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To the best of my knowledge the etched AJ couplings in that article seem to have been a personal project by the author. I am not aware that these have ever been commercially available. Lanarkshire Models do supply dine etched droppers but for that system you still need to make the hooks themselves. Jeremy

I have tried to P4 the Bachmann 94XX using the High Level kit. It needs some significant modification as it is a thick “Mazak” casting rather than the plastic footplate from the 57XX. The clearance behind the splashers is also inadequate and even thinning them as far as is reasonably possible there isn’t sufficient clearance. For the moment it’s gone back in the “too difficult” pile but I look forward to seeing how you both approach it. Good luck! Jeremy

As Marc mentions we have announced the Scalefour Society Jubilee Layout Challenge for new layouts to P4/P87 standards and a scenic footprint of 18.83sq ft. The Challenge will culminate at Scaleforum 2026, which falls in the Society’s 50th anniversary year. The Challenge will be open to both members and non-members if the Scalefour Society. A perfect opportunity for anyone thinking about P4 standards to have a go especially with the availability of British Finescale turnout kits to get you started. Details will appear here once Mr Tatlow has recovered from Scaleforum and getting stuck on the M25 for an hour and half after the show yesterday! Jeremy

Mike Cards are accepted for entry on the door. Jeremy

The Scalefour Society are looking forward to welcoming the 2mm Association and Guest Layouts, Tucking Mill/William Smith’s Wharf and An Clar, to Scaleforum this coming weekend, 23/24 September at Cressex School, High Wycombe. They will be ably supported by 10 P4 layouts and plenty of trade and demonstration support. More details on www.scalefour.org/scaleforum Jeremy

And for those of you who want a sneak preview of one of the layouts at the show I am pleased that Wheal Elizabeth, my P4 model of a Cornish China clay branch, is featured in this months issue of BRM (along with video on the CD/E-magazines). I’ll be happy to talk to anyone about the layout at the show… See you in High Wycombe!! Jeremy

Scaleforum is now looming large with only 10 days until the doors open in High Wycombe. The Show will feature 12 layouts as detailed above, a mix of traders, demonstrations and a return of the lectures. More details on www.scalefour.org. As well as the variety of P4 layouts we are pleased to welcome An Clar and Tucking Mill/William Smiths Wharf in 2mm Finescale. The highlight for many may well be the exhibition debut of Iain Rice’s home layout “Cade’s Green” which is now in the care of some of Iain’s friend who have been sympathetically updating the layout for exhibition. We look forward to welcoming you at the Show. Jeremy

CPL used to do etches for A27 in both 4mm and 7mm. Not sure if they are still available. Jeremy

Mike, Thanks for this info. Jeremy

Martin, The P4 turnout kits are indeed a standard British Finescale product but to P4 standards that the Scalefour Society have been working with Wayne to deliver. As confirmed previously, they will be available directly from Wayne as well as, to members, through the Scalefour Stores which also carries a wide range of other products supporting those modelling to P4 standards. Jeremy

Following my earlier teaser about an announcement, I can now repeat the announcement that I made at the Scalefour Society AGM on Saturday. Over the last 12 months or so the Scalefour Society have been liaising with Wayne Kinney at British Finescale about the possibility of the production of turnout kits to P4 standards. I am pleased to be able to confirm that the first fruits of this discussion will be available to purchase in early July. The initial release will be a B7 turnout kit and this will be available to purchase via the Scalefour Stores or direct from British Finescale. The price will be around £23 per kit. The kits follow the now established format of the British Finescale range. They incorporate a 3D printed sleeper base incorporating printed chairs and locators for the nose of the turnout, the wing rails and switch rails. The rails forming the nose of the crossing are machined and slide into the base to set the location and the switch rails are similarly machined. The kits utilize nickel silver bullhead rail which has to be cut to suit before sliding into the chairs. A printed tie-bar and operating pins are also included. The kits require little soldering except for electrical connectivity and gaps are provided in the printed base to facilitate this. We hope that the kits will prove popular amongst our members and others modelling to P4 standards and that they will also give the opportunity for newcomers to P4 standards to try it out before committing to those finer standards. We have also discussed with Wayne the possibility of providing some alternative configurations of turnout and crossings in due course but these will be largely dependent on whether or not the initial offerings sell well. We expect the Stores to have these in stock soon and they will also be added to Wayne's website in coming days. We hope that this development proves useful and hopefully inspires a few more P4 layouts to be built. Jeremy

John/Martin, It is not a secret that the Scalefour Society have been working with Wayne to develop P4 versions of the turnout kits. The Society's AGM is this coming weekend and details of the initial range and its availability will be confirmed. I will update this Forum with the information once that announcement has been made. Only a few days to wait.... Jeremy

David, If they are the same as the Class 22 the traditional thin bladed screwdriver method works but they need a bit more force that the Bachmann bogies - the locating lug is bigger. There are some P4 conversions of the Cl 22 documented here and on the S4 Forum which may help. Jeremy

Thanks John. I started doing this ages ago and couldn’t get it to run smoothly. Eventually I worked out that the gear meshing was way out meaning the gears weren’t turning freely. Once I’d solved that I have managed to get the basic chassis up and running. The pony truck has been causing me issues as I wasn’t happy with the Hornby design. Having just done an EasiChas on a 51XX, which has a lovely etched pony as part of the kit, I looked at alternative options. I had decided on a Comet part but couldn’t work out how to mount it. Your comments have helped and I’ve used the Comet one to create a cosmetic wrapper around the original casting. This looks like it’ll work but the proof will be when I try it out once the epoxy has cured. Thanks for the painting tips too. I’ll get there in the end! Jeremy