Britain's Finest Model Railway - Semley - Finescale P4 Layout

Back in 2020 I had the opportunity to visit one of Britain's finest model railways - Semley - Martin Finney and his team's stunning recreation of the highest point on the Salisbury & Yeovil Railway in P4.
The layout is a scale replica of the real station on the London & South Western main line to Exeter, meticulously recreated in P4. All points and signals are mechanically operated by a 1:12 scale replica of a Stevens frame - similar to the real signalling frame installed in the real Semley Box - with trains running to the timetable as of Tuesday 2 July 1912!
In this video we see just a small selection of the 31 timetabled trains passing through Semley edited with real sound. Sounds are provided by a number of prototypical and similar locomotives from my collection, captured at various Gala and Preserved Railways over the past few years.
For further details on Martin Finney's stunning work can be seen the February 2020 Issue of Railway Modeller.
Hope you enjoy!

[@mattwhelan13]

something so very satisfying about seeing P4. As a child I always used to see a disconnect between the locomotives I saw in museums and heritage lines with OO models. This is much more like it

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks Matt. Glad you enjoyed it

[@clangerbasher]

The track work is achingly beautiful.

[@SDJR7F88]

Truly is a work of art in itself

[@kenstevens5065]

Very accurate trackwork for the time, ballast up to and at times over the sleepers. Very well done.

[@40093jjmia]

I'm from America and what astonishes Me is how you guys can put so much room in small layouts and 8 especially love ones that are one scene areas like two tunnels on both ends of the curve so that every scene on one layout is on one side.

[@SDJR7F88]

Glad you enjoyed like it! Really is a stunning set-up

[@Ballinalower]

I don't know if you may already be a professional camera person but when I watch your videos I think you should or could be. I am in my 80s now but for most of my life I was a Television producer and Director making documentaries and scripted shows for various ITV companies and the BBC and several American networks. So I worked with a lot of DPs and camera people and quite a few of them, while good, did not have quite your 'eye' or precise sense of composition. If you are not in the business and are still young you might consider putting together a 3 minute showreel and approach some production companies. Of course you may be well advanced in some other business altogether so please forgive me for thinking that my own world is the only one that matters.

[@highdownmartin]

As a consumer who knows very little, I second your comments on the composition and framing and the way this video has been put together. It’s a very detailed railway and the photography does it justice. If all I could think was that the headshunt wall would have weeds and ferns and moss growing on it, then there is nothing else to criticise or jar.

[@Knightscastle54]

Exceptional filming and editing for a truly accurate layout. One of the best I’ve seen on YT and better than a DVD that come free in magazines.

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks indeed and glad you enjoyed it! Was a privilege to get to see the layout in the flesh. Truly exceptional modelling

[@rinusvandenberg3041]

Great railway layout. Beautiful locomotivs and carriages in fine colours. Very enjoyable to watch. Great sounds edited. Thanks 🚂

[@SDJR7F88]

Truly is a work of art! All stock is hand built too! Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnbristow8099]

Definately one of the best model railway videos I have seen.

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks indeed John! True credit to Martin's modelling

[@CIS101]

One of the finest train layouts I have ever seen ! Beautiful !

[@SDJR7F88]

Glad you enjoyed it. Really is a superb layout

[@ep1981]

Thanks for including some of the real “modeller’s eye” shots - the foliage close ups etc. As others have said I don’t have the time, patience, budget or skills for finescale modelling, but there’s something about it that just looks “right” when done properly. It helps too that this model has extremely smooth track, so the normal bounciness that gives away most models isn’t present.

[@SDJR7F88]

No worries Ed. Little close-up like that I find always help ideas on details I wish to try an emulate. Truly is a work of art!

[@tracynation2820]

A super video. Hello from the Tracy Mountain Railway in Colorado. 💙 T.E.N.

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks Tracy. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@2010ditta]

Amazing. Love the way you matched the authentic sounds with the speed of the loco's. All the best.

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks! Takes quite a bit of editing and time adjusting, but the results are well worth it :)

[@Jimyjames73]

Perfect Timing with your sound effects as per usual 🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks!

[@ufoburnout]

Speed and sound matched up beautifully. I could go to sleep to that sound. Beautiful layout. I'm looking into adding translucent lcds for animations to the inside of my coaches. Possibly to windows and buildings around my o gauge layout. I'll have to put a video up.

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks indeed. Glad you enjoyed it

[@davidashworth5740]

Absolutely inspiring, what a magnificent little layout!

[@calibrais]

I second that...! Callum, this was a magical treat to watch, and will go down as one of my all time favourites. Will watch again in the morning, but as Ballinalower says, if this is your own photography, and I'm 1000% certain it is, then you have a great future ahead of you - if you choose to go into professional camera work either full-time or as a side matter. All the best, Greg, N.Z.

[@normfredriksen1381]

The grasses, shrubbery and background fade are outstanding even among the best.

[@SDJR7F88]

Always finds that makes a layout. Gives it a real sense of depth

[@grim-up-north2951]

Thanks for sharing this. You have proved once more your skill at capturing the atmosphere of model railways. Great video!

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks. Glad you enjoyed it

[@kevindevine7597]

Superb filming and sound editing. A credit to you.

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks Kevin.

[@dean9265]

Really good, personally I prefer weathering for realism, but as a video the sound clips and photography are excellent! 👍

[@SDJR7F88]

Cheers. Glad you enjoyed the edit

[@RicktheRecorder]

Delightful, accurate, modelling, though pristine. I didn't see much mud or evidence of the rain that made those green fields.

[@rogercarrell]

Semley is excellence in railway modelling. I, too, model to P4 in Western Australia having been a Nine Elms and, later, Basingstoke fireman in the 1960s. We still had a 'Black Motor' or two then also!

[@SDJR7F88]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Really is a superb set-up. Nice! Do you have any footage of it?

[@Meengineer100]

That was a pleasure to watch! Brilliantly put together! The layout and models are stunningly detailed, gives a sense of actually being there.

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks ever so much mate! Real does take you back to the period. Could watch trains pass all day

[@trainmanbob]

This is too good for words. Absolute magnificence created by a real modeller. Thanks for sharing Callum. Cheers, Bob

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks Bob. Truly is a work of art!

[@paulbambrick9762]

Great job, nice to see it on YT and with sound!

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks Paul! Really is a work of art! Could watch trains passing by for hours

[@Brinkly1000]

Oh wow! I’ve seen photographs of this layout in MRJ but never footage - it is stunning! More of this if there is any, please! Great camera work.

[@SDJR7F88]

Really is a work of art. Sadly this is all I got video wise of the layout in action. Maybe there might be another chance to visit again one day

[@billmasen3923]

O M G, I have been railway modelling since 1976 and have never seen such a fine quality layout.

[@SDJR7F88]

Glad you like it. Really is some excellent modelling

[@trainsontuesday]

That is gorgeous, thank you for sharing it Callum. Regards, David.

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks David

[@iantregale7399]

looks amazing so well done I would love to take some photos of a layout like that so much detail there

[@SDJR7F88]

Theres a full article on the layout with lots of images in the February 2020 issue of Railway Modeller :)

[@mossmonaco9061]

Perfection. Inspirational. Thank you.

[@SDJR7F88]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jamesthick6078]

You were privileged to be invited into Martin’s shed .. 😁👍🏻

[@SDJR7F88]

Indeed! Was great to get to see Semley in the flesh.

[@Tinhat47]

Love all that LSWR goodness!

[@SDJR7F88]

Oh yes! Certainly can't get much better than that!

[@fircombehallrailwayoogauge1430]

Lovely footage Callam. Super layout.

[@SDJR7F88]

Truly is a work of art

[@louisgibson5941]

The sound editing is perfect. Nice work.

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed the edit

[@rossadams8281]

Great video. As a child my mother and I would use the real Semely station to visit my auntie and her family so it brough back many fond memories.

[@SDJR7F88]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@zorro123]

What for a nice landscape. And the beautiful British trains. Fantastic 😀. Best wishes Detlef

[@SDJR7F88]

Really is a work of art. Glad you enjoyed it

[@donsharpe5786]

I did wonder if we would have a milk pick up, Semley being one of the places milk was picked up and sent to London. A lovely period piece. Thanks for sharing.

[@SDJR7F88]

Really is a stunning layout. The level of detail, down to the running of the timetable and service on one day in 1912 is quite something. Really make you feel as if you where there

[@johnlunnun9769]

Beautiful, the glorious LSWR, done so well!

[@SDJR7F88]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnlunnun9769]

You bet!!!

[@itsmeintorrespain2714]

Otherwise known as the Long & Slow Way Round which was probably perpetrated by the competition, the GWR. I lived beside its mainline near Woking for all of my childhood.

[@johnlunnun9769]

Probably as revenge for the Great Westerns epithet, “ The great way round “!

[@donniblanco5239]

Bootiful - Gr8 Skills 👍🏻✨

[@joshslater2426]

The level of realism is phenomenal, and the locos and carriages are gorgeous. I can see why Chris seen Green used footage of this for locos that no longer exist in his LSWR T3 video. They’re that good!

[@SDJR7F88]

Really is a stunning layout. Certainly give the feel of the period.

[@patrickmurphy6775]

Beautiful railroad!!!

[@SDJR7F88]

Thank you very much!

[@RobA500]

A very nice layout indeed, I haven't got the skill to build to P4 standard so have to stick to what I get out of a box. Great editing as well you have mastered the sound placement well though you did miss the opportunity of a nice clunk sound of the signal changing.

[@SDJR7F88]

Truly is a work of art! Don't think I would have the patience or skill myself either. Well spotted! So pleased how with how well that little edit turned out ;)

[@johnmboon]

Superb.

[@SDJR7F88]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@JamesSmith-mv9fp]

Ah ha ! It would seem that layouts of this standard are virtually a thing of the past ! Judging by the rubbish I see posted of layouts at British exhibitions ! So this latest Martin Finney layout is a real treat. Love the Drummond D15 4-4-0 in original condition & all those beautiful LSWR coaches. P4 (18.83mm gauge) is sadly a virtual impossibility where I live overseas. Excellent film, any more of this layout?

[@grahampartridge9335]

Lovely modeling

[@SDJR7F88]

Truly is a work of art

[@mr.shadestrains6033]

Very nice 🚂❤️😎👍👍👍👍👍

[@SDJR7F88]

Thanks

[@johnpandolfino8663]

So nice to see what European model train railroads are like......

[@SDJR7F88]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@SuperPhilip1]

very good station👍😀

[@SDJR7F88]

Certainly is a stunning model

[@KeanesCove]

Just subscribed. I love your channel. It’s so well filmedI wish my you tube videos were as good!

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks indeed Debbie. I wouldn't say my videos are that well film. All comes with time and practice :)

[@nicolascastanoperez2310]

Excelent. 😊😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤

[@SDJR7F88]

Cheers

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Just wow, I mean that railway is stunning, my dad would have been in his element. Brilliantly filmed Callum. Are the sounds your own work? Synch is perfect. New camera?

[@SDJR7F88]

Really is a work of art. The mechanical signalling is something else! Yep, most captured down at Swanage. Sadly not new camera yet, but hopefully one day

[@MrDavil43]

What an amazing example of the finest standards of railway modelling. How do we get to see this for real? And the filming is top drawer too!

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks indeed and glad you enjoyed the editing. The layout is privately owned I'm afraid

[@pim1234]

Wow what a beautiful railway ! Where can you get those detailed peoples and animals ??? And did you painted them yourself ?

[@CarlosFuentes-fk8md]

Hermosa maqueta ferroviaria, de tiempos en que los hijos respetaban a sus padres y profesores, y en la que los padres realmente amaban a sus hijos.

[@nickrails]

First layout where I've seen point indicators represented

[@SDJR7F88]

It's all the little details like that, that count

[@johnlewsey4458]

Superb....... Just...... Superb Are you going to do some more?

[@SDJR7F88]

Would love to visit again at some point, so you never know

[@johnjeanb]

Simply fantastic. Quoi dire d'autre sinon merci beaucoup?

[@SDJR7F88]

Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed

[@smoppett]

You mentioned the lever frame, but I was disappointed you didn't show it. Great video though.

[@SDJR7F88]

Hi Simon, further details on the layout and info on the lever frames can be seen in the February 2020 issue of Railway Modeller 👍

[@musoseven8218]

A cracking video of a stunning and remarkable model. However, even for the chosen era, I can't help but think that the locos, stock and railway infrastructure are all too clean🤔🤔

[@highdownmartin]

I’d agree but we know we’re nitpicking! A touch of weathering and some ferns growing in the raised headshunt wall would do it.

[@musoseven8218]

@@highdownmartin It's a critique from my POV, my eye is drawn to the cleanliness. Yet if it were built for me, I wouldn't grumble - I hope that makes my point that I was critiquing not criticising 😊👍✌️🤞

[@davidperkins3621]

I think Pendon may have some vies on the title of this video.

[@johnjephcote7636]

Yes, I remember Semley. I was after buying the real station but the there was a family in the adjoining house as sitting tenants and so I decided not to buy.

[@schutendohkji548]

Pls explain what P4 scale is. Is that H0 = 1/87th with fat mag wheel tire width? Prototype tyre width is usually ~5.5" but usual HO tyre (tire in the USA) = 10" with 5" deep flanges?

[@SDJR7F88]

P4 is 1/76 scale (same as OO), but with a track width of 18.83 mm (0.741 in), which is more to scale gauge then OO is

[@schutendohkji548]

@@SDJR7F88 Hmm, the prototype std ga = 4' 8.5" = 56.5"/76 = .743. OK, .741" is close nuf track ga iff (if n only if) the model bodies are also scaled down to 1/76. Then, the tyre width s/b 5.5"/76 = .072". Pretty skinny tire width but if the track n turnout check rails n frog gaps r laid out accurately, this fine scale should work. I'm from the USA and we don't use OO or 1/43 scale but our prototype locos n cars r bigger though the same std ga. so even at 1/48th scale (i.e., 1/4" = 1 ft, precisely, no mixture of units, like mix of metric n imperial, like 7mm/ft?) so it's much EZr to calculate the scale down or scale up to chk against the prototype. Un4-2-8ly, some idiot way back in the 1900s decided to make the #0 ga (aka Zero-gauge) 1 1/4" = 5' broad ga. so though our model bodies r 1/48th scale, they're running on the Russian 5' ga., nut (not) American model s/b accurate 56.5/48 = 1.177" ga. But the Proto:48 modelers do run on more accurate tyre width w the flange width and flange depth of close to 1/48th scale = .021" deep x .021" wide flange (many however uses .025" x .025" flanges). We have the same problem w #1 Ga (Don't call it G-scale ga. bc. dattts an LGB term, a narrow meter ga of 1/22.5 scale, not a scale for the Mainline prototype) = 1 3/8" ga ~45mm Ga. In the UK, bc their prototype locos n cars r smaller, the #1 Ga Mainline modelers like 10mm/ft (here again, complexity of calculation comes in bc of mixing the units, a bad idea). If u calculate this odd ball scale, it'll come out 2B a whooping bigger than the world standard #1 Ga of 1/32 (3/8" = 1'). It'll come out 2B 1/30.5 scale. Personally, i don't c much of the UK's 10mm/ft models here in the USA. So, i'm wondering where or how this big scale Mainline model running on the narrower 1 3/8" ga locomotive be compromised. Many of the UK Mainline loco's driver wheel splasher cowlings protrude out top of the running board. But if the boiler diameter is of 1/30.5 scale wide, then u can't have these splashers. So, must make the boiler and the cab narrower than this 1/30.5 or 10mm/ft scale. The model would look taller or narrower as viewed from the front or the rear? Make the boiler standing egg shaped? The driver whls themselves must b taller than the 1/32 scale so the splashers demselve must b also taller!!! However, there r fine scale 1/32 group in UK w none of this 10mm/ft odd ball problems, enjoying more prototypical proportioned bodies w finer correctly scaled wheel contours. Bigger scale have more weight so there r less problems from derailments too. Live steam is also possible, even w the UK's Mainline 0-scale of 1/43rd, running just as good as the bigger 1/32 live steamers. Ur model looks very nice n weathered too! Thx 4 the nice video!

[@schutendohkji548]

Incredible sounds for small scale locos. And very nice laid out tracks.

[@barrysergeant2438]

Lovely layout but prefer something I can relate to,late 50’s 60’s Bullied Pacific’s etc.

[@DaiElsan]

It's very good, but is it better than Pendon Museum?

[@Bernard-np2fq]

Superb but needs smoke and steam for perfection

[@pim1234]

Had to look up what fine scale was...is the same as N-scale basicly

[@amazi6542]

??????? Finescale means it is as accurate as you can get. A lot of scales can be "finescale." This layout is in P4 (prototypical 4mm), which is a more finescale OO gauge layout.

[@pim1234]

@@amazi6542 O, ok, I misunderstood then, my bad

[@amazi6542]

@@pim1234 It's all right! Glad I could clear up the misconception.

[@mikehogan9265]

I do enjoy model railways and the detail is great but not on the engines and rolling stock. I worked as a fireman on steam in South Africa in the 70's and working steam engines and rolling stock are always grubby.

[@mikebaker1588]

They were much cleaner in 1912

[@jordaneriksson5417]

AU Edward

[@samspade5962]

Why isn’t there any little men on the footplate?

[@SDJR7F88]

There are

[@user-ut9gr9mn2i]

Has anyone ever made Queen Victoria's Royal train

[@richardwyndham7666]

This needs a cat.

[@stuarthall6631]

Spoiled, as models often are, by an inattention to detail and a lack of observation. This video starts with track having the cleanest ballast known to man!

[@highdownmartin]

Who says it’s all finished yet, judicious weathering over the whole thing would be an improvement but overall it’s pretty damn good. And it runs very well

[@jeffsymons4535]

Can you post pictures of your layout please? It must be incredible for you to be so critical of this.

[@highdownmartin]

@@jeffsymons4535 I’m not critical at all. Perhaps I should have added that in my opinion it would be even more realistic if some weathering to the same standard as the running was applied. I was disarming the first post which really was critical.

[@reluctantanorak]

Excellent except for retaining wall on headshunt, looks like plastic and in real life might have had some growth of grass or moss

[@SDJR7F88]

Cheers! Glad you enjoyed the modelling

[@eddherring4972]

In no way trolling but title a clip “Britain’s Finest Model Railway” etc and you’re bound to leave yourself open. I’m not saying it isn’t great and I may be misreading the word ‘finest’ but I take finest to mean best, most detailed etc and this is not the case here. It’s good, it’s great, it’s detailed and so on. I have seen better and I quantify that by suggesting people who haven’t already seen them watch the various posts by Kier Hardy and his Hornsey Broadway finescale layout, it is superb. Following on having read some of the other comments about camera work I don’t think it’s anything special and although it is great to give credit where it’s due there is nothing outstanding here. So I suggest people watch what they want to and enjoy if the like but keep a grip on reality, it’s a finescale model railway which someone caught on camera. Having said all that, I watched this and enjoyed it, there is nothing wrong with it in my opinion it passed a few minutes and I don’t regret that. Thank you. Feel free to reply whether I’m right, wrong or whatever, you won’t get a reply. To the owner of the layout it’s lovely in setup and detail. I also love the rolling stock. Creative criticism would be that everything is too clean, there are no weeds or dirt and as with most model railways nothing is broken, not a fence post out of place or window broken. Reality is all around you, use it.

[@franktuckwell196]

I have seen no evidence of either train driver, fireman or guard, or passengers in the trains yet you claim this is the best, DUH!!

[@SDJR7F88]

Look closer...

[@highdownmartin]

The long shot at the start with the rolling down the track looking very authentic certainly is the best.

[@marshallgreen7815]

Good railroad but hardly the finest.

[@CJRSBK]

Very nice but I'll be truthful I've seen better on KZbin

[@SDJR7F88]

Good, good

[@66oggy]

Would be fantastic, but for one thing. Nothing is weathered, Loco's, rolling stock, buildings, ballast and the rest of the scenery. Sorry, but looks gaudy...... Real shame.

[@1977ajax]

Not sure what you mean by 'best', but some of the least convincing scenery painting and weathering I have seen.

[@user-ut9gr9mn2i]

Has anyone ever made Queen Victoria's Royal train