jchinuk

When I hear "permanent exhibitions" one name comes to mind, Bernard Otto. This link is to a previous thread on these forums. I remember one of his layouts at Colchester Zoo many years ago. jch

News here. jch

Perhaps Tesla could be persuaded to build suitable wagons containing batteries and drive motors. Hitch one to the steam trains to power the whole thing along? jch

Quite correct, but despite numerous attempts, the NHS' computerised medical records are local (well primary care trust) based and many and varied formats. The NHS number is generated when you first have contact with the NHS, obviously that's at birth for most of us! jch

Quite correct, the NHS only has a list of people registered with GPs, plus those who have had contact with a hospital, for example in A&E. I used to work in breast screening before I retired, the GP lists are used as the basis for calling ladies in the right age group for their screening appointments. kch

Firstly on the "image" problem, many years ago (probably the 80s) I took my Dad to a Model Railway Exhibition at the Wembley Conference Centre. I had an interest in modelling, more plastic kits at the time, but Dad was a keen railway modeller. At the same time there was a country music festival at the Empire Pool (I think it's called the Wembley Arena nowadays), so there were country music fans dressed as cowboys, complete with (I assume) replica six-shooters and covered in rhinestones, walking by and taking the piss out of those playing with "toy trains". The irony was not lost on me. On the second point about less hygienic characters at shows, I still make scale models and these folk are a regular subject of discussion on the modelling forums. They do not just frequent model railway shows. I cannot explain their behaviour, though one hopes they are at least washing their hands at the moment. As to seeing these unfortunates "in the street", I have encountered several, both male and female, over the years at work, so I think you can assume they are about in the community. jch

The BBC reported this in 2006 when the 70s patent turned-up in the EU Patent office. The patent lapsed when the renewal fees were not paid, a pity they could have flogged the design to Musk to pay for HS2. jch

My cynical side thinks the original writer arrives from Surrey, bikes hanging off the back of his Range Rover, wanting an idyllic ride through virgin land. jch

A variation on those who move to the country and complain about "farm yard" smells, muck spreading and mud left on the roads. jch

To be fair, 99% or more of those reading it will know exactly what "nose dive" means, though I admit a "tail dive" would be a good aerobatic manoeuvre. Pitch down would mean nothing to the general public. jch

In my (humble) Fiesta, the music is on the phone and the car links to the phone to call for assistance in the event of an accident. That said, I agree on taking calls. Thinking of pedals, try driving a Ford Model T, as you can see the three pedals are totally different and foot brake acts on the transmission, not the brakes on the wheel hubs. jch

We share the same views on "Honest John", but you put it more eloquently than I would. He seems to have been supplanted from the "Honest John" website. The whole set-up seemed odd, he was obviously living in Thailand, he frequently mentioned the "lube shops" ( I hope that wasn't some sort sexy local slang ) there as an alternative to using a main dealers, yet he also pontificated on the UK driving experience and his time "in the trade". jch

It is true that far too many drivers (of ICE cars) treat the accelerator / brake as 'on / off' switches. While I tend not to engine brake, if I see the lights ahead are red I just ease off the accelerator and allow the car to slow down, finally braking. Unlike some who rush up to the car in front and (hopefully) brake at the last minute. jch

While I tend to agree, if you read "Honest John" the motoring correspondent who occasionally pops up on the BBC News, he is quite evangelical on the subject. He often cites examples of deaths caused by "one footed" driving of automatics and claims he has "proved" during tests away from public roads that "two footed" driving of automatics is demonstrably safer. I offer no endorsement of his views, but it's not as unusual as you might think. jch

Regarding the discussion on brakes / engine to slow down, the problem is that all too many drivers use the brakes to slow down prior to a sharp corner, but then fail to select the correct gear for the turn, so the car is frantically trying to pull away once around the corner. You often notice this when they pull out and fail to accelerate. With reference to EVs, the Nissan Leaf has an "e-pedal" mode, which is essentially "one pedal driving" the car comes to a stop if you lift off the pedal. Given the number of accidents where drivers lose control of automatics by pressing on the accelerator, thinking it's the brake, I fear such accidents and tragedies will become all to common once EVs are the rule, more so in the case of "one pedal", I've driven over 40 years with three pedals. If I get an EV (or an automatic) do I adapt to using both feet, "right go, left stop" or try to drive one-footed? I can only find figures from the US, but such driver errors are causing concern there, albeit automatics are far more common. I have to say that there seem to be equally vociferous arguments from both sides on this issue. jch

It was on BBC Breakfast this morning. jch

I don't think it's anything to do with Brexit, but I understand HMG are expecting VAT to be charged by sellers (not specifically eBay) outside the UK. Some smaller traders have decided not to ship to the UK as the overheads required are not worth the income from sales to the UK. That said, I assume "private" sales would be exempt. It's only speculation on my part, but I wondered that, given the special status of Northern Ireland, it would be an advantage to hold model shows in Belfast (for example) to make life easier for traders from Continental Europe and the Republic of Ireland. jch

Regarding valve sets, I can remember my Dad's first "hi fi" was a valve tuner / amplifier, which worked well enough. He needed a new valve and we went to a shop in Tottenham Court Road that stocked nothing but valves, I was probably about 8 or 9, but I remember it as a bit like the wand shop in "Harry Potter", but obviously with valves, mostly from Eastern Europe, though equivalents of 'Western' items. It's worth remembering valves persisted in military applications long after transistors dominated the domestic market, valves are far more robust in the case of the electro-magnetic pulse created by nuclear weapons, a bonus in the "Cold War" in case it got "Hot". Valves are still used in hi-fi, though really for aesthetic reasons. jch

Oddly, there was a hydrogen re-fuelling station near where I live about 15 years ago. Transport for London conducted an experiment on the 360 route, it was during Ken Livingstone's tenure in County Hall. I assume it was easier to install the fuelling facilities away from built-up areas (i.e. bus garages) they located it next to a BP filling station on the A127 near Romford. I used to see the buses regularly, emitting a cloud of water vapour, they looked like Sentinel Steam lorries, though were obviously red. The re-fuelling facility was removed perhaps ten years ago and returned to nature. jch

Remember that George Russell was driving Lewis Hamilton's car, GR is 4 inches taller than LH, and the shift paddles on the car were too small for GR too. Imagine getting into a road car with the steering wheel, seat and seatbelts adjusted for someone 4" taller than you? F1 cars are built around the drivers. I hope that Lewis Hamilton decides he still feels a bit poorly for the final race and George Russell gets another chance, though whether that happens or not, George's next contract just got more expensive. jch

I suppose a "bonus" of the reduction in Eurostar services will allow extra Tunnel Shuttle trains to clear the queues in Kent and Northern France after B-Day? jch

Just to enter the discussion rather late, but the talk of HS2 is ironic as HS1 (the Channel Tunnel rail link) is struggling because of the decline in passengers on Eurostar, an article makes interesting reading. Hopefully it's short term, but it illustrates the effect of "events, dear boy" (to misquote Macmillan). jch

Defunding the police in the US is a complicated issue, US police departments seem to waste a lot of cash on toys which actually contribute nothing to the security of the local population, Mine resistant? Really? Some UK forces have 'armoured' vehicles, but these are reserved for areas like London where terrorist incidents are considered more likely. But these ex-military vehicles are common in the US, often in places where incidents and crime are rare, voters (remember many positions are elected) are scared into supporting such measures. jch

Personally I feel that the drivers are the most secure aspect of the system, the Hermes driver across the summer was a London cabbie unable to work as a cabbie. You confirm a suspicion of mine that some parcel recipients are happy to try and game the system to their advantage. I hope the rise in CCTV and Ring doorbells (which record those approaching the door) will deter those cruising the area for parcels. jch

They are known as "porch pirates" in the US, and some home owners take revenge. Not that I would condone such actions. Actually, there are dozens of similar videos on YouTube. The current (in the UK) system of contactless delivery really facilitates, as the drivers (often on a tight schedule) does not need to knock or ring the bell. jch