Making a start, my P4 plank...

[John Donnelly]

Before jumping headlong in to a larger P4 layout, I've decided to start with a 4' * 1' shunting plank which will be completely self contained. Track consists of a single B6 turnout from a C&L kit and C&L flexi track. Scenics will consist of a large factory building with low relief factory building along the back. Pics below show the basic layout:





The cardboard box represents what will be a factory building which will hide a traverser which will give the impression of there being more off stage as it will be possible for a train to enter the factory on one line and come back out on the other so there are possibilities for shunting puzzles. The gap in the backscene shows how long the traverser will be, I just need to make the cuts in the track. To keep things simple the turnout operation will be old fashioned wire in tube.



The Class 20 is the only P4 loco I have at the moment but for the most part, motive power will be Class 03 & 08.

I hope by starting off small, I can learn as I go and may actually finish it...

John

[Terry Bendall]

I hope by starting off small, I can learn as I go and may actually finish it...

Big oak trees grow from small acorns John. The best way to learn how to do model making it to actually make something.

More power to your elbow, and when it is finished, let me know. I know of a certain exhibition that will be pleased to show your work if you want to come.

Terry Bendall

[Paul Willis]

Before jumping headlong in to a larger P4 layout, I've decided to start with a 4' * 1' shunting plank which will be completely self contained. ... for the most part, motive power will be Class 03 & 08.

If you'd like to see an example of what a newcomer to P4 modelling can do with a really good quality kit, and a little bit of patience and guidance, have a look on here for what John McAleely with the High Level Kits chassis for the 03.

You'll find the full story to read at Forum Index » The trains themselves » Diesel and Electric Locomotives >> High Level chassis kit for Class 03/04

Enjoy reading it!

Flymo

[DougN]

John as ervery one else will say you have made it over the first hurdle! Looking nice I must say. Before I built my OO layout I made a little board to try out techniques like Ballasting, landscaping etc. I would say that you have started at the right point build something that can be quickly get something running and keeps your interest up. I will look forward to seeing how well it develops.

[Terry Bendall]

If you'd like to see an example of what a newcomer to P4 modelling can do with a really good quality kit, and a little bit of patience and guidance, have a look on here for what John McAleely with the High Level Kits chassis for the 03

And John will be doing the Getting Started in P4 demonstration at Scaleforum this year.

Terry Bendall

[John Donnelly]

You'll find the full story to read at Forum Index » The trains themselves » Diesel and Electric Locomotives >> High Level chassis kit for Class 03/04

Thanks Flymo.

Progress continues first with the bridge at the left hand side:



I've added an additional track that will be accessible from the traverser so I can store a couple more wagons. Here's the track in place:



Which, once the building are complete, will not be visible from the viewing side:



Next job is the wiring which I'll be keeping nice and simple...

John

[John Donnelly]

As I didn't make it to Scaleforum this year, I figured the least I could do was some modelling so I've been working on the plank as the following pics show:

First up the left hand end where the 'works' building will go showing the concreted area and the simple traverser:



Next up the centre of the board with the single turnout. Track is all ballasted and the ballast and sleepers have had an initial coat of sleeper grime. Building are just for show and will be replaced by larger, scratch built units.



And finally the scenic beak at the left hand end. The plank can be used as a standalone shunting layout but there will be a fiddle yard to the left:



John

[Armchair Modeller]

Looking good John - it must be really satisfying to see a layout coming so close to completion.

The "scenic beak" you mention in your last paragraph sounds intriguing - a new concept for P4, maybe?

[John Donnelly]

The "scenic beak" you mention in your last paragraph sounds intriguing - a new concept for P4, maybe?

At least it'll give me an excuse to run Mallard up the track... I'll get me coat...

John

[grovenor-2685]

John,
For a first effort it looks very good, just a pointer for your next turnout build, maybe something missing from the C&L instructions, but your point blade tips should not be sitting in mid air as seen in http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/johndon1968/IMG_0903.jpg. The tips are always supported on the first slide chair.
Anyway, I look forward to seeing it develop.
Best regards
Keith

[John Donnelly]

Hi Keith,

Thanks for that the feedback is much appreciated, that's my fault to be honest, not the C&L instructions. When I was having the problems with the blades not sitting properly which you were good enough to assist with in another thread, I shortened the switch blades meaning they now sit where they do.

Still, that's what this plank is all about, getting any mistakes out of the way before I go large

John

[John Donnelly]

Work continues at the left hand end on the bridge and it's surroundings:



and here's what will be the mainstay of the loco fleet, the Hornby 08 with Ultrascale wheel conversion, a few odd details scratchbuilt by me and a paint job (not finished yet) by Cav Millward the builder of Outon Road http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index. ... uton-road/ over on RMWeb.



John

[John Fitton]

You have more scenery than me John! I have a few hundred feet of track and about 20 turnouts, but nary a tree to be seen!

John Fitton

[Andy W]

Trees are over-rated. Great big wooden things with green on them.

[Paul Willis]

Trees are over-rated. Great big wooden things with green on them.

What? Card tables?

Flymo

[John Donnelly]

Made a start on the buildings that will form the backscene using Wills sheets.





John

[John Donnelly]

A little progress to report, I've started work on detailing the small 'office' building at the back. Brick is Wills sheets which have had a coat of Stone Grey for the mortar which was painted on then rubbed of with a finger and painting of the brick work has started. Roof tiles are from York Model Making (which are aligned incorrectly in the photo so that section of roof will be going to the rear of the building, window frame is Wills and the rest is various sizes of Evergreen strip. The building is loosely based on one of 3 that used to sit at the east end of Newcastle Central Station.



John

[Armchair Modeller]

The effect you have achieved on the brickwork looks great

[Mark Tatlow]

John,

I enjoy your postings of your little plank, you are making a grand job and the picture of the peak in particular had a real feel for it.

Can I make one suggestion regarding your small office? I don't think you would be able to get a pitched roof on something as small as this behind parapet gutters and it looks a tad strange to me as a result. Why not just give it a flat roof as a 1940/50s building like this (with the crittal windows) probably would have just had a felted or asphalted roof?

Just a suggestion!

[John Donnelly]

Thanks for the comments gents, much appreciated.

Mark, the prototype that the building is loosly based on does have a pitched roof as shown here:



The actual building I'm using as a basis is off the bottom right but has the same roof as the building visible bottom right albeit the pitch is probably slightly lower than on the model.

John

[John Donnelly]

I've decided to kill off the plank as, operationally, there were a number of problems mainly due to a lack of planning so I've started again with another that if 4' long but a bit wider this time that consists of what is, essentially, an inglenook track plan as shown below:



I'm yet to decide whether to make the track at the far left run the full length of the board so I can run 'through' trains behind the shunting in the yard. Scenic breaks will be sheds at either end.

John

[Armchair Modeller]

Good luck with the new project - I feel sure the experience will be well worthwhile

[Knuckles]

You've made a small shunting test plank with which I found interesting, and now your about to start another. Authough I won't discourage would not a small mini layout be more fun? The one I'm making is only 6' x 1' and still is basically a P4 test plank of sorts. Loads aof mistakes and lessons have already come about.

I'll be watching with interest whatever happens though. Happy modelling.

[John Donnelly]

Thanks gents,

Knuckles - as this will be 'the' layout for a while, it became clear that the original plan would not allow for much in the way of 'playing trains' hence the new layout which is still just 4 feet long so no longer but a little wider than the original.

John

[John Donnelly]

Turnouts and connecting track have all be laid and wired this afternoon so I've been able to play trains .



Need to decide what sort of couplings I'll be using and whether to go for wire in tube or motors for the turnouts...

John