Caley Jim

Happy New Year to you too Valentin. This group had no connection with the VAG, so I'm afraid I can't help you there. Jim

Just had this quote sent to me by a friend (a local minister) "success consists of staggering from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm". Jim

The rail which forms the point of the V and which should be the 'main' road (the point rail) should be ground to the crossing angle as should the other rail (the splice rail) which, as it's name suggests, is then spliced against the side of the point rail at the end of the taper on the latter. A Guid New Year tae ye a'. Jim Edited for typos

At this time of year the measure is two fingers! Whether that is index and middle finger or index and pinky is up to you! I know which I'll be having! :-) A guid New Year tae ye a' Jim

A Guide New Year tae all o' ye who have had the time on your hands to follow this thread and make such kind and encouraging comments. Jim

I wonder what that might be??? Jim

It certainly looks very much like the pivot for an equalising beam of some sort. Jim

Thanks, Keefer. I've passed on the link to your post. Jim

Despite the festive season I've managed to get a shed-load of modelling done! :-) Jim

Huh! Is that all? Friend tells me Melbourne is in the mid 30's! Didn't get above -3 here today! Jim

Aye, only six months until the nights start drawing in again! 3" of snow here yesterday morning and -11°C last night. Jim

Gary, There's not much care involved, other than avoiding getting paint on the gutters. I just slosh the slightly varying mixes on in a fairly random fashion. The ridging is added later. Jim

No, No, NO! It's a gents hairdressers run by 4 brothers, so it should be 4 Brothers, barber. Jim

I paint roofs with acrylics, using a basic grey mix to which I add differing small amounts of blue (or green, depending on where your slates have come from) as I go along, and painting in 'patches'. This gives a subtle variation in the shade without being too obvious or creating sharp divisions in colour. See the roof of my recently completed signal box. If any of the paper slates are tending to lift, you can work some of the acrylic paint under them and stick them down. Jim

That's what they would have you believe! Jim

The Grampian Area Group of the 2MM Scale Association are engaged in completing the 'Dunallander' layout begun by the late Neil Ballantyne, based on an amalgam of Dunblane and Callander. They are seeking information on the colours of Dunblane north Signal Box in the late 1960/early 1970 period. This is much later than my own period of interest, so any information will be gratefully received and passed on to them. Jim

Every local authority in the UK has one of these, fully staffed!! Jim

Reason given for dismissing a poor performing employee 'some village is missing an idiot' Jim

Thanks Don. According to the book having the name on the box was a BoT requirement. Jim

Claytons are one diesel I do have a wee bit of a soft spot for having seen them going through Greenfoot LC in pairs when brand new. I guess that dates me!! Jim

I thought it was 'I saw three skips come railing in'. That donkey's trying to be a camel. Looks like he's got the hump! Merry Christmas one and all. Jim

Well, the painters have been and done their work, as have the glaziers, and the internal fittings are in place. Yes, the box identification boards really were that small (Signaling the Caledonian Railway p195). How train crew were supposed to read 3" high letters is anyone's guess! A couple of the interior :- Note the duster hanging on one of the FPL levers. And finally the box in situ on the layout. from the operator's side And a couple from the viewing side. It won't be getting properly bedded in until I get a coal bin for under the stairs made and possibly a plate layer's hut to put on the far side of the box from the steps. Thanks to those of you who have persevered with this saga and for the kind and helpful comments.

Insanity is a pre-requisite for modelling in 2FS! Jim (Happily round the bend)

I draw the grid the size I want visible of the slates, then cut double width strips. I then go along and make a cut at each vertical joint half way into the strip (what will be the visible half). It's a laborious job, but worth it IMHO. The strips are then glued on overlapping one another by half. Jim

Very similar to the method I have just used for the slates on my signal box , only in 2MM scale I used newspaper and computer printed the grid. Figures look great BTW! Jim