Alex Duckworth

Hello Pete, the extra "sky" height has improved the overall proportions of the viewed scene, I think, good result. Alex.

Nice to see you back Bryn, and Colwyn Bay of course. Alex.

Thanks Paul, I did make an effort to use as much as possible. It's a lovely kit though, even shot down to 2mm, everything fits. Alex.

Thanks Pete, I've left the final adjustments (straightening handrails etc.) until the handling phase is over, I hope that it will look tidier then. Alex.

Thank you all. More dirt is a distinct possibility, but I'll leave the final coat until handling will be at a minimum - there are still a lot of adjustments to be made (particularly to that buckled window frame that I've just spotted) and I found the air tanks last night in my spray booth that I had forgotten completely! Alex.

Almost finished,still some minor adjustments to be made though. Alex.

So pleased to see this back, sky looks good. Alex.

Just an experiment, really. These motors don't have an enormous amount of torque, so I thought that two motors might give better starting, also if one stalled the other might take up the slack, as they share a layshaft. It seems to run OK, but it also goes well enough on one motor. I don't think that they have enough power to fight, probably just a bit of shoving and the odd insult. Alex.

As promised a couple of photos of the Janus chassis Alex.

Very interesting. The layout that I've been trying to plan has a scenic section on a concave curve like yours, and I've come up with a similar baseboard layout to yours, only not as long. (16ft.) Good luck with this one. Alex.

Still a great piece of work, nice to see it back. Alex.

Hello Mark, Eileen's Emporium (www.eileensemporium.com) sell 1mm x 1mm brass T section - that's pretty small. Hope this is useful, very impressed by your layout. Alex.

Thank you Julia and Jerry, I'll take some chassis photos as soon as I get the chip in - the wiring is temporary at the moment and a bit of a dogs breakfast as a result.

The Janus is approaching completion The body has had a first coat of yellow, the chassis awaits coupling rods and the DCC chip. Alex.

Welcome back Pete, good to see you modelling again. Alex

TM looks great in MRJ, excellent photos, super model. Alex.

My Backwoods NGG 16 Garratt has two motors - one in each unit - and runs rather well, even if I do say so myself. My recently completed 2mmFS Janus chassis has a mini motor at each end (under each bonnet) and seems to be OK as far as I can tell, although it isn't finished yet. My 2mmFS ES1 has only one driven bogie at the moment, it'll have two when I get around to it. When I build my 2mm Clayton it will have independantly driven bogies As Julia says, it isn't rocket science. The desirability of this configuration in a mass market, cheaply produced model is quite another question. Alex.

Strangely enough it was the little known photo by Bo of the Blue Pullman trial run on the Wath section of the Woodhead that made me buy one. Alex.

I'm with Julia on this one - motor in cab (or PCB) would really put me off, particularly in a loco that is mostly bonnet. Alex.

Yes, I'm watching with great interest. Alex.

Superb. Ever since it's photo appeared on the Association site this loco has been my 2mm favorite. Alex.

Yes it is a trade name, but it has now become ubiquitous, like Hoover. It is, to the best of my knowledge, a two part acrylic. My point was, however, that is a very high quality acrylic unlike the cheap DIY store sheet - in short, real Perspex , not cheap acrylic.

In my experience Perspex has excellent long term stability and does not degrade - as long as it's real Perspex and not a cheap substitute like the acrylic sheet sold for double glazing. Offcuts are often available from local plastics stockists and fabricators. Alex.

Have you tried cellulose thinners to remove the old Maskol from your 57xx? There isn't much that it won't shift. Alex.

Hello Paul, yes, I'm planning to fit the two Lawton 6 X 12mm motors in the photo, both driving the central layshaft via 7 tooth pinions on to the 30 tooth gears visible, using a CT DCC chip. Alex.