P4 layout popped -Onwards & Upwards!
Entry posted by Knuckles
735 views
Doubting this post will interest many for a variety of reasons but I feel it deserves to be explained fully.
A few days ago I ripped the layout up.
P4 too hard for me? Giving up? Nope, neither. All is explained below.
I originally designed the layout to utilise the P&C already built rather than build some new points. I built it as a typical P4 test plank as is traditional to get a feel for things, make mistakes on, experiment with new ideas, provide a photographic backdrop and provide some light hearted not too serious modelling. To that end it has served it's purpose beautifully.
So why did I finally get rid of it salvaging only the point motors, switches, electro magnets and the underpass?
For several reasons really. The main one being the fact that upon initial construction I had no flat surface to construct it on so the 6mm plywood construction (too thin IMO) was looking more like the running plate of a cauliflower, as a result in my enthusiasm I fixed up a levelling bodge using balsa wood and foam topping. This ironed out most of the faults yet as expected caused many running issues.
Most of the layout ran fine but there were a select few areas that caused constant issues much of the time. Fixes included partly rebuilding half a turnout, adding extra check rails, grinding the rails, bending the rails etc. Many of these took several attempts or only worked for a while until they needed looking at again or something else would play up.
I decided to to go to gown with it after experiencing some unexpected gauge narrowing. Upon discovering this I marked all problem areas with a black marker and opened the gauge. This was done either by slicing the chairs between the sleepers and re-gluing or in the single slip and a few areas where this wasn't possible a file and scalpel did the trick. The latter was more effective for getting the meat off.
Most of it was ironed out and things were running better than they had, except there was one area that was impossible to fix no matter how much retrofitting I tried, the baseboard and trackbed relationship (not to mention vertically bent rails) was just too bad to correct without relaying 50% of the track work.
It was at this point I decided to call it a day, so destruction started with a calm blank faced almost psychotic chewing up of the track with the pliers already in my hand. My don't plywood sleepers look realisticly bombed when raked through! The track plan was essentially two 'Inglenooks' end to end which was fine, I enjoyed shunting it but a run around was most desirable. Had the running been better I would have likely bared with it.
Now, the big questions are; is P4 for me, have I enjoyed the experiment, what did I learn and what is the future?
Having a crack at P4 is without doubt a choice I do not regret. I have now evaluated things enough to decide that another layout is pretty much in my mind a given. P4 has its disadvantages to that of other scales and standards but then they all do, I am one who has been suckered in mainly by the better looking track and wheels more than anything and still nothing in 4mm quite compares to it. I may be a bit odd but for reasons I can't explain seeing a load of beautifully constructed track work excites me and gives a type on mental pleasure nothing else does. Have several designs for future layouts.
To answer the second and third question, I have enjoyed the experience but I have also found it very frustrating. The learning curve from a crude 00 modeller aspiring towards finescale is asking a lot but then that is EXACTLY why I signed up. To learn new things and better myself. What I produced in my (and no doubt some of your minds) wasn't a finescale layout, but rather a crude, not too serious muck about layout that just happened to have P4 track and stock. As I say, the main attraction for me currently is the track and wheels, higher calibre modelling in other forms comes with time.
What did I learn so far in P4 venture?
Ooh just a few things, how to build track, greatest achievement so far being the hand build B7 LH turnout into a single slip, all crossings and blades hand built using no jigs other than graph paper and a 1 in 7' angle drew onto it and rail 'supported' by the old modellers faithful friend......Bluetack.
This was for me a massive win, especially as loco's and stock ran through it.....95% of the time. Hey, come on, first attempts and all that.
Support on the forums for my track building efforts (other threads) were well appreciated and I was even surprised to be honoured a place in Will L's column in the magazine linking to a Slink link.
I also learned how to convert and spring some wagons, different kits and RTR items need different methods and I found building a wagon kit straight into P4 was sometimes easier. A few loco's have been converted and built into P4. I learnt how to wire a layout at least one way, this literally was my first ever attempt to wire a layout up. Previous 00 layouts had 1 track feed and Mr Hand operated the plastic frogged points...eugh.
This time I tried Tortoises and I like them.
Learning to correct faults and try different fixes in situe was not the easiest or most satisfying activities but for possible future issues that may arise hopefully the experience gained will come in handy later.....hopefully not. To avoid gauge narrowing maybe utilising some track rivets every 4 or 5 sleepers and on key turnout areas will fix it. It could have been the oil drying up in the functional chairs or it could have been the rust issues. Either way I'm interested in giving DCC Concepts stainless steel rail a fair trial. Soldering it doesn't scare me.
Bodging in a working 009 crossover into P4 C&L flexible track (not the best option) with nothing but a photograph on my mates iPad was another big win for me. I even have a video on YT if you are interested.
Another thing learnt since launching SCC was how to design loco kits that account for different gauges. A YT video of my Furness J1 can be seen running on this layout as proof.
So, not much of a loss at all in my view. I have gained so much from having a crack. The biggest downfall was the most basic, and that is getting a flat baseboard too to begin with.
I'm looking forward to my next P4 layout. It likely won't be Knapford Junction just yet although as a future biggy that is a dream layout I'm now thinking might be better in a different house with more room. Rather than trying to cram everything in this loft thoughts are turning towards maybe getting a mortgage for more suitable layout space.
As I am interested in different scales for different purposes I'm currently building my first N gauge layout. I have not posted much on S4 as it doesn't belong, but other than SCC and working a 10 hour night shift that is what I have been up to on the modelling side of things.
Rather than cram up the loft with double decker roundy roundy's I'm thinking of staying with end to ends until I move out. This way I can breath and try new things easily.
I am unsure what my next move is though, after this N gauge first attempt it might be an 0 gauge one, or another P4 or 00-SF, I don't know.
The latter is interesting me as the track still looks pretty good but seems a good idea as a gap filler.
I have not had any proper layout to operate since 2011 and with so much 00 stock I don't intend converting it all.
If I was go build a 00-SF layout I could increase my track building progress and provide a platform to play with. In the mean time I could be building a P4 layout too and the 00 stock that I like the most in due time can be 'promoted' to P4 either as a conversion, or even better; a separate P4 chassis so it can run on both layouts.
By the time I have built one or 2 of these layouts I may be rich and experienced enough to go for the dream roundy roundy's in a new property.
So that is the story so far. P4 is staying, I just don't know what order to build things in as I refuse to stick to only one scale.
Variety is the spice of life as they say.
If you could be bothered to wade through all that drivel and if you got something from it, please say so.
It's took a long time typing it on my touch screen 'phone and if I had a C&L chair donated to me for every time I hit 'back' to correct a typo I'd have enough for a new layout. Please let me think it was worth the typing effort!
Knux out.
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