leslie10646

Hi Ben These guys have given you very good advice. Take note of David Holman's "Start Small" and deciding whether you like running trains, or building them. I like running them and if there were guys out there to build things for me, I'd just throw money at the problem. That said, there is a great satisfaction out of creating something yourself, even to my very low standard. I always wanted a big layout, but with an eye to having "Track Nights", but neither of my sons were into the hobby and no like-minded pals within thirty / forty miles. So I've got a layout which is really beyond me. It takes a train over a minute to do a circuit, I can't see the train as it goes througbh the station at the other end of the loft and IT'LL NEVER BE FINISHED"! So keep it manageable.

That looks better than my KIT. and if you're doing those for €22 a pop, I'll direct people to you - mine's a kit, yours is out of the box! Good luck. Leslie

I think the IRRS could have a good try. We did the first book on the subject, which included drawings and I think i have some of Ron Pocklington's ones

Yes, I hope that some of you tuned in to Jonathan's excellent talk. A good run through nearly a hundred years of history in a hundred minutes, punctuated by relevant photos, maps etc which helped to set the scene. Add to that JB's inimitable style, anecdotes and it was a memorable evening. We heard (and saw)a line laid with short second hand rails on minimal ballast, barely maintained over the next ninety years. A remarkable survivor which served the locality well. Thanks just aren't enough, Jon. The book will be a best seller! Leslie McAllister, acting Chairman, IRRs London Hi LNERW1 I hope that you got logged on and enjoyed the talk.

Yes, I saw that video as well Show off! Actually, Darius, I am cross that I didn't opt for a sound one, but drew the line at a DCC-fitted one as I thought mine would just go into the glass case. However, I'm so pleased with it that it's likely to get used on GAA and cattle specials and be kept on the layout. I wonder if i paid the difference would they swap it for a well run-in model? Please put up a video of it with a string of coaches so that we can hear the chuffage! I glanced at the book a couple of nights ago and only noticed a half built 36003 - did anything of 4 and 5 exist at the time the project was scrapped/ But it IS in Irish colours - the prototype livery which Darius and I chose is very close to the A Class silver - see mine alongside the stand-by A Class at Portadown Jct. Yes, I saw that Review Video too! Mine has survived about an hour's running over the worst-laid track on any model railway! Of course, behind all those covers, there might be no wheels at all!

Busy morning after an even busier day yesterday, estimating likely sales of anything new which I might do for my last year. Anyway, I convinced myself that there was sixpence profit in it and duly asked Dapol what their lead time was - "well after Bangor" was the first reply. Claire in their studio, who does the artwork and liaises with characters like me enquired of the factory, where "Sam" (Samantha?) agreed to do them in time for Bangor. Order placed last night. Worksheet signed off this morning, then the Artwork - useful to be able to refer back to jobs back in the Dawn of History to make the artwork easier. So, now wait ten weeks ....... Two new Wrexham wagons for Bangor .........

I am fairly sure that Ian has moved on (for now) to other interests. He was at Bagor a few years ago busy selling models he'd bought from me back in the day. If my memory is servicing me well, he was helping to restore the Sir Samuel Kelly lifeboat at Donaghadee. A shame as Banbridge would have made an interesting model.

For ANYONE. We do ask for a small voluntary contribution but that is down to the attendee. All part of the IRRS service!

Folks I've updated the Zoom info. this should work, I've tried it! Follow the instructions! The "Button" won't copy from the IRRS message, so use the cut and paste method at the bottom of this message! It works, I've tried it! Hi Leslie McAllister, This is a reminder that your webinar will begin in 1 day: “Loughrea - The Last Branch Line” by Jonathan Beaumont Date & Time Jan 17, 2025 18:00 London Webinar ID 835 6719 2002 Participant ID 504658 Passcode 329657 Add to: Google Calendar Outlook Calendar(.ICS) Yahoo Calendar . . . NOTE 6pm START TIME . . You can cancel your registration at any time. Please submit any questions to: IRRSLondon@hotmail.com Thank you! WAYS TO JOIN THIS WEBINAR Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android Join Webinar If the button above does not work, paste this into your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/w/83567192002?tk=azMVaLo9eprKakIvHoxOUA1Ou4TwhTqS7aU4lMXZwNY.DQcAAAATdP4nwhZBRm1lM2NXaVFCLWNsT0dSaE1FUzhBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&pwd=vaJbJ3E50tpW0CLNYGNQNhu23Tlfvb.1&uuid=WN_h28wmoulSmOuF7PFABYQQQ To keep this webinar secure, do not share this link publicly. See you on Friday!!!! Leslie (Acting Chairman)

Guys We had a rehearsal last night with Jonathan to try and get the Zoom aspects working. In the course of which I saw and we chatted about the contents of many of the illustrations he will use - many in the "Write an essay" category. This is going to be a Good One, so tune in at 6pm on Friday - you can eat "your tea" while watching. Only Jon and I have to eat early to avoid being caught talking with our mouths full. All meetings will be streamed by Zoom. Just load Zoom (it will probably update itself before loading, so give yourself an extra ten minutes!). Follow the instructions! The "Button" won't copy from the IRRS message, so use the cut and paste method at the bottom of this message! It works, I've tried it! Hi Leslie McAllister, This is a reminder that your webinar will begin in 1 day: “Loughrea - The Last Branch Line” by Jonathan Beaumont Date & Time Jan 17, 2025 18:00 London Webinar ID 835 6719 2002 Participant ID 504658 Passcode 329657 Add to: Google Calendar Outlook Calendar(.ICS) Yahoo Calendar . . . NOTE 6pm START TIME . . You can cancel your registration at any time. Please submit any questions to: IRRSLondon@hotmail.com Thank you! WAYS TO JOIN THIS WEBINAR Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android Join Webinar If the button above does not work, paste this into your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/w/83567192002?tk=azMVaLo9eprKakIvHoxOUA1Ou4TwhTqS7aU4lMXZwNY.DQcAAAATdP4nwhZBRm1lM2NXaVFCLWNsT0dSaE1FUzhBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&pwd=vaJbJ3E50tpW0CLNYGNQNhu23Tlfvb.1&uuid=WN_h28wmoulSmOuF7PFABYQQQ To keep this webinar secure, do not share this link publicly. See you on Friday!!!! Leslie (Acting Chairman)

Thanks for that, Eamonn. I particularly liked the quote from one of my favourite rock songs! Yes, "you can never leave" I'm sticking around to see what IRM produce as a steam loco - and whether they rise to the bait of equalling KR Models "Leader" by producing a Turf Burner. See "Portadown Junction" for my quip to them!

First, and again, thanks for all the kind words. AND the mini-flood of orders, most of which I have shunted into the future, otherwise I'll have no stock for my intended last Northern Ireland appearance. Really/ Well, Richard, who drives me over to Ireland, and I had a long discussion, slept on it for a couple of nights, did some research and came to a decision. We can get a decent hotel rate for Bangor (which we knew) and Blackrock (which was a nice surprise), so we'll do this year's two major exhibitions, partly because we DO enjoy meeting you lot over there and we'll treat it as a mini holiday. I've been cracking the whip over my producers head to get more kits, especially to stock up on zero stock of UTA Spoil wagons, which will go nicely behind the Hunslets as PW wagons. Also two kinds of flats - floored and skeleton. I'll order more kits for production during the summer, but these will be mainly to fulfil known requests. So if you want a train of double beets, or CIE Cattle wagons - now would be a good time to say so. Thanks again for your support of late and over the last 17 years. Leslie

Actually, THAT loco might not have needed too much modification to burn Hydrogen. Think how famous Bulleid would have been!

What's this? ANOTHER INVOICE! Another three wagons to find a home for. The H vans themselves, in case you're wondering. I see the Grains are sold out - well done lads.

HYDROGEN? Someone send Inchicore a picture of the Hindenburg. Non-continuous electrification is about as crazy an idea as I'll swallow for a new method of propulsion for now. If Paddy is backing it - it'll work!

Yes, I saw that review too. I hope not, I spent an hour running it in!

I know that @WRENNEIRE is a stickler for running in new locos, so I obeyed the manufacturer's instructions and ran it twenty minutes each way at varying speeds. It runs very fast indeed, much faster than the real thing. Anyway, with trepidation, I hooked it up to the test train and it just walked away with six coaches. This is a slow speed pass from two angles, returning from Armagh and passing the "Thunderbird" A Class which wasn't needed. Don't these bogie locos run a lot better and with less hassle than steam (did I really say that?)? IMG_1277.MOV IMG_1278.MOV A GAA special of six wheelers with my pseudo Turf Burner will be my next flight of fantasy.

Actually, there is more room than I thought. The Enniskillen Shipper and a goods for the Derry Road (with a borrowed A Class) are in the two goods loops, there's room in the sidings for a few more, as you can see ....... IMG_1279.MOV There's building work going on and if I moved that drill, I'd get another ten wagpons in those sidings for starters!

My bill came in last night and I paid up. MORE stock! Where am I going to put them? And I've three H Vans coming ...... I've already included on the layout every goods siding that Portadown Jct had and they're full! As soon as they arrive, I'll give them a run with my new Bulleid toy - which I'm off to finish running in!

I got an e-mail today which told me (frightful price!) - Greetings from all of us at Rails! We wanted to give you a heads up that all outstanding pre-orders for the second batch of Hattons Originals Genesis 4 & 6 wheel coaches have now been processed and despatched. With these orders now completed, we have VERY LIMITED NUMBERS of these sought after models available for general sale. As you have indicated interest in them previously, we wanted to give you priority notice ahead of them being made available for sale on our website. Unfortunately due to the number of requests we have had, we cannot respond to each customer individually - but we still wanted to offer you advance notice. The coaches will be available from 9AM on Wednesday 15th January 2025 and will be publicly advertised from 11AM onwards. Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you are able to make a purchase when the coaches are listed, we do hope you enjoy running them for years to come. The coaches will be available from £49.95 each. Use the button below to view the coaches we have available (please note, these will not be visible until Wednesday at 9AM) View Genesis Coaches →

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT..... When the Blessed Oliver heard that The Leader prototype was going to be broken up, he contacted Roland Bond about acquiring it at scrap value. He knew that he was going to be obliged to produce a Turf Burner and thought that he could make use of his earlier prototype, if only to learn lessons from it. Inchicore regauged it and after she had been run in "Down South", Bulleid got the loan of the NER Dynamometer Car (regauging it for the duration) and sent it off on gauging trials. For it's runs on the GNR(I), their management obliged with a set of mahogany coaches to match the Dino. This is one beautiful loco - I'm doing the twenty minutes forwards and then backwards, but thought I'd take a few photies of her arriving at Portadown. Then alongside the brand new A Class which Oliver had sent up top rescue it if it broke down! And in motion - turn the SOUND UP - it really is this quiet! IMG_1272.MOV I got the idea that the lads at IRM had a low opinoi0n of Kr Models - well this loco will take a bit of beating when you bring out your Turf Burner! Now off to do the rest of the running in! First impressions - DELIGHTED!

First of all I need one of @WRENNEIRE's videos about getting things out of the box! This was just the outer wraps! Now off to the loft and try it out!

I've done a talk to the RPSI about Ron Pocklington (pictured above) who was seconded to Inchicore with John Click. They both were employed at the Rugby Testing Station. at the time. Oliver Bulleid asked Roland Bond (then CME of BR) for a couple of guys to test the Turf Burner. He sent Ron and John. They arrived to find that the locomotive DID NOT EXIST! There were water tanks, a boiler (which the boiler inspectors were unimpressed with) and that was about that. Ron who was an engineering graduate and John, whose practical steam knowledge was of the top rank. Together they sat down and did all the detailed design using the Leader as a basis. Oliver and the Inchicore Drawing Office took little notice as they were up to their eyes with getting the "A" Class to work. The Blessed Oliver did ride "his" engine, but I don't think it was in steam - this was a "riding trial. This the team which did the erecting on a Saturday afternoon! More follows, but a bit more like one of JB's tall tales. I have to get something out of a box.

I don't know why he was fussed criticism of "That Thing", as this man (and another) did the detailed design! More later, I'm doing housework and sat down for a rest!

Folks Something to do next Friday evening? I'll be Chairing the meeting as JB expounds on the subject of his next book. I'll put the Zoom info up later in the week. Leslie ZOOM : 18.00 Friday 17 January 2025 “Loughrea – The Last Branch Line” by Jonathan Beaumont Railway historian and author, Jonathan Beaumont, describes the origins, construction and history of the Attymon Junction to Loughrea branch, closed in November 1975, the last traditionally-worked branch line in Ireland – or, indeed, much further afield. The Loughrea branch was one of the last locations where steam was in regular daily use before CIE steam finished in early 1963. Early dieselisation saw the diminutive “G” class locomotives used until the line closed, usually with the “C” class (in both Crossley and GM form) as companions. The talk should hopefully coincide with the launch of the author’s latest book on the subject.