Galteemore

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

An easy way to start is with a cheap Kato chassis and a 3d print from EBay. Here’s one I made last year..quite inexpensive but incredibly reliable runner.

Larne actually had 2 separate 3’ systems. One was ‘main line’, run by the NCC/UTA up till 1950, which originally ran to Doagh and Ballymena. There was also an industrial system run by British Aluminium up until 1960. I suspect it’s the latter one in this pic.

Pic courtesy Hall Royd Jnc website

Very basic. Stove, tools or storage for same, and benches.

One of those tasks I hate - always afraid of grinding off too much! Great work.

Nice to see some old school modelling being done! As you say, amazing contrast in wheel profiles. Don’t think you’ll need to add weight to the loco….

All cut up in the 90s afaik. Not much use to preservationists. If rumours are true, one or two survive at the end of a very overgrown - and inaccessible - disconnected siding at Magheramorne ….

Hope you pick up Ernie. What a glorious photo of Portadown ! That’s a sentence I never thought I’d type….