As I described in my last post, I have been modelling in both 1:148 N gauge, and 1:152 2mm FS. The high quality of modern N gauge modern-image stock has meant I have decided to concentrate my 2mm FS efforts in the pre-grouping stock, and (for now) accept N gauge wheel\track standards for my modern stock (although ElDavo's handbuilt N track on Waton is quite tempting!).

Although I have a Fencehouses Model Foundry 2mm J72 kit "on the go", I haven't made much progress on it in the last year or more. The chassis binds quite a lot, and I think my efforts to correct it and perfect the quartering have actually bent the chassis frame! I now think think the problem might have been as simple as having failed to ensure the crankpins were correctly aligned on the wheels, introducing eccentricity here. However I think I'll probably try and get hold of a replacement chassis etch and try again from scratch, building on what I've learnt in the process (and use waisted crankpins from the 2mm shop rather than the steel pin supplied in the kit).

I have managed to complete a reasonable collection of goods stock though. Mainly these are 2mm Assoc. shop items, including quite a few private owner wagons. I've also got a pair of LNWR vans ready for painting, as well as a pair of GER cattle wagons. Here are three open wagons that are completed with transfers, some weathering and couplings. I've used a mix of B&B and DG couplings so far for this stock, and it seems to work ...

In the absence of a working J72 "just to get something running" I used one of the dead-cheap Dapol 73s in mainline livery for a quick conversion, with the supplied wheels turned down. Fortunately the top of the coupling pocket seems to be just about the right height to glue on a DG coupling! I also gave it a quick weathering with Phoenix "sleeper grime" painted on and then swabbed off to tone down the silver, and bring out the grille detail, as well as carving off the bulk of the coupling pocket and some of the box around the underframe detail. (apologies, the other bogie frame is missing in the picture!)

Any comments or thoughts much appreciated!