leslie10646

I asked Peter Scott last night and he still doesn't know! Going back to the original query, the answer MAY lie in the IRRS archives, where SOME drawings exist. I'll ask my expert who has digitised the GN drawings - one set has gone to the RPSI to help build No.131's new tender! More later. Leslie

Ask Peter Scott or the Friels - I bet one of them knows! If not, I bet the info is hidden deep in the IRRS Journals somewhere. I'll ask around - bear in mind that tenders must have swapped around a fair bit.

Ah, now, if I could get my hands on his remote control, I'd succeed in diverting him from the strange Heath Robinson things he has such a love for and we'd have endless CIE and GN stock!!!!! Thank you all for your kind thoughts. Leslie

Gentlemen (and ladies!) This will seem an odd thread to start, but there are probably more folk likely to pray on this site than most? My friend, and the master modeller who brought you the Bulleid Corrugated open wagon, is very ill. He is bedridden at present, before, God-willing, having a Pacemaker fitted next Wednesday, 9 September. Those of you still inclined to offer prayers to the Almighty might include him in those prayers, please. I'll keep you in touch. Leslie

Thanks for pointing to this, John. I must admit that I bought mine (for an early German-based layout) as a "Track Cleaner". There was anecdotal evidence that they did the opposite - but in fact dirtied the track! If anyone wants to try one, they can have mine! Now DCC! Leslie

John I'll send you a copy, when I find it! I have a couple of photos taken in 1950 of the approaches. Leslie

The May 2015 Modern Railways has an interesting 3 page article by Ian Walmsley on the fitting of the Class 73s with a new MTU engine, rated to equal the existing electric motors (1600hp) so that they can pull the Scotrail Sleepers in Scotland. He knows his stuff and it's an engaging read. I had lots of runs with them (in electric mode) on my commute home from Waterloo in the early 1980s, when they hauled the 1734hrs train on weekdays. Resurrection for fifty year old locos!

Here we go - not great pics - I'll have another go sometime! Thinking about it, maybe not the best light on my layout! But, it will give you an idea. Leslie

"I have a picture somewhere of the stainless steel "de"monstrator", including interior; must try to find it (now there's a challenge). The tin vans and SOME (by no news all) laminates were indeed the only stuff to into traffic unpainted, unless you count the bodies, and done chassis, of the corrugated Bullied open wagons. Plus, of course, the A, C and G601 class locomotives". My dear John, your every wish - actually isn't this a laminate? and a tin van From the Ron Pocklington Collection, now owned by the IRRS, who I'm sure will forgive me using them, as I donated the collection! Ron was the "real" designer of the Turf Burner. Yes, yes, I know, I have to photograph my Mayner Van and put it up - tomorrow, tomorrow!!!! Leslie

I can't encourage any of you guys modelling 1955 - 1970 or so enough - get some of John's "tin" vans! They are just terrific. I have one of his heating vans in "silver" and it's just the bee's knees.

I went to the "expert", namely Richard McLachlan who is digitising loco and coach drawings held in the IRRS's archive. Quick as lightning, he came back with - "Which coach did it come out of? It is obviously from a big wooden corridor coach which CIE took over from the GNR and actually used. B1 class No.401 or B5 class No.144 would be my best guesses, as they were both big wooden restaurant cars converted for AEC use in 1959 to replace steel sided restaurant cars nicked from the AEC fleet to run with BUT cars. Looking at the diagrams I would veer towards 144. If we could see the other side, it might give a better clue". Now, I've known young Richard for over fifty years - we were at school together - and I couldn't quite see his logic, so I questioned it and got - "Simple reasons - CIE didn't keep all that many GNR coaches for very long. About half were full thirds. Then there were Brake thirds and some non-corridor coaches. The door comes out of an oldish panelled coach rather than a modern one with flush sides which whittles the options down a great deal. What's left. Not a lot. As far as I can tell from those that survived to 1963, it was probably one of the two restaurant coaches mentioned. No need for genius or telepathy". Serves me right for questioning him? So, Rod, it looks like you have a restaurant car door there! And probably No.144.

Great Stuff, Richard At least you're using the right loco as a starter, for apart from the fact that the WTs were parallel boilered like the Fowler tank, they are directly descended from that engine! As I'm sure you are aware, young Mr Flanagan of this parish uses the Fowler as a basis for the WTs which he has built for quite a few of us (two in my case). They are great runners and I've just been entertaining my grandson with No.10 hammering round with 21 wagons in tow (including five corrugateds!). Good luck with the project. Leslie

Charlie Petty, whose trade name I have forgotten, sells these at lots of shows. He's always at Bangor, for example. If memory serves - both 20ft and 40ft - the 20ft ones cost me about £7.50 sterling.

Not sure what you mean by this. If you mean "did it?" I have no idea, as I don't think I have an open door photo to hand. In making some wagons like this, our intention was to make it possible for diarama with an open door - that is at a loading bank for some kind. Why would you want to run the wagon with the door open?

This really should be on someone's "Workbench" string, but as he did it for me ..... Now you see it - Now you don't! This one complete with the Modeller's finger! It'll be On Old Blarney at Cupar on 25th being loaded with Lord White's possessions! To quote the Lego Movie (Yep, I've seen it a dozen times - I HAVE a six year old grandson!) - it's just "Aaaah-sum"! Leslie

Just to try and get a bit of decorum back onto this string - Yes, Minister (oops, sorry!) you are quite right - there are loads of photos around of these wagons with a "B" showing that they were used to carry a well-known agricultural product. The double deckers (of which, more later) had crude numbers slapped on their ends!

All of that was a CRAFTy way to get your attention. I know that an esteemed member of the Parish is about to let us see his "go" at painting this wagon, so here's FIVE liveries, all correct at some point in the wagons' long history - and we're still working on it! First, in sunlight! Now, under my layout lighting - needless to say they look different! If any of you are old enough to remember them in the early days (I was eleven when they were introduced and had never even heard of CIE) give me an opinion! Nothing rude, mind!!!!! Regards Leslie

Apologies, David, a CRAFT moment - you told me perfectly clearly! CRAFT? - the new term for a senior moment ( teenagers not to read this!!!!!) Can't Remember A Fxxxxxxg Thing Now you all know what the numbers in my name mean!!!!!

Oops, sorry - LENTILS - not Barley - The King of Fife says he has some over from his Scotch Broth! Leslie

John Thanks for this - I'm not changing the floor and you've vindicated our choice! On the business of nitrate traffic, I have a photo by Joe Cassells of No.186 at Kilkenny, but the reason I have the photo is the line of corrugateds with plastic sheeting over their loads - now I know why! Useful to know when recommending what LOADS to put in the wagons! Lord White, King of Fife, Chair of Perth etc, gave me a good line for you guys who want to use the wagons for BEET Traffic - BARLEY grain. I assume he'll turn up at Coupar with a bag of it to fill his new wagons? Greetings from a wet Surrey - you can tell it's Men's Singles Finals day at Wimbledon! Leslie

Well done Kieran with the North Atlantics - especially as the train actually has passengers!!!!! My grandson, an over-wise 6 year old, admonished me for having trains with no passengers in the coaches! His uncle is a dab hand at painting Warhammer figures, but can I get my son to paint people for me ???????

"Also model shops in Belfast tend not to last very long for whatever reason". Just being pedantic, but ...... I wouldn't agree with this statement, as "The Model Shop" was in business when I was at school and continued until Gareth shut up shop recently (mind you after a move out of the city centre) - so that's fifty years - most businesses don't last that long! Your point about the English Box Shifters is, of course, the crux of the problem. We all use them, but if we're wise, we buy stuff from the local man too - you never know when you need some little part and if he's gone out of business .......... I think another issue is down to the character of the person who runs the shop. Some are uncommunicative and you feel you're intruding by even being there, others are chatty and helpful. The latter get my business any day. In fairness to Blaine's comments, I agree that there are things to keep under your hat until you're established and in the end, actions speak louder than words! Leslie

"The floor of the Bullied Wagons. Were these wooden planks or all metal? I ask as I believe I have seen a photograph somewhere of the floor of one of these wagons". Thanks, David, now you've given me a heart attack about the floor. We based the floor on photographic evidence from a gent in Norway, who had photographed the "preserved" one. That clearly shows the floor as we have modelled it. HOWEVER, when I look at one of the drawings which I have, the suggestion is of a planked floor (latitudenly - hmm - that seems to be a new word, but you know what I mean)!!! However, no photograph to prove that they were ever built like this. That said, the recent photo could easily be sheet steel placed over wood! Feel free to insert a piece of cardboard, suitably scored? I ain't doin' it again!!!!! (Now that's what I call customer service ......) Assuming you're right and I am suspicious that you may be, just when the floors were strengthened (or was it just protecting the wood underneath) is lost in the mists of the 1960s, 70s, 80s ....... Leslie

I thought this might be in the WTT, but no. Possibly the Working Timetable "Appendix" if someone has got one? They're sure to have one in the IRRS Archive.

Yes, good job Alan, for an easy win. I bought a WRENN 08 years ago for similar treatment, but then turned my back on these diesel things when I got my SSM steam locos built - so I sold it for a minor fortune on eBay - over sixty quid, when I'd paid a fiver or so in a Beatties sale. Who needs the Stock Market? Leslie