WHAT IS "FINESCALE"?

As the name suggests, finescale describes an attitude to modelling, the aim of which is that models should be as accurate and realistic as possible.
Many of the techniques the Society has developed, and the components it sells, work well with all 4mm standards, including 00 and EM. However, we believe that true finescale standards begin with wheels and track, and the Scalefour Society promotes a set of standards called Protofour, P4 for short, which produce trackwork to an accurate standard gauge of 18.83mm, and correctly-profiled wheels. Full details of the standards are available in this .pdf file.

Models built to P4 standards not only look more realistic than the products of the big manufacturers, they also - in return for only a little more effort - work more reliably because all the individual items have been specifically designed to complement one another.  However, you do not have to be an expert engineer to work in P4. The hard work is done for you by the use of ready-made components, jigs, and gauges.

Have a look at this Supplement to 'British Railway Modelling' for more guidance on how and why  to "Move to P4"

SOCIETY ORIGINS

Protofour was developed in the late 1960s and set out track and wheel standards as close in accuracy as possible to a true scale reproduction of the UK standard gauge prototype track. It was a concept developed and introduced by the Model Railway Study Group (MRSG) who started the 'Protofour Society' to assist in its promotion. The MRSG arranged for components to be marketed under the trade name Studiolith, trying to keep close control on production to ensure that the concept did not suffer from supply of poor quality parts. This policy backfired somewhat as demand increased and Studiolith could not keep pace.  The Scalefour Society evolved in 1975 as a breakaway from these constraints, whilst retaining the basic dimensional principles and concept.  Eventually the two Societies were reconciled and merged under the Scalefour name.

The Scalefour Society remains as the primary custodian and promoter of the original P4 standards, these being basically the use of accurate scale wheels on a track gauge of 18.83mm for UK standard gauge, and 21mm for the Irish 5'3" gauge. P4 principles are also applied to other prototype track gauges modelled at 4mm scale. The Scalefour Society also encompasses the overall concept of finescale modelling - models built as closely to true scale dimensions as is practical, and operated as authentically as possible. 

It has to be accepted that P4 is not an out-of-the-box concept. Kit-building is probably the commonest approach, although most proprietary locomotives and rolling stock can be converted to P4, some more easily than others. In particular, the conversion of ready-to-run diesels is made relatively easy by commercially available 'drop-in' wheelsets. Plain track can be bought, but pointwork falls into the d-i-y category, although kits are available for the more common items of pointwork and parts for several well developed track construction systems are available from trade suppliers and the Society's own Stores.  

Our links page will get you to the websites of the many suppliers providing kits and components to P4 standards.

IS THE TERMINOLOGY CAUSING YOU CONFUSION?

Protofour, P4, S4, Scalefour? Basically Protofour, abbreviated to P4, is the published standard for track and wheels supported by the Scalefour Society.  S4 is used to refer to the use of tighter construction tolerances than the P4 standard by a few members.  (Sometimes S4 is used as a synonym for P4 in reference to the standard, or as an abbreviation for 'Scalefour'.  These usages can cause confusion and are discouraged by the Society).

ABOUT THE SOCIETY

The Society's main contact with its members is through this website and through Scalefour News, a quality, professionally printed, magazine which is published five times a year, and provides up to date information on new developments and products, Society activities, modelling advice, and reviews.

More technical information is published through the Scalefour Digest which covers a wide range of topics from basic track building to more advanced techniques. A set of published Digest sheets is sent to new members when they join and new ones are sent to existing members as they are issued. Copies can also be downloaded by members as required from the private section of this website.

The Society also runs a network of Area Groups, both in the UK and abroad, through which members can keep in touch with one another and, in many cases, work together on joint layouts and other projects. In addition to the Area Groups there is also a Narrow Gauge Study Group dedicated to developing and using scale standards for narrow gauges.

The Society's main annual showcase is Scaleforum, one of the UK's top finescale exhibitions. Scaleforum is traditionally held in late September, usually at a venue near to and readily accessible from London, and offers an opportunity to see new techniques and products, to view a range of working layouts built to Protofour standards, to see demonstrations by experts, to meet friends and fellow-modellers, and to purchase items from the Scalefour Stores.