There are a few sets of switch blades and crossing Vs on ebay (see for example 300275657985  85A Kit-Trak: 3 x 4mm scale crossing vees 1:10). If they stay at a reasonable price would they be worth obtaining for LMJ?

Rod

I thought we'd decided on Exactoscale points for the front, so I'm assuming that these will be for fiddle yard?

Did you have an enjoyable weekend? I'm still a little hoarse after screaming at the TV Saturday afternoon! Fabulous game!

Mike

Rod

Just the turnouts to be Exactoscale...I thought, thats what I had put money aside for in the New Year. If you want to go Brooke Smith thats fine, but it'll be a lot more work. If we decide to go all Exacto for the front I wouldn't have an objection, I did cost the front out just using Exacto componenets. The back was to be half track on copperclad sleepers. So I thought?

What did you understand to be the construction method for the front and back?

Mike

Mike, do you mean Exactoscale components (e.g. switch blades) or the whole Exactoscale system?

Rod

Mike, don't forget I'm a bit out of touch with these things. My natural inclination tends me towards the (adjustable) solder joint and wood of the Brooke Smith method, but if better things are around nowadays then that's great. Copper clad for the hidden (and let it stay hidden) but in any case I think that machined (rather than hand filed) components (esp. blades) are a good idea.

Yes, sorry if that seemed a bit abrupt...it certainly wasn't meant to be. Anyway, if you google exactoscale that'll bring you bang up to date as far as track components go. I built one of the first turnout kits that they brought out. Dave and I had it done in just over 3 hours. Mind you it would have been a lot better if I'd read the instructions first - coz you don't have to nail it to the paper template...don't ask!

On a lighter note Dave and I trudged thru the DVD Steam routes North of Shrewsbury, nothing of interest for LMJ, however a very nice hour spent drooling over Castles and Kings.

Mike

No offense taken, don't worry.

Funnily I did google exactoscale earlier on. The components and method seem to be well thought of  - but is the resulting track work better than Brooke Smith? BTW what was used on Belle Vue? Has there been a review of Exactoscale kits in the MRJ?

Cheers

Rod

Has anybody in the club got the book "GWR Switch and Crossing Practice-A Design Guide for 4MM Modellers"? If not I might get hold of a copy. If one has to moldel the "Great Waste of Rails" the one might as well get it right!

I've found the MRJ article MRJ 127 from 2001

I thought this was a WRRC publication - but it was for the prototype not for modeling guides? Unless a book has escaped my radar...But not I said the fly. What are you thinking of, is there such a huge difference in the way permainent way was constructed from region to region - something I admitt not having a real interest in - if someone tells me thats a GWR point, then it is, I would not be able to tell the difference. Still it'll be good to learn something new..

Belle Vue is all Brooke Smith, there is only a constructional critique in MRJ.

Easy Peasy

Steve Hall

Issue 153 (2004)

p.217

4mm/P4

Which happily is at the club...I don't know if its better, it certainly cannot cause more problems than we've already experienced, what do you think? What would you prefer, 39 feet of double soldering or 39 feet of spots of Mekpak...hmmmm, what a choice?

Mike

Hello - I took my 2004 MRJs to London to read on the train and it does seem to be an easier method than Brooke Smith. How woody did you get the sleepers to look?

 GWR practice was supposed to be quite different fromn real railways so I've ordered a copy of the book. It's aimed at 4mm modellers and the author used to work in the District Engineer's Office, Newport btw.

R

How woody do you want them to look, if your expecting the same grain definition as wooden Brooke Smith then you'll be dissappointed, but they don't look bad either, might be worth buying a minimum order to try for comparrisons sake.

How was the London trip? Are you down this friday? Don't forget we do meet on a Weds after 20:00 hrs, always worth a ring to Dave or Ray if you're up for it. I suspect I shall be able to make this Weds. Need to sort out my Brit!

Mike

Have you still got the turnout you referred to above? It would be interesting to compare with BV's trackwork.

What I was trying to tell you was that Dave is taking the point work he and I built from the original Exacto parts to the club this Weds for you to look at. A lot of the problems we aencountered on the build have now been resolved and the kits are far more robust.

Mike

Great, it'll be interesting to compare, though I can't make this evening (sister visiting from Southampton) and Friday's doubtful.

No problem, Dave's off finding the bottom of a glass anyway! Call yourself modellers! Bahh humbug! Still more elbow room for me! I think Dave wants to call another practice run on Belle Vue on the 19/12...ohhh Goddddddd! Valium will be handed out to all willing participants along with a shot of something smooth and warming! I may be ill then!