Area Groups

The Association has a number of area groups, where members can meet to further their modelling.

Some groups have collective layouts, others concentrate on helping individuals with their own projects. Some have meetings with specific speakers and themes. There are Area Groups in the following places (sorry for anyone I might have missed!); Kent & SE London, Essex, Central London, Wealden, Hertfordshire, Basingstoke, Oxford, Wales and SouthWest, Midlands, Pennine (Leeds/Bradford), North East (Newcastle/Durham), Scotland. Plus one in Canada (Ottawa/Toronto). If there isn't one near where you live it could be because everyone else is hoping someone else will start the group, you don't need to be an expert 2mm modeller to start a group !

Some of the Area Groups have their own websites or blogs.

If any organiser would like a Blog on the 2mm website, please contact the webmaster.


New Articles from Area Group and Member Blogs

Everything new within the last 45 days. To add your blog or site, please contact webmaster.

The shunting plank Source: 2MM FENCE HOUSES MODEL FOUNDRY | 30 Jul 2010 | 5:48 pm BST
Been a while since I posted, so for anyone who did not make it, here is a photo from Expo at Oxford.Not mine, but one of Paul Martin's for which I have permission to show.In order to get said permission I did agree to state:- "This awesome image created by the skill wit and judgement of master-photo ....

GWR P19 from Mill Lane Sidings Source: Return of the Sith - Sithlord's new Railway Blog | 29 Jul 2010 | 12:54 pm BST
Richard Bardsley is a brave bloke - or nuts (there is a chance of both). He decided that the Parkside Dundas Grampus could do with some alternative ends which would provide modellers with the opportunity to produce either the GWR P19 ballast wagon which gave rise to the Grampus or the Rudd, the reb ....

Coombe Junction - Hoodies...Part III... Source: coombe junction - moorswater | 28 Jul 2010 | 11:51 am BST
Update - Stay with me on this one ... ....

Coombe Junction - 37142 - Part III... Source: coombe junction - moorswater | 27 Jul 2010 | 9:20 am BST
Update - The Spanish heat has certainly supressed the Expo fever somewhat - last week, I took out Board 2 to work on it, spent 15 minutes looking at it on the table, before concluding it was complete pants, putting it away and watching some TV ... ....

Rip it Up and Start Again Source: 2mm North East Area Group | 27 Jul 2010 | 9:19 am BST
The backscene is almost there; one more end panel to fit (where the cutting exits the scenic area). I've now turned my attention to some more scenery. I mentioned last time that the ground foam was coming up and I intended using grass fibres. The first steps were taken on the right-hand scenic board ....

Flying Banana - Part IV Source: Highclere - 2mm Finescale | 25 Jul 2010 | 6:35 pm BST
Me again ... ....

Nuclear Power Source: Return of the Sith - Sithlord's new Railway Blog | 24 Jul 2010 | 12:06 pm BST
My most recent N Gauge FO is this TPM FNA Nuclear Flask carrier kit. Transfers are the recommended Fox F2190 pack and there are plenty to put on each side. I still have to weather it (probably use this as the subject of a "shows you how" type post similar to the Jinty renumber below) and finish th ....

More on Building Construction Source: Anthony Yeates' 2mm Blog | 22 Jul 2010 | 9:19 pm BST
I found this photo of one of my low relief warehouses/sheds under construction. As you can see, the main structure is built out of styrene sheet. It's based on a photo of a prototype at Dingwall.You can also see my method for representing the corrugated-iron roof. I glued a sequence of lengths of wi ....

Flying Banana - Part III Source: Highclere - 2mm Finescale | 22 Jul 2010 | 5:24 pm BST
Hello Things are still moving forward on the railcar. I have now been concentrating on the roof and this is how far I have got. Let me know if you are getting bored yet! 22-07-10-01.jpg... ....

Can You Tell What It Is Yet? Source: 2mm North East Area Group | 20 Jul 2010 | 9:29 pm BST
Once more into the breach. Well into the study anyway. As you can see, the whisky has been replaced by coffee, but otherwise the song remains the same. These are the left-hand panels being finished:Suitably dry, they're offered up to the backboard and trimming measurements taken:The right-hand panel ....

Magnetic uncouplers for Freshwater Source: Basingstoke Area Group | 18 Jul 2010 | 5:54 pm BST
Following the Expo, I can now get on with adding the uncoupling magnets. I had always intended using permanent magnets, following their successful use on Brunswick. I bought some small magnets from Merg, but they were nowhere near powerful enough to operate the DG couplers. Now I have purchased 50 ' ....

Taking Stock Source: Return of the Sith - Sithlord's new Railway Blog | 18 Jul 2010 | 11:31 am BST
Having been inspired by the 2mm Golden Jubilee Expo (see below) and getting a bit of a wriggle on, I decided to take stock of the available bits and pieces which have been put together for Elm Road.The present whole is shown above. One J70 running on a Pro-Hobbies chassis (yes, an 0-4-0 but you can ....

Flying Banana - Part II Source: Highclere - 2mm Finescale | 17 Jul 2010 | 6:54 pm BST
Hello ... ....

Friday Night Update Source: Return of the Sith - Sithlord's new Railway Blog | 16 Jul 2010 | 3:11 pm BST
No photos - there will be some by the end of the weekend - but I figure that if I strive to make a regular update on Friday evenings after the AFL match (which is when I always have "time") then I will keep on getting on with it.Tonight was paint shop night. Amity and I built wagon bodies on Wednesd ....

and now for something completely different...2FS Diorama idea... Source: coombe junction - moorswater | 14 Jul 2010 | 10:51 pm BST
Update - I thought I would give the hoods a break tonight ... ....

Paint it Back Source: 2mm North East Area Group | 14 Jul 2010 | 8:26 pm BST
Last night I made a start on the back-scene alluded to in the previous post. This will be watercolour on a fairly heavy and slightly textured paper. I will need to use two pieces of paper for each board, so there will be several joins. I will need to be careful that the painting over the joins is co ....

ElanTrack Source: Elan | 14 Jul 2010 | 5:01 pm BST
So, again I return to my mystical musings for Elan. ( I still blame Pete for asking the question, but I am so glad he did.. I should have asked the same question 4 months ago)... ....

The Mystic art of layout building Source: Elan | 14 Jul 2010 | 2:47 am BST
So I was asked this week.. what's happening to Elan. (Thanks Pete) The answer is I am not happy about something. I don't know what, but something is troubling me.I went through the same issue with my N gauge Plonk and Play layout, Long Meg... ....

Coombe Junction - Hoodies...Part II... Source: coombe junction - moorswater | 13 Jul 2010 | 10:11 pm BST
Update - Still suffering from Expo fever and thanks to all the encouraging comments from my last post of my first wagon etch chassis build, I was keen to progress it.The body is a Parkwood kit and a number of modifications were required to get it to fit better on the chassis. Firstly, the width of t ....

One at a Time Please, But is this One Right? Source: Littlemore 2FS | 13 Jul 2010 | 6:17 pm BST
I finally unfolded the layout on Sunday night after it's trip out the previous weekend. I haven't tested it yet, but I believe that it will work again now that it is in more comfortable climes (even if the room does get hot in the evenings, having a west facing). Something that I became aware of is  ....

Better Late Than Never Source: 2mm North East Area Group | 12 Jul 2010 | 7:09 pm BST
Wow! That was good wasn't it? Expo, I mean. 50 years? It seemed like there were nearly fifty layouts.Well done to everyone who contributed in whatever way.Now I know, I haven't blogged for what appears like fifty years. But so much gets in the way of modelling sometimes. Suitably encouraged by Expo, ....

Haromthwaite 2: Baseboard Assembly Source: 2mm North East Area Group | 10 Jul 2010 | 6:18 pm BST
Ok, nearly 17 months have elapsed since the first installment, but in mitigation I have been busy out on the circuit with 'Niddbeck Bridge', the 2mm Roadshow, helping to organise Golden Jubilee events etc. The recent brilliant Oxford Expo has also given me a kick up the arse and got me all fired up  ....

Epilog-Back home Source: RENA 1900 | 10 Jul 2010 | 1:55 pm BST
Well back home and ready for taking the models back into our house. It is friday morning, a hot nice summerday in OsloWe have a long stairway on the outside of our house leading to my little workshop/office. Here something happened:A worktrain has appeared by the snowshed!But where is the snowshed?  ....

In Oxford at last Source: RENA 1900 | 10 Jul 2010 | 1:00 pm BST
We made it to Oxford and it was a splendid exhibition. My wife AAsne helped me to exhibit Rena 1900 and snowshed Setesdalsbanen. It was a pity that we could not have any trains moving, but the rolling stock we exhibited is owned by Stein Ragnar Pünther. He built it on Märklin chassis about 20 year ....

Flying Banana - Part I Source: Highclere - 2mm Finescale | 10 Jul 2010 | 8:59 am BST
Hello ... ....

DEAG Meeting June 2010 Source: 2mm Darkest Essex Area Group | 9 Jul 2010 | 12:59 pm BST
Rather belatedly is this short post on the June DEAG meeting, especiallyas the July meeting is only six days away!Nigel and David (E) spent the evening discussing and playing with DCCchips, reprogramming one of David's locos to improve the running forExpo 2mm. The photo shows Nigel contemplating th ....

Coombe Junction - Hoodies...Part I... Source: coombe junction - moorswater | 9 Jul 2010 | 9:44 am BST
Update - Brimming with enthusiasm from the Expo (was it really a week ago that I was flying back?) and keen to try and avoid the usual summer recess of modelling, I decided to try and have a go at my first 2mm wagon etch chassis.One thing that really struck me at the Expo, was not only the overall q ....

Stock for Elm Road Source: Return of the Sith - Sithlord's new Railway Blog | 9 Jul 2010 | 9:03 am BST
The weather improved today so spraying was a go.As promised yesterday, here are the three Parkwood LNER Fruit vans. They are running on LNER 8 clasp brake chassis from the 2mm FSA and have been transferred using MMT089 - Ex LNER Fruit vans from the NGS Shop. I used Precision BR Bauxite for the bod ....

Back to 2mm Source: Return of the Sith - Sithlord's new Railway Blog | 8 Jul 2010 | 1:24 pm BST
Following on the 2mm Association Expo last weekend in Oxford (sadly not attended by yours truly - far too far away!) I got inspired to get back into doing some 2mm stuff - still UFO related however.One of my first (possibly the first) 2mmFSA etched kits. This was put together with my old soldering k ....

I enjoyed playing trains Source: Littlemore 2FS | 6 Jul 2010 | 2:00 pm BST
I had an enjoyable but tiring weekend. I was surprised by the quantity of layouts in attendance, including some that I had not seen before (even excepting the challenge layouts). The layout was transported and erected without problems and ran pretty well too. I had problems all day Saturday transfe ....

Coombe Junction - BCN - LGW - OXF - STD - BCN... Source: coombe junction - moorswater | 6 Jul 2010 | 11:17 am BST
Update - Returned late last night from a fabulous weekend in the UK ... ....

Freshwater Behaved Itself Source: Basingstoke Area Group | 5 Jul 2010 | 9:32 pm BST
We had a great weekend at the Expo - lots to see and spend money on. Dave Stratton lent a hand carrying and operating, allowing me to roam a bit with the video camera.I had the layout operating with nearly a week to go, and I chose to give the track a last minute paint job. I did not find time to ad ....

2mm Expo....DONE! Source: Highclere - 2mm Finescale | 4 Jul 2010 | 9:12 pm BST
Hello ... ....

Midland Railway Class 1P / '1833' Class Locomotive Kit Source: twommlocomotives | 4 Jul 2010 | 8:08 pm BST
Firstly many thanks to the 2mm Association for allowing me to attend Expo 2010 and i must say what a great show.Secondly following the overwhelming interest shown at my stand i would like to thank all of you for your support and suggestions.As many of you are aware the first kit i intend on producin ....

Photo update Source: Return of the Sith - Sithlord's new Railway Blog | 3 Jul 2010 | 12:23 pm BST
The photo update - or at least some of them. The TTA's will get done tomorrow. NGS Weltrol - Kit 31. Transfers supplied in the kit.Not sure that a traction engine would be loaded on one of these - can't see how you would drive it on or off at the other end, but I thought it looked OK - the chimney ....

Slackness Source: Return of the Sith - Sithlord's new Railway Blog | 2 Jul 2010 | 3:19 pm BST
I set myself the goal of making a post weekly when I started this blog back at the beginning of the year - and I figured that I could at least make a fortnightly post even if the weekly was ambitious. I noticed however that June passed with only one post. This I put solely down to work and the deman ....

In magnis voluisse sat est Source: IT A DO or the 2mm LAYOUT CHALLENGE BLACK SHEEP | 1 Jul 2010 | 12:46 pm BST
Well it's done at least as much as I can at the moment. Its amazes me that something I embarked on so many months ago has taught me much frustrated me often and has at times led to despair. The last week has been a flurry of activity not always successful with several items been put to one si ....

Coombe Junction - Bits and Bobs... Source: coombe junction - moorswater | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:04 pm BST
Update - As in the UK, its been very hot here of late and there has been little enthusiasm to plug in the soldering iron and complete the turnout, however the last two evenings have seen a bit more progress.First of all, during my periodic scans on EBay to see if I can find anything related to Coomb ....

Some more pictures of much the same. Source: 2mm layout based in South Wales The Blog | 28 Jun 2010 | 11:10 pm BST
Hi all,Had promised to post these before now, but here are some close up images of the layout taken the same day, hopefully showing a bit more detail. b3045.jpgNot much of a picture, but I used it, as i felt it could easily be mistaken for a larger scale than the 2mm it is. b3036.jpg... ....

You Shall Go to the Ball Source: Littlemore 2FS | 28 Jun 2010 | 12:34 pm BST
The aim was to have a portable layout that wasn't a micro shunting plank that would fit in to our (rather small) car. There's nothing wrong with shunting planks but I wanted the whole station, preferably uncompressed. I drive a Citroen C2, and there's not much room in the back. Unfortunately hobbies ....

Fresh(er)water wiring completed Source: Basingstoke Area Group | 26 Jun 2010 | 9:15 pm BST
A weekend exhibiting Coley Park at Yeovilton followed by a weekend in Slovenia on a business trip slowed progress, but last week saw the completion of the wiring for the point operating servos to a 'temporary' switch box which will be replaced by Merg CBUS control one day. Unfortunately, two of the  ....

BR 9F 92220 'EVENING STAR' is Coming to Expo 2010 Source: twommlocomotives | 24 Jun 2010 | 6:37 pm BST
It has been a long year but now the BR 9F 92220 'EVENING STAR' is almost complete. As this is my first attempt at building a locomotive in 2mm scale i think i can be proud and cant wait to show you all at Expo 2010.All that is left to do is varnish over the lining and add some buffers. As you can  ....

Normal Service Will Be Resumed Source: Littlemore 2FS | 23 Jun 2010 | 5:52 pm BST
My internet is broken somewhat broken, hence the lack of pictures. I am down to 18kB/s on up to 4Mb broadband! On top of that the Sky+ box died overnight, refusing to come off stand by. That said there is very little to see with the layout.I booked the week off work to do finish the to-do list so th ....

Im attracted to you... Source: Highclere - 2mm Finescale | 22 Jun 2010 | 7:27 pm BST
Hello ... ....

Coombe Junction - Coombe fly with me... Source: coombe junction - moorswater | 21 Jun 2010 | 6:18 pm BST
Update - With apologies to Sinatra ... ....

Oops--one week to goooo.... Source: RENA 1900 | 21 Jun 2010 | 9:46 am BST
Time goes fast. After various trouble with making perfect transparens for my artwork for etcing, I realised I had to delay the work with the rolling stock. (design and artwork is ready for etcing of five different small wagons and one loco type IV). I have to rely on the old models on loan from my f ....

Coombe Junction - A little more... Source: coombe junction - moorswater | 17 Jun 2010 | 11:27 pm BST
Update - Fairly mundane tasks but some progress tonight. Firstly, adjusting Board No 3 to the same 'working plane' height as Board No 2, secondly building up the track bed to match (I ran out of imported DIY cork floor tiles so had to use card) and thirdly, laying the track down to form the gentle c ....

Double Heading Source: Littlemore 2FS | 16 Jun 2010 | 1:27 pm BST
I'm still working on having things moving on the layout at Expo with under three weeks remaining. Several weeks ago a pleasant suprise landed in my inbox, an opportunity to test build two new locomotive chassis kits. A short exchange of emails later and a subsequent jiffy packet arriving through the ....

Coombe Junction - Back on TRACK... Source: coombe junction - moorswater | 16 Jun 2010 | 9:51 am BST
Update - Earlier this week, I returned from work to find a package outside the front door - the rituals of opening said packages were recently covered in someone elses blog and I must admit, one nice thing about ordering from Hattons is they still wrap parcels like this... CJ100.jpg... ....

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