Why I’ve ended up modelling in Scale7

So why have I chosen to model using ScaleSeven standards? I was never really into 4mm modelling mainly because my Dad was modelling in 7mm and it seemed to be a good size, big enough for engineering detail to be included but not too big to be cumbersome. So why pick ScaleSeven rather than the usual 32mm (narrow) gauge. The first locos I built were to the standard 32mm locos but then for my next project I decided to build an Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0, mainly because my Dad had a nice photo of one at Manchester Victoria station .

The construction was started as usual. A simple sprung chassis was built. For the loco body it is a fairly open design with no obvious footplate from front to rear, so the best solution seemed to be to build the boiler first. The cab would then hang from the back of the boiler and the smokebox and front end would hang from the front. When I started building the running plate, steam pipes and the cylinders it just didn’t look right. The running plate along the side just wasn’t in the right proportion and it upset the balance of the model. Due to the narrow gauge the footplate was 18mm wide to meet the frames whereas it should have been 15.5mm wide. It may not sound much but it’s the error is just over 16% and it makes a significant difference. It just doesn’t capture the delicately proportioned dimensions of the prototype  This also led to a few difficulties making the cylinders. The front of them are set to meet the dummy front frames but the rear is quite deep because it has to meet the narrow chassis frames.  Hopefully the photographs illustrate the discrepancies. So that’s when I decided to switch to ScaleSeven, I considered it would be easier than 32mm as it would avoid some of these compromises.

Also I think that the track work in ScaleSeven looks a lot better which I hope to demonstrate in my Tewkesbury postings. Just witness the plethora of new “finescale” 7mm standards, I can’t keep up with the various flavours of 31.5mm gauges. All aiming to get better looking track but still persevering with narrow frames, I just think it’s easier to go to ScaleSeven.