Galteemore

Also looks like someone has put in the hard yards of chassis and superstructure assembly. So on the face of it it’s only adding details and paint to complete ….

Anyone know when they’re replacing the platform? These oul slabs keep sticking to my feet ….

It’s an odd one. Also odd are the quirky things released like Fell and gas turbine locos. I think part of it may be due to the fact that no one under 65 can remember steam in operation - except in the preservation world. So many people can actually now recall seeing steam locos in glorious liveries with pre-grouping stock eg Bluebell. I also suspect postmodernism has something to do with it…..

In a rather charming, deliberately retro, project a few years ago, Chris Leigh changed a Dean Goods into a 2-4-0 as used on the Lambourn branch. Image from Model Rail. The idea of a generic 2-4-0 is quite plausible! Image by J F Russell-Smith. This one below, of course is an ex MSJWR one which has been Swindonised….

Very attractive and purposeful indeed. Something of the GER 2-4-0 about them. Ideal candidate for 3D - those splashers would be ‘fun’ to scratch build ….image courtesy Science Museum

Interesting David, and I do like that MTK loco. I have had a long look at making a Slaters MW 0-4-0T into the SLNC ‘Faugh a Ballagh’ but decided that it was far too much trouble!

Thanks Bob - that’s right. I had actually finished it off with Roger’s chimney - and showed a picture to my dad, who can actually remember seeing a JT working - no 91. First thing he said was - the chimney’s wrong! So a quick chat with Laurie Griffin and a J88 alternative appeared. Thankfully I hadn’t mixed the epoxy very well so it was quite easy to remove version 1. The whistle is also a buy-in, as the provided casting was a little bulky in the wrong places.

Indeed it does - tender no 31. Don’t think it has any future - the Mogul if and when finished will apparently use one of the ex U tenders.

Earlier this year I decided to try building another Alphagraphix loco kit, for myself, as I have sold all the ones I’ve built. Roger doesn’t do any Sligo locos but GN locos did venture into the SLNC yard at Enniskillen for shunting, so I can justify a JT - I think! @Richard EH mentioned the Alphagraphix JT recently as a 4mm proposition, so this may of interest to those wondering about Roger’s kits. As @leslie10646knows, I was brought up to love the elderly black locos of the GN out in the wilds of Fermanagh and Cavan even more than the main line bluebirds. So here’s no 92, with a few build photos. I have very few modelling rules but one is that black engines must be weathered, or the details won’t show. This weathering is based on extensive photo study and has been an interesting exercise in its own right. The appearance of dusty smears on the tanks is very evident on 1950s colour pics of GN tanks. If the vid works, you’ll see that she does work….kit is more or less as supplied; new buffers and chimney are main changes, plus adding rivets and such fripperies as sandbox lids. Much fettling was required to build it to scale 5’3” and extensive grinding of the interior parts with a Dremel was the only way to allow the rods to rotate. Even then the bolts on the coupling rods had to be trimmed right down. The wheels are extensively padded with washers to ensure that everything stays lined up under the footplate!! IMG_2827.mov

GMs were built 1980. I think 1981 was when 111/112 took over the Enterprise

The Vatican does see occasional steam…..

John - know what you mean. I find the only antidote is to model in 7mm scale to 36.75mm gauge. If IRM decide to launch a range in those parameters I’m done for!

I see the news is out. Excellent choice, and logical too….

Makes perfect sense, given the journey distances.

Interesting John. Spent a day in south Wales this week. Fascinating mix of loco-hauled trains to Holyhead, GWR hybrids, classic railcar sets of the late BR era, and these very swish Stadlers with a GNRI style central power pack. Pic from Tom Curtis

As @leslie10646will confirm, the 171 pic was on an historic day. This was a mammoth RPSI tour, which involved the only ever UG working to Portrush - and the last steaming of 207. So a sad photo in many ways but very precious.

Love the ‘space age’ gangway door!

Also in Cardiff yesterday, this jigsaw. Clearly the artist has seen an Isle of Man/NCC 2-4-0-T at some point. And then got over creative….

No point pontificating about it

Remains of semaphore signals Cardiff Bay. Once used to control shipping

Another vote for LGB. Have a look on eBay too for LGB trains and track. It’s designed for outdoor use and is pretty robust. You may need an electronic shuttle unit if the train is running just back and forward rather than in a circle. Garden Railway Specialists can help with all that stuff - pity I moved away from the Risborough area last year or I’d happily have gone enquiring in your behalf! Lots of friendly advice on this forum - keep us posted!

Textbook example of manufacturer transparency and respect for customers. Kudos to IRM.

Yes. Only IRM could manage the bogie splashers on the original batch !

Strictly speaking the S, if modelled on 171’s current state, can only appear in blue or UTA black . GN green and black S class locos had shallower frames - the blue was only applied on rebuilding in late 1930s. Compounds were only blue post re-build. Although often a very dirty blue by the end! It

Kato 103 or 109 I think