JSModels

As the Leeds show will be my first ever 'proper' show, I spent today putting together all the pieces of my new show stand in the garage to check everything works/fits as it should: Really looking forward to next weekend! Jonathan JSModels

I did, before Facebook went down! If you're coming up to Tod it'd be criminal for me not to come over and meet up!

Thanks Brian, that means a lot especially coming from you! I was really hoping to get to GETS to meet you and Dan, but I just couldn't make it work unfortunately. Looks and sounds like you had a really great weekend, so sorry I missed it. Maybe next time!

It's been far too long, but I finally have a couple of updates. Firstly, I'll be attending Leeds MRS on 23rd & 24th October: I'll have a stand there with stock of all my kits, so please say hi if you come along. Feel free to purchase something too Secondly, some of you may recall (but maybe not, it was a LONG time ago!!!) I was doing a commission to build Didcot Provender Store in OO gauge/4mm scale. Well, it's finally finished (as far as I'm finishing it, anyway - all the windows, trims, buttresses, roof slates etc. are being being supplied loose, for the client to fit). It's a bit of a beast; 760mm long, 300mm wide, and 310mm tall (even without the water tanks on the tops of the towers!) Here's what the prototype looked like, now long gone, unfortunately: And here's the model. It's not an exact replica (there are no detailed drawings of it anyway) just a general 'impression of': The rear wall & shorter tower are a separate, removable section. This is to allow access for the client to install the windows, but also because he's planning to model the interior! It's going to be fun crating this up to ship it 'down south', but that should be done in the next week or so... Regards, Jonathan JSModels

And don't forget me, too! Jonathan, JSModels

I'm having a little sale, with 10% off all items for the rest of August. Simply use discount code 'AUGUSTBH' at checkout to get your discount. Code is valid until midnight on 31/08/21. I'm away for a little break, meaning any orders placed won't be posted until Saturday (4th September). I will still be checking/answering emails though, so if you have a query about anything please don't hesitate to get in touch. Regards, Jonathan JSModels

Also, several members of our club were helping out at the Model Railway Weekend at Carnforth Heritage Centre last weekend (21st & 22nd August). They said that the Sunday was slightly higher on numbers than pre-covid, and that the Saturday was "absolutely heaving" with way more visitors than they're ever had previously. I don't have anything in terms of concrete numbers, but they said it was extremely encouraging! Jonathan

I posted this back on 2nd August in the Exhibition Organiser's section, but I don't think there's much of an audience there! The show was on 1st August:

I hope you don't mind, but I just stumbled across this thread & saw that you're planning an oil depot - I had planned (though never built!) a small oil depot in N gauge, and took some photos of one local to me, near Halifax. Thought the pictures may be of use to you, so here they are: https://photos.app.goo.gl/AbYNo4gb89TH4oW69 The sidings have been out of use and disconnected from the mainline for some time - but rather strangely fenced off and kept reasonably intact. If you go into the info for any of the pics & follow the location info to Google Maps, you'll see where they are located. Edit - for some reason that's not working, but the location is here. Jonathan

For example, here's a screenshot of a pdf brochure that took less than 2 mins to find and download: 7.4m divided by 76 = 97.4mm, so that would (in theory) be the length of a OO gauge model of it. In practice it might be slightly different, but I'd expect it to be 95-100mm long. Jonathan

You can find dimensions online for any full scale van, and then divide it by 76 to get a OO scale length. Even allowing for model dimensions to be off slightly, that would certainly get you within a mm or two of the actual length of a decent, modern model. Jonathan

Wow, I can't believe it's been over 3 months since I last posted on here! Time certainly flies.... Anyway, I've got my first ever show tomorrow - well technically it's a club open day rather than a 'proper' show, but hopefully it still counts I'll be at the Aire Valley Railway Modellers Club open day from 10am to 4pm tomorrow, so of you're around please call in and say hello. Regards, Jonathan JSModels

Just to confirm, our open day this coming Sunday (1st August) is going ahead as planned. We have a special offer of 4 months FREE membership for new members, and are now able to accept card payments for both membership fees and donations. In line with current government guidelines, mask wearing and the regular use of the provided hand sanitiser is up to each individual visitor, though it is highly recommended and we would encourage everyone to do so where possible to protect themselves and others. Please do not attend if you are ill or have any symptoms of coronavirus, or have been in recent contact with anyone who has. Regards, Jonathan Scott obo AVRMC

It's been a while, but Ben came to JSModels HQ earlier today to collect the order he purchased with his £75 voucher - 3x kits & numerous accessories: It turns out he doesn't live far from me! The kits are for a winter project, so I don't expect to see any photos anytime soon, but hopefully in a few months... Regards, Jonathan JSModels

I have a piece here, which I've just measured at multiple different points along the length as accurately as I can with my digital calipers. Dimensions (to 1 decimal place) are as follows: Gap between sleepers = 5.9mm Width across 2 sleepers = 12.9mm Width of sleeper = 3.5mm This gives a sleeper spacing of 9.4mm centre-to-centre. I double-checked this by measuring the distance over 20 sleepers, which came out at 188mm thus confirming 9.4mm. That's around 2' 4 1/8" at 4mm/foot. Hope that helps, Jonathan

How about I make it easy? You pick a name, and I'll cut you some new letters, free of charge. As long as you don't move the location to Wales, and call it 'Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch'... Jonathan

I use both Hardy's Hobbies and Sparkshot Custom Creations for 3D printed stuff (resin prints) and have no complaints about either. I would happily recommend both of those. Jonathan

Following the inability to hold our usual twice-yearly open days in 2020, the Aire Valley Railway Modellers Club is pleased to announce that we will be holding our next open day on Sunday 1st August 2021. We will be open from 10am to 4pm, showcasing 15+ layouts in scales from N through to O gauge in our 4,000sq.ft. clubroom, along with 2x trade stands, and refreshments. Entry to this popular event remains free of charge (although donations to club funds are encouraged & gratefully received!) In line with current government guidelines, mask wearing and the regular use of the provided hand sanitiser is up to each individual member, though it is highly recommended and we would encourage everyone to do so where possible to protect themselves and others. Please do not attend if you are ill or have any symptoms of coronavirus, or have been in recent contact with anyone who has. For anyone wishing to become a member of the club, there will be a special offer of 4 months FREE membership when signing up at the open day. Payment by card is also now available for membership fees, and also for any donations. Location - AVRMC Clubroom: Top Floor, Melbourne House (opposite Dalton Mills), Dalton Lane, Keighley, BD21 4JH Google Maps Location - https://goo.gl/maps/SfiPkGVvYU7Go85w7 What Three Words - https://w3w.co/lock.elbow.putty Follow the Maroon & White signs from major roads. Note: Our clubroom is on the 3rd floor, and the only access is via steps; unfortunately there is no lift or disabled access. For any further information please feel free to contact me via PM, or at jsavrmc@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can contact our Club Secretary (Peter Sayers) at avrmclub@gmail.com. Regards, Jonathan Scott Treasurer, AVRMC

Since step 3 of the government's plan is going ahead as planned, the Aire Valley Railway Modellers Club (AVRMC) will be re-opening to all existing members as of Monday 17th May 2021. We are a small but friendly club, with over 40 members both local and from further afield, building and operating layouts in N, OO, O, OO9, HO, and 2mm finescale, in our 4,000 sq.ft. clubroom. Mainly British outline, but also Japanese, USA, and Continental. We meet on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings, as well as Saturday afternoons. Potential new members are welcome to enquire for further details to the Club Secretary (Pete Sayers) at avrmclub@gmail.com, or myself at jsavrmc@gmail.com or by PM. Regards, Jonathan Scott Treasurer On behalf of AVRMC

Congratulations Ben! A worthy winner, but then there were lots of worthy entries! With such high standard I'm not surprised it was a very close call, as Phil alluded to. I'll be in touch with Ben soon to arrange his prize. Regards, Jonathan JSModels

Just leaving this here Warehouse buildings Hope this isn't considered too 'spammy', but this kind of layout was exactly why I designed them in the first place. Jonathan JSModels

I can second that - discovering the existence of the MP1 point motors was a lightbulb moment for me. They're brilliant little things, so low-profile and easy to install.