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Thought I'd share some update photo's of the progress over the past year. I really do need to be more regular with these updates but you know how it is. The roof trusses got finally finished, they're 3d printed and tied together in 3 main sections using wire lengths. and thankfully it fits! next up a lot of glazing. Some platform accessories added. The signal box was 3d printed as were the lifts benches, bins, fire hoses and railings. The platform was made up from photo's and printed on to vinyl and stuck on to the mdf cut base. I got the track work around the platform area ballasted over the Christmas holidays. Its the N gauge stuff which looks better I think. I've added some Das modelling clay in places to give that dirty well used look and painted with blackish acrylic paint. I'll be adding point rodding to the sides and probably give it a light dusting of break dust. Ticket desk section still very much under construction. Looking forward to modelling No.36 for here. Front Canopy. Tunnel Mouth. Really which I has more room here to model whats above. So photo background will have to do. Station front. Windows and roof added made from plastic card. The Wills brick was painted using various humbrol tones and washed over with cheap blacky brown acrylic for the mortar joints. Interior lighting test. The interiors have been modeled with lights added. The exterior platform signal box at the station loop was modeled using balsa wood and the window ops were 3d printed. Hope you like. I'll try and update more often...New years resolution.

I've been meaning to create a thread for my layout for some time, so now's the time I've actually got around to do it! Ballinacraig is a fictional town set somewhere in County Wicklow or Wexford, along the Dublin to Rosslare line.I have always been particularly fond of this part of Irish Rail's network, especially as I used to holiday in Wexford as a child. The layout is set in the Summer of 2004, on the eve of modernisation of the line, which would see the total replacement of trackwork and signalling, along with the end of locomotive hauled passenger trains. I'm endeavouring to strictly adhere to this period, which means spending a bit of time doing research before building or adding anything. The layout is still in the early stages of construction, with many fixtures such as walls and buildings not glued down yet. The trackwork is Peco - Bullhead Code 75. All the buildings and structures are scratchbuilt. They are based on actual buildings from various locations along the Dublin to Rosslare line. For example, the station is a slightly scaled down model of Wexford (O'Hanrahan) station. The railway road bridge (still unfinished) is a scale model of the bridge over Esmonde Street in Gorey. The signal cabin is modelled on the one at Enniscorthy station. A special word of thanks to IRM member Warb, who very kindly drove up to Newry a couple of years ago and donated the station footbridge. It was from a previous layout of his that I had enquired about. Paddy

I've been working on the main building for Cork Kent Station (Glanmire Rd) over the past 2 years on and off. Its a slow slog but here's a few snaps of how's she's coming together. I've used mainly card laminated with slaters brick plastikard for the walls and evergreen plastic sheets for everything else. All the windows and doors are complete but I'm waiting to paint it before inserting them. The next big hurdle will be the roof and trusses!! Still trying to figuring out what to do for that!

Latest update, and a special word of thanks to my brother, John for the photography. There has been quite a bit of progress from my last update in March. I managed to finish the embankment scenery. This took quite a bit of time, as it was my first time using static grass, and I ended up removing a couple of early attempts, before I got a finish I was happy with. I used four different static grass lengths and colours, which were added in layers using the layering spray technique. A new row of buildings have been completed for Main Street. Three of these are based on real-life counterparts - Wades Pharmacy and ML Leacy & Sons in Gorey, and Cavanaghs bar in Sligo Bar in Sligo. Although, I have used artistic license to change ML Leacy & Sons from a Tailors to a Jewellers. The Chinese Takeaway front is a Scale Model Scenery kit, and the Boyle Sports Bookmakers is based on many such premises that can be found around Ireland. I have added extensive detailing to the station area, including lamp posts, signage, seating and some flowers. The walls on this station side of the track have now been glued into place, and gates have been added at various points. This leaves only a few bits and pieces left to finish for the station, such as footbridge repair and painting, fixing in place the far platform walls and station building, and some painting and weathering to various parts of the station area I have set the plan out for the goods yard. This involved laying track for two sidings and building the shells for all the buildings/structures. I am basing the goods yard on the one at Arklow. My goods yard in Ballinacraig would once have extended further, but Irish Rail sold off a sizable chunk of it in the late 90s to a local haulage and distribution company, who have since built a large warehouse. I have built the shells for the rear of the houses that run up to the goods yard from Main Street. These are Metcalfe card kits, but I will be painting and adding all new detailing elements to these over time. There will be gardens added to the rear of these houses, which will stretch down to the railway embankment. I have also started to build the frame of the buildings at the far right end of Ballinacraig. These will be the back of shops that the line will pass under via a tunnel. It will eventually loosely resemble the tunnel mouth at the southern end of Enniscorthy station, which passes under the town. Paddy

Some photos of layout named after a combination of my local, Heuston Station (for the passenger stock) & North Wall (for the freight). Era is loosely based around 2005 - 2008 when you could still see Cravens, Mark 3's, 141 & 181 in operation, along side 071 and 201 class locos. I took the photos after l removed the stock to clean the rails- rare to have nothing on it! I don't have the expertise of most on here on the modelling front. l owe a huge amount to so many guys here who helped along the way. It was kinda the dream even getting to this point and there is a long way to go but here's where l am today.

Time to share my latest efforts!! Anyone of a railway persuasion who travels along the A6 road from Belfast to the North West will be familiar with the small station at Knockloughrim, located a short distance beyond the Castledawson roundabout. Knockloughrim was the first stop out of Magherafelt on the oddly-named Derry Central Railway, which meandered through the eastern edge of the county, almost in County Antrim. The line eventually closed completely in 1959 but most of the stations survive and Knockloughrim in particular is beautifully preserved, with station building, goods shed and adjacent road bridge all in excellent condition: I have long been an admirer of Knockloughrim so this year I decided to have a go at creating a winter diorama of the station. The owner Aidan was very welcoming and I have had the pleasure of visiting the station on a few occasions and he has even provided me with some very interesting historical photos: The last photo above is of great interest as it shows a Mogul passing through Knockloughrim - an unusual visitor. I also received a very useful plan of the smaller Derry Central stations from Kieran Lagan: I started into the build a few months ago and unlike my usual situation, progress has been fairly rapid and the build is almost complete. I decided that although it would be a diorama, I wanted to have trains moving, and that is still the plan. The station is depicted in the final years of the DC line, under UTA ownership, although modellers' licence has been used to make the station appear a bit busier. Passenger services stopped in 1950 but goods traffic lingered on until 1959, although by then the line was completely closed north of Kilrea. The 'Kilrea Goods' workings were the final regular movements on the line but there were also occasional passenger specials during the final years, some of which are described by James McIlfatrick, in his charming and highly readable 1987 memoir of the line ‘The Derry Central Railway’. The diorama is 41 in long with a depth of just 16 in, and the baseboard was constructed in foamboard - this material is not very strong but I do not envisage any outings for Knockloughrim. The landscape was built up using foamboard and plaster bandage, and winter scenics came from Noch and All Game Terrain. Gabor Evenich supplied three beautiful handmade winter trees and further trees were obtained from the scenics section of Hobbycraft. Buildings are my greatest interest in any project and all have been constructed with a mount board core. The exterior of the station building was finished in Metcalfe brick paper but the goods shed and bridge were finished using Das clay, with the stonework scribed once the clay was fully dry. Wills Random Stone sheets were used for the vertical platform face. I also made use of a suitably wintry backscene from Model Scenery Supplies and I am particularly happy with how this has worked. Final scenic work remains to be done and I am also hoping to add some basic lighting to the building and the platform. Motive power on Knockloughrim will mostly feature ex-NCC U Class No. 80 'Dunseverick Castle' which was converted for me a few years back by Colm Flanagan, from a Hornby LMS 2P. One of the recent Marks Models Jinty tanks will also appear, along with the OO Works ex-GNR UG class No. 49 - I doubt if either of these latter two locomotives ever visited Knockloughrim in real life but it would at least have been possible. A number of UTA-liveried wagons and vans from Provincial Wagons will also feature, along with a few ex-GNR vans, as well as Gareth Brennan's superb scratchbuilt UTA brake van. And I feel a story coming on............

Barrow Street Update Since my last posting here are a few more photos of works ongoing Regards Warb

Hi everyone, As you may know, we were recently nominated for some gongs in the Hornby Magazine Annual Awards, based on a public vote by modellers! Our monster Accurascale KUA nuclear flask wagons fended off some very strong competition to take home the Hornby Magazine "Best OO Carriage or Wagon of The Year" prize. We were simply blown away that we finished top of the class in a very competitive field. We thought we were done receiving awards for the evening, perfectly content that our nuclear beasts had hit a sweet spot for so many modellers across the hobby. But no, you only went and voted for us as your "Manufacturer of the Year!" As you can see, our two Project Managers, Gareth (left) and Paul (right) were on hand to collect the awards and bask in the plaudits! To say we are gobsmacked is an understatement! We are humbled that you saw us fit to receive such an award. For a company who are just over four years in the British market we are amazed that what we do has resonated with so many. After all, we are all aware of the massive household names in the British market that us small underdogs are taking on. We have put a lot of hard work in over the past six years as we began IRM, but it would be for nothing without you, our customers, supporting us. Thank you so much for your votes, for showing us that we are on the right path and doing the right things to serve you. We know we dont always get everything right (ahem, delays!) but we work tirelessly to ensure you get the very best models possible for your layout or collection. So, from all the team here at IRM/Accurascale, thank you for your support and recognition. Now we must push on, deliver more great models at reasonable prices, and try and stay in top spot in 2022! Cheers! Fran (on behalf of The IRM/Accurascale team)

Today, the 15th of August, would have been the traditional fair day in Borris, Co. Carlow which would have seen the now closed Borris Railway station hosting trains of passengers and cattle coming to the fair. The impressive 16 arch Borris viaduct has recently been officially reopened as a walkway. Yesterday I finally installed a photo backdrop of Mount Leinster onto my layout so although still a work in progress I think it's a good day to show a few photos of my layout. It incorporates Borris Station and the viaduct. Bagenalstown Station will be added at a later stage. First layout so go easy as I'm learning as I go.

Thursday May 15th 2024. The last train on the South Waterford Line leaves Grange headed for the Cork fiddle yard. There the rolling stock will be boxed and work will begin dismantling the layout. Maureen and I have decided it is time for us to move, first to a rental property near her mom who needs more and more help by the day and then look for home with with a garden, something we did not have in a condo and sorley missed. Of course a train room will be a requirement in any new house!

Hello, I reconnected with this great hobby about 12 months ago, my only previous experience was glorified train sets in my early teens, (a long time ago !). I have thoroughly enjoyed the past year in the hobby and learnt so much from outstanding resources such as this illustrious forum, reading and of course the world of YouTube. I have only been to one model railway show, the Wexford Model Railway Club Open Day, last October where I learned so much and was greeted with warmth and enthusiasm - I hope to get there again in a couple of Weeks’ time for the 2022 Exhibition. To practice and apply a whole range of new skills for the very first time (track and scenic planning, construction, track laying and ballasting, painting, trees, bushes & grass etc.) I decided to attempt a small diorama on an unused IKEA shelf ( 42x50cm 17x20”) I had over from another project. The intent was to have a raised railway line passing through a hilly/mountain landscape including a disused former mining/quarry branch line, with accompanying scenic to enhance the viewer’s experience. Overall, I’ve learned a tremendous amount from this experience - satisfied with some aspects, others I will approach quite differently next time. Finally, I am taking the liberty of sharing this on the forum, amongst some incredibly accomplished modellers, but this is a broad church, and my first attempt effort may prove useful to some early phase modeller - go easy ! Rush & Lusk (George)

Locomotive 201 arrives from Cork with a set of Mark III's (7119 / 7155 / 7105 / 7142 / 7410 / 7104 / 7602) into Platform 2 at Heuston North. https://youtu.be/-5ocMBg8GmA

Barrow Street Update Its been a while since my last posting regarding Barrow Street and one of the problems was that the layout was never able to be fully assembled in the existing spot. For the last year minus mishaps (that's another story) I bit the bullet and started to build a new shed to fit Barrow Street. Work is still ongoing and hopefully major works will be completed this year (see attached photos in no particular order) and I can get back trying to complete Barrow Street. Regards Warb

Hi everyone, There has been some silence on this project and I must admit that's down to IRM, and not Robert, so apologies to both Robert and all of you who are interested in this footbridge for that. We were so impressed with Robert's design and attention to detail that we approached him with a view to mass produce his footbridge design rather than do a small run 3D print, which he has very graciously agreed to. So, this will be a new scenic accessory from IRM! What's more, we are working on a modular concept for the bridge, allowing for various spans and orientations, giving you greater flexibility to fit in on your layout! The plan is that it will fully painted and with the bare minimum for assembly. We are currently working with our factory to get this production ready, and we will have a full update and launch including specs, prices, ordering information and more later this year, so please bare with us on that. We will have more details in due course, but with the design being so good and now with a factory fit and finish, it promises to be a must have for any Irish layout! Cheers! Fran

It is with great regret that I have to pass on the news of our friend Glover passing “to his reward”. Behind the pseudonym was a quiet, much-loved family man – Aidan Dunne. I received a letter from his wife Barbara yesterday, telling me that he had passed away in early August. I had been in touch with her, after Aidan expressed a desire to see his work retained in some way. I made some progress with that back on August. I last met Aidan exactly a year ago, at Blackrock, when he bought the CIE Cattle kits which you can see, superbly built and finished, in an earlier post on the Glover’s Workbench thread. Take a look at that thread and the Pettigo Co Donegal thread to see some very fine scratch-building – what we modellers of an earlier era have to do. He showed great ingenuity and skill to produce just the coaches and other rolling stock which he wanted. Please join me in passing on condolences to Aidan’s wife Barbara, daughter Paula and the rest of the family circle. May he Rest In Peace. Leslie

Hey all, new to the forum and thought I might show my layout progress here - it's my first so be gentle! Back in the hobby after 25 years so learning all the latest techniques and practicing my skills on a small depot before going for the bigger layout. I love the variety of skills you have to learn for a model railway, none of which were in my skillset when I started last year, specifically I am very much not a carpenter Progress is slow but steady, I like taking my time to delve in detail and do it right rather than rushing. Plus between work and a toddler I usually have only an hour or so in the evenings. I'll keep posting major updates here and pop a few how-to videos of techniques in the tips section The depot is totally fictional, set in the 80s era, will be completely filthy as per the custom of the time and will sometimes see UK loco visitors, as I am just now starting my Irish collection (a lifetime ambition of mine). I'd welcome any comments / feedback / tips you might have and will get you caught up with some of the highlights so far...Enjoy! Initial Plan Profesional wiring diagram Construction in my office Baseboard and control panel added Acrylic control panel - had a lot of fun drilling these holes with a black and decker! All connections underneath and to every section of track are soldered, I tried the blue clips but wasn't happy with their reliability The control panel worked out as I had hoped... ...and looks cool in the dark Made up some cardboard mockups to get an idea of the final layout and proportions Sealed and painted the mdf to prevent swelling when all the ballast glue goes down (maybe it's not needed but I wanted to play it safe). Also marked out the areas for the concrete hardstands, a well as point motors, relays etc Started on the concrete using DAS modelling clay which is very easy to work with Sanded and sprayed in a mixed concrete colour - I used enamel: Humbrol Matt 27:28:121:34 in the approx ratio 2:6:6:4 and thinned 1:1 Rest of the photos are the final result after weathering, powders and oil added. To be honest I was delighted with the result, my first attempt at something like this I'll fire this process in the tips section as well if it might help others - I did 15 x 1 min "short" videos for YouTube & Twitter which I'll stitch together. And it looks even better with the orange and blacks Cheers!

Hi guys, a "few" pictures of my layout. I started building it around 2013/14?, after looking at Johnathan and Barry's wonderful picture of Gort station, in their book 'rails through the west'. The initial plan was to try and build a 1970's Gort station,but as always with this hobby I got carried away, and it got bigger and bigger. So it is basically a fantasy Irish railway from the 60's, 70's and 80's. I really tried to stay ' supertrain', but I couldn't resist the Crossley A classes, and grey 121. It's hard to know if it will ever be finished, because I have chopped and changed a fair bit since I started building it. The terminus is the latest endeavor, so fingers crossed to see how that goes.? Paul.

Bear in mind this is only an early test print, still rife with imperfections both digital and in terms of print settings, even the primer didn't go on perfectly, but it fits the chassis as intended

A long overdue update. There have been two major developments since I last posted. I have finally finished the overbridge, modelled on the one at Esmonde Street in Gorey. I'm more than happy with how this bridge has turned out. I have plans to give it some ivy coverage at some stage, but for now I'll leave it and move on to the next project. I have completed a row of shops/commercial buildings for Main Street. When I started these I didn't anticipate them to take as long to complete as they did, but I wanted this street scene to be as realistic as possible, and I've found that recreating all the aspects of a building really does bring them to life. I have added interior detail and lighting, which I think really adds to the realism. All four buildings are modelled on real-life counterparts, which can be seen in the pics below. The Centra and Malones Bookshop are models of adjacent shops on Main Street in Wicklow town. The Post Office is a model of the one on Main Street, Bray. The Bank of Ireland is a model of the one on Main Street, Gorey. Some of the bank is not modelled, but this will be rendered on the back scene as a forced perspective continuation, when I finally get round to that area. I have used some artistic license when building these, because I use Google Street View as my primary reference tool, and the earliest images I can obtain are from 2009, therefore I have to assume and hope that the building looked the same 4/5 years earlier. I have already planned what the opposite row of shops will be, but up next is the embankment scenery, which I'm looking forward to, as I get to try out my new static grass applicator! Paddy

Right, this is the final update on these 111s. They are "finished" now after I applied the glossy touches to the oily/greasy bits like the wheel bearing journals, fuel tanks, exhaust ports etc. Nameplates will someday be applied whenever Steve at Railtec has made them available. Should be trivial to apply them and weather lightly then. I didn't want to leave them in a million pieces waiting for them to arrive. This has been my most ambitious respray with a number of false starts and dead ends. I probably stripped these locos back to plastic three times, including after having applied the transfers as I was so unsatisfied with the large logo as a transfer. That sent me down the path of laser cutting out masks and I learned a bit from that too. In the end though I am really pleased with how they've turned out.

800 is almost complete. Window frames, name and numberplate added along with the long process of lining. Whistle, Tender chassis and cab interior remain to be finished. Gloss varnish worked nicely to clear the 3d printed window frames. She runs quite nicely on the 6x4 test track, clearing its tight curves with ease. The green paint is from vinny byrnes, RBS381 Mid Brunswick green in gloss. Took a while to find the right match but I think this is pretty much bang on to my eye.

What I did in my Christmas holidays … as hinted above, the test track has grown from having some ballast to some scenery, to realising that the IKEA Lack shelf allowed me to model Abohill halt (between Florencecourt and Belcoo) to absolute scale. So my photo plank actually replicates a scale section of the SLNC, which is rather fun. As usual, lots of mistakes and lots of learning too. Original photo taken post closure by J J Smith - no photos of the station in use have been published. Thanks to @Patrick Daveyfor pointing me to battery LED lights ! Now I’d better finish a loco to pose on it…

An update on the progress of Ballinacraig. I have spent the last few weeks - with the help of my father - building a viewing box around the scenic part of the layout. On the ceiling of the box, I ran LED strip lights. Overall, this has greatly enhanced the viewing experience, however, I need to finish painting the backscene, which will be sky blue. I have uploaded some of the latest photos of the layout, including the new surround box. I am currently working on a row of shops for the main street. These can be seen in some of the photos. When they are finished I will post closeup shots of them. I have uploaded some videos that my brother took of the layout. I have added audio of their real-life counterparts to some of these videos, which I think adds a touch more realism. Paddy 121_1.mp4 121_2.mp4 141_1.mp4 121_3.mp4

I've been promising to show some progress photo's on this for a while, so better late than never.

A very well preserved colour slide from summer 1958 sees the afternoon local from Castletown West arriving at Dugort Harbour.

Why indeed….. well the other job.. GAA is getting in the way. So after Carlow having a win over Meath today, I’m posting a small update. Bagenalstown (Muine Bheag) extension is off the blocks (well some of the buildings anyway. Station house is close to completion, just waiting on the glazier to come around and also to do a bit of paint touch ups that I have now noticed after putting the camera on them. Signal box, engine shed and opposite platform shelter also coming along. 2 week break in the National Hurling League, might get some more done

Being only a scenic area of 2’ long, there’s not much scope for buildings. There’s one key structure for Enniskillen, though, and that’s the canopy. Ernie’s photo archive was incredibly helpful in identifying the various component parts. Hesitant though I am to post GNR architecture in the presence of @Patrick Davey, here we are….. Much hacking about of various laser cut canopy parts, cruelly mixed up with plastic rod and superglue, plus 12’ of obeche wood. That was the simple bit. The complication lay in the fact that - only really gleaned from careful photo analysis -was that there was a very low-pitched roof light. This took a lot of careful construction from 1mm Perspex sections, butchered laser-cut roof trusses and plastic strip. Omitting it was not an option - although it would have simplified matters enormously - as the light and shadows it provides will be critical to the composition. It’s turned out reasonably enough. Colours gleaned from Ernie’s SLNC album as shown. The dodgy, misaligned daggerboards are prototypical btw!

My modelling projects tend to go through short bursts of activity followed by long hiatus, I started Keadue shortly after moving to New Zealand nearly 20 years ago so its once again to decide whether to finish of abandon the layout! I started acquiring locos and stock roughly 30 years ago picking up a Worsley Works C&L 4-4-0T some coach and wagon kits at the Greenwitch Club Narrow Gauge Expo in Tolworth approx 30 years ago, picked up another 4-4-0T a couple of Branchlines T&D 2-6-0T kits and more rolling stock kits after I returned to Ireland in 96 where I spent 3 months working on a construction project in Leitrim and exploring the remains of the C&L. I picked up Bemo (Shinohara) HOm track on points at the Kivoli Centre in Bala North Wales a few years later and eventually started Keadue as a "quickie" layout in our home office after moving to New Zealand while converting the garage into a railway room for my American N Gauge and On30 narrow gauge. We moved home shortly after completing the garage conversion and started the scenics and eventually extended Keadue while making a decision whether to converting out garage on our new home into a railway-room workshop. 8L posed at Keadue with the daily mixed the station building is based on Drumshanbo before the addition of a second storey in 1917. The Building is constructed in Wills Scenic Material sheets with my own etched windows, chimney pots are whitemetal by Scale Link bought at an exhibition in Brighton during my 1st weekend living in London in 1986! The coach is built using a Worsley Works set of part with some detail added. CIE Posters were downloaded from Pinterest featuring the Holiday resort of Bray and one of CIEs new diesel trains with a silver A Class and new silver coaches and CIE Coach Tours just to upset the regular C&L section passenger. The most recent narrow gauge project was to complete a rake of 4 C&L open "crib" cattle wagons, but they are decoration at the moment because I mislaid my stock of Kadee HOn3 couplers ordered for these wagons and the coaching stock. Low relief buildings built using Wills Material packs and windows, the covered access way to the yard at the back is typical feature of the region. The car is assembled from Scale Link Austin 7 whitemetal kit The house is based on "Gilligan's" of Ballywillian, but seems to have lost its License a bit run down (Wills Cement Render sheet) and no name Guinness sign, the building was originally a full depth model from a layout set in Longford/Westmeath built during the late 80s signal is an SSM GSWR signal, car is another Scale Link kit possibly a larger pre-War Austin. No-one to be seen but fairly common in smaller towns and villages in the Mid West, possibly listening to Micheal O'Hare from a race meeting at the Curragh or an inter-Provincial at Corke Park. The Carriage Shed (Wills Roof. planked plasticard, nickel silver rail) is a bit of a vexation. The siding badly needs packing-relaying as cross-level are badly off coach bodies strike the side of the shed, I over-wetted the siding ballast and the MDF roadbed in this area became became quite badly swollen fortunately without disturbing the main line and running loop small mercies. The other recent project in this area is the coal dock based on one at Ballinamore assembled fro. m individual wooden sleepers, coal is semi-bituminous from a closed local mine. Loco shed is based on the smaller C&L sheds again Wills Material sheets with doors in plasticard. I need to line the interior in whitewashed stone and add a workbench. Don't ask about a pit! I need to add foliage/fencing to make this area look more overgrown. 3T waits to depart with a Cattle Special based on the loco a C&L stalwart in 1950s condition, I need to sort out couplers for the locos and stock, while I attempted to standardise on Kadee HOn3 I am tempted to convert to B&B couplers (a compact UK version of the Bemo/Continental loop coupler which I successfully used in EM gauge. 6T runs round the curve from the reserved to the road-side section, this scene was inspired by Ballyduff and Kiltubrid on The Tramway though I need to sort out the area behind the bridge and improve the backscene, the original intention was to represent the Arigna Mountains in the background. The C&L 4-4-0T used to 'stick" on the curve, the problem largely solved after I relayed the tack in this area 2-3 years ago. A cavalcade of enthusiast cars have pulled over to film 6T approaching with a laden coal special, 6T was drafted onto the section in 1956 apparently freshly painted in black, with 6t hand painted on the buffer beam rather than the usual transfer number, 6T was in the usual decrepit state and ended her days working demolition trains after the system closed in March 1959. One of the remaining challenges is disguising the entrance to the fiddle yard, I originally planned to fit a model Kiltubrid Halt on the curve near the bridge but the baseboard was too narrow for the road railway and station building, though the rear of the building would be a reasonably effective fiddle yard view blocker. Its likely the window and kitchenette/bathroom? in this area is likely to be a post closure alteration.

Today I had the great pleasure of viewing the stunning new Donaghadee layout in OO gauge by Gordon Hunt - it is currently on display in the town and is very much worth a visit by anyone within reach! So good to see another BCDR layout, and finished to such a high standard! And a special word of thanks to Gordon for his very warm welcome! I heartily congratulate him on this magnificent achievement - a wonderful project. Enjoy the photos!

So I have finished the rebuilt Dutch vans I started working on a long time ago. These are destined for another member's collection. Starting point: After fabricating a chassis, adding the Silver Fox Werkspoor bogies, painting up, applying transfers, fabricating glazing out of a CD case and weathering appropriately (none of the pics I have found show them in an absolutely filthy state while they were in revenue service, so I haven't overdone it):

Hi George, Many thanks for your kind words. As we all know, Irish outline is a very small niche in OO. For the A to perform so well and beat such stiff opposition (some household name with very popular British outline locos below us) is frankly mindblowing. Thank you to everyone who voted for us, who has supported us since we begun and who has purchased an A class. You guys make this all possible buy voting for us with your wallets, as well as in polls. We are truly humbled. Our development team are over the moon naturally! Cheers! Fran

Hello. First post here on Irish Railway Modeller but I’ve posted a few times on the Irish Railways Group on RMWeb over the past few years. I built a CAF3000 unit using the CMAC bodies earlier this year. Cheers Darius

At last some good news people End May delivery: MM0124, MM0129, MM0134. IE logo. So should be available to purchase after June 8th End June delivery: MM0121, MM0135 CIE grey. MM0125, MM0131 CIE Black, hopefully available after July 7th End July delivery: MM0126, MM0132 CIE supertrain. MM0127, MM0130, MM0133 IR logo, available early August As you are probably aware, shipping from China is somewhat erratic (and expensive) due to medical supplies getting priority, but PM is already working on it. All going well, he would hope to start shipping to retailers from 8th.June. No RRP yet Hip Hip.......

Sporting its brand new 'Inter City' livery, 229 leads the liner waiting at Heuston North freight yard after earlier arriving from Ballina, before heading to Ocean Pier.

With great sadness I learned our fellow forumite @Junctionmad railway expert, electronics genius, master mariner, and my faithful pal Dave McCabe left this life on Monday after bravely battling a long illness with fortitude, dignity, gentleness and kindness. If you needed to get something done there was no better genius than Dave at making things happen. He was a dynamo and generous with his time, always happy to share his technical knowledge. Dave left a positive impact in every sphere of life he touched, from the space programme, to sailing, inland waterway community, navigation technology, railway modelling and in recent years his massive contribution to WMRC. Dave pioneered innovative baseboard technology, layout electronics using can bus, and signalling. Dave designed WMRCs massive ‘Little Siddington’ O gauge exhibition layout. Dave was also a hero of RNLI, having been a founder and first chair of RNLI Lough Ree life boat, and subsequently responsible for the permanent lifeboat station at Cowman point. Fairwell faithful friend, and fair sailing in the new life you now live. One perhaps we cannot fully comprehend, but may you be now sailing on a broad reach with 12kt of wind, the sun beaming on your broad kind smile. Care and prayer for your soul mate Siobhan, daughters Sarah, Jamie and son in-law Liam. Big friendly giant with such a huge heart, you will be missed. Meet you for a coffee in the next life. PS: Dave's handle here @Junctionmad came from his nostalgic love of Limerick Junction from years of travel back and forth to college in Limerick from his native Waterford. RPSI rail tour 2017 - Dave insisted on bringing his own linen table service complete with candelabra, much to the bemusement of people on the platform looking in, wondering what sort of ticket that table had.

I regret to inform you that Ken (KMCE) passed away this morning, peacefully, at his home. Many of you may know Ken, either personally, or through this forum. Ken was a perfectionist at heart and this is evident in his modelling where his patience, skill, and attention to detail shine through. I will miss him. Tom McElhinney.

Recently completed another class 121 for somebody. Asked for a heavily weathered example. Tried a few new things an i'm delighted with the results as are they. Your thoughts as always are appreciated. Chris

With the layout inoperable at the moment due to a large amount of stuff stored temporarily in the layout room, I have to content myself with a few posed shots. Over two ten-year gaps, we see the quieter midday train from Dugort Harbour to Castletown West. First, a clean 170 departs one summer day in 1954. Next, in summer 1964 we see the same service stabled a few hours before departure at the old cattle bank. The coach and van have yet to be repainted black’n’tan, but at least there’s a brand new 141 up front. By 1974, it’s a single 121, brake standard and van. Here, the driver prepares to shunt the set to the platform.

Big update below - I cant't believe it's been nearly a year since the last update! You think you're not getting a lot done, but when you look back and gather it all together, it can be surprising how much can been accomplished on a layout over a few months. So grab a cuppa (if that's your thing) and enjoy Loco weathering At the start of the summer I was excited to start weathering the locos. Not wanting to make my first attempt on our lovely beautiful (expensive) Murphy Models / IRM Irish locos, I took one of my older Lima class 33's and gave it a go, using some streaking techniques I had seen on Everard Junction on YouTube and also some weathering powders and paint effects. Quite pleased with the result and found it easy enough to do, mistakes could also be corrected so that put my mind at ease that I could handle Irish locos (they're working out well, more photos to come soon). Backscenes & Lighting Next up, I was getting sick of looking at the bare walls in every photo and took the plunge to create the backscenes and add better lighting. I put up a WIZ smart LED strip from Currys across the layout and workbench - made a massive difference to the quality of the lighting. The backscenes were particularly tricky to do since I had no access to the back of the baseboard (it being in a small office) and having to offset them from the wall due to plug sockets and the broadband connection terminals. So I mounted 2x4 blocks on the wall above and below the baseboard to carry the weight of the boards, cut the boards to size, and used double-sided picture hanging strips (from Homeware) to just hold the boards in place. I used ID Backscenes with the self adhesive backing, laid them on the board (very happy with how easy and smoothly they went on) and put them up. Voila, was delighted with the result...until about 4 days later. This was during the hot few weeks in the summer and I came in one morning to see the entire backscene was covered in bubbles Looking online, other people had similar problems with the self adhesive expanding in the heat and then contracting, destroying the backscene! I was not pleased, however I re-purchased the backscene and flipped the boards around, attaching it on with strips of double sided tape from a craft store. This seemed to do the trick and I purposefully left gaps in the strips to allow any trapped air to escape. It's worked a treat so far and made a huge difference to the layout and photos. Mounting the Backscenes Lighting Before and After End Result Buffers Insanely, I decided to add LEDs to all the buffers from scratch. This turned out to be really fiddly and sometimes frustrating, but ultimately enjoyable and rewarding. The result was great and I'll pop a series of how-to images in the tutorial topic at some point in the near future if anyone wants to see how it was done. The LEDs for the Hornby buffers were easier to manage as they were 1206's (0.12 inches by 0.06 inches (3.2 x 1.6 mm)). However I used 0603's on the lamp on the Peco Buffers and they were tiny (0.06 by 0.03 inches (1.6 by 0.8 mm)). I also left some buffers without LEDs and rusted on older sidings. Using an old adjustable Gaugemaster control unit as the power source also meant the intensity of the lights could easily be turned up or down, so that was handy Fuel Point Next up near the end of the summer was to complete the fuel point. The concrete hardstands had been sitting there for a few months and I'd been itching to get at them and do some grimy, oily weathering. I also wanted to use a kit and add some dim orange lighting, typical of the 80's and 90's when LED lighting wasn't as widespread. Very happy with the end result, it has the dirty and grimy feel, with shiny oil stains and dim sodium lighting, exactly what I was aiming for Adding metal grates to the concrete by digging strips out of the modelling clay, cutting out the plastic from a sieve, gluing in place, adding baby powder mixed with some coal dust to represent accumulated grime, more PVA, and then a series of black washes for colour. Putting together the kit parts, painting and weathering them to look nice and oily For the lighting, I used more of the small amber LEDs and wire saved from cutting off LED arms, and the frog wire from points. Supergluing this carefully (even using some heat shrink to insulate the wires where they cross on the structure), the long wires are then run down the two supports, where they can pass through holes in the baseboard. End Result! New locos October saw a career opportunity and change to work for Getty Images so I treated myself and expanded the fleet, picking up 4 locos at the Model Show in Dublin and a bunch more from the UK. This bring the Irish loco total to 24 which is the perfect size fleet for what I have in mind on the next, larger layout in the cabin (https://irishrailwaymodeller.com/topic/11229-charobyn-model-railway/) 3 x 141s and a Black and Tan 121 from the Irish Model show, plus the obligatory couple of packs of ore wagons from irish Railway Models Bought another 11 models and rolling stock from a UK modeller who just happened to be selling them when I was looking on ebay - have saved up for these for a while! (2 x 201, 3 x 071, 3 x 141 and 3 x 121) Railings Over Christmas, we all got struck down with Covid in the house (from the 23rd to the 2nd, just in time to go back to work ). However it did mean a lot of time for modelling, so I added some railings from Scale Model Scenery around the depot and fuel point area to protect workers from accidentally wandering into the path of locos! The railings were a breeze to use, painted with a yellow / orange mix, weathered using black and rusty weathering powders, as well as a spot of aluminium paint for areas frequently leaned on by workers. Then some hole punching and PVA to hold them in place, as well as tricky joining work on the corners using Roket Card glue and job done. Pretty happy with the result, I like that they are weathered and dirty and not bright yellow when surrounded everywhere by oil and grime End result Static Grass And last but not least, something I've been putting off for ages as I was terrified of screwing it up and making an irreversible mistake on the layout...scenery and static grass. So I took the opportunity to get my daughter (3 years 9 months) started in modelling over Christmas Covid lockdown and she helped me make a mock diorama to practice creating a hill and adding scenery. This worked out quite well, using insulation board from the local hardware, cut to shape with a steak knife and glued using gorilla glue. Then a coat of sculptamold, chocolate paint, ground cover and static grass. Also took the opportunity to practice making walls using 3mm mdf and covering one with textured brickwork wrap (made by a guy in Greece on Etsy ), one with brick plasticard and making one from scratch with DAS modelling clay and etching in the brickwork lines. All were weathered using paint washes and powders and turned out well. Adding Woodland scenics turf, bushes, underbrush, foliage and more scatter completed the scene - I felt a bit more confident about adding some scenery to the layout after this! End Result This "practice run" then gave me to confidence to try out a little scene with old rusty rails and weeds near the back of one of the depot buildings. I'll admit I was getting worried that it looked crap and artifical, but when I started adding bushes and extra details, it really came together and I was delighted End Result ---------------------------------------- So there we go, "lot's done, more to do" as the fella says I hope you enjoyed this update as much as I enjoyed putting it together. At the moment, I'm having great fun weathering the Irish locos. I think the next big project will be painting and properly weathering one of the engine sheds, but we'll see. I have also figured out how to upgrade the sound and fit twin double mega bass speakers into the 071s and the 201s so will share some videos on that soon. Also it was tricky but I even managed to fit another sugar cube tower speaker into the class 121 with amazing results. Will share that too as it was definitely not obvious, or easy to do! More updates soon...much sooner than last time anyway

Some Photos from the Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2022 And when it was all over.

NIR HUNSLET 101 EAGLE This is my Silver fox model of the NIR Hunslet loco 101 EAGLE. It started with the resin body and then I used a Lima 20 class chassis for the power. The Lima chassis was old and only had pickup to one bogie so I managed to get pickups to the other bogie and that helped a lot on the frogs on points. Blue paint was mixed from 2 Humbrol colours M68 & G52. The red/orange stripes were hand painted with more red than orange Hand rails, wipers and foot steps on the front were hand made. I tried to give it a heavy weathered look but didn't want to over do it. Hope you like it. I will start with a photo by J & J Cottrell that they sent to me of the loco at Adelaide which was a big help, and thanks to them for their help.

This year the South Dublin Model Model Railway Club is celebrating 50 years in existence. From humble beginnings of a few like minded individuals coming together in a members workshop in Rathmines to where we are today in our purpose built club rooms in Knocklyon in Dublin. Our Exhibition in Blackrock College this year will have added significance and we are planning on it being our biggest and best show yet. Dates of our show: October 25th,26th & 27th. Thank you The Organising team.

Happy Christmas to all.

Apologies for the lack of updates, but due to work commitments I was unable to get much done on the layout for over 7 months. However, the last four or five months have been more fruitful, and I've managed to make some progress on the goods yard area behind the station. I was planning to wait until the whole area was finished before I uploaded some photos, but my brother is home for a week or two, and he took some nice shots with his camera, and I couldn't resist sharing them. I should be able to finish the entire area, including the goods shed and oil tanks, over the next month or two, so I'll post some photos when I'm done. Paddy

Hi everyone, We have done up a wee formation guide on these to give you some idea on traction and set up! Cheers! Fran

Completed model - as No. 63. Cheers Darius

Class 2700 I took time over the last two weekends to complete this build. Most of the first weekend was devoted to altering the lighting to circuits to show 2 whites headlights rather than the 'daylight' lighting configuration of the donor model. The alteration only required 2 new LEDs to be installed, however the project used about 10 SMD LEDs as two of the original red LEDs blew during testing and I lost several of the new white SMD LEDs in the process. Most of last weekend was spent with finishing cosmetic touches including 3D printing the front valence and false couplers for each end of the unit.

353741869_088Shunting2.mp4

Not much progress in 2022 on Glengarriff & Four Masters Bridge due in part to various 'holidays' courtesy of the NHS but also because to keep me occupied I am cataloguing and identifying several thousand negatives from the 1930's to the 1960's where the information is recorded on the back of prints but with no links to the relative negative. This view shows the solution; I have scanned the negatives sleeve by sleeve to give me a positive which can be enlarged on the PC to assist in matching the print. Also in view is my study which has now been re-arranged to provide a 4 feet x 2' -6'' space for a 009 layout basically a roundy-roundy . 2 Ffestiniog Peco/kato small 0-4-0stt arrived yesterday to go with my Double Fairlie. Construction will have to wait until the prints/negs task is completed. Finally a couple of views of the Ballyshannon-Sligo Local behind 124 & 192 crossing the Drowes River.

Today, 12/09/20, two days after my 78th Birthday, our Postman delivered a wee parcel. To my delight it is my 121 from The Paddy Murphy Stable. This delivery made me thing a wee bit. I thought of my age, my model railway, the locomotives I am running; as I prepare for a professional Filming Session of Old Blarney this Thursday. Most importantly, my thoughts turned to the man who made it possible for me to have models of Irish Locomotives, and rolling stock, Paddy Murphy. His production of accurate models of the 141 and 181 Locomotives as used on our Railway System, and each of the models he has produced since then made me feel extremely grateful to him. Did I do anything - yes. I telephoned the great man. He was taking a walk in a Park and took the time to have a conversation with me. I would like to extend an invitation to each individual on this forum who reads, contributes and has an interest in Model Railways. Please add your personal thanks to Paddy for all he had done for you, your hobby and the RPSI by adding your name and a message to him through this page. My sincere thanks, to you, Paddy Murphy, David White.