Huw Griffiths

I wouldn't be too surprised if there were plenty of catalogues left over at my local WHS after this month's Hornby magazine disappears. After all, what's the point in paying good money for a catalogue which showcases models that might not even be available at any model shops in the area? Edit: More to the point, even if all these models were to appear in your local preferred model shop, I wonder how many people would actually be able to afford a lot of the quoted prices.

This strikes me as fair comment. Around the turn of the millennium, I was drawn to On30 by the Spectrum (ie Bachmann) On30 streetcar - also the short "Wild West" style carriages from the same stable. They were available - affordable - easy to adapt - but also looked great straight out of the box. I got some at the time - I really wish I'd got lots more. Fast forward to the last few years - they seem to be made of "unotainium" - even if anyone could afford them, that is. I've actually got a number of planned build projects that have suddenly got a lot more difficult - and extremely expensive, if I use commercially made parts, like roofs for instance (I haven't even seen them secondhand for ages). Time will tell if I find some "work round" - or if I end up being forced to abandon my plans.

Well, I guess it's either that or "train spotting" at "West Ashfield". OK - perhaps not ... .

I might be wrong here - but I thought that boats are sometimes known as "craft", which you might find at a port. As for "air craft", I wonder where you might encounter some of these ... ? Anyway, some people might reckon that the joke's now starting to wear a bit thin. Let's get back to the trains ... .

I can only apologise if I caused offence with my wording - that definitely was not my intention. I'm generally rather fussy about my choice of words - I usually get them "more or less" right - and then, being a bit of a perfectionist, I worry that I might have made a mistake somewhere. However, as suggested in an earlier post, right now, I've got a lot of DIY to deal with - and, for various reasons, I'm also rather stressed (I'd prefer not to go into too much detail why). I'm not looking for sympathy - just setting things out as they are at present. In all honesty, though, if my mind seems to be on another planet, this is probably only to be expected. Anyway, back to the trains ... .

I kinda guess I could have added "from the transit terminal, several blocks away" - but I thought that some people might not be too keen on it. Seriously though, my mind was elsewhere when I typed my earlier post - a little matter of having a load of DIY to deal with before I can even think of doing some modelmaking. This site doing its time-honoured routine of automatically logging me out when I was in the middle of typing didn't exactly help, either. Saying that, I guess I'd managed to stay logged in for a full minute before this happened - so I shouldn't complain ... .

I don't recall much in the way of on site catering. I think there might have been a bar upstairs - with a very limited range - but it's a number of years since I last got chance to visit this show. (To go there, despite the "service" and fares I encountered with Great Western, I'd need to be pretty determined!) For some people, the preferred catering option is a mix of: A stainless steel flask, filled with filter coffee - and A visit to Lidl* or Morrisons* (* other supermarkets are also available), on the way to the train station. I don't recall the local service buses being exactly frequent - or affordable. Obviously, they might have improved in the last few years (yes, right) ... . As for the shuttle buses, they were dropped a few years ago. They were first introduced about a quarter of a century ago, when the show moved from Bristol waterfront to Thornbury. When they started, they were preserved buses, with a "donations box" near the entrance. For the first few years, they ran to / from Temple Meads, Filton Abbey Wood and Parkway stations. After a while, Temple Meads was dropped. Further along the line, Filton Abbey Wood was also dropped and the frequency reduced. (If I remember correctly, trains to / from South Wales were hourly - as were the shuttles - and they always seemed to just miss, in both directions!) The next step was to use a local bus operator - with an old, high floor, coach and a fare (£1 each way to from Parkway, if I remember correctly). Finally, the shuttles went the way of the dodo. On a more positive note, I always used to enjoy this show - partly because there was usually something of interest to me - partly because it offered me a chance to meet up with some people I've known for decades.

Couldn't agree more. Fair comment about shuttles - it's a bit of a nightmare to get there by public transport. As for nearby (like within several miles) significant transport hubs, it might be worth looking into Bristol Parkway rail station - perhaps also Cribbs Causeway, as lots of bus routes serve the bus station at the shopping mall.

As suggested by the topic heading, I'm wondering if there's an easy way to add a signature to all my posts - and, if so, how to go about it.

Nothing - I was responding to someone asking about RTR models. In fact, I'm hoping to build some homebrew models of my own - albeit "cut & shut" models of some much earlier Diesel multiple unit sets. As for when these might be completed (and whether they'll be any good), time will tell.

I could certainly imagine my brother saying something along those lines - but then he does have a background in maths / IT teaching (although he's been promoted a few times over the years). However, stuff like this reminds me of an old advert - which included a suggestion that "98.5 percent of statistics are made up on the spot". (OK - I can't remember if it was actually 98.5 percent - but I'm not sure that the actual number matters too much here!)

Two microswitches - with "normally closed" contacts - at either end of the travel? The idea doesn't sound unreasonable. After all, it's not as if it's exactly unknown for microswitches to be used as limit switches.

Well, in fairness, there are probably a few makes worth considering (for example, I've used Weller quite a bit over the years) - but Antex is definitely one of the best. In some ways, soldering irons can be a bit like fountain pens - amongst a lot of people who've used them a lot, an element of personal preference comes into choosing them - they don't all "handle" the same, for instance. However, they really need to be safe - and solidly built - and it's important that you can get spare parts (now and in the future). A number of "cheap" soldering irons seem to be "cheap" for a reason - and I personally wouldn't touch many of them with a disinfected bargepole. In other words, I'd definitely agree with the advice to buy an Antex. As long as you're sensible with how you use it (I'm sure you will be), I don't think you can go wrong with Antex - they're well made - their internal wiring isn't waiting to give you an electric shock - and you can get spare parts (tips, elements etc). Over time, you might need a number of bits for different jobs - you'll be able to get them. I think you get the general idea. Regards, Huw.

Just a thought: Could you imagine a number of "groups" - perhaps IPMS, NMRA, The Model Railway Club etc - getting together and "taking over" half the NEC, with a show drawing attention to various aspects of their respective areas of model making? They'd probably also end up drawing in lots of "special interest" / gauge groups and selling lots of weekend entry tickets. Doing something like this properly might be feasible - but I could imagine it being a logistical nightmare. Huw.

I was wondering why all those "Go for Gold!" adverts weren't getting through. Of course, this might also have something to do with me having already "made the jump" ... . Seriously though, these "e-shows" have been great - and this one's no exception. However, this doesn't stop some of us looking forward to the big "in person" shows, when they return.

Perhaps. Some photographic film responded differently to different colours. Also, I'm not sure how dark the red was, when ex-GWR railcars were repainted into BR colours. Personally, I'd like to think it might have been dark (as I think it would have looked good on the railcars - yes, I'm thinking about my own planned build) - but I get the impression that there might have been some variation in the BR "red & cream" livery. (This might also explain my deliberately vague description of the colour scheme.)

I'm enjoying day 2 of the virtual show - well, when I can! I've just been getting a "524 timeout" on one of today's videos (and a bit of "fun" getting another to fire up) - which suggests (to this non-expert at least) that the W-o-R server might be getting a serious workout - so it sounds like lots of people might have been trying to visit the show site. Not to worry. Even though I happen to like "D&E", this doesn't stop me having a kettle. It'll come in very useful now - well, the coffee pot won't fill itself ... . I guess I might get back to the virtual show in about half an hour. With a few mugs of Lidl's finest filter coffee inside me, I might also be more awake than I might otherwise have been. Thankfully, I happen to enjoy Lidl's finest filter coffee (white - no sugar - and ... the good biscuits). (Reminder to self - from a few hours' time, I'll be drinking "decaf" ... .) Whilst I think of it, now would probably be a good time to put the Android tablet on charge. I'll be back later ... .

Aren't you forgetting their memorable personal "signature scent", with its subtle blend of distinctive rustic aromas - like "fresh suilline organic fertilizer" and "eau de skunk"?

That's OK then. I don't have a paint shop. Even if I did, I could imagine my abomination model having the sort of finish most people here would probably be able to get using a broom. Saying that, I'm sure that some people would say this can't possibly be true. My standards aren't that high. Huw.

Fair comment. I remember the show in March. When I was in the middle of watching one of the videos, the house phone rang - and I found myself talking to a relative for the next hour (not that I'm complaining, you understand). If I'd been at "Ally Pally", I very much doubt if he would have spent a similar amount of time speaking to me on my electronic tag mobile phone.

I guess I'd better try to find time to get on with my 2 car Railroad "razor edge" rebuild, then. Huw.

Not at all. That sort of welcome is reserved for the "second home" brigade (allegedly) - and (perhaps) certain Rugby teams (again allegedly). Personally, I've never had any time for such "pleasantries". I've always been proud to be Welsh - in much the same way as I hope people from the Eastern side of Offa's Dyke are proud to be English. I personally start to get worried when people don't take a pride in where they come from - and instead start looking for imaginary faults in where other people come from. I'm sure you'll get a chance in due course. As for me, I enjoyed visiting Gloucestershire at the end of October. The Cheltenham show was my first chance in 3 years to visit a model railway event. Thankfully, I didn't need my passport (just as well - it "ran out" 4 years ago). Same goes for when I visit Hereford. (Interesting, though, that the Wales / England border has actually moved about a bit over the centuries.) Earlier, I mentioned a brewery advert I remember from the 1980s - in Pontypridd - when I was a student at what was then the Polytechnic of Wales. About the same time, another student there was unhappy about having to travel through England on his way to and from his native Cornwall. I can't remember what course he was doing. I can remember that he was considering training to become a vicar ... . Regards, Huw.

Some of us might be wondering if this might mean "Modern Railway Modelling" putting in a guest appearance - perhaps as an occasional feature in some issues of BRM. Of course, it might really be a case of: "Perchance it sleepeth." Who knows? "We'll keep a welcome in the hillsides." As for "foreign" modelling, I believe that BRM might have recently included some content from what one advert for a Welsh brewery once referred to as "bandit country". I can only assume that they were talking about the Eastern side of Offa's Dyke ... .

I don't - but certain "innovations" strike me as seriously scary.

I can't help wondering if the sequence shown in the trailers might have some connection with his Variac routine. Whatever the score, I suspect that any sequences involving this guy really need prominent warnings - along the lines of "DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!!"