Galteemore

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…….

It’s quite possible to get that sorted. I have used 4D modelshop in London to draw up etches for me. If a few of you were chipping in that would be a cost effective way of paying off the design fee. I have no connection with the firm but they did me a fabulous job. Results of which I hope to post soon….

Well that was fun - a day on NPQ at Aldershot. A few annoyances - the SG2 keeps shorting out, and there were one or two stock issues which I trace to dodgy back to backs or stray pickups. The PP, on examination at home, has a pickup now bent at a strange angle, which explains at least one derailment….The GN coach needs more finishing work, and the magnetic couplings, highly effective though they are, will get some tweaking, not least camouflage. What an enormously fun day it was all round though. Great company and what an absorbing layout to run. To please Leslie we even ran a through portion of the Bundoran Express! Unless I’m greatly mistaken, I think this is the first appearance of corridor stock on NPQ. The coach is also about a foot and a half long ! I also achieved two personal goals. One was to operate the traverser in turntable mode. This is quite a responsible task, given that the deck is loaded with Mr Holman’s years of effort and dedication and a false move on my part could send it floorwards… The second one was to have a train of my own stock occupying a fiddle yard road and working a full part of the NPQ roster. Lurganboy, which has lurked in her box for months after disgracing herself at Uckfield and Tolworth, ran as sweet as a nut, and hauled my coach 4 and H van quite happily. The van is vacuum braked of course…. Willing suspension of disbelief and all that…. splendid day and always a joy to spend time with David H. Lots of advice, help and general chat in the margins. Very pleasing to see Leslie and companion too!

They aren’t going to miss the boat today ! Very evocative - this will be a fab layout when scenics start

LNER garter blue isn’t a bad match. Good effort !

Yep, separate handrails are a game changer. Looks great - well done!

My first SL wagon in many years. Scratch build from 1920s Manorhamilton drawings. Tiny compared to an H van ! Bit more weathering due when the enamels on the metalwork set. This one hasn’t too many miles left in it I think, and will soon be destined for the wagon scrapyard at Manorhamilton.

That’s terrific work. Really looks good

Here on the Sligo Leitrim, speed is everything

Try contacting jpeterbell@aol.com

Fabulous stuff. The times I spent staring at that panelling on the carriage bulkhead in between frantically scrabbling down homework due that day….,

Do you see a plan crystallising, Patrick ?

Ballisodare would offer a fair amount of through traffic going interesting places, but with a simple track plan - the actual junctions were at Carrignagat. MGWR, WLWR and SLNC traffic all passed through. Would be a fairly kaleidoscopic display of liveries if modelled pre 1925.

One of my biggest missed opportunities only came to light thirty years after the event. I lived in Edinburgh from 89-93 and had no idea till decades later that I’d missed out on seeing Richard Chown’s Castle Rackrent system, then in its heyday. It didn’t require 40 operators but a fair few even so : it was a proper end to end Irish 5’3 system, operated with signals and bell codes. I’d love such a thing - imagine the Irish North and Sligo Leitrim stuff you could do……but reality bites us all. In the end, a smaller layout is quicker to build, easier to operate, and less to maintain. Doesn’t stop us dreaming and can’t wait to see what you do next @Patrick Davey

I’ve noticed trains removed in the past. Seems to happen once all tickets are sold.

That’s a pity Patrick. If it’s any consolation, the photos are most useful - thank you !

Bet your platform is still longer than this! Prototype for everything.

It’s 68 years ago today that the Irish North and Sligo Leitrim closed. A few pics in silent tribute

Fab stuff Darius. Your models deserve a bespoke canvas like that !

The 1953 photo is a nice touch! Thanks for posting this

Fabulous - UG really looks good in plain black.

Since when was that a barrier to posting stuff on this forum ?

Phil Parker, one of Britain’s leading model railway journalists, writes very favourably about small shows. I know what he means - both my gigs as a sole exhibitor have been at such. You can find some real gems, and Dunshaughlin looks like it’s getting set to be a fixture. There’s time for someone to develop a layout for next year …..;)

Looks like Hunslets in one of the cases…..

Not guilty ! I haven’t finished a Sligo model for months now… distracted by black tender engines with mahogany coaches …