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Well it’s Fare Thee Well, Enniskillen……the layout now resides in an Oxfordshire skip. Joined by my model of Florencecourt station, which never really satisfied me. Recent rolling stock purchases meant that the layout/diorama just couldn’t work (see how big the bogie coach looks on Northport Quay). So out it goes as I just don’t have space to keep it. It was a valuable learning experience though. I tried to salvage some of the canopy columns but they broke apart. This means that the next project will be a complete fresh start. It’s still gestating and I will do a proper post soon. However, a trial effort was made tonight on the brickwork that will be required…….

Added doors, CIE posters and GSR signage. I’ll probobly call it day after installing some period windows.

Fine work Alan. I think doing your own resin castings has lost out to 3D printing of late. Nothing wrong with the latter of course, but you don't need to know CAD to make a plasticard master, while materials to make the mould and the two part resin kit cost a lot less than a 3D printer. Add in the fact that a casting sets in well under an hour and if you want say, a rake. of wagons then taking the trouble to create masters for one side and one end has much to recommend it in terms of both time and money.

The pictures of Enniskillen on here were lovely - looking forward to seeing the next layout: I hope the SLNCR will still call at it

Sorry to see this layout disappear. It was an evocative display for your amazing locomotives and rolling stock. Cheers Darius

I heard today that David Parks passed away.He was a member here as "Derailed".I got to know him a number of years ago and loved his recollections of Irish Railways.I have included two of his photos that are my favourite.First one is the last ever train over the North Kerry line on 23rd May 1984 at Lixnaw,with the weed killer train.The second photo is of the weed killer train on Ballyvoyle viaduct near Dungarvan in 1985 I think. Condolences to his family and friends. RIP David.

Scenery getting added slowly. Using wrinkle rocks By Noch basically a sheet of paper that u scrunch up. Its says these are UV resistant and they are a tad pricy for what they are. Look good though.

Shame in a way as it was a fine looking diorama. However, needs must and the new idea you shared on Sunday will have much better operational use for the burgeoning GNR collection.

Casting around for something to do at the weekend. I'll need a few more bits of rolling stock for Kilmore. I made these moulds from plasticard and brass masters a few years ago. The trick is to pour just the right amount of resin into the mould so it's fully filled but doesn't rise above the level of the top of the mould. I haven't mastered that yet so these castings need a lot of work with files before they can even be glued together to make a reasonably square wagon body. Provincial Wagons this ain't! Making the body is just the start. Chassis are the next challenge. In the past I've used hacked Dapol kit chassis and sprung etched brass kits from Brassmasters. In the case of the BCDR stock, outside W irons are an added hurdle. Currently, I'm using bits from MJT wagon compensation etches to make these but it's challenging, very time consuming and uses only a few modified bits of the etch and not in the way intended. Also, what's left of the etch isn't much use for anything. There must be an easier way! Alan

First coat of paint applied on the CBSC building….the paint job won’t be superb or anything but it might look ok from a bit back. Ref photos are Ernie’s railway archive for Ballinascarthy and Micheal Davies of Ballinhassig

In an alternate timeline, A39 gets ready to depart with the Downpatrick-Platin cement empties.

I was totally out of my comfort zone today as I had a go at adding handrails to The Countess - it was definitely worth the effort to remove the moulded ones and add these, which were once again generously provided by Alan @Tullygrainey so thanks again to Alan for this and for his ongoing guidance!

Ballycastle Railway 0-6-0st No. 2 ‘Countess of Antrim’ looking very neat after a few light coats of primer. With light sanding in between coats, I’m taking this slowly, so I don’t remove any of the important detail from the superb 3D print which was generously provided by Jamie @J-Mo Arts. I am however gradually removing the name plates and builder’s plates to make way for etched replacements, which I have ordered. The handrails are also being replaced with separately fitted ones. She looks great, sitting on the chassis, which was also generously provided by Alan @Tullygrainey. I’m researching all available information about the locomotive and constantly studying all available photographs, so with a bit of luck, the final product will do justice to the prototype. With many thanks once again to Jamie and Alan for making this easy for me!

Working now on the Ballycastle Railway's 'Countess of Antrim' - specifically preparing the superb 3D print from @J-Mo Arts for painting. I have decided to remove the moulded handrails and replace them with separate fittings, and there will also be etched nameplates added to finish off the locomotive. The chimney has also been filed out. The resin is quite brittle but files off easily. A spray of Halford's grey primer shows up areas that require further attention. As always, continued thanks to Alan @Tullygrainey for his ongoing assistance!