Mice? What's a 'Mice'? re this month's P Jones article

[hoofe116]

 

Hello, not been ignoring the joint, I've been sick.

In this month's GR, what is Peter Jones calling 'mice'? I infer 'small sized engines', as with Bob's 'Critter' site, but smaller. But how small? More specifically, are any in G gauge? I can't tell from the article. (Jones' articles are my favorites in that magazine, not complaining).

I have a weakness for oddball-looking trains: cars, engines, trackside structures. Thus, Jones' article was most interesting. (I've got to try building that green one with the flywheel topside).  Anyone happen to know what it represents? (I'm not the most astute, even when healthy). English, apparently.

I debated posting him, but I imagine he gets innudated after every article.

I'm gaining slowly on the flooded mess that is my 'small stuff' shop from last spring, but not ready to try building anything serious yet. Frustrating.

Les W.

 

[Anonymous]

To me Critter and Mice same thing.

[FJ and G]

I think it's just a nickname. I too enjoy his articles and photos more than anything else in the magazine.

[Peter Jones]

 Hello People.

Thank you for the kind words  and to answer your queries...

 Mice are whatever size you want them to be. My tiniest mouse is only 3 inches long because it represented a tiny prototype. I kinda like the more light-hearted approach that mice offer. If you want to build something in G-scale, then by all means do so. Some of my mice are scale models but others are built by eye from a photograph or memory - and one or two are just inventions.

 The steam tractor is a case in point. In Britain there was a subgroup of locos that were conversions of road traction engines. Several have been preserved.

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pics/blue_circle.html  is an example.

If anyone has a query, don't be afraid to write. I'm quite harmless.. honest.

 Hope this helps

 Peter

[GearDrivenSteam]

Right. Peter. Bob and I consider anything a critter or "mouse" as you say such as the 45 ton side rod and under. That may be a stretch for some, but the 45 ton is a compact unit for sure, so we include it as well. Unfortunately, Critterhouse is down indefinately, but Bob is working on his own server, so hopefully it will be up again before long. We were able to save the site, so it will all be back up, once we get the server sorted out.

[TheJoat]

I always enjoy that column!   To me, mice are tiny.

I recently built this one using a Stomper base:

[hoofe116]

 To all those who were kind enough to take time to reply:

Thank you all. Peter, your 'Scribblings...' are hardly that. I used to be a tech writer before I found other work. It takes sustained effort to put out an interesting article month after month.

I'm a retired tool and die maker. I am not, and never aspire to be, a finescale modeler, though I admire the work of those who are talented that way.

Thanks those who provided links and pixes of their handiwork, and those who helped expand my vocabulary of slang RR terms.

Les W.