Just one small step... that's all this is - one small toe dipped in the P4 water...

With the excuse of the 2010 challenge I've finally decided to scratch that itch so to speak. P4 has intrigued me for a number of years with the increase in fidelity appealing to both my engineer and artistic natures. Rose Hill will be an exercise in restraint, in prototype observation and a bit of fun - not too much of a distraction from my real love - Southern region late 90's stock.

photo © and (P) Stephen McKay

So where is Rose Hill?

It's perhaps the modern quintessential branch line terminus? A single line terminus, one platform, park and ride style car park situated in Marple on the outskirts of Stockport (itself on the edge of Greater Manchester). The branch is a little over a mile long and leaves the Hope Valley line (Manchester to Sheffield) after Romiley. There are about 3 services an hour into Manchester Piccadilly.

I plan to model the station with the road bridge as a scenic break. I will model the carpark and fuel yard in their entirety as well as what I believe was an old Hotel on the main road.

Here is a plan of what the layout will cover - easily within 13.9 sq ft with fiddle yard in 4mm.

Rose Hill is not a new project for me entirely. It's been on my workbench for about 2 months as a possible layout idea. The 2010 challenge has given me the impetus to try something new (P4) and model it accurately.

You can find my previous posts on my Paxton Road blogs here:

A distraction... Rose Hill, Marple

Pacesetting...

Pacer progress...

So what next? Get out the credit card and order some P4 bits...

On a more serious note can I thank all of those who responded to my thread in the 2010 Challenge forum, and in particular those who have today offered a great deal of support and advice in taking the P4 plunge. Thankyou. I hope Rose Hill will be a credit to me, the scale and modern image modelling.