St. Merryn - A Scalefour Society publication

[Andy Y]

 

Last week's holiday provided a chance, at last, to read through this collection of essays detailing several aspects of the South London Area Group's St. Merryn layout.

 

The layout itself depicts a North Cornwall terminus in the mid 1950s which I am sure would be of interest to many members on here. This is no boring tome describing the whole process of building one layout but chooses to describe, in detail, particular elements. It is this approach which makes for a good read for all modellers, little content is only applicable to P4 modellers and covers the thought process which ties the whole scene together, the way an exhibition layout all hangs together, the buildings, train services, rolling stock, operation and aspects of exhibiting. It combines to give a holistic perspective of one layout but which would be of interest to far many more people than those interested in that specific layout, line or era.

 

The narrative is straightforward, easily digestible in chunks or as a whole meal and presented in an engaging manner. All but ten of the 95 pages in the A4 softback book feature colour photographs or illustrations. If there were a criticism it would be that some of the layout photographs lack vibrancy and impact but this should be considered within the context that St. Merryn depicts the summer of 1954 which was the dreariest for many years (something else I learnt!).

 

 

 

I believe the book is of exceptional value at £10 (plus £1.75 P&P if ordered via the Society website) and I can thoroughly recommend it to readers as an enjoyable read.

 

Link to Scalefour Society e-shop

[2ManySpams]

Thanks Andy for the review

[Tim Chambers]

Very many thanks for review and link,Andy, one copy duly ordered! Best wishes, Tim.

[Barry Ten]

Just to add to Andy's comments - it's superb value, and packed with useful stuff. It's a good example of a finescale layout in which the finescale ethos has been applied across the board, not just to the trains and immediate railway infrastructure - the shop fronts, buses etc, all look superbly realistic and convincing. Inspirational!

[John B]

Definitely one I have to buy.

 

Back in 2001/2, at an Epsom show, I looked at the then-embryonic layout and knew it was going to be a stunner - even at the trackwork and basic infrastructure / ground texturing stage, there was an impression of reality and consistency of approach. I've only ever seen the finished layout in pictures on t'web or in magazines, but it looks just as I imagined it would back then.

[autocoach]

Now I will have to build the Padstow version signal box with the door and stairs on the right side. Until then the Kernow left side version will have to stand in.

[Penlan]

At £10 it is good value and easily read, I read the whole book last Friday on the train between Penzance and York....

 

I prefer the writing style of Ian Rice, I found at times this book did not flow, however there is much to be gained in information here, but then again I remember there were just glimpses of a subject (will have to remember exactly what) which would have benifited from further explanation.

 

The one thing I got from the book, the AA Village sign, that made me look further into the subject and a good selection can be found here

 

I've started a seperate thread on the AA Village signs, so any comments should be directed to http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/topic/26426-aa-village-signs/

[Ramblin Rich]

Are these the same group that did Bodmin in S4 during the 1980s? I always thought the series of articles in the old Model Railway Constructor on Bodmin could have made a good book, I imagine this is in a similar vein. Might make a good Christmas present suggestion

[Leander]

Bodmin was by the North London Group, to whom Heckmondwyke was attributed (not sure how many people were involved with both layouts though), St Merrin is by the South London Area Group.

[Ramblin Rich]

Thanks for the clarification! Does look to be very good work in any case...

[Anglian]

Looks great value for £10.

[2ManySpams]

Just been looking at the track plan - seems to be a cross between Padstow and Illfracombe. Genius in its application and brings together the best bits of both! Looks like there's masses of operational interest - terminus station, carriage sidings, loco shed and TT, decent sized goods yard and, what looks like, a separate branchline through the goods yard.

 

Really must order the book and read all about it!

 

Edit: oh dear that's a few more £s gone. Looking forward to it arriving now.

[2ManySpams]

the book arrived on wednesday - great service, especially with the snow and christmas post. Don't know why but despite Andy saying it was A4 and 95 pages, i was suprised by the size and thickness of the book. Great vaue.

 

I will echo Andy's comments and say it's a great read for anyone who want's to produce a layout based on what could have been. Being slightly interested in the NCR I found the book a particularly good read. fascinating to see many of the same references and research areas refered to as we have used on Treneglos. Befitting my '2manyspams' id I was shocked to read they only had 1 Bulleid and that it was 34067, a loco not known to have run on the NCR. ;-)

 

Recommended.

[2ManySpams]

Having read the book now cover to cover it looks like some real research and thought went into the layout. The track plan is a particularly clever merging of elements from Padstow, Illfracombe and perhaps a hint of Bude. Smashing layout and great publication.

 

Slightly surprised though that they went for a coal yard as a major feature - as far as I know none of the stations on the NCR had dedicated coal merchants sidings or stores. This was something we initially got wrong with Treneglos - and corrected by adding a second provender store. Also, having spent a while roaming around the N Cornwall areas on foot, by road and Google street view, I'm not convinced that the row of shops and garage are that typical of buildings in or around St Merryn. They seem a strange choice considering the time and effort spent researching other elements.

 

I do like their approach to supporting the layout. Very similar to that used on Diesels in the Duchy. Also good to see that somebody else went for train turntables - pity there wasn't more in the book on how they were built.

 

Cracking modelling though - and all in 4no 4'x2'6" scenic boards. The more I look at it the more I realise how much operational potential there is in the track plan. Would certainly like to see it in the flesh.

[James]

I got a copy of this book for Christmas and, although I've not read it all yet, there seems to be some great stuff in it! And excellent value too at the price!

[Flymo748]

Cracking modelling though - and all in 4no 4'x2'6" scenic boards. The more I look at it the more I realise how much operational potential there is in the track plan. Would certainly like to see it in the flesh.

 

Chris,

 

You can always find out where (to the best of the Scalefour Society's knowledge) P4 layouts, including St Merryn, are being exhibited by looking at the Society Calendar. This is at here from the Society homepage, www.scalefour.org.

 

The next outings for St merryn are currently listed as:

 

16-17 April, 2011

Crawley MRS Tanbridge House School, Farthings Hill, Guildford Road, Horsham, W. Sussex RH12 1SR http://www.crawleymrs.org.uk/index.htm

 

23-25 April, 2011

York Model Railway Show York Racecourse, Racecourse Road, YORK YO23 1EX

http://www.yorkshow.org.uk/

 

HTH,

Paul Willis

Marketing Manager

[2ManySpams]

Thanks Paul

 

SWMBO asked what I wanted to do for my next Birthday (April)!

[autocoach]

Does anyone know what a US equivalent of Artex Plaster would be. The corporate site does not list any North American outlets. Looking for an easy to carve plaster as described in St Merryn book. I used Scale Scenics papers to build my cardboard mock-up of Padstow Station.

[Coombe Barton]

At a guess (GUESS - I have no direct equivalent knowledge - others may know more - but we do use artex at work) this is artex - http://www.diytools....-finish-5kg.asp and this may be an equivalent your end - http://www.homedepot...catalogId=10053

 

As I said - others may have more specialist knowledge

 

[EDIT] It is just a standard finishing plaster.

[autocoach]

John,

Thanks for prompt answer. If it is just finishing plaster, that is no problem. My local home depot does not carry the specific product you identified. Probably contains an illegal substance for California.

 

I also apologize for poor quality of the photo of my version of Padstow station. It was taken with my cell phone as I need a new motion stabilized camera. Also needed to be sure the platform sections were mated properly before I attach photo for this group.

 

I should probably start my own topic on the occasional effort to re-create a slightly shortened version of Padstow about 6000 miles to the west of the original.

 

best

[BlackRat]

Couldnt agree more with whats already been said.

 

Arrived day after it was ordered and a thouroughly excellent read.

 

I like the fact that although it is P4, theres no stuffiness and everything is achievable if you really want to go for it.

 

it has given me quite a bit of food for thought.

 

At a tenner its a bargain!

 

Agree on the shops though!