Galteemore

Yes, although the original Thomas books long precede Ivor. Awdry himself may well have drawn inspiration from a 1930s Hamilton Ellis cartoon…. There’s also a long forgotten series - which had an accompanying layout that regularly visited shows in the 50s-60s - called Sammy the Shunter.

If you’re in the N Wales area…Hattons - the final act: https://bala-lake-railway.co.uk/hattons-model-railways-closing-down-sale/

That’s some LED lighting rig you have, DJ…

For a scratch built 4mm effort, that’s pretty good going. Some nice finishing of newel posts etc.

Interesting - a professional model maker on the Big Island has discovered Irish railways. His output is top notch - will be interesting to follow: https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/2024/03/irish-vans.html?m=1

Pictures would help…..

Good luck. Have a good look around and see if there is any special oil with it. Normal stuff won’t cut it - you need steam oil. I used to ensure the cylinders and regulator especially were thoroughly lubed. Should be able to get Wilesco Z83 in the Euro zone -not much point me telling you what we can pick up in GB.

Well known UK steam brand still on the go. Having had one, the locos were difficult to fire and control as they used solid fuel tablets and a very crude regulator valve. A gas burner mod improved things a bit, but there was a cottage industry of ‘taming Mamods’ and you could make them relatively serviceable machines. https://www.mamod.co.uk/

Well, I thought I knew a reasonable amount of SLNC lore. But the survival of Railbus 2As body in Mohill in the early 60s? Wow!! You have to be paid up IRRS for this link to work https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/53467659222/in/photolist-2psKJiu-2pBT6Vn-2pwr5PS-2pwxy2Y-2pwC7KV-2pwCQx5-2pBQQE2-2pBQDEM-2pBSTmQ-2pwC7KQ-2pwCYrv-2pwxzwB-2pwC8TS-2pwCQHL-2pwCQSo-2pwDqgi-2pvxd9R-2pwp7Bt-2pwxJAJ-2pwD1By-2pwr5PG-2pwwCPW-2pwwExf-2pwBh5o-2pwDsGa-2pwC4Pg-2pwDqgo-2pBStdU-2pBSSPc-2pBSic1-2pBSTh1-2pwpyuQ-2pwqFZJ-2pwwC9s-2pwwEUn-2pwC6QA-2pwCSUz-2pwCTcD-2pwDpZf-2pwDt92-2pBSTj5-2pwoK1F-2pwBhyz-2pwCV3h-2pwCV7W-2pwDuZw-2pvv3WY-2pvxdfY-2pvxq6S-2pwp7Hv

Thanks Alan. I’ll let that percolate and see what results I can brew up. I’ve got some real wood sleepers to paint and your techniques look fab. Hopefully your wisdom will filter through to my brushes! I’m also a huge fan of 27004 for all kinds of uses.

Well that’s certainly bean worth it, and stirred up the daily grind. Fabulous weathering. The iron work looks just spot on against the faded wood. How was the magic done, please?

The besetting national weakness is generally talking big rather than a plenitude of cognitive activity

Don’t stress too much Patrick. My son developed an obsession with Dublin Bus Leyland Olympians as a child….and is currently a professional railwayman…..

Now this is exciting ! Really looking forward to seeing this develop! For those of you who have never seen Paul’s work….http://www.s-scale.org.uk/gallery15.htm

That’s nicely done.

Fabulous work Ken - and one’s mind doesn’t necessarily turn to cameras in mid-solder! It’s incredible how ‘big’ a small engine can be. Years ago I had a 7mm G6 which I thought quite small …..until it met a Terrier….

That’s interesting re a near-Patriot. A green one appears briefly in the original Awdry books as it happens - the ‘big city engine’ whose derailment permits Gordon a brief off-island excursion. https://ttte.fandom.com/wiki/Big_City_Engine

Fabulous - if Mac approved that’s a seal of approval indeed. Awdry’s initial story series was entirely drawn from real life railway incidents.

Thanks Ken. Tried that in the past and found it tricky - so reassuring that you do too!

Lovely work Ken. Any chance of a look at the roof springs please? I’ve often pondered such a thing…..

The illustration in the book simply shows the split train, with no evidence of dismembered cattle parts or blood spattered planks. The clear impression is that - however contrary to the laws of physics - the cows broke through unscathed.

Can only assume the hosting has lapsed. The editor is still actively compiling the next print edition, I do know.

The role of the goods guard is easily underestimated - they had a crucial job to do managing coupling tension on a loose coupled train. A fantastic display inside a brake van at Bucks Railway Centre, Quainton Road, opened my eyes on this, which I hadn’t really twigged before. The work involved in getting a long train over a difficult curved and steep road such as Portadown to Derry or Sligo to Enniskillen was challenging to put it mildly…..

The duel of Sir Handel and George the Steamroller was directly drawn from a 1927 episode on the Cork and Muskerry.