Since my last post I haven't been totally idle modelling wise although a few 'issues' with the mechanics on my van haven't helped with the modelling mojo at all. I thought it was worth a post to show that I nearly have two more usable engines, okay, so they are not a couple of lovely steam engines but some early diesels instead. The plan is for these to provide some sort of motive power on the layout until they can be replaced by things which are a little more interesting to me. Because of that I have done the bare minimum to them really, had the wheels turned by Gordon S and fitted some NEM DG couplings.
Its a good feeling to know that once they have some decoders fitted there are two more usable engines, even more so there are two less engines on my ever increasing pile of 'to convert' N gauge things.
Finally I must say a really BIG thanks once again to Steve T who has again done an absolute brilliant job with the weathering, the pictures do not do them justice.
Oh, and I spent a day here..
Julia :o)
Even though the locos have had the "bare minimum" done, they look pretty good! The weathering on the class 22 is especially nice. The standard of recent N gauge RTR diesel releases is very good - Farish's class 24 is very nice indeed. I modelled in 2mmFS when I was a teenager and things like the twenty-four and looking at blogs like yours keeptrying to tempt me back!
ReplyDeleteIf you loose your modelling mojo, remember that modelling is good for your health :-)
http://eastmoor.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/modelling-again.html
Hello James, thank you for the post.
DeleteIts engines like these that can mean an easy start into 2mmFS modelling, they are easy to convert and you can get something working with minimal effort indeed. As you say, the quality of recent releases is excellent, if its either steam or diesel. Regarding the class 24, you can now even get replacement 2mm wheels which you just swap over, you don't even have to get them machined. I personally treat engines like these as reliable 'fall back' options, if everything else fails then I can trust these to keep things moving.
Modelling is enjoyable, without a doubt. If the mojo drops then I think the secret (which someone told me years ago) is not to beat yourself up about it. The mojo will come back at some point, and it does.
J :o)
I've seen the drop in wheel sets and they don't help me not to be tempted! The old Neil Ballentine wheels were a great help to me fifteen years ago. The older Farish steam locos looked rather crude with their solid, shiny wheels but with these new wheels, a transformation had begun! A Standard 4MT tank was acquired and successfully converted with a view to something in the Whitby area but GCSEs and a lack of money at sixteen put pay to that. I still have a number of converted and kit built wagons stored, along with a part built Fencehouses J72 and untouched J27 chassis kit. I still think 2mmFS is a delightful combination of size and standards - late and night shifts can often lead to me mentally planning what I could do!
DeleteI think sometimes just a little bit of progress with a project can really give things a boost! A lot of my 'modelling' is in Brio these days and sometimes just playing trains can enthuse you!
The quality of the old Neil B wheels were a bit suspect at times. I have a Farish large Prairie which has them and the running quality leaves quite a bit to be desired. In my opinions though even those wheels are far superior to the N Gauge equivalents, the finesse of 2mm wheels over N Gauge has always been a big draw for me. N Gauge just looks way too chunky to me now.
DeleteI'm not one for trying to persuade anyone on what to do or model but there is no harm in getting an engine and a handful of wagons done and see what happens. At the end of the day its down to whatever you want to do really, whether its a finescale locomotive or something in Brio, as long as you enjoy it, that's the important thing.
J.
Excellent Class 22 weathering.
ReplyDeleteAlex.
Thank you Alex.
DeleteI cannot take any credit for the weathering but I will certainly pass the praise onto Steve.
What have you been upto recently?
J.
Hello Julia, not much modelling, unfortunately. Lost the mojo a bit then had builders ripping my house apart to fit a new kitchen/living room with all the tidying up and painting that entails, and I'm now completely refitting my workshop (long overdue). The upside is that I'm itching to make something now, just got to finish the workshop.
DeleteAlex.
I am sure the mojo will return eventually Alex. I can imagine its been quite a trying summer for you so far, it certinaly sounds like it. I dont doubt that when things settle down again you will be back to producing absolutely superb models once again.
DeleteJ.
Hi Julia the 22s do look good in any scale
ReplyDeleteThey do look good don't they John. I do have a soft spot for the early diesels, they were quirky.
DeleteJ.
I agree with you about the quirky look - they also look rather sad to me, with those 'drooping' windows. I can see that a diesel body would make an easier start in 2mm than most of the engines you model!
ReplyDeleteDont get me wrong, I have nothing against Diesels, its just my preference is for steam. There is something appealing about the early diesels though, as you say, some were rather quirky and it would be fun to model some of them at some point, although when I would get time is another matter.
DeleteConverting a RTR diesel is still the easiest path to 2mm modelling. As the two above have hopefully shown there is hardly any effort involved in producing a 2mm finescale engine. As you say, I just wish all of the stuff I do was as easy!
J.