esngblog

Another couple of diversions from the true faith of N gauge trains……

Firstly, I spotted this plastic kit a while back.  It took a while for it to arrive from deepest China, as the model is sold out in the UK (and Japan – the same stores that supply us with trains are also good for plastic kits.)  The Sexton was a Canadian Ram tank modified into a self-propelled gun, carrying the standard, and excellent, British 25-pounder gun.

The attraction of this particular model can be seen in the markings.  They are for the Royal Artillery (Herts Yeomanry.)   The family significance is that my Dad served in 341 Battery of the 86th Field Regiment, from Normandy to Berlin (or thereabouts), with Sexton and Priest vehicles.  Plus some US half-tracks as command vehicles.

The photo below (from Wikipedia) shows the Herts Yeomanry in action somewhere in Europe in 1945.

I am looking forward to modelling a little family history.

And the second one…..  Airfix recently re-released their old kit of the magnificent HP42 Heracles.  These flew from Croydon airport in the 1930’s.  Reviews suggest that the aged Airfix tooling on this kit has held up well and is actually pretty good.  As it’s close to ‘N’ 1:148 scale, it will look good on my N-club airfield module as an alternatives to the current F-111’s!

This film is of the identical HP45 – the 42 had less seats and did long distance flights – the 45 flew European routes.  There were 16 in total of both types and three even acquired camouflage at the start of WW2 as transports, though all had been damaged by 1940.

There’s some fun to be had with both these models.  And I’ve spent some time in the loft this week doing a little woodwork.  More to follow….

It’s not wise to make New Year resolutions – they just get broken (see yesterday’s post.)  But is also seems wise to put together a list of railway projects for 2022.  I need a list and some direction to get me out of my chair and modelling.  So, here are a few ideas for 2022….

My own projects

• Minories needs the new Finetrax points and some solid work.
• I have a lot of 3D printed bubble cars to put on flat wagons.  This stalled as I found the wagon number decals so tiny I gave up.  Must do better!
• I have a load of plastic and metal kits, accumulated over the past five years or so, to put together.  These include wagons, coaches and locomotives of various kinds.
• I need to do some tests with N couplers other than the Rapido’s that I still dislike immensely.
• There are two plastic kits of tanks and one of an aircraft to build as a little light relief.
• There’s some minor fettling to do on my two lockdown layouts to make running more reliable.
• And I need to continue to sort out my accumulated gloat boxes and sell on what I really don’t need.

ESNG projects

• I have two 4′ x 1′ boards in the loft to complete, to act as ‘super-dashboards’ for club running.
• The new fiddleyard is still sitting in the church office.  Needs to be completed for any 2022 show.
• There’s a club exhibition to plan (if it can go ahead.)

N-club projects

• I have two small N-club boards that need a layout on them.  I need to plan what to make, and then complete them, for the next time that we actually get to Stuttgart.
• Ideas might include purely scenic boards, as I have built so far and frankly the most likely to be completed.  Alternatively, I could work on some railway feature with added track – but what and from which continent is more tricky.

Better get on with it!  Well, if you keep reading through the year, you may find out whether I have managed to complete any of these!

I was just getting back into my Minories, and coming to terms with the Finetrax points and making the point blades.  Then I saw this (I thought it must be coming, as Wayne Kinney has already done it for a set of 2mm Finescale products.)

This really is a gamechanger, as making the point blades is not difficult, but is the tricky part of a simple point construction.  And rail built frogs that look better.  And all chairs already in place, rather than having to peg them all in place!

From N Gauge Forum….

As such, I thought it would be a fitting time to announce some exciting news regarding upcoming changes to the Finetrax N Gauge range. Some of you maybe familiar with my recently released 4mm ‘Easy Build’ range, which differ quite a bit from the current N Gauge range in that the turnout base comes provided with all the chairs already pre installed. No sprues or individual chairs that need cutting off and inserting into the base one by one – a massive time saver!

Another huge change is the use of actual rail for the common crossing instead of using a casting. Instead, the kits come with 2x pre machined ‘V’ rails which simply slide into the base. This greatly improves the visual appearance and results in smoother running of stock.

The kits also come included with a pair of pre machined switch blades with plates and pins already pre soldered to them. No jigs, no filing of switch blades and no soldering of plates!

Having successfully done this in 4mm and now in 2mm Finescale for the 2mm Scale Association, it is of course only a matter of time before transferring these advancements over to the N Gauge range!

So I’ll shelve Minories again till January, and then order some new points.  It will cost a little, but will improve the project’s chances of completion.  In the mean time, I’ve plenty to get on with…..