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Well not quite Ballybeg the Layout,but Gerrys Mk3 and Mk2 stock from Ballybeg were running on my own work in progress layout.Very nice MIR brass overlays for the EGV and Restaurant coaches. 20250605_191650.mp4 20250605_192048.mp4 20250605_193905.mp4

Sorry for the long wait Laptop came back with all the memory back on it and got working yesterday in the layout to give you all a better visual image of my plans

In these days of world turmoil, constant complaining, negativity, and division, sometimes it is nice to highlight the positives. So, i just want to say a big thank you to IRM (Accurascale) on some wonderful customer service. Late on Tuesday (around 5.30pm), I submitted quite a big order for wagons. Fast forward to midday on Thursday, and a big box of goodies turns up. You couldn't ask for more. No connection, apart from being a very satisfied customer (although my wallet may not agree!!! ). I'm going to get my pre-order in now for some unfitted H vans and some bubble cement wagons. Time to get saving! Thank you IRM David

Ok, here are a few ideas. First up, Cyril Freezer's 'Small Layouts'. A bit dated now, but worth a look, because there may be something you could adapt. My favourite layout designer has always been Iain Rice. Always appealing and practical, but also so clever. The one below is what I based my Northport Quay project on This next one is based on Llanaster, one of the first exhibition layout to do away with the entry points to the loop - using a sector plate instead. This next one I have always thought particularly clever, arranging three small layouts one above the other on wall brackets. Trains progress from one scene to the next via a cassette. This one [above] was actually designed for 7mm scale, but should reduce to your parameters in 4mm. Idea to avoid are things like the two below from Barry Norman. Usually love his ideas, but when you look at these, you'll see that your locomotive will spend most of its time hidden off scene! This one I DO like though. It is a fairly accurate rendition of Wantage Town, minus the tram shed. However, even with the latter the whole scene needs just 7'2 in length in 7mm scale! Been there, done it & it works really well. Finally, a new book I picked up at Railex, by James Hilton & published by Wild Swan. It takes a fresh look at micro layouts, some of which are very simple indeed, but explores the concepts scenics and operation with each plan. Hope this helps!

Touchdown! Both locos had landed by about 6pm last night and are currently stabled outside the Maghera Shed

I have "Ballybeg" down in the workroom to prepare it as a "modern image" version for the Wexford Exhibition in May 2024. I have (temporarily) substituted the "steam era" cattle-dock, goods shed, engine shed, water tower etc with a diesel shed (borrowed from my "Diesel Depot" layout!) as well as tower lights and a new CIE oil storage facility. I plan to show a selection of "Supertrain" liveried passenger and freight trains on the Sunday of the exhibition and to show "IR" liveried trains on the Monday. I have fitted DCC controlled rural scenic sound modules also which give background birdsong, church bells, cows, sheep etc to set the scene.

On Saturday past, work brought me to Armagh, the 'ecclesiastical' capital of Ireland. Armagh was once a 4-way railway junction, with the last surviving lines through the city closing in 1957, although there seems to be a remote possibility that Armagh might see trains again, sometime in the future. Armagh was located on the Ulster Railway route from Belfast to Cavan, later taken over by the GNR(I). The first station beyond Armagh on this line was at Killylea, and the station is an absolute gem of a preserved station, with station building, goods shed and signal cabin all surviving, along with a tiny brick building on the down platform which may have been a - very small - waiting room. There is also a huge stone overbridge at the Cavan end although this has been partially filled in. I visited Killylea once before but I did so again on Saturday, and with the kind permission of the owner, I took some photographs: Looking back towards Armagh Looking towards Cavan Goods shed Goods shed and signal cabin Main station building Signal cabin, with station name evident Rear of signal cabin So naturally this has started me thinking of a project for the future. Plans for my next project are well advanced so these musings would be for the one after that...... Killylea would be an excellent subject for an exhibition layout and it would suit my interests, and current rolling stock collection, very well. Even before the 'what if' is considered, a Killylea-based layout would offer the following: * Double track main line * Attractive and varied architecture, with a mix of (presumably) original UR buildings and later GNR(I) buildings * Passenger and goods workings, featuring fast passenger expresses as well as local services, with steam locomotives & railcars in attendance * Classic overbridge scenic break at one end * Goods shed for operational variety I also have a suitable signal cabin built already. Then 'what if' the route didn't close in 1957 - CIE diesels could appear on diversionary services via Cavan and Clones, and at a stretch, if the line survived into the 1970s, NIR Hunslets and 80 class railcars could feature. The cogs are turning.......

Double, Portadown Junction to Armagh, and later also Clones to Monaghan. Single elsewhere, and the double line appears to have been singled in the early 30's, except from Portadown to Richhill.

Finescale wheelset conversion packs. What a great idea... Whoops, how did this get here?

Ditto. Great to see the GMs get to their new home. Well done to everyone involved.

I worked on the preliminary services design for the expansion of Dublin Port and I always found it strange that, not only was there no concept of a rail link, but there didn't even appear to be any serious discussion about providing one either. A major part of the scheme is the regeneration of the Ringsend area with a new bridge to allow for future expansion of the LUAS, but the idea of building a heavy rail bridge appears to have been a non-runner from the start. I always found it funny that a more environmentally friendly freight transport method was discarded, but yet they were pushing ahead with the concept design for a carbon capture facility just south of the new port area!

Thursday 5th June 2025: A lunchtime visit to Loughmore to photograph retro liveried 220 passing the ruined castle. This shot has been on my bucket list for a number of weeks. Also captured passing was the 1325 Cork - Heuston with 6ICRPC set 22040. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/June-2025/i-nr9jFNT to view all the images.

Have a read of this thread...

I reckon he must have been bored and put the rumour out that he wanted to retire, so everyone has jumped on the bandwagon to get him to do stuff before that happens

He’s kindly making his U class 7mm for me, with a few bits for a J class too

I’m not entirely sure about that one! I think that some modellers (and I include myself) prefer making to having , if that makes sense. Again, that’s not a better/worse thing. I just like the process of taking a flat sheet of metal and making it look like an engine. I’ll happily subcontract chimneys and domes to a supplier (and have some 3D stuff being designed) but the joy for me lies in the construction. Takes all sorts. I suspect that scratch builders like me will just have to learn basic CAD as another skill on top of soldering etc. I suspect too, that one of the reasons Ahern and Denny’s stuff has aged so well is that their layouts are consistent - the same set of hands and eyes produced everything from buildings to bufferbeams.

Fran was late for his Dinner that night after packing all those models, twas stone cold I was told when he got home.

Thanks everyone for your help, ive come up with a plan and era im happy with and i will keep yous up to date on its progress!

Meanwhile yesterday….

A view from the end of the yard.

In a further refresh for "Ballybeg" I have fitted a new backscene with Peco cloudy sky underneath a cutout from Gaugemaster GM703 "Open Field Large Photographic Backscene":