Gavin Hamilton

No problem - it is faced by everyone trying to research long closed lines where the historical records have 'vanished' (sounds better than destroyed by fire caused by Luftwaffe blitz on Belfast), now I wish I could find that TG4 program but I cannot recall the title and google search is less than helpful Gavin

Gauge 1, Electric, Soundcard fitted, Radio controlled, being built by John Campbell, delivery date uncertain owing to the Lockdown currently being experienced, was originally going to be steam propelled but going for electric as this will be more controllable and I have no experience of steam powered small scale locomotives though I do hold a steam drivers 'licence' for standard gauge locomotives Gavin

Yes, but as long as no one replicates 110! Part of 43 is still active (Chimney is on 'Nancy' on the Cavan & Leitrim), one of 43's number plates is on the wall at Cultra. If a replica was built it should fit on the IOM Probable cost of this exercise c£500,000. BTW 42 was reliveried to UTA markings in Larne shed after the line to Ballyclare papermill was closed! Regards Gavin P.S. my 15mm scale model is on order, though delivery date isn't set in stone

Hi All, Learnt my first lesson - don't ask two questions in my first post because only one will get answered! I saw, on I think TG4 catchup (not 100% sure as the original email went missing during a microsoft 'recovery') a TV program, which I didn't think to copy, which featured the Ballycastle branch starting with an NCC 0-6-0T and ended showing an S Class on the viaduct at Ballycastle - does anyone have a copy they can sell me or know what the program was called so I can purchase a copy? This was one of a series of programs, most of which I was able to watch at the time but I can't remember the series title, if I ever knew it Regards Gavin

The 1946 Larne picture is one I've never seen before, but it appears to be in 'as built' condition, those on the Ballycastle line (numbers 5325/5326) seem to have evolved to have two hinged doors on either side at a later stage in evolution, presumably work carried out locally so it looks like a faded black/brown number on the ducket may have to suffice. If a better scan could be found it might be possible to work out the number, I think it looks something close to 5313 but given that the records were lost in the 1941 blitz I suspect the answer will never be known. A quick glance through 'The Mid Antrim Narrow Gauge shows that 5313 was renumbered from 313 in Dec 1934 and withdrawn in 1954 Gavin

Thanks, I've found and ordered a copy of the UTA in Colour book, the picture in the Boyd book is a different type of brake van (type 24) than the one I'm interested in Regards Gavin

It's the only one I've made, I bought a couple of Boat Train Coaches, 352 & 318, (made by someone else) from John Campbell and these ran with one of these brake vans. This was built from a laser cut MDF kit, organised by John Campbell from his 'supplier of choice' as a body kit only and I had to source a chassis from another supplier, the brake detailing is modified L&B vacuum brake 4 wheel parts. I've ordered an S Class from John (who I spoke to on Wednesday) originally a live steam example but John advised me that given my lack of experience (true) of miniature, 15mm scale, live steam locos (I do drive fullsize ones), that electric would be more controllable and fitted with a sound card and radio control, where as live steam would need a track the size of Silverstone to run 'safely' Unlike the recently completed 'prototype' live steam he'd built! Gavin Can you supply any details for the Young UTA book Gavin

I'm guessing late 1940's as the time period as these vans 'evolved' over the years, they seem to have started out with single sliding doors on each side but acquired double hinged doors later. Hopefully someone might find the Television program as film of the Ballycastle line is rare ! Regards Gavin Time to repaint the chassis

Excuse for the black frames, I've never seen any colour photographs of one, and the only Bauxite Liveried LMS (UK) brake van I've seen is black below the body, one of the photographs I got from Charles Friel shows that they were vacuum fitted and piped for steam heat

Hi all, Interesting problem, I have been building an LMS/NCC type 23 3'gauge brake van in 15mm scale but, it appears, I've found an insurmountable problem... The model is almost complete but there are 'no known' photographs of one (these ran on the Ballymoney to Ballycastle branch) that show any lettering of any sort. I have been in contact with Charles Friel but he doesn't know of any, so far the existing photographs show how these evolved over the years but no numbering/lettering of any sort. They were apparently painted LMS bauxite so I've used Precision Paints LMS Bauxite and have detailed it as far as I can get, I've still to paint the brake gear matt black - next few days work - so has anyone got any suggestions about lettering/numbering? I know the numbers but no idea about font etc? I also saw, on I think TG4 catchup (not 100% sure as the original email went missing during a microsoft 'recovery') a TV program, which I didn't think to copy, which featured the Ballycastle branch starting with an NCC 0-6-0T and ended showing an S Class on the viaduct at Ballycastle - does anyone have a copy they can sell me or know what the program was called so I can purchase a copy? Gavin

Hi, I joined this forum for other reasons but I would be very interested to see the SLNCR Garratt drawing as I maintain the Garratt Locomotive website (http://www.beyergarrattlocos.co.uk/) and am still finding or being informed about Garratt proposals. Gavin