, Andrew and I looked at the original scan this evening but we couldn't see any more information. What appears to be some route branding or a "return to" type script above the number on the left hand side is also intriguing. I'm a sucker for wagons myself, looking at my "Southern Wagons in Colour" book by Mike King, the wagon under discussion here does appear to have the row of small triangular stengthening pieces under the door bottom edge of the Southern type. Mike King also states (in the caption) that most of the Southern type were allocated to specific yards and duties which would support the route branding, maybe? Simon

Thank you to everyone for your comments, it is great to get feedback on something when it goes "out into the World" and all feedback and any information is always very welcome. On which note Andrew has looked at that Warship shot and come to exactly the same conclusion as Mike (Stationmaster). Apparently the slide mount was marked as being "near Slough" and Andrew is a bit cross with himself for taking it at face value and not checking it out himself! I am providing him with counselling, I think he will be alright.... Simon

Here is part of the image in question, 31st August 1962, Old Oak West Junction. Enlarging the PDF I think the wagon in question has an "S" prefix. One of Mr Bulleid's perhaps? Simon

Oh I don't know, I think we are all pretty binary round here

Keep 'em both going - it's "double bubble" - what's not to like?!

The petition is sitting at 5.8k signatures, so not bad but probably not going to make any difference. I am slightly ashamed to say that I have not done anything else in opposition, ie write a letter to my MP - I really ought to. However, as this service slides into oblivion, amidst a sea of gloom, cynicism and ennui, there is something rather wonderful happening at the "other end" of the erstwhile Southern "empire". The same organisations (ie Govt and GWT) that are perpetrating this heinous crime against joy and civilisation have at the same time done something very wonderful in properly reopening the railway to Okehampton. Trains start running again from this coming weekend. Which is wonderful, so wonderful that I have just renewed my old duffers railcard and am going to get the train down on Saturday. I hope to have to stand all the way from Exeter to Okehampton and see loads of people when I get there. Any other RMweb-ers going down to Oke on its reopening day? It is a funny old World, but at least there is still good news to be had.... Simon

Thank you very much Brian, it is really good to get feedback and we are really pleased that you like the book. Andrew came in again this morning to help with packing, quite apart from anything else he definitely gets the award for the neatest addressing of packages! It is going pretty well so far.... Simon

But please let us not lose sight of the fact that it was the virus that "got" them, not stupidity. Which commodity is pretty fairly spread amongst us I would say. As is and will be Coronavirus, whatever measures are or are not taken by any of us. But cheer up everybody, because the virus doesn't kill everybody, in fact it kills very few. I thought you lot were supposed to be champions of free speech and the toleration of alternative points of view? Not Jeremy

Respect? I don't think so - let's hear it for the glorious Albert Hall! A lovely characterful model, resplendent in its simplified BR green livery, before we all sank into mindless pedantry got better and then even better models. I used to really enjoy seeing my friend David Torrington's set with Albert Hall and its three inaccurate short pullman coaches running around his track. Much enjoyment and a very different outline to my beloved "Winston Churchill", (81 shillings 11d from John Hall Tools in Fairfax Street). If all that hopelessly negatory previous poster can remember is "sparks from the wheels" then he must have been doing something wrong, I expect he still is Not Jeremy