chrisveitch

Thanks Mark - I do remember the Mike Bryant components now that you mention them. Others have pointed out that the current RTR chassis are so good that it's not with doing your own, but that doesn't seem to have prevented Penbits etc. producing (and presumably selling in commercial quantities) more accurate replacement diesel bogies for the 4mm guys although I guess that market is very much larger.

Thanks Chris - as you're rightly surmised, my thoughts were "It's a shame a can't doing anything with this - is it worth trying or should I just chuck it in the bin and phone Hattons?". I think Hattons probably win out here.

Thanks Chris - I thought there must be a reason and that seems reasonable enough.

A recent rummage in my junk box came up with an old Farish Class 24 body which came from who-knows-where a long time ago. The chances of finding a secondhand chassis sans body to go with this seem to be fairly slim which got me thinking - has anyone in the Association ever looked at producing replacement chassis for RTR diesels? I know the current offerings almost certainly can't bettered mechanically, but presumably a couple of bogie etches and bits to produce a common drive train would cover many (if not most) of the BR diesel fleet? I'd guess that most of the bogie sides are common to more than one class and bits and pieces such as tanks, battery boxes etc. could be covered by 3D prints or simple resin castings. Just a thought - possible uses might be the more obscure prototypes or older RTR models which originally had less reliable or adaptable chassis?

Thanks Jerry - I had wondered if it was for gapping sleepers. Obviously I know now what I need one for ;-)

Jerry, what's the little tool with the wooden handle and what looks like an old-fashioned razor blade clamped in it? (I'm sure that when I realise what it is, I'll wonder how I've ever done without one).

Thanks Chris - I'll enquire.

Ah. How embarrassing - my only excuse is that I was using the back number index which only goes up to 2015... I'll dig it out and have a read. I'm not sure whether to be more worried that I'd forgotten about the article, or about the 08 that I'd bought sometime in the past...

Bachmann Farish 08 0-6-0DM conversion, anyone? I recently realised that I had an unused and forgotten Bachmann Farish 08 at the back of a drawer, and pondered on what is required to finescale it (it's in EWS livery, but I'm sure that can be resolved). I have the Association Magazine back numbers and there is plenty of material on building the Association 08 kit and an article from 1999 on converting the old Farish Poole inside-framed 08, but nothing - as far as I can see - on converting the current outside-framed model. I can see that there's a conversion chassis etch in Shop 3 which I presume is intended for this purpose (and currently out of stock) but I've never seen an account of this being done. Is there any guidance available on this, or does anyone have a story to tell of their own conversion?

And a pack of Morrison's Gravy Bones - there's a man who get his priorities right!

Thanks for the suggestions guys - definitely food for thought.

At the risk of being flamed for asking something that's been asked a dozen times before, can anyone point me in the direction of appropriate and up-to-date advice regarding suitable magnets for DG couplers? I'm currently taking my first tentative steps and have assembled a small test rig with a couple of neodymium magnets and couplers on a couple of surplus Peco underframes but I can't seem to get the location of the magnet right. It's on a bit of 6mm MDF and recessing one into the underside seems to be a bit hit-and-miss, whereas one positioned directly below the sleepers is far too powerful. Am I better off using electromagnets and winding the power down until it's just enough? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm currently using an old (but good) Record 2.5" bench vice and I'd like to get hold of a Bergeon lookalike vice as well. I know the Bergeon type is demountable - is there some sort of equivalent in a demountable bench vice of about the size I currently have? The two would need to be mounted side-by-side so the larger vice could potentially get in the way of workpieces or handling around the smaller vice, hence the wish to have it demountable. Have had a quick Google and found nothing apart from clamp-on models, which isn't really what I want. Regards, Chris

That dawning disappointment when you realise that someone else has done your idea better than you could! Seriously though, Steve, it's a great layout and I'm following with interest. I guess there's enough Dean Forest to go around...

Is that the Highbury Colliery shunter rebuilt as an 0-6-0ST?

It's Vol.2 "Forest of Dean Lines and the Severn Bridge" - I have great expectations.

I'd love to Jerry, but the 400 mile round trip is a bit off-putting and I have an appointment on Saturday with Kerr Stuart 4415...however I am determined to see Tucking Mill et al in the flesh one day. I was interested in the size because I'm toying with a first 2mm project (something small, obviously) and although I knew it was small it has a great spacious look to it. That's just about the size I was thinking of and I have a few ideas for a similar-sized space, but Neil Parkhouse's new book is on its way to me as we speak so I might have a few more soon.

Jerry - I very much enjoyed "your" edition of MRJ and obviously the wharf article. What's the baseboard size of the wharf section?

What's the track, Jerry? It looks very fine for N and doesn't look like their fake Code 55 (but I might be wrong).

Having recently treated myself to several of the wonderful Wild Swan books on the Severn and Wye and Forest of Dean branches with the idea of using them as inspiration for a small first 2mm project, I was intrigued by the tramroad feeders which shouted out as a great focus for an rural industrial scene. Then I remembered where I'd seen it done before. B^gger!

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll get working on a shopping list.

2mm Association Loco chassis kits - I know the association price list has links to drawings and instructions for the replacement chassis kits (I'm particularly thinking of the 57xx and Austerity) but is there a shopping list of the bits you need for each anywhere? I realise it can probably be worked out from the drawings but I haven't seen a list of recommended parts. Regards, Chris P.S. Yes, I am a member.

Thanks Mark - Evergreen sheet has been suggested to me and it certainly looks the part, so I'll be giving it a go. Regards, Chris

Mark, I was very impressed by the MRJ article and pleased to find you here on RMWeb (mainly pleased that I can pick your brains...). What's the walling material used on the signal cabins and the goods shed, i.e. the one with the raised strips over the planking joints? I'm doing a similar building myself and don't fancy sticking on hundreds of lengths of Microstrip, and I presume you didn't either and found a ready made alternative - or got very bored in the process. Regards, Chris Veitch