A friend gently chided me this weekend about the absence of blog updates. He has a point - when I'm modelling, I tend not to think of the computer, and when I'm sorting out things on the computer, I don't get any modelling done! The excuses are not relevant though - I should just get on and do both!
There has been progress in the last couple of weeks though. The Scalefour Society stand was attending the East Ham Finescale Show, thanks to time dedicated to by Terry Bendall, Mike Ainsworth and Bob Bourne. However I helped out on Sunday, and I was determined to take the demo board along. There were three reasons for building this set of track.
Firstly was to proved that after a few years away from active modelling, that I could still build track that worked! Well, subject to wiring it all up, I think that I succeeded in this, and I certainly learned a few lessons of what NOT to do. More on these in a separate post...
Secondly was to give myself a small test-track that was more than a rolling road and 12" of straight track.
And thirdly, and the reason for the diversity of track types on it was to show to people new to P4 modelling that there were now a whole range of track solutions available, ranging from the "shake the box" kit that is almost like RTR (but not quite!) to the more traditional ways that are still valid.
So I set myself the goal of finishing the tracklaying in time for EHFS. I managed that during the week beforehand, and was able to take the completed board along with me. This is the track fully laid:
The diagram beside it is the key to the actual types of construction. This will be smartened up when I have learned enough Templot to re-draw the board using that software. The next shot is down the length of the board, showing what are hopefully some flowing curves.
And finally, just to show the reason for taking the time and modelling effort of modelling to P4, an A5 turnout alongside a similar dimensioned OO Peco turnout.
The next steps are the wiring and point motors...
