John Harris

I feel a general point on 'YouTube' self-proclaimed influencers, certainly in the topics I am interested in, but I suspect more widely, is that the majority would benefit from an independent editor. Far too many, as my late mother would have said, "enjoy the sound of their own voices". What they need is a strict script and someone to edit out the 'ums' and 'ers', there are some actors like this, great with a good script and director, yet totally lost on a chat show being themselves. There are exceptions, but perhaps they are more self-disciplined. Car reviews are the worst, where there is a "Clarkson" tendency to try and ape their hero and whether you like him or not, Clarkson is very experienced and often driving on closed or private roads. My pet hate are those "unboxing" videos that spend 15 minutes describing the outside of the box, yet constantly fumbling and turning the box in their hands. jh

I suppose it counts as "in fiction", but a model railway layout was central to the plot (no spoilers) to the first episode of "The Cleaner" on BBC1, it's still on iPlayer. https://youtu.be/4_xaJ7eKBLE It's not a spoiler as it's from the start, but it is rather gory and sweary, but I thought it was quite funny and a warning to us all. jh

It's on a down slope, it could be gravity, less to go wrong. jh

Some trains made for films survive. Lake District Train I notice they made the carriages over size to accommodate filming. It looks to be in good hands jh

I have to agree with Sir Topham, it's a myth perpetuated by the numerous "property porn" shows on daytime TV, neutral colours, nothing that might be considered interesting, the place smelling of fresh bread. Judging from my area, the skip lorry is arriving as the empty removal van departs, people don't really care how a house is decorated, they start knocking down walls, adding extensions as soon as they move in anyway. jh

Apologies for any offence caused. I will of course never ever post again and give up any thought of modelling railways as I am clearly an idiot, but didn't realise. Is there any railway related forums that don't bite the heads off newbie posters? Askin' for a friend. jch

Perhaps the recent interest in early (Era One) models will prompt an re-issue of "Der Adler", Or some of the Bachmann early US locomotives? jch

Even the EU says that stopping the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine is premature, BBC News The problem is that people are confusing correlation and causation, no doubt the people suffering blood clots had the vaccine beforehand, but they are just as likely to have eaten Cocoa Pops for breakfast. A cynic might suggest that Government are announcing restrictions on a vaccine to cover the fact they don't have the stocks to fulfil the requirements of their countries? It's better to look careful and prudent, than hapless. jch PS I had the Astra Zeneca vaccine last Friday, no long term effects.

I have heard of some museums pursuing a "royalty" payment if you take a photo of an exhibit and sell it. Some museums actively try to ban within their premises, as private property they can do that, but other charge a "photography fee", but the latter does not permits sales of the photos. Obviously, taking a photo from public property this does not apply, but taking photos on a station platform (private property) raises some interesting issues. jch

I presume you could have a 14XX using a Faller lorry chassis to reproduce the scene where they drive it through the town? jch

Thanks Jason, I was not sure. Museums and collections seem to be more aware of such merchandising possibilities these days. jch

I can't speak of films, but there was a BBC business unit documentary about Airfix obtaining the rights for "Doctor Who" kits. I don't recall that there was a competitive tender as such, it was more that Airfix approached BBC Enterprises with a business idea. Obviously, "DW" is a worldwide franchise and things like action figures were already licenced to a toy company, so there was a degree of negotiation to avoid clashes of products, in the event sales were poor and Airfix abandoned the range and sold off the kits cheaply in ModelZone. The "rights" are also by country, so different companies have the rights in different countries, though that is perhaps not the case with "The Titfield Thunderbolt", but one never knows! Bachmann UK announced earlier this week they were selling kits of the Gerry Anderson "Thunderbirds" craft, these are apparently re-boxed Japanese kits (by Aoshima), the latter having the licence to sell them outside the UK. Anyone who build's "Star Wars" model kits will know that different manufacturers have the licence around the globe, often with different kits of the same prototype (models of models?). The rise of internet selling and especially eBay means that these kits are available in the UK, often at a premium price. The "Thomas the Tank" franchise seems to have different licence holders in different scales and countries. Getting back to locomotives, I assume that "The Titfield Thunderbolt" has copyrights held by whoever has the rights to Ealing comedies, whereas "Lion" has no copyright due to it's age? jch

Thoughts and Prayers

There was also an impressive collection of what looked like G scale locomotives and rolling stock in cabinets around the model railway room. The layout was obviously created to suit the story and plot, the (railway) lines did not seem to join up. jch

Thanks , I wonder if was thinking of the Chief Superintendent who is, undoubtedly, a complete Nobb? jch

I suspect that is a result of the "lumpy" (their word) supply of the vaccine mentioned during Downing Street briefings. The vaccination centres offered are those that are going to get the vaccine deliveries. As an example, my similar aged neighbour's first option was just within the 10 miles limit mentioned by ministers, a week or so later I got one within three miles, albeit in a centre that opened on the 1st March, after I got the letter, so I booked for the 5th March. As others have mentioned, some sites seem to be reserved for patients with long-term conditions, perhaps there are specialist paramedics available in case of a bad reaction (my speculation). That said, my vaccination went smoothly, in a converted empty shop in the local shopping centre. What seems odd to me is that around here, East London, there are no vaccination centres in local health centres, yet all have the physical capacity. jch

Did anyone see last night's "McDonald & Dobbs"? The plot featured Brunel's 'Box Hill" Tunnel, and a version in miniature. As the model railway is so central to the story, the McDonald & Dodds production team actually built a model railway to film with, part of the storyline is all about a model railway a character has in his home, which is a replica of the Bath countryside and one of Brunel’s tunnels, where the body is found. The layout was the size of several snooker tables. It's not a bad detective series, a bit lighter than the unrelenting gloom of "Vera". jch

Sadly, like far too many documentaries these days, it looked a bit like "The Ben Fogle Show in Pripyat". A Ukranian firm called ICM does a series of vehicle and figure kits in 1/35th related to the Chernobyl disaster. jch

It looks like you are all set to create a scene from "The Sweeney", all you need is a Mk.II Jag. jch

My local council has announced that the "socially distant" 2021 census will go ahead in March. We have a elections in London in May, leaflets are arriving already for the Mayoral election. jch

Regarding which arm to inject, I saw coverage of a drive-in vaccination centre (in the US, so I guess a 'center'), the drivers were having to twist around in their seats to present their right shoulder to the windows, heaven forbid actually getting out of the car! It looked awkward. jch

It seems, obviously I suppose, that any vaccine passport will require international agreement, likely to be built in to the existing NHS Covid-19 app, though those without a smartphone will have a problem. That said, I suspect countries reliant on tourists from the UK might accept other solutions. jch

Aside from the EU's internal politics on drug procurement, the UK's big advantage is the NHS. The NHS (Covid aside) spends around £16 billion a year on drug procurement, as an organisation it's used to dealing with drug companies. Many countries don't even have a centralised audit of how much is spent on drugs. Anyone born since 1948 in the UK would be used to the NHS and getting vaccinated, albeit a while ago in many cases! Aside from my flu jab late last year, my last injection in my arm was my BCG at school, around 50 years ago. It is no surprise to me that vaccine take-up is good in the UK. Well done us! jch

I assume you mean the Warley Show at the NEC? Well there is space there to queue / test / wait. jch

Do many shows get 10,000 attendees? That aside, it's feasible as there are queues anyway. A 'negative' test on the little plastic test stick is all the proof that would be required. I agree that the "positives", especially if they have travelled far, might be the biggest issue. jch