There are two ways to deal with personal biases. One is to pretend they do not exist, and bend over to eliminate any trace of them. This, however,often produces undeclared judgements which contain misleading or even false opinions. These can be especially vexing for new players, unaware of the tug of long-standing undercurrents of controversy. It is no fun to be told that something is "impractible" or "beyond a beginner's capacity" only to find out, too late, that others are happily doing it. Far too many commentators in the model Press have taken such oracular responsibilities on themselves -- often with no real qualifications to do so.

The alternative is to declare one's prejudices immediately. The reader is then aware of them, and can make the necessary adjustments -- judiciously, one hopes!

These pages record the writer's work and experiences. He models in 4mm scale, and uses Protofour (P4) wheel standards. His track gauges are 22mm, 13.12, and 10mm,representing broad, metre and 2ft 6in gauges. Using the established international notation, in which scale precedes gauge, these are P4b5½, P4nm, and P4n2½. The reasons for adopting fine scale standards and the exact scale track gauges were spelt out in an article in the Continental Modeller in 1991, but may be recapped briefly here.

4mm scale was chosen partly because the author was already modelling in it, and it was convenient. However, another powerful reason was the availability of parts, especially wheels, track components, and detailing materials. As noted in the discussion on scale and gauge, this may be more important than using an existing track gauge. Exact gauges were adopted to maintain correct proportions, especially where different gauges meet. As to standards, there was no hesitation in adopting fine scale, since experience with P4 standards in standard gauge had shown that they were, if anything, easier to work to than British OO (which has a track gauge of 16.5mm, the same as HO and equivalent to 4ft 1½ins), since there were standard dimensions for components and prototype dimensions could normally be followed without great stress. That decision has been fully vindicated. Where narrow gauge is concerned, indeed, developments have overtaken that choice, since a growing interest in "exact scale" narrow gauge has led to the reduced gauge P4 standards looking positively coarse.

PROOF OF THE PUDDING: SOME MODEL PICTURES

Photos by K.J. Walker
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These photos will be changed from time to time - as the shutter takes me.

The Barfi Light Railway
The BLR is based on two long defunct lines in Southern India. It is to 4mm:1ft scale (1:76.2), uses finescale (P4) wheel standards, and runs on 10mm gauge track, for a correct 2ft 6ins gauge. The title of the railway is a deliberate pun. All track, scenery, and stock are scratch-built.


Led by a PL class 0-6-4T, a train passes the Chinnapet Home signal. The van is one of the Barsi Light Railway's 25ft types.

The PL leads a train across the Chinnanadhi.

A ZB 2-6-2 crosses the Chinnanadhi with a train. Arriving at Kutcha Bazar station.