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Discovering one's inner finescale modeller

nest

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Evening all

 

Having now done some more research into parts to build 21mm track, I've found that some appear to be available. through the Scalefour society. This has led to what could be turning point in my relationship with the hobby; I have decided to join said society. This information turned several worried heads at my weekly club night earlier this evening. There is definitely a certain view of the kind of person who models to P4 standards. It is a view that, I have to admit, I subscribed to as well for quite a while. I have since come to realise it is, on the whole, a totally unfair view as our wonderful hobby is essentially built on a diversity of different approaches and track standards, there is no right way of doing things and no wrong way of doing things. For some, myself included, having something that is as an accurate portrayal of the real thing as possible is what it is all about. For me, I've come to believe that this has got to extend to the track as well. I will acknowledge that this isn't for everyone and there are too many wonderful layouts both on this website and out in the wider modelling world built to 00 standards to mention. It would be foolish to suggest that it is wrong to model in 00, I still do both on Sandhurst and at my club.

Anyway, what my rambling is getting at is that if one feels the urges to do so, one should go totally finescale. For me, I think it would be silly to model an Irish layout in anything but finescale. This is due to the wider gauged rolling stock looking too out of place on 00 track for me. I realise I'm probably letting myself in for more than I have bargained for with all this, but I also know that I will be far more satisfied with an end result that suits my idea of how layouts should be built (or built by me at least).

Whilst talking of letting myself in for more than I bargained for, I was kindly lent by our club chairman (Peter Wisdom) some books on loco construction as this is something else which I am going to need to be doing for this new venture. Like with track building, I am looking forward to this but I am also somewhat nervous about what I'll be able to produce. But at the end of the day, isn't that what all this modelling lark is about?

 

Attached is a photo of said "light" reading...

 

Nestor

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ullypug
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I think there are an awful lot of modellers who have been inspired by the Wild Swan books so you're in good company!

Your approach to try it and see is the best way to go. Sure you'll have set backs along the way but I bet you'll have more successes and ultimately have a greater sense of achievement. There are plenty if folk on here to ask and the S4Soc has its own forum too.

I would just express a word of caution about the books. They were written some time ago and aspects of the hobby have moved on a bit, especially when it comes to loco building but they're still a source of inspiration.

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nest
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Thanks for the comment

I'm hoping for these books to give me more pointers more than anything else. This was I can try a few different things and see what works best for me.

 

Nestor

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stafford junction

I read your intention of modelling in 21 mm finescale with interest, as I was involved with one of the best Irish layouts by the late Tony Miles- Adavoyle Junction. You can find plenty of photos of Adavoyle on the internet mostly by Martin Wynne (of Templot fame) as it was his collaboration with Tony and a few of "the friends of Adavoyle" who built all the trackwork on the layout. A testament to the trackwork was given by Tony Wright when he wrote that "Adavoyle Junction ran on finescale track at Triang speeds!" Hope this some help to you. By the way there has been many articles in the model railway press over the years so if you can find the refernces you will have some good reading - if nothing else

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Donw
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If you fancy going the finescale route just do it and enjoy it. The reason that some people regard finescalers as odd is as much due to the fact that they are not willing to put in the extra effort themselves so poo poo anyone who does. There is the odd idiot who gets all superior about P4 showing that a narrower mind can accompany the wider gauge.

I think use of a more accurate gauge is vital to capture the atmosphere of the Irish railways if you use 00 it is about 25% error in gauge!

Don

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nest
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Having seen models of Irish railways done in 00, it just doesn't do it for me. It almost looks silly seeing the wheels so narrow compared to the bogies.

I think I've heard Adavoyle but I'll have to take another look just make sure I'm not thinking of something else.

My whole approach with modelling is to just try it and see (although I wasn't always aware that this is what I was doing) so all this will be no different. I'm keen to do a fair amount of reading on things before I begin.

 

Nestor

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Portchullin Tatty

Nestor,

 

There are a number of 21mm gauge modellers in the S4 Society and a couple of topics running on their forum; so there is support and experience for you. 

 

There used to be an area group based in Plumpton but they are only semi-official now.  It was based on Barry Luck's house and he still accomodates visitors.  Announce yourself on the S4 forum and I am sure he will offer with a slight prompt.  The support you will get from visiting and talking to active finescale modellers will be invaluable.

 

 

Mark

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