Galteemore

That’s coming on very nicely. Great minimum space layout.

That’s my biggest ever piece of rolling stock more or less done. Thanks to @Paul 34Ffor significant information input, and @Northroader for the correct bogie sides, which I have squeezed out to 36.75. Very unusual coach, with both compartments and open sections. As with all my models, I’m quite disappointed with it in many ways but nor is it a complete failure, I suppose. Roof looks better in real life and a little more filler some weathering will smooth things out. The roof was horrible to do - a high arch - so ended up making a balsa layer structure and then sanding to shape. Corridor connections are temporary until I can get the correct ones sorted. Should look ok with the PP….shout out to @Mol_PMB and @Maynerfor construction advice.

That looks lovely. Great design and has turned out well.

Brilliant @murrayec And at the very end of his life he made this…

Nor should we forget this — set in Ireland but filmed near Basingstoke. When we lived there I paid regular pilgrimage to the site.

The above is one of my favourites. All done using real locos and stock, and the depot was actually blown up - SNCF wanted rid of it so struck a deal with the movie crew. Several other locos are destroyed in the course of the movie. Other movies worth watching for trains if not plot: Von Ryan’s Express, The Cassandra Crossing, First Great Train Robbery (filmed in Ireland with a specially restored 184 and cameo from 186), Train of Events, The Ladykillers.

Biggest hole in preservation is probably a 4-4-0 from one of the Southern companies. The most gorgeous of all a WLWR Robinson in original livery ….other worthy nominees are an NCC 3’ gauge compound, a PP class or U, BCDR 2-4-0. In terms of what would be useful in modern steam ops round Dublin, a Bandon tank or Glover tank would earn their keep.

That’s quite right - anything’s possible. It’s interesting though, that at least two of the most recent new builds have decided not to pursue main line certification - the Saint and Patriot builds. Of course, in GB you have your pick of lengthy heritage lines to stretch out on as an alternative option. Ireland just doesn’t have that choice, although Maam Cross might offer an opportunity if plans come off…

Apparently not. I had wondered if the old ‘rebuild’ dodge a la Claughton would work.

Yep. I saw it on Tuesday (a 40-hr visit to NI doing some measuring). It will also be tricky to certify (no grandfather rights), and by the time it’s done the only running option may be Downpatrick. It will however look magnificent.

Absolutely. There just isn’t the same nostalgic pull for people as the GMs have. You’d have to be well over 60 to have any clear memory of them in use. Although the same applies to the G class, they have the advantage of being cute, a little less complicated to restore, and useful at Downpatrick. As and when the time comes for an 071…Downpatrick’s PW people might be looking anxious !

Class 24/25/26 seem to use same power plant

Sadly it’s a common tale in the hobby. I really feel for those who have lost money. I suspect that the guilty parties generally don’t set out to defraud but end up overcommitted by not having a clear business model. Turning a hobby into a business is fraught with risk and can easily turn into a Ponzi scheme by default.

Primer’s always sobering, but there’s a lot here that a few dabs of filler can sort. Well done - always encouraging to see some old school modelling under way.