Bonafide

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

Providing the facility for people to enjoy a hobby when this emergency passes is important for the social wellbeing of the country. To suggest otherwise is to miss the point and, to answer your question, a grant in the circumstances described is proper. Geoff, in my opinion, has done the right thing for his club, and should be complimented for being so open in making this announcement.

Class 9F 92134 is the only one in preservation with a single chimney; all others have a double chimney. In one sense 92134 is unique, but in the context of the programme was misleading without explaining that detail.

One rarely sees so many excellent layouts within one event and it promises to be a fantastic exhibition. It amazes me that no matter how good the line-up is, some people always want more! How many more layouts do you think should be added?

Is hijacking another exhibition thread to blatantly promote your own show in such detail not considered to be bad form and extremely rude? Perhaps it smacks of desperation to get publicity at any cost. I suggest a little more respect for other exhibition organizers, please.

Exhibitions are often advertised as a model railway show. The word 'show' implies some entertainment is on offer. Like it or not, model railway shows are in the entertainment business. Of course, there also might be an element of education, and visitors might be informed. Rather like the BBC's mission statement, "Educate, Inform, Entertain', it could also apply to model railway shows.

That is most helpful, thanks.

Does anybody know the scale of this model, please? The question is asked with a genuine desire to be informed, thereby enabling the article to be read in context.

It puzzles me why there is a reluctance in the introduction to articles not to state the scale of a model, and there are several instances in MRJ 274. One can see from the photograph on the first page of the excellent article by Giles Favell on layout lighting that the layout is probably 7mm scale. Although perhaps it is not relevant for the subject being discussed, it would have been nice to have the scale confirmed. I happen to know that Midland In Bristol is 7mm scale, but not all readers will know that. Or, perhaps a new reader has come across this layout for the first time and will be none the wiser. I have no idea of the scale of the Cavan and Leitrim No. 22L bogie brake van described in the article by Simon de Souza as it is not stated. If somebody knows, can they please enlighten me and perhaps other readers who might also be wondering?

Yes there is! Route 300 provides an hourly service on Sundays: https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/beds-and-bucks/services/300-X30---aylesbury-to-high-wycombe/?direction=outbound

Oh dear! It is surprising the misplaced apostrophe (it's attractions) was not spotted before posting.

I think you may well find that the people developing this innovation believe it has a commercial possibility, and that is a good reason not to share it with others.

Why do people who insist on using the term 'train station' not refer to places such as Heathrow as a 'planeport'? Surely a planeport is a place where you can catch planes!

I enjoyed my visit with much to see. Three layouts stood out and I derived much pleasure from watching them. Bournemouth West is magnificent: its operation and quality of running was excellent. The movements flowed well with the operators exercising good co-ordination, and measured in terms of entertainment it was first class. Sidmouth is a beautiful layout: the modelling in all respects is of the top order. The buildings are pure joy to examine in detail. The operation, though not at an intense pace, was smooth and sure-footed, which suits this branch line terminus very well. Seeing locomotives that have been modelled so well, and perform as well as they look, when matched with rolling stock of equal quality makes for a combination that is captivating to watch and appreciate. Whithorn is an attractive layout: the whole scene draws the eye into wanting to linger and to see more. The presentation is first class with good lighting and an effective backscene, which enhances the good modelling. The trade stands were perhaps dominated with second-hand items, and a greater mix might have been better. Car parking was easy and using the refreshment facility was a pleasant experience, and one can't say that about a lot of shows! Altogether, it was a good show, and made for a memorable visit.

I entirely agree. In the morning the small room was uncomfortably crowded. There were too many exhibits in the confined space. Perhaps the temptation for a one-day show is to sacrifice quality for quantity. 'Exhibition standard' is difficult to define because it is a combination of qualities. On many layouts the exhibitors preferred to socialize among themselves rather than to concentrate on putting on 'a good show'. It's good that operators and exhibitors get on well with each other, but not at the expense of paying visitors. I saw many operator errors, some caused by operators receiving tuition from a colleague, and a lot caused by operators being distracted either by listening to, or participating in, a conversation with colleagues. In this regard, many layouts fell short of being to an 'exhibition standard'.

Yes, it was April 1983.

This reminds me of the old joke of a person asking for a Cheap Day Return, and when asked, "Where to?", the person replies, "Back here, of course!"

Does it really matter that you asked this question without punctuating it with a question mark? Does it really matter that the names of layouts quoted on RMweb to advertise exhibitions and in exhibition guides sometimes contain spelling errors, or show the wrong gauge or scale? At one level nothing really matters if sloppiness, inaccuracies, and mistakes are acceptable because the writer can't be bothered. At another level it does matter with people believing that standards are there to be upheld. For example, club exhibitions with organisers who adopt a careless approach to detail might seem fine but it can have an insidious effect on prospective visitors, and does not reflect well on the host club. The OP is to be respected for seeking clarification.

A week on from taking delivery, I am still coming to terms with this publication. I always thought it would be good, and my high expectation has been exceeded beyond that which I thought possible. It has taken a week to read most of the first of the four volumes, and what a journey it has been! It would be easy to comment on the splendid images and the exquisite reproduction, but this work is so much more. The time and effort expended must have been enormous, and this extends to the composition that has been so well thought through. The care that has been lavished is impressive, and the publication team should be extremely proud with the result. The sub-chapters that comprise a main chapter display a refreshing approach resulting in a good format. And the physical aspect of the format is also good, at 11" x 11". The text, written by different members of the MNA, is apposite, entertaining and informative. The captions are imaginatively written giving additional pertinent information, and free from the tired format so prevalent these days. I could go on, but will conclude by saying this is a magnificent celebration of the final years of BR steam and a fine tribute to the staff of BR and the MNA who ensured it ended in style. I am sure the remaining three volumes will be enjoyable to read, and look forward to looking at them again in the years to come. This publication is exceptionally good value for money, and at the pre-publication offer price represents a true bargain. Finally, I thank the members of the MNA for having the foresight to produce this publication.

Oh dear! It's disappointing that a Virgin train is in that condition.

It is difficult to read the text on these images because they have been posted on their sides. Is it possible for them to be edited to be the right way up, please?

The decision to produce a B6 turnout is somewhat puzzling as my understanding is that it has a 4mm scale radius of 49". The switch rail radius of a B6 turnout is 97", and the radius of the closure rail (between the switch rail and the crossing vee) is 49" (dimensions rounded to the nearest inch). An A7 turnout, which has an overall length slightly less than a B6, has a 4mm scale radius of 76". An A7 is defined a natural turnout (the radius of the switch rail and that of the closure rail is the same, other natural turnouts include B8, C10 and D12). It would be interesting to know the reason(s) for choosing a B6 turnout.

The rest of the nation put their clocks back one hour at the weekend, so for everybody else the programme will continue to be screened at 8pm!

Viewers do not see the difficulties experienced by some teams, and your explanation helps to put the challenge you faced into context. You have commented on so many good aspects, and is the most positive post I have had the pleasure of reading for a long time. Participating certainly seems to have been an experience, and it's great that your team enjoyed it. It was just a shame that you didn't win your heat!

That's a very good looking model. Having the safety bars in the horizontal position makes a brake van look so much better when it is in service. The repainted planks above the ducket and the two full length ones is a nice touch and adds interest, as does the repainted brackets at the lower corners.