Mike 84C

Although all my conversions run on Peco code 75

I did this on a Hornby J69, one of those North British tanks, a few years ago. Its probably a bit too big but I thought it looked the part and was not expensive.

That is brilliant! and photos using natural light is inspired.

One word, Superb!! I am biased, i rather like the PP and PG.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that EMD painted the 121's Louisville & Nashville colours. And they do look very similar. But why do that?

The weigh bridge office looks to be in the right position in relation to the actual bridge. It would also maybe be an admin office for transport functions as well as weighing. That's what my office was like at RHM.

Thanks for putting up that trucknet link I spent far to long trawling through it! visiting mills I had been to! There are two photos of Ranks Ireland trucks which seem to be white with blue wheels and mudguards.

Mol, if you are interested in mills have a look at Sligo Heritage facebook pages. Wonderful photos of Ballysodare Mills, I love the flying cupboards ! The AEC,s would look good in CIE green.

Transport operators on "Big Island" were very conservative in their buying policies, mainly until they discovered Volvo and Scania and we all know what followed! Having driven a few of those foreign offerings I believe the Leyland/AEC ergonomic cab offered better visibility and driver seating position than most competition. Notice I did not mention noise levels or heating in winter or the other driver comforts that the chaps liked!

If you check out the Road Transport Images web site they do lots of resin chassis/cabs/ bodies to make up almost any British marque from pre war to the 2000's . Not cheap but nice models. An S type Bedford tanker from RTI parts built by me. Needs a few detail bits before its complete.

Mol, I like the captive nuts idea, on Bantry I used bolts and wingnuts OK but a bit tedius having to level the bb tops every time we exhibited.

Mashima in my Bandon tank runs perfectly, with a High level gearbox and I have used the plunger pickups in the kit. Bought as a bundle from SSM.

You have used the aluminum angle for the running rails that I/we used on Bantry. If making cassettes again I think I would lay track on the cassette. Lining up always seemed a problem so a cause of derailments! Maybe the greater mass of 7mm makes the system work better or maybe it was something else.

Glad to see Bantry getting an outing and it performed after the shaky start. Been there done that! Keep up the good work lads! Mick.

Thanks for posting John, my first reaction to the young man on the milling machine was where is the eye protection! Different times! When Britain made things. How times have changed from the year I was born . The Meccano Magazine kept me quiet for hours!

I would go for MGWR J5 Cattle engine. Somehow very Irish but, I'm also in the Bandon tank brigade.

I like the grassed tracks. Very fine modelling, the two figures in working clothes perhaps discussing happier times?

I thought for a moment it was a model!

The IRRS did a booklet called "The 101 Class Locomotives of the GS&WR" The cover page also says Steaming through a century 1866-1966. Its edited by P.J. Flanagan,Ph.D. It has a couple of side views with no scale and a side, front and overhead section to 3/16" to the ft scale. These are all of locos in original condition. I bought my copy S/H some years ago for £8.50p so a trawl of s/h book sellers may be in order. I'm also sure the IRRS would have the information you need if they have a librarian to dig it out for you! Maybe need to join the IRRS. Hope this all helps.

Runs nicely and looks good. Good luck with the glazing I found it very tedious! but I got there in the end. Painted mine green.

Killian, please put me down for two smokebox doors. Thanks Mick

Thanks gentlemen! you have sunk what I hoped would be a good idea! When I bought some of Johns overlays I also bought the S/H Dapol coaches but one was an Airfix in a Dapol box, took a lot of fiddling to make the etch fit the coach side, because the Airfix is about 2mm shorter. Lots of loud shouting from the profaneium (conservatory) where the modelling desk is. Got it right in the end but I carry a ruler now.

Just a thought, has anybody tried using the Worsley Works sides as overlays as in JM models coaches?

While we are talking MGWR locos how's about a J5? I'm talking off the top of my head now but I'm sure I remember measuring the LNER J72 and the wheelbase is only 1mm out. Nice etched chassis available from Wizard Models.

And a very "thinking outside the box" bit of recycling . The workmanship looks rather neat. A very good find Patrick.