Society Logo

THE SCALEFOUR SOCIETY

P4 logo
More History

This Page amended on 29 November 2009 (KN)

Anyone who can supply missing details to be added below please advise the Webmaster

Protofour Timeline, Protofour Society Publications Scalefour Society Publications
Scalefour Society Chairmen. P4 Magazine articles Publicity/Advertisements

Early Layouts
 

Protofour Timeline, the first 25 years.

Date

Protofour Development & MRSG

Protofour Society

Scalefour Society

July 1963 "Progress in EEM gauge" published in MRN, the precursor of Protofour and first fruits of the MRSG    
February 1964 Again in MRN. more "Progress in EEM"    
August 1966 First article on Protofour by the MRSG published in MRN    
January 1967 Start of the 13 part MRC series on Protofour by the MRSG. This series got P4 on the move.    
December 1967 Studiolith supplies start
P4 Newsletter No 1
   
March 1969   Protofour Society Inaugurated  
June 1969   P4 Society News sheet No 1  
June 1970   South London Area Group formed  
September 1970   Initial issue of P4 Manual
First issue 'Precision'
 
October 1973   First Annual Convention  
December 1973 'Heckmondwike' layout started by NLG in response to Cyril Freezer challenge - Newsletter 24  
March 1974   'Prototype 1  
April 1974 Ray Hammond introduced 'Scalefour'    
September 1975   Last 'Precision' - issue 10  
December 1975   Protofour Society split     -   Scalefour Society Founded
January 1976     Newsletter No. 1
February 1976     Inaugural meeting
August 1976     'Scalefour Digest' commenced
October 1976    

Scalefour Soc. 1st logo with Scalefour News issue 4
logo-1.gif (12424 bytes)

First Scalefour get-together, Seymour Hall

Nov/Dec 1976   Prototype 12  - first printed issue Scalefour News number 5 introduced the 'Digest'
October 1977     First 'Scaleforum' held at the London Poly.
February 1978     Ray Hammond introduced his even finer 'Scalefour' dimensions in Scalefour News No 11.
July - September 1978   P4 Society proposed merger with S4 Society, acceptable conditions could not be agreed.
October 1978     Scaleforum '78 at the Commonwealth Institute.   Area groups reach 23.
April 1979   Prototype 19 - reduced because of 'Precision' (which did not happen)  
May 1979     "Scaleforum North" and AGM in Bradford's Norfolk Gardens Hotel.
February 1980     21st Scalefour News, 'APT' logo introduced
.hst21s.gif (7281 bytes)
March 1980   Prototype 22 - 'part of Protoscale group'  
October 1980     Scaleforum at Norfolk Gardens Hotel, Bradford.
January 1981 NLG 'Bodmin' articles start in MRC    
October 1981     Scaleforum back at the Commonwealth Institute
April 1982 Studiolith quit, Trans-Europ models start    
October 1982     New Scalefour logo for Scalefour News 34
s4logotr.gif (2551 bytes)
Sepember 1984     Scaleforum moved to City University
August 1985     First Scalefour section at Railwells
1986   Prototype 47 -  last issue  
September 1986     'Broadsheet' introduced to supplement Scalefour News
December 1986     S4 news to folded format from issue 54
August 1987   P4 Society merged into Scalefour Society. ending 11 years of duplication of effort.
February 1988     The Broadsheet/Newsheet became Bulletin No 5.
May 1988     Scalefour North at Barnsley
April 1989     Scaleforum North at Wakefield
June 1991     21st Anniversary of the South London Area Group
August 1991

25th Anniversary of P4

 

logo-25.gif (13951 bytes)

September 1991     S4 news goes glossy from Issue 74
Scaleforum moved to Leatherhead

Scalefour Society Publications

Scalefour News, from Issue 1 (January 1976) to Issue 165 (Dec. 2009) and still going, archive copies are available to members via this link.

The Scalefour Digest, our data sheets collection is available to members via this link.

 

Scalefour Society Chairmen.

Bob Essery,  February 1976 - September 1980

Ray Hammond,  September 1980 - May 1985

Clive Evans,  May 1985 - May 1989

Mike Peascod, May 1989 - May 1999

John Chambers, May 1999 - March 2005

Andrew Jukes, March 2005 -  August 2008

Jim Summers, June 2009 -

P4 Magazine articles (Except MRSG Articles which are already covered)
First P4 feature layout,
MRC Oct 1967
Sedgefield,   by  R R Barrington
MRN - April/May 1968
Building 'Selsey' by John Davies
MRN -  Nov 1969 Ashburton, photo by Malcolm Cross
MRN - May 1970 Making P4 Chaired Trackwork by D J Coleman
MRN - June 1970 Starting in Protofour (i) by R A Ganderton
MRN - July 1970 Starting in Protofour (ii) by R A Ganderton
MRN - September 1970 Starting in Protofour (iii) by R A Ganderton
Model Railways January 1973 T J Clarke, P4 Midland Compound
Model Railways January 1973 Scalethree standards, Stuart Hine (A P4 spinoff)
Model Railways May 1973 Romford Wheels to P4 standards, D A Ward
Model Railways May 1973 Protofour, fact not fiction, R J Essery, coaches by M Peascod. (beginnings of Heckmondwike)
Model Railways, June 1973 Compensation, Ken Morgan (beginnings of Heckmondwike)
Model Railways, December 1973 North London Group Railway, Ken York on planning a P4 layout (beginnings of Heckmondwike)
Model Railways, January 1974 Towards better running bogie vehicles, Dick Ganderton
Model Railways, June 1974 Compensation, Locomotives, Ken Morgan
Model Railways, July 1974 Converting Hornby Dublo and Stephen Poole wheels to P4, Darrell Ward.
Model Railways, October 1974 Point Power for Pendlebury.  (Birmingham Area Group, Tony Darrah)
Model Railways, November 1974 Point Power for Pendlebury, part 2.  (Birmingham Area Group, Tony Darrah)
Model Railways, December 1974 Point Power for Pendlebury, concluding the story. (Birmingham Area Group, Tony Darrah)
Model Railways, January 1975 Introducing Scale 7, Ken Cottle, Dick Ganderton, Bernard Laycock  (Another spin off).
Model Railways, February 1976 When your track is in a twist use a Diplometer by Don Rowland
Model Railways, August 1976 A revolutionary point motor: 1   by Ray Hammond
Model Railways, September 1976 A revolutionary point motor: 2   by  J. Popkin
Model Railways, December 1976 Motorising the Airfix City of Truro. to P4 standard by Darrell Ward
Model Railways, November 1977 Bogie Vehicle compensation - for trackholding and stability  by Brian Pearce
Railway Modeller, January 1978 'Pendlebury' featured as 'Railway of the Month' by H J Topping
Model Railways, March 1978 P4 locos by Arthur Mould
Railway Modeller, March 1978 Pendlebury - Fundamental principles by H J Topping
MRC May 1978
Keeping on the rails in 4mm scale, the advantages of 18.83 modelling by Martin Goodsall
Railway Modeller, June 1978 Pendlebury - Preparing the ground by H J Topping
Railway Modeller, August 1978 Pendlebury - Control and Conclusions by H J Topping
Model Railways, January 1979
The Otterburn Branch by  Ian Futers
Railway Modeller, March 1979 'Pendlebury again, won the RM cup for 'Railway of the Month 1978'
Model Railways, June 1979 Tregarrick Yard by Iain Rice
Model Railways, November 1979 The Otterburn Branch by  Ian Futers
MRC November 1979
Atherton, The 18.83mm gauge layout of the South London Group of the Scalefour Society by E Bourne
Model Railways, March 1980 Wagons have their compensations by H Drummond
Railway Modeller, May 1980 Adavoyle featured as Railway of the Month by D Goodwin and A Miles
Railway Modeller, August 1980 Lochside by Ian Futers
Railway Modeller, September 1980 Lochside by Ian Futers
Model Railways, January 1981 Tregarrick Regained: 1  by Iain Rice
Model Railways, February 1981 Tregarrick Regained: 2  by Iain Rice
Railway Modeller, April 1981
Bevleys - a preview by D Lowery
Railway Modeller, January 1982 Locomotive Chassis Construction - 1 by D Goodwin and A Miles
Railway Modeller, January 1982 Blueprint for Bolsover by Bob Barrott
Model Railways, January 1982 Thereby hangs a tail - suspension systems for 4mm scale locomotives by Iain Rice
Model Railways, February 1982 Tregarrick tribulations by Iain Rice
Railway Modeller, February1982 Locomotive Chassis Construction - 2 by D Goodwin and A Miles
Railway Modeller, February 1982 Blueprint for Bolsover by Bob Barrott
Railway Modeller, March 1982 Locomotive Chassis Construction - 3 by D Goodwin and A Miles
Railway Modeller, May 1982 Locomotive Chassis Construction - 4 by D Goodwin and A Miles
Model Railways, September 1982 Rise End Quarry  by Geraint Hughes
MRC, Nov/Dec. 1982 Preesgwyn, A P4 layout by Paul Gittins
MRC, Nov. 1982 Cast wagon kits built in P4 by Bob Smith and Tony Moore
Railway Modeller, April 1983 Scotsgap Junction - 1 by Ian Futers
Railway Modeller, May 1983 Scotsgap Junction - 2 by Ian Futers
Railway Modeller, July 1983 Scotsgap Junction - 3 by Ian Futers
Model Railways, September 1983 The Protofour Society - by W Johnson
Model Railways, September 1983 Calver: 1 - by Bill Hudson
Model Railways, October 1983 Calver: 2 - by Bill Hudson
Model Railways, October 1983 Scaleforum - by Ken York
Model Railways, November 1983 Calver: 3 - by Bill Hudson
MRC, November 1983 Aston Rowant, The Scale-Four layout of the Western Model Railway Society
Model Railways, January 1984 Calver: 4 - by Bill Hudson
Model Railways, February 1984 Calver: 5 - by Bill Hudson
Railway Modeller, February 1984 Bevleys as Railway of the Month by D & B Lowery
Model Railways, March 1984 The Scalefour Society: - by Ray Hammond
Railway Modeller, March 1984 Scratchbuilt locos, first attempts by Geoff Stenner
Model Railways, April 1984 Simple Two-rail wiring - by Ray Hammond
Model Railways, April 1984 The East Suffolk Light - by Iain Rice
Model Railways, May 1984 The East Suffolk Light - by Iain Rice
Model Railways, June 1984 The East Suffolk Light and the Malt???   by Bob Barlow
Model Railways, June 1984 Postcript to Simple Two-rail wiring - by Ray Hammond
Model Railways, July 1984 A better running 0-4-4T - by Bob Isgar
Model Railways, July 1984 The East Suffolk Light - Structures   by Bob Barlow
Model Railways, August 1984 Orford Connection  by Iain Rice & Bob Barlow
Model Railways, February 1985 All Saints  by Bob Isgar
Model Railways, April 1985 Combe Mellin  - by D Simmons
Model Railways, April 1985 Resin split axles - by A. Sibley
Model Railways, June 1985 Burnfoot  - by Ian Futers
Model Railways, July 1985 Roseladden to Tregenver - by S. Howe
Model Railways, August 1985 Roseladden to Tregenver - by S. Howe
Model Railways, September 1985 Roseladden to Tregenver - by S. Howe
Model Railways, September 1985 Turnout Drawings - by Ray Hammond
Model Railways, November 1986 Lochend by Ian Futers
Model Railways, April 1988 London Road
Railway Modeller, November 1988 GNR(I) Q class 4-4-0 Modelled in 4mm fine scale by Tony Miles
Model Railways, October 1989 Building for the 5ft 3in Gauge  by Tony Miles
Model Railways, November 1989 Irish Cranks and Eccentric Parts by Tony Miles
Model Railways, March 1990 Tibberton by Paul Severs
Railway Modeller, May 1990 Woolverstone, the essence of Suffolk in P4 by Iain Rice
North London Group: Heckmondwike articles
Model Railways, Oct 1974 Planning  
Model Railways, Dec 1974 Laying Track Martin Goodall
Model Railways, Apr 1975 The electrics  Mike Sargent
Model Railways, Jun 1975 More electrics  Mike Sargent
Model Railways, Aug 1975 Wagons Ken Morgan
Model Railways, Oct 1975 Signalling Derek Smith
Railway Modeller, April 1976 Heckmondwike made 'Railway of the Month' Bob Essery
Railway Modeller, June 1976 Heckmondwike - 2, Signals and signalling
Bob Essery
Model Railways, Aug 1976 A revolutionary point motor - part 1 Ray Hammond
Model Railways, January 1977 Heckmondwike Buildings, Part 1. John Hayes
Model Railways, February 1977 Heckmondwike Buildings, Part 2. John Hayes
Railway Modeller,  1977 'Heckmondwike featured.
Model Railways, June 1977 Behind the scenes at Heckmondwike
Tony Wilkins
Model Railways, July 1977 Heckmondwike's fiddle yard - electrical
Mike Sargent
Model Railways, March 1978 Wagons for Heckmondwike Bob Essery
Railway Modeller, April 1978
On the Road with Heckmondwike
Bob Essery
Model Railways, October 1978 Two signals at Heckmondwike
Ray Hammond
Model Railways, August 1979 Quo Vadis Heckmondwike, the lessons learned Bob Essery
North London Group:  Bodmin articles
Model Railway Constructor Building a Layout 
Issue Part Title Author
Jan '81 1. Research for the Layout - 1 Martin Goodall
Feb '81 2. Research for the Layout - 2 Martin Goodall
Mar '81 3. Research for the Layout - 3 Martin Goodall
Apr.'81 4. Research for the Layout - 4 Martin Goodall
May '81 5. Research for the Layout - 5 Martin Goodall
Jun '81 6. Research for the Layout - 6 Martin Goodall
Aug '81 7. The Civil Side - 1 Les Howard
Sep.'81 8. The Civil Side - 2 Les Howard
Oct.'81 9. The Trackwork - 1 Tony Wilkins
Nov' 81 10. The Trackwork - 2 Tony Wilkins
Dec' 81 11. The Trackwork - 3 Tony Wilkins
Jan '82 12. The Trackwork - 4 Tony Wilkins
Feb '82 13. Point Rodding - 1 Mike Sargent
Mar '82 14. Point Rodding - 2 Mike Sargent
Jun '82 15. Signalling - 1 Martin Goodall
July '82 16. Signalling - 2 Martin Goodall
Aug '82 17. Signalling - 3 Martin Goodall
Sep '82 18. Signalling - 4 Martin Goodall
Oct '82 19. Signalling - 5 Martin Goodall
Nov '82 20. Signalling - 6 Martin Goodall
Jan '83 21. Signalling - 7,  Block  Instruments Martin Goodall
Mar '83 22. Making the Signals - 1 R Hammond
Apr '83 23. Making the Signals - 2 R Hammond
May '83 24. Controls - 1,  Lever frame theory Mike Sargent
Jun '83 25. Controls - 2,  Lever frame practice Mike Sargent
Aug.'83 26. Controls - 3, Conditional link control Mike Sargent
Sep '83 27. Controls - 4, Further useful circuits Mike Sargent
Oct '83 28. Controls - 5, More useful circuits Mike Sargent
Nov '83 29. Controls - 6, Wiring the boards Mike Sargent
Jan '84 30. Structures for Bodmin - 1 John Hayes
Feb '84 31. Structures for Bodmin - 2 John Hayes
Apr '84 32. Structures for Bodmin - 3 John Hayes
Jun '84  - Bodmin Goods Shed, Scale drawing  
Oct '84 33. Operation Mike Sargent

 

This page created  by  Keith Norgrove who will be pleased to receive suggestions for additions.
Back to History Index, Back to Site Map.

Back to Top of Page