Galteemore

Thanks David - I splashed out on a decent parallel broach so may try that on the bearings. I am very fortunate to work 5 minutes away from a professional loco builder who has agreed to look at it tomorrow. I know that this wheel arrangement can be problematic, and Richard Chown’s version of this loco was driven on the carrying axles rather than the single wheel. Many of the key issues are already in place - the loco seems to pick up current from each wheel, all the wheels touch the track, and the driving wheel turns quite happily at low speed. So I’m hoping only a little fettling is required...I do like that idea about the compensated axle.

Looks really effective !

Also beginning to envisage building the layout now....

Thanks David! Sounds like a good plan for the track. I’ve managed to get the loco to move but the front and rear wheels stick a bit - not sure how to sort that. But you will probably be pleased to see another 36.75 loco on the rails! Short vid enclosed.... IMG_1171.MOV

A huge leap in progress today - by tackling two jobs that I’d been avoiding....track and a working loco. Both fairly key elements in a model railway... Permanent way first. The soldering is rather dodgy but that will get better. I made the mistake of using too large an iron and the joints are solid but not neat. Smaller iron next time. Excuses over, I give you...my first panel of 36.75mm track. One of the frustrations of not doing a sensible RTR project is that, well, nothing is RTR, so everything takes a bit of time to get things together. I’d put off doing track due to a bit of a hassle experienced when cutting out the jig a few months ago. But I can’t put it off for ever. So I promised/threatened myself that as soon as the station building was done I’d start on the track. And it’s the standard SLNC 45’ length so at least I know that’s right! And to cap it all off I managed to motorise my first ever Irish loco today....the prospect of fitting pickups etc rather spooked me but here’s this afternoon’s work - including a short video.... IMG_1167.MOV

Thanks Eoin - it did seem a bit of a coincidence!

Intriguingly, a similar model appeared this very week in an online O gauge mag I subscribe to....and I do agree, Eoin, it’s a very impressive loco. I do have a soft spot too for those 4-4-0s with the outside framed bogies...

Have a good recovery George!

Thanks David - I did employ many of your techniques, not least in fabricating windows!

Following Mr Holman’s helpful guidance, I have done some gentle reshaping of the corner stones which I hope are a bit crisper. I’ve also added a few poster boards in the style of the original Dromahair....

What a fantastic production - well done. It’s not my scale, it’s not my kind of loco, but all Irish modellers have to doff their caps here!

Here’s a few snaps from my brother’s old line (now being rebuilt in a new location) in County Tyrone....you can see the attraction of live steam...it’s an Accucraft loco so gives you an idea of the likely quality of the C and L one - v nice detail as well as being a real steam engine

It is a bit scary. But do bear in mind, PP, that the cost of a decent OO loco is now - as we know so well - often soaring well into the £200stg plus bracket. So this isn’t long term bad value, although can look steep to front up the cash. Having run live steam in the past, these things have massive presence even when dead and unlit. Put a fire in and they come alive with sound and smell in a way that DCC chips can never really imitate, and they hold their value. Plus you can run them in our gentle rain!

Thanks Leslie -wish I’d started learning that stuff at his age. Yes, I clocked 173 -one of the easier S names to spell ! If you can access this forum from your phone, when you press the green ‘choose files’ hyperlink it may allow you to access your phone’s photo library.

The very same, Mayner, accompanied by the builder in person. Great advert for Irish modelling.

Cracking show today. Spent ages at the IRRS stand in most convivial company. Purchased a book of SLNC wagon drawings and admired a breathtaking array of Irish locos. A teaser display of the Lance King photo archive was scrolling through - wonderful stuff !! My 15 year old son came along and learned how to make a crossing for a P4 point...he now wants to start a 21mm gauge project .... D

Have you tried things like the MGWR pictorial album that the IRRS published?

Depends how you look at it! 5’3 trumps 4’81/2” every time

Indeed. Isn't the LNWR simply the English subsidiary of the Dundalk Newry and Greenore? Planning to attend Scale4um on Sun pm...

Thanks David - enjoy the show! I will endeavour to dress the stones a little....the stucco paint works beautifully over a card surface that is slightly distressed in places - eg a tear where a window has been badly inserted . What it does is merge that damage into the rest of the surface without entirely concealing it. So when you paint on the top coat you get the subtle undulations of a rural rendered building....

Thanks David - I value your kind insights! The corner stones really are too rough. Think I’m on a learning curve with DAS clay... hopefully future buildings will be better! The upper story rendering is some lovely stuff from Vallejo called stucco paint. It’s a really creamy texture which dries like plaster with a suitably varied finish. A quick rub over with grey acrylic and weathering powders does the rest ..

Nice convincing scenes

Looks like a tribute to Inchicore! Lovely stuff

Thanks Popeye - it’s designed to look rather careworn so happy you agree!

Thanks for sharing some more tips, David. Fabulous work as ever!