Hi all,
I'd like some advice with something I have in mind.
As I've been working in the electronics industry for nearly a year now, I'd like to test my skills by handbuilding some track, using copper clad sleepers. I'm thinking about trying it in N gauge but 2mm FS would probably make more sense. However as I don't have much time at all for modelling I don't really want to have to commit to joining the 2mm FS society in order to obtain the rail and sleepers I'd need. Can anyone help me find alternative sources?
Many thanks,
Josh
Quote from: Ocean_Colliery on July 31, 2017, 12:21:06 PM
Hi all,
I'd like some advice with something I have in mind.
As I've been working in the electronics industry for nearly a year now, I'd like to test my skills by handbuilding some track, using copper clad sleepers. I'm thinking about trying it in N gauge but 2mm FS would probably make more sense. However as I don't have much time at all for modelling I don't really want to have to commit to joining the 2mm FS society in order to obtain the rail and sleepers I'd need. Can anyone help me find alternative sources?
Many thanks,
Josh
Hi
Marcway models www.marcway.net (http://www.marcway.net) do code 40 bullhead rail but I'm not sure about the copper clad sleepers (they are listed without a price).
Cheers
Paul
@Wayne Kinney (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=906) of this forum produces finescale Code 40 trackwork to N gauge standards, rather than 2mm.
http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=3280 (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=3280)
http://www.britishfinescale.com/ (http://www.britishfinescale.com/)
I'd be very surprised if you did not swiftly recover the cost of 2MM membership through their low shop prices and their extensive track building knowledge database, which will save you much time.
The time it took you to type this request is probably longer than it would have taken you to join the 2mm scale Association, ( it's not society, nor does finescale appear anywhere in the name).
If you want to build track, to either N or 2mm standards, joining the Association is the obvious choice.
Jerry
Many thanks for the replies. I'm starting to think it may be worthwhile joining the 2mm association now. I just want to try it out really to see if its a viable option for a future layout as I really do like the appearance of finescale track vs Peco. I'm less enthusiastic about changing wheels, but one step at a time. Does the 2mm Assoc. have a trade stand at larger exhibitions, e.g. the NEC or is it purely mail order?
Regards,
Josh
they do attend a number of shows where they also sell a taster pack of a 2mm plastic wagon, etched chassis, wheels and a small length of easitrac
Nick
Are you set on PCB sleepers and soldered construction? If not then FiNetrax could be a good starting point: http://www.britishfinescale.com/ (http://www.britishfinescale.com/)
Happy modelling.
Steven B.
I'm very much an N modeller but have been a member of the 2mm Association for a couple of years now. I, too, joined because I wanted the sleepers, and I'm glad I did. I wasn't interested in building track or 'going finescale' as I wanted the PCB to help with baseboard joints, however I kept up membership as they sell nice things, like etched buffer stops, which are equally useful for N.
That being said, and after dabbling with British Finescale, which I very much recommend, I have decided I will make a very small Finescale layout. The reason for this is that the 2mm Association seems to be very organised and in 2020 they will be celebrating their Diamond Jubilees with a Layout Challenge which I read about last weekend in the latest journal. Whilst open to everyone, it aims specifically to people like you and I, aspiring finescalers who have yet to take the plunge. They even produce drop-in wheels so you don't need to hand / scratch build locos! I was going to start another thread about this at some point but I would encourage you to join and have a bash at the challenge. We have 3 years to have a go at it!
;D
Quote from: RichardBattersby on August 03, 2017, 11:18:41 AM
We have 3 years to have a go at it!
;D
Hi
Those three years will pass very quickly.
I started a layout for the 2mm SA Golden Jubilee Layout challenge ten years ago. It got as far as having the track down, servo point motors and wiring and there it sits waiting for the scenery. I never did enter it.
Cheers
Paul
Thanks for the encouragement! :smiley-laughing: Seriously though, if I work at it I'm sure it's doable, even if I never enter I appreciate the impetus to dip my toe into Finescale as I just love the look of it. It will be good to have something to do on those admittedly rare hot summer days when the loft is nearing cremation! ;)
A friend is building a large layout in 2FS. It's lovely, and I really love the flowing pointwork etc, but having to get all the wheels turned down would do my head (and wallet) in. I'd be more inclined to build to n gauge standard with hand built track if you have a reasonable amount of stock.
Quote from: njee20 on August 03, 2017, 11:37:26 AM
A friend is building a large layout in 2FS. It's lovely, and I really love the flowing pointwork etc, but having to get all the wheels turned down would do my head (and wallet) in. I'd be more inclined to build to n gauge standard with hand built track if you have a reasonable amount of stock.
the DJLC is a interesting small project probably just one engine in steam and a few bits of stock. The GJLC was a much larger area and the reason the DLJC size has been set at 600mm x 240mm scenic, I sort of finished my GJLC effort and learnt a huge amount from it, however the best outcome from the expo was forming a small local 2mm area group. As for the layout it has only recently been dismantled as my skill have improved a little since it was built
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W8iWlIGvoDE/S6-ErqBSiuI/AAAAAAAAAFM/nl1csKJlCYA/s400/DSC_1827.JPG)
even if you stick with n gauge the parts offered still make it a attractive proposition
Nick
What are GJLC and DLJC?! ???
Quote from: njee20 on August 03, 2017, 01:49:59 PM
What are GJLC and DLJC?! ???
Hi
The 2mm Scale Association ran a challenge for their 50th anniversary called the Golden Jubilee Layout Challenge (GJLC) and they are now running another one for the 60th anniversary called the Diamond Jubilee Layout Challenge (DJLC).
Cheers
Paul
Ahhhhh, wonderful, ta!
Yes, personally not remotely interested for any challenge, would be interested in just trying it for my next layout, but a very quick tot up suggests about 1000 axles on my layout. Not keen on replacing all those! Someone suggested 2FS plain track would be fine with 'normal' wheels, as long as you built pointwork to N gauge standards.
Quote from: njee20 on August 03, 2017, 02:29:00 PM
Someone suggested 2FS plain track would be fine with 'normal' wheels, as long as you built pointwork to N gauge standards.
Hi
In that case why would you not use Finetrax rather than either 2mm SA Easitrac or soldered construction?
Cheers
Paul
Because it's not so much the reduced rail section that appeals with handbuilt track it's the flowing pointwork. I've got enough space I could have some really long crossovers. I also model present day, so I'd want flat bottom rail and concrete sleeper.
It's all a complete pipe dream mind, I haven't got the time to work on my layout with code 55, and I have the finesse and patience of a stressed gorilla with Parkinson's.
After getting frustrated that the range (or rather the lack of) proprietary pointwork in code 55 to fully do justice to a real location, I've just made the decision to adopt 2mm Finescale standards for the trackwork for my layout, while keeping my Farish and Dapol stock.
I've already joined the 2mm SA and have started to accumulate the necessary track components and jigs etc. needed for the hand built track. I too am after the flowing pointwork look and whilst waiting for a couple more jigs to come back into stock, I'm starting to convert some of my rolling stock over to 9.42mm.
Yes I know it's going to be a big task but the end result should be worth the effort in the long run - just hope my eyes hold up.
Regards to all,
TimothyB
at this risk of heresy a good move try and get to the local area group your get lots of help and advise
Nick
It is of course entirely possible to build your own track & pointwork without having to adopt 2mm FS standards and re-wheel all of your stock. In fact you can quite easily build "fine" N gauge pointwork with 0.8mm flangeways and anything modern, and even some decidedly not very modern, stuff will work just fine.
Maybe one of these days I really will get somebody to turn me a set of gauges for 9.69mm gauge and have a crack at building some true-scale 1:148 trackwork ;)
A set of gauges for proper 9.69 mm, 1:148 track would have been my ideal solution too, but despite searching on-line there doesn't seem to be anything out there and the only N-gauge track laying gauges I could find were for code 50 rail.
When comparing head on photos of the 1:1 models vs N-gauge the thing that really bugs me is how narrow the track appears in relation to the width of the rolling stock, at least 9.42 is heading in the right direction. As I stated in my earlier post it's a long term project I'm embarking on and converting my stock is the price I'm willing to pay.
Kind regards,
TimothyB
Quote from: TimothyB on September 09, 2017, 01:55:42 PM
A set of gauges for proper 9.69 mm, 1:148 track would have been my ideal solution too, but despite searching on-line there doesn't seem to be anything out there and the only N-gauge track laying gauges I could find were for code 50 rail.
As far as I am aware, nobody has ever built anything to 9.69mm. Or at least certainly nothing like a running model. The closest I've ever got was a tiny stretch of test track (a few spare copperclad sleepers and Code 40 bullhead) and some very badly adapted Peco delrin wheels. It was really an experiment to see what the clearances were like on the chassis: the answer is "Not much" and I suspect it would require some replacement chassis to be built to get rolling stock to work on 9.69mm gauge (although it may be that the 2mm SOC chassis could be adapted)
One day. One day...