Found I have a copy. Fascinating stuff. Had no idea that they paused lifting the BCDR main in 55/56 to go off and lift the Derry Central, then bring the demolition train back to Down again….
I found this too, David, and apparently it’s a steam heating pipe (there is a flexible rubber end at the right I believe). I also added lamp irons and coupling chains to the buffer beam. Agree about the handrails etc - I ended up filling in lots of holes on the kit to backdate it! The fiddliest bit was soldering brass numerals on the the sandboxes. Should have just glued them…..
I can thoroughly recommend the IRRS drawings , having built a loco from scratch with their aid. The electronic version is especially useful as you can zoom in without distortion to check oeaticular measurements.
Putting the camera in Drumboe’s cab did give a nice little segment of footage near Cloghan Point. Could almost have been the Barnesmore Gap but for the sea!
That’s hilarious. I’m sitting about 5 minutes away from that very route right now! Although LT have now surrendered to Arriva in these parts, the route was, I think, originally a feeder to the Met line at Chesham.
Great stuff as ever. Agree with Alan / there is a real overall sense of cohesion to the composition. Many layouts have an excellent set of individual items on show which just don’t ‘gel’. There’s a consistent picture here which adds so much atmosphere. Must have a think about how to do my signal box….,
What a gift your archive is Ernie. Looks like the 7:20 will be steam tonight - look at coach behind the railbus. Also worth noting SLNC yard trackage here is chaired and not flat bottom as on their ‘main line’. The UTA wagons are an interesting contrast. First one looks like an old NCC pattern with outside W irons (and NCC section station in background). Lower one, is I think one of the Courtaulds factory coal wagons - the photo is possibly taken at their Carrickfergus sidings.
I understand that such systems overseas adopt the early railway practice of timed interval departures. Perhaps morning departures in one direction and afternoon departures in the other? Staff and ticket would be more fun…..
Only a few years until the WTs finally vanished in 1970-71 (last locos were steamed in 1970 but a handful of the class remained hanging about until mid 71 before scrapping). Lough Erne was technically an NIR loco at time of withdrawal but was never branded with the ‘stapler’ logo.