Old Blarney

Stephen, Have you been standing on that station for thirty years waiting for that set to return? Your lunch will be cold by now if that is the case. Home now, immediately. Otherwise I'll send the Aunt's ghost down the road to chase you home. Great to see your posts, Regards, David.

http://www.rte.ie/tv/programmes/21stcenturyrailways.html For general information. I understand RTE are broadcasting a history of railways in Ireland. Just found this link - hope it is informative. David White.

John, Thank you for your reply to my post. I was unaware of the proposal for a "Central" North Wall Station. I have always wondered why a "Central" Interchange Station was never develop in the area around Connelly Station. The GNR, GSWR, MGWR, DPDB and LNWR all cross one and other to the north of Connelly. Thus, a "Central" interchange station could have been developed that allowed all railways in Dublin to connect at a single point. The Phoenix park tunnel would have required widening to accommodate the increased volume of traffic travelling through it to the South, South West and West. However, it is a Cut-and Cover structure, it would not be that difficult to quadruple the track through it by creating a parallel double track tunnel. The former GSWR and MGWR lines could be realigned at Glasnevin Junction to allow travel on the GSWR lines from the South and South West and Midland Trains from the West. Each would arrive at a "Central" Interchange Hub under the GNR lines at Newcomen Junction. This "Hub" station would the permit travel by interchange ( or reversal at Church Street Junction) to any railway destination in the land be it Inter-City or suburban. One problem that would need to be resolved is the route of the newly reopened "Royal Canal" at the point where each of these railways meet. I expect, I can dream. Don't expect this, in my mind, simple solution will ever happen! 21:38 UK time. David White.

John, A little snip of Iarnrod Eireann in the film? Phil Vester! I assume this is the same Phil Vester who left Iarnrod Eireann and who had worked with Dick Fern there. Regards, David White.

Good evening, I found this information regarding a Proposed Central Station for Dublin. http://archiseek.com/2013/1872-proposing-a-grand-central-station-for-dublin/#.U8g5B-9OXIU I believe CIE also had plans for a Central Station and that they had purchased land for this purpose. Can any of you knowledgeable persons confirm or deny this fact or rumour? David White.

This line of thought could lead to shed load of trouble and we may need to turn the table on it before hitting the buffer!

Hello, Spoke with George Heaney, this evening and ordered a Gardner from him. He is coming across to Dublin this October for an Exhibition. Looking at his WEB page he is also planning to produce a DUT/CIE Alexander Bodied bus. I mentioned the A and N to him as I do not remember any Tigers running with the Alexander/DUT cut-away rear doors. Am I correct re the Tigers? Reference the GNR Gardner Buses, can anyone out there assist with answering this question. What advertisements did they carry on their luggage racks? Phoenix, Club Orange, Albany - any others? Did the Gardiners have advertisements on the rear panels? Did the Gardiners have advertisements on the Off-side corner panel? Possible advertisements! Heffner's sausages, Wallace Coal, Heitons Coal, Mex Petrol -stretches your mileage. David J. White.

You can add Irvinestown Cabin to this list. It is in Private ground. The owners are keen to keep it preserved - may be open to suggestions -

heirflick, Found the following information on Castle Rackrent - follow the links:- http://home.btconnect.com/Enhance-Ecosse/ccastle.html http://kokutetsu-jnr.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/club-castle-rackrent-visit.html I had the pleasure of visiting this layout at the owners home five or six years ago. The complete layout is large. Each stations requires one or two people to man it, the trains are run to a set order and all train movements and duties are set out in the station instructions for each train at each station. All points and signals are operated using miniature leavers, furthermore, each train is accepted and dispatched using the correct bell codes from or to the sending and receiving stations. Hope this information is useful and that the link works.

# Sorry. My apologies, should have read the complete thread. David.

Have a look at this page and see if there are any photographs that meet your colour needs. The A Class appeared in a variety of shades of green, with stripes, without stripes, with flying snail, without flying snail, etc, etc. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Green-CIE-Locomotives&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=kqqhU-OWEpLe7AbZhoDAAg&ved=0CCkQsAQ&biw=1286&bih=544 If link fails type, CIE-green-locomotives into a search engine and it should connect you with this link. David J White.

Old Blarney, Just found another "Film" with wonderful Anglicised pronunciations of Irish names. Again enjoy, and apologies if these have been posted previously! David J White.

From Old Blarney, Had a wee search on "Ra Internet" this evening. Found the following: Hope you enjoy this, especially the narrators pronunciation of Stranorlar. David J White.

Master Stephen, What is a young fella doing in and watching television on a Friday evening? A young snapper like yourself should be out on the Town? The auld fella living in Scotland David J White.

John and Andy, Thank you for your replies and information. David.

I'm not the best informed on the train formation, been living in Scotland since 1954, and finally left Dublin in 1960. However, logically, I believe your train formation to be plausible. There is photographic evidence on this site of a seven coach formation, yes seven, with one Hunslet at the Dublin (UP) end of the train.

Old Blarney at Falkirk Exhibition - November 2014. Weather permitting, I plan to run, on Old Blarney, my two maroon Hunslet Locomotives with their matching coaches in Top and Tail formation, and also run this train in its winter formation. One locomotive, five coaches and a driving trailer at the opposite end. Both two locomotives are fitted with sound decoders, so come, listen and comment. I shall also have GM's 111, 112 and 8113, each fitted with sound, pulling NIR Stock in Grey/blue and the livery used prior to the introduction of the De Deitrich Stock. QUESTION 1 - Did NIR ever use these locomotives, 111,112, 8113 and their associated rolling stock with a driving trailer at the opposite end to the locomotive? QUESTION II - If Yes, was the locomotive at the "up" end - Dublin or the "Down" end Belfast? Question III - Am I correct in stating the 201 class never ran with a Driving trailer prior, yes prior to thee introduction of the De Deitrich? David J White.

Colm Flannigan. The above mentioned Gentleman has manufactured two locomotives for me from UK Models. Colm, can you add details if required please! NCC No 4 from an LMS Hornby Parallel Boiler Loco. GNR No 85 from a Hornby Schools. Both models will be available for inspection at Perth Model Railway Exhibition (In cabinets in entrance forum) and at Falkirk Model Railway Show where Old Blarney will be exhibited-- weather permitting. (it is held in November).

I shall look forward to seeing you again too.

Warbonnet, Thank you for your permission and good wishes.

With the permission of the Moderators. I wish to advertise the 2014, Perth and District Model Railway Exhibition on Irish Railway Modeller. For full details of the exhibition please visit the Perth Webpage - http://www.perthmrc.com This exhibition is a true celebration of Model Railways and is held in:- The Dewars Centre Glover Street Perth PH2 0TH. The dates for this are:- Saturday June 28th 10.00 - 5.30. Sunday June 29th 10.00 - 5.00. The Dewars Centre is adjacent to Perth Railway Station, and a very short walk from the Perth Bus Station, for those travelling by car, there is ample parking underneath, and beside the Centre. Currently there is no charge to park. Hope to see many of you there, David J White.

Jason, It is, I believe, important to remember this; it is your model railway, your rolling stock and your right to have on it what you wish. I have many different items on my railway. Not all of these should be running at the same time - but, it is my railway, and I run on it, that which I wish to run, at the time I wish to. There are many wonderful model railways depicted on this forum created by many people with varying skills and expertise. I have learnt from observing many of these layouts, however, I still remain true to my belief that I shall enjoy my layout as I wish to. If you don't do this you will constantly be chasing perfection, something that cannot ever exist. Improvement and advances will always outdate that of yesterday. Time would appear to be on your side as I assume you are a young person. May you have many years of enjoyment in this wonderful hobby which allows us to start, leave, and return to it as time and finances allow. My first electric model railway was given to me when I was 12 or 13 Years old, it was Tri-ang. I'm a fairly ancient old fossil now, however, I have two railways, one at home and one exhibition model "Old Blarney". Old B will be exhibited at the Falkirk Model Railway Exhibition, Falkirk, Scotland, this November, 2014. I hope to have three rakes if NIR passenger stock Hunslet, Blue Grey and the Inter City as well as my ballast wagons - sealion /seacow on the layout. There are a number photographs and video of OB on this forum, have a look if you wish. Remember we are hear to assist you in the pursuit of your hobby. Good luck and may you enjoy many years of railway modelling. David J, White.

Tarabuses, Thank you for your reply and confirmation that these buses did run in Galway in the CIE green livery. I'll have to purchase one for the races at Galway and Old Blarney!

Minister-for-hardship, Jim Poots did produce two versions of the P Class, front entrance and rear entrance. Don't know if he has any of these at present. Do you have his contact details? The CIE P class is unique, however you may find there are some UK single deck models that are similar to the GNR Park Royal AEC Buses and coaches, however they will need to be repainted. I'm not aware of any single deck ready-to-run versions in Irish buses for the periods 1945 to 1956 or thereabouts. Some of the Scottish Buses, Walter Alexander, are similar to Irish buses as they had an agreement with the DUTC and CIE for bodywork. You may wish to trawl various sites for more information on these models.

I believe this model has appeared as:- 8, Dalkey and 45, Bray. Both models were in the Green and Eau-de-Nil version if CIE's Livery. Both the Bolton and Capetown versions of the CIE PD2 have been produced in the past. Remember these buses were imported complete from Leyland Motors, thus they are a model of UK buses that are nearly identical to the CIE versions of 1948 and 1949. These buses were purchased to expand double deck use Eg, Routes 9,10,11 and 18, and also replace the trams on routed 14,15 in 1948 and routes ,6,7.8 in 1949. In my opinion, I welcome this version of the model. It is perfectly suited to a scene in Dublin where it is being inspected by the carriage office of An Garda Siochana. It was their duty to inspect all Public Service Vehicles prior to their entry into service, be they new , repaired, or refurbished vehicles. There is a photograph in Cyril McIntyre's book of such an incident. Having written the above comments, I'm uncertain of the fact that these vehicles, Leyland PD2's served in Galway in CIE Green. I believe they were in service, in Galway, in Blue and Cream. Furthermore Galway Garage had their own version of this colour scheme. Regards to all, David J. White.