Horsetan

The model would started life like this. Note the separate instruction sheet for the Porter's Cap 80:1 gearbox.

No, no, not Portescap, but "Porter's Cap" - a play on a name for what was a much cheaper, multi-stage worm and spur gearbox, as opposed to the RG4 with its bevel-and-spur reversible drive.

The underside photo suggests it's been fitted with the "Porter's Cap" gearbox which was supplied as part of the kit and which is broadly similar to today's "High Level" gearbox kits. (I did wonder if "Porter's Cap" and "High Level" were related to each other.....)

This is a OOn3 (not actually TT gauge, even though it uses 12mm gauge track) model of the CDR's Nasmyth-Wilson Class 5 2-6-4T no: 6 Columbkille. The real thing still exists inside the Foyle Museum in Derry. Built from the long unavailable Backwoods kit, there's a bit of damage /distortion to the central buffer at the front - should be level, not pointing upwards. Rivetted smokebox is correct for no.6. Does it run?

Note also the miniature semaphore used as a shunt signal. There was another one beyond the north end of the platforms, governing exit from the transhipment sheds. Strabane seems to have been the only place where mini semaphores were used at ground level. The condition of the perimeter of the mixed gauge wagon turntable suggests the GNRI used it rather less than the CDRJC!

It'll polish out.

Give it 5-10 years. We should see the original range back by then.

I guess now yer man's stopped posting - possibly for good - you are actually getting something different to the "same old". Unintended consequences, etc.

He's kept that quiet, then, as his website doesn't mention that. We're still a good few years from seeing the rest of the Backwoods Irish range coming back into production.

Seems not.

The only way is

Alan Gibson's 4S44C bogie wheels are the closest equivalent, in that case.

The buffers aren't a problem - there are loads of oval-headed (and sprung!) options out there that will substitute adequately. Handrails should be easy to fix - there's enough of the intact ones left to replicate them with something other than fragile plastic. Damaged bodywork - well, I can see some paint marks, but the photos aren't close enough to give any other clues about the seller's drop-kicking skills. If it still runs well after all that, then it runs.

Maybe an outsize Amazon cardboard box containing several smaller Amazon boxes might do the business of adequately protecting it?

Seller is in Germany. His auction description, roughly translated, reads: "Locomotive runs in both directions Light change red / white Prepared for digital operation 21P decoder Light traces of glue from attaching the railings. Only used in test operation. Further accessories, manual and box." Photos suggest not a great deal wrong with it. It might actually run perfectly. May only need a DCC blanking plug, so. 13 Euros to post form Germany to Britain. Might be alright to convert to 21mm gauge.

It could only have been better if it was Father Jack's favourite brand: "R's Biscuits"

If there is no recording in existence, we'll never know what the original sounded like

That's promising. I wonder if they'd be correct for the one that's been rotting away in the Clifden Station Hotel complex for a few decades?

The bottom one is more towards purple.

It makes life interesting

Which shade of blue?

Incidentally, can anyone remember the diameter of the tender wheels for the 800 Class? I know they are supposed to have 12 spokes, but am not sure if their diameter is 3', 3'3", 3'6" or bigger than that.

You'd have to mix and match. The 7' x 7'4" wheelbase is slightly unusual but I think Alan Gibson Workshop produces a set of etched coupling rods for that wheelbase. Even if not, AGW also produces a universal set of coupling rods that you can trim and adjust to obtain 7' x 7'4". A similar, if slightly more developed, universal etch is available from Lanarkshire Model Supplies. For the connecting rods and valve gear, AGW has about ten different types of Walschaerts valve gear etch for various British classes including the S15. The important one is that the connecting rods should come out at a scale 11' (44mm) between little end and big end centres. It's a matter of trying to work out which one needs least modification. You may end up using more than one etch to cobble the various other rods together.

Nameplates and numberplates from 247 Developments. I think the background colour might be a bit wrong, as I understood it to be blue rather than black...

Let me know what I owe you for the development costs