LARNE CABIN

Hi Ian. I agree with David and Jonathan's comments above. As 'Trathnona' is 6ft by 10 inches, surely it can fit in along one wall and enhance the home office! It's really amazing what you can accommodate in a small space. The Larne Harbour Station layout I am working on is 6ft by 20 inches and will sit in an alcove in a home office type room. Save 'Trathnona'!

Many thanks @jhb171achill for such insight and detailed information. My model of Larne Harbour Station would be late 1960's. My station nameboard is black letters on yellow background and Brunswick Green Swan Neck Lamp, still UTA colouring. I see from some photographs that by June 1969 the nameboard is white letters on maroon background and the Swan Neck Lamp is painted pale grey, so my model would be say 1968 or earlier! I am going to assume then that NIR wouldn't have bothered painting a P Van so I am going with your assumption and @Galteemore 's memory that the UTA had painted them dark brown, and I intend to have 'G' and 'N' lettering. Thanks again to you both.

Some more progress. Near side strengthened and glued in. Have added steel frame bracing and given a coat of paint. (Doors just sitting on for picture, not glued on as need more work, a bit more scribing, weathering, and will probably want to put on 'G' and 'N' letters on doors before gluing on). @jhb171achill, Jonathan, any advice on livery? The only colour pictures I have seen (page 72 in The UTA in Colour @ Downshire and page 100 in Steam's Last Fling @ Whitehead seem to have a hint of very faded red, as if they had a coat of mahogany at some stage!. Or do you think just a darker brown? That colour I have used on the planking is Humbrol 110, Natural Wood. Roof sits out enough to allow for 'signature feature' of valence over doors, so am very pleased with that!

Hi again Johannes, I know where Drumnagreagh Road is, but I have never seen any pictures of that area. Can I be really cheeky and ask what it is you are looking for? Is it an old dwelling or maybe something to do with Cairncastle? If I find anything I'll let you know.

Have done some work on the solebars and attached the ends. Side just sitting on top to check fit. Obviously, a lot more work needs done on the sides before they can be glued in, strengthening etc! Have cut the six slots for the vents, not perfect, but hopefully eventually both windows and vents will be brass etch and will be very tidy!

In response to two profound comments above, Galteemore, it's already too late, I am addicted already, addicted to making as accurate a model as possible, and MikeO, yes, I have learnt already that patience is key, one little slip can destroy hours of work. I decided that the doors weren't right! One layer of Embossed Planking on top of plain 1.5mm Plastikard, so the two layers look wrong, more like a kitchen cupboard door! I decided to take one piece of Plastikard and scribe on the planking. I think this looks better and more realistic. I had to cut 8 or 9 doors to get the two on the near side, the side which will be visible when the model is on the layout, the best two, and the next best two on the other side, so practice makes (well not perfect) but pretty good! I have marked the positioning of the steel frame bracing to give me the proportioning on each side and assurance that the measurements are correct and cut out the three windows on each side. Hoping the GNR(I) enthusiasts will recognize the beginnings of a 'P' Van!

Firstly, I never imagined that I would be posting a topic on the Workbench Forum! I am constantly amazed by all the masterpieces that appear here, especially those super brass steam engines and Victorian carriages, BUT, having discovered the GNR(I) 'P' Van and it's typical 1960's roster, being taken off the 3pm ex Londonderry at York Road and attached to the 5:30pm ex York Road to Larne Harbour, with mail for Stranraer, I have become intrigued and want to model it's authenticity and unique links with Larne Harbour. My aim is to model one of the 1934 built P2 Vans (783 - 788), actually 788 as a tribute to it as it still exists, albeit in a derelict and forlorn state at RPSI, Whitehead. I intend to leave one of the doors open and have the van sit in a siding at Larne Harbour with mail bags being unloaded for transfer to the Stranraer Ferry. Many thanks to MikeO and Leslie McAlister who provided a lot of detailed information and Lambeg Man and airfixfan who posted photos when I asked a question on the Questions and Answers Forum about the 'P' Van. I have also unearthed a few photos in various books. After lots searching, I came across a Southern Railway Bogie Parcels Van (Ratio Kit 592). This will help with the chassis, (slightly oversize, but easily adjusted to exact), and bogies, and the body will be entirely scratchbuilt with Slater's 2mm (6 inch) Embossed Planking and plain 1mm and 1.5mm Plastikard. So here goes, first tentative steps, the first cuts: and the four doors and two ends, I wanted to have the planked ends, as per the official GNR(I) drawing, even though some photos seem to show plain smooth steel ends: and the cut for my open door, difficult to get correct, but I'm happy with it! More photos of progress to come soon, hopefully............

Absolutely brilliant Patrick. Pure GNR(I) nostalgia, (both inside and out). Top Class!

Done, best of luck to IRM, (and Murphy Models with the 121). An NCC/UTA WT 2-6-4 Tank Engine in the Steam Engine category in the next few years please, please, please!

That's terrific, Patrick. Love the Signal Box and Station Master's House. Very atmospheric! I see you have a GNR(I) Home Signal and point rodding. Very interested to see someone else attempt point rodding (I am working on it with Larne Harbour at the moment). Looking forward to seeing your progress with Brookhall Mill.

There is a lot of straight talking, common sense and good advice given in the above comments, especially the financial aspect from Irishswissernie. My tuppence worth would be to suggest that over the past while I have noticed a big increase in the number of general retail shops now stocking craft items, such as artist materials, canvass, acrylic paint, balsa strips etc., (and embroidery and knitting for the ladies). I know nothing about the Carlow area, but given the correct setting and financial outlay, a craft shop may be the way to go! I have read that the coming Christmas may bring a return to the more traditional children's toys such as Lego, jigsaws, model planes etc, rather than electronic gadgets. I agree with murphaph. It would be brilliant to have more model shops in Ireland, but on-line really wins the day.

Almost there, with the cabin! Hipped roof with leading now complete. Just guttering and lighting to add, and steps to be attached to the cabin door. View below of cabin in position on layout. The cabin sits on a base from which it can be easily be lifted off! The base also raises the cabin, as I intend to put in point rodding and signal pulleys and wires, (before ballasting). Have made a few changes to the track layout. Firstly, in some 1969/1970 photos the turnout, just in front of the signal cabin leading to the goods yard is still there, and indeed still in use, so I have included it, to be as authentic as possible. Photos show that the station area is predominantly a fine black gravel base with little ballast, so I have put a black base under the track as a starting point for ballasting. The photo below gives a idea of perspective. With limited space, I have had to compromise by limiting the platform area, as I wanted the station approach from the bridge (bottom left) and the track layout to be as authentic as possible. There is still room on the platform for the unique platform awning and of course the swan neck lamp and just about enough room for a 3 car 70 Class at the main platform. Next step will be working around the cabin area, point rodding and ballasting. More photos soon!

To anyone out there, but maybe @Robert Shrives in particular! Robert, I looked at Darius's build of the 70 Class using the Worsley Works Brass Etch. It is overy informative and thank you for recommending it! I am working on a 70 Class build and intend to follow Darius's method and I would like advice on the best product to glue the brass etch to the cut down doner coach.

Have completed your survey Mayner, and like a few replies above, although the price quoted would be at my absolute upper limit, I would be prepared to pay that as a one off for a top class model of a GNR(I) S Class. As Ironroad mentioned above, a WT Class 2-6-4T would be irresistible! I am just waiting on the first brave manufacturer to produce one (maybe IRM, hint, hint!). I know Bill Bedford did start down that road at one time, but it didn't seem to go anywhere! Anyway, I have watched carefully your previous endeavours and wish you every success in this venture.

Thanks @Patrick Davey for your kind comments. Yes, I know you are a big fan of Signal Cabin models and in fact (as I mentioned previously in this thread), I caught the bug and gained inspiration from your GNR(I) Cabin and Waiting Shed. Both reminded me so much of my childhood days at Tandragee, where my best friend's father, Mr Morton, was the Station Master (and Signalman and Porter). The clang, clang, clang of those levers never leaves you! I have also caught the bug of trying to be as authentic as possible, and because I have a limited space, my aim is to achieve as accurate a model of Larne Harbour as possible! I am enjoying the journey, but by God that lever frame was a real pain in the ass and produced many swear words, but it was worth it in the end!

The Signal and Telegraph Gang have been busy over the last few weeks, installing the Lever Frame and the Block Instruments! The Lever Frame is a Westinghouse A2, 32 lever frame. Testing is underway. Levers 5 (shunt signal for Up Quayside Siding) and levers 19 and 21 (associated points) are pulled to allow for some of Leslie's Brown Vans, just arrived on the 5:30 ex York Road, to be shunted to the siding for unloading.

Thanks, @MikeO, brilliantly detailed reply. That gives me everything I need to know. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply in such detail. David, (LARNE CABIN).

Thanks, @airfixfan. I just looked up that photo of 621 in '35 Years of NIR' and I was aware of these ex AEC parcel vans, but the one I am interested in is of much older vintage and definitely ex GNR(I).

I am still researching and collecting information for my Larne Harbour Station project, (late 60's/early 70's). A number of photo captions mention the 'important' 5:30pm ex York Road to Larne Harbour and the shunting of Brown Vans to the Quayside Siding for unloading. There is a photo on page 72 of Derek Young 's 'The Ulster Transport Authority in colour' showing the 5:30 ex York Road at Downshire, with a former Great Northern 'P' van carrying mail from Londonderry en route to Stranraer. I am interested in finding out about the 'P' van. Desmond Coakham's 'Irish Broad Guage Carriages' has a picture of a P1 Class Bogie Parcels Van, No 780, built 1930, at Bundoran Junction in 1957, but although similar, is not like the one in the Downshire photo! He mentions that another 10 vans, similar but with steel framed bodies appeared in 1944. Presumably, the one on the 5:30 ex York Road was one of the 1944 built vans! Can anyone throw any light on this?, and in particular can anyone refer me to a better photo of the van that may have run on the 5:30 ex York Road in the 60's! I would appreciate this for modelling purposes. Extremely unlikely, but might someone produce a brass etch?

I can only reiterate the above sentiments. I have been interested in Irish Railways and Irish Model Railways since I was in Primary School. My interest has always been GNRI and more recently NCC/UTA with my Larne Harbour Project, but I have a fair collection of Murphy Models including a 141, 181, NIR 111, Cravens and Mk 2's. Why? I know they will never be part of my layout, but I couldn't resist buying them because they are so brilliant, the standard is so high and they are a joy to own and look at. Thank you Paddy Murphy for having the foresight and initiative to take on such a project. It has been a resounding success. You are a legend in Irish Railway Modelling.

Thanks again @Old Blarney, as @Galteemore says, "What a brilliant photo"! Very, very useful to gain perspective for my project. Lots of Narrow Gauge wagons and the Aluminium Works, so probably 1930's/40's! Yes, @Galteemore, the tank farm is now a P & O Ferries Car Park and the site of the Olderfleet Hotel is now the Olderfleet Bar and Lounge and a lot of work has been done on it over the past number of months to upgrade it. The signal, just before the crossing barrier is actually a Somersault Signal, as opposed to the main signals being Upper Quadrant, (l have a few photos that show it clearly in the 'off' position), and although this is just beyond the limit of my layout I hope to show it in the distance on a backscene, and a bit of that house just beside it. I'll better stop now, as I'm getting carried away! Thanks again.

Thanks for your info @Old Blarney. I'm really kicking myself now because at one time I had the "Trackside in Ireland" set of vehicles which included a Holmes, Mullin & Dunn Tanker. Unfortunately, I sold it on eBay a number of years ago. Nonetheless, that information 're distribution is very interesting.

Hi @NIR, yes, I agree, it was behind a fence and I didn't expect any link to the railway. In the photo of the jeep that @Irishswissernie posted on my Larne Harbour Station thread it shows at least three storage tanks and a couple are very close to the railway, close enough to include as another unique identifying landmark to Larne Harbour! It just seems strange that there is hardly any information available about Lobitos and it must have been quite an important business at that time!

Hi there, all you very knowledgeable people. As some of you will know, I am working on a model of Larne Harbour Station, late 60's, early 70's. In some of the photos I have had the privilege to view, LOBITOS Storage Tanks are prominent and I think I will have sufficient space in one corner of my layout to include at least one tank! Despite extensive searching of the internet etc., I have been unable to find out anything about these tanks. It is natural to assume that petrol/oil was delivered to Larne by oil tanker and stored for onward distribution. Can anyone through any light on this?, in particular was any such petrol/oil transported by rail?