Methuselah

As a relatively recent returnee, starting from scratch, I was highly attracted by the idea of P4 from a clean sheet - fidelity is, after all, what decent modelling is all about. I did actually start to amass material for P4..... However, then a number of factors started to permeate my addled cranium. Firstly, the sheer effort required to address all the interlaced complexities dawned on me - and that's just for a small set-up. It's not just track, and wheels - but the need for suspension etc etc. So much has to be built, and it's much much harder to get any utility from any RTR to speed things up. Then there is the sheer TIME......a decent-sized P4 set-up would be pretty-much a lifetimes work. Now add to that, as Tony points-out - the question of consistant running.... It's hard enough 'just' to get OO to run really consistently...... Finally, the gauge difference really isn't that noticeable - especially with decent Bullhead track such as on LB for example. I had to submit to reality in the end - but on the plus side - I have been able to scale-up my aspirations to a much more complex set-up, with at least a realistic prospect of completing it before I expire. Modelling really is the art of compromise, so I agree wholeheartedly with Tony's sentiments on this one. My hat's-off to any and all P4 modellers, but I'd rather, on balance, be able to get together everything on a more realistic timescale - and be able to run it without huge hassle. I'm with Harry on this one.......😜

I'm a returnee to model railways after decades away. DCC sound is a huge advancement, however, whilst the diesels - in which I have absolutely zero interest - sound quite realistic, annoyingly, all the steam models I have heard sound like someone striking a match on a Bryant & May matchbox...! Very tinny and crappy - all treble and no base at all. Bearing in mind some of the speakers used are identical to those in smart-phones, it seems crazy that my phone can play a YT video of a steam train and it sounds way WAY better than the rubbish we are being served-up for DCC sound. For example, listen to this magnificent GWR King on your smart-phone ;- Something seems to be seriously wrong.....!

Thank you Martin. I don't think there'll be a problem with derailment, as I'm modelling Woofferton, and the curve is very mild. I have 50'. - How do I calculate the correct Cant...? - How do the full-size reconcile points where there is Cant....? For example, even today, there is a goods-loop between Woofferton and where the A49 crosses. Both points are on that long curve. I'm presuming the ends of the loop dip to rise at the correct angle...?

Cant. I have several queries regarding track Cant. This relates to modelling the Shrewsbury & Hereford Rly in Edwardian times, circa 1912, when it was LNWR/GWR Joint - if that makes any difference ;- a) Is there a relatively quick/easy way to lay track with the correct amount of Cant...? b) On a double track main line - such as the S&H, would the two Canted tracks be level with each-other, or would the whole track-bed be Canted....? c) Was the Cant used on connected branch lines, such as the Tenbury Branch different owing to the lower speeds - 40mph max' in that case....? Any info'/suggestions much appreciated.

Tallpaul69 ;- Some small compromises are OK - and inevitable. The problem is that all modelling is about compromise - or we'd make everything 1:1...... Most of use use OO - and that's a compromise we are broadly stuck with. Even 'simple' real stations and junctions etc, swallow up a LOT of space. If space is restricted - and it invariably is - then one does what one can. Equally, many people who do have a fair bit of space, don't bother to model a real location. That's OK - we don't have 'rules' to follow. We set the bar where it suits us - and whatever space allows - this being the usual cause of compromise.. That being said, for me, I take the view that what I'm building is first and foremost a historical diorama, and it therefore follows from that, that every deviation degrades what one is setting out to achieve. In my case, the stations and the actual trackplan will fit the space I have - juuuuust about. The main compromise is that where the branch leaves the main line, I simply cannot fit it in at the correct angle and length - that arm will be reduced by around 50%. Bummer, but I'm stuck with that compromise. It may be that no one every sees the end result, and I certainly couldn't be arsed to exhibit it, but I know from my other activities restoring historic machines, that every compromise offends my eye - it's just a question of what you can live with. Of course, it's all rather anal and obsessive - but then all modelling tends to be - it obviously appeals to some facet of the human psyche we are all afflicted by.....🙂 I'm reasonably happy with my plan now - just as well - as I've run out of space.....! Some compromises are a given. Scenic-breaks are a good example - but are totally unavoidable - so it's Hobsons.

No idea - but there are images of them double-headed nonetheless.

On the irrebutable presumption that readers are lliterate enough to find the basic thread - having a Link to a 'Problems Page' should be a doddle - and hardl;y likely to overtax browsers of this site. In the past, I've got sick of reading all the whining about models - however well justified. Luckily perhaps, my Stirlings and 4700's for example, have been perfect. Yes - the Stirling is lovely - so nice in fact, I bough a pair of them, to recreate the GNR double-headers of those days.

This project is still progressing in fits and farts. I've got loads of locos and stock together, and the infrastructure items are coming on apace. The big stumbling block is still getting the outbuildings extended to house the diorama, and there are Planning issues involved, as the house is Listed. The woodshed, when rebuilt and extended to accomodate Woofferton, needs to be over fifty feet long, even in 4mm. This is more than ample for Tenbury, but still a squeeze for Woofferton. It'll be fully insulated and heated, and the diorama itself will all be sectional - not for exhibition purposes - but because I want the diorama to have a chance of surviving my inevitable demise - unlike so many which end-up destroyed. Naturally, I'm champing at the bit, but I hope to see the building itself complete in the Spring. Then it'll be 'all hands to the pumps'...!

Returning to railway modelling, this was, broadly speaking, something I wrestled with at some length, as I was focussed upon building a real location as accurately as reasonably possible - and running scale-length trains. For simplicity I broke it all down into three very broad categories ;- 100% accurate in dimensions and form. Some reduction of (1) above - yet not enough to be noticeable. Altered in size and form such to make this immediately noticeable. Really - a compromise too far. I had a large space available - of apx' 20' x 30'. As an example, Lapworth really needed around 60' to get it right, and bending it through even one right-angle would have destroyed the appearance. Railways are, by and large, essentially linear in nature.... Keen as I was, I just couldn't see it looking right shrunk down and twisted out of all recognition. Compromises can be odious things........ Thus I cast around and and plumped for a more modest branch-line station that I knew was more feasible. Tenbury was the focus of my attention. The problem then was that the range of traffic would be very very limited. As it happened, close by, the branch had a junction with the old H&S main line at Woofferton...... Thus I planned to have the branch one side of the room, and the main line and junction on the other. That wasn't really a bad plan. Unfortunately, I then decided to include the (Relatively short.) goods loops just north of the mainline junction to add some simple operational interest...... Now I was back to a length that was simply not compressible to anything that would have looked right and still fit into the room. Having become attached to the locations in question - the only alternative was to build a dedicated building to house it. If (1) cannot be achieved, (2) is the default. If even (2) cannot be achieved, I came to the conclusion that I was obvious that I was looking at a totally unsuitable prototype. Building a dedicated building is not always an option. Fortunately I have the space. Even so, some compromise has crept in. The trackwork where the branch diverges will be truncated, as the new shed simply can't be made wide enough. However, the sections of mainline itself and the branch stations etc will all be correct in length and form, but strictly, the diorama will fit into (2), and I hope that when it's all complete, this won't detract too much. The irony is that, the overall length of the mainline is now approaching what was necessary for Lapworth..... Ah well - too late now....😬

The Tenbury Branch was always rather a backwater. Some traffic, such as Hops, fruit and other farm produce was very seasonal. There was some mineral traffic off the DPLR, from Cleobury eastwards. Most of the wartime traffic was related to the US military hospitals around Kington - especially after D-Day. Basically, all of the branch's stations are remarkably intact, except for, ironically, Tenbury itself, of which, literally nothing remains. Photos attached from two days ago, taken looking west, towards Woofferton, from the parapet of the Lee Hill Road bridge, all that remain on the site. .

Here are a selection of images of the 1:1 Tenbury. The core part of the track design isn't overly long, but there was a headhunt for the yard that throws the length much further out. Fortunately, the building will be sized to accommodate Woofferton primarily, so Tenbury will fit easily along the other wall. ;-

Yes - on the main Hereford & Shrewsbury line. However, by the Edwardian period, the branch seems to have been operated exclusively by the GWR. The LNWR/LMS did have running rights as far as Tenbury, bit seem not to have exercised them.

All the infrastructure will be set in the Edwardian period, but apart from some very minor changes to signalling, nothing changed right up until closure, so I can easily get away with running later stuff.

Many thanks. A moderator seems to have relocated this, so I have also re-titled it now.

That only seems to Link to a graphic - I can't find an actual specific page. Do you have a direct HyperLink please...?

I am modelling the small lost junction station of Woofferton Junction on the Welsh Marches Line in 4mm, with the infrastructure set to the Edwardian period. Part of the branch line to Tenbury will also be modelled. Woofferton requires at least fifty feet overall to include the goods loops north of the signal cabin, though Tenbury needs somewhat less. The actual lines will not be distorted or truncated in the areas modelled, except the branch will have, effectively, great chunks removed to shorten the link betwixt the junction and Tenbury itself. As ever - some compromises are always necessary. Seen here below are the newly completed buildings for Tenbury Station, made for me by a friend with far more expertise than I will ever possess.....!

Just a few details left to be added to Tenbury's eastern signal cabin..... The smaller western signal cabin left to do, then on to Eastham Court, before attacking Woofferton Junction. It feels like the project is starting to come to life at last....!

Bromyard Downs....?

Most splendid Mikkel...!

I've bought a selection of 4mm whitemetal figures. They are in period clothing and are quite nice. However......there is just something intangibly more real about 3D figures produced from whole-body scans. They just look spookily real. At the moment, these are still rather expensive. This may change, as a single dataset from a scan can be used to produce an infinite number of printed figures. Hopefully, the actual printing will get cheaper. I have a laser-scanner, but at some point, I can see I'm going to have to buy a printer. Thankfully, the printers get better and cheaper every year.

.....I think we need a ModelU horse in harness....!

Here is a very similar horse bus/carriage that was used to shuttle passengers between the Swan Hotel and the GWR station at Tenbury. I have no idea whether it was owned by the GWR or the hotel - or both. It famously plied this trade until I believe the 1920's. As can be seen in this image, it was also dressed-up for the annual carnival. These type of carriages alway look to me like truncated hearses....! 😊

Some of the few colour images that have survived of Tenbury.

Thanks Mikkel. Yes - I love those chimneys too...! There wasn't much at Easton Court, but Woofferton Junction will be the biggest challenge. Whilst there is nothing left at Tenbury, apart from the Clee Hill Road bridge, at least at Woofferton, a lot still remains to examine for reference purposes, including the splendid signal cabin - which amazingly, remains in use. I'd have dearly loved to do this project in P4, but I've started too late in life. At least all the track on the scenic areas will be hand made Bullhead, albeit in 'OO'. The biggest change to my plans since my previous blog, is to dump the idea of open central operating areas. The biggest reason for this is simply that getting under a diorama in two areas - one of which will have track at several levels underneath, is too problematic. Added to that, my aged back is a factor sadly. Now, the plan is for a walkway on three sides, though, the central 'countryside' areas will be loose lightweight drop-in modules to lift-out for access when required, as it'll all be too wide to reach-over otherwise. The building/shed will basically have Woofferton down one side and Tenbury down the other, Woofferton takes-up 50', Tenbury quite a lot less. I'll have around 14' widthwise to play with. I'll blog again when the rest of the railway buildings are complete.

I'm a tad hazy - apart from name, number and white roof, were there not some other differences reflecting Hardwick as preserved. i.e - not correct for pre-1923...?