Have a look at this layout. I can't believe just how much stock rock 'n' rolls on various parts of the track. If it were just one or two items I'd go for maybe an axle not seated properly but it's obviously more than that. It could be down to track laying or, worse, maybe a baseboard issue.
(It's maybe an early version of 'Fencehouses' as the one I've seen has a smashing viaduct)

Yes, I see what you mean.
It looks to me as if it's a case of track being not completely flat and in a few cases ballast being too high and catching the flanges on the wheels.

Nice layout though.

I'm thinking it's a combination of hand made track with minor discrepancies, hand made wagons with the same problem all coming together. That along with a good camera picking up & highlighting the worst.

That has to be an old video too (it actually was posted on You Tube in 2012).
I don't know of any serious 2mm modeller who would proudly run maroon 1960s era Minitrix Mk 1 coaches in the 2020s.

Bob

Very old video...
Fence houses has been on the circuit for around 20 years now, and in that time has been expanded and refined. In the early years they did suffer from not having sufficient suitable stock available and temporary stand-ins used that were not to the standard the owners might have preferred, but again, there has been a lot of development in the intervening years.
What you see there is not representative of the layout today...

I did say I suspected it was an early version, but my questions still remain I.e. the cause of the lurching stock

Failing to see the point of this thread and finding the sanctimonious tone extremely irritating.

I last saw the layout a few years back at which point it included the curved viaduct. I thought it breath-taking in scale, and overall pretty awesome. The only issue I didn't like was the unnecessarily high level it is set at, as shorter people like my Wife struggled to view it (and don't suggest a periscope to her unless prepared to be told where to shove it!). I do appreciate that height has to strike a balance between needs of operators, the viewing impression that intended to be created and the needs of the public but to me it was the one thing that spoiled it somewhat.

Roy

I must agree with layouts with an (IMO) excessive height. Fencehouses, Shirebrook and Blueball Summit are all so afflicted. It appears to be a certain 'type' of layout.

The comment about running quality is interesting though. Last time I saw Copenhagen Fields I was struck by how poorly it ran. Jerky, bumping stock abound. Far below what I'd expect of a layout of its quality, even setting aside its age.

Quote from: Newportnobby on August 01, 2025, 12:54:07 PMHave a look at this layout. I can't believe just how much stock rock 'n' rolls on various parts of the track. If it were just one or two items I'd go for maybe an axle not seated properly but it's obviously more than that. It could be down to track laying or, worse, maybe a baseboard issue.

I have some experience in building a 2mm scale layout (I never finished it in 2mm scale though) but trackwork should never cause erratic running.
Maybe the alignment of the boards could cause problems on such a large layout?
I looked for a video of another 2mm scale layout to show what can be accomplished with 2mm scale models.

This is a video of Modbury by Ian Smith:
https://youtu.be/034-0anO538?si=MrGrTcDKKxiv7BV2

Jan

That's much better although it seems to be based on broad gauge so maybe more stable than standard gauge

I have only seen Fencehouses a couple of times over the past few years, but the running seemed to be impeccable on both occasions.  It's a magnificent layout.

Quote from: JanW on August 05, 2025, 10:36:53 AM

Quote from: Newportnobby on August 01, 2025, 12:54:07 PMHave a look at this layout. I can't believe just how much stock rock 'n' rolls on various parts of the track. If it were just one or two items I'd go for maybe an axle not seated properly but it's obviously more than that. It could be down to track laying or, worse, maybe a baseboard issue.

I have some experience in building a 2mm scale layout (I never finished it in 2mm scale though) but trackwork should never cause erratic running.

I assure you that erratic running can be caused by poor track laying, my efforts are testament to that!

Interesting. The layout looks stunning, the trackwork, ballasting and signalling in particular.

Some of the stock does look rather wobbly - I wonder if its the 2mm finescale wheels not sitting correctly in the axleboxes? I noticed some of the Peco plastic wheelsets have the same wobble so generally swap them out for metal ones.

What amazes me is the use of Mintrix and old Poole Mk1s! All that effort on a superb layout yet prepared to film old stuff like that running on it.

The Modbury video was good, but I wouldn't call it a large layout. It was interesting that there were still wagons bouncing on frogs, and I did wonder why the video stops and starts around coupling/uncoupling movements? Were they a bit erratic? I would say running was as good as better N gauge layouts. It did look lovely, and the baulk rail is nice though.

Dave