leslie10646

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.

Hi IRM, I've been billed for my grain wagons in DOLLARS! Any reason? Or is it a typo, or is it SPAM!!!! From: irishrailwaymodels@email.preproduct.io Looks fishy. Hope it's not!

A perusal of my IRRS Journal index produced no hits on "Locomotive testing" and only a dozen on testing bridges, clearances etc. There were the famous exchanges in 1911 which is covered by Bob Clements article in Volume 12, pages 281 - 301 (it's not as long as that as there is a considerable photo feature of GN locos in the middle of the piece). A lot of interesting detail, but apparently the GSWR took less interest in the exchange than the GNR. JB's Dad's recollection regarding coal consumption seems to be borne out by Bob's article - there was little in it between the QL and 321.

Our absence at Warley was my fault. The new "professional" organisers did not make any effort to advise Club stands that they would be welcome and I understood them to be Society-unfriendly. I was wrong, it appears. Coming within a month of the annual Dublin shows meant that the two between them just wrecked us, so not going to Warley was a plus and as I returned from Clontarf and promptly caught a virus, I wouldn't have got there anyway! Age has caught up and we're having to be circumspect about the (otherwise enjoyable) round of events which we used to fill our years with! Great while it lasted and thankful to have been blessed with the fitness to do it while we could. Of course, there's no reason why some other members of the IRRs should not offer to run a stand!

Thanks, SP, WE'LL BE THERE (DV)!!! Now planned as the "Last Show" (in the "South") for Provincial Wagons. We're booking our hotel at Blackrock as I type this - we found a good rate which runs out tomorrow and we're grabbing it with both hands! If nothing else, (like me having no stock!) we'll have a holiday meeting pals of long-standing. Leslie and Richard

I'm waiting for Royal Mail to deliver the loco which is going to be tested!

Thanks.

I'm surprised that no-one has posted what Santa brought them, probably because the Boys haven't delivered goodies for at least a couple of weeks. Anyway, this is one of my new toys. Rails of Sheffield were doing an offer I couldn't ignore, so I had one of my loved ones buy this for me. I chose this livery as it had least lettering (and the "stumble" is really nice) but could most easily be passed of as GNR. The real reason is awaited in the post - a delayed present! But isn't this just lovely? Originally NER, of course and the fastest steam age coach in British history, as she was behind Mallard on 3 July 1938.

Wot? I hasn't sold yet?

Is it 25 - 27 October?

Mind-blowing, Patrick. Just terrific!

Gents / Ladies After the splurge of orders in the last 48 hours, this is pretty well my stock, the MINUS figures show what needs re-ordering! Speaking to the guy who took over my supplier of kits, further orders are going to be a hassle as he's so busy. I HAVE promised UTA Spoil wagons to at least one gent (they'll go nicely with the IRM "Birds of Prey", so I am prepared to chase that order up). Double beets and CIE cattle are history, except someone speaks up! IF I do BANGOR (and so Blackrock to finish up), I'm looking at another RTR Van. As Bangor is "The North", I'll do it in GNR livery (as under) but with a new number. CIE modellers can slap a bit of light grey on the "GN" and I'll suppply Snail or Wheel transfers at no extra cost. Let me know if it's of interest! £18 Sterling, or €20 The offer to do an "Open" fell on stoney ground". See: https://irishrailwaymodeller.com/topic/17508-to-stop-the-ebay-insanity/#comment-250702 Kits left NCC Brown Vans 6 SLNCR Cattle 0 GNR Brake -1 Double Beet 0 GNR Y5 Van 3 GSWR Brake 2 CIE Cattle -3 GNR 10T Ftd 9 GNR 10T U/Ftd 4 GNR 9T U/Ftd 4 GNR Cattle -3 GNR 6 Plank 5 GNR 4Plank 5 GNR Loco Coal 3 Spoil wagon -3 Bread containers 17 BR Container 0 Sub total value of all stock 0 48 RTR 0 Grey Bagged Cement 8 Brown Bagged cement 20