GSR 800

Seems like 'AIRR meets the Department of Finance' in terms of scaling back to a more realistic policy. Maintained commitment to reopening the Derry Road is probably the highlight here, along with the commitment to electrification throughout much of the network. The near-complete lack of any attention whatsoever to the Sligo line and absence of any commitment to the reopening of the Mullingar to Athlone section is quite the letdown. The Sligo is begging to be double-tracked out to Longford. It looks like Enfield might be getting a 'station enhancement ' though? This would go some way to improve services between Mullingar and Maynooth. Usually, trains have to cross at either Mullingar, Killucan, or Maynooth, often with significant delays knocked on throughout. Enfield is an obvious point for crossovers, but it is avoided at all costs, as it only has a single platform in use, even though the other is sitting right across from it, meaning trains have to reverse back into the loop. Just reinstating platform 2 and getting a footbridge would do a great deal for services here. Still pretty crazy to see the Sligo line basically get ignored compared to the rest of the network. The trains are incredibly overcrowded; only today, someone fainted on the packed morning Longford commuter. Not the first time I've seen it on a jam-packed 29.

We've enough orders for the J18 and MGWR Third to begin, but both the J30 and JT have forms of models in 3d print, which may be limiting demand somewhat. If either got to five, I'd be happy to put in a sixth to get it across the line.

Reply from Roger this morning: "All such reductions from our 7mm scale artwork would be suitable for 00 gauge (16.5mm track) and we would, of course, be able to mail these to the Irish Republic. As I indicated previously, we could only proceed with production against firm pre-ordering of a minimum of six etches of each model. And have you given consideration to the manufacture of suitable cast parts - we have nothing suitable in 4mm scale to complete the models. If you can confirm the level of interest there's likely to be, we can work out some costings for individual sets of etches."

Considering what looks like a bogie TPO behind (What's behind the TPO?), this is almost certainly the Day Down Galway Mail, hence the DSER 6-wheeler. Another picture of 58M that I've come across is at Dun Laoghaire, so quite likely they were used on the Mails as parcel vans. https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/53505927307/in/photolist-2pZjzJC-2pBSwtg-2pwq5Ez-2psSuR3-2pwDaP5-2pwDaMX-2qEc2YJ-2qE9Shu-2qEb3Ce-2pwxJ7s-2pwqE1Z-2pw8S54-2qE5gB1-2qEb3Cj-2qEb7ui-2qE9RYJ-2qEb3zZ-2qEb3Cz-2qE9Sh4-2qEb7d1-2qEb7tb-2qEb7sp-2qEb7sz-2qEc35v-2pwhEwX-2pwDWU6-2pvqF9J-2pvGAQ2-2pvqF9D-2pworPQ-2psKGyC-2pvvcXt-2qUMPJb-2pqXpd1-2pwqDdm-2pqVXnZ-2pwo4GF-2pw8S4c-2pvFNZ7-2pvFNZc-2pvHn8b-2pworPV-2pwqDdg-2pBRPZ9-2pBT3Pn-2qEc2YZ-2pwnd8i-2pwDWUb-2qE5gv9-2qEb7pP

Some more work done today. The clerestory and the Bredin Mk2 got some lining, decals and detail picked out. Once again picking out the windows in silver on the Bredin Mk2 was a tedious process! And with that they now join the train! Longterm I'd like to change the roof vents on the Bredin mk2 to something smaller, the dapol ones are enormously overscale.

Still kicking about on the Midland in 1956 then!

Could that be 58M behind the A?

58M at Kingsbridge, one spoked wheelset, one disc! https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/53509203665/in/photolist-2pwqE1Z-2pwphLQ-2pwqDUX-2pwpiNK-2pwiUt7-2qEvdvs-2pwqDXX-2pBQBck-2pwiU75-2pwphPf-2pBQBry-2pwiUa6-2pwncSt-2qEvdsS-2qEvduf-2pwf1xG-2qE5gXG-2qUMPG2-2pBSRdw-2pvHn98-2qEb7c4-2qEptXL-2pwxwPC-2pwq57W-2pwDCzX-2pwx5h4-2pwDaMX-2pwvVkt-2pwnd7B-2pwiTxE-2pBSgsz-2qEvdua-2pwiT3b-2pwiU2k-2pBLdEv-2psQmkk-2qEvdty-2qEvgfg-2qUUe8B-2pwosFV-2pwBDfg-2py3sZq-2pBLdFs-2pvwMcf-2pwot7e-2pwpjic-2pw8S54-2pwphVN-2qE5gB1-2pBQBag

Dart can't deliver to the Republic though.

I'd be willing to take two, with Mols one its enough to get an MGWR 3rd across the line. Any thoughts for the MGWR 4 wheel parcels van, 'The Hearse'?

Indeed, I was thinking of using it for exactly that, buying up multiples of everything MGWR!

Didn't seem to stop them applying snails directly over a double row of rivets

Yours is a fine model indeed! They are a lovely prototype. The J18 isn't much better in terms of footplate, though at least it lacks side tanks! If Roger confirms suitability for 00, may bite the bullet and go for three J18s to get it across the line. Somewhat surprised at the lack of attention to other rolling stock also. Roger has mentioned the card kits are all available in 4mm, I'll be getting the MGWR TPO.

I do agree it'd be market saturation, especially for the likes of the Bandon Tank and the J26, which have not only brass kits in 4mm but also 3d printed consideration in the near future. That said, what seems to be most popular so far is J18 (4/5) Elf (3) J30 (2/3) Only the J30 has any form of model in 4mm, that being a 3d print. Somewhat surprised the Ivatt F6 hasn't received any love!

the coat of arms was on a raised escutcheon, ie a piece of metal (rivetted?) onto the tender. This lasted into early CIE days, with a small snail even painted onto the escutcheon. Removed early enough into CIE all the same, seemingly gone by 48 or so