leslie10646

Well, Sir, a lot of it has been published by the IRRS. It's no secret, you only had to go to a Model Railway Exhibition at Bangor, Raheny or Blackrock to see (AND buy) the digitised books of Russell's NCC track diagrams and NCC Signalling diagrams. Still available - I'll provide you with the details! As for NCR3 - that is MY FAULT. The manuscript is an arm's length from me. It hasn't been finished because when I asked (on a RPSI e-mail) about two years ago - less than twenty people stated an interest. Not the response you want when you're contemplating a £5-10,000 plus up front cost. Russell covered the technical aspects of the railway at a fairly high level - as was typical in a David and Charles Railway History of the period when it was written. Since then, some of the material HAS been covered at very high level by experts in their respective fields. However, I am exploring ways of getting the "book" out there and the "Signal Cabin" above has given me another idea ....... That said, it won't help you with this particular subject - the goods rolling stock chapter is just ten, double-spaced, pages and includes no lists of wagon numbers - merely how many of each type the railway had at various times. I have been through Russell's material in the Archive and I don't remember seeing greater detail on wagon info - I may be wrong! By the way, I agree with the Man from Seagoe that given two / three lifetimes a "volunteer" could go through Big Bob's diaries and make something of them - so in case there is reincarnation, maybe one of you would volunteer, assuming that The Almighty agrees! Thinking about it, there can't be reincarnation, as otherwise bob would have done it himself! They are fascinating, but like NCC wagon lists - of interest to maybe a hundred people on the planet. Dinner's ready, I'll go before someone sends a hit squad to do away with me! Leslie

A few of you may know that I was trying to find a new home for "Pettigo" as Aidan was concerned that his works would be binned. However, having had dealings with his wife, Barbara, I know that he needn't have worried! A new home in a model railway cub came to naught - just before Christmas. Barbara has just told me that it has been removed to Co Wexford by a friend of the family, who hopefully will cherish it! Happy Candlemass! Oh - and Happy Year of the Tiger. Leslie

I don't think you need a PhD to work this one out. Now I can get with building my own model railway!

Sorry about that Wex. The Brexit thing has cut GB off from the rest of the known Universe. The loss of trade by small businesses must be enormous. Not sure why the RPSI doesn't charge you straight Euros by transfer, as I do when selling my kits - mind you I can do nothing about the postage! You'll have to wait until a seller is at an exhibition - almost a reason for me coming over to sell kits and books!

978-1-3999-1219-8 Not sure why you want this (although I can guess). As you're on "The Island" buy it from the RPSI and benefit the preservation world!

Dare I suggest that this is a wee bit better - albeit dearer! 200 is service on various model railways ......

Hi Sean I assure you that Provincial Wagons is still dispensing wagon kits. The website is a mess because I could not see the sense in paying a couple of hundred pounds a year for the level of business which I do. So, I attempted to change to Wordpress - it proved rather un-user-friendly on the IONIS platform. Frankly, I have better things to do with my time than build websites. Most of my customers are repeats (ask a few well-known names here) and know my e-mail address. I just quote you for what you need and that brings me as much business as I can handle, or "My Man" is prepared to produce! My stock is low at the moment, as sales have been very good in 2021. Either PM me for a simple list, or tell me what you want. Or e-mail ........ lesliemcallister@aol.com Apologies that my public face needs a lift!!!! Leslie (Provincial Wagons)

I've had a look through Lance King's photographs in the IRRS collection and I cannot see any photos of steam hauling Cravens coaches pre 1965 (end of steam on the Dubliin -Belfast semi-fasts). "Laminates" yes, but not Cravens.

Now there's a couple o' fellahs on this site who reside "down there", so they have an excuse for having a 2-2-2WT on their lines ........... West Cork take note!

Well done, David, you beat me to it - I was busy on IRRS work! Does Peter Rowledge agree with Ernie?

Dublin Wicklow and Wexford Railway, built by Neilson in 1865. Looks indeed like Grand Canal Street.

Just out and available from The Syndicate for £10.95 plus £1 towards p&p. UK only. PM me, or e-mail me at lesliemcallister@aol.com If you're in Europe, buy your copy from the RPSI, it's in their Shop! 64 pages covering every aspect of this industrial narrow gauge empire. I think most people know that I'm no great fan of narrow gauge, but I've found this little book quite an eye-opener. Recommended! Leslie

I thought that the Headline was about the Irish North Western and that the line from Dundalk to Clones, Enniskillen and Bundoran were about to reappear .......

Confession time! I have loads of Hornby long straights on my layout - they are straighter than anything I can lay - and intermixed with Peco 100. As for Peco Setrack ....... even more of that sneaked in!

The February edition of the Railway Modeller has an "insert" of the first ever edition of the magazine (about A5 size (at 1/6 - under 10 Eurocents to the youngsters), published in October 1949. On pages 3 - 6 is a description of The Irish International Railway and Tramway System described by "Mr and Mrs Cyril L Fry. Even then, the railway had SIXTY locos and FIFTEEN trams. By way of contrast, the February 2022 edition has an advert from some bunch called Irish Railway Models promoting their A Class diesels - which weren't even a gleam on Oliver Bulleid's eye when the first RM was published!

Seeing your B47, which is a weird enough looking bomber - when are you going to try a B36? I couldn't believe my eyes when James Stewart flew them in the film Strategic Air Command. Of course, Jimmy Stewart was the perfect star for the film, having piloted Superfortresses in WW2. In 1 in 48, the wingspan of a B36 would challenge the width of any room in your house? For those not in the know, have a look for the film on the internet - there's a pic of the B36 bomber there - SIX props and two jet engines - a a crew of a mere FIFTEEN - even had six sleeping berths ......... On the other hand, maybe, don't try, otherwise you'll not finish your Spoil Train!

With an air force like that, your namesake could have conquered the entire world of his time! After those vac-form kits, my spoil wagons must have been a dawdle!

Totally agree - on the layout it looks very like the real thing (as delivered). I'm very glad I opted for it.

I hate to correct the Venerable JHB, but My Man, Michael Rayner, through his Smallbrook Range does a brake van which is close to one of the BCDR brake vans (I think it was one of his LSWR "Road Vans"). Kirley, formerly of this Parish, got one for his Junction and I believe Patrick Davey may have done one also when in his BCDR Phase. When I first met Michael, I was in my Dapol Phase and I challenged him to produce a GNR Brake Van kit (originally only sold RTR!). While it replicated the superb SSM kit, it was a lot easier to build and it must have been OK as I've sold 161 of them. The GSWR one was chosen for the reasons JHB mentions above - they lasted forever! If you take time with the kit, it makes a wonderfully antique piece of rolling stock which you can certainly run behind even an A Class - which someone has made a nice model of ....... PS Even I have ordered one of Mayner's brake vans - a bit of variety is nice!

Lovely set of photos since New Year, Ernie. The one of 113 at Newry is a Tears to your Eyes job! Really Golden Years of the GNR!

Off topic, but this was one of the best books I have read about the GNR(I) - a lot about the how the railway operated, was managed etc. Highly recommended. Ernie, I hope that you escape the dreaded Virus. Keep away from the "weemen" perhaps? Leslie

Better than Insider-Dealing - 30 plus percent return on Capital in a few months?

Hi Meathdane Apologies for the state of the website, I've got other things on my plate at the moment. The Bulleid Corrugated Wagon kit is my best seller - over 350 of them out there, including very fine ones built by my two pals above! (the Brown Envelopes are in the post, Lads). If you'll e-mail me at lesliemcallister@aol.com I'll invoice you for as many as you want! Regards Leslie

Yes, Mr Mayne, I did post her moving under DC control somewhere back in the mists ....... Chipping is the next issue! Those "missing links" keep enthusiasts amused for years on end - When Colonel McNaughton (late Inspecting Officer of Railways) gave a talk to the IRRS in London he recounted how he, as a young subaltern, with a colleague, was told to change into civvies during WW2 (The Emergency to my Southern Brethern) and sent to survey the possibilities of a link from Kingscourt to Carrickmacross - in case our German cousins invaded the Free State - when another rail link would have been useful to assist the Brits to help their Empire brothers (and sisters) to kick them out again! They reckoned a couple of weeks would do the trick!

Railway rolling stock DID get to strange places - the CIE Open wagon which I did in my "Dapol Commissions" Period was a GNR four plank with a Snail slapped on it and photographed at Courtmacsherry by John Langford. CBSCR fans - take note!