New book on track from the 2FS Association

[Paul Willis]

Nicked from the Templot Forum, although this seems too good a publication to miss. I'll be obtaining a copy as soon as I can get my hands on one...

"You may be interested in a new book: “Track, How it Works and How to Model it”. This is published by the 2MM Scale Association but contains much to interest modellers in other scales. It is an extensively illustrated A4 book in full colour. In 140 pages it covers the whole subject from the prototype through planning, plain track construction, point and crossing work, building techniques, tools and jigs you can make, laying, ballasting and finishing.

The chapter on prototype track covers both bullhead and flat bottom rail including the modern NR60 pointwork. Unusually for this type of book, it concentrates on the details of track that modellers need rather than grand photos of complex point and crossing work (apart from the cover). It also includes coverage of electrified track, point rodding and buffer stops, all with plenty of photographs.

The chapter on planning and design covers the basic planning techniques that you can use from paper and pencil through to Templot. However, it also has plenty to say about curves and buffer locking and includes illustrations that show the effects of unduly small radius curves.

As you might expect the actual construction section is based on current 2mm scale components, but many of the procedures are common to other scales. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of the check gauge in pointwork and the need to ensure accurate alignment of the crossing together with guidance on how to achieve this.

The chapters on common techniques and tools start with a section on soldering technique followed by the procedures for building crossing and switches including a number of simple tools that you can make to help. The technique for filing rail for switches and crossing that has been described on Templot Club is included but with a simple and important improvement that avoids the risk of filing away the guide block.

The final chapter on laying and finishing includes a section of turnout operation. This starts with a detailed examination of the requirements so that solutions can be properly evaluated. A reprint of a description of track colouring written by Stewart Hine 40 years ago is based on his artist’s observations when both steam and diesel were abundant. It is supported by modern colour photos. Techniques for modelling point rodding and rail built buffer stops are also covered.

A recent discussion on the 2MM web discussion group about ballast and its colour reminded me that this book contains about 50 colour photographs of track, mostly close-ups that show ballast in its many colours and, sometimes dirty, forms.

This useful book will be available from the Association stand at the Warley show later this month and from the Association web site from mid January."

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Cheers
Paul Willis
Deputy Chairman

[Horsetan]

Hopefully something that the Association will make publicly available, instead of restricting it to Shop 1.

[nigelcliffe]

Hopefully something that the Association will make publicly available, instead of restricting it to Shop 1.

As the Templot forum posting says, it goes on public sale on the 2mm website in January, probably on the 11th January. There will be an online ordering page, with payment through credit and debit cards or Paypal. We're a small organisation, so getting things available everywhere on one-day isn't possible. At present we have online sales to members only in the run up to Christmas.

There will books for public sale at Warley show from the 2mm Scale Association stand.

We're also hoping that specialist book sellers will stock it; Bob Pearman has some copies which were selling quickly at East Ham Finescale (he needed restocking during Saturday), though not sure if its on his website. Other specialist book sellers will be approached.



- Nigel (2mm Scale Association, with a 600kg stack of Track books in my workshop )

[martin goodall]

I shall certainly order a copy when it becomes available.

This was clearly an excellent initiative on the part of the 2FSA.

It demonstrates the usefulness of keeping in touch with what is going on in other scales and gauges. The same consideration applies to models of prototype locations and periods in which one may have no particular interest but which can nevertheless provide inspiration and interest, and some useful insights into other perople's model-making methods.

I recall overhearing someone complaining that David Jenkinson’s book on Historic Railway Modelling was of no interest because “it’s all LMS” (so they hadn’t bought it). Well, I have no interest in the ’Ell of a Mess myself but I still bought the book, because it contained a lot of sound advice and it is a much valued volume in my railway library.

Going back to the 2FSA, some of their other publications are worth looking at. Even where they are focused specifically on 2mm scale, they contain some useful ideas which may be applicable to 4mm scale modelling.

[allanferguson]

I was a member of the 2mm association for some years, and I found it to be a very helpful small association, with much useful advice especially for those of us who model wee engines in 4mm scale. I learnt much from the techniques described in their literature, and only left because I was a member of too many associations, and times were hard. But "The 2mm Handbook" retains a valued place on my shelves.

Allan F

[Paul Willis]

I was a member of the 2mm association for some years, and I found it to be a very helpful small association, with much useful advice especially for those of us who model wee engines in 4mm scale. I learnt much from the techniques described in their literature, and only left because I was a member of too many associations, and times were hard. But "The 2mm Handbook" retains a valued place on my shelves.

Nigel, and my friend Mark Fielder, of the 2mm Association know me as the "nearly man" by now...

Everytime that I see them or the Association stand at a show, I nearly sign up for membership... Unfortunately I'm usually dashing off somewhere on a mission, or in the case of their very successful visit to Scaleforum 2012 they had actually sold out of the 2mm Starter Kits that I was interested in.

Maybe they'll be successful at Warley in just over a week's time! I'll have to find time to duck away from the Scalefour Society stand and see them, if they are there.

I completely agree with you that it's an active and thriving group of people with a great amount of knowledge that we can benefit from even when modelling in 4mm.

Cheers
Flymo

[Tim V]

Well, I have a confession as I HAVE joined the 2mm society and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. Even built a loco - and it's very nice to get away from debates about springy beams and EM flanges.....

[Horsetan]

Well, I have a confession as I HAVE joined the 2mm society and I'm thoroughly enjoying it......

Mmm.... I was a 2FS association member for a few years. Still have the manuals and newsletters.....as well as a couple of Mike Raithby etches.

[Terry Bendall]

It demonstrates the usefulness of keeping in touch with what is going on in other scales and gauges.

Which is why we invite other "fine scale" societies to Scaleforum.
And I will be looking out for a copy as well.

Terry Bendall

[martin goodall]

Which is why we invite other "fine scale" societies to Scaleforum.
And I will be looking out for a copy as well.

Terry Bendall

And this is something of which I throroughly approve.

In fact, I can think of at least two recent Scaleforums at which by far the best layout in the show was the guest finescale layout built to a different scale (!) It seemed a pity that these layouts were ineligible to compete for the York Trophy.

[Tim V]

Yes but they might win....

Reminds me of a certain show, where the organising committee were getting concerned. The guest layout (a different one each year) year on year would win the best in show. They couldn't see that the other layouts in the show were just not raising their game.

[Paul Willis]

In fact, I can think of at least two recent Scaleforums at which by far the best layout in the show was the guest finescale layout built to a different scale (!) It seemed a pity that these layouts were ineligible to compete for the York Trophy.

Hmmm.... Something must have slipped under the radar...

Quai:87 (deservedly) won the York Trophy for 2012

Cheers
Flymo

[dcockling]

In fact, I can think of at least two recent Scaleforums at which by far the best layout in the show was the guest finescale layout built to a different scale (!) It seemed a pity that these layouts were ineligible to compete for the York Trophy.

Two recent Scaleforums? Which ones were they then Martin?

As Paul said Quai 87 (P87) won this year, that's a different scale and it won, although Wansbeck Road (2mm) was also there; in 2011 the guest layout was Ellerton Rd (S7) and the York Trophy winner was Clutton; in 2010 the guest layout was Bank Hall Sidings (S) and Horsley Bank won; in 2009, 2008 and 2007 there was no guest layout; in 2006 Hoath Hill Halt (3mm 14.2mm) was the guest layout and Maindee East Engine Shed won; in 2005 Bodesmeer (P87) was there, but there was no York Trophy because of the 18.83 Layout Challenge and in 2004 Federal St (P87) was there and Bramblewick won. Prior to that, back as far as the last Scaleforum at City University in 1990, there were no guest layouts.

York Trophy

Just curious

All the Best
Danny

[martin goodall]

One layout I had particuarly in mind was Trevor Nunn's 'East Lynn' (or was that at Expo-EM?)

[grovenor-2685]

Prior to that, back as far as the last Scaleforum at City University in 1990, there were no guest layouts

.
I am 99% certain that we had a P87 layout in that period, Iain Rice and dave Doe IIRC, maybe it was not specifically called a guest layout.
Keith

[dcockling]

Prior to that, back as far as the last Scaleforum at City University in 1990, there were no guest layouts

.
I am 99% certain that we had a P87 layout in that period, Iain Rice and dave Doe IIRC, maybe it was not specifically called a guest layout.
Keith

Hi Keith,

During that period (1990 - 2003 inclusive) there were occasional appearances by other Societies eg The 2mm Association, but no layouts in other scales are listed in the show guides, although they may of course have brought bits of layouts as part of their Demos. In 1996 SNAG (Scalefour Netherlands AG) had a P87 Demo with part of a layout; The Proto 87 SIG were there in 1999, with a display track and the S Scale Society were at Scaleforum the same year, but not with a layout. There was another P87 Demo in 2001, entitled 'Geraint Hughes & Friends' and as far as I can see that's it, although I'll be happy to be proved wrong.

Vincent De Bode's 'Flintfield' has had more appearances at Scaleforum (counting from 1990) than any other layout, five times, but although coming from the Netherlands is P4.

All the Best
Danny

[dcockling]

One layout I had particuarly in mind was Trevor Nunn's 'East Lynn' (or was that at Expo-EM?)

Hi Martin,

Yes I'm pretty sure that was a couple of years ago at EXPOEM

All the Best
Danny