TUNNEL VISION
TUNNEL VISION
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Recently, Nigel Clayton sent in a photo of his new tunnel with the accompanying message:
Recently, Nigel Clayton sent in a photo of his new tunnel with the accompanying message:
" I am now the proud owner of a tunnel, photographic evidence of which is attached. As you can see, it has all the necessary attributes, namely an entrance, an exit, and a covered bit in between."
" I am now the proud owner of a tunnel, photographic evidence of which is attached. As you can see, it has all the necessary attributes, namely an entrance, an exit, and a covered bit in between."
If you read the opening page of Nigel's slideshow on the MEMBERS GALLERY page of this website, you will realize that Nigel's acquisition marks an important event in his life. Unexpectedly, the event also gave rise to a controversy among our members. Read on below.....
If you read the opening page of Nigel's slideshow on the MEMBERS GALLERY page of this website, you will realize that Nigel's acquisition marks an important event in his life. Unexpectedly, the event also gave rise to a controversy among our members. Read on below.....
Nigel emphasised the special characteristics of his tunnel - namely its possession of an entrance and an exit. Members of the HRCA (Cornwall Group) scrutinized the photograph. As a result, some doubt was cast on which end of the tunnel was actually the exit and which was the entrance . Nigel's photo is ambiguous in this respect. If the train in Nigel's photo is emerging from the entrance then his layout is defying the laws of physics since, by definition, an entrance can only be gone into, whilst an exit can only be gone out of. A profound question confronted us. A tunnel must have an entrance and an exit - BUT WHICH IS WHICH?
Nigel emphasised the special characteristics of his tunnel - namely its possession of an entrance and an exit. Members of the HRCA (Cornwall Group) scrutinized the photograph. As a result, some doubt was cast on which end of the tunnel was actually the exit and which was the entrance . Nigel's photo is ambiguous in this respect. If the train in Nigel's photo is emerging from the entrance then his layout is defying the laws of physics since, by definition, an entrance can only be gone into, whilst an exit can only be gone out of. A profound question confronted us. A tunnel must have an entrance and an exit - BUT WHICH IS WHICH?
To resolve the matter, magnifying glasses, telescopes and even microscopes were brought to bear by our club experts. Special meetings were convened. University departments were consulted. Engineering and Physics Professors were baffled.
To resolve the matter, magnifying glasses, telescopes and even microscopes were brought to bear by our club experts. Special meetings were convened. University departments were consulted. Engineering and Physics Professors were baffled.
Finally one club member suggested an expert in metaphysics may be able to shed light upon this seemingly intractable problem. After much searching, HRCA members came across the reputation of Professor Rodney Snark, Casenut University, .
Finally one club member suggested an expert in metaphysics may be able to shed light upon this seemingly intractable problem. After much searching, HRCA members came across the reputation of Professor Rodney Snark, Casenut University, .
For an undisclosed fee, Snark agreed to ponder our questions. Finally , after an undisclosed amount of time spent thinking, he informed us of his conclusions:
For an undisclosed fee, Snark agreed to ponder our questions. Finally , after an undisclosed amount of time spent thinking, he informed us of his conclusions:
" With reference to a single line model railway tunnel, the question of the location of its entrance and its exit does not devolve upon the tunnel's physical properties. The entrance and the exit are determined by the train's direction of travel. Hence the tunnel's properties in this respect are interchangeable. Moreover, a tunnel may span two railway lines. If within the tunnel two trains are passing in opposite directions, then it follows that the tunnel possesses two exits and two entrances SIMULTANEOUSLY, even though the tunnel still only has a single aperture at each end." - Snark
" With reference to a single line model railway tunnel, the question of the location of its entrance and its exit does not devolve upon the tunnel's physical properties. The entrance and the exit are determined by the train's direction of travel. Hence the tunnel's properties in this respect are interchangeable. Moreover, a tunnel may span two railway lines. If within the tunnel two trains are passing in opposite directions, then it follows that the tunnel possesses two exits and two entrances SIMULTANEOUSLY, even though the tunnel still only has a single aperture at each end." - Snark
With sighs of relief, Hornby Club members no longer needed to ponder. The question was been resolved. Nigel can rest assured his tunnel is behaving perfectly normally . Other members of the club (only £5-00 per annum to be a member) can also relax, safe in the knowledge that their tunnels have been legitimised by Snark.
With sighs of relief, Hornby Club members no longer needed to ponder. The question was been resolved. Nigel can rest assured his tunnel is behaving perfectly normally . Other members of the club (only £5-00 per annum to be a member) can also relax, safe in the knowledge that their tunnels have been legitimised by Snark.
There is a postscript. The Royal Academy have judged Snark's pronouncement as the discovery of a new fundamental in quantum theory, henceforth to be known as SNARK'S LAW.
There is a postscript. The Royal Academy have judged Snark's pronouncement as the discovery of a new fundamental in quantum theory, henceforth to be known as SNARK'S LAW.
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