leslie10646

Yes, JB, I understand that they whizzed along quite nicely. Mind you, it would take something to beat my 74.5mph with a 16E Pacific in South Africa on 3ft 6in gauge. If you took that down a seventh to the "Three Fut", then the CDR, C&L etc should have been doing sixty or so! I'm unaware of any logs of the CB&PR, but as it was predominantly a commuter line and with double track, they may have knocked up a half decent speed. Who knows?

I forgot to mention that while at Warley, I called at the Dapol stand and asked if "Claire" was there - she's the lady in their "Studio" who does their design work and did the cement vans. Well she was and I was able to thank her on behalf of all of us for the great job she did. I was aslo able to thank the lady responsible for the "painting". They were delighted to hear that the wagons had sold out and had been much admired!

My distaste for the narrow gauge is legendary (too slow for someone who travels with a stopwatch), but the chaps who built Annascaul and its impressive collection of rolling stock get top marks. A Tralee and Dingle tank on a cattle special, meets a Clogher Valley tramway loco on a short train. The CVR train eases onto the impressive bridge over the Annascoul River (still there today). Next along was the little West Clare railcar with a flat carrying Jacobs Biscuit containers! From the sublime to the ridiculous(ly ) large - I can't remember the name of this massive circular American layout based on the famed Milwaukee Road. They ran impressively long trains - this coal train went round at least half the massive circle which was the running road. Their way of doing "Fiddle Sidings" was ingenious - they were INSIDE the circle - where I spotted one of my "Time Machine Trains" (one I'd like to have travelled on!). Yes, the Hiawatha, powered by an A Class streamlined Atlantic (4-4-2 for you diesel men!). Never seen a full set in model form! And the amazing "A" Class itself. The schedule demanded an average speed of just over 70mph start to stop and speeds of 100mph plus were not uncommon. And finally, back to the sublime - South Pelaw (North Eastern Railway). You won't be surprised to hear that it won the Signalling prize!

Just a Warley footnote. Jim brought the book to our stand today and I must say that it has a really interesting collection of photos, well-reproduced. Recommended. We'll have them for sale at our January meeting in London, which has a narrow gauge theme.

Very kind of you to say so, John. I'll pass on your kind thoughts to Michael, who has now retired. It was, without question HIS masterpiece. What a lot of folk don't know is that it took two shots to get the overhang of the hopper correct, which Michael patiently executed - I have both prototypes - real collector's pieces. 200 in service here and there - just three times as many as the real thing! While I'm on, just to say that Richard and I are safely home, after our respective drives through a bit of rain. I'm glad that the :"Exhibition Season" is over - truly knackering That said, the most successful ever., so thanks to those who supported us. I hope that the contingents from the North and the South got safely home. Leslie PS There was ANOTHER excellent Irish layout there - Annascoul - I'll post a pic or two tomorrow.

Good to see lots of pals - thanks for calling by! Lambeg Man's Library is disappearing off our stand to new homes far and wide. Still plenty left - he had a big library! Great to see more of Robert's build's of my wagons. "Stoned at Warley"? Almost all of the chassis under Robert's containers are the flat which is the basis of my Double Beet. Thanks, Robert for showing them off. Among the visitors, The Irish Ambassador to Brandenburg, Murphaph, was there with his son Liam, photographed in front of Ballyconnell Road, by Lawrence, one of the BR team.

No, I want a BLACK engine - I think that there would be a Queue for a .......

You can't trust these "Southerners". WHERE are the BELFAST-built Warships - Bulwark, Eagle and Fearless?

Thanks guys - Stevie wins the prize. Contact made and all well. Leslie

Hi Guys, shouldn't you have kept this until Saturday? Or are we getting a truly green announcement then?

I'll check the extent of the coverage and give you a heads up.

Darius, the DMU is remarkable. By an odd coincidence, my late Aunt (died January) and lived in Hiunstanton and her Requiem Mass was in Kings Lynn.

Thanks to both of you. I've passed that on. Like Ivan, I found his coaches pretty decent for the time and that's how I got MY Park Royals.

Hi GL First number is the Volume, the second is the page. Limerick Junction, A day at 9/185-188 Limerick Junction 150 Years On – P J Slattery 20/156 All these references under "Signalling" Limerick Junction 8/3, 99,101,150,196,198,247 9/6,53,107,203,247, 12/210,268 Volumes 8 and 9 look promising?

Having been asked by one valued customer for a particular few IRRS Journals it occurred to me that others might have similar "Wants". We've always had a good stock of Back Numbers, but having purchased our late friend Lambeg Man's collection, we have almost a complete run - SO JUST ASK - we're asking a pretty nominal price, so ASK. Delivery at Warley, or will post. Within reason, I'll even look up a subject and see if there's a Journal with an article about it. Leslie

Is this outfit still in business and if so how does one get in touch? One of my customers was enquiring, having placed an order, but heard nothing. I see that the Facebook Page has not been updated for over a year. Thanks Leslie

Looking at the photo of the UG at Fintona Jct, I realised that I could replicate it, although not the precise coaches. I have a clerestory courtesy of Richard Eliis-Hobbs, I have several brake/thirds and everything behind the coaches is in the Provincial Wagons range .....

Good man. Make sure that you come and see us, even if only to say Hi. Have a good flight over - and the same to the rest of you doing the same!

Usual rallying cry to those attending Warley Hall 5 at the NEC. We've even managed to get beside the only(?) Irish layout there - the rightly famed 3mm Ballyconnell Road! Richard McLachlan will be showing his drawings both on paper and via a monitor. We'll probably have a roll-over of photos from our archives as well. I'll be selling Lambeg Man's (the late Steve Rafferty) extensive library, profits to Irish preservation as usual. Steve bought virtually everything published on Irish Railways, so a great opportunity to fill gaps in your library. Priced to sell, so plenty of bargains, as well. We'll also have back number IRRS Journals. If you are after particular ones, let me know and I'll set them aside - or make sure I bring them! Same goes for books - just ask! I'm prepared to DELIVER wagons kits, but these MUST be pre-ordered before Wednesday! Open to public Saturday 25th November 9.45 am - 6.00 pm Sunday 26th November 9.45 am - 5.00 pm (Advance Ticket holders shall be admitted at 9.15 a.m. on the public days) Always quieter and more enjoyable on the Sunday. Hope to see some of you there. Be sure to introduce yourselves! Leslie and Richard

I'm not sure what our policy / practicalities are. I'll find out!

Sorry, IR, 5ft 9in drivers versus 6ft with the Irish locos. That said, there are plenty of Fowler conversions around masquerading as "Tanks".

You can watch it on Zoom.

John Martin (Richard is just doing the preamble) is giving a talk to the IRRS London tonight at 6pm. Not to be missed! LIVE + ZOOM : 18.00 – 20.45 FRIDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2023 “The Dundalk Newry and Greenore Railway celebrates 150 years” by Richard McLachlan and John Martin Further to previous information, we are delighted to welcome John Martin in person. He has rearranged his schedule to join us and will share the presentation with Richard. John is from Dundalk and is a leading authority on the DN&GR. He possesses huge knowledge of the railway and photos from his collection form the basis of tonight’s presentation. Opening in 1873, the purpose was to connect the Irish railway network to a deep water harbour at Greenore for onward travel by LNWR ship to Holyhead and beyond. The promoters promised that there would be no cost to the LNWR but after failures to pay by the Irish North Western Railway, it became a wholly owned subsidiary of the LNWR. Richard and John examine how this ill-fated project came to fruition and its sad history, at least in financial terms. Initial hopes were never fulfilled although it carried a lot of cattle for export until after WW2. But it was a delightful and distinctive railway in many other ways, as the photos will show. It is perhaps best remembered for the splendid hotel at Greenore and the genuine LNWR livery on its coaches up until closure in 1952. ZOOM LINK – any time after 17.30 Click here to join the Meeting or open the Zoom app on your device and enter : Meeting ID: 881 7090 9183 Passcode: 486787 The Chat facility will be available throughout the meeting for comment and (if necessary) communication with the IRRS (London Area). If Zoom fails, watch your Inbox in case we update you on the situation by email

Little wonder that the driver was on the lookout, I expect that most of the LCGB party was standing with the photographer - in other words most of the passengers on his train! Remember the money on those trains was often what was carried in the vans! Great stuff this, Ernie. I only have Lance's colour - Richard Mclachlan has his Black and White - so I'm seeing more the bits of that journey thanks to you.

Wonderful, Ernie, thanks. Mr Smith's shot of Ballyshannon is particularly good as it shows the lie of the land as well.