queensquare

I was going to resurrect the Foxcote/Highbury thread as Chris Challis has persuaded me to take the colliery to RailWells, August 12/13, but as it is now built into the home layout it makes sense to keep it all in one place. Wells will definitely be the last time Foxcote goes out as once that is out of the way I shall be extending the scenic section by about 5’ to give a proper stage exit through a tunnel (either Winsor Hill or Chilcompton with the former ahead by a nose) . The fiddle yard entrance will have to be modified so I will no longer be able to take it out in its current form, no matter how persuasive the invitation! I’ve made a wish list of all the jobs I would like to get done before Wells - some won’t make it but hopefully plenty will. First on the list, and arguably the most important, was to sort out the pesky broken tie bar on the entry to the exchange sidings which I accomplished last evening once the temperature had dropped to a comfortable level. It took about an hour to extricate the tie bar, make the necessary repairs, and put it back. It’s not the most elegant system and I will come up with something much more discreet for the Bath side but it is robust and not really visible behind the signal box and will be even less so when I cover the big holes with some ballasted paper. The ‘out of use sign’ has been removed- hoorah! Jerry Edit to say that a signal box name board and point ridding are on the list…….

A nice show again, with a particularly strong narrow gauge selection. My particular favourite was the Ashover layout, the track work is a really clever and effective use of Peco code 55 N with every other sleeper removed. Can’t believe it’s a year ago you were here! Jerry

Callum has posted this from the Shepton show. TM starts at 16:24 - rather pleased with the Kirtley - less so with some of the lumpy track! Jerry

As soon as it’s capable of running and has couplings - which almost always results in a very protracted period waiting for all those final little details! Jerry

Slow running is fine. It obviously has a much higher top speed than double reduction with much lower gear ratios and needs a more gentle touch on the controller but modern motors and a good quality chip mean that slow speed running is perfectly adequate with 30:1 gearing. Jerry

Where’s the fun in that! Jerry

Good day at the Shelton Mallet show today. I had hoped to put my MR 800 2-4-0 through it’s paces having chipped and remotered it this week. It ran beautifully on the test track but it kangarooed along the TM platform road thanks to the crankpins, which I hadn't had time to fix permanently and trim, being out of gauge! It will have to wait for TMs next outing, Scaleforum in September, for its first public appearance, by which time it may even have a coat of paint! Jerry

The Bath sheds scene which I have taken to a number of shows as part of a working demo will probably be making its last appearance before being permanently built into the layout at this years Swindon Steam festival in September. I have been able to populate it with a reasonably representative selection of locos with one major omission - no red engines. So, with the fine weather and thus painting season upon us I thought I should rectify that. I have four red locos currently either complete, or very nearly so; a pair of Nigel Hunt 483s which just require final detailing, a 1P 0-4-4T built in N gauge by John Greenwood which I acquired and converted to 2FS and a Kirtley 800 2-4-0, also built by John several years ago as part of our Wadebridge buildings bartering arrangement. I decided to start with the 800 which just required final detailing and the coupling rod washers fitting. It was originally built with one of the Nigel Lawton 10mm coreless motors which are fine but a little high revving as well as leaving little room in the Johnson 2950 tender for a chip so whilst I had it apart I have changed the motor for one of the Farish type 7mm jobs which is much better. Here she is on the bench waiting for the chip to be fitted and tested before the body goes in the ultrasonic bath. I’m hoping to have her back together for running trials by the weekend so she can stretch her legs on Tucking Mill at the Shelton Mallet show. Jerry

I shall be there with Tucking Mill, looking forward to it, Jerry

It is, many thanks. I shall probably do a few of my NPCS stash on the next few Monday Club nights whilst I gather in all the bits for my next Tucking Mill loco. Jerry

wheels on the bottom, boiler on top, chimney at the front, cab at the back …… usually! 😊 Jerry

Looking good Kevin, I’m glad the louvres look solid as I have a couple of these to do which are a little over etched and the bars have all but disappeared. Not sure what I will use yet. As for lining, it’s barely visible on all the pictures I’ve seen so I’m inclined to lightly dry brush the beading at the weathering stage and leave it at that. Jerry

Ive built a few though oddly none in 4mm. They vary but if treated as a scratch aid rather than a state of the art kit they are useful. The Midland 800 2-4-0 (2mm reduction) was pretty good. The chassis on the LBSC atlantic in 3mm was poor - the frames and coupling rods didnt match but the body, which is a fairly complex shape was pretty good. Jerry

Larkrail will again be its usual eclectic collection of great modelling, fine cakes and jolly banter. As Simon says, those trembling with excitement will have to wait a little longer for the full list but to wet your apetite here are a few snaps of Andy Ross's fascinating Hunslet Works in 7mm. Jerry

I enjoyed this little project so, unusually for me, spent the evening finishing it off. Not sure how authentic it is but it does make for an attractive vehicle. Jerry

That worked! Post now amended, thanks Jerry

Hi Ian, its the right way up on my phone and has defied all my attempts to turn it round on here. Just another example of my ineptitude with technology I'm afraid!! Jerry

As usual, my representation of lamp tops is more a sketch than strictly accurate but I’ve used a small washer with a pin through the middle - either a Peco track pin or a lace pin - whichever embeds itself in the end of finger first when rummaging through the tin they live in! Jerry

As others have said, another excellent Railex, particularly so considering the late change of hall. Many thanks to Tim, David and the rest of the Risborough team for all there efforts. Couple of snaps of our offering - Kim and Paula looking cool on the joint Bath sheds, 2mm Roadshow stand - no mean feat on a decidedly warm and sticky Saturday! …. and me performing my hypnosis trick using the powers of a slowly rotating turntable! Jerry

I decided that I would make use of Monday club nights to make some wagon loads for my largely empty wagon fleet. What I really need are a load of removable coal loads for my many po wagons and cut timber loads which were common at Bath judging from photos. What I ended up building was a Sopwith pup with its wings removed as a load for a wagon I hadn’t actually built at the time - so much for focus! Im assuming the aircraft has been sold off by the war department and is being delivered by rail. The markings are for an Australian squadron in recognition of our antipodean 2mm members - all rather improbable but sometimes it’s worth remembering we do this for fun! The wagon is based on those converted for war use on old coach underframes and is more representative than strictly accurate. The aircraft needs the paint tidying up and strapping down to complete a totally un-typical but fun vehicle. Back on mission next week!☺️ Jerry

Well done, looking forward to a similar milestone on Bath, though it’s some way off yet!😊 Jerry

No comment!!😊 Great, if rather warm, day at the Aylesbury show. Saw and chatted with lots of people, hoping to get around for a better look at some of the other stuff here tomorrow. Kim and Paula were looking cool on the combined Bath shed and 2mm Roadshow. I did get over to see the beautiful 7mm model of Bridgewater with lots of lovely S&D blue - they also had a number 54! Jerry

There is an excellent 2mm lineup at Railex Aylesbury this coming weekend, we will be there with Bath sheds - full details here Looking forward to getting back to one of the best shows around after a four year hiatus. Jerry

If only I understood the concept of being properly organised Don .......! 🙂

The truth is Ray I don’t- I’m forever running behind. Still, rather that than kicking my heals looking for something to do! Jerry