Sithlord75

Looks like a nice show again. Enjoyed the glimpse I had of last years episode helping to set up Ashburton on the Friday.

Having stalled progress whilst @Laurie2milvery kindly did a smashing job of temploting everything (two tandems, a turnout with two catch points in it and so on) I also obtained some solder balls (eBay) and brass chair plates (Shop 1) . End of semester holidays in 8 business days (who’s counting) and so I’ve that long to clear the current builds (LSWR horse boxes - some for Yeovil) and *ahem* tidy the work bench before proper track building commences. Fortunately there is a test series of some note starting anon and a Bike Race in July. Plenty of building opportunities present.

When does "partially started" become "partially finished" I wonder...

The World Test Championship (also known as the Warmup Match for The Ashes - better to be playing India to get your eye in than Ireland I think) has been on at The Oval the last few evenings (days - delete as appropriate) and I've been listening to the coverage (it has been televised down here but I prefer Aggers and Co to the talking heads on Channel 7) whilst working my way through yet another take away container of etches. In this case some Victorian Railways WT wagons for @VRBroadgauge to add to the collection. A bit of a tricky wagon to model in flat pack with some clever bits of design to help get things bending in the correct direction. Two in the picture - another one was built by Bruce (or Steve) and another by Phil Badger. I built one I think back in April and then these two. Bruce reckons 4 is enough but I think he ended up with 5. Those keen to see what the real ones were like can check out this page. Assuming warm weather tomorrow they'll end up red.

G'day all, The next meeting is this Saturday (10 June) from 1930GMT. Please adjust according to your location. As always, all are welcome to drop in for a short time or a long time and share what they have been building, ask for advice (and share their favourite tips for success) and generally have a chat about their projects. The link below should take you straight there or the ID and passcode. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83287616944?pwd=WGRnQkprN1IwcitVRm56OThtMUFVUT09 Meeting ID: 832 8761 6944 Passcode: 222372 Cheers Kevin

You’ll find the chassis was in the parcel I sent you which will make things easier too.

Following a query in the Any Question Answered forum, and getting a very useful answer in the form of @Compound2632’s build of the 4mm - and a sight of the picture in Essery & Jenkinson’s Midland Carriages: An Illustrated Review I decided that the D418 MR Van which I’d started needed some serious additions and some slight modifications. These included: rain strips (mine are in a different spot to Stephen’s), the gas lights (which prompted the question in the first place - I ended up finding the remnants of a plastic extrusion from Etched Pixels so used those), the end steps and handrail and partitions inside to stop the view. The picture below shows the end of the weekend. Still have to put the running boards on and maybe lamp irons. Sadly, working gas lamps were a bridge too far. Hopefully the weather is kind for it to be painted - lining will be “interesting” I think!

Thanks for the advice Stephen. I don't think the current Environmental Laws in Queensland will let me run working oil lamps so I'll unfortunately have to pass. As the only previous information I had on the 418 was that a) it wasn't the 419 (!) and was the diagram available on the LMS Societies website, the pictures of yours and the information is very helpful. I have realised I should have put partitions on the inside (and you can see the length of the vehicle through the vents so that's a bit of a bother since the roof is soldered on) and foot steps, handrails, lamp irons and a bunch of other things. PS - haven't forgotten the MR cattle wagon fleet - still on the hunt for the correct chassis, presently unobtainable from the 2mmSA.

Hadn't thought of that Nick - I'm using EP torpedos but they'll run out eventually. I've drawn one up and it works great on a van roof when the whole model is printed but on it's own its a bit on the edge of my printer.

To quote HM The King (although he was only Prince of Wales at the time and it was a very different thing he was missing) “my knees dropped off having turned green with envy” at the thought of missing out on the workshop - dunno if any of the experts fancy a trip south to reprise it do they? We can offer hot pies and cold beer (along with spiders, snakes, drop bears, kangawallafoxes and bunyips)! Seems like a day well spent - well done John (and well done to the organisers and teachers).

Currently looking at the roof furniture on a Midland D418 milk/fruit van. Torpedo vents check (they are on the diagram helpfully) but ideas on representing the oil lamps which aren’t? The photo in the Essery book isn’t great and having looked at other vehicles with apparently similar arrangements I’m none the wiser.

Very nice. C Flight, 4 Squadron AFC had boomerang markings on the top of the fuselage, with the point of the boomerang to the port side of the aircraft.

Whilst I haven’t posted for a while I have been fairly busy - just not taking a lot of photos! I did take some tonight of a pair of the horse boxes @VRBroadgauge designed for me last year. I’ve been adding the detail you can’t (or isn’t worth the trouble to) etch - ventilators, brake cylinders, emergency brake gear. Lots of fun and help make the models. LSWR to the left, GNR to the right. An orderly queue for interested parties who’d like their own etch can form by dropping me either a PM or looking up my email address in the newsletter - contact for the SEQAG. Not sure on pricing before you ask!

G'day all, The next ZAG meeting is this coming Saturday (27th May) from 0930GMT. Please adjust according to your location. All are welcome to join in, and share what they have been building, ask for advice (and share their favourite tips for success) and generally have a chat about their projects. The link below should take you straight there or the ID and passcode. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83287616944?pwd=WGRnQkprN1IwcitVRm56OThtMUFVUT09 Meeting ID: 832 8761 6944 Passcode: 222372 Cheers Kevin

Whilst not using the fag packet economic index I agree. I’ve only in the last few years (and I “blame” you Chris!) moved on from my “modelling on a uni student budget” mentality. My time is worth a lot more - more so the older I get and you don’t know how much is left in the hourglass. So I’d say unless you’re sure you can knock up some accurate gauges in 25 quids worth of time and materials, it’s a good investment.

That iron is more likely to be found in the 5" gauge section...

Look at all those extra parts he'll have to make... 🤣

Arc roof Simon.

Hi Simon, Basically I'm looking for coaches for St Albans - so LNWR Suburbans and a Driving Motor (D345, D112, D187, D289 and M33 - some I think used to be done by Etched Pixels) and the LMS ones are essentially the Period II/III replacements (D1734, D1735, D1784 and D1790). The LNWR ones will go on the bogies from Shop 2, the LMS ones possibly on Shop 2 LMS bogies but will primarily be aimed at using the Farish LMS bogies as they'll be N gauge owing to the locos being N and there being a bit of local interest from my N gauge modelling mates. Not sure of timelines - Bruce is presently designing the Victorian Railways coaches he is needing for his layout. When I get some of the VR coaches I'll post details of building them here - haven't actually built coaches to date so will be keen to get some advice. Cheers Kevin Addendum - I know Worsley Works does some of the diagrams listed in 3mm.

I’ve a mate out here who is drawing me some etched coaches for ems - he’s done some horse boxes already for me which can be seen in the 2mm forum. They’re LNWR and LMS types. 1:152 for the LNWR and 1:148 for the LMS. If anyone is interested I’ll ferret out the info to post which diagrams I sent. Links to the HBs are sort of in my signature block.

G'day all, The next meeting is this Saturday (13 May) from 1930GMT. Please adjust according to your location. For those of you in the UK - remember GMT not BST! Adjust accordingly. As always, all are welcome to drop in for a short time or a long time and share what they have been building, ask for advice (and share their favourite tips for success) and generally have a chat about their projects. The link below should take you straight there or the ID and passcode. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83287616944?pwd=WGRnQkprN1IwcitVRm56OThtMUFVUT09 Meeting ID: 832 8761 6944 Passcode: 222372 Cheers Kevin

Not so much a layout but I was at the Brisbane Train Show this weekend demonstrating soldering - and for the first time all I had was 2mm gauge (and mostly 2mm scale) stuff to show off. The 4F isn’t 1:152 - it was professionally regauged by @queensquare and will be most valuable in having us test our track work - we know the loco won’t be the problem if it doesn’t run! Next year we hope to take a layout!

Oh no it isn't... 🙃

G'day all, Having had a short break for Easter, the next ZAG meeting is this coming Saturday (22nd April) from 0930GMT. Please adjust according to your location. The first ZAG meeting took place around this time in 2020 - so three years ago as the pandemic was really starting to interfere with life. I for one am very pleased it is still happening and has been of such benefit to members. As always, all are welcome to join in as and when the opportunity arises to talk about or work on their modelling projects, seek advice or dispense pearls of wisdom (!). The link below should take you straight there or the ID and passcode. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83287616944?pwd=WGRnQkprN1IwcitVRm56OThtMUFVUT09 Meeting ID: 832 8761 6944 Passcode: 222372 Cheers Kevin

You'll just have to wait for the Bullied Pacific and 11 on. Did the ACE go anywhere near here? Can't remember.