There's just over a month to go to Scaleforum 2016...
This year is the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Scalefour Society and it is 50 years since the Protofour Standards were published. A special section this year will cover some of the history of the Society and the early days of P4 modelling. This display is being assembled by Iain Rice, and will include a section of the East Suffolk Light Railway which did much to raise awareness of P4 modelling.
The Scalefour Society aims to continue to bring visitors to the show some of the very best of 4mm scale railway modelling and the broad mix of attractions that have been enjoyed for many years, with high quality layouts, knowledgeable demonstrators and a wide range of traders to meet all possible model making needs.
Advance booking
It’s possible to beat the queues to enter with the Society’s online ticket sales. Advance tickets are on sale via the Society’s website. Visitors can buy their tickets online at The Scalefour Society to save time and get early entry.
This special feature will allow entry 15 minutes before the main opening time. Advance ticket sales are now live. Tickets are valid for the entire weekend, allowing visitors to enjoy the show on both days, perhaps returning on the Sunday to have a more in-depth look at the layouts and to spend more time chatting with demonstrators on the second day of the show.
The layouts
As always, the layouts at Scaleforum are the main reason that people come and this year we have continued to provide a wide range of different periods and types.
Lee-on-the-Solent
Built originally by professional modelmaker Colin Hayward, this was one of the very first examples of a layout built to P4 standards on the exhibition circuit. Now in the care of the South Hants Area Group of the Scalefour Society, and with new trackwork laid, the model is substantially as it always was and represents a failed attempt to establish a new seaside town on the east side of the Solent.
Ferring
Although there is a real place called Ferring on the south coast, its station never reached the extent depicted by Michael’s model. Ferring is firmly based on the practice of the LBSCR with buildings being modelled on real examples from the area covered by that company.
Green Street
Green Street is set in the London area in the early 1960s and features a terminus station fed by a sector plate fiddleyard. An off-scene industrial area together with sidings feeding a power station ensure a busy freight service.
Balcombe viaduct and Balcombe
The model of the viaduct, the prototype of which can been seen in rural Sussex supporting the London to Brighton main line, was seen in its early stages at Scaleforum 2011 and the layout has now progressed to an almost-finished condition. Measuring an impressive 46ft x 18ft, the layout is intended to be seen ‘in the round’ and is an example of a very large layout built to P4 standards.
Withdrawn. Please see update post below.
Chiseldon
Representing the rarely modelled Midland and South Western Junction Railway, a line that challenged the Great Western for traffic and business, providing an alternative route from the West Midlands to the South of England.
Sidmouth
A layout that is new to the exhibition circuit and which has already been much admired is an exact representation of the Devon town of that name. Set in Southern Region days this finely crafted layout has appeared in the pages of Model Railway Journal.
Shelvington
Another fairly new layout is set in west Surrey during the late 1970s at the end of an electric line off the Portsmouth Direct from Worplesdon and with a dieselised branch back to Guildford completing the third leg of the triangle.
Pwllheli
A first attempt at layout building by Jonathan Buckie and represents the town of that name on the Llyn peninsula in North Wales as it appeared between 2000 and 2012. Locos and stock are based on those recorded as running on the Cambrian Coast line in the period being modelled and the majority of the buildings have been constructed by laser cutting.
Longcarse West
Completing the line-up of layouts built to P4 standards and built originally by David Furmage for the Scalefour Society’s Diesel and Electric Layout Challenge, the layout is now owned by Simon Bendall. Longcarse West is based on a few run-down sidings in the Alloa area of central Scotland. The layout will be shown at Scaleforum set in the early 1980s.
The demonstrators and help desks
Scaleforum 2016 will feature the usual range of high-quality demonstrations on a range of topics. Following on from the success of the Area Group demonstration last year, the Glevum Area Group have taken on the challenge of providing a similar range of topics this year. Coach construction will be covered by Ralph Robertson, while Martin Finney and Tom Mallard will make a return visit to deal with loco construction.
The all-important methods of getting started in P4 will this year be covered by Richard Simmonds, with Pete Degnan and Bill Wilson covering the modelling of the diesel and electric era and bringing with them sections of their layouts currently under construction. Jim Smith-Wright will show how the humble diesel multiple unit can be accurately modelled and we welcome again Howard Bolton to run a help desk on track construction, and Roger Sawyer who will once again be explaining the mysteries of soldering.
Traders
In addition to all of these attractions, there will be the extensive range of traders for which Scaleforum is well known. At the time of writing nearly 50 of the best specialist traders will be present to supply all types of kits, tools and materials.
Scaleforum 2016 promises to be an excellent show with a superb mix of old favourites and new developments. Come along and enjoy the fun!
So don’t forget!
Scaleforum 2016 – Stoke Mandeville Stadium – 24 & 25 September 2016
Prices on the door: Society Members - £6 Non Members - £9
Tickets are valid for both days. Partners and accompanied children are admitted free
Full details, including the listings of layouts and traders, and a free downloadable show guide are available on the Scalefour Society website
Scaleforum 2016 | Shows | Scalefour Society
This year is the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Scalefour Society and it is 50 years since the Protofour Standards were published. A special section this year will cover some of the history of the Society and the early days of P4 modelling. This display is being assembled by Iain Rice, and will include a section of the East Suffolk Light Railway which did much to raise awareness of P4 modelling.
The Scalefour Society aims to continue to bring visitors to the show some of the very best of 4mm scale railway modelling and the broad mix of attractions that have been enjoyed for many years, with high quality layouts, knowledgeable demonstrators and a wide range of traders to meet all possible model making needs.
Advance booking
It’s possible to beat the queues to enter with the Society’s online ticket sales. Advance tickets are on sale via the Society’s website. Visitors can buy their tickets online at The Scalefour Society to save time and get early entry.
This special feature will allow entry 15 minutes before the main opening time. Advance ticket sales are now live. Tickets are valid for the entire weekend, allowing visitors to enjoy the show on both days, perhaps returning on the Sunday to have a more in-depth look at the layouts and to spend more time chatting with demonstrators on the second day of the show.
The layouts
As always, the layouts at Scaleforum are the main reason that people come and this year we have continued to provide a wide range of different periods and types.
Lee-on-the-Solent
Built originally by professional modelmaker Colin Hayward, this was one of the very first examples of a layout built to P4 standards on the exhibition circuit. Now in the care of the South Hants Area Group of the Scalefour Society, and with new trackwork laid, the model is substantially as it always was and represents a failed attempt to establish a new seaside town on the east side of the Solent.
Ferring
Although there is a real place called Ferring on the south coast, its station never reached the extent depicted by Michael’s model. Ferring is firmly based on the practice of the LBSCR with buildings being modelled on real examples from the area covered by that company.
Green Street
Green Street is set in the London area in the early 1960s and features a terminus station fed by a sector plate fiddleyard. An off-scene industrial area together with sidings feeding a power station ensure a busy freight service.
Balcombe viaduct and Balcombe
The model of the viaduct, the prototype of which can been seen in rural Sussex supporting the London to Brighton main line, was seen in its early stages at Scaleforum 2011 and the layout has now progressed to an almost-finished condition. Measuring an impressive 46ft x 18ft, the layout is intended to be seen ‘in the round’ and is an example of a very large layout built to P4 standards.
Withdrawn. Please see update post below.
Chiseldon
Representing the rarely modelled Midland and South Western Junction Railway, a line that challenged the Great Western for traffic and business, providing an alternative route from the West Midlands to the South of England.
Sidmouth
A layout that is new to the exhibition circuit and which has already been much admired is an exact representation of the Devon town of that name. Set in Southern Region days this finely crafted layout has appeared in the pages of Model Railway Journal.
Shelvington
Another fairly new layout is set in west Surrey during the late 1970s at the end of an electric line off the Portsmouth Direct from Worplesdon and with a dieselised branch back to Guildford completing the third leg of the triangle.
Pwllheli
A first attempt at layout building by Jonathan Buckie and represents the town of that name on the Llyn peninsula in North Wales as it appeared between 2000 and 2012. Locos and stock are based on those recorded as running on the Cambrian Coast line in the period being modelled and the majority of the buildings have been constructed by laser cutting.
Longcarse West
Completing the line-up of layouts built to P4 standards and built originally by David Furmage for the Scalefour Society’s Diesel and Electric Layout Challenge, the layout is now owned by Simon Bendall. Longcarse West is based on a few run-down sidings in the Alloa area of central Scotland. The layout will be shown at Scaleforum set in the early 1980s.
The demonstrators and help desks
Scaleforum 2016 will feature the usual range of high-quality demonstrations on a range of topics. Following on from the success of the Area Group demonstration last year, the Glevum Area Group have taken on the challenge of providing a similar range of topics this year. Coach construction will be covered by Ralph Robertson, while Martin Finney and Tom Mallard will make a return visit to deal with loco construction.
The all-important methods of getting started in P4 will this year be covered by Richard Simmonds, with Pete Degnan and Bill Wilson covering the modelling of the diesel and electric era and bringing with them sections of their layouts currently under construction. Jim Smith-Wright will show how the humble diesel multiple unit can be accurately modelled and we welcome again Howard Bolton to run a help desk on track construction, and Roger Sawyer who will once again be explaining the mysteries of soldering.
Traders
In addition to all of these attractions, there will be the extensive range of traders for which Scaleforum is well known. At the time of writing nearly 50 of the best specialist traders will be present to supply all types of kits, tools and materials.
Scaleforum 2016 promises to be an excellent show with a superb mix of old favourites and new developments. Come along and enjoy the fun!
So don’t forget!
Scaleforum 2016 – Stoke Mandeville Stadium – 24 & 25 September 2016
Prices on the door: Society Members - £6 Non Members - £9
Tickets are valid for both days. Partners and accompanied children are admitted free
Full details, including the listings of layouts and traders, and a free downloadable show guide are available on the Scalefour Society website
Scaleforum 2016 | Shows | Scalefour Society
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