leslie10646

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.

SLIGHTLY better getting Aurora in - "just" £105 paid towards saving the NHS, aka Tory Party funds.

Hi Jon Good to see Aurora's big sister (five years older) when she grew up! The loco looks very well in grey and with the newer boiler - still a Racer!!!! I've put her away until I can get her chipped and she can then run GAA specials from Cavan when the County is playing Down or Antrim? We must arrange a meeting of them in Dublin at the next exhibition if we're spared? Well done New Zealand John - another lovely loco.

Wow, Rails in the Wild West. Good luck with the relaying - I was amazed at how much of this line (which must have been SERIOUSLY scenic) you could still see, as I led tours for GRJ here. Good luck James and the lads (and lasses!).

Thanks, Mr Larne, but it's still a long way from finished - the Gents has to be added, the Up side waiting room (perhaps I didn't give Glenderg the photos!) and a lot of landscaping. I took delivery (yesterday) of some materials to try a bit of embankment - good exercise for my Static Grass toy, which I just love! Back to the Guinness for a moment and a scene which never was, or would be - delivery of Guinness for the Richhill pubs - at the "Beach" - the first bit of platform I tried modelling - the goods shed is a masterpiece from Glenderg - sort of Richie's contribution to Richhill? Sadly, apart from seasonal traffic it saw little business in reality. Time I got a backscene!

You can tell how pleased I am with my new toys and while The Boys have shown us some photos of "what you get", it's not until you actually take it to bits that you realise - You get 450 barrels of Guinness and if each holds 88 pints (someone can correct me), that's just short of 40,000 pints - that's a pint and a half for every day of my 74 years!), five nice cages and a very fine wagon, which barely weighs 50grams - no wonder No.53 ran away with eight on (see Layouts, Portadown Jct). It's all a bit of a change from the old order - here seen with it's little sisters at Portadown Goods - I said it before - VERY well done!

Brilliant progress, 171, you obviously can concentrate on the job a lot better than I can!

Sorry, Jon, the whole lot is for the Armagh District Master's Twelfth Night Party at the Armagh Temperance Hall on 12 July 2020.

GUINNESS at RICHHILL: First a short clip (obviously hand held) of No.53 on an unlikely train. Richhill is still under construction and the position makes it very difficult to film - I must get my photographer son in to do it. MAQ03454.m4v Mr Glenderg, Architect of this Parish, built the buildings - the platforms etc are mine (the difference is obvious. However, it's a clip of his new train, hauled by a loco which would NEVER have been there, pulling wagons which didn't appear until 10 years after the station closed. Then, for those with two minutes to spare, two IRM trains cross, turn up the SOUND! MAQ03455.m4v

In haste - Even worse, but proof that they run very well! MAQ03426.m4v Really is lunch time. I'd better present myself!

Wot's all this then? All is revealed Looks nice - I wonder does it run - sorry lunch is ready - you'll have to wait! Thanks, boys!

Great stuff, Noel and thanks for sharing it. Quiet hint - I've got a further stock in for anyone else needing the right wagon to go alongside their cattle dock.

Warley 2020 POSTPONED until 28/29 November 2021.

VERY unlikely, MM, but it lines up with the 119mph which the Germans took an 05 up to on a special train for the British Association of Locomotive Engineers. Stanier was on the footplate, if my memory is correct!

Like Noel, thanks, Hex, for sharing the electric clip - if only to try and work out what they were saying! How many people can you get in the cab of an electric? The reception committee didn't seem too overjoyed with the effort? That is unlike the reception which the steam 4-6-4 No.05.002 got at the Anhalter in Berlin in 1936 when she arrived after her 125mph (almost level track). Hohne (driver) and Langhans (fireman - he'd earned it) each had a bottle of Champagne in one hand and a glass in the other, while in the foreground the top Reichsbahn bosses were grinning ear to ear. By the way, my No.1 ride in a Time Machine, please! No.2 is Mallard's run to see if she equalled the German engine over a quarter mile and finally, not to be greedy, a run on the Hiawatha pre WW2 with one of the streamlined 4-6-4s - a seriously wonderful looking FAST train, even allowing for American hype! Ah, just to be cheeky, what wouldn't I give for a seat on the Silver Jubilee Press run in 1936 - 40 miles at over 100mph and 112mph several times - on a loco with no speedo! The fastest overall steam run ever.

Popeye, yes, I could, indeed, have used dark grey paint - however, as I liked the result with the dodgy combination which had worked on the platforms, I tried it again. Frankly, that part of the yard will see so little light you would be hard-pressed to determine the colour - my photos are lit by an anglepoise lamp which gives a false impression. Now..... I wonder if that black has dried yet ........