2mm Dabbler

Nice result. I tend to clean up using scrapers made from small cheap screwdrivers ground to look a little like a graver. The shafts of cheap screwdrivers can often be bent to useful angles. Even the smallest traces of active flux can cause corrosion. I scrub with a hard grade tootbrush and an abrasive cream cleaner. Then into the ultrasonic cleaner. I've used the cream fluxes that Coachman dislikes and after the above treatment found no subsequent corrosion. Michael

Brave move Kris, I think everyone agrees you've made the best decision. You'll feel vindicated when the corrected trackwork is laid. Chris, both Copenhagen Fields and Fence Houses have Easitrac on their most recent work though I can't recall from the GJ Expo if those particular sections were in use. I recall no particular running problems though. Michael

Just as an extra point from Don and Pix, it's apparently not best practice to use spur gear combinations where the numbers of gear teeth can be evenly divided into each other such as 14/28 (or 12/24, 12/36 etc). David Eveleigh brought this up in the VAG as apparently gear wear becomes exaggerated though this may only affect models run for considerable (ie exhibition) distances. Pix makes a good point about clearance for the m*ff. Failure to allow for this, CAD or paper sketch, can result in much wasted work. Alternative split axle designs will mean some serious micro engineering needing machine tools etc. It's both amusing and sad that a ladies hand warmer, that I can only recall from one of the 'Little Women' films, has now become unmentionable. Michael

Years ago I saw some anti-slip tape for use on boat decks. Although bright white I thought it might have some use representing ballast. Perhaps offcuts could be of use here as it would avoid the use of glue and loose ballast. Possibly too coarse for this scale though. Although Easiline is gone it should be possible to use the Versaline etches 1-131 instead. I recall Bob Jones writing that the Easiline plates were about 20% oversize.

Good points about using sleepers and I've seen the film strip method used to good effect. Incidentally Bill Blackburn's method isn't actually discontinued, 2mm Association Shop 1 will no longer stock it once sold out but will still be available directly from Bill. Michael

I'll join in the adulations Missy, it looks superb. Whilst Steve has a point about cleanliness I believe this would depend much on the time since the last use, the weather (dried muck/mud being lighter than fresh/wet) and, here's a thought, the mindset of the station master and staff. Would the lad porter be sent down to give it a good sweep out? Putting a bag aside for the stationmasters garden of course! As an aside I remember coming home from school and seeing trains of NSWGR double-deck sheep vans loaded with pigs being taken to Riverstone meatworks. Quite a whiff if the wind was in the wrong direction! Regards Michael

The Ixion metal weight is tungsten, noticeably heavier than lead but, as you've found, quite difficult to cut, drill etc.

Looking good so far. Your fitting seems pretty good, in my case the more critical the hole the more likely I get it wrong. Michael

Very nice work here Jack. I wonder how I missed this until know. Like Bryn I have immediately added to my favourites list. Thanks also for the additional photos of the 08 - that's one nicely grubby gronk Looking forward to more. Regards Michael

Instead of a full 'cut and shut' it may be worthwhile trying to extend the moulding with thick styrene strip; I've found old or broken school rulers suitable! Use plenty of solvent and allow to set completely hard - days not hours - before filing and sanding to shape. I've used this trick in my military modelling days with success. I'd also suggest reading Missy's blog about Elvis's roof to see that care and determination will give results. Regards Michael

According to a list prepared by Stuart Brasier for the N Gauge Society, this a Great Northern Rly fish van. Based on diagrams 34 & 49, the prototype was 17'6" over headstocks with a vacuum fitted 10'WB underframe. I'm not sure of a source of drawings or photos. Regards Michael

Hello Steve The 14xx & 57xx/87xx are coming from Chris Higgs (aka Masterclass Models) and there's some RMweb info here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/blog/416/entry-3909-double-heading/ The 45xx originates From David Eveleigh and I believe he had a few etches available at Oxford. Like Andy I have a few Jinty bodies though at this point no chassis. I was planning something similar with a 4F using another suitable Bob Jones chassis etch. Time to mix up the caustic. Michael

Better and better! That roof looks great Ben, with a nice uniform profile end to end: I've seen a number of roofs made from styrene with an unfortunate dip in the middle. My few scratch-built roofs are simple arcs and so far easier. And hasn't Sithlord had the advantage of just ended school holidays? And your bairn only a few months old? This round to you I think... Michael

The "sludge gulper" looks like something used for emptying commercial grease traps and/or septic tank pumping. With the completed models it might be worthwhile sanding small flats on the tyre bottoms to simulate weight. It's worthwhile the rest of us remembering that there's much useful modelling parts and accessories avaiulable from Japan, and in an extremely useful and compatable 1:150 scale. Michael

Burkitt took the words right out of my mouth Seriously, that is one impressive looking piece of kit Missy, very professional. Michael

Sounds like a worthwhile and productive day Grahame. I hope others attending gained as much from the experience. Accepting that some of the oldest and coarsest N wheelsets are not compatible with Easitrac it is an immensely useful system for N modellers as well as 2mm. We can all understand anyones reluctance make the wholesale alterations that changing from N to 2mm requires, especially regarding existing layout(s) and large model collections. The turnout especially looks, at least from the camera viewpoint, indistinguishable from 2mm standards. Michael

Lots of encouragement there Missy! Thanks for the invite, that's very, errm, brave of you Pete, thanks for the reminder about the 08 and news of the 37. One assumes these are in a decent green. My comment was more towards fans of the more modern and garish. I can't recall if Missy confirmed Highclere's presence at the GJ Expo or not, I may have just assumed this is the case. I hope I'm correct! Come anyway Pete, it's something I'm greatly looking forward to. Michael

This looks better all the time Missy and I've long felt your modesty about the layout electrics is unnecessary. Far better than my previous efforts which tended to resemble an earthquake in an electronics factory - followed by an explosion but fortunately no fire. I'm greatly looking forward to saying hello and seeing the layout at the Golden Jubilee Expo. Regarding commnents made at exhibitions I'm sure the great majority will be constructive and those of the "Wot, no diesels?" and "wrong flicker" variety can and should be disregarded. Michael

Hmmm, all those visitors and no comments..... Congratulations Ben, on a very nicely built model. I wish my first brass kit had looked so good. I think I mentioned previously that this was a good choice: no tumblehome but plenty of fiddly bits to attach and test your soldering skills. The photographs bear testament to the quality of your work, always one of the cruellest tests. The shot in primer is especially good. I look forward to seeing the completed model. I'm sure others have said these vehicles usually ended up dirt coloured, the ironwork on the sides ripped the brushes in automated washing plants to pieces and no-one was going to handwash them. Michael

I heard of a trick to reproduce tapers originally used for boom type crossing gates on a Fremo module. The builder used brass rod and ferric chloride etching fluid, vertically dunking the rod in the fluid and allowing it to run down and drip off the end. As a result the bottom of the rod is in contact with the etchant the longest and the result is a gradual taper. Using hexagonal rod might give a good representation although with fewer facets(?) than the original. Michael

I keep coming back to this photo, it's very atmospheric. Pre-dawn, very quiet with the sky a mixture of pearlescent glow hinting of sunrise and the light pollution that so annoys astronomers. The sodium lamps are very impressive. I look forward to more. Michael

I've just found your blog, those photos are excellent. Pete and Ben are right, code 40 rail, no Rapidos and delicate scenics make a great difference. Michael

That's a fine looking setup Missy, thanks for the photographs. I presume they were taken prior to the public entering? I'm also curious as to the level of interest shown by visitors. And the tankers look good too! I've several to do myself. Regards Michael