Rammstein2609

Hi Pete

I had exactly the same issue with EasiTrac and just couldn't get anything to run properly.  Not a bad thing to say about the product it's just that I don't have the fine touch that it requires, that's why I went down the turnout route I did.  Also I think PCB construction gives you that adjustability even once it's on the layout.

I look forward to seeing you progress with this.

Cheers

Martin

Hi Pete

I like the idea of the business cards and info sheet, they look great.  I've been thinking of something very similar recently as I had several show invites last weekend and had to write my details on scraps of paper - not very professional!

Vistaprint has caught my eye a few times with their adverts and deals so I may just give them a try.

Cheers

Martin

PS go for Thurso, you don't want to bother with all that giant stuff they call O Gauge ;-)

Hi ben

It was good to chat over the weekend.  I eventually finished the turnout after a day and a half!  It's great the public were interested and not afraid to ask questions so I can't complain.

My Ketton topic is only on DEMU at the moment but I may start a topic here soon.  It looks as though Ketton is going to the SECC next year so the clock has started ticking for me to get on with it!

Cheers

Martin

Looking Good!

Have you modelled the mortar joins in the brick work?  If so how well has it printed?

I've got a station building and signal box to model and I've been wondering whether to go the 3D printed or laser cut route.  

That building looks like a cracking little model.

Martin

Basically copying what Graham said above, Looking Good!  The lighting really does set the mood along with the back scene.

Hopefully I can create a similar mood on Rannoch when I get around to doing the scenic boards.

Martin

Hi Argos

I don't think Tim plans to make these available on his website but now that he has the drawings on file I'm sure if you ask he will be able to produce them.  

As for a B6 for bullhead, Tim may need a sample of rail to produce the drawings to create a fixture for this as all the rail he has is flat bottom I think.

Martin

Thanks for the comments guys.

Jerry,  

I've just gone back through the Tucking Mill thread and must say I originally assumed you had used Easitrac components as the trackwork looks really good.  This has just filled me with more confidence as I've even gone to the trouble of buying a pestle and mortar to grind down proprietary N gauge ballast to make it a lot finer so will be ballasting very carefully.

Don,

I had the same issues with the association jigs.  I sometimes found I put too much solder in and filled spaces which effected operation.  I hadn't tried the association jigs with flat bottom rail but as I'm modelling from around 2005 onwards most of my turnouts will be flat bottom with the odd bullhead for old sidings.

I'll keep you guys updated.

Thanks Pete.

My plan is to build up a stock of the four different turnout sizes so when I eventually start to build the layout and fiddle yard I have them ready to lay.  Hopefully once they're painted and weathered, the lack of detail won't be noticeable.  My thinking behind this was the rail clips on modern flat bottom track work would be so small when scaled down it wouldn't be noticeable anyway.

Hi both

I've currently got three Mac's at home all running OS X Yosemite without any problems.  Two of these machines run Crossover and Templot without any problems too.

Paul

A little trick I found with Crossover is to wait for your trial to expire and around a week later you will likely be sent an email with a code to get around 20% off the price.

Martin

You may find that with the doors/windows putting a larger margin around them to allow them to be secured to the overal body of the building would assist?

You are probably right.  It's amazing how you can get carried away on CAD thinking that such a small section will be large on the final product.  I plan on releasing these for anyone who wants to buy them at some point once I've built my station building but a slight redesign is required first.

Thanks for all the encouraging comments.

I should have said the period I'll be modelling is 2004 - present day.  I know it's a wide time period but there are workings and liveries I really want to model from 2004/05 and still be able to run some new stuff like GBRf 66's.

Thanks

Martin

Hi,

Loco conversions can be done for around 1/3 of the price per axle.  I am a member of the 2mm Association and there is a member who offers a wheel turning service for a small fee per axle.  He machines the RTR N gauge wheel sets as close to 2mm standards as he can and re-gauges them so you can just pop them straight back in the loco.  I've already converted a few diesels this way and had no problems so far.

You may be able to convert the class 08 without the society chassis etch.  I converted a Farish 04 a few years ago simply by dropping the original wheels back into the chassis after I had them machined down.  A little bit of tinkering was required to get it to run without any 'jumps' but it runs perfectly now even on speed step 1 on DCC.

Cheers

Martin

Nice shot.

It's got that late afternoon/early evening atmosphere about it on a nice summers day (or at least a dry clear day). The clouds are approaching from over the hills in the background though ;-)

Cheers

Martin

As ever, your ideas are fantastic and practical.

Every time you upload something like this I have to resist the temptation to build a small portable layout.

Cheers

Martin

Looking good. Can't wait to see this at an exhibition. Hopefully not to far in the future :-)

Hi Robin,

That is something I could possibly do in the future. My list just keeps growing. Hopefully I'll get to discuss it with you at Perth next month.

Cheers

Martin

Hi Missy,

I had a quick look on the TPM site before and their etch looks as though it is only half etched. I've designed this one to be 'see through'. My pics don't show it off to full effect.

Cheers

Martin

Thanks guys.

Missy, the wheels have been reprofiled and quickly refitted. A slight adjustment and clean is required. I think it runs quite well just now but it should be smoother once I've adjusted it.

I think I'll produce an etch for the crank rods and file down the heads of the nuts to give them a better appearance. After that I'll need to fit some DG's and fill in the holes in the solebars where the rapido coupling pockets were.

Cheers

Martin

Looking good. I'm planning a small project for the summer once university is finished and hope to achieve industrial buildings with the same look and feel.

I'm sure it will look brilliant once it's painted and weathered.

Cheers

Martin

Hi Pete,

Brilliant find. Out of interest, what trays did you purchase with the case?

I've had a look at the site but can't find a tray with 28 compartments. The trays you have look perfect for 2mm stuff.

Cheers

Martin

I don't know what it is (apart from good modelling) but there is something atmospheric about those photos.

I've been planning a small 2mm project since I joined the 2mm Society last year but my OO project has got in the way.

Cheers

Martin

Hi Pete,

Thanks for your reply. I bought Templot over two years ago and only recently learned how to properly use it so my plan was to just print of a track plan and use standard turnout sleepers as I have done the same previously in 00 gauge. Seeing these EASITRAC bases made me wonder if they were any good. They seem a lot quicker than the traditional way.

Cheers

Martin

Looking good so far.

Just one question though. Have you seen a turnout built from the Easitrack components ballasted? I ask because I have just joined the 2mm Association today and was wondering whether to use the moulded bases or just use sleeper timbering with a template.

Cheers

Martin