Phil Copleston

A Bergeon watch makers vice, which I have had for 35 years. There are cheaper versions as well: I have one for my portable workbench.

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/screw-down-1-45mm-jaw-watchmakers?code=V1826

Also very decent pliers and tweezers.

A particularly useful link, Tim. Thank you. I've been looking for a top-quality precision vice for ages. Now I've found it! Just gotta save all those 19,995 pennies first... 

still the first two look seriously like examples used on the Colonels lines

Nick,

My thinking exactly... They're perfect for some light railway modelling applications. 

Now got the point levers painted. No fingers were burned in the assembly of these levers!

And I thought I had the crown for nerdishness with a bufferstop fettish.

Nerdishness? Naaaah. But I want to know Jim whether they can they be made to actually work?     

Among other things for various projects on a sheet I recently had etched by PPD were some hand point levers.  CR McNee pattern ones for Kirkallanmuir, straight CR ones for Sauchenford and some HR ones for Alisdair Campbell and others.  I decided to try assembling some of them tonight.

 

From left to right - HR, CR McNee Pattern and CR straight.  They need a wee bit cleaning up and hopefully some of the detail will show better when they are painted.  I am forever grateful that the CR boxed in all the mechanism as they did with the cranks on point rodding runs!

Jim,

These look rather spiffing! Will you be making these etches available to others? 

Three baseboards coming along in the workshop for my new 2mm standard gauge circular layout.

Actually, these are just the 9mm ply baseplates and blank end-plates accurately set at 120 degrees (third of a circle each) for my own design of 'monocoque' baseboards. Construction principles are similar to my Nn3 circular layout baseboard which some of you may have already seen at Larkrail in July (and which will be on the 2mmNG stand at Expo-NG this coming weekend http://expong.org ). The 6mm ply intermediate cross-profiles and upper trackbed are still to fit, as eventually will be the 4mm ply inner and outer side-profiles, and which together form an integral part of the overall monocoque structure. No ordinary wood is used with this construction method, which makes for light but very rigid baseboards.

Further updates to follow as construction proceeds...

Google 'dreckly', it will tell you everything you need to know:-))

 

Jerry

Hah! Pics soon please, but errr not so 'dreckly'   

Been hacking about at a Judith Edge Hunslet. The Association/Chris Higgs 03 chassis 'sort of' fits if you hack it about enough.

More about this build, please! Looks a very interesting and challenging model. I like that.

I must have missed the Judith Edge 2mm 15" Hunslet etchings. Are they still available?

You will be very welcome Kevin, particularly as Phil who is a key part of the usual crew will be absent. The layout is very straightforward to operate despite being fairly complex with huge play value.

 

Jerry

Thanks Jerry, ol' bean! I would love to have joined you and John to help operate 'Wadebridge' at Uckfield on 15/16th October, but unfortunately I'm busy that weekend. I do love playing with this wonderful layout and enjoying your good company, and I shall miss that. So I'm glad to hear others' have stepped in to help instead! 

With my own exhibition commitment looming at Expo-NG on 29th October http://expong.org with my emerging American Nn3 micro-layout as part of the 2mm Scale Narrow Gauge Group stand https://www.facebook.com/2mmScaleNarrowGaugeGroup I thought it best to spend my spare time tracklaying on the bare baseboard! Need to get things running. Mark Fielder will be there too at Expo-NG with either of his 2mmNG layouts 'The 'Pizza' or 'An Clár'. Maybe see some of you there?

Thereafter I'm available to resume my normal 'Wadebridge' duties, if you'll have me!     

I found the photo, Richard. Thanks. Interesting photo. Includes the Bodmin North railbus as well.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Boscarne-Junction-Railway-Station-Photo-Wadebridge-Bodmin-GWR-LSWR-1-/251867254747

It is a Class 122 unit, the Gloucester RC & W version of the single units. The one on Wadebridge is the Pressed Steel or Class 121 variety. Two ways to tell them apart are that the 121 has a four character roof indicator box and the 'bendy out' type exhausts. The Class 121 has a two character headcode box and straight exhausts which used to join over the cab but this connection was later removed. Both green versions of Dapol's 122 are incorrect as they don't have the two character headcode panel but it would have meant having two body mouldings. The blue versions are pretty much ok as the headcode panels were removed/plated over during the 1970s.

 

David (a DMU gricer!)

David,

Especialy for you: Here is Wadebridge with DMU Single Units and an AC Railbus galore! The last North Cornwall train is on the right, 1st October 1966 (photo Roger Joanes):

'WADEBRIDGE' AT WADEBRIDGE, Saturday 17th September - Wadebridge exhibition, Wadebridge School, Cornwall.

Here are some pics of John Greenwood's wonderful layout taken at last Saturday's show - the first time it has been exhibited in its home town! Included are some photos showing latest developments.

First, some general shots:

These previous two views ably demonstrates how the railway is constrained between the tidal River Camel and the town of Wadebridge.

'Spam Can' 21C07 'Wadebridge' (currently minus nameplates) pauses at its namesake town with the remaining three-coach portion of the Atlantic Coast Express, plus van, before proceeding to Padstow. 

GWR 'Large Prairie' (scratchbuilt chassis, Farish body) and unpainted etched B-set depart for Bodmin North.

SR N Class Mogul No.1837 with a three-coach local to Halwill Junction approaches the station.

At the moment there are some sketched-in temporary house flats based on the real ones (there is some compression) to help get the mix right and the feel of the urban setting behind the railway. The proper ones will be based on these and coloured in.  

Now for some of the improvements. Jerry has built some more of the buildings that constitute the town scene:

Jerry has produced a temporary card mock-up of the Town Hall and adjacent buildings (the orangy-coloured buildings). Before the show opened Jerry placed it in its allotted space and after some consideration felt it was too dominant and thus reduced its height by a few millimetres by cutting a portion out of the middle. The permanent model will consequently sit better towards the back of the townscene without dominating its setting.      

Several more lower buildings are still to go in to the left of the Town Hall.

Jerry has also been finishing off some of the warehouses on Town Quay - this one with roof advertising.

Towards the end of the day, Jerry sneeked on his 'Bubble Car' and North British Class 22 diesel-hydraulic on a demolition train!

And finally...

This is John's absolutely superb GWR 45xx 'Small Prairie' No.4569 - it is scratchbuilt, with the body partially utilising a 2mm test-etch. John is a true master of his art. This model is so good you can't really tell what scale it is, let alone that it is 2mm finescale - just as finescale modelling should be.

So there we are. I hope you enjoyed that sample from the Wadebridge show. Next outing for the 'Wadebridge' layout will be the forthcoming Uckfield exhibition on 15th/16th October http://www.uckfieldmrc.co.uk/exhib16nf.html Don't miss it!

My thanks go to John for again kindly inviting me to help operate. And to Jerry Clifford for his encouragement and jolly banter!

I believe a re-run of the Black 5 kits is planned (along with the 08/11 kits) soon-ish, so these castings should hopefully be restocked at the same time.

 

Andy

Oh goodie. An 08/11 kit or two will be just the job! Keep us posted of when "soon-ish" will be. Ta.  

Aberbeeg.

And a Blaenau Gwent to you, o' Capitain! And on that theme, this is '5600' class 0-6-2T No.6685 at Aberbeeg Locomotive Depot, 15 April 1951.

Ahhh CK, and on that theme - this is Horrocksford Lime Company's 0-4-0ST "Horrocksford No. 2" shunting in the sidings at Horrocksford. Three times 'Horrocksford'!

Perhaps for next year all attendees who are on here might wear a badge.

Rather than name badges, I suggest we all turn up to Larkrail next year wearing 'Captain Kernow' look-alike masks and costumes. That should put the cat amongst the proverbial bananas      

Who is this Carstens bloke?

Oh dear, my typo. Sorry Simon! Too much of a West Country burred "r" creeping in there.

Thanks very much for listing the layouts Phil, I very much look forward to catching up with you and Mark at the weekend.

 

One little thing though, we have "mixed arignas"

 

You have listed the very lovely  

 

'Arigna Town' (7mm, 1:43, 36.75mm gauge) – Dave Holman

 

but what is actually appearing at Larkrail is

 

"Arigna" the 4mm scale 12mm gauge model by the estimable Andy Cundick of the Cavan and Leitrim station of the same name.

 

As for 12 layouts - shome mishtake surely, this is the tea drinking and standing aroundfest we're talking about!

 

Last year's show raised £375.00 for the Julian House charity by the way, so thanks to all who came and contributed. Any profits from this year's lunacy will be headed in the same direction.

 

Simon

Whoops! Sorry guys, for both errors - now corrected with 'Arigna' (4mm scale, 12mm gauge, Cavan & Leitrim Railway) – Andy Cundick. 

I should just clarify that Henstridge in 2FS is not a working layout or anywhere near complete. I'm bringing it along for John Farmer to pick up but mentioned to Simon that, if there is room, I would put it out on display.

I will, however, have the late Steve Sykes delightful little folding test track which will, hopefully, be in working order.

 

Any chance of slotting an extra day or so in between now and Saturday!!

 

Jerry

Ahhh, right! Thanks Jerry. Simon mentioned 'Henstridge' only in passing but included it anyway, although I wasn't quite sure what that meant. Will amend the listing accordingly. Ta! 

Are there any more?

Yes! I have spoked with Simon Carstens this morning, and he confirms the following additional layouts for Larkrail 2016:

'Arigna' (4mm scale, 12mm gauge, Cavan & Leitrim Railway) – Andy Cundick

'Trerice' (4mm, P4, 1:76) – Iain Rice

'Draycott Park Colliery' (4mm, 1:76, BR period, North Staffs) – Tony Barnes

'Carbon Footprint Recycling Co.' – Alan Henham

And possibly 'Henstridge' (2mm finescale, 1:152, S&DJR) – John Farmer (ex-Jerry Clifford), although incomplete and may not be on display. 

I have amended my original list of layouts in post #75 to reflect this.

Looks like Larkrail 2016 will be a cracking good modeller's show - NOT one to miss! See you there.

Edit: Replaced error above of 'Arigna' in 7mm scale with the layout which will actuall appear, 'Arigna' in 4mm scale by Andy Cundick. Ooops, sorry for the error!

As a reminder...

A special event not to be missed! - LARKRAIL 2016, BATH - Saturday 16th July, 10:00-16:30  

A Light Railway and Branch Line Modelling Miscellany

New Oriel Hall, Brookleaze Road (to left side of Larkhall Inn), Larkhall, Bath, BA1 6RA

www.titfield.co.uk

The venue at New Oriel Hall is on the left (up the steps) with the small car park on the right. 

Get there by No.7 bus from Bath City Centre or Bus Station to Larkhall (square).

Or by car - u Unrestricted on-street parking available around Larkhall.

Layouts

‘St Blazey Roundhouse’ 2mm finescale (1:152) – John Greenwood

‘The Pizza’ 2mmNG (1:152) – Mark Fielder, plus a display of American Nn3 (1:160) project layout under construction by Phil Copleston

‘Tillbrook Lane’ OO (1:76) – Thomas Twigg

‘Chewton Mendip’ (in S&D blue guise) EM (1:76) – Tim Tinknell

‘Bawdsey’ (originally 'Strove') EM (1:76) – the late Chris Matthewman's layout exhibited by Paul Marshall Potter

‘Laramie’ and Big Boys with sound! O-gauge (1:48) – Peter Kirmond

'Arigna' (4mm scale, 12mm gauge, Cavan & Leitrim Railway) – Andy Cundick

'Trerice' (4mm, P4, 1:76) – Iain Rice

'Draycott Park Colliery' (4mm, 1:76, BR period, North Staffs) – Tony Barnes

'Carbon Footprint Recycling Co.' – Alan Henham

And possibly 'Henstridge' (2mm finescale, 1:152, S&DJR) – John Farmer (ex-Jerry Clifford), although incomplete and may not be on display.  

Demonstrators

Jerry Clifford – 2mm Roadshow with 2mm locos and stock from North Somerset and S&DJR 

Iain Rice – loco construction

Simon De Souza – Highland Railway modelling

Laurie Griffin – 7mm and Highland Railway locomotives

Justin Newitt – with his Rumney Models

Gordon and Maggie Gravett – scenery construction

Dave Easto – Gauge One scratch building

Don Lepper – figure and G1 locomotive painting display

Roger Bird – exquisite Tralee & Dingle Railway diorama and models

Captain Kernow – he is promising to put on a display of his banana selling in his capacity as all round good egg!

Traders

Gas Cupboard Models (Dave Simpson)

Branchlines (Brian Osborn)

The Titfield Thunderbolt Bookshop (Simon Carstens) – shop just 100 metres away!

Hello Rob,

I too expect to be at the Barnstaple exhibition on 30th July, as this is not too far from me (I live in Launceston). Looking forward to seeing 'Osney Town' again - I last admired it in its previous format at the Cambourne show about 5 years ago. So see you there!

Next job will be to get the boiler finished off I think.

The body seems relatively straightforward, particularly when combined with the N Brass lost-wax brass fittings. http://www.nbrasslocos.co.uk/fitlms1.html

But how about the chassis? I'm interested to see how you tackled strengthening and making more ridged the rather flimsy LRM's mainframe etchings... 

 

just seen the bashers gadgets and mourners book on amazon and no its not a spelling mistake Bashers, Gadgets and Mourners: The Life and Times of the LNWR Coal Tanks by Skellon, Peter William ( 2011 ) Hardcover £771.42used & new from another seller i  got one for 11 pounds  an ex library book so  should soon be   starting work  on my offering.

Whaaaat? This book is 19 to 25 quid brand new! http://ingrowlocomuseum.com/?page_id=35  

S SCALE EXHIBITION DIARY - updated details of S scale events for 2016 amended - see post #1.

I like that pizza layout. What is it's diameter?

It's a 400mm diameter disc of MDF as the base. Mark originally built it as a 6.5mm gauge test-track, but then got carried away and added lots of tasty toppings... 

Hope to see folks at Railex next weekend. Please drop by for a chat if you're there. -Geraint

I will be at Railex too, operating a layout. So will come over and say "hello" to you, Geraint. 

As it happens I shall be sampling the undoubted delights of the Western Isles that weekend, but for those not sampling the delights of the Western Isles I would definitely recommend a trip to Aylesbury to see Obbekaer. Excellent though the pictures in CM are it looks much better close up and moving, - 'in the flesh' as it were. Have a good weekend. Baron.

I agree, Brian. I last saw 'Obbekaer' at the Wells show a couple of years ago and was completely enthralled. It is a very simple layout, yet beautifully executed. For me, it's a little like a straight version of Ian Futers' minimalistic circular layouts from the 1970s. And similarly, inspires me to create a layout containing the same virtues. So I can't wait to see 'Obbekaer' again next weekend!

Over the last couple of weeks the various point rodding stools have all been manufactured and the remainder of the rodding runs installed on the layout.  Yesterday I completed painting the rodding runs - the whole of the track area was sprayed Precision Paints "Sleeper Grime", and the rodding runs themselves painted with a slightly diluted PP "Vermillion".  Red being a translucent type of colour anyway allows a degree of the Sleeper Grime to show through thus toning down the Vermillion a bit.  I will eventually weather the rodding runs anyway by providing oil/grease colouring at all of the moving parts.

 

Today I have made a start on ballasting the remainder of the trackwork, probably managing about 4 1/2 foot all told.  The ballast is a light coloured granular material that I picked up at an exhibition a couple of years ago, it has no branding on the resealable bag so I have no idea what it is or who the seller was!  It is being attached in the time honoured fashion of wetting by spraying a mist of car windscreen wash over the dry ballast (to break down surface tension) then dropping diluted PVA over it all.

 

Hopefully I will manage to get the rest of the layout ballasted over the next week.  Once the track has been ballasted, I have some even finer material to stick down in the 6' and along the edges of the ballast to represent the cess.

Superb modelling work as ever, Ian. The point rodding looks to die for! Keep up the excellent progress.

Good to bump into you (albeit in passing) at Trainwest the other week, though I didn't manage to catch you for a chat (I was too busy playing with 'Wadebridge'!). Maybe next time.