2mm Agm 2012

[queensquare]

As this is the first topic in the newly created 2mm lounge it has two functions.
Firstly, its a heads up for the AGM which this year is in Bedford on saturday week, October 6th. There is a small selection of 2mm layouts, including Kim and I with Tucking Mill, the Association central shop and a handful of other specialist traders as well as (hopefully) lots of examples of stunning 2mm modelling entered into the annual competitions to amaze and inspire us. Attendance is restricted to members only but I will try and take some pics of the goodies there and post them here just to show you all what you are missing. Full details of the day can be found here
http://www.2mm.org.uk/events.html

The second, and arguably more important, function of this first post is to flush out other 2mm modellers and members here on WT. I have so far identified three and two of those joined in the last few days, myself included. So if you are a 2mm modeller or simply have sympathies in that direction, then make yourself known.
Cynric has already confessed to me that he has a very small Hymek (blue or green?)!

Jerry

 

[Rob R]

Jerry.

As a former 2mm Association member and having been involved in the limestone edifice formerly known as "Chee Tor" I have the greatest respect for anyone with the eyesight (and fingers) to cope with 2mm. These days I find it a bit of a struggle with 7mm but I'm looking forward to seeing the work of today's 2mmillers here on WT.

Rob

 

[-missy-]

Hello.

It looks like I am going to miss out on a trophy once again this year. My modelling skills have once again failed me and I havent got anything to show for the year! Fingers crossed the next one will be a little more productive...

I will be there though and the rumours have it I might end up being "products officer" for the association. Personally I blame the online forums for it.....

I never saw Chee Torr in the "flesh" Rob and I regret it deeply. It was one of the most insperational 2mm layouts ever in my opinion. I still have a Railway Modeller DVD featuring it somewhere.

Julia

 

[28ten]

The Hymek is GSYP, I have been monitoring 2mm developments, I'm not sure I buy the small size argument, I find that a larger scale means just as many small parts, but in a different context. I'd like to have a play with easytrack, which I think is a real breakthrough, and irrc there is a nice little etch of a 16t.

 

[JimG]

I am also in the 2mm Association but model in FS160 - 2mm track and wheel standards but with 9mm gauge - and US prototypes. The layout has taken rather a back seat for the last year or so since S scale has taken precedence, but it could make a re-appearance now that I've worked out a way of operating the turnouts using servos. I've dug up a couple of shots of the layout under construction.



The track is mostly supposed to be under tarmac and cobbles hence the lack of full sleepering and timbering.

Another major holdup was getting N Scale MT couplers to uncouple reliably since I didn't want to have to use toothpick/skewer/Rixpix style manual uncoupling.

Jim.

 

[-missy-]

The Hymek is GSYP, I have been monitoring 2mm developments, I'm not sure I buy the small size argument, I find that a larger scale means just as many small parts, but in a different context. I'd like to have a play with easytrack, which I think is a real breakthrough, and irrc there is a nice little etch of a 16t.

That is exactly the same argument I use when doing 2mm demos at shows. It can be very frustrating sometimes when people seem to dismiss 2mm straight away as "being too small and fiddly". My reply is sometimes "I feel sorry for people who model in the larger scales because then you have to think about things like rivets and pipe runs".

Have a go, the easitrack is a doddle to put together (well the straight bits anyway) and that nice little etch of a 16t mineral sounds like the one produced by Stephen Harris which again, falls together! I wish there were more like you who were willing to give it a try...

Julia

 

[queensquare]

The 16tonner is indeed a Stephen Harris kit - more info here
http://www.2mm.org.uk/small_suppliers/stephenharris/index.htm

I have built a few of these over the last few months for my c.1970 Highbury stockbox and I have to say they are a joy. They have to be some of the best designed kits I have come across and as Julia says are a breeze to build - small certainly, but everything fits as it should.

Jerry

 

[queensquare]

Hello.

It looks like I am going to miss out on a trophy once again this year. My modelling skills have once again failed me and I havent got anything to show for the year! Fingers crossed the next one will be a little more productive...


Julia

Nothing to do with your modelling skills Julia, they are top draw - just you haven't managed to get anything finished!
I hope you will be bringing some of your ongoing projects along for the interest table.

Jerry

 

[Rob R]

I never saw Chee Torr in the "flesh" Rob and I regret it deeply. It was one of the most insperational 2mm layouts ever in my opinion. Julia

Almost entirely down to Mike Raithby's inspiration. It did seem, at the times, that it was 'his' layout and the rest of us just followed, no complaints, the 'Tor' was all the better for it.

I do wonder sometimes how it would have turned out if we had stuck to the original scheme and made it S&D

Rob

 

[SteveO]

I'm a keen admirer of 2mm and, until recently was hands-on; in fact, Jerry, I recently sent you an etch of my pet project. I'm keen to hear what you think of it!

Unfortunately my eyes refuse to work at that scale so I've switched fully to 7mm.

 

[queensquare]

I'm a keen admirer of 2mm and, until recently was hands-on; in fact, Jerry, I recently sent you an etch of my pet project. I'm keen to hear what you think of it!

Unfortunately my eyes refuse to work at that scale so I've switched fully to 7mm.

Indeed you did, a little Fox Walker 0-6-0ST. Many thanks for that, its destined one day to join the very slowly growing fleet of the North Somerset Light Railway. As a Bristol built engine it will be perfect.

Jerry

 

[28ten]

I wish I hadn't seen the Steven Harris page I seem to remember seeing someone doing a model of Colwyn bay that featured a few of them.

 

[Pugsley]

My reply is sometimes "I feel sorry for people who model in the larger scales because then you have to think about things like rivets and pipe runs".

Some of us like rivets and pipe runs...

Edit - And motorised cooling fans

 

[Dog Star]

Some of us like rivets and pipe runs... And motorised cooling fans

Can we agree that neither of us like thermostatic control of hydraulic drive for 7mm motorised single element cooling fans?

 

[ScottW]

I've dug up a couple of shots of the layout under construction.

Jim,

You never fail to impress me with your track work, this time in 2mm.

 

[2mm Andy]

I'll definitely be at the AGM (can't really get away with not going, being Secretary!)

Really looking forward to having a natter with folk and admiring some quality modelling (and probably spending a bit of cash!). I understand John Sutton (3mm Society magazine editor) will be judging the competition this year.

Talking of Chee Tor, I believe it still exists in Canada. We used to see the new owner every year at the York show, when he'd ask they guys on the 2mm stand whether anyone would build rolling stock and locos to commission for him. I don't think he ever followed-up on the leads we gave him.

Andy

 

[28ten]

Talking of Chee Tor, I believe it still exists in Canada. We used to see the new owner every year at the York show, when he'd ask they guys on the 2mm stand whether anyone would build rolling stock and locos to commission for him. I don't think he ever followed-up on the leads we gave him.

Andy

It would be a shame if it has been broken up, so many layouts just seem to disappear.

 

[JimG]

Jim,

You never fail to impress me with your track work, this time in 2mm.

Scott,

I sometimes think that locos and rolling stock are a necessary evil.

Jim.

 

[mickoo]

I don't think my eyes could take 2mm hence 1:32 and even considering gauge 3 + now, but I do have a hankering for a model of Kings X in the 60's and 2mm would be the only option .

 

[mickoo]

I started my US-outline modelling in N Gauge many moons ago. Back then British N was quite dire to be honest, so when I only had room for one layout, OO/HO won the day, so I could run British as well as American trains.
I have since gone up to O Scale, and also run HO; I find N/2mm rather tiny these days, but marvel at the work that is done - that 1920's 'London' layout over on RMweb (known here as "over there") is one, but as is the way of things I've lost track of it lately. The Builder's presentation style made for a fantastic thread, too.

As for "Edifice" 2mm layouts, the one I saw (several times) was "Chiltern Green & Luton Hoo". Anyone remember that one?

Do you mean Copenhagen Fields? I see its been extended to include Belle Isle, a fascinating area, and akin to my other favourite London location Camden and Primrose Hill area.