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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.

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.

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…….

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.