The Visitors' Book Archive

Because the visitors' book was getting rather large I decided to archive off the older entries. Here are the things people wrote in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005.


On Thu, 30 Apr 1998, Richard Myers wrote :

Hi Rob:
Like your pages very much, nice and clean and load relatively fast. Just a small "nit-pick" even at 800 x 600 some pages scroll horizontally, not sure why?
You may be interested in my 50+ years of Railway moldelling located at the following url.
Regards...
Richard Myers - President Four Letter Software Inc. - Burlington - ON - Canada

Click here for Richard's web site

The issue with 800 by 600 displays came about because I prepared these pages on a 1024 by 768 display. I wanted to keep the photos a good size for clarity, but I am trying to eliminate problems down to 800 by 600. Any lower, though, I can't make any promises.


On Tue, 05 May 1998, Spencer Manlove wrote :

Rob, I have enjoyed your web page (the trains part) very much. It is nicely done - congratulations on a good job.
I am building an 8 x 13 HO layout and have had a great deal of help "across the pond" from Keith Norgrove, also of the UK. He is active on the model railroad newsgroup.
Spencer Manlove
Missoula, Montana, USA


On Wed, 08 Jul 1998, Steve Faber wrote :

Hi Rob,

found your page from the uk.r.c thread, and thought it was great - I've made a note of your tips for painting brick walls, though whether I'll ever get round to doing it is quite another matter!

I was interested in the Christmas tree train, which my children would love (i.e. I would have fun playing with it, and they would have fun watching it...) How would you create/manage the train detection? I've not come across widgets to do that, but I've never really looked. And is a "micro-controller" a controller that's very small?

I know Steve from Usenet, and we've been in contact by e-mail about train detection. When I do the controller I'll add the techie stuff to the page!


On Tue, 1 Sep 1998, Chris Burrows wrote :

Just popped in looking for a Spitfire club in the area - I live near Buckingham. site looks good - hope to see you at Hinton some month


On Thu, 3 Sep 1998, Jonathan Bayliss wrote :

Rob, I like your site. It's interesting how many people combine Christianity with model railways! There are more people in my model railway club who have done an Alpha course than in my church! Our family Christmas tree has a train every year also, but ours is a very low tech battery model. As I'm always looking for space in a full family home for a layout, your pics have got me thinking!

Our club has a site under development at http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/1271/

Cheers, Jonathan.


On Sat, 3 Oct 1998, keith harrington wrote :

from another "born again Christian" it's great to read your comments


On Mon, 1 Feb 1999, "Bob" wrote :

I just found your pages on the internet, and had a glance through them. I decided to let you know I appreciated you putting them on the internet, as the techniques illustrate very well what is written in the model railway press. As I model British railways in Canada, some of the terminology and products are not always the same. I found particularly interesting your pages on brick walls and station platforms.

Once again, thanks.

Bob


On Thu, 4 Feb 1999, Dave Smith wrote :

Rob,

I hope I have the right mail link to you!!!

Firstly - What a great Web page you have, explaining with pic's the construction of your model railway layout.

I'm currently building a Loft Layout and am looking for all Hints and Tips available, so your page caught my interest.

Is it possible for you to share you designs and information on the updated Maplin Control system - Like you I think the original is lacking, and I would be interested to see your updates to it.

I was going to add some of these technical details to the pages in due course, but problems making the system reliable led me towards adopting a DCC based approach. I have sent the Maplin stuff to Dave so that he can try to develop it further if he wants to.


On Tue, 23 Mar 1999, Jeff Scarbrough wrote :

Triumph cars and model trains! What a fine combination...but how do you find time for all your hobbies?


On Thu, 18 Mar 1999, Ed Tonge wrote :

Hi, Rob!!

You have really got a cool and informative website!! I'm sure that when I get to the point of actually building my mini rail-empire, I will find some useful information. Right now, I am collecting links for my webpage, and I will add yours, if you have no objections.

Sincerely,

Ed "Crash" Tonge

Click here for Ed's site


On Wed, 14 Apr 1999, John Jolley wrote :

Enjoyed your page and am always looking for fellow Spit enthusiasts, keep up the good work!


On Thu, 27 May 1999, It's your friend Michelle in the US! wrote :

Hello Rob,

I thought it was about time I signed your guestbook! Love your web site, although I'm not much into cars and such... I enjoyed your Christian faithpage. Take care, I'm sure I'll be hearing from you soon! *Smiles*.


On Thu, 3 Jun 1999, Brooks Pearce wrote :

I am from Wake Forest North Carolina USA. I was crusing the Pearce sites. You have a cool site. I am in process of getting on line at home. More later. See Ya!!!


On Sat, 19 Jun 1999, Brian Schofield wrote :

Great to see another Christian passing on his faith on his site. My site too talks about my work, trains and my christian faith.


On Tue, 22 Jun 1999, Nils Beijer wrote :

Nice to find someone with the same interest Triumph Mk3 1970 and Christian Faith. I bought a Triumph Spitfire Mk3 1970 in England, summer 1997 and are now restoring/rebuilding the car. There is a lot of rust, floor pannels, sills and rear wings is being replaced. The engine is to be restored also. Me and my wife are planning to go to England next summer in our restored car. Im working on my Website, but its not ready yet. Yours seem to be very interesting, Ive just found it and will look at it more closely some other time.

Regards

Nils Beijer


On Wed, 7 Jul 1999, Roger Taylor wrote :

Good site Rob, thanks for pointing me to the railway section (tips on scenery construction). I had a look around the rest of the site while I was here - pretty good stuff.

Regards

Roger


On Fri, 16 Jul 1999, Louise Davies wrote :

Enjoyed your web site. I lived in Reid Close until 1991. I now reside in Los Angles. I am married to a Banburian named Michael Davies who was very active in the Banbury Operatice Society and the drama ministry of Banbury Baptist Center. Since we have left Banbury we have had very little news of St. Mary's and what happened to the site across the street. We plan to be Banbury during August to see how things have changed. We hear the city center is dead?

Well I wouldn't say Banbury is "dead". It ain't the hub of the universe, but it's tickin' along.


On Wed, 25 Aug 1999, Rob Pearce wrote :

Just stopped by to say hello to another RP

Fair enough - hello!


On Sun, 26 Sep 1999, Peter Stone wrote :

Hi Rob,

I stumbled accross your page and thought that you might like to look at something a little different.

http://www.empire.net.au/users/the.stones/lika7.htm

Regards

Peter Stone.

I looked, and I liked, so I included the link here.


On Tue, 5 Oct 1999, Simon Richardson wrote :

Nice - but I would need more time to give a proper eval!


On Sun, 14 Nov 1999, Richard P. Kubeck wrote :

Thank-you for the information on attaching wires to rails.I never thought of going in at an angle all my connections are through the rail's web.I am going to try your technique.


On Sat, 20 Nov 1999, John Favill wrote :

I originate from England having emigrated to the US in 1979 to work for a US motorcycle company, who shall remain nameless, responsible for the Engine designs.

I am now retired and finding there is far too much to do, other than work for a living. I stumbled onto your Web page by accident as I have been interested in things railway since a schoolboy back in the early days of WW II. I am a member of Severn Valley but obviously, at a distance. My interest in modeling steam engines is, at best a hit and miss affair, with partly finished Patriot and Coronation. I intend to buy some finished models if I can find a reputable source in the UK willing to mail to the US. I live near to Milwaukee which used to have a famous steam hauled service to Minneapolis, called the Hiawatha, which is claimed to have had the fastest regular service

We have a rail Museum in Green Bay which has on display the A4 Dwight D. Eisenhower with several pullman coaches.

And that's about it,. Many thanks for letting me visit.


On Sun, 28 Nov 1999, RICHARD wrote :

Good to see some one on the net from Banbury

"From" in the past tense now, but I'm sure that doesn't leave Banbury totally unrepresented.


On Sun, 5 Dec 1999, Paul Edwards wrote :

Hi Rob. Saw you posting on uk.religion.christian - just getting back on there after a long gap with not enough time to follow discussions.

I wondered if it was the Rob Pearce I knew from Rover days, and sure enough it was!

All the best,

Paul


On Mon, 6 Dec 1999, Chris Pyle wrote :

Thanks Rob - your adder joke was appalling, but I have enjoyed my brief spell in your web site

Chris


On Mon, 20 Dec 1999, Chris Dawson wrote :

Lovely - but don't put yourself down with comments like "inexpertly steered" - it's all relative you know, I mean, look at my driving!!! God Bless, Bye!

Chris's driving was good enough to be a member of my Round Britain team last time round.


On Tue, 18 Jan 2000, Steve Tibbetts wrote :

Got here by way of HO Railroading. Heck of a method of track power connection. Would seem to take an inordinate amount of time to drill all those holes, then fine the correct position under the layout.
Do like the effort you have put in your pages, only hope to someday get mine working so well.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Steve Tibbetts
Secretary, Orange County Modular Railroaders

The track power method isn't that hard in reality, though it helps to drill the holes in track and base board before fixing the track down.


On Wed, 23 Feb 2000, Steven Carr wrote :

You mention 'Who moved the stone?' By Frank Morison
I have a review of this at
http://www.bowness.demon.co.uk/stone.htm
Isn't it just another fundamentalist work which starts from saying 'What can we conclude if we assume that everu=ything in the Bible is true?' and leaps to the answer 'We can conclude that everything in the Bible is true'. Is there anything in the book which does not swaallow everything Christians have ever said without blinking, right down to the name of Pilate's wife (unknown to history, but Morison knows what Pilates' wife is called, because he accepts everything Christiaans have ever said)

In fact, if you can back up with documentation Morison's claim to know what Pilate's wife was called, I will alter my review to praise his book.

Steven is one of the resident atheists on uk.religion.christian and his views on Morison's book are well known there. If you want to know what a comitted atheist thinks of a book which has brought many people to a genuine Christian faith, then I encourage you to visit his site. If you want to know what Morison really says, I advise you to read the book.


On Thu, 2 Mar 2000, Steven Hill wrote :

I came to your site because my dad enjoys trains and I am looking for pictures of trains for the computer. I also am a Christian and when I saw your "faith" page I wanted to check it out. I appreciated reading your personal testimony of salvation.


On Tue, 4 Apr 2000, John Birch wrote :

What a pleasure to find your site.
When time permits, I will write in more detail bu we have a great deal in common.
I am also a Christian and have been involved in leading worship through music - for over 40 years.
For about 42 years as organist and now, more recently as pianist in a music group although I really miss the traditional, more formal music and liturgy.)
I too have a 1970 MkIII Spitfire which I am working on while driving and enjoying.
I too have a model railway which has been in storage for about 8 years and is about to be unpacked as a room is now becoming available (My daughter leaves for the UK next Tuesday)
I have many slides of railways in the Uk and South Africa.
I was a member of the Railway Society of Southern Africa for a number of years but the infighting led to my resignation. I am a member of the Cape Town branch of the Triumph Car Club of South Africa.

Greetings
John


On Sun, 17 Sep 2000, Roy Parkes wrote :

Interesting site, I am also a railway modeller in the stages of deciding what to do next.
I have recently sold my 009 exhibition layout and due to problems with my eyesight due to old age (60 in October) think I may well try my hand at 7mm narrow gauge.
I to am a committed Christian having given my life to Christ some 20years ago, and worship at our local Methodist Church.
Why is it I wonder that many Christians have an interest in Railways.
Many thanks for your site, and all the best with the layout.


On Thu, 19 Oct 2000, paul ronaldson wrote :

Hello Rob
I liked your page very much i to have a british oo layout.I am at the moment rebuilding mine,useing plastic sheet.iread itin a model railway recently .it will be alot lighter to carry around it does use a bit of wood around the sides .iam also a born again christian i go to the local anglican church . i also have a tiumph 2.5 a great british car .
thanks for your coments god bless from new zealand paul


On Sun, 5 Nov 2000, del mund wrote :

great site, and i enjoyed the in the beginning story, john 1.1 is one of my favotire verses. you are only the 2nd christian model rr i have found on the net. i too am a believer in christ and a model rr
God Bless you as you continue to minister using this site
del


On Sun, 24 Dec 2000, Heather and Paul Wilkinson wrote :

Great to see all of this Rob, we are sitting here with Paul and Margaret Shepherd. Enjoyed reading your testimony etc etc. Hope you have a fantastic Christmas and wonderful New Year


On Thu, 28 Dec 2000, Liz Fisher wrote :

Wait til I tell Paul Shepherd about you drinking beer!!!Hope you had a great Christmas and I wish you all the very best for the nre year, any more cars to do up in the new year?


On Wed, 06 Jun 2001, Becky Everdon wrote :

Thanbk you for the lovely visit! I was very impressed by the website, and I hope to visit it again..... Becky


On Tue, 03 Jul 2001, chris marandola wrote :

nice reading about you,just been on your site after a triumph bulkhead,hope the guy who contacted me from wiltshire area gets back in touch.Perhaps you may know of him. regards chris marandola


On Thu, 19 Jul 2001, Phil Hodgson wrote :

I had a mkII GT6 before I was married. The insurance company were not too happy with insuring teh new wife so unfortunately one of them had to go. I did get another some years later but it was a rust bucket and it too had to go. Now I stick mainly to the bicycle as a) I get time to repair that without too much difficulty b) I don't get cross with traffic jams and speed limits wwhen on the bike.
I spotted your postings in uk.religion.chriatian and followed your link.

I have very much enjoyed reading your story - thanks for making it public.

I am a Christian from the evangelical persuasion. I do enjoy sneaking of to the local Catholic church from time to time as they seem to appreciate the majesty of God in a way I find more helpful - less pally if you know what I mean.


On Thu, 23 Aug 2001, Richard Hall wrote :

I enjoyed your summary of the Christian faith - very concise


On Wed, 21 Nov 2001, Adrian wrote :

Nice web site. Do you know where Syston Eng. is.


On Sun, 06 Jan 2002, Glenn wrote :

I wish you continued peace in Christ!


On Sat, 24 Aug 2002, Judith Keane wrote :

Cool. Funny railway poem.


On Thu, 17 Apr 2003, Florian from Zurich wrote :

Hi Rob

I actually came to your website by searching the web on "Triumph" because I drove (and still drive) Triumph cars.
I also read your christian faith pages. I can tell you, you are not the only one, I grew up in a similar way as you did. Allways in search of friends, newer joining the "in-crowd". And (as you) entirely useless at sport. I allways was interested in lives'important questions (faith, philosophy). I'm not a christian (I wish I could find somewhere the faith to become a christian). I'm still sceptic.
You know nature-science is completly against your opinion that the world is designed by someone (god?). And that's my great dilema, who shall I believe, faith or science ?

I hope I didn't bore you to much and I hope also you understand my simple english.

Kind regards
Florian


On Sun, 24 Apr 2005, Rob Pearce (yes, really!!!) wrote :

In response to the debate on the level of truth in the Bible, I would like to submit a valid atheist view. Whilst I look upon those touched by any religion with a degree of envy to the fact that they are at one with a higher being that bestows on them a purpose in life, I am also a realist. Therefore I cannot comprehend any God that presides over the atrocities in today's world, nor the fantasy that is practically all religious teaching. It is with deep respect that I offer up this view and I would be most interested in your response.

I didn't realise we were having a debate on truth in the Bible, but if we are...

The validity of your atheist view remains to be proved. Never make the mistake of assuming Christians are not realists themselves. I frequently cannot comprehend God. This is entirely to be expected, since I am a creature and He is the creator. One might as well ask my computer to comprehend me. I do know, however, that the atrocities you cite are man's doing. So in reality your are failing to comprehend man (also not an uncommon experience). Why should you use this as an argument against God? Surely it is a telling argument against secular humanism, and against the usefulness of atheism! Mankind is inherently corrupt, weak, sinful, and prone to perpetrating great evil. Any belief system that relies on mankind to better itself is dead in the water before it ever gets started.

Christianity is not such a flawed faith. Christianity teaches that man cannot be saved by his own deeds, but only by the amazing love and grace of God. This love has indwelt believers for twenty centuries, and produced many (if not most) of the great social reforms of history. It has stood against injustice, protested against the causes of poverty, and criticized the warmongers. And it still does in this 21st century.

So now to your last derogatory comment — and don't pretend it was made with deep respect, because the term "fantasy" can never be lashed around respectfully. How much religious teaching have you listened to? Clearly none of the same teaching I have! Certainly I'll grant that there are madmen out there teaching wild fantasy in the name of religion. The established churches of all faiths see them for what they are — heretics, cults and liars.

It saddens me to see the lack of discernment shown by people today. There is a tendency to believe anything without question, because we believe nothing strongly enough to matter. That is the consequence of denial — the denial of the existence of an ultimate truth. This ultimate truth is what religion teaches. The atheist movement rejects ultimate truth, and thereby teaches people to be vulnerable to all sorts of outrageous fantasy.

In so many ways, when I hear a supposed atheist criticize Christianity as being fantasy, or simply unrealistic, I marvel at the hypocrisy.


On Tue, 26 Apr 2005, Robert Pearce wrote :

Thank-you for your rapid and detailed response. I accept that my atheist theory is yet to be proven, but there is far more scientific and factual proof of my view than there is of ANY of the numerous religions, all of whom profess to be the only 'way'. It may surprise you to discover that I am a Christened and Confirmed member of the Church of England but lost interest at around age 15.



I find it interesting that you 'marvel' at the hyposcrisy of myself and other atheists, however that to is my view of yourself. I accept that the Church has survived for 20 centuries and brought about much social reform, but this is the same Church that for the same period of time has suppressed the female! Forgive me if I am wrong but is this also not the same Church that taught the stoning of adulterous wives? The same God who required the sacfricing of lambs? I find it most hypocritical that as these acts have become socially unacceptable the Church no longer practices them. Maybe it is God following Mankind? The same Mankind you, rather disappointingly, seem to have no faith in. And the major cause of wars throughout history? Religion. Baffling!

Well that's a fairly long list of objections, but frankly nothing new or original. So let's deal with them in turn.

Scientific proof: there is exactly the same amount of genuinely scientific proof for and against all religions, namely absolutely none. Scientific proof simply doesn't cope with the field. Anyone expecting it to has failed to understand what science is about. There is, however, historical and experiential evidence that's relevant. This, I have to inform you, does not support your opinion at all. This shouldn't be surprising, since atheism makes only negative claims, which can never be proven.

I care precisely not one jot that you were christened (which given the meaning of that term happened well before you had any choice in the matter) or confirmed. It's perfectly possible to go through the motions without ever thinking what you're supposed to be declaring, especially in a parish where under-15s are commonly confirmed.

As to suppressing the female, I fear you are simply wrong there. The church has, from the very start, given women considerably more rights and respect than the norm of the society of the time. Only in recent years has society caught up and, I readily admit, overtaken. However, secular society has striven mainly to allow women the freedom to be every bit as greedy, selfish, power-hungry and generally unpleasant as men. I'm glad the church hasn't caught up with that aim!

Surprise, surprise, you are indeed once again wrong on the matter of stoning. The Christian faith teaches forgiveness and has never condoned capital punishment. The Old Testament does, to the ignorant modern reader, appear to suggest wives are mere chattels and should be punished excessively. But to somebody with the common sense to consider the historical context, it is clear that God's laws severely limited the degree of such punishment.

Yes, the God of the Old Testament required the sacrifice of lambs. It's called symbolism. The people needed to realise they had gone wrong, and therefore needed to be forgiven. This is still true today, but the anti-religious lobby won't admit it. Frankly, this is why your attitude makes me marvel. Do you really think you are that good that you never need to be forgiven? And do you really reckon you can perfect yourself through your own feeble efforts? I have to say, if you answer yes to either of those questions you're a fool, and if you answer no then you should admit that atheism doesn't meet your need.

And then you trot out that old nonsense about religion causing wars. Frankly, you need to study some history. The single biggest cause of wars throughout history has been and always will be greed. Usually it's greed for territory. Sometimes it's greed for oil or wealth. Sometimes it's simple greed for power.

Again I remain utterly baffled at how you can even contemplate seriously suggesting that religion is the main cause of wars. Look at the 20th century — a century which saw more wars than any before. It is no coincidence that this was the same century that saw the rise of atheism. All major world religions teach non-violence. The first world war was caused by politics and greed. The second world war was a result of the greed of those politicians who decided on the settlement for the first. The first gulf war came out of Saddam Hussein's greed (the second, arguably, from George Bush's). The Falklands war — again, greed and political ambition.

You criticize my lack of faith in mankind. Can any person claim to be rational and not lack faith in a species who behave like that?


On Thu, 28 Apr 2005, S A wrote :

You are a wonderful man, it has been a pleasure reading your site.


On Thu, 28 Apr 2005, Rob Pearce wrote :

...continued

Again, you trot out more rubbish about 'symbolism' and how the Bible should be read and understood. I apologise for being an 'ignorant modern reader' but I think it is time that you faced facts: we live in the MODERN world! I am irritated by the blind ignorance of people such as yourself. People who have failed to find solace and comfort in fellow man or woman and have to turn to fiction to make sense and bring fulfilment to their empty lives. Of course I accept the need to be forgiven: but I prefer the kind of forgiveness afforded me by my fellow man, and not that which I create in my mind from 'God'.
It is unsurprising that you use the tired old 'man is bad, look at what he has done' barb to justify your shameful distaste of mankind. Why do you look only to the bad man has done? I suppose God is responsible for all the good! Come to think of it...didn't God create man? Made a bit of a mess there, didn't He?!!!

I am irritated by the blind ignorance of people like YOU. To quote a well known popular beat combo, Modern Life Is Rubbish. The world is not really changing that much, and people are definitely not improving. And if you cannot accept that there is more to this universe than you can understand then I pity you.

And I don't only look at the bad works on man. But looking at history, nearly all the good works were inspired by religious faith, whereas most of the evil just came naturally. So perhaps it is true to say all the good comes from God, but those were your words not mine.


On Thu, 28 Apr 2005, Rob Pearce wrote :

Again I must thank you for your rapid and lengthy response. Your courtesy has restored my faith in mankind!

Firstly, I believe it is you that fails to understand science. Science is about discovery, the making of man and Earth and all that lies in it. Unfortunately scientific discovery has poured scorn over much of the Bible's teachings, perhaps most notably the quite rediculus notion of the story of 'Creation'. Since the Creation story has been shown to be complete tosh by scientific research, Christians around the world have been clamouring to its defence with claims such as 'it isn't meant to be factual' and 'each day was thousands of years'. Then what is the point of the story? The Bible served mankind well in more ignorant times, such as when it was believed the world was flat, but in today's world it simply doesn't wash!
I whole-heartedly disagree with your saying that the church has given the female considerably more rights than society at the time. The suppression of the woman in society CAME from the teachings of the church. Previously, it was the female who was seen as the 'greater' of the sexes as it was she who gave birth to new life.


So, you trot out the creationism card at last. I wondered how long that would take. Frankly, only idiots read the opening chapters of Genesis as a literal account. It's poetry, it's figurative, it always was and it always will be. I'd bet that even Moses knew that, ill-equipped as he was to understand scientific rationalism. But he wasn't stupid enough to think science answered all the questions. He wasn't stupid enough to think that literalism is the only form of truth. He wasn't stupid enough to think that symbolism and metaphor is pointless. It's only your determination to find fault in religion that blinds you to the inadequacy of science. Are you a scientist? If you claim to be, then you're not a very good one.

And you can disagree with me as much as you like about historical attitudes to women, but since you clearly can't be bothered to investigate the facts I shall treat your absurdly ignorant statements as the complete rubbish they are.

Now, having answered four of your anti-Christian tirades, I shall point out that this is a visitors' book not a debate forum. This is not supposed to be an evangelistic website, but I'm not going to allow anybody to turn it into an anti-Christian site either. I've been more than reasonably tolerant with you, but from this point on I shall exercise my editorial prerogative and simply delete any further arguments posted on the subject.


On Fri, 29 Apr 2005, RP wrote :

Despite the sometimes personal nature of our debate, I must admit I did enjoy it. You made a number of eye-opening comments throughout that resulted in even a staunch critic of Christianity such as myself to take stock and consider your thoughts. I must point out that it was you who chose to leave my comments in your visitors book and not reply to me privately by e-mail, thus making it a 'debate forum'.
It saddens me that instead of trying to spread the word of God you took it upon yourself to instantly ridicule my atheistic views, despite being one yourself once upon a time.

I will end by returning your graceful pity: I pity someone married to an imaginary being rather than a fellow human.

May God forgive me,

Amen.

I shall leave this in, only to add that:

And that really is the last word on this.



On Wed, 05 Oct 2005, Colin wrote :

I came to you via Gerald! Awesome site! Love it. Colin http://www.ColinFu.com


On Thu, 03 Nov 2005, Jennifer Coton wrote :

Why is there nothing about Livewires? How can you have a website about your life without a bit about LW??? :O


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