Galteemore

Hardly ignorance Tony! One of my lecturers used to say that the more you learn about a subject, the more you realise that you don’t know!

I’m sure it’s all quite innocent. But we should spare a thought for poor Walter Simon…..An extraordinary event occurred at Dingle station on Thursday 13 June 1940, after the line’s closure to passengers. A German spy named Walter Simon arrived at the station and asked when the next train would depart (not realising that only freight services were still operating). Simon had been landed by a German submarine, U-38, during the previous night. He then made his way by bus to Tralee and thence by train to Dublin. Following his enquiry at Dingle station, the Garda Síochána were informed and he was trailed by detectives. He was arrested on arrival in Dublin and interned for the duration of the War (known in neutral Ireland as “The Emergency”).

Can’t see you in a Mk 4, WCR. Think you’re a bit more retro….

Indeed, Jb. One reason they had 5’1 rather than 4’7 driving wheels as with previous GN goods locos was to make them suitable to haul excursion trains when required.

The evidence does seem fairly light in terms of actual trains spotted in that case. Sounds more like low level, and not very competent, espionage….

178 was an SG class 0-6-0. The 4-4-0 number series stopped at 174 and restarted at 190. 178 was delivered in 1913, new boiler 1949, went to CIE in 1958 and withdrawn Mar 61. Here’s a sister loco courtesy of Ernie. Very easy to see how these are a goods version of the more famous S class - crop off the wheels and the likeness is clear!

Enterprise rail link between Belfast and Dublin marks 75 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-62498330

Now that’s nice. I built the Alphagraphix kit but had real problems in balancing, and took me a while to fine tune. It uses a brass spring on the rear axle to essentially drive the big wheel down. I think others have tried driving both small wheels and letting the big wheel run free. Beautiful model you’ve made.

Yep, give it a go and make up a small panel to start with. Once you have that magic 5’3” staring you in the face you won’t look back….still got the trial panel I made up years ago with card sleepers and some scrap code 100

Excellent stuff Mike - wish I’d timed our visit a week later! Downpatrick is a must for any Irish enthusiast - most friendly and helpful.

Excellent. 49 was a real pet loco in the last days of steam and very smartly turned out on occasions, complete with white buffers. The two UGs were the last tender locos to be in steam in NI in company service. Photo link from Flickr

I suppose there may have been a few who have done it, but as you’d have to rewheel all your stock anyway, why not just do 21mm from the start? Building track is not difficult really - esp if you make a few jigs. This is a panel of 5’3 track in 7mm scale that I knocked up within half an hour. Points a little more challenging but if you have a small layout (advisable in 21mm anyway) it may be feasible to get them professionally built by Marcway.

Good work. A or E I think

Some excellent views just uploaded to IRRS Flickr site https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/52251649176/in/photostream

Yes. Quickly weathered to a darker effect.

Nor aware of any like this. Most Irish vans were fully enclosed or verandah-ended flush with the chassis. The SLNC had a few which were vaguely close to another LMS style. Images courtesy SVR and Ernie. We really do need a book on Irish wagons and brake vans - Des Coakham would have been just the chap for the job.

Excellent work. One thing I meant to say (well a few things)is to paint the drain of the crane in concrete/mortar colour, leaving the grid dirty/rusty. A smidgin of Humbrol gunmetal on the working parts such as the wheel rim will also subtly enhance the effect. Also think about how water and rust might leave their mark ..

It’s unfortunate that 131 isn’t cleared to run in the south yet. The Qs were really the queens of the Derry Road for many years and did some fine work - would be most interesting to see her on the DSE banks. The S class were indeed incredible performers - essentially an Edwardian design ( I know, 1913 technically isn’t ‘Edwardian’) that could hold its own against all her successors - an S still holds the Belfast-Dublin steam record, and an S on form could match a V or VS. On rare occasions, too, an S could even be seen as far away as Enniskillen. So glad we have one safe and sound - and on her way back to the main line in 2023 hopefully….images from RPSI website. Look how deep 171’s post 1938 rebuild frames are ! https://www.steamtrainsireland.com/rpsi-collection/7/no131

Excellent. Sadly she stalled at Rathdrum - bad coal and injector problems I hear - and has had to have diesel assistance home. The passengers, I understand, have been forwarded by other means. My dad was on it - still waiting on a DART at Greystones c2200…..

Lovely stuff David. Nice view of some SLNC stock too - not that I’m biased

Sound job. Tone down the whole with a wash and change the red bag to dirty linen colour.

Agreed. Ciaran has been an incredible asset for IRRS. The Flickr site has given me many gems.

Lovely little thing. It looks right - like a one-off from AEC. Won’t look at all out of place.

Excellent - great work. I’m not really up on EMUs but are those the things I see streaking up and down the WCML ?

Good plan, Patrick, although it’s hard taking up work already done well! The street version of those shelters were death traps, as the slab roof could collapse if the walls were hit by a blast wave. I have seen many shelters like yours over here and they were often surrounded by an earth bank, overgrown with grass, to soften the blast. The NI Govt never seriously expected a raid as it was so distant, with relatively small targets compared to GB. As one Westminster official put it, it would be like a shoplifter walking through Harrods to do their pilfering in a corner shop! Sadly, when NIs meagre defences were tested they proved most inadequate.