leslie10646

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

The Hornby / Wrenn Banana van was / is very close to the GNR 1954 Bagged Cement vans, even in the brake gear, I would submit - not a lot of use to 21mm men, I accept. I used the Dapol one for my Cement Van, which I sold to the tune of 450 pieces, in three guises - by far the best selling wagon I have produced. It was a very unusual Irish van, being of much higher capacity than the normal 7, 9, or 10 ton jobs, which invariably were squatter than the British counterparts. Assuming that by an "H" Van, you mean the CIE-built 17222 - 19754 series of 12 ton vans, on Bulleid's triangulated chassis; then be patient - my kit will appear later in the year - it has essentially the same chassis as my recent corrugated sided open wagon. Leslie (Provincial wagons) For the 21mm men, I will happily sell it (as I do with the open) without the chassis, so that you can fit your own W irons, OR you can split the chassis and move it out a bit?

Whatever you think, privatisation was the best thing to happen to BR. UK railways are busier now then anytime in their history. You've got to be joking! The railways cost us over TWICE as much in subsidy in real terms as they did in BR days. Are you a UK taxpayer? They can't renationalise the railways a day too soon! Passenger numbers are up not due to privatisation, it is natural growth spurred on by an ever more gridlocked road system. Your railfreight figures puzzle me, in the 1950s, surely there were many times the number of freight trains that there are today? I've just looked it up: see - http://www.metadyne.co.uk/D_ml_freight_km.html it's HALF what it was in the 1950s.

I ALWAYS send my stuff in plain envelopes, so wives don't know! Rich, when you're ready, order through the website or by e-mailing me - lesliemcallister@aol.com Regards and thanks for the comments which I'll pass to the magic modeller. Leslie

Just for the record, I have used a mix of Peco 100, Peco Setrack (I'm lazy and it saves cutting rail!) and even Hornby straights for some sidings (you can pick up secondhand ones cheaply at exhibitions here in England and it's cheaper than yards of Peco), all without obvious problems. Peco Setrack Special curves (33" or so radius) was particularly useful to lay a fairly inaccesible curve on the layout. I agree with others - buy it from your local shop - if you're buying a lot, they usually offer something off - maybe not to Rails or Hattons level. Better to support them, so that they're still there the day you need something quickly!!!! Leslie

Garfield Thanks for this, but it's my modeller Michael Rayner you should applaud - I just "make it happen"!!!! Leslie

The photo is of our prototype wagon which clearly shows the unusual triangulated chassis, patented by Oliver Bulleid and his chief draughtsman at the Southern Railway - Lionel Lynes. The wagon was introduced in 1956 in this form and was built to the tune of over two thousand wagons, of which 1,000 were still in use by the end of the 1970s. They were used on all manner of traffic initially and were seen all over Ireland, so you can have one (or more!) on your train North of the Border as well. They were extensively used in the annual Beet Campaign, even in steam days and in this form, right up to 1980 or so. Number series was 11817 to 14672. Our model has the signature corrugations inside and out, plus a plated floor as in the real thing. Count the bolts! Note the Builder's Plate and the representation of a consignment clip. The brake gear is a close representation of the real thing. Apart from the brake gear, this should be a very easy kit to build as body and triangulated chassis will be a single casting! About fifteen parts in all. NO transfers are supplied as the original wagons merely had a stencilled number on the left hand triangulation and it would be so small as to be unreadable. In any event, in real life it quickly disappeared under a coating of muck, oil etc!! Pretty well everything you need, bar adhesive and paint are included. You’ll need a few tools, which should be found in any modeller’s tool kit. I have received the first delivery of kits, with more on the way. If you want yours quickly, I shall be on the RPSI tour on 9 - 11 May, but please pre-order. Theoretically, I can deliver in Dublin, Cork, Killarney and Tralee! £21.50 or €29 post paid.

Just to say the Irish Railways in Pictures No.2 - The Midland Great Western is available from me for £2.95 sterling, plus postage (which looks like £2.45). If someone wants one and is travelling on the RPSI South Munster railtour then I'll hand it over for €5. Just e-mail me at lesliemcallister@aol.com I need to know how many before I travel on 7 May!!!! Leslie

My Giddy Aunt - a STIRLING SINGLE!!!! If you've seen the model of the Ivatt (Inchicore man, remember) Atlantic, you'll be saving for this one too!! George, what's wrong with your geography - NORTH WEST???? EAST Coast and usually not North of York! But thanks for sharing this with us! Leslie

I hope to see a lot of you at the exhibition, so come to my stand (Provincial Wagons) and say hallo! For you guys modelling CIE, I may have something to interest you! I'm also having a loft sale with a couple of boxfuls of unwanted BR wagons and some continental stuff - so if you're modelling in those areas, come and pick up a bargain! Next door to me, you'll find Richard McLachlan who is a bit good at finescale stuff - just don't ask him a question or you'll be there all afternoon! Hope to see you on Saturday or Sunday. Leslie PS I'll be at the IRRS meeting in Dublin on Thursday evening, so if you aren't heading North, say hallo and maybe I'll let you have a peep at the stock!

Nelson Look no further. I have a set on the desk beside me and I'll bring it to Bangor. See below for Eric Robinson's details. Regards Leslie - From: ROBINSON ERIC < e.robinson40@ntlworld.com> To: lesliemcallister < lesliemcallister@aol.com> Sent: Sat, 24 Aug 2013 17:28 Subject: Re: Loco Transfers Dear Leslie Yes I still do them, Loco @ £4.75 and wagon @ £3.00. Just send a cheque with a stamped addressed envelope for return to me at 7 Petre Cres Rishton Blackburn Lancs BB14RB I also have some G S wagon as well Regards Eric

Did they list it on 1 April, by any chance? Nearly as funny as the nuclear-powered Class P2 story in the Steam Sun.

TRIANGULATED CHASSIS Well done Richie finding that patent. I note that it was taken out jointly with Lionel Lynes, which made me wonder who is was. The internet helped but it was "Bulleid of the Southern" (naturally in my library!) which gave the answer. Lynes was Bulleid's wagon Chief Draughtsman on the Southern and they originally jointly patented the chassis in 1944-45. The one you highlight is an update. While Lynes had no Irish connection that I can easily see, he was recruited (from Swindon) by Richard Maunsell when he joined the SE&CR from INCHICORE. You mention whether some recently-used wagons had a triangulated chassis - it does make me wonder just how many Irish wagons ended up being built with them. So, I've got my researchers working on that! Leslie

Careful, Richie: I named my second son after the Great Man and for good reason. When you've had the number of brilliant FAST runs behind his engines as I have, you wouldn't view him as crazy. His misfortune was that he came to the top job fairly late in life and so he had to put everything into one roll of the dice - so the original pacifics had many unproven ideas which he thought would work, but didn't have the time to spare to test fully - hence the oil-bath (NOT a good idea in the event and loathed by the fitters), steam operated fire doors (which the firemen loved) and electric lighting - there is a story that the Southern men used to roll into Exeter St David's and when they were sure plenty of Great Western men were watching, they'd switch on EVERY light on the engine - no smoking oil lamps for enginemen in Bulleid's world). The Turf Burner wasn't his idea, it was the turf board which launched the project - in any event, he did little of the final design, that was done by two young engineers sent over on loan by BR. I can offer a talk on the truth behind the engine. I've met the man who rerally built the TB. Finally, the pretty disastrous diesels - Bulleid favoured US manufacturers from the beginning. Like it or not, no-one builds diesel locos as well as the yanks. It took Britain a long time to figure that out - they should have paid more attention to the Irish scene? Leslie

John Interesting about the early railcars and with hindsight, it's s pity they all went. Of course, we hated them in the '60s - they were doing work our beloved blue (and black) engines could have been doing. Several RPSI coaches were former BUT trailers, but not AECs? Maybe a K15, of which the Society has several. My London based "Syndicate" bought 737 (or was it 727) which had had a driving position. I can't find my copy of 40 Shades, in the bookshelves, otherwise I would be more certain! I'm sure you know? Maybe you should ask them for a couple - after all "we" can't run them any more? Leslie PS Of course, I have a AEC set upstairs and my BUT is being digitised as I type!

Nelson To add to Hunslet's reply, which covers 1970s - 80s. In the 1960s. there was a weekly Shoppers Special from Dublin to Belfast (on a Wednesday, if memory serves - my copy of the WTT is buried at the moment). In 1963, it was hauled by No.85 or even No. 207, before she came North. I believe I saw both engines on the train. There was a Southbound Tourist Train, complete with dining car (possibly even a KITCHEN Car) on Thursdays - run, I think, for patrons of the UTA Hotels, especially the Laharna at Larne. Now that would have been hauled by one the the UTA's Class VS - No.58 (208) or No.59 (210) until maybe 1963. In 1964, I am fairly certain that it was Class WT hauled. I had my last run with No.207 in July 1965 on a Thursday summer extra to Dublin, but I think it was deemed to be a "Board Excursion" that is an extra run by the UTA at a special fare to encourage leisure traffic. Leslie