Angus

Hi David, Great progress with the changes, I'm looking forward to seeing the transformation as the Swilly (my spell checker altered that to Willy which would have taken this post off in whole other direction.....!) has always been a favourite of mine. When transferring drawings to plastic sheet I found I could scan a drawing then print it out onto the plastic sheet. My cheap home ink jet printer will feed 20 thou (0.5 mm) plastic sheet without a problem. Leave the print to dry and apply some sealing spray otherwise the print just rubs off when you touch the sheet. I always check the print size on a piece of paper first as they often need rescaling slightly. Onviously this is limited to A4 size (unless you've got a posher printer) which isn't much of a restriction in 2mm. It does save a lot lot of faffing about with pencil and paper, and avoids my inevitable inconsistency.

Thanks GSR800, I did read the reference. I'm more wondering what the source was. Rumours will always abound, not all have any truth.

I've been watching this with interest as the LNWR represents one of my main interests and I've slowly been accumulating 7mm scale kits and models for a future layout. As a result I've also got a fairly extensive library of LNWR books. The MGWR also represents a key interest in Irish railways. I missed the reference to talks about a merger in Ernie Shepherd's book, but having taken a quick look through my LNWR books I can't find any reference. The only references to the MGWR are in conjunction with the construction of North Wall and the connecting branches, all of which were built after the MGWR line. The LNWR was an investor in the Dublin & Drogheda but divested it's shares taking ownership of North Wall Station in the process on the formation of the GNR. I'm left wondering what the source of the reference to a merger was. I'll ask a question on the LNWR Society forum and update with any information found.

I'd be happy to take a couple if it gets this over the line.

Happy to take one of those (albeit in 2mm) so that would leave 3.

Ah! Bob49 is revealed! Nice to see you branching out into Irish stuff Marc.

There is a scaled down version of the etch TMD/SSM etch in circulation from a few years back, commissioned, I think, by Patrick O'Sullivan author of the Farranfore to Valencia Harbour books. I've been kindly gifted three of the etches by other 2mm Association members one of which I've partially built ( I seem to have become the custodian of Irish railway etches for 2mm finescale). Although it doesn't appear to be in their catalogue? I have contemplated approaching them to see if these could be reduced to 2mm but 7-2mm might be a stretch to far to result in anything buildable. I've always viewed any scaled down etch (or print) as an aid to scratch building rather than a full blown kit, the basic structure should be usable (although might require a few tweaks) anything else is a bonus. That said Mayner's MGWR horse box and meat vans went together well.

Hi Bob, Presumably the underframes are etched, but what about the bodies, are these 3d printed? thanks Angus

Coming a little bit late to this thread, another vote for a J5, so that just leaves four more to find. The only snag is I need mine in 2mm scale so not sure that counts? I'd be happy to order a couple of etches if it helps make up the numbers. I feel the real missing engine is the more utilitarian MGWR 0-6-0s the L class (J18/J19). I'd also love one of Mayner's Z boiler etches in 2mm scale but having asked him to reduce some of his kits these have lain in the gloat pile gathering dust whilst my Irish modelling takes a back seat for a while. I really need to get on with what I've got 4!

Love the brass rod idea to hold the boiler level. I've not seen that before. Simple and effective I shall be using that!

I've always thought the G2 2-4-0s were the quintessential MGWR engine, long lived and rebuilt multiple times so you can have a few of them each looking totally different. That said a J18 would be more practical.

Hi Colin, The Sligo project was always something for the future. It would need a large amount of stock to be built to effectively represent the station. I've a build underway of a fictional terminus in the Sligo area which will allow the gradual accumulation of stock without appearing ridiculous. That build is on hold for a couple of reasons but I hope to recommence later in the year. I do plan a visit to Sligo at some point in the next year or so to do some detailed photography to assist.

Sad news indeed. I never met Ken but followed his inspirational work through this forum and had exchanged messages with him. I have half a dozen of his wagons that he kindly scaled down to 2mm scale for me, these will be a nice memento of his craftsmanship. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

I've used templot for all my 2mm finescale track including the Irish 10.5mm guage. It needs a little bit of dedication to learn but is a very powerful tool. As has been noted above loads of presets that cover some quite esoteric scales and guage and the possibility to set your own. You can also make up track panels that match the prototypes practice. I don't do this in 2mm but do with my 7mm scale Modelling as its much more noticeable.

Ah! Sorry misunderstood.