September Update

There is less then four weeks to go until the Australasian 2mm meeting and the list of jobs that need to be completed on Toshalt will realistically take me over a year.  At least a train will run, even if it can't do much else!  The installation of the new and replaced points is now completed including the extra points needed for the new sidings.  The installation has taken longer than expected mainly due to me positioning one of the points in the worst place possible - right over a board cross member, and I know better!  At least it got me thinking outside the box and I have managed to get it working.  You can read more here.

An overall view of the layout temporarily setup on trestles.

I am also building a locomotive shed for the HWLR which is a 3D printed building that I am cladding with appropriate sheets from Scale Scenes.  You can read more here.

In addition to working on Toshalt I have managed to 'fine scale' my first loco, well sort of.  Kevin has bought one of the recent Dapol Class 22s and he posted a query on the 2mm VAG asking about converting such a model to 2mm.  One of the replies suggested using the Associations 3-020 8mm extended axle driving wheel sets from Shop 2.  These need to have the extended axle turned down to a pinpoint of an appropriate length.  Kevin couldn't resist and went ahead and ordered 7 sets (4 for the 22 and 3 for the 4F that he also has) which I then proceeded to modify using my lathe.  Now the work required was quite straight forward and didn't really need a lathe (although it certainly made it easier) to turn down pinpoints on the end of the axles, however, it was another learning experience.  It was also very satisfying to see the loco run on the first go!  Below are some shots including the 2mm wheels before I machined them, the wheels placed in the bogie, and a 'before and after' shot (albeit a little hard to see).

I also managed to get to the Redlands Model Train Show.  This is a relatively new show put on by the local club and was a nice way to spend a couple of hours.  One of the exhibitors was showing some ancient 3 rail OO trains. Some of the items dated back to the 1930s and was absolutely fascinating.  Below is a couple of photos including what a mechanism looks like.

In early September I was lucky enough to spend a week in Melbourne.  While there I managed to ride old Puffing Billy for the first time.  This is a very scenic railway with some interesting history.  I thoroughly recommend taking a ride on Puffing Billy if you ever get the chance.  I also got the opportunity to have a meal on The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant.  The fleet of cars are restored historical tram cars and are the first in the world to be converted to travelling restaurants.  This was a very enjoyable experience and well worth doing.

Mid August Update

This month has seen me give turning down wheels to 2mm standards, a serious go.  I very quickly realised that I would need to purchase some collets to aid in the machining process.  I have a Sieg M1 multi-purpose lathe/mill combination and I found a company in Melbourne that sell accessories for milling machines and lathes including for my M1.  The collets were ordered and arrived in under a week (not bad considering they came by normal post!).  My Father-in-law showed me how to change the chucks and how to keep things clean, gave me a few pointers and then left me to my own devices.  The collets certainly made the machining process much easier, but needless to say, not all went to plan!.  However, after a little practice I think that I have got the knack.  Next thing to try is to convert one of the old Farish GWR railcars but not before I lay the remaining Easitrac points, the next task to carry out on Toshalt.

This month will also see a Model Train Show every weekend, a real treat for those of us who like to see the achievements of others hard work.  The photos below are from the RMCQ Model Train Show at Strathpine Community Centre.  There were a couple of very nice layouts present including one layout using EM Gauge.  All in all a very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours catching up with old and new friends, and getting inspiration to complete some of my own work!

Lensey Park in EM.

Broxburn Sidings. This nice little layout uses Alex Jackson couplings, something I would like to investigate for my 2mm efforts.

A couple of nice shots from 'A Little Slice of England'.  The pub scene gives me an idea for my own layout.

The following photos are of a nice little layout called Beauaraba Sidings which was being shown at a small show at Stafford Heights.  It depicts a small QR backwash and has some nicely executed scenery indeed.  This layout is built by the same modeler as Broxburn Sidings that was shown at the RMCQ Model Train Show.  This layout also employs Alex Jackson couplings.

July Update

I thought I would have installed the completed pegged turnout by now, unfortunately I had somehow forgotten that the original point that needed to be replaced was an A6 and the pegged point is a B6.  This has necessitated the construction of another A6 point using a template, however, I thought I would use a milled crossing instead of constructing one, just to give it a go!  I have included a couple of progress photos below.  Hopefully I will get the new points installed over the next week or so and get some ballast installed to boot!

Notice the copper clad sleepers to add additional stability.

The (almost) completed turnout.

And the point loosely placed.

During the week I also decided to try my hand at turning down a wheel from a Dapol milk tanker after seeing a post on the Australian 2mm Yahoo group asking if there was a local wheel turning service.  So far this has turned out to be easier than I had anticipated despite the tight tolerances involved.  The only issue that I have run into is turning the back face of the wheel which will require the purchase of something (or making something) that will securely and squarely hold the wheel by it's tyre.

Mid July Update

Isn't it funny how one's plans for the month never quite go according to plan.  At least I still have a couple of weeks to go!  So far I have managed to complete a pegged turnout kit from the 2mm Association which I was very happy with, so much so I have ordered two more (you can read more here).  The kit really is relatively straight forward and quick to build.  Now I just need to remove the old point and install the new point on Toshalt (not to mention more wiring and scenery!).  I have also progressed track laying in the HWLR goods yard, although I haven't yet started building any of the narrow gauge points.

I have also finished 90% of the wiring on Swallow's End which includes an NCE Powercab panel, a double pole double throw slide switch, and a jack for an analogue controller.  This allows the layout to be controlled with either DCC or DC as required.  The remaining dropper wires still need to be installed and the soldered points finished which Kevin will complete once he gets the layout back.

A overall view of Swallow's End. The layout sides still need to have the profiling finished.

A close up view of the jacks and panels.

June Update

This month has been focused on Toshalt, trying to get as much as possible completed for the Annual 2mm Gathering taking place at the end of September. One major outstanding task that needs to be completed before the Gathering is to replace the first point that I built as it was never quite right. I have decided to use one of the Associations pegged point kits to see how it compares to building off a template.  At the same time I have commenced laying track in for the HWLR goods yard.  I am trying a different approach with the yard in that I am gluing down the sleepers and then soldering code 40 flat bottom rail to the sleepers.  So far most of the sleepers are in place and I have soldered some of the track.  Now to tackle the turnouts!  Click here to read more.

I have also been wiring Kevin's plank layout, Swallow’s End, as he also wants to have this running at the Gathering.  It is wired so that DC or DCC can be selected.  I have used copper strip for the main bus, however, I am not sure that I would use this method again.  Apart from not sticking directly to timber (no surprise there), it is rather fragile, although it is very easy to solder to.

Note the plastic strip that the copper is laid on.

The Toowoomba Model Trains, Craft Hobby Expo was held earlier this month where I helped with Hollie Wharf. The weekend was very enjoyable and a number of the layouts were of a very high standard. In particular, there were some very good QR themed layouts that almost make me want to have a go!  I also visited the Gold Coast show on the weekend .  Again there were a couple of very good layouts.  In particular a layout called Kyogle by Peter Boorman stood out.  It is a New South Wales N Gauge layout and Peter was running some of his excellent steam locomotives made by himself from his own kits.  The layout certainly shows what can be done in N gauge Australian outline.  Maybe I'll see what can be done in QR one day.  Here are a few photos.