Gingerbread

Hallam Town has now been relocated from its Yorkshire origins, and over the weekend it was seen in the Ladies Waiting Room at Eridge Station, as part of the Spa Valley Railway's model railway exhibition. David

I've not found much of a formal nature, but the consensus seems to be that strong UV light (e.g. sunlight) is the main danger, causing brittleness. Possibly of interest to the dentists among us is http://www.sdclucknow.com/Journal2012/Dental materials/298_303_Longevity-of-materials-for-pit-and-fissure-sealing—Results-from-a-meta-analysis_Kühnisch.pdf This seems to suggest UV-cured resin is significantly less long-lasting than some of the alternatives. Yes, painting seems to be a good defence, but little information on what characteristics are needed in the paint. I've seen epoxy recommended, but that doesn't seem suitable in the typical use-case here. David

Other articles which may be relevant to wheel-turning include: Reinventing the Wheel? by Dr Nick Mitchell August 2014 p69 Wheel turning tip by Alan Pearson August 2011 p67 David

Not yet, but I think I will need something similar (but simpler) if/when I progress to tenders, and similarly for the top corners of some of the GWR coal wagons, though any crude short cuts will be less obvious in them than in a dome. David

I'm also an OpenSCAD user, though I've not yet got far enough to input one of my creations to a printer. Its parametric approach seems to suit me, and appears to handle my current examples, mostly wagons. As has been said here and elsewhere, I think it would struggle with complex curves, though I have seen Chris Higgs using it for a Belpaire firebox. Rendering does get painfully slow, so I am currently using a parameter to include/omit most of the details for a quick preview facility. David

Some of us do (have a clue, at least in this instance). David

Quite a complicated subject. I will try to point you in the right direction for further research. Don's link to the relevant page on the gwr.org site is useful, and also useful would be a couple of articles on GWR DC brakes in the 2mm magazine by Richard Brummitt in June and August 2014. The 5-plank O3 is relatively straightforward. Initially fitted with DCI brakes, as covered in the gwr.org article, by 1940 the brakes would probably have been adapted to comply with Board of Trade regulations. The O5 is more complicated. Firstly a typo has crept into the shop listing - it should be 4 plank, not 5 plank. Over 20,000 4-plank wagons were built by the GWR from 1888 to 1902, of which only the last 500 were given the O5 diagram, and these were indeed built with DCI brakes. The remainder were built before the diagram number system was introduced, with "normal" single-sided lever brakes, were initially not given a diagram number, but most survived to the 1930s and were allocated the diagram number O21 as they were upgraded to comply with the brake regulations by addition of a second independent brake lever on the "other" side. Hope that helps David

A few minor points to add to previous replies: Area Group - Your nearest appears to be Oxford, but I'm not sure if it's still active. Soldering - different people will offer slightly different suggestions. Personally I largely follow Jim's, but would add a couple of comments: Continue to hold the soldered parts in place for a while after removing the soldering iron tip. This is where Bob Jones' suggestion of a third hand (preferably with asbestos fingers) would be useful! Clean thoroughly afterwards - I use an ultrasonic cleaner Diesels For prototypical Western usage, Farish Class 24 or 25 would probably be a good choice for an easy drop-in wheel conversion. Similarly Class 20, but I don't think they appeared on the Western. Alternatively Dapol Class 22, but that would require the wheels to be sent off to Gordon for re-profiling. Likewise Warships and Westerns. Steam Farish 64xx should be a good drop-in wheel replacement (when the wheels are back in stock), and there is a matching autocoach. Also the Farish Castle, where the loco wheels should be in stock but I'm not sure what the tender wheel solution is - possibly sending off to Gordon. Slightly more challenging is the Association solid brass chassis for the Dapol/Ixion Manor, but also suiting Dapol Grange and Hall. It can also be used for 43xx Mogul, where 3D printed body is available from other suppliers, and similarly the Saint. Etched replacement underframes are available for most other GWR locos, including 14xx, 57xx, 28xx, 61xx, 45xx, either from the Association or from Members. David

I agree. A couple of examples - the pitchfork is probably 30+ years old, and still in regular use, the scythe is rather older, but not used so often. David

Rumours of a future extension to Sodor have been strongly denied by the management! David

Andover - Modelex 2018, September 1st and 2nd. Llangerisech was conveniently situated in the corner of a large sports hall. The prohibition of "Exterior Footwear" was ignored by operators, spectators and management alike. Those of food and drink were honoured (mostly). Late Sunday afternoon saw the approach and arrival of a slightly unconvincing visitor: David

RailWells - August 11th Various parts of John Greenwood's North Cornwall Railway: Padstow Wadebridge Tresarret and Clay Dries As labelled Wenford Bridge St Blazey and other 2FS layouts present: Alan Whitehouse's rebuilt Mini MSW Mick Simpson's Callaton Jim Allwood's Bordesley North not forgetting John Birkett-Smith's Ashburton David

I recommend Shire Scenes for etched models of horse-drawn vehicles.Web site at http://www.shirescenes.co.uk/index.html Of the whitemetal offerings, I generally prefer Langley Web Site at http://www.langley-models.co.uk/ David

Stephen Harris may do one. His list at http://2mm.org.uk/small_suppliers/stephenharris/index.htm (which is dated July 2015) lists one for future release. David

A few photos of the layouts on display. Mick Simpson was taking photos which I presume will appear in the Magazine in due course. Work-in-progress on Modbury. Ian Smith's Buffalo, with a train mainly comprising coaches from his own sheet of etches. Holywell Town, by Adrian Cherry. Development work on Andy Carlson's Hayle North. A tractor driving system, reminiscent of Laurie Adams' Yeovil Pen Mill which appeared at Tutbury a year or two ago. Brain Hume's Annedale Town Gomersall Town, by Steve Dunkeyson Mick SImpson's Callaton David