leslie10646

The only gents I can identify are Joe St Leger, Clifton Flewitt and Norman McAdams - possibly a very young David Houston and Norman Foster. The ladies would have been wives of English participants. Lance King was there, but I think kept out of this shot. He only took one shot in B&W and a single slide here - remarkable clear of ANY particpants. It was after this tour that Lance founded the London Area of the IRRS and I intend to cover the 1961 tour extensively in my "Lance King on Tour" talk to the IRRS in a year's time (if I'm spared!). I showed Lance's photo here in my first Lance talk in 2019.

Final evening talk for IRRS Manchester on Thursday 14 April “With Lance King in Ulster 1957 – 1970 - The NCC in Action” by Leslie McAllister 14th April, doors at 18:00, talk to commence at 18:30. This event will be a little different; Leslie McAllister will present online from home, whilst the committee will be at The Waldorf in central Manchester, close to Manchester Piccadilly station. As usual, we will have a selection of secondhand books and signed copies of Ted McAvoy's new book on the fast disappearing Bord Na Mona network to buy on the night. You can register to attend by Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Xug6lt_cQlCZNIws4Qnd8Q "Leslie McAllister presents a third selection of the photography of Lance King, We will enjoy Lance’s colour images of the remaining lines of the former Northern Counties Railway (the NCC) and the activities of its locomotives both on their home lines and on the Great Northern. Lance also photographed modern diesel units, so a period of change is faithfully recorded. Lance travelled on many of the early RPSI tours and the period concludes with the famous Stone Trains. A heady mixture of nostalgia, brilliantly recorded by a master photographer in a presentation with an additional 50 photographs since presented to previously to the London area so there is sure to be something new for you to enjoy". Note from me, the presenter, Lance took stuppendous shots of the Spoil Trains, so a great chance to see loads of them (sixty to be precise!) as well as the famed 2-6-4Ts on passenger and specials. Spoiler alert - I've sneaked in a few of Henry Casserley's NCC piccies as well. If you have problems getting registered, PM me. Leslie

Well, JB, Mrs McDonald has one left in her stock for Wexford, I think (heavy hint), and I have others here in Surrey! Great stuff, by the way, Patrick!

Thanks for the advertorial, Noel. The "builds" are all great, but i think that the GSWR brake takes the prize? I think it was Michael's Magnum Opus - a delightful reproduction of a piece of antiquity! Lorna will have some kits of it to sell at Wexford, never fear! And those opens - you've made a great job of "weathering' it! Needless to say H Vans as well. Leslie

If you take a trip down to Wexford this weekend, Lorna McDonald will sell you my kits of H vans, corrugated opens and a nice old GSWR brake van to hang on the back, even some flats and containers which just about make the "Black"era. If you think they're hard to make, ask Robert Roche, who is certain to be there - he's made enough of them! I even persuaded Noel, famed of this Parish, that they were worth having a go with! More fun than light engines, although I must say I applaud your good taste in your choice of liveries, the Silver A is splendid (for a diesel!) and I was very tempted by the black one!

The first loco of the class was completed at Broadstone as MGWR No.49, photographed as such and immediately repainted in GSR colours becoming GSR No.410 but apparently altered to No.372 before going into service as a GSR loco. I don't think she turned a revenue-earning wheel for the Midland. But, "Your Railway" Rule applies.............

Seriously good, Patrick. I applaud your methodical patient work. A bit worried by the huge bus fleet - or are they "Rail Replacement Buses" while the line was being upgraded?

As Lorna won't have a massive stock at Wexford, if you want a particular kit from the Provincial Wagons' stable (pun intended, as it's Grand National Day), please send me a PM, or e-mail me at lesliemcallister@aol.com Have a good weekend and I hope you've backed the winner today!

Well, that's the Tenth Commandment broken - more sin to be taken to task for! A great home for a great model railway - I wish you many years to enjoy it, Warb.

I must repeat GM's comment - that's all very neat. I first came across radio control when one of my Great Rail Journeys customers invited me to visit his garden railway - all LGB, massive garden, all radio controlled. On arrival, he handed me a walkabout controller, pointed at one of he trains and said "That's your engine" ........ I was sold in no time flat. Ken has gone one stage further with his battery powered motive power - and showed that it needn't cost a fortune - well done that man!

Yes, looking good. Now I have to negotiate whether it's "Andromeda" or the Glasgow Eastfields "Scotty Dog". I wonder will she like "Andromeda" for her birthday, having seen it growling through Goring!

And the Egyptians - I've had a photo through my hands, but no idea where it is now!

With or without the roof? Still I suppose that if he burrowed down into the peat he'd keep warm?

JB, As always, you're right! With the oil shortage the Taoiseach instructed the Minister of Transport to get some of the Strategic Reserve from their storage in the Lisummon Tunnel ......... IMG_1292.m4v This was just a trial run, next they'll try these centenarians on a block liner train - watch this space! Note the sidelined diesel in the loop!

Hi John Yes, probably No.207 on the Thursday tourist train if you saw it in summertime. Happy days.

Never mind, David - personally, I thought England played better than all season. Putting these trains together took me back to the excitement of a "VS" hauled special to Dublin in the very early 1960s, or, indeed with one of the NCC Moguls. Usually ten coaches on each train and only the "All-in" with dining facilities. It always had a kitchen car (rebuild from a M2 full brake, I believe - I could have sneaked one into the train. On one Rugby Saturday, even a very run-down S Class, which had a tough day. Needless to say, we didn't go to the match - there were J15s on specials to Lansdowne Road, or once TWO S Class working Howth locals and finally, Q Class No.132 on a local to Greystones - they were more important - Ireland would be winning Rugby matches for decades afterwards! The railway is in "relay" mode, so you'll have to wait for Down going to Croke Park for the GAA Final to get a ten coach load behind these locos.

As promised "cine film" of the returning Rugby specials after last Saturday's Grand Slam. The delay was caused by having to get them "developed" - those over the age of thirty can explain that to those under....... First the train for the hoi poloi hauled by ex-NCC Mogul No.97 Earl of Ulster. IMG_1307.MOV Then the big train of the day - the "All-in" excursion usually hauled by a Class VS - No.207 Boyne on this occasion - just six coaches of well-heeled Belfast folk - note the two dining cars! Seen here traversing the just re-opened Main Line round the back of the roundhouse. IMG_1317.MOV

Looks good ....... but where's The Boss going to put her whirlygig clothes line now? Maybe you bought her a tumbler dryer as an early Mother's Day present.

Ernie So you have (some of?) John Dewing's slides? Wonderful! A lovely man who used to regale us with all manner of stories after IRRS London meetings. In the colour picture, you can see his bike leaning against the signal cabin. He was an inveterate cyclist (like the immortal Drew Donaldson) and was still riding his bike to London meetings in his eighties!

No, but it's nice to get The Triple Crown.

Not the day to be away from the layout, or I could post No.207 coming through the Junction on the returning "All-in" full of delighted rugby supporters! For once, do we whisper "Com'on England!" ?

That shed on right at Castledawson looks like the pavilion that used to at Whitehead Excursion! Obviously a NCC "Job Lot"! (I'm sure they were carefully designed - mustn't upset the architects among us!). Remarkable shots of the stations, Ernie - well done for acquiring them!

Thanks, Patrick. The most satisfactory thing about these videos over my recently-laid track is that I managed to run TWENTY four-wheel goods wagons, plus a brake van. The layout was intended to allow for that, all the loops being for such a train - but this was the first time I had run one. Like Noel, I like Kadees, but I have further work to do to ensure that they don't foul various track deliights - like the Richhill level crossing!

I've just "tuned in" to this thread - my apologies for not looking sooner! How did I miss that superb tutorial of you building the Provincial Wagons CIE cattle wagons - excellent! I loved the teabag weathering! I'm saving up the rest (which at a quick look is brilliant) for a night when there's nothing on TV! Very well done Mr Billy.

IMG_1294.MOV This is a SSM kit-built GNR(I) Class PP. If this 4-4-0 will go over my dodgy tracklaying, most things - no need to test the diesels, they run over anything! IMG_1293.MOV Sorry about blank video - how do I delete it from here?