2mm Andy

Thank you for the extra information Paul - I have edited my post accordingly. To add to the information on the transfers, I've found a pack of the NGS ex-Modelmaster transfers that includes lettering for the Mermaid wagons in the later 'boxed' style. Unfortunately these transfers aren't available at the moment, although the NGS hopes to make the remaining stocks available for sale to members again soon. Andy

Reference to Paul Bartlett's excellent photo website suggests Oleo or self-contained buffers were common; https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/brmermaid Edit - Paul's reply below notes that spindle buffers were originally fitted (ie. pre-rebuild). So likely to be 2mm shop 2 codes 2-076, 2-078 and 2-083 for the fitted wagons (which usually had 1'8.5" buffers). I'm not sure if the GW-built wagons were different. John Isherwood at Cambridge Custom Transfers produces transfers covering the early BR period. The reference number is BL91 with 3 options to cover the different regions (a = WR & SR, b = ER & NER, c = LMR); https://www.cctrans.org.uk/products.htm regards, Andy

I'm afraid I can't help regarding the article, but Mr and Mrs Martin and their railway also featured on a 1974 television programme presented by the late great Dave Allen; There is also a bit more information here; https://sheppeyhistory.uk/Articles/wardmano.html Andy

Ahem.... I look forward to seeing some photos from the exhibition though (and not just of the cakes!). Andy

Time to re-name the exhibition to "Cakerail" perhaps? 🤨 Andy

Morse code in 2mm? 😁

Laurie will no doubt be able to confirm, but I think that the chap standing on the left is Roger Jones. Andy

Just over a week to go. Our Australian exhibitor has now landed in the country, and I'm sure that some of the other exhibitors are busy cleaning wheels and polishing rails ready for next weekend. More details (and pictures of some of the exhibits) are on the dedicated page within the 2mm Scale Association website; http://www.2mm.org.uk/DJubilee/index.html Andy

Excellent! Can you PM me your address and I'll get them in the post to you. Andy

Now taken. Wheelsets missing from one bogie and plastic frame missing from one end of the tank. Postage at cost. Andy

Now Taken. Free to a good home - five 'Linka' moulds for making cast plaster buildings; Happy to post within the UK for free. Andy

Just to update this, it has been confirmed that there will be a 'Bring and Buy' stand at the Derby Expo on the Saturday only. A form for selling items has been included in the latest 2mm Magazine Mailing which will land on member's doormats/inboxes early next week. 10% commission will be taken on items sold. Cash sales only. Andy

One month to go. The details in the OP have been updated with more information (list of traders, etc). Andy

The 11.75mm wheels also have the bevel on the inside of the rim that is a feature of Stanier locos. Andy

Bump - one month to go....🙂 The details in the OP have had a bit of an update based on the latest info I have. Andy

The last weekend in May is usually Railex weekend (although sadly not this year), which either seems to feature very hot and sunny weather or torrential rain and thunderstorms. For your sake I hope it's the former this year, but Don's suggestion of a tarpaulin seems a good one! Hope it goes well and I look forward to seeing photos of the results. PS. HMQ has 'only' managed 70yrs so far. Andy

This film of the real thing (well, a replica) popped up recently. Andy

After the discussions on another thread in the 2mm area, I visited the PPD Ltd website and noticed that their phototool sizes/costs seem to have changed recently (since I last sent them a sheet for etching in January/February). They now offer a range of standard sheet sizes based on a 290mm vertical dimension whereas before it was 300mm width and any vertical dimension; http://ppdltd.com/artwork-guide.html (about 1/2 way down the page). The minimum size is now 290 x 135 which is still quite useful for 2mm scale. Anyway, thought it might be of use/interest. Andy

....apart from four types of Easitrac plain track, the new Finetrax point kits (and the Easitrac point kits before them), a wider range of rolling stock wheels than ever before, a new range of loco wheels, a range of 3d printed loco and wagon details, a wide range of cast brass wagon buffers, a range of conversion chassis and components and etches for N gauge locos, drop-in wheels for Farish diesels, a range of etched coach bogies, assembly jigs for turnouts and point rodding components (i'll stop there as this is starting to sound like a scene from a Monty Python film....😆) Yes, the loss of some of the etched wagon chassis and items like the buffer stop etches is frustrating (I say that as committed wagon modeller and buffer stop aficionado), but I think you are doing a grave injustice to the products development teams and other volunteers within the Association by making sweeping statements such as that above. Andy (ex-committee member, part-time wheel assembler and occasional product development volunteer)

Ian, I think that is a temporary glitch caused by some maintenance work done on RMweb earlier today. They should re-appear in due course. Andy

Indeed Jim, and I have previously broken some blades in precisely that way, so I now generally use a Swann Morton craft knife (the type with the orange plastic handle) with a curved blade to cut etch tags. It was Nick's post above which mentioned the use of a scalpel. Andy

It should be possible to use a piercing saw and a fine blade to cut the tags although it will be somewhat slower than using a scalpel (but less likely to end in disaster). Andy

Hi Adam, I had hoped to ask John that question at our area group meeting last week, but he wasn't able to attend. I will hopefully be seeing him on Monday so will ask for the information on traders then, but I understand (from the info on the 2mm website) that the 2mm Central Shop will be attending as well as N Brass Loco. I don't know about a 'bring and buy' - sorry. regards, Andy

The Mk1 coaches have gone to the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway it seems, and the last reported location of 'Gervase' was the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre; https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/sentinel-works-no-6807-gervase-0-4-0-vbgt/ Andy

That looks rather like 'Dom' - a loco converted from the power unit of a Sentinel steam railcar built for the Jersey Eastern Railway and which apparently spent some time at the Standard Brick and Sand Company at Redhill. https://flic.kr/p/2jBbCRv It was sold into preservation but was later scrapped. Andy