queensquare

Superb Jim. AJs and three links are too fiddly for me but there’s no doubt that, aesthetically, they are head and shoulders better than anything else. Jerry

A couple more pictures from the photo session a few weeks ago. The top picture shows the Fox Walker banking a freight toward the summit at Maesbury. Exactly how the bankers will work on the layout, if at all, is yet to be sorted - not just practically with DCC , but prototypically. Freights between Bath Junction and the tunnels require a banker, through the Midford Valley and past the colliery they dont but on the final push through Windsor Hill they do. I cant be all right all of the time! The lower picture is facing the other way and sees No 45 storming up the bank with the southbound Diner whilst 88 cautiosly descends the bank. Those who know the S&D will spot that this is all wrong, up and down lines should be reversed, space having forced me to model the southern, not northern end of the tunnels. The Diner will look a lot better with a crew and some glazing in the coaches! Both pictures feature some embryonic signals - all bare brass and bluetac at the moment! Shameless plug. I talk a lot about compromise in the next instalment of the Bath saga in MRJ 303, which should be hitting the shops in a couple of weeks. Talking about talking a lot, I will be at SWAG in Taunton this coming Sunday, 28th April with bits of the Bath project and will be flying the 2mm flag at Expo EM in Bracknell on 11/12 May with Tucking Mill. Jerry

That looks like one of the little early Unimat lathes. An excellent machine and perfect for 2mm work. Jerry

Every now and then I try and get organised. It’s not something I’m good at but I try! Monday evenings is club night and we sit at our respective benches whittling away on something and nattering. These sessions are perfect for those dull, repetitive jobs that you can almost do on autopilot which would otherwise be put off in favour of something more interesting - like building wagons. Over the last few Mondays I’ve been doing a marathon build of over a hundred DG couplings in the hope that I could fit couplings to all the stock waiting with a few to spare. This evening I went through the stock boxes in the workshop to see how many vehicles were actually waiting for couplings. Turns out there are 117 wagons and NPCS items in the queue. I’m not sure if I’m depressed at having only about half the couplings I need or impressed at how much I’ve built in the last couple of years!! Going to have a bath and a whisky and think about it! Jerry

With just a couple of months to go we thought it was probably about time we started the ball rolling with a new thread. As this years title suggests, we have a fantastic, International line up this year with not only exhibits from all corners of the British Isles but also Denmark, France, Japan and the Lebanon - plus two from the depths of the Forest of Dean! Despite the enhanced cosmopolitan and international flavour the general format remains unchanged. Top class modelling, jolly banter, tea and cake. This years charities will again be Julian House in Bath and Parkinsons uk. Last year, thanks to the fantastic efforts of everyone involved, we managed to raise over £800 - not bad for such a small, but perfectly formed show. Exactly what will be at this years Larkrail is currently being finalised in a series of high level meetings being held by the steering committee and all, well most, will be revealed over the coming weeks. Suffice to say, for now, put July 13 in your diary. Many thanks to Adrian Colenutt for the picture of Longwood Edge and Andy York for again working his magic on it to create the poster. Kim, Jerry and Simon

You’re very welcome Jim. Sorry the cider is only 1:152. Next time I see you I’ll buy you a 1:1 pint! Jerry

The hall is booked, exhibitors have been contacted, cakes are being sourced and we have a poster (thanks to the clever Mr York). I will be starting a new thread very soon, Jerry

…. and I was not only very happy to bring Trerice but also got to see South Pelaw for the first time - particularly as it had been in one of the issues of MRJ when I was in the editorial chair! It didn’t disappoint, stunning track work and array of signals. I’m back at York next year with my more usual 2mm hat on with Tucking Mill. I’ve been a demonstrator there in the past and would be happy to do it again in the future. Pitching a demonstration is never easy. I’m not a fan of the heads down, look busy style and much prefer a heads up and make eye contact approach but do draw the line at hailing down passers by!! Jerry

My pleasure Jim, the windows for the shed at the big station have been painted - hopefully more progress soon over on the Bath thread. Im afraid the apple nectar is in 1:152 size barrels (not easy through the post!) but then so is the van!😊 Jerry

I’m aiming to be there on the Saturday and very much looking forward to seeing Templecombe. Jerry

The morning mixed has just headed back to Hallatrow leaving an SDJR roadvan opposite the goods store at Tucking Mill. Once Seth has finished his tea break he’ll be along with the boy to load the van with several barrels of best cider currently safely under lock and key. The cider is destined for Kirkallanmuir as a thank you to the local workers who did such a superb job of fabricating the cast iron window frames for the engine shed up at the big station. The local scrumpy will be very well received in Scotland and should arrive in a few days time - although it may be a couple of pints light by the time it leaves North Somerset…..! Jerry

Superb job Simon. They run as well as they look - even in the depths of Somerset! Jerry

Oops, sorry Kevin! Jerry

Hi Craig, there are a number of members in Oz. It would be worth joining in the ZAG Zoom area group which is run by Kevin Night of Oz and is open to any 2mm member Jerry

Welcome back to the Association Roy. We do bearings for Farish split axle locos such as the Jinty, 4F etc which is about as close as we are likely to get to drop in wheels but still involves soldering up etched coupling rods and quartering the wheels. The problem the Association always comes up against is that no sooner do we make parts to convert locos the manufacturer changes the way they do things. The EFE Austerity chassis is, in many ways, similar to the Farish ones but with different size bearings which means that I should be able to use Association wheels but the bearings will have to be modified or replaced. It would be great if the Association made bearings to suit but expecting the already stretched volunteer base to make bearings that are likely to sell in the tens at best is asking a bit much. 2mm modelling will always involve a bit of do it yourself. Steam, Im afraid, is always going to be more difficult than diesels to convert. Apologies, if this sounds a bit negative, I assure you its not meant to, just trying to be realistic. Are you anywhere near a 2mm area group? Personally, I'm very much looking forward to future EFE releases, particularly if its the diesel I rather hope it will be. Jerry