Bath Queen Square

[queensquare]

We had a superb day yesterday when the 2mm diesel group visited with representatives of both https://www.ngaugenews.com/ and Accurascale. I had hoped that the latter would take advantage of the visit to announce a comprehensive range of Midland clerestory coaches but sadly, like all the other 2mm/N manufacturers, they chosen to ignore my suggestion! 😀

What we did get was a diesel takover with some scottish traction from Pete Matcham and just a small selection of Steve Nichols fantastic early 70s Western region stud. Below are a selection of photos courtesy of Tom E. As a teenage spotter in the 1970s I was in hydraulic heaven - marvelous!

 

Whilst I didnt get any pre-group announcments I did get a firm booking for Steve to bring his wonderful Parkend layout to Larkrail next year where we will also have John Farmers P4 version. You heard it here first, put it in your diary, July 13.

 

Jerry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just think what might have been had the S&D remained open as a through route between the north and the south coast.

 

 

 

Looks like track lifting has already started at Bath - thankfully its the other way round.

 

 

S&D passenger traffic in the hands of DMUs.

 

 

....and still plenty of freight traffic.

 

 

Rowney 1971, Steves take on the BR exhibition train. Who remembers the Stiff tours of the late 70s,  Reckless Eric, Elvis Costello, Ian Dury etc

 

Jerry

Edited July 23, 2023 by queensquare

[St Enodoc]

4 minutes ago, queensquare said:

We had a superb day yesterday when the 2mm diesel group visited with representatives of both https://www.ngaugenews.com/ and Accurascale. I had hoped that the latter would take advantage of the visit to announce a comprehensive range of Midland clerestory coaches but sadly, like all the other 2mm/N manufacturers, they chosen to ignore my suggestion! 😀

What we did get was a diesel takover with some scottish traction from Pete Matcham and just a small selection of Steve Nichols fantastic early 70s Western region stud. Below are a selection of photos courtesy of Tom E. As a teenage spotter in the 1970s I was in hydraulic heaven - marvelous!

 

Whilst I didnt get any pre-group announcments I did get a firm booking for Steve to bring his wonderful Parkend layout to Larkrail next year where we will also have John Farmers P4 version. You heard it here first, put it in your diary, July 13.

 

Jerry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just think what might have been had the S&D remained open as a through route between the north and the south coast.

 

 

 

Looks like track lifting has already started at Bath - thankfully its the other way round.

 

 

S&D passenger traffic in the hands of DMUs.

 

 

....and still plenty of freight traffic.

 

 

Rowney 1971, Steves take on the BR exhibition train. Who remembers the Stiff tour, 1978 - Reckless Eric, Elvis Costello etc

 

Jerry

I used to like Elvis Costello, until he crushed my dreams by marrying Diana Krall...

[65179]

1 hour ago, queensquare said:

We had a superb day yesterday when the 2mm diesel group visited with representatives of both https://www.ngaugenews.com/ and Accurascale. I had hoped that the latter would take advantage of the visit to announce a comprehensive range of Midland clerestory coaches but sadly, like all the other 2mm/N manufacturers, they chosen to ignore my suggestion! 😀

What we did get was a diesel takover with some scottish traction from Pete Matcham and just a small selection of Steve Nichols fantastic early 70s Western region stud. Below are a selection of photos courtesy of Tom E. As a teenage spotter in the 1970s I was in hydraulic heaven - marvelous!

 

Whilst I didnt get any pre-group announcments I did get a firm booking for Steve to bring his wonderful Parkend layout to Larkrail next year where we will also have John Farmers P4 version. You heard it here first, put it in your diary, July 13.

 

Jerry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just think what might have been had the S&D remained open as a through route between the north and the south coast.

 

 

 

Looks like track lifting has already started at Bath - thankfully its the other way round.

 

 

S&D passenger traffic in the hands of DMUs.

 

 

....and still plenty of freight traffic.

 

 

Rowney 1971, Steves take on the BR exhibition train. Who remembers the Stiff tour, 1978 - Reckless Eric, Elvis Costello etc

 

Jerry

 

Sorry to have missed this Jerry. At least it looks like I didn't miss any Peaks.

 

Simon

 

[queensquare]

1 hour ago, 65179 said:

 

Sorry to have missed this Jerry. At least it looks like I didn't miss any Peaks.

 

Simon

 

No Peak action Simon though I suspect Steve may have one or two in his collection! I remember lots of namers at Bristol in the early 70s on cross-country trains and 46s used to occasionally work stone trains through Warminster.

 

I have a green 45 with split gears I picked up cheap. Drop in Association wheels would sort that out. I got it for my early 1960s Pines. 
 

Jerry

[Ian Morgan]

2 hours ago, St Enodoc said:

I used to like Elvis Costello, until he crushed my dreams by marrying Diana Krall...

 

The secret lemonade drinker ...

[Doncaster Green]

2 hours ago, queensquare said:

 

Just think what might have been had the S&D remained open as a through route between the north and the south coast.

 

Deltics working through on the York-Bournemouth?  Just a thought.

 

John

[queensquare]

8 minutes ago, Doncaster Green said:

Deltics working through on the York-Bournemouth?  Just a thought.

 

John

Sounds like fun, have  you got a Deltic John! 😊

 

Jerry

[Doncaster Green]

7 minutes ago, queensquare said:

Sounds like fun, have  you got a Deltic John! 😊

 

Jerry

KOYLI in 60's two tone green!  Needs wheels and a chip.  Wheels a shop order away, chip can be found!

 

John

[queensquare]

28 minutes ago, Ian Morgan said:

 

The secret lemonade drinker ...

It’s seems such a long time ago now ….

Tickets £1.30 but what a lineup - there’s only one destination in the final taxi!

 

Jerry

 

[queensquare]

7 minutes ago, Doncaster Green said:

KOYLI in 60's two tone green!  Needs wheels and a chip.  Wheels a shop order away, chip can be found!

 

John

I’ll order some wheels for the Peak - I feel a bit of a diesel diversion coming on for our next 2mm Queens gathering!

 

Jerry

[queensquare]

This afternoon I have been mostly doing some colouring in!

 

Jerry

 

[Caley Jim]

3 minutes ago, queensquare said:

This afternoon I have been mostly doing some colouring in!

 

Jerry

 

Oooo!  Pretty picture!  Is it a 'Paint by Numbers'?  😁

 

Jim

[65179]

32 minutes ago, queensquare said:

This afternoon I have been mostly doing some colouring in!

 

Jerry

 

 

So you've plumped for a tunnel rather than a bridge Jerry for trains to leave the S&DJ scenic section?  Which one is it based on? 

 

Simon

[queensquare]

1 hour ago, 65179 said:

 

So you've plumped for a tunnel rather than a bridge Jerry for trains to leave the S&DJ scenic section?  Which one is it based on? 

 

Simon

 After lots of thought I plumped for Windsor Hill, south end. Strictly speaking it’s the wrong end for me but I don’t have room for the north end with the quarries both sides so opted to accept the compromise. I do get a small signal box and a manageable quarry siding so I’m happy with that!

 

Jerry

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Caley Jim]

1 hour ago, queensquare said:

You'll be needing a Stevens drop-flap ground signal then?

Jim

[queensquare]

23 minutes ago, Caley Jim said:

You'll be needing a Stevens drop-flap ground signal then?

Jim

I will Jim. You’ll be telling me next you’ve made it work! 😊

 

Jerry

[VRBroadgauge]

3 hours ago, queensquare said:

I will Jim. You’ll be telling me next you’ve made it work! 😊

 

Jerry

Probably can. Fibre optics and a bit of a hinge on the signal head would be do-able.

[Caley Jim]

10 hours ago, queensquare said:

I will Jim. You’ll be telling me next you’ve made it work! 😊

 

Jerry

Of course it does! 😁 Why wouldn't they? I've a few etches here if you want one. 

 

Jim 

[ianathompson]

11 hours ago, Caley Jim said:

You'll be needing a Stevens drop-flap ground signal then?

Jim

 

I am really seriously impressed by that!

 

It makes my own gimcrack N gauge version look thrid rate.

(Ground surface still awaits attention.)

The photo was taken to assess what further work was needed such as repainting the face and post and filling in the top of the post.

 

[Caley Jim]

11 hours ago, Caley Jim said:

Of course it does!  

For the avoidance of doubt :-

 

As you can see, sometimes when you replace them they have to be operated a few timers before the work again properly.   There are another three on the layout, one of which you can see in the background.

 

Jim

 

Edited July 27, 2023 by Caley Jim
Typo

[Donw]

Brilliant Jim. I bet you wish you hadn't mentioned making it work Jerry or perhaps you like a challenge. I used to think you could leave little details off in 2mil unlike 7mil. 

 

Don

[queensquare]

In between tutoring duties at Missenden last week I managed to get all the final details on the Fox Walker finished off - brakes, shape coupling rods, lamp irons, weight etc.

This afternoon, whilst the rain poured down, I chipped and fitted my first stay alive. I have to say, I’m sold. I ran her around the colliery which hasn’t had the track cleaned and she never missed a beat, starting, stopping and crawling without any hint of hesitation even when being tested without the body on. 
I used a Zimo 616 and a Youchoos circuit with a pair of 447uf Tantalums. The resulting package is just visible in the cab but the addition of a crew should reduce that. I could have used a smaller chip and home brewed capacitor package which would have rendered it all but invisible but I had the bits to hand and I wanted something reasonably foolproof for my first installation. I can always revisit this at a later date. I shall try a home brewed one in the future with a more challenging chip in terms of solder pads but for now I’m really pleased. 

 

I shall have the Fox Walker at RailWells next weekend for what will definitely be the collieries last outing.

 

Jerry

 

[Donw]

1 hour ago, queensquare said:

In between tutoring duties at Missenden last week I managed to get all the final details on the Fox Walker finished off - brakes, shape coupling rods, lamp irons, weight etc.

This afternoon, whilst the rain poured down, I chipped and fitted my first stay alive. I have to say, I’m sold. I ran her around the colliery which hasn’t had the track cleaned and she never missed a beat, starting, stopping and crawling without any hint of hesitation even when being tested without the body on. 
I used a Zimo 616 and a Youchoos circuit with a pair of 447uf Tantalums. The resulting package is just visible in the cab but the addition of a crew should reduce that. I could have used a smaller chip and home brewed capacitor package which would have rendered it all but invisible but I had the bits to hand and I wanted something reasonably foolproof for my first installation. I can always revisit this at a later date. I shall try a home brewed one in the future with a more challenging chip in terms of solder pads but for now I’m really pleased. 

 

I shall have the Fox Walker at RailWells next weekend for what will definitely be the collieries last outing.

 

Jerry

 

 

Thats a cracking loco Jerry

[Izzy]

3 hours ago, queensquare said:

This afternoon, whilst the rain poured down, I chipped and fitted my first stay alive. I have to say, I’m sold.

 

I keep reading of people saying such things aren't neccesary but I can only think they haven't had any experience of the difference they make and especially with smaller locos in 2mm. Sometimes it's subtle, at others it's like night and day. Once you discover the benefits it becomes silly not to fit them but finding the space can add to the fun!

 

Bob

[queensquare]

2 hours ago, Donw said:

 

Thats a cracking loco Jerry

Thanks Don, John Greenwood built the basic loco in exchange for some of the buildings on Padstow. Being impatient I brought it home earlier this year unfinished and completed the detailing myself - as usual John’s work is excellent.

it’s plain black so May get painted sooner rather than later! 
 

Jerry