Galteemore

IMG_0418.mov The catalyst for this layout was ‘Enniskillen’s shockingly poor performance on Northport Quay at Uckfield in October. This made me realise that I needed some kind of layout to run locos - at least back and forward a bit to fine tune the adjustments that handbuilt metal locos need. They require much more fettling than RTR and you really need some kind of test track. There aren’t many 5’3 test tracks around though!! So tonight the track, after soldering, sleeper gapping and wiring up, was temporarily installed to see if Enniskillen redeemed herself. This took a while to prove as the bogie pillar broke off! Quick soldering job and we were in business. I think she has earned her coal….departing here on the 7:20 to Sligo…..it’s a tiny layout with a few bits to do yet…but we are getting there I think…another big job carried out was installation of diffused LED lighting which has proved well worth doing. Sorry for dubious camera work!

They are delightful. And an ideal starting point for a manufacturer seeking to develop a GSWR or MGWR 0-6-0T

WT is Maze or Lissue - GN main UG is Glenavy

Fabulous. Small layouts are big in O gauge right now and these little beauties will go down very well. You can make a splendid little 7mm layout with track and stock for £500 - ideal way to start the O gauge journey. But be warned - it bites hard and won’t let go……

I’ve seen Pempoul live (Railex Aylesbury)and it’s breathtaking- I actually think it’s better than Arun Quay in many ways - although on reflection I think they are stylistically different layouts. The RB stuff is closer to draughtmanship, whilst AQ is more at the Monet end of the artistic spectrum perhaps…..and anyway I’d hardly describe pioneering SLNC modelling as ‘ordinary’…..still remember the day I walked round a corner at Beaconsfield show and saw the Sprinks book and Railcar B stories of my childhood alive in front of me !

No. Richard replicates GAs, several of which I have used and what a blessing they are. These, I think, are more in the way of the old loco drawings by Ian Beattie that used to appear in the Railway Modeller, which are simpler to interpret for modelling purposes. Doubtless Paul will correct me if I am off course on that.

Yes please Paul. Having seen and used some of your work already , I’d thoroughly recommend it. Having built a loco from an original GA drawing in all its complexity, I can see the real merit of high quality ‘interpretive’ drawings such as yours, intended specifically for modelling use. You don’t have a J class in there by any chance ?

You’re toast if you do

Could be Lurgan with station behind photographer. Agreed / I did wonder about Balmoral when I saw the mill at left.

Asked my expert. Bottom one Lambeg. Top one is possibly near Knockmore Jct. Second pic probably at Balmoral sidings. Third pic is GN somewhere by the style of signal.

It’s actually more than likely there was an overlap Alan. Lovely work. I do like black Irish tank engines….These two did sterling work until the SLNC came to the UTA’s rescue

Very nice John: works well as a Q with high boiler pitch and slightly more exiguous frames.

In the UK, lines of this nature often don’t have their own steam locos, as they simply do not have the engineering facilities and support to maintain them long term. What they will occasionally have are visiting locos for a few weekends a year - prob not an option in this case. Although I don’t think Tyrone or Shane see much use in the causeway line so who knows what’s possible? We used Hayling Island Railway a lot in years gone by. Steam visited occasionally but the grunt work was done by a very well done steam outline loco….pic from EHLR site.

Fascinating David. Shows how big Irish NG stock was - Welsh slate railways they were not!!!

Great little models they are too. Like N gauge Hornby Dublo - basic detaiL-wise but mechanically robust. All inside cylinder tender locos, to facilitate his American style pickup system. I had about 5 of them when I modelled N. Sadly he’s stopped trading last year so they are rare birds. Here’s one of mine - now long sold

Although not an inch of track has been laid - a train has arrived on the backscene. A 3 coach train to Clones, headed by an old U. Happy now, @Patrick Davey? All low relief, and I only modelled 1/3 of the Us tender but it’s hopefully enough to suggest the rest is there…..platform still a bit bare but will be dressed with seats etc when glued down ….it’s a backscene so not designed for cruel closeups like these The bottom picture hopefully shows what the effect will look like in relation to the main scene. What is hopefully clear here is how important light is to the composition -to get anywhere near the look of the prototype, there has to be light on both canopy sides and in the middle of it. Had I pushed the canopy right against the backscene, as I was tempted to do, it would have put the background foliage into shade, which just wouldn’t look right. Light is shining on the coach roofs so I think we’ve got away with it….

The fabulous urban backscene certainly recollects a familiar vista

Works for me! Lovely shots. Is Loughan Quay contiguous to Ballycultra by any chance ?

Fabulous work David. I think you must be the forum expert on coupling systems! Barclay looks well on the rails, and the Swilly stock has real presence.

Am sure it will be a high calibre project. Will be making tracks to see it when it’s done.

Looks really well Patrick. Nice sense of atmosphere

Spacing also an issue in many modern developments. To be authentic, place a model wheely bin between two houses and mark that distance. Before gluing houses down, narrow that distance just enough so the bin won’t fit…..

Great stuff Alan - lovely runner. Not a bad layout either !

Interesting. Always struck me as an odd kind of a museum given how well Welsh slate locos were presented elsewhere in the Principality. The exhibits here did seem all rather clustered together in a small space.

No, Enniskillen station seems to have grown piecemeal - the original SLNC station was further out