Old Blarney

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.

Now Lads - you have it all wrong. Moscow is in Ayrshire, Scotland. Believe you, me, it is there for all to see. I've passed through it on many an occasion when driving from Glasgow to Darvel after the railway between these two places was closed. Vladimir Putin has his villa on the West Coast of Scotland. This allows him to observe the movement of British Naval vessels as, and when, he pleases. Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland, and leader of the SNP, a Putin admirer (by his own admission) is waiting for a successful result (for him) in the forthcoming Independence Referendum in Scotland. A YES vote will then allow wee Eck to complain of undue interference by the English in Scottish affairs, thus providing wee Eck with an excuse to request assistance fro his latest friend, Putin. Putin will then invade Scotland at Alex's (First Prime Minister Scotland) request. Putin will then legitimately acquire the British Nuclear deterrent on the Clyde, and drive back to his Capital City of Moscow in Ayrshire, Scotland. On nice Sunny days he will travel back to his Villa on the Scottish West Coast.

Steam Engines - a Woolwich can be created easily from an English Southern N Class. Twenty-seven of these locomotives were bought from Woolwich Arsenal by the MGWR, and GSR, They were withdrawn in the years up to 1963, if my memory serves me correctly! They can be coloured, Green, Black and one in cherry black. Timber Wagons - Piko manufacture a bogie Timber Wagon that will give a good representation of the CIE/IE timbers in use at present. The SNCF version is probably the best suited.

Indian Pale Ale? To clean wheels on a Loco! Dreadful waste of a good pint. Seriously, you are, in my opinion correct. The use of Isopropanol Alcohol (Rubbing Alcohol) on a good quality cotton bud will do the trick. Using Glass Fibre Pencils to clean the wheels can have adverse consequences. The fibres are likely to separate from the pencil and collect in the oil on the wheels. This eventually builds-up into a nasty paste and prevents contact between the brass connectors and the wheels. (Been there and done this one). If the contacts are contaminated with heavy dirt, dust, grease, oil, remove the plastic bogie housing to allow access to the naked wheels and connectors. Using Isopropanol Alcohol on a series of cotton buds carefully wipe off all the accumulated dirt on both sides of the brass contacts (Take great care not to bend these contacts). When the wheels and contacts are clean test the locomotive on your track before replacing the bogie housings. If the problem of bad running persists, check your track for dirt on it. I use a stick with clean material attached to it (and soaked in IPA) to clean my track. I hope this helps you - David J. White. (Old Blarney)

WRENNEIRE, No, it was about three or four years ago, I think. I may be wrong, time seems to fly bye now as far as I'm concerned.

Dear all, If one wishes to remember the names of locations in Ireland, here are some that I still use! It so happened that one day I visited OSI in the Park, the fellow behind the Public Desk, was about to have his lunch break and was less than helpful when I asked if I may have copies of the Harcourt Street to Shangannagh Junction maps. It's my lunch time, he said and then told me to come back at a later time , or on another day! Helpful type of fellow!! I said I would return later that day after viewing the following locations:- Vice Regal Lodge, Sackville Street, Westland Row Station, New Brunswick Street, Kingstown and Kingsbridge Stations. I asked him for directions to Vice Regal Lodge as I believed this too was in the Phoenix Park. Well he blew a gasket. I'll have you know, said he, that "we are now a Republic, them places no longer carry them names, the names given to them by our oppressors of five hundred years. It's time the likes of you learnt that things have changed." Well, I left his office, laughing to myself and think I touched a nerve there! I should have remembered to mention Maryborough, Queenstown, Queens County and of course Kings County. Perhaps I should havealso asked him how I might get to Nelson Pillar for the number Seven tram to Kingstown!! How things have changed?

I too look forward to seeing you again at Perth this year. For those who have never visited this Fair City, I suggest you look at our web page for details of our 2014 exhibition. http://www.perthmrc.com/page6.htm Dates - Saturday 28th June and Sunday 29th June. Venue - Dewars Centre, Glover Street, Perth, Scotland. PH2 0TH Adjacent to Perth Railway Station. Re Falkirk, and Old Blarney, I have added a number of items to my rolling stock portfolio - Guinness Flats and kegs, 40 feet flats, bogie Cements, two Hunslets with sound and also NIR Maroon and Blue Coaches built for me by Raymond Kane. I also hope to have a set of Grey and Blue NIR coaches to go behind 111,112, 113. Thus I will be able to represent NIR from the 1970s to the introduction of the Dedetrich stock. Again, Look forward to a wee blather at Perth and Falkirk, David.

BosKonay and Heirflick, Thank you for your complements about Old Blarney. I have not made any contributions to our forum for some considerable time, just happened to have a quick search recently where I found this page, and was very proud to read your comments. Old Blarney will be exhibited at the Falkirk Model Railway Show this November, weather permitting! The last time we were there we were snow-bound and it was three months before I got my rolling stock home. Details of this exhibition are at: http://www.falkirkmrc.co.uk/ 29th - 30th November 2014 - Forth Valley College, Falkirk ... Old Blarney is available for exhibition. This model railway lives at the Perth and District Model Railway Club premises, the layout, and rolling stock are mine and are also used on my home model railway in Newburgh, Fife, Scotland. Old Blarney visited Cultra, two years past this November. If anyone wishes to contact me regarding Old Blarney, please do so. David J. White.

May I thank The Friends of Cultra, and Wakefield Model Railway Club, for inviting Perth and District Model Railway Club to exhibit our Irish Layout, Old Blarney, at your respective Exhibitions this year. To each person who came to see us a big 'thank you'. Your support and comments are appreciated. Old Blarney has been invited to the Kendal Model Railway Exhibition - this coming January, 2013. Details are provided below:- Exhibition 2013 Our next exhibition taking place in Kendal MRC's 50th anniversary year will be on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th January 2013, 10:00 to 17:00 at Lakes Leisure Kendal. Please let your friends and colleagues know of this exhibition, and thank you in advance for your support. May I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Mike, Re GSR/CIE locomotive No 850, and our discussion about her at Wakefield, I have had a closer inspection of the photograph of her on page 336, Locomotives of the GSR. Using a magnifying glass to assist me in my task it appears that each of the numbers is lined-out. The highlighting lines are visible on the interior, and the exterior of each number. This confirms my memories of 850 and how I remember her when she ran on the Dublin and South Eastern Section of CIE. The locomotive was painted green. The numbers on her side tanks were also green, but in a lighter shade (Eau-de-Nile). The numbers were edged in gold. Unfortunately, I cannot be remember with certainty the colours used for the lining-out on her tanks. This could have been gold or possibly black white black? Is there anyone else out there who can shed further light on this matter?

May I suggest 1 X Maedbh, motor,wheels,etc? All the trimmings.Same for the Sultzer. Promise I'll work hard to raise the funds.

Model Railway Day 10:00 - 17:00, Saturday 10 November 2012 Ulster Folk & Transport Museum Ireland's biggest one day model railway exhibition will feature over 30 railway layouts and associated exhibits. This Bi-annual exhibition is well worth visiting. Held in the Railway Hall of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum you can see the real thing and the models too - Scale 1:1 and everything in between. The Museum is beside Cultra Railway Station.

I have a DC Kits G Class locomotive fitted with a TCS, T1 Chip. The chip is located in the bonnet space. Power is provided by a Black Beetle motor and of suitable length to match the axle locations of the body. Performance can be erratic due to the very short wheelbase of the locomotive when passing over insulated frog points. To overcome this problem I plan to replace the existing chip with one that has a power reserve or "Stay Alive" facility. This locomotive and motor are light in weight, thus it is important that the wheels and track are kept clean to ensure smooth operation I and members of Perth and District Model Railway Club are exhibiting "Old Blarney" at this years Festival of Irish Railway Modelling. It is held at The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, Co Down. Nearest Railway Station Cultra. Date 10th, November 2012. For more information on Old Blarney please visit our web page: http://www.perthmrc.com/page9.htm If you want to see this locomotive please come to our layout and ask for me. David J. White.