Inclement weather in January! In Scotland, that well-kent tropical paradise! Who would have thought it! But that explains why only a few stalwart individuals braved the black ice and snowdrifts to make their way for their monthly dose of FCAG joy at Almondell. Unfortunately, the Press Officer and his Deputy did not show sufficient stalwartism so it is left to this, ever so humble and self-effacing scribe to produce deathless prose describing the efforts of the brave.
Stewart, Alastair, Alisdair, James, Chris and John faced the weather and road conditions to attend.
Stewart was having a change from his usual production of buildings for his interesting N-fine layout; "Copy Pit Line : Lydgate Viaduct and Robin Wood Mill". He's going to need lots of long trains, so he was painting up a pile of minerals. Never one to do things by halves, is our lad.
Alastair was working on a support structure for his embryonic layout.
Not a believer in the good old 2" x 1" topped with Sundeala (remember that?), he's going for a lightweight board supported on an aluminum square tube section contraction which can fold don. The middle bit holds stock boxes.
A wee bothy/store for our Mearns Shed layout was being constructed by Alisdair
Apparently the hole in the ceiling is to allow Big Eck to stand up after he's finished his piece.
Meanwhile, across on the other side of the room, James was displaying his Class 37. (Or was it an English Electric Type 3? I get so confused.) He has replaced the motor with which it was born with a Tramfabriek motor, much to his satisfaction with the improved controllability. He also brought along the warehouse he is building for a wee corner of Mearns Shed.
Sharp-eyed readers will notice that space has been left for Big Eck in the attic space.
Chris had brought along his wee test track and his ever-lasting 4F. As it is his first loco build, he really can be pretty chuffed with what he has achieved. The paint needs some touching up then some weathering, but it is really looking the part.
As it hadn't been out the box since painting, it needed a lot of running up and down to get it running properly, but by the end of the day, it was moving nice and smoothly.
Last but not least, John, new to 2mm and our latest member, brought along his first effort, a mineral wagon built from our taster kit. A neat job, it had only been tested on the wee straight length of track that comes with the kit. So, the acid test. Would it run through a turnout? Nae bother on Chris' wee test track.
John has just started a J39 conversion kit and was working on the tender underframe
So a busy day, but we cut it a bit short given the possible weather conditions to let everyone get home in the daylight.
Next meeting will be on February 14th when Alisdair wil give wee talk on his experiences on Electra couplings along with a wee demo on how he makes them.
