70000 Britannia

On a positive note, there are some good ones available. I took delivery of £119 FL 66957 yesterday. Was very apprehensive when opening the box. Locomotive was pristine, all ABs were centred correctly, all wheels grounded on flat surface, and test run was fine - no wobble!! Perhaps I've been fortunate. Certainly not smug, just relieved - as I may get another. No doubt the ABs will work loose at some point. Is there a stock part number for them?

Hi Ray, that's great to see the final outcome of an excellent layout, given "world-wide" exposure in the calendar. Let's hope it won't be too long before we get a chance of returning to the circuit - it's been a long time! Just need to get folks vaccinated asap.

Hope all goes well for you. Hoping to be a part of October 2021 with modified Arcadia Pennsylvania.

I can imagine that the key front-line operations would have endured horrendous, unrelenting pressure - made worse by some outrageous bull-s******* by certain ministers and oft-perceived fag-packet strategies. Whilst a [seemingly] teetering scaffold of govt. activities got the country to a reasonable position in late June, we all know it was at an unforgiveable cost driven by wholly questionable practices: e.g. failure to test poor souls being despatched from hospitals to care homes; early fantasy tales about testing capability/PPE, etc. However, the result thus far is that this (5th largest GDP) country has some abysmal COVID statistics and certain players will surely feel the scruff of their collars in due course. We all know which sector of society was effectively thrown on the bonfire 'early-doors'. That puts our situation, as a railway community, into perspective: we are left with simply having to tread water, not knowing when Tony Hancock and his cohort will turn up with a leaking inflatable, to drag us to some dry land, so we can pitch a tent and play trains! The massive question has to be, are we confident that the seemingly close-knit enclave running the shop, are capable, or interested, in what the local authorities and general population will take on board. Will they be able, to inspire people (the many responsible and the irritating idiots) to buy in to their next few months requirements? I want to have confidence that our politicians will, collectively, pull their fingers out: to engage with local regions in a meaningful dialogue, and communicate [to everyone] in a credible manner. We need to do our bit to ensure that the NHNS is able to become the NHS again. Now is the time to forget party politics and for Parliament to go on a type of war-footing. If this week's message (moment of truth) is balanced, coherent, and credible, we might be forgiven for believing that an exhibition could happen in twelve months time.

Totally agree. Have just finished as lecturer at a Northern university, having had to switch to online teaching in March. I enjoyed face-to-face; communication was so much easier and effective - online was a poor substitute and a pain. However, I was horrified when many universities decided to get students back on campus, even with phased daily attendance intensions. Sadly, the level of irresponsibility demonstrated by thousands of students has frankly been shocking, but not surprising (Apologies to those students that have shown responsibility and common sense). Many universities developed a 'blended' teaching strategy for this academic year, probably as a compromise to give students the campus experience. Of course, having students in accommodation then also maintains estate income. However, the recent mass infections will likely be repeated throughout the year (after all how many quotes have we heard about "1st year is all about partying and having a good time"). Next, we will have hundreds of thousands returning home for christmas and, the inevitable infections being transported across the country. Whilst home-based students will socialise with friends, cross-infections would likely be less wide-ranging, compared to the environments in large student villages like Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham etc. I fear universities will rue the day they chose not to [sadly] go online. In the meantime, and from a totally selfish standpoint, the developing debacle being witnessed in this 2nd wave, will further delay our ability to once again enjoy our hobby and exhibition environments, quite apart from the crippling impact on people's livelihoods/businesses.

I note that on some versions it says ‘pre-order sold out’ but then says e.g. ‘2 in stock’. The pre-order statement seems irrelevant. Is it that the stock items are previous sales returned - in that case have they been defect resolved?

Wholly agree. Try keeping my wife Sue away from the shows. She loves the atmosphere, Friday setup, operating, talking to the public. Absolute stickler for keeping the trains moving. There are a good number that are staunch team members.

Unconventional and don’t travel? Perhaps, they intend to film some layout operating sessions?

I thought that Farnham Club also ran some 'pop-ups' in the local shopping centre - we operated 29th Street Wharf at their exhibition last November. Excellent show and I thought , at the time, that they had been very innovative. It sounds like the pop-ups were a great idea - the show was certainly busy, right through to late Sunday afternoon. Clearly, out of the box thinking has to be explored, to re-invigorate our great hobby.

Doubtless, many schools and like institutions will have enough on their plate to manage students and education delivery, without the need to release and then "clinically" deep clean/recover a large hall, that might have been occupied by a potentially large, weekend gathering, in time for Monday am assembly. Whilst show organisers will want to take all precautions, if and when they were to get access to an education venue, they will have little ability to vet show visitors - in a way that schools could possibly do with their pupils/students. Mind you, given the examples being frequently reported about irresponsible mass gatherings, illegal raves, and the conduct of idiots blatantly defying social-distancing guidelines - organisers can be forgiven for not relishing taking a gamble running a show? All those issues are clearly major hurdles for the hobby - quite apart from satisfying govt requirements for safe-distancing. However, what other options might there be, for a large covered space, with parking, and [maybe] some toilet accommodation? I don't know if this has already been discussed but, has anyone considered empty industrial units? Could there be some available, that are awaiting tenancy and might be receptive to gaining some rental income? No doubt insurance, use permission, and setup would be challenges. But I do recall when Tyne & Blythe used part of an unused business/industrial centre unit in early December, a few years ago. Although, I seem to recall that it was not without challenges.

Priceless!

So have I, for November! At least it will give me time to finish weathering new bits on Arcadia Pennsylvania :-).

Would absolutely agree - Tim has a great shop and provides excellent service. Always has such a good range of stock on display and looking forward to being able to visit again.

Must agree with this. Ordered what appeared to be, at the time, one of the very few O Gauge right-hand Peco points a few weeks ago. After a few days, sent an email to query delivery time and got a very quick response. They said then, that they were having to send a vehicle over to their Guildford Shop, from Cornwall, to transfer stock. Wasn’t aware of this situation, so very good service indeed.

First day of the show completed and, whilst understandably a little quieter given the globally prevailing circumstances, it's been a very enjoyable day. One day left, so make the most of it. A picture of Clayton End

Congratulations to Alistair and the Rainhill team for putting on an excellent weekend's show, including the catering arrangements. Sue and I had a thoroughly enjoyable time, bringing Clayton End. One picture, for the record:

Excellent location and parking Chris! Looking forward to bringing Clayton End. Hope you managed to get away in good time, at the end of the show yesterday.

Looked like a decent evening last night. Brexit signed and done. 2 decent signings. Then Stoke result spoiled it. Never mind, looking forward to visiting on Sunday.

Excellent examples - love the Deltic power units!

Arcadia Pennsylvania safely back in store - after a most enjoyable weekend in Pontefract. Many thanks to Tony and the N&P MRS team for making it such a freindly and memorable event.

Pontefract show is always a great start to the new exhibition year. This time looking forward to exhibiting, with US O Arcadia Pennsylvania Terminal. All checked and ready to load tomorrow.

Just below the header title, you'll find the dates in the post that created the header title.

Only just spotted this. Happy New Year, Ray!

It will be a real shame to see "EOTS" vanishing after just one more show, Ray. However, to retain some of it's features, it would be interesting to see it adapted to GB. Thank you for your kind words.

Thanks for the comment about 29th Street, Charles - glad you both enjoyed it. It would also be very remiss of me, not to thank the BELMRS team for putting on such an enjoyable show and, in particular, Howard and Mick for their contribution and support. We had a great weekend and very much look forward to being able to present another layout in the near future. Last but not least, Susan and I felt very privileged to have been awarded recognition for the "Technical" work done on the layout, in the form of the Bob Ledger Trophy. Thank you. One picture of the layout with locos being stabled at end-of-day!