jchinuk

I was 14 on D-Day (Decimalisation Day) and didn't find it too much of a problem changing over. I do remember the theme song (by Max Bygraves) for the public information programmes, in those days the only conspiracy was about shop keepers raising prices. A friend had a Saturday Job in a bakery / cake shop and she had to explain everything to many older customers, despite the advertising. I had only been taught metric units and system at school, so it seemed logical. I recall there was some discussion as to how it should be achieved, it was decided to keep the Pound unchanged, which resulted in the 240 (old) pennies becoming 100 (new) pence, apparently one considered option was to create a "New Pound" equating to 10 shillings, which would have left the old/new pennies much closer in value, but I think that would have caused even more confusion. I think some experts even suggested creating a "Dollar" as the smallest note. As in later life I worked on large financial computer systems, decimal currency made life a lot easier. jch

Threepenny bits. Very old rhyming slang for, well, what you see on Page Three. jch

There was a piece on the news last week about delays unloading container ships at Felixstowe As most of the Christmas 'tat' seems to originate in the Far East, any low stocks of such stuff might be due to those delays. jch

I appreciate it's not much help, but for low power items like this, I usually use a 'two pin' adaptor rather than changing to a three pin plug. I would also advise that a 3amp fuse is a good idea, either in the plug or a fused adaptor. It's beyond me that plugs are supplied with 13amp fuses as a default, I'd rather deal with a blow 3amp fuse than risk the fuse not blowing because it's a 13amp one. jch

Insert tasteless joke about "to the Batcave"...?

I'm not really sure which forum to put this, but one of the oddest merchandise tie-ins I can recall. Do Star Trek fans like train sets? jch

The concept of tracking is already here, most people have mobile phones so can be tracked anyway. ANPR means road vehicles are effectively tracked already. I'm not saying it's a good thing, just that it has crept up already. jch

Not as new as the Germans might hope, In Soviet Russia, Using the existing tram / trolleybus lines. jch

That is an excellent point, while the cars on the roads that move the least get charged the most? jch

Neverwhere has more recently a radio series with a very star-studded cast, due to be repeated around Christmas jch

Although it's not far from me, I've only visited Roneo Models once. Parking nearby is an issue, there is a large Tesco and B&Q, but they enforce restrictions on parking with number plate recognition, basically you get a bill if you park and don't visit their stores. By the way, if you are arriving in Romford on the train, Roneo Models is walkable, but there are buses. It's a personal opinion, but it doesn't seem the most welcoming shop I've visited, though I understand they have suffered break-ins in the past. As my modelling interests stray outside railways, I have to say that there are virtually no "non railway" model shops left in Essex, Laurence Mathews, in Queen's Road off the High Street is the only one that comes to mind. jch

I'm slightly confused by the reference in the various descriptions of the "vacuum tube" that the Hyperloop runs in, judging from the video the carriage is not propelled by the vacuum, there is a wide clearance gap between the carriage and the tube, I assume it's driven along by an electric motor / linear motor. I assume that the tube is a vacuum, to reduce air resistance, which means that the carriage must be pressurised, though it also means that the air pressure in the tube only needs to be reduced, rather than a complete vacuum. It also means that any leak, removing the vacuum / low pressure, will just slow the carriage, arguably a safety factor. jch

I take that to mean use a smart phone to listen to the radio and connect / link the headphones to the phone? jch

Oh, I agree, but it will take a considerable change in a lot of people's attitude, as mentioned, it will be more like a flight than a train journey. Everything would need to be secured before launch (take off?) jch

Of course there are "models" of the hyperloop in many buildings, the vacuum tube delivery systems. Not much to see from the outside though. jch

There seems to be no consideration of the acceleration forces involved. Passengers will need to be securely strapped in, a big change for the "fidgets" you see on every train. The overall experience will be closer to a ride at Alton Towers than the 7:55 from Basingstoke. I am not convinced that the speed is a major selling point to a lot of people, I feel that reliable and comfortable trains are what most people want, indeed a seat would be welcome if you are commuting into most cities. jch

I assume, if the tube is air tight, the following train would shift the one in front, a bit like a pop gun? jch

Soon in Aldi...

The "Flat Earth" is the start of a classic conspiracy theory, when people point out that pictures from space disprove the idea, NASA becomes a conspiracy that covers-up the fact, but that means that space flight is a lie, so humans didn't reach the moon. Everyone who flew on Concorde is obviously lying about seeing the curvature of the Earth, likewise military pilots. It quickly ends-up that only the "Flat Earther" are telling the truth. jch

Indeed they did use Ford Zephyr 6s, I think Mk.IIs originally, but later Mk.IIIs. At least one of the actors couldn't drive, so close-up shots required the car to be pushed by stage hands. They also removed the windscreens for 'in car' shots, to prevent reflections, though on one occasion one actor reached "through" the screen... jch

The "Whale Tail" is plastic and the sculptor was surprised it took the weight of the carriage. Personally, I think they should secure the carriage and leave it was part of the sculpture. jch

There is a mechanism, at least in eBay, to pre-paid import charged, details here. I've seen it on US traders on eBay and I assume that the payment gets to the UK HMRC. jch

There is a fascinating article about a replicas of Straker's car (immortalised by Dinky Toys) here. jch

Impossible, everyone knows there are no toilets in space.

Deduction, not speculation.