David Holman

Some fabulous stuff on show here!

Excellent!

The Bishops Castle Railway always has me salivating, not least because it was SO decrepit, while the track plan at Lydham Heath is another favourite and superbly done by Barry Norman in S, of course. As for the beautiful Carlisle, was there a prettier 0-6-0? Shannon comes close for me, but then I'm somewhat biased. Meanwhile, those MGW vans were quite something. Shame there are not many photos of them.

Was going to add this to my workbench thread, but decided it might be interesting to open it out, not least because there have been so many interesting contributions during Lockdown. Essentially, I need at least a couple of new brake vans for Belmullet, mainly because I mostly have SLNCR types from Arigna Town. That said, I was fortunate to acquire three goods brakes from Castle Rackrent and these will form the start of my 1900s period. However, for my 1950s scene, I could do with something non-SLNCR as well, especially as Belmullet is deemed to be a blend of the latter, plus WL&W, MGW and GSR/CIE. So, what have I got? Well, as you can see from the photos, it is a slightly eclectic collection. First, there are examples of all the SLNCR types - two of the drovers' vans [2 & 3], plus road van number 5 and the more conventional double balconied No 6 - the latter with a badly warped roof you will no doubt see... I will probably split these so that two get used in the 1950s and two back dated to the early 1900s. One of Richard Chown's vans is a GS&WR 12 tonner. Its a bit battered, with pieces missing from the roof and balcony, plus a couple of broken steps. It is also rather dirty, so needs a fair bit of TLC. It is interesting though, in being mostly made from wood. The other two vans are decidedly exotic in their maroon livery and salmon pink ends. As far as I can tell, they are ex Dublin & Meath. This railway was leased to the MGW in 1869 & absorbed in 1888, according to my Railway Atlas of Ireland by S. Maxwell Hajducki. Richard seems to have used both vans on Castle Rackrent as part of the 'mail goods', often with WL&W 0-6-0 Shannon in charge, so this is something I'd like to perpetuate. Quite how he saw the two D&M brakes getting to Castle Rackrent is another matter and would certainly be interested to know a little more about them, both the models and the prototype. They are certainly broad of beam, being a scale 9'4" wide over the body. As for my own latest effort, this is an ex GS&WR ten ton brake. Had been hoping to do a MGW one, but don't currently have a drawing of any, apart from the 20 ton version and the curious drovers' types, which seem to be an enlarged version of the Sligo ones - or vice versa perhaps? Anyway, my 10 tonner comes from the old Model Railways article by Tim Cramer. This shows the 12 ton version, which Tim suggests is easily converted to the lighter type simply by reducing the wheelbase from 11' to 9'6.However, as Leslie's 4mm scale kit shows in our Irish Models section, the 10 tonner is substantially wood panelled, rather than the metal T section framing of its heavier sibling. You can see progress thus far in the final picture. However, and more questions yet, what livery should it be for the 1950s? Photos of the model show it as clean, pale grey, with both GSWR and CIE insignia, which can't be right, can it? As for other types of goods brake, while the GNRI ones seem fairly well documented, it seems to me that information is a bit thin on the ground for the rest. For example, I have photo of one on the Courtmacsherry tramway, while as for WL&W types or indeed MGW, Ernie Shepherd's books aren't terribly forthcoming - just two paragraphs for the latter is all we get. So, will await replies with interest and especially the D&Ms and my GSWR ten tonner!

Looking good

Snap off blade knives have been my go to for years. Apparantly, it is the tip that does all the work and soon gets dulled, so snapping off for a new one is easier than sharpening. Foam board for some reason a real villain here. That said, I often use one of my Exacto blades on foamboard - the long, triangular sort seem to work especially well.

A case of cleanliness before godliness where model railways are concerned! Know what you mean as have been slowly going through all my stock too and not just the locos. Wagon and coach wheels were all dirty enough to blacken a cotton bud soaked in meths - one per wagon required. They run much better now too and are not spreading fresh dirt around. Then I looked at my GS&WR brake van from Castle Rackrent. At first, I thought the wheels had been blackened, but it was a coat of grime getting on for half a millimetre thick - no doubt the result of many years hard work!

Indeed - I sometimes wonder if it would be easier to model in black and white! The diesel is coming on rather well though.

Quite a combination, must be two of our finest. Mike is of course the craftsman behind Judith Edge Kits, while Ian Rathbone is a master painter. His book on loco painting and lining sits alongside Martyn Welch's Art of Weathering as two of my most referred to books, not least because both are easy to read and apply. Wonder if Martyn will eventually get to do a bit of weathering on Maedh?

Fabulous. Many thanks John.

Looking at the early picture of the E class, am amazed how much difference the original chimney makes to the overall appearance of the loco. Were there any major rebuilds to the class, apart from the Waterford cab/bunker changes? Reason I ask is that my own J26 is eventually due to be backdated and while I'm happy to replace the chimney and do a repaint, there is little point if it needs a larger boiler etc. If it reappears in the Tyrconnel range, would certainly recommend it. A simple, easy build, mine took just 40 hours including painting and weathering. Runs well too.

Ace kits are the work of Bill Ascough. Advertises in the modelling magazines and has quite a large range of loco kits that are good for the experienced modeller, but not a beginner, I'd say. Nothing Irish, as far as I know, but does do kits for the Woolwich 2-6-0s. Indeed, in the past has hinted at doing the GSR versions.

I now use a small jeweller's screwdriver instead of a nail. To help the grass stand up, I go over the area treated with the vacuum cleaner nozzle, covered with a handkerchief. Find 12mm fibres too long, 6mm is about the limit, but you can make longer grass by going over the same area twice.

Apply the three foot rule and a bit of weathering and you have the makings of a nice new project. Certainly look good to me.

Here's the post I did in 2016, after the Manchester show.

Only just caught up with this thread again. Interesting to get livery details, not least because my own Small Tanks, Fermanagh and Hazelwood are in need of some TLC, mostly just paintwork, but a good excuse to correct a couple of errors... My name plates are black, rubbed with wet and dry to reveal the brass letters - a whole lot easier than painting the raised letters red! Tempting to do red background and raised brass letters therefore and Sir Henry can be the same. Also useful to see the SLNCR lettering on the tank sides as Fermanagh will be back dated to early 1900s eventually. That said, when I had the pleasure of meeting Richard Chown at the Manchester show a few years ago, and we ran his version of Lissadell on Arigna Town. This was in lined green, with a polished brass dome. Anyone got any ideas when this livery gave way to black? Will post a pic of Lissadell later.

Not sure the Swilly would work in 7mms scale on 00 track. It only equates to 2'4 and the Swilly locos were big. That said, the garden could be a good way to try and represent the wide open spaces. Given unlimited time and wealth, doing it to 10mm scale on 0 gauge track would be my own preference, though it ain't gonna happen....

Does things properly, does Eoin. An example, nay inspiration to us all.

Indeed, many of us would be happy with that as the finished article. Laser cutter at work, Warb?

A layout that proves the adage of 'less is more'. Fine modelling and excellent staging have more than a bit to do with it as well, mind.

Angus's thread has certainly got me thinking about traffic and traction in the west of County Mayo for my own project. My imagineering is that as per some of the projects mentioned in Rails to Achill, a line to Belmullet was eventually built, running west from Ballina. Stretching things a bit further [ok, a lot], I see the line as a joint venture between the SLNCR and the WL&W. A line from Swinford, on the Burma Road, to Foxford on the Ballina branch would have given the SLNCR a route of around 100 miles, though in best Irish practice, this would have been broken into separate sections no doubt. Also, by adding a MGW branch from Mallarany to Belmullet [all lines in pursuit of Canadian Pacific mails of course], then I have much the same traffic and traction as at Sligo, albeit on a smaller scale. The reasons for this flight of fantasy are the collections of locos and stock I built up for Arigna Town, plus the subsequent acquisition of models from Richard Chown's estate - notably WL&W 0-6-0 Shannon and the 101 kit. As mentioned before, the idea is to be able to operate both in the 1950s and early 1900s. 1950s I can do already, this being when Arigna Town was set. It will be somewhat SLNCR and MGW heavy, because that is what I have. Hence the roster is planned to include: SLNCR railcar and railbus SLNCR mixed train - coach No 9, of course! Both on local trains to Ballina, with connections onwards to Sligo and Enniskillen. SLNCR goods traffic to/from the harbour. This will be a mix of cattle and supplies for the distillery. I fancy having at least one converted WLW six wheel carriage carrying turf and Bord na Mona has [had?] workings near Belmullet An SLNCR passenger excursion, but using a D17 for power from Ballina. CIE goods, with a new engine, as I've just ordered a Tyrconnel J18/19 kit from Alphagraphix CIE passenger excursion, using the G2 2-4-0 and Atcock six wheelers. Both these coming from Westport. For the early 1900s, I need to tinker with history a bit, as my 101/J15 was built after the WLW was absorbed by the GSW, while I want to keep Shannon as Richard built it, in WLW livery. So, the take over has been put back a couple of years. This gives me the following options to explore: A WLW 'mail goods', using Shannon with a full brake, carriage truck and Richard's two Dublin & Meath brake vans. Very Castle Rackrent. A GSWR excursion headed by the 101. This will have a GSW 6w 1st, a WLW brake 3rd and two horse boxes A MGW mail train with D15 'Wolf Dog' hauling 6w TPO, 3rd and birdcage brake A MGW goods using my J26, though this will need a new chimney and repaint An SLNCR goods with one of the Small Tanks bringing in coal from Arigna and general goods out. Especially in the 1900s period, the SLNCR would take traffic eastwards to Sligo, Enniskillen, Derry and Belfast. WL&W traffic would head south for Limerick and Cork, while the MGW would handle stuff for Westport and Dublin. Good, if slightly implausible excuses! Equally, if the Canadian Pacific mail traffic had materialised, then, for a while at least, Belmullet would have become quite thriving railway hub, one that might just have lasted into the 1950s unlike the Achill and Clifden lines. As for work on the layout itself, many hours have been spent test running. Turns out most of the points needed adjusting, along with back to backs on many of the wheels. As a result, derailments are [mostly] eliminated, though work is still needed to make the Dingham couplings work more efficiently. Half a millimetre makes all the difference! One of these days, I will get back to model making again - lets face it, the 'to do' list is considerable.

Clever!

Fine water tank in the background too.

Do indeed have a copy of the Garrett drawing, so by all means pm me and I will scan it for you. Forget who gave it to me, but do remember it was sourced from the late Desmond Coakham's stuff. Get the impression it was almost a promotional affair which could have been built using standard parts. Briefly considered building one till I realised that, not only would it not fit in the headshunt, but it would have only left room for a train of three wagons in the fiddle yard...

Had an email from Railway Modeller today. My article on Fintonagh, with excellent photos by CM Editor Andrew Burnham, will be in the June edition of RM, due out next Thursday.