-missy-

Hello Paul Thank you. Yes. Its the Canon A480 I got one of these for work and for a point a click camera its really good plus its got a fantastic macro of around 10mm (from what I remember) Missy

Hello Pete I think you have started something there! I dont mean to be messy but lets just say the other demos were a bit more organised Unfortunately there werent any 2FS layouts at the show. Apprantly they arent that common? Hello Bryn I just took my toolbox, some plasti-card, and some etched kits. I planned to work on my goods shed (more later) and some 2FS chassis kits for PECO tankers if I fancied a change. Over the two days though I actually managed about an hours modelling though, the rest of the time was spent talking to people. The bits that people were most interested in were my signal and the station lamps with the tea light flickering thingy. If I were to do anything different it would be to take plenty of pictures of Highclere so people could see the layout. The book I had helped but I had plenty of people asking me about the layout and how far I have got with it (and when it will be going to shows!) You will enjoy it. Missy

Hello I spent this weekend at the St Albans show courtesy of the CMRA with a demo of my modelling bits for Highclere. -My (messy) stand closest to the camera- I just wanted to say that I had a great time and thank you to everyone who came and spoke to me (David Bigcheeseplant, Atso, Halfwit, and others from RMWeb), it was the first 2 day show that I have done and I still got hardly any modelling done! (Apparantly this is a good thing ) I hope that I have inspired a few people to give 2FS a go. A special thanks goes out to the guy who told me I had the wrong type of 'flicker' to my station lamps too Missy

Hello Those buildings look absolutely fantastic. I really do like them. I do hav a question though, how do you butt the walls together and keep the brick pattern? Are the simply butted together and the brickwork is engraved on one end or are the ends chamfered or something? Missy

Hello Guys Thanks for the comments. The power supply is only going to supply mainly the lights for the layout. It was free and seemed like an ideal way of doing it. Its interesting to know about the loading and switching of it though, and also I will look into making the outputs fused so thank you Penrhos and Alan Hello Andy The cable I have used is from RS Components (Im sure you could get it from elsewhere though. The code is 290-0198 and the link is HERE Missy

Hello As the weather yesterday looked like this... I had the day off work and carried on with the control panel for Highclere... I have also made a start on the power supply for the layout, is there any reason why I cannot use one of these? Missy

Thanks Guys Good point Pete. I just noticed that and the fact 2010 is not listed, it only goes to 2009! That would explain why its put it on page 2. Hmmmm, is this that millenium bug thingy? Missy

Hello. I really admire people who can make things from wood. It really is a talent, and a talent which is still beyond me. Today I have spent ALL day trying to make a box for my control panel and I have reminded myself why I hate it! Today hasnt been a great start to the new year and hopefully one which wont continue, there has been temper tantrums, tears, and lots of moments where I just had to walk away, I just cannot do woodwork:( Anyway, here is the result of all my efforts today, in all its embarrassing glory (remember this has taken me ALL day)! Give me an etched kit anyday! The really annoying thing is I HAVE to get these done no matter how much I hate it. Missy

Hello That looks absolutely fantastic! Its really well thought out too by the sounds of it. One quetion though, Rowmark is a manufacturers name for a range of laser friendly material, do you know what type of material they specifically use? I am guessing its something called ADH but am not sure. Missy

Hello Rich Welcome to RMWeb! Missy

Hello Just time to squeeze another post in before I call it a night tonight... Today I have mostly been trying out an idea I have for my control panel. I drew the track plan with corel draw which was then given to my local friendly engraver who engraved it onto some clear acrylic. When I got it back I sprayed the back of it black and then stuck blue LEDs along the top and bottom edges of the panel. Here are the results.... Panel in daylight Panel at night The idea is to illuminate the plan where its been engraved just enough that if I ever run the layout in the dark (its a big plan of mine) then I will still be able to see the switches and stuff. It still needs tweaking like adding more LEDs to the sides but the idea kinda works I think? Missy

Hello Thank you guys. I couldnt resist posting something about it as it just looks fantastic and has really given me enthusiasm to carry on. Unfortunately though I really want to carry on with the scenics right now but I must crack on with trying to get the electrics sorted as nothing has run on the layout still! There is alot of work still left to do with wiring it and no doubt plenty of headaches to come with it too. The aim is to get it to the 2mm Expo in July as its looking to be a fantastic exhibition with 20+ 2mmFS layouts planned to come but what state it will be in is another matter.... Missy

Hi Mikkel I like the idea of this. It will look fantastic with the dappled light gleaming through the windows. A little bit of haze/mist/smoke/ will help too. Oh, and you know its just screaming to be broad gauge M.

Hello I am very very happy. With thanks to Ron North of the High Wycombe Model Railway Club who has done fantastic work on the backscene for Highclere. Its something that I would never be able to come close to and although I no doubt will get some stick for not attempting it myself, I just wanted the best for Highclere and Ron has definately done that for me. Thank you again Ron. (A very happy) Missy

Hello Anglian Thank you. I promise you it is 2mm! Its amazing what you can do with a printed bit of paper of some countryside and a bit of teddy bear fur! Hi Alastair Thank you. I didnt weather it, but I will ask the guy that did how he did it next time I see him. I love the weathering, as you say it looks like it needs a bit of TLC. Hello Simon Thats fantastic! Im sure you wont regret it, the 2mm FS are a really friendly and helpful bunch of people, and with all the new bits like the drop in wheels for N Gauge engines and Easitrack it makes modelling in 2mmFS so much easier. You will have to start a blog of thread on your 2mm FS stuff, I for one would love to see. Missy

Hello Pete I also think you need a backscene on the layout. It will really help frame things and if you can make it to the same height as the viaduct even better. The viaduct without a backscene just looks lost to me. M

Hello Bryn Ooooh, wont be long now until you get things running. Nice to see things are still happening. M

Hi Mark. Thank you. Well if you are making a 5" gauge one then make 2 and let me have one! I love the larger live steam stuff, so much that I have the drawings for a 71/4" gauge paddington somewhere. I can always dream... I use a teeny weeny SIEG C0 lathe which for 2mm stuff is plenty. I really have to sort out some decent lathe tools for it though, the ones I have are rubbish! Thank you Kris Hi Mikkel. The background it just a piece of A3 paper with a landscape printed onto it. They were taken on my table where I do all my modelling with a couple of daylight lamps I have. Nothing complicated really. Whats this index you have mentioned? Thank you Pete Hello djgriff. It also shows you what you can do with one doesnt it? Hello Bryn. Thank you. Tankers will come in time, layout electrics next! BTW I will be operating Steve Harris's layout at Stafford! Cant wait to meet him. Hi Marc. Its definately 2mm! Thank you. Missy

Hello Finally! I have decided to leave the Q1 alone and move onto the next thing there is only so much tweaking I can do on something before I get bored of it so I have decided its done. Here is what I have done to it... Changed the engine wheels to 2mm FS using 2mmSA wheels using nickel silver replacement bar and plastic insulation bushes. Machined the tender wheels from N Gauge to 2mm FS and added the wheel detail Changed the plastic front steps to metal ones (soldered from wire and etch left overs) Replaced the huge plastic driveshaft and universal joints for smaller metal ones Changed the motor to a fulhalber 1016 one Replaced the coupling between the engine and tender to a pcb one and decreased the gap between the two Added a driver and fireman Changed the handrails for finer metal ones Added lamp irons (front and back) made from etch left overs Added real coal in the tender Replaced the lubricator linkage made from brass bar to give a finer apppearance with etched handwheel Changed the coupling rods for finer etched ones from the 2mm SA Weathered by the brilliant Terry Hadler Added a Train Control Systems Z2 decoder in the tender (wired in, not plug in) And there you have it! Im very happy with it. Now onto the next thing.... Missy

Hello I was intreagued as on the home page of the blogs this entry comes up as "Building a first etched bra..." Missy

Hello I must agree with Damian. The idea of the trains being dwarfed by the scenery is very compelling. I personally think that if you start compromising too much the overall impression and feel of the layout wont look as good. My pennies worth. Missy

Hi Mikkel Fantastic modelling! Absolutely brilliant! The photos just feel so right. Missy

hooray! I knew you could do it M

Hello Carl The baseboards look impressive and very big too judging by the size of the engine on the baseboard! Have you got a track plan or something you can post? This looks like its going to be a fantastic project and I am looking forward to seeing more... Missy

Hello Im very VERY happy Thank you Terry Missy