Kirley

Steam and Railcars of course - it's the NCC Group

This bi-annual show was very well attended and was excellent in exhibits and surroundings. I met so many Site Members and other enthusiast that it was difficult to make progress round the exhibits without meeting someone. I post some photographs of the exhibits that caught my eye and make no apologies for concentrating on two particular exhibits: Bleach Green and Old Blarney and both vied to top exhibit for different reasons, Bleach Green for the layout and Old Blarney for such an extensive range of Irish stock. BLEACH GREEN A shot of Ken who did the layout construction and Colm who did the rolling stock looking at the results of a years work ROSSLARE STRAND IRISH LIGHT RAILWAYS [ OLD BLARNEY CRANLEYBROOK FIVEMILETOWN STATION SOMEBODY ALL THE WAY FROM ENNIS SHOWING PERTH’S OLD BLARNEY LAYOUT –ONLY A SMALL FRACTION OF STOCK WAS RUN I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO SEE WHAT WAS IN ALL THOSE UNOPEN BOXES Great to see so many friend from the South who made the track to Co. Down, thanks for coming, your presence added to a great day.

If you are seriously thinking of modelling part of York Road Works it would be of benefit to look at it on Google Maps and you will get a bird’s eye view.

Des, If you have any of the Dapol doner wagons for the brake van kits I could pick up mine there and save on you posting it.

Should be there by 11 at the latest.

I would consider a RTR model

A lovely model, I take it it was a Hornby Schools Class, was it a hard conversion?

If you have a look at my Work Bench entry page 1, 20.04.12 it shows you where I had a go at a Mk 4 Train. This is an abbreviated copy of the work shown on a previous site; if you want further details let me know.

Hi Guys, thanks for the kind encouragement and suggestions. I feel I need more buildings (small) but like everything else on the layout something will evolve. Anthony – the back scenes are called Hills & Dales and I got them from Express Models: http://www.expressmodels.co.uk/acatalog/Photographic_4mm_Scale_Backscenes.html See you Saturday at Cultra.

Thanks for posting Eamonn. That layout is just packed with ideas that I will be tempted to 'borrow'. Enjoyed your video.

Layout Scenic’s This part of the layout involves a bridge at the end of the station platform. I tested it with a 141 and some carriages and the clearance was fine. It was only after I had screwed and plastered the bridge formers in did I remember about my Hunslets which always sat a bit higher than other locos. A clearance test was called for and sure enough it got stuck on one side. Major engineering works had to be carried out in situ as I did not want to dismantle the bridge formers. I pasted backdrops to the walls which I hoped gave the layout a sense of distance. At the join between the layout and wall I stuck some vegetation to disguise the join. Next is the Station area. I used 18 mm MDF for the platform and employed a reamer to give an overhang edge. This is Kirley Junction Station (looks a lot like Navan) in all its glory. Thanks again to Glenderg for producing such a beautiful and realistic building. I’m waiting for some texture sheets from Glenderg to cover the platform and that should help to ‘ground’ the building to it. As you can see the platform looks very stark and I would welcome suggestions on what to add to it to bring a more ‘real’ feel to this area. As it is only single line I don’t need a footbridge but have thought of station lights.

Thanks Roryon for posting, your layout will continue to improve as you develop it, you are showing a good starting point.

Thanks for posting, upper level looking better and better in which the "working" 074 + shale wagons fits like a glove.

It was on my workshop post - International Models web site can be seen here http://www.internationalmodels.net/a...g/Seamoss.html

They use Seamoss plants which we can get from International Models. See my Workbench article on Trees, easy but tedious to do.

Your scenic work is very impressive, keep the pictures coming please.

So the countdown has started - just in time for christmas!!!

Thanks for the Pics, good detailed shots

Like your stone walls, setting the standard as usual.

It’s your attention to the little details that makes your layout so realistic, well done Noel.

On his previous layout "Killagan" Colm always ran a mixture of Steam & Railcars. His era is NCC/UTA.

The layouts are: "Letterkenny" by Donegal Heritage Railway "Ballymoney" by North Down MRC "Stranfording" by Tony Ragg 'O' gauge and "Richmond on Merton" by MRSI

The Exhibitor told me it was an old layout that he acquired for his son. They added a fiddle yard to “Letterkenny” but the existing track did not match up with Peco Narrow Gauge rail. The trees caught my attention. They are made up from twisted wire and look very effective despite their age.

Colm Flannagan and his group have been working hard on this project which they have kept under wraps until now. Looking forward to seeing in at Cultra next month. More pictures on the RM web site.

A long day travelling but it was worth it for such a good show. The launch of the 071 Class was the highlight of the day of course with the creator in full flow demonstrating all the sound chip could do. He did pass on a warning about this new model; it only fits into the box one way and not to try to do otherwise. He hopes an “Orange 071” MIGHT be here in time for Christmas. Des was showing off his Sulzer and one was “allowed" to hold it. Chris Dyer and Dave Bracken had a fantastic stock of Irish models, as well as MM’s, Silver Fox Models and Coaches painted by Anthony provided the bulk of stock. Dave with his baseboards, the Dart model in action, David with his Enterprise coaches in primer coat and of course Glenderg where I had the pleasure of collecting my Navan Station from him. I also saw some of the other models he has displayed on the site and they look even better in reality. I met up with Ian McNally of ex MIR fame and he was telling me of his progress in building his Portadown Station layout, something he could not do when running MIR. As for Site Members, I’ll not list them all in case I forget someone, but it was great to see some again and others for the first time. Here are some pictures of what took my eye at the show.