dave182

You have my head spinning Junctionmad! But I get the most of what you are saying. Bringing it back to prototypical modelling then, it's a case of less is more when it comes to my yard scene. You talked about points within station limits being controlled by point rods, coming from the signal box. This is obviously dictated by the distance from the box, and the 'pull', which is very interesting. I've never experienced pulling a signal box lever, but most look like you need a good pair of arms on ya! What would be the longest distance you could realistically run point rods? I assume you went along before the start of a shift and greased the bejaysus out of the moving parts to make your life easier!

Ah yes Mayner, I knew you'd step up to this one! Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge on this. It's amazing, that is one of the most photographed aspects of Limerick junction, yet I've never paid any attention to whats going on at ground level, up to now!

Hi guys! I'm working on a small freight yard for my layout and it will have a short single line off the main, and into a yard that will have 3 or 4 points at most. My period of operation in the 90s so semaphore signaling is still very much in operation. As I look to detail the scene, I've been looking at pictures from around the network and I guess my yard would have similarities to a yard like Barrack Street in Dundalk. So a couple of questions. Regarding access to the yard, I want to place a semaphore junction signal on the main, and then a starter signal coming out of the yard. Is this correct? (I think Barrack Street had colour light signalling.) After that, my yard is only going to have hand operated levers on the points, which is what I can see in the Barrack Street yard. So obviously as trains shunted around the yard, the points were thrown by a man on the ground. So am I correct to think that there is no signal box involved here? Thus no rods to run to points? And no signals of any sort within the yard? I assume the yard would operate as a single 'block'? The signal box say at Dundalk would allow a train access to the yard and then the block becomes occupied. What happens then if more than one loco/train needs access to the yard? I'm thinking that there would also be a call on/shunt signal at the entrance to the yard. I appreciate this is a long winded set of questions, so I'm just looking for some thoughts, comments and maybe experience. What little details can I add (or leave out, e.g. point rods) to make the yard as accurate as possible?

Looking good Dave! I have to say, there is something fantastically satisfying and rewarding when you get some track and points (and pints!)down. Like you, I managed to get a few hours peace and quiet over the christmas and have put some track down in a yard area. One spilled tin of beer and a misplaced bag of fishplates which took 3 hours to find... but all part of the fun!

Thank you Flange Lubricator! 10 in total, did they ever run in multiples? I can't recall ever seeing more than 1 on it's own. Would the have run Dublin to Rosslare at all?

Thanks for the feedback guys. The prototype appeals to me so this would be a nice addition to the fleet! As an aside, how many bogie TPOs did CIE have?

Hi All. I see an RTR model of the Irish Travelling Post Office is available over on Irish Freight Models. Has anyone seen one in the flesh? I know there was some initial criticism of some of the earlier models released, but I know lot's of you were impressed by the park royals released earlier in the year. Any thoughts on this model? Is it a reasonable representation of the real thing? http://www.irishfreightmodels.com/index.php/shop.html#!/CIE-TPO-Travelling-Post-Office/p/74126961/category=6789991

Now that's something I never knew! Thanks for sharing that info. Had crossed my mind to do a small layout with a Sri Lankan theme!

Visited Sri Lanka a few years ago, and it has a wonderful British built system that runs from the coast up into the mountains! It's broad gauge, and outside of the main centres still mostly semaphore signalling. Stock is slowly being upgraded to Indian built multiple units, but when I was there 3 years ago there were plenty of diesels, including hunslet shunters, and mixed freights, along with some curious pwd consists. I know I've photos somewhere, maybe on an older laptop, I'll do my best to find them!

So it's been 3 years since I started this thread (slightly embarrassing!) but finally some progress! I've claimed some space in the shed; enough to give me a layout of 8' x 6', plus a fiddle yard coming off the front of the layout in an L shape, which is great because I can have lots of rakes ready to go. Might look at removable cartridge setup even? Anyways, to start, a non-picture! But I'm excited none-the-less as it's the first baseboards I've laid down since I was a teenager! Still a lot of work to be done on the underframe, but getting there. So your imagination is required here. This is a very rough outline of what I think I can fit in the space. It's a single line, over 2 levels. At the front of the layout, on the lower level, is the station area, representing Arklow I suppose. On the upper level is the Avoca River, with the factory complex on the north bank, and the Ammonia tank car unloading facility on the south bank, as per the real site. The theory here is that empty Pallet Fert. train would pull in to siding off the main line, and reverse across the river into the factory. This is not prototypical, but a space saving compromise that I'm happy with. When you've finished sniggering at my autocad masterpiece there, you can look at the next picture. Here I've roughed out a couple of bits of track to see if my plan is possible. The A Class sits in the Factory Yard in the background, across the river. I think this will work visually and operationally. I could reasonably fit the loco plus 3 or 4 fert wagons on the straight, and the loco can then be shunting wagons across the river in 2's or 3s. The 141 is sitting at the Ammonia tank unloading facility. Again, my understanding is that the 6 tank + 2 Barrier consists were split in 2 in real life, so I can get away with shorter sidings here. Finally the Mk2 coach would be sitting on the main line on the upper level, and I've another 2' to play with in front of this point, where the station will go. I've finally some time on my hands so I hope to tip away at this over the winter! I'll keep posting as it progresses, and comments and encouragement always welcome!

Looking forward to this! See you all tomorrow!

'Mind the doors'

Fair play! Continued success with that!

Richie, I assume they are for someone?! I'm looking for a set.

Wow! Keep her lit!

Is a list of layouts and traders finalised?

'Just curiosity - is there a reason the trains cross on opposite sides to normal? There were a few rare examples in real life.' Not sure about that Jhb. Rathdrum would be one I can think of, to allow laden fert trains power up the incline without having to slow to cross points. Enfield springs to mind also for some reason

Freightliners were especially prevalent on liners between Dublin and Belfast for a period, due to a dispute of some sort. It's mentioned here on the site somewhere. (Freightliner falling out with Sealink, or Sealink falling out with one of the ports maybe?) Arran, are the Transamerican spiders 00 or ho scale?

Couldn't agree more, Mogul! I guess it's been such a long time since I've seen more than one freight train in NW that I was pleasantly surprised! I would hope that railfreight continues to thrive!

What the heck, Gordan?! I had to look at you're North Wall photos a few times before I could believe it... but was that SHUNTING I saw going on there!! Great pictures, and incredible that freight has managed to pull through despite IE's best attempts to kill it off!

Have to say I was most impressed with the last show and the number of quality stands. Spent a fortune, but well worth a visit!

That's a fantastic picture Noel! And looking back on Tara Junction; your model is spot on!

Biomass... I see the project in Mayo at the old Asahi plant has stalled also. http://www.thejournal.ie/mayo-power-plant-halt-2891808-Jul2016/

Thank Eoin!

I don't want to venture too far off topic, but am I getting the impression from the photos that Connolly Shed is no longer in use by Irish Rail, other than for re-fueling?