leslie10646

A heads up for the narrow gauge men and lovers of the BCDR. See: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/The-Narrow-Gauge-Railways-of-Ireland-H-Fayle/224098609297?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225113%26meid%3D2d887cf6f6784630abda9ead1509fcb3%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dsb%26sd%3D224098738895%26itm%3D224098609297%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDefaultOrganic&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851 This is an original Fayle published 74 years ago, NOT the reprint done in the 1960s. Mac Arnold's writing is not everyone's cup of tea, but his book on the everyday Co. Down Railway was a good read and I learned a lot from it. See: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/The-County-Down-Irish-Steam-Scene-R-M-Arnold/224098738895?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225113%26meid%3D26cf76def1fd4fe6a8f79f9166c34517%26pid%3D100667%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D8%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D233667443544%26itm%3D224098738895%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2334524&_trksid=p2334524.c100667.m2042 originally published by GALTEEMORE'S Dad to raise funds for the RPSI. Quite few good Irish Railway books on eBay at present - including the Sligo Leitrim book by Neil Sprinks. Leslie

Murph, Old Boy, I'm in no position to comment on this, as my 21ft x 17ft is Peco's best Narrow Gauge! But, aspiring to 21mm is good. Why not a little on a modestly lengthed "practice board" to build up experience? At 74, I will have to leave it to those who are younger to acquire the skills and for me to enjoy looking at the result - like Andy's sublime layouts. I watched Galteemore's teenage son at a Scale Four track-building Master Class - the sooner you start picking up the techniques the better! Good luck.

Hi Murph While I completely agree with you that the full 21mm looks great - Out of 400 plus follk on my customer database, there are 10-12 folk doing 21mm - I know that because I supply my kits to them without wheels! Happy to do the same for you! That said, the Scale Four Society does a number of components to help. Leslie (Provincial Wagons)

THE DEADLY SIN OF SLIPPAGE FROM THE TRUE RELIGION (STEAM) NOEL, Perhaps Jonathan can cast the first stone regarding DMUs - Alas, not I, for I fell into the clutches of that Deadly Sin over twenty years ago! Lambeg Man of this Parish had shown me his superb AEC set in NIR-livery and such was my covetness (another Sin) that I got the address of the builder. By this time, I was working in Hong Kong after retirement and Mr Hughes, The Builder, finished my GNR-liveried set. That was followed by a four car BUT set and a dozen mahogany coaches for steam-haulage. My sins didn't end there - a CAF set from the estimable Seamus Graham, the Bachmann IR commuter set (a 65th birthday present from some kind IRRS pals) and recently I bought yet another AEC set from Chris Dyer and Mr Wrenn at Blackrock. Now well down the slippery slope with a silver A Class on order from The Boys and a grey B Class. Do I sin further and buy a RPSI preserved B Class?

Noel says - Not so long ago I was RTR man, now finding doodling with kits addictive and therapeutic. ---------------------------- A loud Hooray, from all kit suppliers! Noel, thanks for your custom over the lockdown and the good use you've put the kits to. This one's terrific, too, like the others you've done. I think that the quote below refers? "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent". Luke 15:7, in case you had forgotten - Galteemore can tell you what the previous verses were all about - subject of a stunning painting by Rembrandt (now in the Winter Palace in Leningrad.

I'm sure some of you know that Leslie McAlister of Provincial Wagons has named his home Pettigo Fair. Leslie, wagons will be delivered in time for the Fair! Hi Glover, Well, the tears are flowing down my cheeks, seeing "my" wagons arriving "at home" - and not just because of the frustration of my broken arm. I may have told the story behind the House Name...... When No.85 the GLOVER Compound was being trialled thirty years ago, I dragged my twelve year-old son, William, over to Belfast for the run to Dublin (we stayed in the North with Galteemore's Mum and Dad). Anyway, the IRRS Archive was open especially for the occasion and I took him up to The Holy of Holies where the bound sets of weekly notices are kept. We got down the 1946 volume, but nothing of interest was happening on the 10th June. I sent him to put the 1946 set back and to fetch the 1939 set, as his Mother was born on 20 July of that year. Against the day before was an instruction to send extra cattle wagons to Pettigo for the Fair. Now, we were just about to move into our new home and after that, there could only be one name! The other family connection was that my late father was a young constable at GARRISON on Lough Melvin and could have been at the Fair that day. Put your handkerchiefs away now! Lovely cattle special on a very fine railway - very well done. We must organise a photo-shoot with my steam locos - my AL or PP would look nice, or even the 00 Works U Class? Leslie

The arm is very much in the DANGER position - whether it's upper, lower or somersault! As we Ulstermen say "ya cuddn't mak' it up". I certainly don't recommend it - but it is suitably humbling and reminds me of how blessed I am compared with others who have to deal which much worse handicaps

Hi Kevin - DAPOL do 00 signals, motorised and lit. I have half a dozen of their GWR lower quadrant ones sitting un-installed in a box. They now do brackets as well (NOT CHEAP). I bought a Ratio signal kit to butcher and use as a non-working platform starter for Richhill - nothing will happen for months, of course, as my left arm is in plaster after a fall. Des's signals looked decent to me when he was demo-ing them at a Cultra event - wrong railway for me, of course! I think this is my one thousandth post - does my rating go up - or DOWN? WATCH OUT FOR POTHOLES WHEN WALKING IN ENGLAND - IRISH ROADS ARE MUCH BETTER MAINTAINED! Keep well everyone. Leslie

John You'll never get this one right, as the variants seemed endless - one reason why michael and I opted for the older GSWR van! I've e-mailed you my files and phots. Looks great, by the way - obviously I'll take one for sure!

Mr B This one might have been cleaned up especially, but it looks pretty clean in 1964? Copyright IRRS, Lance King Collection

I completely agree. A fine piece of work.

Great result, whichever was the grass length / applicator. I assume you use the applicator which looks like a tea strainer? It has done pretty well for me. Keep it up. I'm "resting" and video-ing diesels on freights - DON'T TELL THE STEAM MEN!

I give up! That is simply terrific "171". Very well done. Out of interest, have you used 12mm grass for the longer grass? Excellent backscene as well.

I thought that this had been announced? But it appears a well-kept secret. I was toying with the idea of a second A Class and happened to look at "Accessories" on the IRM site - so, like Robert, I ordered a couple of container packs to go on my keg wagons!

Thanks, Flange, what about the other forty or so on the train? Quite a variety of "flats" as well it seemed. The real modelling issue is a train nearly a quarter of a mile long - twenty feet or so in 4mm scale! I don't think any of us could accommodate it in a loop on our lines!

My first freight since March! A very noisy GBFr 66.741 roaring through a damp Pangbourne yesterday afternoon with thirty plus mainly full bogie flats of various types. The drizzle would not have been out of place at home. The catenary of the electrics put up a fine spray / STEAM in contact with the wires! Don't miss the PINK container on the rear - something for the Boys to AccuraScale-ly model? MAQ03529.m4v

Great stuff, 171. It speaks volumes for "keep it small and simple" and, obviously, being able to concentrate on the job! No trying to ballast at arms length across an existing layout - or lying underneath to do the electrics - just tip the board up! You obviously were well prepared for the lockdown - between, track, electric bits, scenic materials you were obviously ready on the start line! I had most of what I needed - but it was the result of buying bits over a decade AND NOT USING THEM! Good luck!

Don't denounce me to the Steam Stasi, or The Ethics Committee, but I have to agree with Noel - they were a game-changing loco. When I was laying Portadown Junction, I used the 141 to test every inch of new track, then to be sure, I ran a steam loco over it!

Talking of the GNR stock in strange places - one of RTR Dapol commissions I did was of a GNR open wagon - based on a John Langford photo taken at Courtmacsherry when it had a CIE stencil as well as the "GN". Maybe I should do a few more ......

David Really lovely to see the two GSWR brakes together and what super models. When I sought out a CIE brake to do which no-one else had done, I saw Andy's Valentia Harbour and just loved the antiquity of his 10ton brake on the layout, hence the kit Provincial Wagons did for the "little boys" (ie 4mm to foot)! As Richie had kindly helped with drawings of both the 12ton and 10ton jobs, Michael and I had a dilemma as to which one to do - the channelling on the 12ton version made it look a bit harder, so we opted for the 10 ton version. But hasn't the revered Richard done a lovely job on his van? Yours compliments it in every way. Congratulations! A super pair to have - can't wait to see them in operation! (Oh, by the way, the PROVINCIAL WAGONS kit just happens to be still available from me!). Leslie

An amazing sight to see. I hope I survive to get over to ride on it! Congratulations all round.

As others have said, David, just wonderful. You need an extra crewman, by the way, if your trains run in late 1950s / early 1960s. The late and revered Robin (Bob) Clements spent many days each week out on the Midland with various crews he knew. We can produce photos of the great man and you can get 3D figures guys to produce you a 7mm version! His diaries in the IRRS Archives tell endless tales of firemen struggling with an engine reluctant to make steam.

Andy, that explains a lot - I wondered at the lack of text - for your skills and methods deserve a book-ful of comment. The sooner we get out of this virus-filled - ZOOM-World the better! I hope that Court gets over to Ireland for others to see just what a super piece of modelling it is.

Thanks for showing us those, Ernie. I had completely forgotten that she was moved by road to Witham Street (the then museum) - of course, there was no other way! Well done to Mike for, obviously (looking at the general lack of traffic), getting up early to get the photo. I was at Adelaide along with many of my generation of enthusiasts to welcome her. On the Saturday, Sam Mehaffey, the shed foreman, entered into the spirit of the occasion by having a gleaming No.207 "Boyne" in steam. The big VS Class worked the worked the 1235 all-stations local to Lisburn and its return - all three coaches of it - much nicer than a CAFs unit! That Saturday was unique in another way - it was the 29th of February (1964). Not the engines only meeting, for they met at Thurles on the IRRS St Pat's Day tour in 1962.

Thanks for bringing this story to us, John. I agree with George that the buildings have survived very well, albeit it is not a VERY built up area. Good luck to them.