Jump to content
 

Any Question Answered


Pixie
 Share

Recommended Posts

  • RMweb Gold

A bit of 20thou should do ok. For soldered construction steel or aluminium would be less likely to get soldered in.

Don

 

edit for sticking key problem

Edited by Donw
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

A jig for the common crossing really isn't necesary. I've built many dozens of points and never used one yet beyond a simple jig of card or thin ply laid over the drawing for the angle of the V. Mind, I've never used templot either, I find a pencil, ruler and a bendy stick far quicker and more flexible.

 

Jerry 

Link to post
Share on other sites

A jig for the common crossing really isn't necesary. I've built many dozens of points and never used one yet beyond a simple jig of card or thin ply laid over the drawing for the angle of the V. Mind, I've never used templot either, I find a pencil, ruler and a bendy stick far quicker and more flexible.

 

Jerry

 

I agree. I do use templot as it allows very fast accurate development of a full flowing trackplan rather than sticking to fixed geometry. However I have never yet had to use a jig to make crossings. Overlaying on the template with the tips sufficently filed work perfectly fine. I find that as long as the tip is filed (I use a dremel for speed myself) at an angle equal to the crossing or slightly more acute any error in angle is just filled with solder in any case when joined.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

 

I have found that a jig made crossing is easier if you are using easitrac bases/chairs without substituting pcb sleepers under the crossing, but one off jigs for any angle (one for the nose and another to add the wing rails) can fairly easily be made using card/ply of suitable thickness.

 

Izzy

Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree. I build pcb under the crossing for security (I would sooner sacrifice a bit of realism for the rails staying intact in this location during numerous baseboard movements attending shows, bit ocd about that I guess) so never need a jig.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

Hi everyone,

 

Is there such thing as a 1:9 template and jig available for turnouts? The association shop only seems to do them up to 1:8.

 

Best regards,

 

Jeremy

 

Like others on here I have built many a crossing over the years without benefit of jigs. However all my recent ones have been built using the Association jigs and believe that they are one of the best products that the Association has produced in recent years. They are almost fool-proof in use and, for a small investment ,will last for many years of use. I must admit that I did wonder what offence 1:9 crossings had caused to be left out of the list when it jumps from 1:8 to 1:10. Personally, Jeremy I'd keep lobbying for the 1:9 to be added. The Association Product Development Officer is on RM Web . . .

By the way, as an aside, I also used to draw out layout plans with pencil and paper but no more. Templot, with all its idiosyncracies, is the answer I had had been hoping for over the years. No more rolls of lining paper for me or even individual templates. If you want a truly holistic and endlessly refinable method of layout design then Templot's your man.

 

David

Link to post
Share on other sites

Like others on here I have built many a crossing over the years without benefit of jigs. However all my recent ones have been built using the Association jigs and believe that they are one of the best products that the Association has produced in recent years. They are almost fool-proof in use and, for a small investment ,will last for many years of use. I must admit that I did wonder what offence 1:9 crossings had caused to be left out of the list when it jumps from 1:8 to 1:10. Personally, Jeremy I'd keep lobbying for the 1:9 to be added. The Association Product Development Officer is on RM Web . . .

 

David

 

If you have lots of 1 in 9 crossings to make, and want a jig, the chap who makes them for the Association will also do custom versions (look up Alan Smith's details in the back of the 2mm yearbook). As for adding them to the 2mm product range, it's a good idea in principle, but there needs to be a realistic demand for them first. If 10 or so people expressed an interest in them, then they are more likely to appear...

 

Andy

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

Hi can anyone tell me the width of the track bed should be on a two track viaduct I'm looking for the wall to wall measurement

John

 

I don't know if there is a standard width as such, just probably the minimum as per the standard construction gauge. So for double track at the minimum 6' way standard (11'2" between centre lines) this would be 26'6".

 

Izzy

Link to post
Share on other sites

Complete novice question....

 

I'm contemplating a model of the Grimsby and Immingham Tramway with the Grimsby and district light railway running parallel in either N or 2mm. There's no way I want to use code 55 rail so the options seem to be either Finetrax or Easitrac, the layout will be relatively simple and I will need the grand total of 2 turnouts to create a passing loop on the scenic section, the question being is it possible to purchase ready built code 40 points from anyone....ie does anyone build them to order etc,for speed and ease of use I'd prefer to just buy a pair rather than investing in various jigs etc as it will only be a small diversion from my other stuff?

 

Rolling stock for the Tramway is not a problem... The majority of the car bodies used are now done....

 

post-7067-0-49924800-1408877010_thumb.jpg

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

If you are having a just passing loop why not consider "fixed" turnouts as devised by Stewart Hine for the Underground section of Copenhagen Fields? I think the modus operatum was featured in an early MRJ. This means the cars would always pass each other the same "hand".No turnout linkage would be required and a timer delay could be installed. Being two facing turnouts the change-over of frog polarity needs to be considered.  Perhaps Stewart, Tim Watson or Richard Wilson can give the issue number?

Edited by autocoupler942
Link to post
Share on other sites

Complete novice question....

 

.....I will need the grand total of 2 turnouts to create a passing loop on the scenic section, the question being is it possible to purchase ready built code 40 points from anyone....ie does anyone build them to order etc,

Answer to many novice questions - Read the Yearbook.   In the back, you'll find all sorts of useful information, including details of how to contact Keith Armes who offers to build trackwork for people.

 

 

- Nigel

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Answer to many novice questions - Read the Yearbook.   In the back, you'll find all sorts of useful information, including details of how to contact Keith Armes who offers to build trackwork for people.

 

 

- Nigel

 

 

Indeed, but that does rather assume that the individual asking the question is already a 2mm SA member...

 

Andy

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

Indeed, but that does rather assume that the individual asking the question is already a 2mm SA member...

 

Andy

True but if they want to obtain rail and easitrac parts being a member would be a good idea plus wheels etc. Seeing as I assume the models would not be available in N gauge going 2mfs may well be the easiest option.

Don

Link to post
Share on other sites

Answer to many novice questions - Read the Yearbook.   In the back, you'll find all sorts of useful information, including details of how to contact Keith Armes who offers to build trackwork for people.

 

 

- Nigel

 

 

 

Indeed, but that does rather assume that the individual asking the question is already a 2mm SA member...

 

Andy

 

 

True but if they want to obtain rail and easitrac parts being a member would be a good idea plus wheels etc. Seeing as I assume the models would not be available in N gauge going 2mfs may well be the easiest option.

Don

 

Thanks for the replies....

 

I can see the points all are making....no currently I'm not a 2mm SA member, it does however now probably make sense to join and go 2mm rather than the Finetrax route, certainly for access to track parts etc....

 

So question successfully answered.....many thanks.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I made the pattern years ago for the N-Drive 2mm Wisbech and Upwell Tramway tram loco.  I would like to build a small working diorama to show this off for Nev when he does shows.  Would it be possible to obtain , say, a few feet of Easitrack and a single turnout kit (?) from the club without having to join as this would be my only foray into 2mm fs.

 

Many thanks.

 

Boatman

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

If you're sticking with N scale wheels, a 2mm finescale turnout would need some adjustment.

 

However, all is not lost, good looking N gauge track is available from http://www.britishfinescale.com

 

I would think a metre of their track plus an A5 turnout kit would be suitable.

 

Has the Tram loco kit been released yet?

 

Mark

Edited by 2mmMark
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

How does everybody letter wagons? Transfers? Hand painting?

 

Hi Gareth,

 

I think that the answer may depend on the period that you are modelling. For any time after 1923 there are numerous transfer ranges available for a large variety of stock. For the 'Big Four' era then Modelmaster transfers via the N Gauge society have a reasonable range. For the B.R. era into the early TOPS period then Modelmaster, Cambridge Custom Transfers and Fox could provide most of what you would require. For TOPS onwards there are other producers whose names I can't recall at present!

For the pre-grouping era, transfers are harder to find although I do recall that there are some about for a small number of companies and one of my 2FS colleagues may be able to provide the necessary information.

Hand lettering is an art in itself and, done well can certainly look convincing and provide insignia that may not otherwise be available. I emphasise the 'done well' as, otherwise, like poor weathering it can let down a vehicle or locomotive that you may have spent a lot of time in building.

In brief, transfers for me everytime.

 

David

 

PS There'll probably be someone along at some point to tell you how easy it is to make your own transfers . . . life . . . too short . . .

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks David,

 

The majority is Grouping stock which has yet to be repainted from it's previous owner. Just to be difficult. LNWR, MR, NER, GN primarily.

 

Phil Smith used to do 2mm pre group wagon transfers. I don't know if they are still available as I haven't ordered any for a few years,

Details are here: http://www.2mm.org.uk/small_suppliers/philsmith/index.htm

 

Bill

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...