Ian Holmes

It's #modelrailwaymonday Time for this weeks video blogchat layout update Ian

Likewise. Crossing the bridge. Stuck in traffic trying to get across the bridge. Several times there were goods trains waiting to cross the bridge. My memory wants to tell me I was on the bridge when a DMU went over towards Barmouth. Ian

Yes, it's #modelrailwaymonday and time for another blogchat. This week it's tales of alcohol consumption and eBay purchases leading to ideas for a layout.

Has anyone ever tried to model the old timber road rail toll bridge at Pont Briwet between Llandecwyn and Penrhyndeudraeth? It’s something I remember from childhood holidays in North Wales in the 1970’s. Travelling over the bridge and seeing class 25’s waiting in the yard at Penrhyn probably with GPV’s in tow. I was considering a model of it. There is an archaeological report out there and a photographic survey of the structure for a good start, and there should be a full survey in the Coflein archive in Aberystwyth. I wondered has anyone ever tried reproducing it before? Ian

I was thinking about getting the sound version, and then I thought. Pssssh-t-cou is so indelibly etched in my memory I don't really need it... it would save me about 90 quid or $120 ;) Ian

Please do. There is no waiting list :D Ian

The Autumn issue of The Micro Model Railway Dispatch is now available for you all; to download from https://micromodelrailwaydispatch.com I hope you enjoy it Ian

What can I say that hasn’t been said already? Something that I have no need for but absolutely have to own. I love it. Did I see Q1 2025 release? Too late for Christmas, but just in time for my birthday… Ian

Seeing as how it's the Labour Day holiday here in the USA tomorrow. I might struggle to find time to upload this weeks #modelrailwaymonday video blog update. Here it is

It's #modelrailwaymonday and time for an update on the progress with the Gauge O Guild virtual exhibition layout

It's #ModelRailwayMonday! time for an update on the Gauge 0 Guild virtual exhibition layout

It's #modelrailwaymonday! Time for my latest micro layout video blog. This time I go for a run around town searching for inspiration for a new layout

A new video blogchat

Some video discussion about the work

So, after a few hours work I had a very workable looking N gauge point from Finetrax. Construction was simplicity itself. I even managed to solder the heels of the blades to the stubs of the pins that are a part of the tie bar arrangement. I had impressed myself. With that It was on to the 2mmFS society starter kit... With little competency in the black art of soldering I had no idea what to expect assembling the wagon chassis. Still emboldened by the 2mmFS society videos presented by Nick Mitchell on YouTube I plugged away. Watching a part of the video and then going back and copying what I had seen. I found the job somewhat easier than I expected. Sadly, I lost one axle box cover, springing out of my tweezers and into the carpet. Actually that happened twice, but I found it the first time after about 20 minutes searching. Second time no such luck. Some parts of the soldering were bit beyond my newly discovered skills, but so far, so good. The chassis is even free running. So much so that the wagon would move when trying to take this photograph. I'll put the buffers on when I get some superglue, and add a coat of paint. But right now I'm feeling really good about what I've done. I never considered that I would have the skills and abilities to do something like this. Perhaps with a bit more practice and experience, my work could be quite passable. Ian