LARNE CABIN

Not railway related, I know, but I hope you don't mind me posting this on this special day. The sinking of the Princess Victoria on 31st January 1953, with the loss of 135 lives, was the worst maritime disaster in the waters off the British Isles. From a painting by Norman Whitla, from the cover of Stephen Cameron's book 'Death in the North Channel'. 'Twas January the 31st, the year was nineteen fifty three, The Princess Victoria left Stranraer, to cross the Irish Sea, A Northern Gale was blowing, the sea was mountains high, When the Captain sent an S.O.S., 'Portpatrick Tug Stand By', The ship was drifting helplessly, and had taken a heavy list, Her position was hard to find, through the driving rain and mist, Over a hundred passengers on board, and sixty of a crew, When this gallant ship went down, saved were very few, The lifeboats from Portpatrick, Cloughey and Donaghadee, Did heroic work to save them from the raging sea, After the storm, then came the calm, and may they rest in peace, For they have reached another shore, where troubled waters cease, 'Tis sad to read the story of the stricken vessels plight, And to think they lost their lives, when safety was in sight, With the bereaved, we sympathize, wherever they may be, May God preserve all those who perished, in the raging Irish Sea. 'Oft times in a home it is the vacant chair that reminds of the passing of friends. Yesterday in Larne it was the empty berth at the harbour that spoke of the tragic loss, bereavement and death. We have lost a ship that had become part of us here in Larne, and we fear we have lost those who had become our friends through their coming and going across the narrow seas.' Reverend RVA Lynas, Minister, Gardenmore Presbyterian Church, Larne.

Hi Kevin, your model of Belturbet is a masterpiece in 'N' scale. Like Alan, above, I understand your desire to get it right. 24 hours considering the situation, I think has allowed you to make the correct decision. I think remaking and replacing the gables will be well worth while and you'll be happier with an accurate model. I'd be in the same boat. I sometimes think I'm too pernickity with detail, but it's good to get it right. Good luck, you'll get there.

Many great memories of Noel on steam specials over the years. A very special gentleman. RIP Noel.

Hi Steve, devine intervention indeed! As you know, I'm a carer myself and the kitchen table is my workbench. It's good to be able to grab small periods of time 'in house' and make some progress. I was looking forward to seeing Scarva develop, but am pleased you have found another option. It's great to see yet another Norn Irish themed layout on the 'Irish Model Layouts' thread and there's a wealth of expertise there from the two David's, Holman and Richardson and lots of others. I enjoy reading your insights on various topics here on the forum and look forward to seeing Queens Bridge develop.

@Patrick Davey, will this be Brookhall Mills debut?

Seeing this thread has snowballed, I suppose I had better put in my own memory. Mine was an N gauge set, possibly Lone Star, I can't really remember, but I do remember a dark green Deltic and three LMS coaches, an oval of track and a basic controller. I wish I'd kept it as it would be worth a lot today, I'm sure. I say I don't really remember, but I do remember the circumstances. I remember lying awake in bed listening for Sammy Mathews, the 'tick man'. He called late at night, once a week, and could get you anything 'on tick', buy now pay later. My mother was the sort of woman who didn't like to owe money, so she would have been paying this off, so much a week, probably for months before Christmas. So the 'tick man' brought my train set, not Santa, but on Christmas morning it was a dream come true. I still marvel at the efforts my parents went to to get me my first train set.

Dae ye mind o Christmas long ago When we were only wee There wurnae phones nur laptoups In the presents neath the tree We were happy wi a jigsaw An annual or a game A dolly for the lassies An fur the lads a train An then if we were lucky A big selection box Then sometimes, no so lucky Yer Granny's knitted socks. © Scottish And Proud - Alba Gu Brath. Let's hope Santa brings train sets to lots of boys (or girls) and inspires a new generation of (Irish) Railway Modellers. A Happy and Peaceful Christmas to all.

Outstanding work, Eoin. Have followed this build all the way through. Your work is so inspiring. Agree with popeye, you're a master craftsman.

Hi Patrick. The honest answer is 'I don't know' and the speculative answer is 'I hope to'. Your question gives me the opportunity to review my thoughts. The Bracket Signal definitely won't be operational. The first reason is that nothing would come out of that siding (and in 1969 it's about to be lifted) and the second reason is that a bracket signal like this would be very difficult to get working through two pulleys etc. However, I hope to include cranks, wires, pulleys etc and make it as authentic as possible. The layout is confined to the station area, so luckily for me no main arms would be required to work! The operational interest on the layout (eventually) will be shunting. Shunting from one platform road to the other and from The Up Main to The Up Sidings (Brown Van), so The Shunting Signals near the bridge and The Double Stack Ground Signal hopefully will be operational. Luckily, these two would be the simplest to make operational, and I have already done some work on the ground signal. Having explained above that there will be no movements beyond the confines of the station area, the main arms on The Platform Starter will be static, but for shunting the shunt arms might be operational!. This boy will be as authentic looking as possible as it will be the main area of interest along with the area around the cabin. What a long answer to such a short question!

I have decided to move the building of the LMS Upper Quadrant Semaphore Signals at Larne Harbour to a Workbench Thread, rather than clog up the main Larne Harbour Station Thread. This will be a challenging, fiddly and I would imagine long drawn out project. Larne Harbour was resignalled in 1932/33 with LMS Upper Quadrant Semaphore Signals, becoming the only location on the Island of Ireland with a large number of Upper Quadrant Signals. There will be four main aspects to this build: 1) The Bracket Signal, close to the cabin, connected to Lever 30 and controlling exit from The Down Harbour Sidings out unto the Down Running Line and hence, via a crossover to the Up Running Line. There are very few photographs of this signal around. I have an excellent one from the 1950's, but it is a private family photograph and I am trying to find the owner to get permission to post it. For now the best view of this signal is by this 1985 photo below © Jonathan Allen. By then the main arm (and the crossover) had been removed and only the shunt arm remained. © Jonathan Allen 2) The Shunting Signals, connected to Lever 20 and controlling exit from The Up Sidings out unto the Up Running Line. The best view of this signal is this excellent photo of Ernie's, used to help with the build of the Olderfleet Road Bridge. © ERNIES Irish Railway Archive 3) The Platform Starter, the piece de resistance, the impressive and defining feature of Larne Harbour Station. The Platform 1 Starting Signal is connected to Lever 32 and the Platform 2 Starting Signal is connected to Lever 31. As well as the two main arms, there are two shunting arms, from Platform 1 connected to Lever 11 and from Platform 2 connected to Lever 12. There are lots of photos of this signal. This one shows it to good effect, © KDH archive, 27th June 1969. © KDH archive 4) The Ground Signals, mainly the Double Stack Ground Signal almost in front of the Signal Cabin. The signal is controlled by Lever 22 and controls shunt access to the platform roads. The top disc controls access to the line on the left ie. Platform 2 and the bottom disc controls access to the line going straight on ie. Platform 1. The photo below is an extract from Michael H C Baker's photo in Irish Railways Past and Present...... ...... and this is a 1985 photo © Jonathan Allen. © Jonathan Allen I'm starting with The Bracket Signal, where I left off with the Larne Harbour Station post in December 2021. To get as an authentic look as possible, various materials have been used. The signal is a very sturdy structure so the base post is Plastruct Styrene Rod, 4.8mm square, the trimmers are made from Plastikard and the bracket is, of course, an MSE fret...... ......the landing has been added, MSE fret, and the base for the doll, Plastikard...... . ......the start of work on the doll, the doll is Plastruct Styrene Strip, 4mm square, the lamps and lamp brackets are from a Ratio kit, the arms are from an MSE fret and the pulleys are 3d design...... ...... I wasn't happy with the arms! I didn't do a great job cutting them from the fret and then I filed them away too much, so I had another go and second time much neater...... ..... originally, I had intended to do all the work on the doll (fit the arms etc.) before putting it into it's base, but to line up the signal wire from the arms to the pulley properly I've decided I need to fit the doll in place at this stage...... ...... loosely fitting the main arm to get the position of the signal wire, big fingers and thumbs and a tiny working area, it's very fiddly!.. That's as far as I've got. I hope to get the two arms painted and the spectacle plates in over Christmas and New Year and move on from there.

This is Angus, the 'ganger' of the five man Permanent Way Gang based at the Harbour. The gang are responsible for the maintenance of the single line track between Whitehead and Larne Harbour (approximately 10 miles). The section is roughly divided into four, Whitehead - Ballycarry - Magheramorne Loop - Glynn - Larne Harbour, and the boys are dropped off or picked up by service trains. Angus walks the Larne Harbour to Magheramorne Loop section once a week and the Maghermorne Loop to Whitehead section once a week. He is renowned for his strong baritone singing voice and can usually be heard long before he is seen. His repertoire is mostly based on his Scottish Heritage and his favourite is 'I Love a Lassie', dedicated to his dear wife Mary. If you listen carefully, you can possibly hear him..... 'I love a lassie, a bonnie, bonnie lassie, She's as pure as a lily in the dell, She's as sweet as the heather, the bonnie bloomin' heather, Mary, my Scot's bluebell.'

See Worsley Works have the etches on sale at £17.50. Might have a go myself for Larne Harbour (following Darius's guide, of course).

Loco movements look pretty good, Patrick. I Love the story telling in movie format combined with 'subtitles'. Also, the beautiful music. A movie maker, story teller and talented musician, as well as an accomplished modeller.

Agree with Galteemore and with all the above comments. You are a phenomenon. How on earth you manage to produce such brilliant work on such a regular basis is beyond me. There is so much inspiration in your work for others. Especially love all the Norn Ireland stuff.

INTERIM INSPECTION REPORT BY THE RAILWAY INSPECTORATE CONSTRUCTION OF LARNE HARBOUR RAILWAY STATION CIRCA 1960'S INTRODUCTION This construction project was started in May 2019, after a number of months Research and Development. Compared to other similar construction projects this timescale is unacceptably slow. However, taking into consideration the contractor's carer responsibilities, the development time is deemed to be acceptable. Based on progress to date it is estimated that the project is approximately 50% complete, so another 3 years minimum is anticipated to completion. The view below helps illustrate the following analysis, and the map further identifies the area under review. NB. Contemporary photographs and indeed current day site visits show the curve to be much more exaggerated than as shown on the map. The map however is useful in identifying the overall boundaries of the layout. The area within the red rectangle is the area being modelled. The curve on the model is reasonably accurate. PERMANENT WAY The track layout is a good representation of the 1960's prototype. The main criticism is that the turnouts close to the bridge, (to the Harbour Road Sidings and the Up Sidings), are slightly further out from the bridge than the prototype. We are informed that The Operator specifically requested this of The Contractor to allow for the shunting of a 'Brown Van', provided by a person called 'Leslie', from the Up Main Line to the Up Sidings. We note that NO ballasting has been carried out, as yet, and hence some structures appear to be sitting too high off the ground. We also note that the lack of ballasting, ground covering and weathering suggests a much too pristine appearance, and this needs rectified in order to suggest a more prototypical appearance. The Contractor states that ballasting of track and basic ground cover will not be carried out until signalling is complete. This is accepted. SIGNAL AND TELEGRAPH There is a distinct lack of signalling. However, we are informed that this is in hand. The Bracket Signal controlling exit from The Down Harbour Sidings is currently being constructed. (The patch just to the left of the Signal Cabin, in the Bird's Eye View above, in the INTRODUCTION section, is the foundation for the Bracket Signal, and the start of the construction can be seen below, in the BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES section). Future developments will be the Platform Starting Signals, the signals controlling exit from The Up Sidings to the Up Main Line and a number of ground signals, mainly the double stacked ground signal, just beyond the walk boards, controlling shunting access into Platforms 1 and 2. Signal pulley posts, pulley wheels and wiring are also to be provided. The Signal Cabin is almost complete (see also notes below in BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES section), and houses a replica of the Westinghouse A2, 32 Lever Frame. All point rodding is complete , modelled as per the prototype. BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES It is acknowledged that significant progress has been achieved in this area and that this contributes to a large proportion of the construction time to date. The Signal Cabin is almost complete and is an accurate model of the prototype (also see notes above in SIGNAL AND TELEGRAPH section), as is the Permanent Way Shed. The build of the Olderfleet Road Bridge is recently completed, again contributing to a large proportion of the construction time to date. The platform is complete and considered properly proportioned to suggest the start of a very long platform. The platform is properly scaled to allow a 46 foot Jeep to sit between the start of the platform ramp and the Swan Neck Lamp, as per the prototype, as is the distance between the Swan Neck Lamp and the Station Name Board. Also, the canopy is a fine replica of the prototype. The Contractor is still searching for the proper Swan Neck Lamp for the platform. The hole to accept the Swan Neck Lamp can be seen to the left of the Station Name Board in the above photographs. STATION STAFF AND OTHER LOCALS Although not our concern, and not part of this inspection, it is worth noting that this project not only endeavours to model the location as it was in the late 1960's but also to introduce characters, local dialect and a sense of time and place. Current characters involved are photographed below, (from left to right), The Station Master; Hugh, the Signalman; Barney, the Porter; oul Paddy, a founding member of The P W Gang; Rebecca, Barney's daughter and the resident photographer, Mr Wright. Other characters are to be introduced later, Angus, another member of the Permanent Way Gang, Mr Houston, the Bank Manager of The Ulster Bank in Carrickfergus, who travels in to Carrick by train each day, and a couple of the younger station staff unloading GPO mail bags unto a truck. DIORAMA SCENARIOS The Operator has indicated that when the layout becomes available for operation, he envisages a number of scenarios, all viewable simultaneously as part of an overall busy station scene. These include: 1) The Permanent Way Gang, working on the track between the Signal Cabin and the bridge. The crossover from the Down Harbour Sidings out unto the Up Main Line has recently been removed and the gang are tidying up, or passing a few hours pretending to tidy up. 2) Platform activity - a few UTA carriages at Platform 2, and, some UTA carriages and a Brown Van (hopefully in the future, a 70 Class Set) at Platform 1. A busy platform, luggage trolleys, post bags and parcels sitting about and passengers waiting. Porters busying themselves and The Station Master observing all that is going on. 3) Station Staff unloading mail bags from the GNR(I) P2 Parcels Van, (which has travelled down from Londonderry to York Road and then from York Road out to Larne Harbour and is now sitting in the Short Up Siding), unto a truck, and then to be transferred across the road to the steamer and hence to Stranraer. 4) Some activity on Harbour Road (top left hand corner), maybe a few pedestrians and a few 1960's motor vehicles. PRIORITY ISSUES TO BE RECTIFIED It is strongly recommended that these issues be rectified before the inspectors next visit. The issues are listed in order of suggested priority: Need to be addressed relatively quickly: 1) Progress signalling, firstly the bracket signal, then the shunt and ground signals. It is recognised the Platform Starter will take some time to be constructed and must be completed in stages. 2) Complete rail weathering/rusting. This is currently approximately 50% complete. 3) Build the wall which runs from the bridge abutment and along Harbour Road. This marks the boundary of railway property and it's completion would allow ground cover to be commenced along that boundary. 4) Progress ballasting, ground cover and embankments. 5) Again, not part of this 'construction' project, wiring of points and possible working signals needs to be finalised before some areas of ballasting can be completed. Should eventually be addressed for added realism: 1) Provision of signal wheels, pulleys and wires, as appropriate, but particularly within the immediate area of the Signal Cabin. 2) Provision of lighting inside the Signal Cabin, and from the Swan Neck Lamp on the platform. 3) Provision of Telegraph Poles, as appropriate. 4) Provision of lighting provided on Telegraph Poles within the station area. 5) Provision of lighting along Harbour Road, as appropriate. (Although Harbour Road is not railway property, and hence not our concern, it is nonetheless an important backdrop to the railway scene). CONCLUSION The Operator has asked us to point out that this inspection was not requested in order to praise either his or The Contractor's work, but to provide a fair reflection on the state of this project to date, both negatives and positives. It allows The Operator to appreciate the overall picture, rather than just individual aspects, and to have an overall view of how the ultimate vision is progressing. In conclusion we would advise that The Contractor would appear to be a perfectionist. Any areas complete or nearing completion show a high standard of detail. This bodes well for The Operators vision of photographic realism. However, this again contributes to the overunning of the project, but is an acceptable price to pay. Regarding price, the project is running well under budget, as most track material is salvaged and, of necessity for authenticity, all structures are scratch built. A further inspection will be arranged for November 2024. ©Railway Inspectorate, 2022. Document is current as of November 2022.

Ah Robert, sure would you not have been better waiting on the IRM 80 Class? The Driving Trailer and the Intermediate are already there, with the Mk2B bodies. Just waiting on the Power Car! Surely only a matter of time!

It's amazing what a coat of primer can do. When I looked at the resin bodies, as advertised, I was a bit sceptical as to whether they were worth the money! But, having seen what you've done since this morning, I reckon they are.

This is absolutely terrific work, Alan. Have been really enthralled watching your progress. Now becoming really, really interesting. Well done, now really getting there!

Love those photos of Warrenpoint, Ernie. Brings back memories of Sunday School Trips, walking from our home in Gilford to Tanderagee Station to get train to Warrenpoint. Tea and a buns on arrival. Warrenpoint was one option I considered when trying to decide on my model location. GNR(I) is absolutely my favourite company.

The building of the Oldetfleet Road Bridge The Larne Line was completed between Carrickfergus and Larne Harbour in 1862 and as far as I can ascertain the structures of the existing bridge date from then. This build had taken me a number of months to complete and is obviously yet another unique signature feature of Larne Harbour Station. The whole structure is built with Plasikard, Styrene Strips and coffee stirrers. The only specially purchased piece is the railing on the bridge. It took me ages to find anything remotely resembling the real thing, but I eventually found a fairly good representation of it on eBay from a company called 'litprintsshop'. I have used Ernie's photo, below, for a guide to detail and authenticity. ©ERNIE's Irish Railway Archive, many thanks to Ernie for his help with this photograph. Most structures at Larne Harbour Station start with cardboard mockups to get position, rail alignment, perspective and scale dimensions correct (or as near correct as possible)...... The starting point is the abutments, 2mm plain plastikard with a backing of embossed block, either side of a wooden coffee stirrer cut to give a scale width of 2.5 feet...... ...... then, painted, weathered and coping stones added...... ......basic deck structure added and checked again for alignment...... ......deck extended to bridge approach and support walls for embankment and fencing added...... ......Bird's Eye View of alignment on layout...... Back up unto the workbench (kitchen table), the cement girders, top slabs and the bridge railing...... ......girders and top slabs in place...... ...... wall to right of girders added, this will support embankment and fencing. When the bridge is eventually 'fixed' to the baseboard a proper embankment will be built. Having made headway with the front of the bridge, this will be mostly obscured when viewing from the front of the baseboard. This will be the main view of the road and bridge...... ......supports for road surface started...... ...... road surface ready for asphalt...... ...... asphalt and road lining added...... ...... railings and fencing completed...... UTA Double Decker heading to the station to pick up passengers for Ballyclare...... The following photos were taken just a few days ago, on a crisp, bright early November morning. Apart from the heavily weathered abutments and the overgrown embankments around them, the bridge is basically as it was in Ernie's 1960's photo and indeed probably as it was in the 1860's. It's great to be able to stand in the middle of your real live baseboard and look in all four directions and see the same boundaries as they were at the time of your model 60 years ago, and while we're here, here's a view looking towards the station building and Shore Road (P & O Ferry, European Causeway in the background). The last complete bird's eye view was August 2021, so I will post the current one shortly to show progress to date. Now that the bridge is completed, I think the next project will be back to the bracket signal again. The spectacle plates were driving me crazy, but now it's time for another go!

Hi Darren, Good advice there from Galteemore. Also, you will find a post on the Workbench Thread by Patrick Davey, 'Two GNR(I) Buildings', detailing how he built a basic GNR(I) cabin. This might give you some ideas. Also, there is a Galgorm thread detailing the building of the NCC Cabin at Ballymena, and I have scratch built Larne Harbour Cabin purely from a view photos and info from a few people on this forum. There is a company called LCUT Creative who provide various laser cut pieces to help scratch building. Going by your work on Connolly Loco Shed you would make a good job of a scratch build. It's very satisfying! You just need a few good photos!

One of my intended scenarios for my Larne Harbour Station project is a scene where mail bags are being transferred from the GNR(I) P2 Parcels Van to a truck and hence to the steamer and onwards to Stranraer. In my mind I recalled pictures of a Scammell Scarab Flatbed. I was about to order a bargain really good condition one from eBay and paint it UTA green, add Red Hand logo etc., when I thought I'd just check the photo I'd seen, and oops! it's nothing like a Scammell! The photo is from Michael Stevenson's Steam's Last Fling (Page 92), and is credited to J A Cassells. Any ideas on what type of truck this is?

So good to hear this more positive news, Ken. All best wishes for a continuing recovery. Port Breige is so inspirational to many of us. So much going on and so much detail in that last post. Terrific work. Stay strong. God Bless.

Great to see a lot of GNR(I) stuff recently, Ernie. Love that one of the GNR(I) BUT 700 at Strabane. There seem to be few photos of these around! Hoping to get a Silverfox one in UTA Red/Grey to shunt wagons at Larne Harbour Station.

It would be great to see Gort at an exhibition, Noel. I hope you and your WMRC pals manage to get to the Wexford exhibition. Gort has long been an inspiration to me and I'm sure to many others. I just love to see a real location being modelled. Keep safe and well.