JSModels

Rusty, There isn't a specific date yet, but it probably won't be until the middle to the end of March, so you've got several weeks yet. Jonathan JSModels

Given Boris' plan for unlocking the country, who's going to be first to announce a show for later in the year? Stage 2 - no earlier than 12th April - allows opening of gyms, libraries, and community centres. I think that one could reasonably argue model railway clubs can reopen their clubrooms to members as of that date. Stage 4 - no earlier than 21st June - full opening, so presumably exhibitions/open days from that date? At AVRMC, we're already discussing potential dates for an open day - possibly sometime in August, to allow for a few weeks of 'slippage' in the above dates - but we've not settled on anything yet... Jonathan

I've looked, but can't find a picture anywhere to back it up - but there's Fred up a chimney, and his land rover parked at the bottom, on the N gauge layout 'Cleggworth' at our club. Also saw a very nice model of a 4mm scale boilerhouse & chimney with the same on Facebook a few weeks ago. Edit - it's by Dan Evason, Tunnel Lane Model Railways. Jonathan

New from JSModels - Industrial Chimney Kits - in 3 sizes! Ranging is size from 336mm (13 1/4") up to a rather sizeable 570mm (22 1/2") these kits will add some instant height to your layout! Here are all three sizes, with one of my JSM13 kits 'Canal Warehouse Front' for scale: With stonework to match the 'Waterside' warehouses, but also suitable for my other 4mm scale kits, the kits are available immediately from my website. They are: JSM40311S ‘Industrial Chimney Kit – Small’; 40 x 40 x 336mm - £7.00 JSM40312S ‘Industrial Chimney Kit – Medium’; 45 x 45 x 452mm - £10.00 JSM40313S ‘Industrial Chimney Kit – Large’; 50 x 50 x 570mm - £12.00 Regards, Jonathan JSModels

Ever since I was given one of these LED swan-neck wall lights by a member of my local club, and I used it on Haigh Sidings, I've been trying to get hold of some of them for my shop. It's taken over 12 months now (thanks to the C-word - no, not that one, the 5-letter one!) but I've finally got some available: They come with mini 2-pin connectors, nut for fixing, and a 620 ohm resistor: Available now - Swan Neck Industrial Wall Light I know things have been a bit quiet with JSModels recently, but exciting things are happening in the background. I've got a series of three new small(ish!) kits launching hopefully later this week which will complement the existing warehouses/mills, and then for the World of Railways Virtual Show (13th-14th March) I've got a brand new kit to announce, so stay tuned! Jonathan JSModels

Just as a quick exercise, I've just drawn up this very basic shed/office: A couple of caveats: 1. This was just done very quickly, in about 20 mins; 2. I haven't done this in a while, so half that time was spent trying to remember how to do certain things! 3. I'm at work, so have just used the basic textures included with SketchUp. If I were to do this 'properly', I'd use better textures, and add a bit more detail. I'd do the door and window separately, so they were recessed, and have brickwork to fold back onto the reveals. But hopefully, it shows how easy it is to do this in SketchUp. There's a PDF attached, in the (unlikely) event anyone wants to build one... Jonathan Test.pdf

I would also recommend SketchUp for this. The built-in textures aren't great, but there are a wide variety of them available online. I use sketchuptextureclub.com, just register (free) and you can download some excellent seamless textures. Edit: I prefer SketchUp 2016, if you can find it. That was the last version before they started removing useful features from the free version. Though I must admit I've never tried the current online-only version. Jonathan

Thanks, that worked perfectly. Jonathan

Due to a combination of a poor internet connection, a small screen, and massive impatience on my part (!) I accidentally hit the big red 'ignore this topic' button on a thread I really didn't want to ignore. In my defense, I was trying to hit something else & the button jumped under my finger just as it hit the screen... Anyway, I can't now access the thread in question to un-ignore it, because it (obviously) doesn't show up any more. I've had a look around in my account settings, and whilst I can find a list of 'ignored users', I can't find the equivalent for topics. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Jonathan

For those that don't follow everything on here and therefore haven't seen the news, I'm sponsoring the 2021 Cakebox Challenge. There's a £75 voucher up for grabs, so head on over there & get working on your entries!!! Jonathan JSModels

Jon, It's on it's way, but how long it will take to get there is anyone's guess!!! Looks like that would make a good cakebox project...

Philip, I think you can change that in settings/preferences - though I use SketchUp 2016, as that was the last version before they started messing with it too much & moving it online, so maybe you can't in newer versions (although if a comma is used as the decimal separator, what do you use to separate two dimensions, ie the x & y dims when drawing a square?). EDIT - It seems that what is used as the decimal separator is set via the keyboard settings. See this thread on the SketchUp forum.

If they're straight, my first thought would be to use solid plastic deck boards - something like this would seem ideal - Use smooth side up, rout or cut off the lower portion of the groove to leave an overhang. 25mm thick, weather resistant, and doesn't even need painting! You could even cut/scribe some flagstone detail into it if you wanted.

I'm in a slightly different position than Marc/Furness Wagon, in that I'm a brand new manufacturer (I started my business in April last year, after the start of the first lockdown). This means that I am that "unknown trader with a web only site where the only thing you have to go on is a photo" - and I can't wait to get to some physical shows so people can get 'hands on' with my stuff... Jonathan JSModels

Exhibitions take a lot of organising, and a long lead time is required to get everything booked and in place. At my local club (AVRMC) we've never held an exhibition, but, until last year, held a club open day twice a year which was always well attended. We're hoping to start them up again as soon as we can; being at our own clubroom means we could organise one at very short notice, and with nothing really to 'buy in' (other than food for the catering) there's no real expense involved either. We've had quite a few changes since our last open day, so our next one should offer something different for visitors. As mentioned above, the only downside to organising one at such short notice is advertising, but with Facebook, forums such as this, and flyers in local model shops, it's possible to reach quite a wide audience without the magazines. As soon as the tiers are eased and the guidelines allow, we'll be holding an open day; we're optimistic for something in the summer, fingers crossed... Jonathan

Over the last couple of days I've been working on two bespoke jobs - first off, brick versions of two of the canalside warehouse kits: Also, converting a client's hand-drawn sketches to CAD: Cutting them: And dry-fitting to ensure the pieces fit as they should: This is just the inner core of the building - this will be covered in plasticard by the client. Also some fine (literally and figuratively!) windows for the above building, cut in 1mm MDF: And that's it for 2020 - roll on 2021!!! Jonathan JSModels

That's a fantastic layout for little ones - Well done!

Yes, definitely

I've been a little bit quiet on here as of late, but just wanted to say a huge Thank You to every one who's bought a kit, liked a post, followed the page, or in any way supported me this year. It's been a tough year for many people, in many new, different, and challenging ways, but here's hoping next year brings a change for the better. Happy Christmas to you all!!! Stay Safe, Jonathan Scott JSModels

I've been banking online since 2001, and stopped using cheques probably 15 years ago. Then our club treasurer resigned, and I was press-ganged into taking over. All cheques and paying-in books!!! Trying to get access to internet banking has been an absolute nightmare, but I'm determined to drag the club into the 21st century. Because it's taking so long to get it set up (4+ weeks and counting!) I had to give in and write a cheque on Friday, as the clubroom rent needed to be paid! I've been dealing with membership renewals the last week or so, and I'd say around 50% of members are paying by cheque, though even one or two of the older ones have done bank transfers. Jonathan

Simon, Have you tried graphite on the rails (once they're clean, obviously)? I was skeptical about it, but used it on my shunting plank (different scale to your layout, in many ways!) but was surprised how well it protects the rails & stops tarnishing. Jonathan

Colin, Thanks for the interest, but no, I haven't made any progress with it yet. Our club is still closed; I've been down to the clubroom a few times just to check on things, but I think it's going to be a couple of months yet before we can re-open properly. Plus I've been spending all my 'spare' time working on the new business. Jonathan

Thanks for sharing! Today I've been working on a commission for an even larger one - Gauge 1: That's the O gauge version on the left, and the OO one on the right. Jonathan JSModels

Following the success of JSModels’ OO gauge / 4mm scale building kits, we are pleased to announce an expansion into O gauge / 7mm scale with the immediate release of two new kits. Based on two of the kits from the 4mm ‘waterside’ series, these kits are laser cut from a combination of 2mm, 3mm, and 4mm MDF, with 180gsm card roofing slate strips, and come complete with 240 micron acetate glazing material, and full-colour printed assembly instructions. Jumping up in scale has allowed the inclusion of additional detail not available in the 4mm versions, such as roof gutters with stone corbel supports, and engraved flooring with plank lines and nail holes. The two kits are: JSM743 ‘Canal Warehouse End 1’ – a four-storey building end with a column of loading doors and cover above, this building is 260mm wide, 38mm deep, and 425mm high (10 ¼” x 1 ½” x 16 ¾”). The loading hood projects a further 32mm / 1 ¼” out. Doors can be modelled open or closed. JSM753 ‘Canal Warehouse End 2’ – as above, but with additional windows instead of the loading doors & hood. Both kits are in stock and available to order now via the website, www.jsmodels.co.uk at a price of £45.00 each. As an added bonus, to celebrate the World of Railways Virtual Exhibition, all orders placed via the website over the weekend of 7th & 8th November will get 10% off with the discount code WOR10DISC. Note that the above discount code applies to ALL PRODUCTS, not just the 7mm ones! Further kits from the 4mm range will receive similar ‘upscaling’ in the future if there is sufficient demand. Regards, Jonathan JSModels

Convention is to list width then height (then depth, if appropriate) as that's the X and Y axes (& Z) in alphabetical order, though a lot of people & places don't. For that section though, I would expect that the width is 2mm, and the height 1mm, i.e. all three 'legs' would be 1mm in width (an equal 'T' section). I'd guess there's a 75% chance it's that way round, though sod's law says it could well be the other way... Not terribly helpful, but there you go!