DavidB-AU

Sort of. SMP was very big on set theory, graph theory, non-decimal operations and a lot of other things useful for engineering and computing rather than the usual stuff taught in schools.

2002: A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $120. How does Arthur Andersen determine that his profit margin is $60?

Someone send this to Geoff Marshall!

1970s: A logger exchanges a set "L" of lumber for a set "M" of money. The cardinality of set "M" is 100. Each element is worth one dollar. Make 100 dots representing the elements of the set "M". The set "C", the cost of production, contains 20 fewer points than set "M." Represent the set "C" as a subset of set "M" and answer the following question: What is the cardinality of the set "P" for profits?

I'd make a joke about kangaroos hauling Santa's sleigh but it would be in poor taste.

There is a very brief and mostly overlooked background gag in Carry On Doctor. A double reference as Peter Rogers, who produced most of the Carry On films, was married to Betty E. Box who produced the Doctor films.

There is a way to justify an HST short enough to fit the platforms. FGW ran 2+2 and even 2+1 formations as DMU replacements on the Cotswold line. There's always "see rule 1".

I do blame radio stations for airing those songs. And certain pubs at kicking out time.

On the flip side, there are some amazing reaction videos to Sabaton's cover of 1916. There were genuine tears.

FGW got the 57s from late 2003. Prior to that it was using 47s on the sleeper and on the last remaining Plymouth and Penzance loco-hauled day trains which ceased in 2002. Penzance in 1996 For your sort of station in the 90s and in the space available, a 37 and some Mk 2s from Bristol (or even Cardiff) wouldn't be too far fetched. Plus the usual DMUs.

And more. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-03/erin-patterson-court-murder-charges-mushroom-meal-deaths/103057914

Looks like a common garden skink. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_garden_skink

Depends where you imagine the terminus to be and where trains are going to and from. Weymouth saw class 37s from Bristol up to 1999. Fort William saw 37s on the sleeper portion (which could be as short as 4 coaches) until 2001, then 67s until 2019 and still sees class 73s! Although they are big stations, 37s with 4 x Mk 2 ran Cardiff-Manchester/Liverpool up to 1999 with a very brief revival to Manchester for the 2002 Commonwealth Games. On much longer trains, Holyhead and Penzance saw Virgin XC class 47s up to 2002. There is also the option of mail and parcels which in the late 90s could have very short trains. Then Holyhead got loco-hauled trains back in 2008. Not forgetting FGW ran a Saturday only Par-Exeter-Penzance with a 57 and the day coaches off the Night Riviera in 2014.

Latest on the mushroom saga. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-02/erin-patterson-mushroom-death-arrest-charges/102714436

Another thought, some modernised version of Uxbridge Vine Street might also work with mostly short multiple units. As for goods traffic, the mid/late 90s is a very useful but narrow window when EWS/Wisconsin Central was actively chasing wagonload traffic. You could imagine the station is next to an industrial estate. It would not be impossible to receive short trainloads, e.g. 2-4 VGAs or Cargowaggons.

On that point I disagree. Look at layouts like Ian Futers' Newcastle Haymarket or Victoria Street. You can invent traffic to make it interesting. I also disagree that it's too small to be a London terminus. Have a look for photos of DEMU Thames Valley's Ripper Street which was could be described as "Minories meets Broad Street". Or MMDMRC's Whitecross Street which (although 4 platforms) is based on the City Widened Lines bit of Moorgate and is just 13' x 1' in OO. Something like Chester Northgate might work if you pretend it wasn't closed but had some of the tracks removed. Or a shortened version of Bradford Forster Square with some nearby parcels platforms which are the last remains of a 19th century rival company's station. Another possibility is something in the style of Stanstead Airport, although serving a some fictional airport in the Midlands (which would explain the 156s and 158s). Stanstead is interesting in that the approach is single track through a tunnel under the runway. Rather than a TMD you could imagine the airport receives aviation fuel by rail (as Heathrow does at Colnbrook) and maybe a Royal Mail terminal.

Some years ago a trainload of chemicals and most of the station next to it went boom a few hours after his daddy's train had stopped there. Most likely an accident but the Kims have been paranoid about assassination for decades.

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport and China’s State Committee for Development and Reform have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build a third rail link between the two countries. The new line would be around 250km long and run from Ayagoz on the Charsk - Aktogai main line in Kazakhstan to the rail head at Tacheng just across the border in China. https://www.railjournal.com/infrastructure/china-and-kazakhstan-sign-mou-for-third-cross-border-rail-link/

The Friendship Bridge is dual gauge. Bogie exchange is done at Tumangang on the DPRK side so through traffic travels on the Russian gauge. The same is done for through traffic between Russia and China, Ukraine and Poland, etc. Interestingly, Kim's armoured train is so heavy it can only travel at 50 km/h (31mph).

16,000hp to move a lot of grain over Ardglen.

Have some...