Reading back numbers of the News, the April 2015 had a update article regarding a 3rd edition of the handbook.
Was it ever finished, and made available, or did it die a quiet death?
Just curious.
Jim F
Now it's been published (answering the above question!), can I ask if it will be seen in "internet" form on the Members Only section or will it just be paper based?
It was launched at NGS on Saturday (it being the Society's AGM) - available from the Society Sales. at £8.50 plus P&P
(https://i.imgur.com/IfyjQDb.jpg)
As far as I know it will remain in paper format for the time being (we've got to shift the stock!)
It represents two years labour by me as editor, as well as a lot of hard work by the contributors - for which very many thanks!
Also.... There was an advert for the new Handbook in the April (2022) NEWS...
Quote from: hughn on April 27, 2022, 12:39
Also.... There was an advert for the new Handbook in the April (2022) NEWS...
Ahh, that issue has either not arrived here in Oz yet, or has not reached the top of my "to be read" pile. I shall check. I am slowly getting back into modelling after an 11 year absence, so the handbook may be very useful.
Hmm...not certain how a couple of page numbers appear to be out of line!
Random spaces in contents lists are the bane of compositors. >:(
Quote from: Hobby on April 26, 2022, 09:14
Now it's been published (answering the above question!), can I ask if it will be seen in "internet" form on the Members Only section or will it just be paper based?
Blair, at the moment we have no plans to produce and sell an electronic version of the new 3rd edition. I responsed just now to a similar question on NGRM by saying if a member wishes to work with us on doing so, I would certainly like to learn how it might be done with their help.
Julian
It's becoming clear that the new 009 Handbook is not only popular with old hands but, I suspect, as an introduction to 009 railway modelling with people who are new to it. That should include those who are not (yet!) members of the Society.
I'd suggest that not only should a copy be given to all new members to the Society on joining - more useful than a plastic kit! - but also that we should sell them at as many shows as possible - not just where the Society Sales Stand is present or even at exclusively n-g exhibitions but as widely as possible, as a means of introducing the 009 concept to people as well as attracting new members to the Society. It would be a great form of publicity. Certainly every Society show/event organiser should have a stock available.
David.
I wonder if anything can be gained by looking at what other Societies do to see if it is of use?
I see the 2 mm Scale Association state very clearly that their products are not available for sale to non-members, but do link to a page of special introductory products that are:
http://www.2mm.org.uk/products/ (http://www.2mm.org.uk/products/)
There are a surprisingly large number of them, mostly publications and at about the same price at the Handbook.
As regards 'welcome gifts' I think it is a nice touch (not sure if it is worth leaving and rejoining to get one as I don't recall it being in place when I joined. ;) )
When I joined the British Model Flying Association last year (for the insurance and CAA registration) they sent me a couple of back issues of their magazine and some self-adhesive BMFA vinyls for putting on my planes. Along similar lines things like an 009 Society Member layout badge/plaque such as seen on some layouts would be a 'freebee' but also help promote the Society.
To echo Graeme's point, the 2mm Association usually has a range of introductory material available for non members to buy at their stands at exhibitions. (I usually visit their stand to chat as I used to be a member and know some of their Scottish Area members.) That's how I got my copy of their excellent book on track making, which has applications well beyond 2FS.
Ian
I have been reading my newly acquired copy. It is a high quality product full of interesting and useful things. Each section gives a very well rounded overview of it's respective topics in only a few pages, which seems like enough for a beginner to make a start without further reading. The sections on DC electronic control principles and 3D printing are particularly good. I also like that the sections discussing what narrow gauge is like and what features distinguish it acknowledge that they mostly apply to British and Irish practice and other countries may differ substantially. Oh, and thanks for including dry transfers in the transfers section - it has been hard to find information on good practice for using these.
Some of the choices of what to include and what to leave out are interesting - in particular the extensive treatise on the specialist subject of slow acting point motors, but then no two people would ever agree exactly on what is relevant. In general I think the objective of covering information which is specific to modelling narrow gauge and not likely to be covered by the regular railway modelling how-tos has been well met.
Two points:
-Ready-to run list does not mention that Tomytec models require separately purchased powered chassis to be installed by the buyer. This may confuse readers who might buy these models expecting to be able to just take them out of the box and run them.
-Micro layout section appears to misquote Carl Arendt's definition of a micro layout: I understand that the rule is maximum four square feet of surface area, the dimensions are irrelevant, you could have a micro layout sixteen feet long and three inches wide.
In general then; well done handbook team! I do agree that the book might be a better gift for new members than a wagon kit.
Quote from: David Weber on May 20, 2022, 15:43
-Ready-to run list does not mention that Tomytec models require separately purchased powered chassis to be installed by the buyer. This may confuse readers who might buy these models expecting to be able to just take them out of the box and run them.
Some of the Tomytec models did come with chassis. The Nekoya Line 0-4-0 Steam Locomotive sets for example, but you did have to clip the chassis into the loco body yourself.
They are not in production any more. This is a pity as they were only about £65 each including postage.
See this link:
https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/search?typ1_c=117&cat=&state=&sold=0&sortid=6&searchkey=Nekoya+Line+Steam+Locomotive
Brian Meldon
The exception that proves the rule!
Unfortunately the entire Tomytec business model is built around deliberately limiting production runs to give the models collectable value and ensure the market is never saturated. So the same will eventually happen to any current or future release you might find useful.
That does not rule out that the steam loco might be reintroduced in future as a new model with different paint, number and details, but still in essence the same. For example some of the early railcars have recently re-appeared in new paint schemes and with different trailer cars.
My copy of the new Handbook arrived a few days ago. I'm very impressed with the quality both of editing and production and the depth of information.
I agree that the range of topics covered and the depth accorded to them will be a better fit for some members than others, but that's inevitable whatever choice the editor makes. As an experienced modeller, but much less experienced 009 modeller, it looks like a very reasonable selection.
Personally, the discussion on slow-action point motors was exactly what I needed to read. I have been debating what to use and I learned of a make (MTB) which I hadn't come across before but which looks like a good fit on my rather odd baseboard and scenery configuration. I also noted Ted Polet's cunning use of diodes on a return loop, which I don't have an immediate need for, but it's a useful wheeze that I hadn't thought of myself. I'm sure there will be other nuggets as I read through the book.
Well done Hugh and all the contributors!
Ian
I think we will all agree that ready-to-run in 009 is a very fluid subject and that (single page) section will be out of date soon enough! (we had to revise it during the lifetime of the project as it was)