Galteemore

Indeed it was. I remember being awed by pictures of it when I was a child. Drew Donaldson was convinced clockwork would make a comeback. It does have the ‘authenticity ’ of having an onboard, finite source of power, like the real thing. Also requires some skill in loco management. Having seen Fred and Drew’s stuff, even the Palitoy Mainline stuff of the late 70s seemed really anodyne. Nothing quite like the roar and sheer mass of a heavy clockwork train moving at speed - captures something of the physical presence of the real thing that DCC sound (due, I suspect, to such physical constraints as the Doppler effect) cannot. Google a video of ‘Hornby O gauge clockwork’ and see what I mean. Oddly enough I always found that running Hornby Dublo on a hard floor produced a similar effect.

Absolutely so John- that’s Fred. We also have a BCDR tank loco that Fred built - one of the large 4-4-2Ts. Don’t have a pic. He also did a fine WT class.

Lovely, Michael. Had a vague memory you did. Bizarrely, the images arrived on the very day I was putting my first ever GN 4-4-0 back together after painting. It’s an etched kit but Fred’s work matches what any kit designer can churn out.

Many years ago I was brought to see Fred Graham’s clockwork layout / think Drew Donaldson but GNR. When Fred downsized, we bought some of his models, quickly loaning them to a museum. So I haven’t seen them for years, but this week they returned to family custody and I was sent some pics. The blue is original Dundalk paint. Should I try a 36.75 conversion @David Holman? The bubble wrap holds a 5” gauge S class…..

Very tidy backhead David. Something rather lovely about glimpsing that worn copper and brass through the cab doorway. The firebox door looks like it could work !

Are you sure being in the legal profession aligns with your personal values ?;)

Saints days and Sundays are also exempt for Catholics ….

Hi David - I used some square plastic rod, coupled with whitemetal valve parts from SD Models. The tube has a core drilled through it which nicely replicates the gauge glass inside the shroud. White plasticard backing with chevrons completes the look.

Very handy little engines, the Ts, Leslie. On loan to the NCC, one managed Belfast to Carrick in 12’45!

Achingly slow progress on the PP. Cab is more or less done / even if reversing gear moved too far right when I was glueing it Few bits of toning down to do but almost there. Making transparent gauge glasses was ‘fun’

Unlikely. Sambo was Dublin based and Pat was in Cork. Even then, Pat tended to stay fairly aloof from other locos..,.

Always a good show. Sorry I didn’t make it this year. Big draw for me was always the trade support. Many traders in 7mm don’t have elaborate websites so shows are the only chance to browse and see what’s new.

Irish Lines Drawings Index (J.P.James, 1992).pdf

Something has stirred in the oul brain…I have a vague memory Mac Arnold may have advocated it. It’s easy to forget now but in preservation’s early days all kinds of weird and wonderful liveries could be seen in GB. In fact, even the RPSI’s 186 was initially turned out in SLNCR livery - plain black with red rods ! People had, I think, become so used to steam locos in appalling states of decay that anything which captured a bit of colour was welcome. NI enthusiasts had spent the years since 1948 watching locos gradually become a universal shade of dirty black. With no prospect of ever seeing the prewar NCC livery again, I think Mac may have advocated applying it to the Jeep, presumably on the basis they’d have carried it if delivered pre 39.

And SLNC black. With plates ‘Belfast Lough’

That’s clearly why JHB is involved in the reveal. He’s drawn up all those authentic livery schemes. Although IIRC in the very early 70s a plan was hatched by some NCC fans in the RPSI to paint 4 NCC red. Souvenir badges of her as such were produced and sold, again the gargle dims me brain but that’s what I recall….

I take your tank and raise you a Large Tank

Such a super layout this. So well observed

They did. Stuck a tender on the back of a WT to obviate stopping for water on Belfast-Dublin runs. I don’t think the injectors managed to lift the water through the necessary pipe work so this inelegant experiment was thankfully abandoned.

Are you speaking as an enthusiast JHB or as a banker ?

Straight and level on the track is always good! Looking good with that bogie and rear truck detailing

Has to be said that a great deal of military and police wear now also goes down the ‘athleisure wear’ route. Baseball caps and beanies are fairly routine outside ceremonial duty. In the UK only the Guards and various categories of donkey-walloper really bother with ‘barrack dress’

How many years does it take for that sense of achievement to kick in Alan ? Do know what you mean though - when you solve some fractious problem, or see a flat sheet of brass morph into a recognisable Irish loco. These LLSR locos will be a fabulous addition to the Irish NG scene.

Those look fabulous. Can only imagine how wonderful a GNRI JT produced by you would look….

It’s great pic Patrick. Also shows the dying days of GN steam - 171 was eking out her last days before preservation.