Phil Copleston

Hi Mark, Yes, the 2mm scale working gantry crane and moving road vehicles are amazing in themselves. But what would otherwise be just a novelty, to my mind is not really the revolutionary aspect of John Greenwood's layout 'Wenford Bridge Goods Depot'. When I'm operating, these two additional features transform a fairly ordinary branch terminus into a real functioning railhead with loads transhipped from road to rail and vice versa, giving the layout a realistic purpose. This completely changes the emphasis and makes the whole into a far more satisfying model of a railway. As you rightly point out, the correct slew and hoist operation of the crane and positioning of the road vehicles for loading/unloading is just as fascinating as the train movements themselves. Indeed, one can easily hold an audience for some ten or twenty minutes without any rail movements at all. Which rather puts a lie to the old exhibition adage that "you have to keep the trains moving at all times to maintain interest". What nonsense! So look out for 'Wenford Bridge Goods Depot' at forthcoming exhibitions in 2016. Settle in front of it, and give it time to watch and study this little gem. You won't be disappointed!

Hi Jerry, I believe it is spelt "fiNetrax", available from 'British Finescale' (whoever they are), but their website is currently down with this notice http://www.britishfinescale.com, which is a bit weird and doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.

"John G said to me that it's a good job he doesn't know what he's doing or he would never have done it!" Perfect, Jerry! This describes the approach of the modest Mr Greenwood to a "T". And look at his inspirational results...

My, my Jerry, this scene is really starting to look the part. Its scenic transformation since the Taunton show less than two weeks ago is quite remarkable! It will be even more fun to operate now. Well done you

Simon, I think that is what I said: the main difference is in the wheelset back-to-backs and the trackwork.

Indeed I can. British S scale standards are essentially the prototype dimensions divided by 64, whereas American so-called "Proto 64" is NOT the ultimate, as some might assume, but in fact incorporates a number of compromises. I have prepared this Comparison Table on the link below which I think adequately demonstrates the difference between prototype dimensions (reduced by 64), SSMRS track and wheel standards, and those of Proto:64 and NMRA S scale. Admittedly, the differences between SSMRS standards and Proto 64 are not great, but it makes for an interesting perusal. I have experimented with some NW Shortline Proto 64 freight car wheelsets and by tweeking their back-to-back wheel faces they will run through the finer SSMRS trackwork. S Scale Standards As for the Irish broad gauge standards (and indeed Brunel broad gauge or narrow gauge standards), these are the same as for SSMRS standard gauge dimensions except that the gauge-related figures are altered in proportion.

Mwahhh-ha-haaah! Dual-mode chip a couple of your potential visiting locos and they'll work on both?

Oh gawd, Dave. Don't mention 2mm scale working bicycles to John Greenwood, he just might rise to your challenge!

More pictures from an exhibition... Kim, Maurice and John at the start of the show on Saturday, 24th October. John doing a spot of shunting and looking very pleased with himself! Jim Allwood (former Chairman of the 2mm Scale Association) presenting John with the Geoff Balfour Memorial Trophy (given to the person who is considered to have best promoted 2mm scale modelling and the Association through writings in the British modelling press during the past year). Jim, John and Jerry posing for the Railway Modeller's press photographer. Oh yes, the modelling paparazzi were trailing John that day... 70000 'Britannia' on a wine and dine special from Cornwall heading north, waiting for the "off" at Taunton, 19:24 hrs, 24th October 2015. Jerry, Kim and John... and a certain steam locomotive. What a super weekend that was. Great company, good modelling, and happy memories!

Ahhh yes, that's the answer - model it post-closure! Then there's no need to muck about with tiresome locomotive mechanisms, DCC or all that jazz...

And thank YOU (and John G) for inviting me, it was a real pleasure to help out. It was a very enjoyable show, not least because of the delightful company with a great bunch friends - you and Kim, Maurice H, Nick S, Dave T, and John and Edna G. Brilliant! Oh... and not forgetting those massages from 'Two Soups Thai', of course. Quite a hoot! We must go back there sometime... I too found the ZTC DCC system easy and responsive to use. And it revolutionised the operation of even on a modestly-sized layout like Tucking Mill. I think you made the right choice. So, no worries, matie!

Indeed I will, or rather, I have now! First up is a general shot of John and Jerry behind the layout at the Hayle show, with admiring onlookers: This is looking from the west end of Wadebridge towards Bodmin. In the foreground is Town Wharf goods yard, one of three on the layout. And from t'other end: this is Jerry's smart little Midland 1F 0-6-0T on loan to the Southern for the day, strong-arming a 25-wagon goods towards the North Cornwall line junction past Wadebridge East Box. And very able it is too - no slipping or faltering, a very strong hauler. And it will also creep along at less than 1 mph, so will be a pleasure to shunt with at Bath Queens Square in future.

Superb! Top-notch modelling, Jerry. Apart from the DG coupling, one can't tell which scale this is - always an indicator of the best quality modelling. Well done!

Jim, The line from Lüderitz to Keetmanshoop is now part of the TransNamib Railway, which is 1,067mm (3 ft 6 in) 'Cape Gauge': https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TransNamib About the TransNamib track - you are exactly right! It IS modern baulk road (of sorts) known as 'TMT' (Tubular Modular Track) for use in difficult geotechnical situations or to prevent engulfment by sand. Going slightly off-topic now, but see this South African rail industry website: http://www.tubulartrack.co.za/index.php/tubular-modular-track/what-is-tmt/ And some clear photos of this TMT baulk road: Hope the above clarifies.

Ooops, my mistake, Ian. I couldn't have looked at your photos hard enough! And I think talk of "baulk road" confused me. Dohh! But anyway, even as GWR 'narrow gauge', what you have already produced looks absolutely superb! I hope to see it for real at a show someday. And I get what you're saying about toning it down later to get overall consistency.

Rich, On the contrary, the broad gauge rolling stock wheels were pretty good (certainly pre- the "wobbly wheels" era of the early '90s) - plastic centres with blackened brass rims on 1mm steel axles. There was a 7mm 10-split spoke and a 6mm 10-split spoke, plus the Association's 6mm diam. 8-spoke plain and split spokes were also available on extended axles. The brass roller-gauges were CNC'd by Phil Kerr, so were nicely made with check-rail slots too, plus matching turned b-t-b gauges and crossing nose "button" gauges, I remember. You could be right - that the late Peter Whitehead may have snaffled up most of them. What happened to all his 2-mil stuff? But I bet there are some other broad gauge wheelsets hanging around in others' gloat-boxes somewhere! I seem to remember there where quite a lot of them in stock.

I agree Ian; the Edwardian period is a very attractive and colourful time-frame to model. And you are making a top-notch job of recreating the GWR baulk road in 2mm scale too! But I think that rapidly accumulated brake dust, dirt and weathering would have quickly obscured the "Torbay Bright Red" colours within days (cf. white-painted coach roofs and rollingstock wheel rims). So you may need to tone it down a bit. Pre-group railways weren't always as clean and neat as us modellers like to imagine! On the subject of modelling the broad gauge in 2mm scale: You are probably already aware that 2mm Brunel broad gauge track components, roller gauges and back-to-back gauges, and various sizes of rolling wheels on extended axles (all to 2mm Scale Association finescale standards) were made available by the Broad Gauge Society back in the mid- to late 1980s. These didn't sell very well (although I have some) and I believe the BGS stocks eventually passed to the Association in the late 1990s. Not sure if they still exist. But worth inquiring with the 2mmSA Chief Shopkeeper if you haven't already got your fill!

Excellent info and links, Mark! Thanks. I've often seen (and used) your little mini-controllers and have been impressed. Following your links, I've just ordered a couple of these PWM units to play around with. Might suit some Nigel Lawton motor/o-ring power-train combos, methinks.

Done, Simon. Good suggestion!

Jerry, I really like this 'open on two sides' presentation you have adopted on The Wharf. More open and viewable than a straightforward proscenium arch, and less 'cramped'. It thus encourages viewing from several varied angles. Very thoughtful!

Well done, Rick! This MUST be a record. Really good to chat with you last Sunday. Glad you and the layout made it back safely. See you in Taunton next year with another well-travelled offering... !!!

And I just gave away my barely-used spare to Jerry! Ahhh well, he's a damn good cause...

Yippeee - well done The Capt'n and his hearty crew, and everyone! I'm sure Jenny Agutter will be thrilled... Joking aside, it's a very worthwhile cause: http://www.railwaychildren.org.uk

No probs. Judging by the cold rain lashing down here in Cornwall this evening, mid-April IS winter!!! So see you for the fun and frolics next year... and bring that Brazilian sunshine with you!

Yeah, my spare Pentroller - originally from Ted Brandon of New Jersey! (2mmMark knows Ted)