David Holman

Looks good to me, plus there is a lot of very nice 'gingerbread' detail on these models. How things have changed over the last few years - and still improving too.

A layout that just keeps on giving. I have always loved the 'railway in the landscape' concept, with less = more where track is concerned. Barrow Street is lifting things to new levels with its additional vertical elements. Not something many of us have space for, so all the more admirable.

Many thanks for the kind comments. It is great to know folk think my layouts are capturing the essence of rural Ireland, as that is very much the aim. As far as I'm aware, there is no Irish blood in me, but my visits have always been enjoyable. Inspiration comes from those photographers and authors who recorded the scene in the 30s onwards, so they are a vital source of reference. As my art teacher said many years ago - 'paint what you SEE, not what you think' and this forms the backbone of my modelling. Still doesn't mean I get it right, of course which is why this forum is so important for information and 'proof reading's of finished models.

Oh my. 4mm scale, 10 foot per storey = 180 feet and 720 mm, or two foot six in old money. Wouldn't like to do it in 7mm...

The maximum 'less is more' can be very important in track planning, so try not to be tempted by too much track and enjoy making the railway part of the overall scene.

Visually, keeping the running line radii as generous as possible is very important, though you can always hide the tightest bits with buildings/scenery I guess. Hence, mainline on the outside (where bogie stock will look better) and goods yard inside, where four wheel stock on tighter curves is less intrusive. Mind you, if that inner main line is currently no worse than say 30", it should be ok anyway.

Or Darleks! Not seeing the wheels is a bit of a negative, but their overall charm makes up for it, I think.

Eric and Erne Second Sharp, Stewart 0-4-2T Erne has now joined Eric [aka Blackwater] in the fleet. However, as neither of them have any crew yet, their cab roofs are not fixed. What I can now do is [sort of] recreate the Vic Welch painting on the cover of the original book by Dr Patterson. Erne was spray painted in Ford Laurel Green [using a Halford's spray can] and hand lettered with a fine nibbed dipping pen - initially in white acrylic ink & then gone over with a dark yellow fine marker pen. After, a small amount of shading was put in with a 0.3mm black drawing pen. This method has also enabled me to do the overlapping 'CV' logo on both tanks' sides.

Super NG stock and models, plus I guess the 0 gauge is (slightly) narrow too, but then I would say that! Lovely stuff, either way. Would I be right in thinking the SLNCR 'small tank' is the same a certain Mr Sullivan of this parish, brought to Cultra when Arigna Town was there two years ago? Or, is it the fifth such model I've now seen (my two, Richard Chown's, Des's, plus one more)? Or indeed 6th, as there are two of them. Nice 0-6-0 and 4-4-0 too. Where are they now I wonder?

You're never alone with a clone... Hay fever season in these parts, so despite the nice weather, it is easier for me to lurk in the workshop. Back at Expo Narrow Gauge at the end of October, I bought a second Clogher Valley Sharp Stewart 0-4-2T kit from Ragstone Models. Unusually for me, it has been malingering on a shelf for the last eight months, so it seemed time to get it built, especially as I'd bought the additional bits and pieces from the Branchlines stand at the Chatham exhibition three weeks ago. There is not much point in re-iterating how I built it, for the kit is pretty painless and goes together really well. The etches are very accurate [little filler needed], with good quality castings and sensible instructions. It has got this far in just a week. Hence a clone of Blackwater, the first model. This one will be 'Erne' and as per the colour plate on Dr Patterson's book, is going to be green. As can be seen, it has already been given a witness coat of primer. The chassis rolled beautifully first time the rods were added and, unlike last time, I am not going to faff around with trying to make Joy valve gear as the motion is all hidden under the skirts. The only differences to Blackwater lie under the surface, as I somehow ended up with a 30:1 gearbox, instead of 40:1. Hence Blackwater will not be challenging it to a race.

And Hatton's are bringing one out soon for a mere £750... Am sure there will be plenty of takers, but Eoin's model shows that the journey can be so much more than the destination! As for livery, it is his customer's choice of course, bit for me, growing up by the East Coast mainline, it would have to be Brunswick green. All it needs now will be a rake of ten Gresley coaches...

One of these on my list as a 7mm scale model, so lovely to see it done so well in 4mm. Not tried citrus flux before, but certainly looks decent stuff. My Powerflux works a treat, but requires regular cleaning as I go along or everything will be green next day! Stainless steel sink cleaner does the job though.

Am just starting on researching a future project and am interested in the following, please: Woodwork colours on WLW, MGW and GSR buildings WLW carriage livery in 1900 MGW carriage livery in 1900 GSR carriage livery in the 1930s Have Ernie Shepherd's books on the WLW and MGW, which say crimson lake for the former and brown the latter, but anything more detailed would be appreciated and as for GSR, what best describes 'purple lake'? Realise these things are subjective and rather lost in the mists of time, but any help appreciated.

There is a school of thought that says in smaller scales, well printed papers work just as well as scribed or embossed finishes, especially from normal viewing distances of 60-90cms. What does stand out with Metcalf's parts is the corner joint. Easily covered with individually cut pieces of card and folded round the corners.

A stunningly ugly building, beautifully done!