leslie10646

I'll reply to both David and Patrick together. First, David, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see my wagons running on your rightly famed, brilliant layout - but alas, they are resin kits, so very scale oriented. If they had been 3D Print based, it would have been easy to oblige you - alas, not. Patrick, you have discovered the photo which helped me chose one of my transfer numbers. I have taken a leaf out of the IRM Book and only offered numbers where I have evidence of what they looked like - at least in the case of the numbers carried. When I was doing GNR(I) wagons, I had the Wagon Book to refer to so that I was sure of numbers. I have not seen anything which tells me which GSWR wagons carried which numbers - but if anyone can point me in the right direction ....... ???? Patrick, I think you are right about that very dark grey / black, but I have to say that the light grey, even if incorrect, allows you to see the detail - black detail just disappears, except you have your layout really well lit (which mine isn't!).

Hi Joe May I echo Jon's point? I'm steam to my innermost being, but Paddy's 141s / 181s will probably outpull any steam loco I've got. If you're buying a diesel, I can't recommend them highly enough. They would run away with twenty wagons. L

Thanks for that, John. The kit is a gift to the weathering men, who can spend many happy hours dreaming up filthy liveries for the poor things! They were pretty unloved by the end - Michael suggested that a few miles on that short chassis would have dictated the need for a convenient bucket on board (no, we don't include that! There is a great photo of one of these vans on one of the reopened branches being hauled by a shiny new G Class - the poor van has DROOPING verandahs - now there's a modelling challenge!

Although this is on my website, I thought a few photos would help? I have produced the van to allow the buyers of the up-coming 00 Works J15 to have a complete goods train to pull behind it. These little vans were built around 1890, but survived to be pulled by the earliest diesels on some branch lines in the late 1950s, early 1960s. For example the C Class, or even the tiny G Class, versions of both of which are available RTR. The GSWR history suggests a BLACK livery, so this one's in a fairly dark grey. In CIE days, it could have looked like the version above, with the original lettering roughly painted out, but more likely it would have been like this - I'm still waiting for the final transfer sheet, but thought I'd give you an idea of how you can finish yours. I probably prefer it in a lighter grey, as it shows up the detail a bit better? Talking of detail, Michael Rayner, my brilliant modeller has really done his stuff with this one: There's even a brake wheel for your miniature guard to turn (actually, there's two, as there's one at each end). Note, too, the GS&WR's adherence to Helf 'n Safety in the form of those simple bars to stop said guard falling overboard! I have a decent stock of the new kit for Raheny at an exhibition price of €35 (it will be €39 by post to Euroland, a bit less to UK), but if you want to reserve one, e-mail me send me a PM, or e-mail me at lesliemcallister@aol.com Phew, I can retire now - I've produced kits of both a GNR(I) and a CIE Goods train (well, someone else has done the locos!) Leslie

Ah, Tony, I was on that train!!!! My first rail tour in 1961, I believe! This looks like us waiting to come off the Markets Branch at Omagh. The model is built from the Rowlands kit (forgotten the guys first name or his trading name) - now available from Des of SSM. It IS a nice model and runs very well with 4 bogies or so - I took it off a train of Richard Ellis-Hobbs' GN coaches to set up this "photo shoot". David, thanks for the heads-up on the LNWR six wheelers. There is a rake being made by Richard McLachlan for a DNGR layout based, happily enough, in the Dundalk area. I'm owed one of those six wheel full brakes, because, one was at Portadown roundhouse, presumably in some use as a tool van, or whatever.

Yet another hare to start running, I have been reading DSM Barries book on the DN&GR, now while the locos are still available from the GEM successors and Worsley work do most of the ex LNWR 6 wheeled coaches, I am at a lost to find anything about the Bogie Composite coaches they used on the Belfast Boat Express. I understand they where 54ft but that does not make any sense as far as the LNWR is concerned since they where only building 50ft coaches at the time so to build something which was longer does not make any sense, so I am wondering if anyone may have that rare photo of these coaches while the DN&GR was still operating. If you have the original of DSM Barrie's book, there's a photo of a painting of the Belfast Boat Express. I'll scan it when I'm back home where the book is. Well, these aren't the coaches in the painting in DSM Barrie's book, but they're close - in the painting they are being hauled by a Class PP - so my No.42 fits the bill. The coaches were built by Jol, owner of London Road Models (see David's reply). They are LNWR "English" coaches, but all became Irish coaches when the GNR(I) bought them from BR in 1948 or so. I had the opportunity to buy them at Scaleforum recently and thought it would be nice to recreate the painting on my layout! Actually, I've always loved the LNWR coach livery, so that was the original attraction. This is similar to the painting, but an attempt at a side on view (not easy among the struts in my loft!). Although each of these is identifiable as a GN coach Class, I'm not going to repaint them in Mahogany!!!!

It's only taken me a month (I was in Switzerland leading a tour for two weeks, mind you) but my website seems to be up again. It's still a work in progress, as I get the hang of a different website builder. To make it worth your while looking, there's a new offering to ogle at (although if you model Irish Railways AFTER 1965, it's honestly of no interest!). When 00 Works announced their J15 last year, I suggested to My Man (Michael!) that we might do a CIE brake van to complete a branch goods train such as would have been pulled by these little engines - we have already offered the corrugated open and the H van, of course. As two other manufacturers offer the CIE steel 20 ton brake, there was no sense in replicating that, so we looked a bit further. Then I visited a model railway show here on John Bull's Island and there was our old friend Andy Cundick showing off Valencia Harbour. For that layout, he had scratch built a GSWR 10 ton brake. I duly photographed it and sent the photo to Michael, who was seduced by its venerable appearance. Michael will admit to being a brake van fan, so we were on the way. I must also thank Genderg, another brake van freak (or should I say geek, these days?), who produced a pile of useful data and photos. Six months on, the van exists and I hope to be selling it at Raheny. When I showed the van to Andy he complained that everyone would think that HIS was actually our kit, but it isn't - his is all his own (very, very skilled) work! Leslie

Thanks for putting the photos up - I have photographed the remains (a remarkable amount still visible for The Ring road), but only from the coach while touring. Obviously, a pilgrimage to walk it is a must! In the late 1950s, the line was worked by J15s, but towards the end the little BoBo C Class diesels were used. For wagons - dare I say it, my kits will give you a complete train! As you will find out in a day or two, I am about to post pictures of a suitable brake van! You need to buy Patrick O'Sullivan's two volumes on the line (Oakwood Press) which give the full story. Good luck with the project. Leslie

Anthony, Glenbeigh is an excellent choice, as it lasted long enough to have diesels (only the C Class mind you) as well as steam. Of course you can bend history a bit, decide that the Valencia line never closed and get away with using Paddy's 141s, if you're not so keen on John's C Class. What a railway that line would be today, had it survived! As Brothe says - it's your railway, so calling what you like and run what you like!

Ah, sure the Yanks were probably copying us? Aerial ropeways feature on a number of Irish railways - Ballinhassig on the CB&SCR (to a brickworks) and on the Ariana valley extension of the C&L - at Derreenavoggy - it ran up to the Laydens mine. John Langford took some fascinating photos of it. We should persuade Andy Cundick to extend his line and include a working ropeway? Of course there was also that "bucket way" over the GN main line North of the Boyne Viaduct running to the cement works. No doubt JHB will provide a longer list!!!! Come on John! I should have said that a photo stop at Lisduff was a feature of that memorable day when No.4 called there with the May RPSI tour and then ran off 35 miles without going below 70mph - mind you that was a while ago!

Sorry to report that this little loco is delayed by the supplier of wheels! Otherwise the job's complete. I had hoped to show mine at Raheny, but that now seems unlikely. He plans to deliver the grey ones first. Then the black. Folks, just be aware that while Roderick MIGHT one day do a Z-boilered version, it won't be for a few years, he tells me. So, if you want a J15 for your layout, now's the time to buy.

The Scale Four Society do sell 21mm wheel sets , suitable W irons etc - Jeremy Sutter (who made several useful white metal kits in days of yore) runs their stores. See ; https://www.scalefour.org/stores/stores.html Leslie

Friends I went into 1&1 who host my website and was told that there had been "suspicious activity" on it and had to give endless details about myself to get into my own site. When I did, I became obvious that it had been hacked in some way, as I couldn't update it. If you Google the site it comes up Ok, but having seen that it has been "got at" in some way, I suggest you DON'T ACCESS it until I get a chance to sort it out. I'm off on tour (The Day Job) tomorrow, so nothing will happen for a while. I'll keep you informed. You guys all know what kits I do - they're all still available - just e-mail me on lesliemcallister@aol.com New kit will be announced if the Swiss, Germans and French let me out again! Regards Leslie

Despite a painful bout of sciatica in my left hip I am still braving the undersides of my baseboards connecting the point motors to newly installed toggle switches. The shed is a mess of cable, tools and stripped wire ends. I hope to complete the wiring completely by the close of the weekend. Tony As David has observed, wiring is something to be endured. As for the back trouble - I found a sort of mini lounger at B&Q for £7 - very low slung - which allows me to sit / lie under the layout and work above my head more comfortably - actually let's be honest - all this wiring stuff is over my head! Leslie

Richard, you are a freckin' genius. The things ye tell me! Thanks a million! Leslie PS Watch this space ........

By any chance, do any of you guys own the oval works plate off a GSWR brake? Either 10 or 12 tons probably makes no matter, I just wanted to see what was on them! Thanks Leslie

Ah, I thought when I got that that it was my browser playing up. I tried to access the site because I wanted to compare his Laminates with those from John Hazelton - I presume you've all seen his recent announcements? Perhaps the IRf chap has forgotten to renew his domain? I assume he's still in business?

There's a story which went round that they brought in the British Army to demolish Portadown Roundhouse. The first attempt resulted in them blowing out the windows. I assume they were more successful the second time as it ain't there no more! And these are the guys who blew up endless bridges during the retreat to Corunna, to Napolean's considerable annoyance and Lord knows how many during the retreat from Mons, or to Dunkirk.

Wow, just look at all that space and not a roof truss to be seen! Good luck with the HQ of God's Northern Railway. I assume you all know where Steam locos are sanctified in the Bible? Not a single reference to diesels, as for electrics .......

Hmmmmm - maybe a register of legitimate "trainspotters" - speaking as an unrepentant Gricer and DAA (don't ask!). Most enthusiasts of my age have done their time in the bushes, mainly stealing up to known gaps in the fences of loco sheds! The more adventurous have police records to prove it - it was a Rite of Passage to have been arrested in East Germany - I know some pillars of the Enthusiast Community with impressive Stasi files (or had, I should say - they've all been burned). Personally speaking, my "Record" was in Hungary - it cost me several steam lines, while I remained in Budapest (in my hotel) while they questioned me. My colour slide films came back as Black and White and they confiscated the DIESEL photos! There must be a lesson there somewhere, but I never did discover what it was.......

here is the first stage of the layout planned out, rough idea knowing the space i will have available to me. Based on Portadown from Ian Sinclair's Along UTA Lines with a few changes around the sheds and good sidings to make better use of space. I see that you've moved on from your original idea of copying what is in my loft! By the way, a clever way of modelling the station, goods yard and shed - I split it up with the "Junction" - roundhouse and goods yard on on side of the house, the station round a ninety degree corner. Shame on you, Mr Beaumont (only pulling your leg, of course) - the BLUE line in the diagram is the ARMAGH line - the apparently strange jumble of crossovers beside it is in fact exactly as it was, serving among other things the coaling stage. Of course it should have been a double track line, as would have been the Derry Road at this point. Like our friend, I have ignored the Derry line (loud hissing from the wings?) - three way junctions are hard to model! My Derry trains will come in on the Dublin main line, round the back of the roundhouse; while the Armagh trains (much more important in my eyes, keep to their "proper' line in front of it! Good to see another GN man making a start - good luck!

Picked this up on RM Web sudden Chinese factory closure affecting supply of Atlas locos and rolling stock https://shop.atlasrr.com/b-atlas-rolling-stock-and-locomotive-factory-closure.aspx combined with rumours on US news groups of Hornby shifting production to Hungary. Apparently Intermountain and Trainworx also affected Thanks for this, John. I don't buy Atlas, but the Hornby / Hungary reference sent me looking to see just where LGB is made, having recently started a garden railway. LGB as well as using China uses a factory in Gyor, Hungary - iffy reports of the work of both places. I'll be careful what I buy on eBay from now on! I think most of my stuff is German, pre-2006. Amazing the info you pick up on this Irish site!

Be aware that he is beavering away and that as soon as there is any real news these pages will light up So hold your breath and save your pennies. David, thanks for that update "from the horse's mouth". Although I have a kit built version of this ground-breaking loco (did I say that? - it's a diesel!), one to Paddy's standard would be great to have - but being 72, sometime soon please! Leslie

Thanks, Robert for the perfect analysis of how to build this kit, which was of an iconic vehicle. Like you, I was very impressed that Michael Rayner (the modeller who designed the kit) made it so that by gluing two pieces together you almost had a running wagon! The same is true of the little brother of this wagon - my best-selling Bulleid corrugated open - again a couple of parts and the wagon looks like a wagon! Mind you, the single deck version has a more difficult brake gear - but I've seen a lot of them and the modellers have reproduced the delicate brake gear very well - as for the weathering, some are just brilliant! Still available from me, of course!

Noel wrote - If I had one I would have needed to add power pickups to the pony truck to get over my points, or alternatively fit 'keep-alive' capacitors to something like a Lenz Gold decoder. Yep, the Keep Alive (or Stay Alive) chip really does the trick with the little U Class - mind you it's disconcerting when it runs off the end of a test track and continues running on plywood! Glad you got your locos, Tony - nice wagons behind that UG!!!!!