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Just a few random photos from Bangor show

CIE 1965-ca Wexford 2608. CIE 1967 CA Killarney B121 25j+090 CIE 1967-09-09 Dundalk 186 SPL +B173 in bay. CIE 1967 ca Wexford North 25j+081.

It's been a busy couple weeks, including a short break in Paris sandwiched between two exhibitions. Northport Quay behaved reasonably well in the first, though there was still a list of things to look at afterwards. The second show, last weekend, was at Ashford, in support of the National Model Railway Centre. The latter is the brainchild of Cliff Parsons [of Gresley Beat fame] aimed at preserving some of our most iconic model railways. Gordon Gravett's Arun Quay was at the show, but so was Pempoul, his Reseau Breton masterpiece - and with Gordon busy on Pempoul, I had the delight and privilege of operating Pempoul. Those who know the layout will appreciate it is a scenic masterpiece, but it is also a mechanical and electrical one too. It uses one of the ZTC DCC controllers, complete with semi automatic control because the five storage roads are well out of reach at the back of the oval. Choose a train and the route is set, then all you have to do is drive it, via a very nice regulator lever, round to the station. There was an 0-6-6-0 and 0-4-4-0 Mallet, plus three railcars to play with - all scratch built, as indeed is the whole layout. At least 13 years work in total... Helping Gordon pack up Arun Quay after the show, I also saw how well engineered his layouts are. Arun Quay's structure is largely made from laminated foamboard and the two baseboard fit snugly in a beautifully built wheeled box. Baseboards sit on a purpose-built frame [which will also support his new Reseau Breton layout]. This folds up neatly for transport, with carefully made slots for various other pieces, while the fascias live in their own, purpose made gunny sack. Exquisite doesn't begin to describe it all. Came away feeling I really should do better! Anyway, this week, finally got back to the Swilly Pacific. While looking very smart in its lined green livery, for me it was a bit too bright and clean and I wanted the finish to be more like the photos in Norman Johnson's splendid 'Irish Narrow Gauge Railways in Colour'. The two pictures below, while not the best in terms of definition [They are early 1950s colour, after all], give a good idea of what I was after. Fairly clean, but with lining and lettering appearing only faintly behind a haze of everyday grime. So, it was back to the bible that is Martyn Welch's The Art of Weathering. Produced nearly 30 years ago, it remains my 'go to' for such work, because it makes everything seem very achievable. However, I also had to gird up my loins and get out the airbrush - very much NOT my favourite implement, but needs must in this case. The basic work is to spray a fine mist of Humbrol Metalcote gunmetal, mixed 2:1 with tarmac, though as the latter isn't available anymore, I used slate grey instead. The main concern was getting the right amount of misting & overall, it seems to have worked out ok. After leaving the paint to dry overnight, I then used cotton buds to polish the tanks, boiler and cab to give a more cared for look. Glazing was then added to the cab, the roof fixed in place and vacuum pipes fitted too. Judicious use of weathering powders finished the job. Still a bit of final fettling to do, but thought it would be nice to pose the loco on the layout, along with some of my other Swilly stock.

One of the most requested wagons we get asked for from our Irish outline fans is nothing new, but an icon of our past. The humble cement bubble was the second wagon we ever produced, but was an absolute must have wagon for any Irish outline modeller. It's been several years since the last run, but we're delighted to announce that our Cement Bubbles are back, in two liveries! HISTORY Introduced in seven batches between 1964 and 1972, a total of 150 of these two-axle wagons were built by Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) to convey bulk loads of cement from Irish Cement’s plants at Drogheda in County Louth, Castlemungret in County Limerick and Platin in County Meath to distribution points throughout the CIÉ/Irish Rail and Northern Ireland Railways’ networks. Despite being introduced at different stages, the fleet carried numbers in an unbroken sequence ranging from 25050 to 25199. Affectionately known as ‘bubbles’ due to their distinctive profile, the majority of the fleet remained in service right up until the cessation of cement traffic by rail in 2009. At first, the wagons carried an all-over medium grey livery with CIÉ roundels and ‘Bulk Cement’ text on the body sides. In the early 1970s, they were repainted with orange/tan bodies and grey chassis. In the early 1980s, they received a further repaint which saw them turned out with ivory bodies and black chassis. This latter livery was carried until withdrawal, although it was often hidden below several layers of cement dust! While wearing this colour scheme, a small number of wagons also received ‘Irish Cement’ branding. The wagons were loaded from overhead silos via a hatch located on top of the body, while unloading was conducted by utilising compressed air, which forced the powdered cement through the two cones at the base of the body and into a pipe which emerged at one end of the wagon. Unloading could be conducted at specialised terminals or by road-hauled trailers fitted with the necessary air blowers The Model Our cement bubbles were the second wagon we ever produced, and we're delighted to say that the detail and quality still more than holds its own among other releases since. Now in our fourth production run, we are bringing back the orange variant (only ever produced in small quantities once many years ago. We are also bringing back the ivory livery with CIE roundel, a livery that the bubbles wore for the longest period in their careers, from the early 1980s until withdrawal in 2008. In the early to mid 80s they also ran in mixed trains of orange and ivory liveries, so they can complement each other in a rake. Three packs are available in each livery and are priced at £109.95 per pack, with 10% off when you buy two packs or more. Delivery of the bubbles will be Q4, 2025. Pre-order yours below, or from your local Accurascale stockist! Pre-Order Your CIE Cement Bubble Wagons Here! View the full article

No updates on this thread in quite a while. I have been receiving chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma since December. The treatment resulted in quite bad back pain, so I did not really go near the layout. I had a meeting with my consultant during the week and the good news is that my latest scan was all clear. Cancer gone, in other words. Happy days. The trade off with my particular lymphoma is that it is non aggressive and slow growing, but it can never be fully got rid of. This means it will almost certainly return in the future, but hey, I will take the victories where I get them. I had been making some wall sections before Christmas to go around the railway yard, so hopefully I will have some some pics of those soon enough, now that the treatment is finished. Bet ye can't wait

Mark 2D Composite 5156 in the sidings at Heuston North

A few progress pics of the BCDR bogie tank. Managed to get through the painting process without any major disasters. A first? I think I'm learning, albeit at a glacial pace. Halfords grey etch primer from the rattle can then Tamiya acrylics. X18 semi-gloss black followed by XF70 dark green, both airbrushed. I've started the line dancing now. Fox transfers. This bit always takes a while. Alan

Hello everyone, I just want to say on behalf of my father and his Evenwood layout a huge thank you to those who supported the project. It has been quite the undertaking and we are extremely happy to be able to present it at the North Down show. The project was originally conceived ten years ago with the construction of station building and signal box, it was only last year that we realised that we needed to really push forward and complete the project, using the 200 year of the S&DR as motivation. The layout is roughly 95% complete, with just signals, footbridge and terrace housing requiring completion, which we hope to do so soon. We hope that everyone who observed the layout over the weekend enjoyed it, and we thank those who shared their memories of the surrounding area. The layouts next outing has not been confirmed, but a running video will be created and uploaded to YouTube.

Many thanks to NDMRS for a fine show and to everyone who stopped to chat over the 2 days. Enjoyed it very much. Some pics... Alan

Great to meet up with @LNERW1, @josh_, @Tullygrainey @WRENNEIRE and others today. My stock has taken a nice dent, but I haven't run out yet! If you're making a trip here on Sunday be sure to have a look at Enda's new PalVans which look just terrific - an absolute winner if I'm any judge. Thanks to those of you who came by today and helped reduce the number of boxes I have to take back! Leslie

Finished Cheers Darius

Today was a big day for Corks Rail Future with the opening of platform 6 and the launch of the consultancy for Cork Luas I recorded the opening ceremony this morning

Again, thanks to all who came by at Bangor. Thanks especially to Ellen of NDMRC and her team. I removed my own new vans (40% sold) and put up Enda's items instead - the new PalVans, the skeletons - a very free-running, useful item for people with containers of every sort - all of which Enda supplies - Unload, Coal, Oil - Thanks especially to all my customers. Several lines of kits are down to zero!

A very enjoyable 2 days at the NDMRS Bangor Show. Good atmosphere, lots of variety and some epically good modelling on display - I've posted a few pics in the 'What's On: Bangor 2024' thread. Great to see so many familiar faces and also meet some on-line acquaintances in person for the first time. The Stone Yard behaved itself impeccably all weekend and also hosted a few guest engine drivers in the age 5 - 10 group. Budding railway modellers every one! No locos were harmed in the process. Thanks to NDMRS, to everyone who stopped to talk and to Kieran Lagan for sharing loco superintendent duties. Alan

Another nice arrival at Clogherhead today, a superb palvan from Enda Byrne! Truly magnificent craftsmanship and very quick service at a very reasonable price. Winner! Thanks Enda!

I've updated my table of the models produced to include the new ones, which are highlighted in bold: The IRM models are an excellent representation of the 1970 and 1972 batches and many of the new numbers are in these batches. The models are also very close to the 1967 batch, the only significant difference on these was the W irons (hard to see unless you look very closely). The 1965 batches had several differences originally but became more standardised over time. I'm looking forward to backdating a couple of the models with their older type of brakes and other details. I'm pleased to see that IRM have avoided numbers in the 1964 batch this time round as these had the most significant differences between prototype and model. There aren't any new grey ones so no chance for the gaffes committed with 25109, 25159 and 25187 in previous packs (none of these wagons were ever grey in reality). Overall I'm very pleased to see these reappear and I think there is a good selection of prototype numbers. I have duly ordered 3 packs. Thank you!

Started on Tuesday. Hornby chassis to be adapted to fit. Bodyshell assembled and trial fit to chassis. Dunfettlin Dunprimin Cheers Darius

HI All Just in are two of the three newly tooled 20ft tanks in Exsif and Suttons. These are of a more modern design and they have outlet covers if required and different walkways where required in Etched stainless steel . Regards Arran

Hi all hope you are all well. I'm just updating the range of 3D printed OO scale items that I'm doing. First I'm doing the Uniload containers unweathered as alot of people wanted them pristine. (€15 each) Replacement 071/141 buffers original style and modern style. (50 cent each) Station signs 3 different sizes depending on the length of the name. Names not included. (4 for €8) Modern station seating unpainted. (3 for €10) RTR palvan. (€35) I have them in grey and redie brown and 6 different number variations. Defibrillator box. (€1 each) Pm me if you want any further information or would like to purchase something. Thanks Enda

Decals applied. Cheers Darius

The museum's poster for my exhibition.

Keyser LMS wagon kit obtained as part of a job lot of mainly MTK items a few weeks ago. Built in an afternoon. Cheers Darius

9Yeah I used Google maps for measurements. While not exact its a good indicator.my shed is 250 mm wide and 900 mm long which is a bit short.turn table is about 200 mm. If you use anyrail you can drop a Google image in and layout track plans over it. Iv stalled as iv no clue how to put it into a layout.id be interested to see how you overcome this as I don't have a lot of space.

Thanks folks. The air brushing took all of two minutes, though I did practice on bits of card beforehand to try and get the spray pattern right. Truth be known, it looks ok with the two foot rule, but close up, it could be better. Must make sure I request barriers when the layout goes out again! Going back to Gordon's masterful work, have come to realise that time is never a factor in what he does. Apart from the obvious skill and experience, he simply works on stuff until it is right - and if it takes more than one go, so be it. Indeed, he will often practice extensively before making the actual model or component. One example he told me last weekend was about Pempoul's track. The Reseau Breton was metre gauge, while the layout uses EM (18mm) track. Not quite correct, because the scale used is 1:50, but a reasonable compromise. The track itself utilised S scale components: code 98 bullhead rail and cast whitemetal chairs. Gordon assembled everything using aradite. Not the 5 minute stuff, but the full on 24 hour setting version. Immensely strong, but requiring numerous half track panels to be assembled one at a time, over many evenings! I guess we all have certain things we are happy to spend more time on than others, but the very best modellers do it on everything - and there, I think, lies the difference. Add in skill, experience, knowledge, vision etc and you get the very best of the best.

Locomotive 001 prepares to depart from Lakeview freight yard with the Burma road freight service to Sligo-which will pick up wagons en route.

I’ve ordered a copy of “Rude Words for Modellers (00 Scale Edition)” from Hattons. £7.60 + £19 postage + £26.34 brexit charges + £8.09 customs.

They operated and I worked the sets on the Westport route when they covered for the standard Mk3 sets around 2005/2006 Operating instructions regarding MK3 hauled push pull rolling stock notice from 2005….

Following my first tentative foray into brass, I’m going for something a bit more ambitious now. The GSWR had a small number of coach-type-panelled short-wheelbase four wheel vans which were variously used as mobile tool vans, hearse vans of parcel vans. Several variations. The MGWR had several vans similar in concept, but the Midland being the Midland, the design was about as similar as an ICR is to a grandfather clock. This Roxey kit, a native of Narrow Gauge Island back in the day, is as similar as can be had. Without windows, I thought it might be a reasonable next step. If I don’t make an unholy pigs ear of it (and my expert tutor should hopefully stop me) maybe a carriage next…. So, the kit arrived…. The prototype, by the way, ran on the London, Chatham & Dover Railway, ultimately the Southern Railway. It’ll end up either in CIE dark lined green, or if I make it into a departmental tool van, it’ll either be wagon grey or dark lined green with red ends. Another possibility is very badly faded GSR maroon, for when I’m in early 50s running mode….

Following my post on 24th March, the gap is finally filled. Track connected; all again thanks great assistance from jhbJnr and my Expert Learned Friends (you know who you are). Now, a yella machine takes a spin into Dugort Harbour. Once all declared good, the crew hit the bus back to Castletown West. “Footplate Pass? Nah, don’t worry if you’ve lost it. C’mon up. What part of England did ye say ye were from?”

Built and/or reconstructed in the past 12 months. Cheers Darius

I picked up a few nice bits and pieces.

20 wagons was the maximum load for a fully fitted train of Bubble Wagons hauled by a single 001 or pair of small GMs (121,141,181) 20 wagons would have been the normal load on bulk cement trains to destinations like Cabra, Cork, Athenry, Waterford, Limerick-Athy trains may have been shorter & possibly Tullamore. Bulk Cement to Belfast and Derry transported in the consist of cross border Liner Trains. In loose coupled days single or short cuts of Bubbles were conveyed in mixed goods trains complete with Brake Vans, several Jonathan Allen photos published or Bubbles on Cross Border Goods Trains, and I remember in the mid1970s seeing pairs of Bubbles on a number of occasions in the middle of the consist of the Claremorris-Limerick goods train (most likely returning empty from Ballina (Asahi construction project)

Well after much fettling and fiddling the PP is done. Thanks to the helical gearbox she floats along very nicely and runs very smoothly. Haulage seems adequate. Little bit more subtle weathering to do but that’s it I think. video of her rolling - and hitting the buffers! https://youtu.be/65vNarq38KY?feature=shared Also fascinating to see how tiny PPs were. Look how she (in the middle) stacks up against a JT and SG2… My thanks to @Rob R and @Colin R for alerting the forum to the box of bits on eBay!

Glazing, handrails and hosiery fitted. Cheers Darius

I have succumbed and booked a pack. It occurred to me that I seem to have quite a lot of IRM stuff to look forward to......

I have reached another milestone today. I uttered a gratuitously and purposefully offensive word in the direction of a tiny ventilation which fell into the floor, landing in an inaccessible location….

I fell foul of that this morning, and tried to solder a tiny door vent, and made a mess of it. Much fibre brushing must follow - but - I didn’t burn my fingers yet!

I have an extensive catalogue of rude words, epithets (and sequences of such), which I find can be very helpful in such work. However, Rule Number One, which is much more useful, is always to stop while you are winning. In my experience, the temptation to fit one more piece almost always comes back to bite you.

“Did ye see that fella in the Ford Anglia out by Paddy O’Sullivan’s this afternoon? He must have been going at thirty miles an hour. He’s up in Eddie an’ Bernie’s now all scratched and blood, but the car’s wrecked….” “Ye’ll never lift a thing that big with a hand barrow!” ”Yer man with the Anglia….” ”Never mind the man with the damn Anglia, get this loaded before PJ starts givin’ out!”

Joe - sounds a great idea all round. What’s your layout building experience thus far? Only asking as this is quite a technical challenge to take on, especially if a lone wolf modeller. If this is your first layout, I’d suggest trying something more conventional first to practice basic skills. As a basic learner myself, I’ve learned at first hand how dispiriting it can be when a grand plan hits a snag. A small first layout will teach you a lot, and the frustrations/disappointments will not be on a titanic scale

A couple of photos from around the show:

The walking group had a local venture today, to gain a few new victims, around Abbeyleix Bog. I spotted these relics at the coffee shop in the hotel carpark.

I've tried scaling, aligning and overlaying the 3 drawings of the German/Dutch version. They're similar but not quite identical in shape. I also found this elsewhere on the forum, so now I need to try and overlay this too. It's not great quality though = does anyone know of a better version?

Unexpected happend( I bought the set)

I was looking at tank wagons today. I've come to the conclusion that the Oxford Rail tank wagon (which has been recently re-released) is near-identical to the smaller-diameter Irish Shell tank wagons, one of which is preserved by the RPSI. Here's the prototype, this isn't actually the RPSI one but it's the same; these are to the 1907 RCH standard and the photo dates from 1964 so they had a good long life: Here's the model: Here's the preserved one: For OO gauge this would just need re-lettering on the tank. I wonder how hard it would be to widen the frames for 21mm, and hide the join in the middle?

My first time to visit a Model Railway show/event and I was very impressed. The trouble that different clubs and individuals have gone to with their layouts was very impressive, with clubs from all over the country in attendance. There seemed to be a lot of people milling around but not to many to hinder getting a go view of the layouts or the stalls. Above is a map of the event, the rooms/areas were nice and bright and not cramped, I didn't know what to expect but it I was pleasantly surprised by the whole event. Loved the humour of this partial shot of the layout, this one featured running water with one of the builders was saying that they were going to add anglers at some stage??? The detail in this and many of the other layouts was extraordinary for my untrained eye. This European tramline combining the 4 seasons in a single layout, along with a park with cyclist pedalling around in circular route and all to scale... I did like that. Below are a few pictures from the event. This layout is sponsored by Tayto

I was going to do a modern era too.even made up the side buildings.im doing the 70s so decided to start over.if your interested there was also a signal cabin across from the shed that was knocked down in 1984. Id be very interested to see drawings if you get them.see how far off my measurements were.

If you have bored yourself to death by reading my E401 kit instructions, you will notice a few places where they say 'these parts are small and fragile so I have provided some spares on the etch'. Amazing how many kit designers don't do that, yet leave large areas of the fret blank...

"Cynwyd" had its 6th public outing at the North Down MRS Exhibition 2025 last weekend. Great Western rolling stock on Saturday and British Railways on Sunday. Well done to all at ND MRS for a very enjoyable show! DSCF5516.AVI

I would like to think 2600s will see quite a bit more of the country before all is said and done, subject to IÉ capacity. Our next mainline outing will be something different however, watch this space.