Galteemore

Interesting. Took me years of being interested in trains to work out that I prefer researching and building them to running them. Quite apart from anything else, in a display case they never stall or derail….

On the original etched boiler spacers it wouldn’t have / they’d been etched too large! Adrian included a ‘revised’ smaller set which the original builder had snipped off the etch (despite not being at that point in the build when he/she stopped construction). Thankfully the ‘PPs Revision’ discs were still in the box of miscellaneous empty etch sheets and random bits of wire….

This is fascinating and kudos to @seagoebox for recording it. Mac’s influence clearly rubbed off! Be interesting to know what names applied in steam days. 111 was always known as ‘The Sergeant’, for instance. Some ‘class’ names were applied. Thus PPs - and presumably the similarly equipped Ps - were known as ‘the wee bouncers’ because they had coil and not leaf springs. SG3s were, famously ‘Big Ds’. I have heard V class referred to as ‘Pounders’ but this may be an early usage as the name doesn’t seem to have percolated through to the late 50s.

A positive post before the inevitable frustration of adjustments kick in. Boiler rolled and it fits - just……

Laois and Let Die Dr Naas

I suppose, @jhb171achill, it also depended how the paint was mixed that particular day, which explains the variations. I’m sorry, I couldn't help myself …I know you have a facial expression you reserve especially for that bon mot….

Lovely. Always a great moment when you start putting the primer on and see the model finally blending into that image you’ve held in your mind for months. I’d be interested in what thinners you used Alan. The SG needs stripped I think - patch painting would not work and there is so much encrusted dust needs shifting; if I strip the paint, the dust will go with it!

Great and elegant solution. That little photo essay summarises many hours of effort and frustration I can imagine …….

It’s amazing: that little compressed air loco is fab!

Too far north for me sadly. @jhb171achilldoes other expressions too. His face when someone mentions the first and last trains on the Achill line carrying the dead is a classic.

Excellent work. Always good to see people tackling brass stuff. Great result.

The top one is especially lovely. Can almost hear that blower cracked open and the engine gently simmering

David - I think you’d best prepare for a GNRI takeover at NPQ next time…..although this distraction from the SLNC is rather disturbing. I think it’s a case of Dundalktivitis which will no doubt pass…..I’m genetically predisposed to it. As a child I daily saw a GNR carriage crest on the wall at home, and a Joe Magill painting of a PP. Not to mention boxes and boxes of photographs and every Mac Arnold book (Galteemore senior had worked with Mac in the Northern Bank in the very early 60s and in later life was something of a liaison between Mac and his publishers/printers on occasion). As you know from taking over Richard Chown’s stock, it’s always a privilege to handle someone else’s work in what is rather a niche field. You might have noticed that I posed one of your vans with the new acquisitions. A rather crude M’ton is now chalked on it to give that definite SLNC connection! Rambling on here but what tipped me over the edge to bid on the van was the fact that my dad and his friend used to work the Antrim branch goods on a Saturday. The guard, who has long gone to his reward, found that visiting the Lisburn hostelries somewhat reduced his capacity. The wonderful Irish police court expression ‘drink was taken’ sums it up - a state of being somewhere between sobriety and intoxication. Two Belfast teenagers filled the breach and happily shunted the train at its various stops - including use of the shunter’s pole.

Now that’s very nice indeed. The U is very well done - all those key features like tablet catcher and tender numberplate really make a difference. Although as it’s carrying the lamp code for a stopping passenger I think the coaches might still be in Magherafelt

I think that’s a wise lesson @Mol_PMB- grab it when it’s there if you think it will be useful. Thanks for your eBay hints this past week!

Absolutely David. First thing I do when building a kit or a scratch loco is buy the wheels and axles just to have them laid by - everything else can be bodged after a fashion. This guy, it turns out,used to build locos on commission for people but the Irish models were his own pride and joy. These two items were the very last of the collection. One wonders what else was there ! The quality is outstanding. Although the motion is dummy, I think, is beautifully done. Once I get rid of that silicon appendage I’ll give it a run….it’s got jointed rods and hornblocks aplenty so should float along nicely. The brake van has working sprung axleboxes ….

Well @leslie10646you were correct of course. That GN brake van does look good at Enniskillen…..and look what brought it in….same seller was offering a 36.75mm SG. It needs some TLC but it’s built to an incredible standard with springs and plungers and goodness knows what. It may need a repaint but will try a clean first…..

Isn’t that your ‘someone has just shown me a wagon with an underframe painted black’ look JHB?

All Irish loco performance seems to have been measured by stopwatch and standard water/coal calculations. Nock doesn’t seem to mention any such vehicle. Had there been one it would have assuredly appeared in photos of the 800s when on trial.

That’s beautiful Leslie. Would look very much at home behind a GN blue loco.

Excellent- Hunslet cabside ones look tricky!

And it’s the manufacturer who’s selling it!

Thanks Paul. The roof outline seems similar to the Y motor van, and it’s got that classic GNRI panelling effect. Interesting how many variations there are on that basic design.

Very nice GNR van with lettering still evident !

This is rather wonderful and you do buildings very well Patrick. As @Mol_PMBsays, hard to do this sort of snow scene without it looking twee. This is very good indeed. I suddenly feel rather cold…