I have been under a lot of pressure recently and have decided I would like to do something for myself. Therefore I will be reluctant to take any paper drawings for the next few months, certainly until after the Alexandra Palace show. One of the projects I want to start is a new Gauge 1 Austerity 2-8-0 and 2-10-0. Following the success of the LNER B1 which I am now going to scale up to 2 1/2" and 3 1/2" gauge Derek and I would like to do something slightly different, hence the Auserity. The drawings are well under way (14th August) and I hope we can cut steel soon.

CAD files are still very welcome, e mail them and I will get the parts cut. Parts that are on the database already take around 2 weeks at the most, less if they are on the shelf. I do take cards, Visa is preferred as Mastercard etc take 1.9%, Visa is 32 pence the same as a cheque.

PLEASE remember this is only supposed to be a service for fellow model engineers, it was not supposed to take over my retirement, my Holmside was supposed to do that and I have not touched it yet!!!

Thanks to all those who came to the Midlands Exhibition, especially those who sat through my talks. The TIG welding one seemed to be very well received, lookout for the article in Engineering in Miniature December issue. If you did not get the details of the gas supplier it is Air Liquide, look them up on Google. My local supplier, who was extreemly helpful and keeps all sorts of goodies is:- Welding Equipment and Cutting Services, 69 Tyler Street, Sheffield. Just behind Meadow Hall shopping centre. 0114 2424242. They have lots of gear for us home workshop enthusiasts, some second hand which you might fancy.

I have redesigned the toolpost holder that was in Model Engineer. This is now a laser cut kit that goes together very quickly, around 30 minutes I would say. There are two types, one holds ten of the Myford size Dixon style holders, the other is larger and takes 5 of the Chester size holders. I have used mine for a couple of weeks now and it is invaluable. The time it saves looking for the parting tool is incredible. It is there to hand. If you want me to TIG weld it for you the complete animal is £30, but you can buy the kit and put it together yourself. It only needs tacking together as the parts slot through each other.

The Ruby kit is in Garden Rail (October) and if you liked the look of this the Armig electric is even easier to build. Takes around a week and costs about £500 including a radio, motor and gearbox. I have a book on how to build it from my parts.

The Gauge B1 is now ready for sending out. I will weld up the frames for £10 so the first operation for you is to put the wheels on!!! I am also writing a build document. I have to thank Derek Crookes for his patience and expertise in getting the project off the ground. Following the popularity of the welded frames I am now offering the Britannia, 9F, 8f and Rogers new 2F soon to be serialised in EiM.

Malcolm High

Jan 2012