Bonafide

It seems you would prefer not to exhibit as you find it such a burden and, moreover, would be happy to save the expense of purchasing those items you describe. We are fortunate that many layout owners and exhibitors are not only pleased to exhibit but also derive considerable enjoyment from doing so. In contrast to your experience, such a positive attitude is to be welcomed - long may it continue!

In recent years the cafe across the road and around the corner in the service road opened on Sunday especially for Tolworth Showtrain. Perhaps someone from the organizing team can confirm if the same arrangement will apply this year.

The Johnster, This is a fascinating and brilliant series, which is entertaining and informative about a railway subject that is rarely discussed. You have described how at some places brake vans were well prepared, and at others, such as Margam, where guards had to fend for themselves. It would be interesting to know how kindling wood and coal was provided. Presumably, coal wagons worked into marshalling yards, with an arrangement for guards to access a suitable amount. Many thanks for taking the time to document such an interesting aspect of railway operation; it is much appreciated. Bonafide

It is not surprising that some exhibitors experience problems with this attitude. Or, perhaps, it's the visitors that have to put up with the idiots behind the layout!

Please be aware the website refers only to the 2022 exhibition. There is no mention at all of the 2023 event.

I think you will find the layout was called North Shields, unless of course you are thinking of a different layout, or a different show!

Canada Street has appeared at shows at Portsmouth, Tonbridge, Alexandra Palace, Tolworth and Canterbury.

Scaleforum has never been held at Bletchley. You might be confusing Scaleforum with expoEM, which was held at Bletchley for several years.

That is most helpful. Thank you for posting the information.

There were over 40 layouts advertised to be at Model Rail Scotland. How many more layouts needed to be at this show to satisfy you? It is said that being an exhibition manager is a thankless task, and your negative comments illustrate the truth of that saying. You could have commented, instead, to thank the exhibition organising team and all the participants for succeeding to put on a show in exceptionally difficult circumstances.

Similarly, perhaps you go to an airport to catch some air! Logically, those people who use the term 'train station' should also use the term 'plane port'. After all, they go to a plane port to catch a plane!

Can you check the postcode, please? It appears to be wrong as I believe the code for Huddersfield is HD. Perhaps the postcode should be: HD9 6EG

I, too, searched in vain. As the walls comprise ". . . a three-layer lamination of 40-thou Plastikard . . . ", I guess it is likely to be 7mm scale, but it would be helpful for the scale to be stated.

. . . until July 2020 when eBay sold Gumtree to Adevinta.

I believe people are concerned less with the monetary value than they are with the general principle of being charged more which is perceived as sharp practice.

What has something hanging on a chain got to do with correct spelling? Or, perhaps I am confusing it with pedant!

You say this after having made your own party political points. Oh dear!

There were two: Boston Frodsham (1975-1985), Pwllheli (circa 2012). Also, both steam and diesel locomotives were to be seen on United Mills (late 1950s-early 1960s). It's a pity you missed them!

Or, more likely, the people who came forward to show their layouts.

If life were only that simple! If you are being serious, and it is difficult to believe that you are, I sincerely hope the people responsible for determining national policy do not heed your advice.

Your calculation appears to be based upon incorrect information. Surely, the Sunday opening hours from 10 to 5 = 7 hours, not 9 hours, thereby making a total of 15 hours, not 17 hours.

I am not sure what your post adds to the discussion, except to spread uncertainty by such an unhelpful and speculative comment. It is an incredibly tough time for exhibition organizers who are having to make difficult decisions, and prompting them for an unnecessary response merely increases their workload.

It is the printing company that is operating with a skeleton staff, not MRJ. Your thinking is, therefore, incorrect.

Oh dear! For those people who extol the importance of good grammar and punctuation, has an apostrophe been omitted (it's) ? The question is asked solely in the interest of using correct punctuation.

You have commented at great length and then advised that we need to steer clear of comment. How strange!