Spodgrim

Ian - I was hoping that the new gearing and motor would avoid DCC. Richard - Thanks for the comment - I'm too used to having to have long axle rods so you can align by eye, but of course with the jig that shouldn't be neccesary.

Lovely work Ian One of these days I will get back to coming on a Monday night, but work (and family) have been taking up an inordinate amount of time... it wasn't really that my subs were due...Honest! Neil

Thanks Ian There will now be a slight delay as I realised I can only find one axle steel and I need at least two to set up the frames and three to set up the drive train. I'll have to order some more from the Association shop, but I'm wondering if while I'm at it I order the parts for a replacement chassis for my Dapol M7 that never ran slow enough under DC (although I'm rather put off by the 0-4-4 setup). Anyway won't get anything done today as it's Easter Monday and we have to visit the relatives.

I decided a while ago that the two main sticking points if I want a working 2mm FS layout I build would be building track and building locos. If I can't get them working then I'm going to have to resort to pushing the wagons along the kitchen floor muttering "Chuff, chuff, chuff", and the family already think I've lost it!. So a couple of years ago I bought a kit for a replacement chassis for a Farish Jinty, but I've been too scared to get started. But today, with my wife and daughter out kayaking up the River Itchen, I girded my loins, grasped the nettle and bit the bullet. What a wonderful kit! It comes with its own jig and everything is as easy as it could be. Hopefully it keeps the axles straight when I come to solder the PCB spacers on. Of course it wouldn't be one of my models if I hadn't done something wrong. In this case using the larger axle bushes for the spur gear axle rather then the smaller bushes I've used on the motor drive shaft. So now I've got to check I've got room to fit 2 gears within the narrow space between the frames... but that will have to wait for another day, as will working out what to do about the motor shaft being too short to be supported by one of the bushes.

Just in case people think I've only got 3 scales to worry about, I've got 3mm and 0-16.5 knocking around somewhere... No wonder I've never built a layout! Next thing you know I'll be doing something ridiculous like modelling the London & Croydon in HO!

Or even a scale!

So this is the sum total of a year's modelling. I do seem to have a problem settling on a gauge.

I love the way you make me look like the normal one in the family! It's really coming on and looking good.

A very nice model, it makes me want to model even further back in time, and I love the display base!

"Wailing, atonal"...one of the best bands ever to come out of Maidenhead

I've had an enjoyable weekend building the sides of a Midland Van But somewhere along the way I've lost the rivet detail overlays to the door corner and the end stanchion. Short of etching my own kits what's the best way of fabricating new ones. I know in larger scales you can get etches of wagon "strapping" is such a thing avaliable in 2mm? Neil UPDATE I found the corner plate for the door among the detritus on my desk☺ Only one to make.

Very nice kits (and very nicely put together) Can't wait to see the layout!

Well there's an easy answer to that problem...

Ian - It's obviously a family trait! The trouble is I now DO have an unfinished loco in 7mm. Neil

Hi Ian I am very impressed with your modelling skills. I've never finished anything as my standards outweigh my ability, but I like your "just do it" attitude. Cheap materials and a positive spirit - a great combination. Neil

That is probably why I'm planning to paint my wagons (if I ever get round to finishing them) pre and post grouping on different sides - I blame your influence :-) Neil