Geoff Endacott

Which end is which? I have seen a photo which suggests that Sir Gareth is on the second class end. Geoff Endacott

It's an attachment point for the "Do not Move" sign for when they have broken down. Geoff Endacott

You could put them on eBay. We had a few guides left over at Calne so were giving them away to visitors on the Sunday afternoon. Someone asked why we didn't keep them for next year. They were actually being serious and didn't understand when we tried to explain why that might not work. Geoff Endacott

Doesn't that mean next year's show will now be the 43rd exhibition? Geoff Endacott

Having continued with the Calne show during a snowy weekend in January 2013, we ran an extra show in July. It turned out to be the hottest weekend of the year and attracted even fewer visitors. We therefore achieved the distinction of running shows at the same venue over the coldest and hottest weekends of the same year. Whatever you do, you can't win. Geoff Endacott

I know there was talk of a new route to avoid Dawlish, but that's just silly. Geoff Endacott

I had to look at that twice. I thought you meant the snow should have been postponed. Geoff Endacott

Is the raised beading along the lower body side also too wide? Geoff Endacott

Why can't they travel by sea? Geoff Endacott

I think you have made the right decision to go ahead. I hope the following observations from five years ago when the Calne show (in January) was affected by bad weather, will be helpful. We went ahead, despite snow lying on the ground. The main problem then, as seems to be the case now, was access to the main road network from the smaller roads. That meant some of the layouts could not travel because they could not be removed from the premises where they were stored. The trunk network remained clear. All of the traders still came. One third of the layouts did not, but most of the visitors were very understandng, accepted the gaps, and praised us for going ahead. Attendance was down by 65% compared the the previous year. But - we still more than covered our costs. My analysis after the show revealed that, had we cancelled, we would have lost money. This was due to the up front costs such as publicity which could not have been recouped. One important lesson we learned was the need for widespread publicity, especially through the local media, that the show is going ahead. You will also need to ensure that someone is available to answer the main contact telephone because people will ring up and, if they do not receive an answer (an answering machine will not do) they will assume that the show has been cancelled. Good luck! Geoff Endacott P.S. Except, of course, it has now obviously got a lot worse and without access to the venue you had no choice.

One problem with the 80x series is their inflexibility. It didn't take long before the HSTs were amended with the introduction of a TGS to each set. Such a change will be much harder with an IET. Geoff Endacott

Blyth looks a bit spartan. Geoff Endacott

800031 was in traffic today. Geoff Endacott

At least we now have a standard gauge. Geoff Endacott

Are we still on for Trainwest 2019, or is Trainwest 2020 more realistic? Geoff Endacott

Light pipes are a useful means of getting natural light into the basements of buildings. If they could be used in tunnels, the solar panels would then work. Geoff Endacott

This it what the new seats ought to resemble http://www.nrm.org.uk/OurCollection/LocomotivesAndRollingStock/CollectionItem?objid=1983-7002&pageNo=16#panel-2 . Geoff Endacott

The optimum solution is to electrify the entire route and stop mucking around with these half measures. Geoff Endacott

I remember when MkIII stock took over from MkII. I didn't like the new seats. Nothing changes. Geoff Endacott

They have already doubled the frequency of trains to Bristol and South Wales. The capacity problem has been solved by coupling them together in pairs. Geoff Endacott

So what is needed is a means of powering electric trains at 125mph when the pantograph is lowered, How about fitting them with diesel engines? Oh, wait a minute... Geoff Endacott

Every year is the anniversary of everything. Geoff Endacott

It's not a good month for the Zuma family. The demise of Virgin East Coast may spell the end of the A Zuma name and today marks the end of J Zuma. Geoff Endacott

They said that about the 155s. Geoff Endacott

At least they don't need two drivers. Geoff Endacott