mog Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Seeing as we're a 'minority' I thought I might share my tiny little 3mm layout..I did post before but maybe that was the 'old' RMWeb? http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=40214 http://mogtrains.blogspot.com/2009/10/elston-road-coming-along.html I really like the idea of 3mm for many reasons - the size just seems 'right' - and the lack of RTR means having to make models and not being tempted by the easy route! However, I'm a sole modeller (no club) and learning everything by myself, so track laying, kit building etc has been a challenge. I thought if i was going to try 3mm, i should do it 'properly and went for 14.2mm gauge. Not sure how wise that decision was and since completing 'Elston Road' I've stalled completely. I've not given up on 3mm, just unsure what direction to take. The loco , a Y6 scratchbuild, is a cop-out btw, being a body on a Halling bogie, and not a proper engine! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold bcnPete Posted January 28, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 28, 2012 Thanks for sharing this. I know what you mean about the scale thing...it does just sit nice between 2mm and 4mm...and slightly better for the fading 20-20 vision too. I have always enjoyed the SR 3mm layouts of Peter Bossom...I think he is a bit of a 3mm legend. Can you post any more photos and keep us updated on this....or perhaps your next 3mm project? Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katier Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Lovely layout Mog and a great example of why I ended up in 3mm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Natalie Graham Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 That is a smashing little layout. 3mm is a very nice scale to work in, if the problems of availability of loco wheels have finally been overcome. I thought if i was going to try 3mm, i should do it 'properly and went for 14.2mm gauge. Not sure how wise that decision was and since completing 'Elston Road' I've stalled completely. I've not given up on 3mm, just unsure what direction to take.The loco , a Y6 scratchbuild, is a cop-out btw, being a body on a Halling bogie, and not a proper engine! A very wise choice in my opinion. It isn't like in 2mm and 4mm scales where there's loads of rtr for the narrower gauge. If you were modelling in 12mm gauge what would be different with regard to producing models of locos or rolling stock, apart from the choice of wheelsets? As to what direction to take, I would suggest building a loco next to run on the existing layout, and see how that goes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWales Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 Nice work sir! The fact is 14.2mm now much easier after the 3mm Society's trackbase introduction. Still difficult to believe that it's only 3' long! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mog Posted January 29, 2012 Author Share Posted January 29, 2012 thanks all. I had a go at building a loco - a J72. The body was no problem (whitemetal). Ths chassis was the first I ever made in any scale and I don't have the benefit of being in a club, or knowing anyone who can help. Eventually i got it running but couldn't really get pickups sorted out. I ended up pulling the society finescale wheels off (not an operation you want to repeat too often). I had no jigs to aid building, and in hindsight i wonder if the sideframes are a bit flimsy and too easy to bend. So, I'm wondering if using the new society wheelsets would help matters.. in addition, 12mm might allow a little more tolerance? My other thought is to try building a couple of kits in larger scales first (oo etc) to get a bit of experience. At the moment if something is not quite right, I have no idea if it's just me doing something wrong, or what. I think if i can break the barrier and build a succesful working loco in 3mm, the doors are open. I really enjoyed the process of building this layout, more than any other I've done, so it would be nice to expand on that success. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katier Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 I agree on the J72's sideframes. The body is simple to put together, but I've given up on the supplied chassis and make my own now. What part of the country are you Mog and do you follow the 3mm society egroup? I'm going to put together a runthrough of my next J72 chassis. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Natalie Graham Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 Was the chassis a kit? Without seeing it, it is hard to say where problems might have occurred, or how best to arrange pick ups. Would 12mm give more tolerance? If you mean more room for error, I would say no. You want your chassis to run nicely whatever the gauge, not stay on the track only because of larger wheel flanges. Plus you get less space between the frames to fit the bits in. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dorset Wanderer Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Several of the Finney and Smith locos are shot down from 7mm and easier to build in 14.2 gauge. 12mm nee3ds a little more work.Keep at it- the enjoyment of making youer own loco makes it all worthwhile. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katier Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Several of the Finney and Smith locos are shot down from 7mm and easier to build in 14.2 gauge. 12mm nee3ds a little more work.Keep at it- the enjoyment of making youer own loco makes it all worthwhile. Steve I'm working on an N10 at the moment. Interestingly some aspects I think are better in 12mm than 14.2 as the wheels being inboard slightly I feel is actually helping the front two pickups as they clear the tanks better. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mog Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 good points about the wider gauge.. and perhaps I need to remain focussed, I think it's partly the thought of being able to more easily take wheels on and off for fettling (the new society sq wheels). Ultimately I did manage to get the chassis running ok up and down a lenght of test track - tethered to power supply. I will have another crack at it..just hope I can pick a good kit. To answer earlier question - in Notts and I do follow the egroup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWales Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 If you're stalled, and I'm sure that we've all had it at some point, it's just a case of re evaluation of what you're wanting to achieve. I'm sure it'll work out well in the end! (oh and by the way if you give up on 14.2mm, and want to sell the layout..... ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mog Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 :-) I don't think I could bear to part with it just yet! (but thanks!) I think I will pick up 3mm again and no doubt stick with my orginal choice to use the wider gauge. I think what i need to do is to choose a good kit to get some confidence. I'm naturally drawn to little light railway types, but I wonder if something a little more substantial might be better, so I'm looking again at what I'd like to model. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglian Posted August 26, 2012 Share Posted August 26, 2012 Helston was the first 3mm layout I came across and I know what you mean about 3mm looking so right. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dorset Wanderer Posted August 26, 2012 Share Posted August 26, 2012 The 3mm kits from Judith Edge available from Finney and Smith have a good reputation, well wort a look. At last I have the 54XX pannier finished and am very pleased with what Nigel and I have achieved. See it at Ilton. Best wishes Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mog Posted August 27, 2012 Author Share Posted August 27, 2012 Just popped back over here after a mention on the 3mm egroup.. Nice to see Elston up again.. I was going to fetch it out for a play today. As it happens, I've resolved to build a second 3mm layout. This time I'm going to try 12mm gauge, to Make a better comparison as much as anything else. No firm plans yet, just started to order bits I need. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWales Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Good to know you've got your modelling mojo back and hope the enthusiasm continues! Keep us informed! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mog Posted April 10, 2016 Author Share Posted April 10, 2016 Guess what I fetched out of the loft this weekend! Where does the time go ?!? https://youtu.be/hHe7IfXHkOs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Robert Shrives Posted April 10, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 10, 2016 Time flys but happily all is good on the layout and video is excellent and thanks for 3mm soc plug. October 16/17 th is a meet up and build weekend in Kidderminster under the kind leadership of Allan Doherty - of Worsley works fame! I am sure others would be inspired by seeing this in the flesh. Robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium NCB Posted April 11, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 11, 2016 Nice one. A load of character, just what good models need. Re the Halling bogie, did you have to re-wheel it for 14.2mm gauge? Nigel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mog Posted April 13, 2016 Author Share Posted April 13, 2016 Nice one. A load of character, just what good models need. Re the Halling bogie, did you have to re-wheel it for 14.2mm gauge? Nigel Cheers.. I honestly can't remember.. I think I ordered it from 3smr ..(motorbogies.com) but I do have memories of nervously pulling out the wheels and using calipers to measure the B2B .. so I think I may have ordered a 12mm gauge one and re-gauged it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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