Welcome to S scale

[Phil Copleston]

Hello everybody - welcome to the S scale forum!

I thought I'd start an S scale group on RMweb as a place to share our ideas, comments, techniques and photos about 1:64^th scale modelling. I know there are already some S Scale Model Railway Society members on this list, and I'm pretty sure others modelling in different scales will be interested in what we do too. By way of introduction to anyone interested in S scale modelling, here is a brief summary of its attractions:

For those unfamiliar with S scale, models are built to a uniform 1:64 ratio, where 3/16" or 4.76mm represents 1 foot, with standard gauge track working out as 0.884" or 22.45mm. Track and wheel standards are to exactly one sixty-fourth of the prototype. Brunel and Irish broad gauges and various narrow gauges are modelled too, all to the same standards. Nice and simple really.

In the UK, S scale is essentially a scratchbuilder's scale, which for me represents a healthy return to the core values of our hobby employing craft-skills for the sheer pleasure of designing and building it yourself. It has never had any serious commercial support in Britain, but has some commercial products and following in North America, Australia and New Zealand, particularly the narrow gauge variants. Surprisingly, S scale is also not unknown in Germany (the firm Stadtilm marketed 'Spur S' in the 1950s/60s), and in Scandinavia and Japan (as a scratchbuilder's scale).

For that reason, S scale is also a bit 'different' from other scales, with little temptation to buy the latest trade offerings. It's also a very attractive size, is 19% larger than 4mm scale, thus providing a bit more reliability, 'heft' and realistic roll than in the smaller scales with plenty of room for mechanisms, motors and decoders, yet not so bulky or space-consuming as 7mm scale. We use widely available commercial 4mm motors, gearboxes, axles and bearings as standard; indeed, many components intended for 4mm scale are suitable, or if a tad over-scale for 4mm are perfect for S scale!

From the Society there is a decent range of scratchbuilding parts and some kits available to help members achieve their aims, and some kits and parts are produced by a few specialist suppliers too. The Society offers a comprehensive range of jigs and gauges, track components, rolling stock and some loco wheels, etchings and castings, buffers, springs, axleboxes etc. and scenic items, so it's not all hard slog! Newcomers find most of the techniques and components familiar to them from other scales like 4mm, are also utilised in S scale modelling, much to their reassurance.

Of course, if you're going to scratchbuild anyway, then you might as well build a model or layout of something you really want (as opposed to being based around what is commercially available), an approach which engenders following more esoteric prototypes like light railways or some of the more bucolic railway backwaters, and often results in very individualistic models and layouts. As a result, many of the well known S scale layouts currently on the exhibition circuit exude character and individualism in buckets, that is the essence of much modelling inspiration which, coincidentally, is what RMWeb is all about too.

Any ideas you have, S scale layouts or models you are building, comments or just information you would like to share in this forum please feel free to do so, you are most welcome. I hope you enjoy reading and contributing, whether you are an S scale modeller or not, as it's all good modelling inspiration!

Please use this thread to introduce yourself, if you wish. Or start a new topic about 1:64 modelling within this S scale forum.

Phil

If you'd like to find out more about S scale modelling, please visit:

S Scale Model Railway Society (UK organisation): http://www.s-scale.org.uk/
National Association of S Gaugers (US organisation): http://www.nasg.org/
Proto 64 (US finescale group): http://www.trainweb.org/proto64/
Wikipedia on S scale: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S_scale

 

Also, here's proof of vintage German Stadtilm 'S spur' in operation

Edited January 20, 2013 by Phil Copleston

[Andy Y]

In support of Phil's initiative I thought I'd chuck in some gratuitous snaps of that rather well known and inspirational S scale layout East Lynn & Nunstanton by Trevor Nunn.

 

As I'd said at the time of the Wigan Show when asked to do a review of the layout:

 

I've never really been able to get close-up to it before given its popularity but it's nice to go a bit 'old school' in an age where most modellers can get everything they need off the shelf.

 

Choosing to model in S means doing anything and everything the hard way but the beauty is, when tackled by such an accomplished modeller, a consistency in standards and appearance that is often lacking on many layouts. Running qualities and operational interest that are exemplary, structural modelling that gives a real sense of time and place and a plausible environment come together to produce a current classic. It feels like a layout which people will come to mention in reverent tones in a future time in the same way as those legendary modellers and layouts in years past.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Phil Copleston]

Thanks for the support Andy,

 

Thanks for posting some evocative and excellent photos of a classic S scale layout, and your well said and inspiring words. I know our modest Trevor Nunn will be blushing!

 

Phil

Edited January 11, 2012 by Phil Copleston

[10800]

Good luck with this Phil - I don't model in S myself (P4) but I'm sure there will be lots of interesting stuff to benefit all scales.

[ianfolland]

I was interested to come across this whilst browsing around RMWeb today as I've been collecting drawings and information to model South African 3' 6" gauge, and S scale appears to be the best way to do it.

 

I'll watch with interest the postings here, and it might be the inspiration needed to make a start.

 

Ian

[Dicky W]

Just for info, Trevor's East Lynn and Nunstantion will be appearing in the March and April editions of BRM.

[flubrush]

I was interested to come across this whilst browsing around RMWeb today as I've been collecting drawings and information to model South African 3' 6" gauge, and S scale appears to be the best way to do it. I'll watch with interest the postings here, and it might be the inspiration needed to make a start.

 

Ian

 

There are several members in the UK S Scale society who model Cape Gauge such as WAGR and NZR and I've just been having an email exchange with another member who is modelling an SAR Class 25. He has almost finished the 60ft condensing tender and is close to starting on the locomotive itself. If you are going to the St. Albans exhibition this coming weekend, you might see the tender on the S scale stand although I'm not sure on which day he is attending.

 

Unfortunately, native SA modellers don't seem to have taken andvantage of S scale to model their railways accurately and they seem to he happy with H0 outline on H0 track. I assume they can get away with this since the SAR loading gauge was very generous and wider gauge wheels won't look too out of place. Whereas, S scale on H0 track is popular in New Zealand, and some parts of Australia.

 

[PLUG ]Just in case your interested you can join the SSMRS here.

 

http://www.s-scale.org.uk/join.htm

 

[/PLUG ]

 

Jim.

[Phil Copleston]

Hi Ian,

 

Jim has already made a good summary of modelling 3' 6" 'Cape Gauge' in S scale. But if you'd like to see some Sn3½ models, check these links:

 

Ian Hammond's NZR layout 'Kopikopiko' layout http://www.s-scale.o...k/gallery21.htm

Ian Hammond's NZR 'Modeling in the UK' blog http://uknzrmodeling.blogspot.com/

Andy May's WAGR modelling http://homepage.ntlw...2002/models.htm

Richard Stallard's WAGR layout ‘Marbelup’ http://members.iinet...chard/marbelup/

Western Australian Sn3½ modelling group http://wasnmodeller.blogspot.com/

 

Sorry, couldn't find any South African Sn3½, but I know of some people do... as we have an SSMRS member who does! I've seen his locos; scratchbuilt bodies on commercial HO mechs. Really nice models.

 

And here's some Sn3½ commercial help:

 

http://www.nzfinescale.com/index2.htm

http://www.railmaste...ailway/loco.htm (mostly US Sn3, but they have a kit for a SAR GE Class 34 Co-Co diesel)

 

Hope this helps.

 

Phil

Edited January 11, 2012 by Phil Copleston

[ianfolland]

Thanks for the info., and the links.

 

It is curious just how sparse information regarding 3' 6" gauge modelling is, given the mileage constructed in various parts of the Empire and elswhere, and the interest in it. There are apparently people modelling Japanese railways, but references are virtually nil. Perhaps there just aren't many people doing it.

 

I must admit I didn't know about the St Albans exhibition, but having looked at the website it appears to be worth a visit. It would also be an opportunity to alight from the West Country express at Clapham Junction and travel to St Albans Abbey via a direct train to Watford Junction, avoiding the Underground.

 

I'm looking at scratchbuilding a Class 19D or a 24 as a first step.

 

Ian

 

[cctransuk]

In the UK, S scale is essentially a scratchbuilder’s scale, ..... some kits and parts are produced by a few specialist suppliers too.

 

Perhaps I could mention that virtually all of my range of transfers is available for S scale?

 

Regards,

John Isherwood,

Cambridge Custom Transfers.

http://www.cctrans.freeserve.co.uk/products.htm

[flubrush]

Thanks for the info., and the links.

 

It is curious just how sparse information regarding 3' 6" gauge modelling is, given the mileage constructed in various parts of the Empire and elswhere, and the interest in it. There are apparently people modelling Japanese railways, but references are virtually nil. Perhaps there just aren't many people doing it.

 

If you type "South African Railway Modelling into Google a few sites pop up and these sites have links pages with even more pointers. There' s UK modelling site with a good links page here

 

http://www.sarmodel.com/

 

and a South African site with a good links page here

 

http://www.cmd-models.com/links.html

 

and there's a Yahoo mailing list at

 

http://groups.yahoo..../SAR-Modelling/

 

which has a steady low level of messages.

 

There's also a site with a huge selection of drawings available on CD - about £20 for a CD of a full set of drawings for a particular locomotive.

 

http://www.sarsteam.co.za/

 

I must admit I didn't know about the St Albans exhibition, but having looked at the website it appears to be worth a visit. It would also be an opportunity to alight from the West Country express at Clapham Junction and travel to St Albans Abbey via a direct train to Watford Junction, avoiding the Underground.

 

Whatever turns you on. :D

 

Jim.

Edited January 12, 2012 by flubrush

[Chufferpufferhugger]

Welcome Ian not only to Sn3.5 modelling but also the SSMRS. Now, we will all await with bated breath to see some goodies. I'm not sure what the crossover might be, but there are several kitsets available from NZ, freight and passenger cars etc. Take a look at Phillips Models in NZ - not got the link to hand but he has just taken over the South Dock range and there might be something useful there.

St Albans was great fun, NZR, SAR, Malayian, Belguim, EKR and on and on - not a GER loco in sight!! (at least on our stands) Also Bill Pearse's "Bank Hall Sidings" was on show. I will be updating my blog in the next day or so http://uknzrmodeling.blogspot.com - watch this space.

 

Ian H

[wab764]

Hi,

My name is Jim. I model Sn3.5 NZR I have not long got into "S". Should have done it sooner. I live in NZ so you can see why I have gone this way. Are there any others in the group who model Sn.

Jim M

[mr45144]

Dabble a little from the wobbly workbench in Chch. Currently have a DBR on the workbench.

 

Kev.

[Ohmisterporter]

Hi,

My name is Jim. I model Sn3.5 NZR I have not long got into "S". Should have done it sooner. I live in NZ so you can see why I have gone this way. Are there any others in the group who model Sn.

Jim M

 

Welcome to the forum Jim. My son has recently emigrated to NZ so I will give him time to settle in then ask for some model railway info. Sn3.5 seems the way to go, with H0/00 track and chassis available. Good luck with your modelling.

[HSB]

Hi,

My name is Jim. I model Sn3.5 NZR I have not long got into "S". Should have done it sooner. I live in NZ so you can see why I have gone this way. Are there any others in the group who model Sn.

Jim M

Hi Jim,

I have a modest NZR-based layout which has now existed for around 20 years with occasional reworkings. It is set on Stewart Island using mainly stock built from NZ kits but with freelanced locos reworked from H0 models.

Howard

[BlackRat]

I have been nagged on numerous occasions by my good friend Pete Totman, about converting to S, he has even given me a broad gauge coach kit to tempt me!

 

The kit went together very well, (its more a set of scratchbuilders bits really) but I could see the attraction in the scale.

 

Hope to catch up at the get together!

 

Neil

[Phil Copleston]

I have been nagged on numerous occasions by my good friend Pete Totman, about converting to S, he has even given me a broad gauge coach kit to tempt me! The kit went together very well, (its more a set of scratchbuilders bits really) but I could see the attraction in the scale. Hope to catch up at the get together!

 

Sure thing, Neil. We'll catch up on S-scale things tomorrow, no doubt! I'd like a peek at that broad-gauge coach if poss.

 

By the way, didn't I catch you on this video lurking around Maurice's S scale layout at Exeter show last year?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rxzwkqz4K4&feature=player_embedded

 

Be warned... S scale is addictive!

Edited April 28, 2012 by Phil Copleston

[BlackRat]

Phil, great to catch up today!

 

Will put a pic on here when I get a mo, its in the study in a box file here as it needs attention to the buffing gear. I cheated, and built it without any interior so dont look to hard!

 

Now, wheres me blonde wig!!

[MartinWales]

You're right about S scale being addictive Phil-having spent two hours yesterday operating John Coulter's 'Llanfair' at Porthmadog show!

 

And he's talking me into S scale too........

[Phil Copleston]

You're right about S scale being addictive Phil-having spent two hours yesterday operating John Coulter's 'Llanfair' at Porthmadog show!

And he's talking me into S scale too...

 

Good to hear that, Martin. Next step is to try it for yourself. The thing about S scale is - you'll know if it's right for you!

[MartinWales]

A minimum space layout sounds tempting, and not too expensive!

[Francis Pitt]

As someone who has had good all round apprenticeship in railway modelling and is coming up to retirement I am looking at S Scale as a possible candidate for something more of a challenge now I have a bit more time. Having looked at the S Scale web site and this forum there seems to be a lack of locomotives with outside valve gear either Walschearts or any other. Why? Not too difficult surely.

[Phil Copleston]

As someone who has had good all round apprenticeship in railway modelling and is coming up to retirement I am looking at S Scale as a possible candidate for something more of a challenge now I have a bit more time. Having looked at the S Scale web site and this forum there seems to be a lack of locomotives with outside valve gear either Walschearts or any other. Why? Not too difficult surely.

 

You are most welcome to the S scale challenge, Francis. No, it's not too difficult. But I don't think that's the reason for the lack of Walschaerts-geared steam locos in the Society website galleries. It's probably more a case that many earlier British steam locos, as modelled by many of our members, were built with inside motion.

 

But if you intend to model in S scale then you can expect to have to make most of the locomotive from scratch. So it is perhaps a personal choice whether you build a steam locomotive with Walschaerts valve gear or not, as this depends on the design preference of your chosen prototype railway. Taken step-by-step, scratchbuilding a Walschaerts-geared locomotive shouldn't be too much of a problem - in S or in any other scale.

 

Anyway, if you try it Francis, show us how you did it!

[xplor3mill]

You are most welcome to the S scale challenge, Francis. No, it's not too difficult. But I don't think that's the reason for the lack of Walschaerts-geared steam locos in the Society website galleries. It's probably more a case that many earlier British steam locos, as modelled by many of our members, were built with inside motion.

 

But if you intend to model in S scale then you can expect to have to make most of the locomotive from scratch. So it is perhaps a personal choice whether you build a steam locomotive with Walschaerts valve gear or not, as this depends on the design preference of your chosen prototype railway. Taken step-by-step, scratchbuilding a Walschaerts-geared locomotive shouldn't be too much of a problem - in S or in any other scale.

 

Anyway, if you try it Francis, show us how you did it!

 

Well Phil, that is not the reply that I was expecting! I asked the question with my tounge in my cheek expecting my nose to be pointed in the direction of this or that website!

 

It's 12 years ago now since I built one of Alan Gibson's Stanier tanks and a 4F, not for myself but for a club mate who alas is no longer with us but those two locos should be knocking about somewhere, so to be honest I fully expected to see more along that style.

 

So are there any layouts bigger than fiddle yard - 3 yards out - 3 yards back - fiddle yard?