David Holman

Some really good photos here. Somebody is having fun methinks!

I think they are merely snow spreaders - designed to clear a path either side of the track, presumably to reduce the chances of it building up on the rails again.

While overall, the 'Irish Market' may be small compared to GB, there is no doubt that any and every announcement of something then creates a lot of interest and enthusiasm, as per the posts above. The problem is that it may not be enough in terms of overall sales to make it worthwhile. And yet... ... increasingly we see what can only be described as 'niche' models being released over here that you have to wonder who is going to buy them? The 10800 prototype diesel, the Leader, even Big Bertha, the Lickey Banker. How many can justify one of those?? So perhaps there is yet hope for more Irish stuff, though will not hold my breath for anything in 7mm scale!

It is a curious fact that models of dmus and railcars are almost always more attractive than the prototype!

Have used the Archer rivets, which a very good, so fingers crossed for you.

Check out my Midland Great Western Mail Train thread (now on page 2), for how I did the lining on the Achill Bogie.

Adapting Hatton's coaches is almost a throwback to modelling a generation or more ago. Hornby clerestories were a case in point for any pre grouping stock and no doubt there were many who learned useful skills in adapting them, so perhaps history will repeat itself? No bad thing, in my opinion. Current models are stunning compared to what came before, but there is nothing quite like making something your own to get real satisfaction. It may just be 're lettering or numbering, a bit of detail here or there, but suddenly it is yours, not just something out of a box. Will we get the basis of some steam outline locos to go with the six wheelers? It would be nice to think so!

Great pics! The combination of models and the real thing is just perfect.

Seemed like many of the great and good were there... and me too

Great to see so many folk today and put faces to names, not least JHB. The best venue anywhere for a model railway show? I don't know of a better one! Many thanks for the hospitality and support from all the organisers, especially Ian and his wife from Friends of Cultra, plus so many kind comments from visitors. Likewise J-Mo for helping out with the operating too. Thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Well, made it to Cultra this afternoon and the layout is set up and (hopefully) ready for Saturday. Lovely to see all the main exhibits and to pitch up in front of Railcar 1, masquerading as Donegal 10. An interesting trip, shall we say, starting with a battle with Just Say No activists, who made it impossible to access the Dartford tunnels on Wednesday morning. A half hour trip turned into three hours... After an overnight stop to see my mother, headed further up the A1 to Ripon and then across the Pennines to Dumfries. This morning, got the Stena ferry to Belfast. Greeted by the captain saying it wouldn't be a good idea to go outside as the combined wind speed of ship into gale was adding up to 80mph! Turned out it wasn't even a good idea to try standing up in waves close to 20 feet from trough to crest, though things improved once we turned into Belfast Lough. Belfast traffic meanwhile has not improved since we were here last time, but has it anywhere ? At least it wasn't raining while we unloaded. Very much looking forward to the show!

Tasty!

Will always be one of my favourite museums. The railway hall is just fabulous, whether it be the Queen, the C&L 4-4-0, horse tram or any number of exhibits. This time, it will be Donegal Railcar 10, or more properly CVR No1, where Fintonagh will be. Before that, the small matter of gales on the crossing tomorrow morning!

The museum website has been saying the show doesn't open until 11am, when in fact it is 10am, like the rest of the place and closes at 4pm

Coming along rather well!

Exhibition Stuff Watching a young couple fussing over their new baby in town the other day, it struck me that the amount of stuff they need to cart around for their baby is not unlike what exhibitors need to take a layout to a show. Ok, thankfully not nappies and feeding stuff, but no matter how hard you try, the amount of extras required to take a layout on the road often takes up as much space as the baseboards themselves. Later this week, Fintonagh starts its 1000 mile round trip from Kent to Belfast, so have been going through all the necessary stuff, in the hope I don't leave anything behind! First, there are the two baseboards of course, plus the fiddle yard Next comes the support framework: two folding beams and two adjustable trestles The pelmet and fascia, plus the two lighting strips and rear bracket make up the rest of the infrastructure Two very important items are my tool box [hopefully enabling any minor repairs] and what I call the 'sundries crate'. The latter has all the other essential bits and pieces such as all the electrics [transformers, controllers, extension leads], drapes, cleaning materials,[including portable vacuum], fixing bolts etc. There is also the all important notebook, which details loading in the car, setting up, train formations and the ability to record any issues before the next outing. Two more boxes contain the locos/ rolling stock and the loose scenic items such as road vehicles and the pub [which covers the baseboard join]. A couple of bar stools complete the ensemble All this needs to be carefully loaded into the car and hopefully leaving room for personal luggage! It also has to be well secured too, for there is nothing worse than undertaking a long trip only to find that a few miles in, something has come loose and you then have to put up with an annoying rattle. Given the state of many of our public roads, there is also the worry that your layout might be reduced to kit form by the time you arrive, while this time there is the added issue of the sea crossing from Cairnryan to Belfast - which is currently forecast for gales on Friday... Wish me luck!

Lovely work, Ken and notes have been taken for when I get round to detailing Northport Quay! Great to hear you are also coming along well too.

And the dirty windscreens, with the areas wiped clean by the wipers.

Neat, clean soldering too.

Indeed - though varnish will do the same.

The last few bits and pieces for a few days, as I need to transfer my attentions to getting Fintonagh ready for Cultra. Always best to go through preparations and servicing a few days early - just in case! Anyway, as I'm sure most of you know, it is the little things that seem to take longest, especially when they need painting as well. So, did the four lifebelts and got them fixed this afternoon. Also shortened the mast by 3cm, as it was higher than the backscene, while the derrick's boom now has a bracket on the main superstructure to rest on. Spent the most time on a bit of lettering - though not sure if the yellow text [all I had] is correct, or indeed if Westport is an appropriate place for Acla to be registered, so it may be temporary... As already mentioned, the name is Gaelic for Achill, which seems appropriate as this is a key part of the little coaster's territory. Oh yes, there are photos of the other side too.

Fintonagh, my Clogher Valley Railway layout is making the long trek over, via Cairnryan - Belfast ferry. 7mm scale/21mm gauge, with its own thread on this forum. Hopefully going to be in front of Phoenix, or CVR railcar 1 (Donegal 10). Very much looking forward to meeting folk from this forum, so please say hello if you are attending.

Recently added handrails to the forecastle of the Acla, thanks to Gordon Gravett who kindly sent me some spare etches he had from previous projects. Since then, have been trying to complete the general painting. Not entirely successfully as every time I think I've got everything covered, the next day I am still finding areas of primer showing through! Am starting to think that using an airbrush might be better, though the amount of masking required would still take a lot of time. However, slowly getting there, after which there is the weathering [essential to giving the model more texture], plus lettering and the dreaded rigging. Model ships, I'm finding, cannot be done quickly...

Doing b&w photos as a bit of proof reading is a fine idea and one to remember. As for the rocks and stones, generally they were there before the foliage, so would put them in first. I'd be tempted to paint undiluted pva on the surface and then place/scatter the stones and gravel on that. The pva will dry shiny, but this will then get hidden under the foliage. Static grass machines are great fun and therefore worth experimenting with different lengths of fibres according to pictures you are using. Liquid sunshine makes Irish grass fairly bright green, but find that keeping tones a bit more muted is effective and in the boggy areas there may be more yellowy/lighter tones anyway. Spread pva over an area of about 10x20cm, push a small nail into the scenery and clip the grass machine to that, then do the fibres. Repeat as required, vacuuming up loose fibres after a few minutes [hanky over the nozzle to minimise waste] - this also helps the fibres to stand up a bit more. To turn plain grass into other plants, next day, I dip a finger into pva and then lightly run it over the tops of the grass, on to which you can then sprinkle different colours of fine crumb. Works a treat and is very satisfying. You can also use spray mount over previously sown grass and use the static machine again to make longer growth. All very addictive, so don't be surprised if you find a static grass machine soon appears on your Christmas list!

The scenery is already looking somehow very good to me. That uneven (post glacial?), surface really looks the part.