"the model railway enthusiasts at least know their toy trains aren't real."

So are we to accept that the songs aren't real either? I've never bought all the surrounding paraphenalia myself, but the the songs themselves are undoubtedly real, and remain relevant so long as anyone wants to listen to them.

"apologies for lack of cheer outside the North Euston;"

Yeah, I thought you weren't your usual irrepressible self. Hope you're over it now.

Re 'tradition', I think I'll stick with the usual definition, rather than a made-up one about 'purity'.