Ferring: A P4 scale layout

from Mike Ball of the Epsom and Ewell MRC

photographs courtesy of Tony Wright

FERRING is the terminus of a fictional branch off the Brighton to Portsmouth line near Goring, Sussex, set in 1911. We try to portray typical L.B.S.C.R. practise of the time and to capture a 'Brighton' atmosphere, most of the buildings are based on real ones. The signalbox is from Eastbourne, the water tank house from Dorking and the goods shed from Epsom Town. The station building is modelled on that built at Hove in 1865. The twin arched road bridge has a prototype in Cheam. Dictated by the track layout, the somewhat complicated signals are hand made using parts from various manufacturers. All signals are operational, yes even the ground signals. Rolling stock and loco's are mainly from kits. Liveries include Marshe's umber for passenger loco's and black for goods engines. Some retain their Stroudley colours where the goods engines are dark green. By 1911, the coach livery was a rather dull brown, but we have some in the earlier umber and white. The set of four-wheelers is in varnished mahogany.

    When viewing the layout, the branch climbs the bank and enters a cutting beyond the bridge. Watch out for the "Motor train" from Brighton. Apart from general goods traffic, many cattle wagons can be seen. The low level line behind the turn-table brings coal and timber up from the wharf. As most engines travel chimney first, the turn-table is in frequent use. The scale of the layout is 4mm:lft and the track, handmade to P4 standards, is laid to a gauge of 18.83mm. There are three controllers, two switch panels and a 50 lever frame. Most of the points and signals are mechanically operated by wires, cranks and springs, even across baseboard joints! Some slow acting point motors have recently been installed. Ferring has been progressing for several years and some of the features mentioned are not yet finished. We like to talk about the layout, so if you want to know HOW, WHY or WHAT, please ask.