Mike 84C

I have one , its a very good model and may in later years become more valuable. 00 works only do very limited runs and I believe once only. Just a thought.

That signal at Colooney looks strange/interesting, two arms sharing a single lamp? Mounted on one of those Courtney,Stevens and Bailey posts are there any more pictures of that signal at higher resolution? Can I feel a model coming on?

Well Mark, you had some lovely weather, the L&B has potential to be a fantastic railway and not so much competition in that corner of Devon. I rather like Lynn, for me its a much more attractive loco than the Manning Wardles. They look like a lot of loco with not much boiler but they have their admirers. Mic

I have a 4mm scale Bat to build, if it looks as good as your 7mm Bat I'll be happy. A first loco? it looks fantastic.

Regarding the Puffer, Is it street scenes that do one of those print yourself puffers? I did wonder if splicing two together , bit of a cut and shut job and a longer hold or even a fore & aft hold might work? or would it make the hull a bit too narrow looking? Just chuking balls in the air now.

That looks really first class David, I'm looking hard to see the join!!! And I failed! Please can I come and you know, operate your railway, one day? I can only hope the back scene for Bantry turns out as well as yours, I live in anticipation!

Angus, I worked from a drawing in New Irish Lines for Nov 19 which is 7mm to the ft, I believe its a David Chown drawing. But the article says it could be 8mm/ft! So I used my judgement to get a visual balance. The distinctive "cricket bat " shape I marked up out on N/S sheet, drilled holes then opened them up to form the slots, did the profile of the "bat" with files and soldered 1'5/2mm N/S etch offcuts around the edge of the "bat" I did'nt put the little cross pieces on the "bat" ,that was one step beyond for me! Hope that helps. And thank you for your comments.

Three signals for Bantry. All done from a drawing in New Irish Lines and various photographs of the prototype Bantry station so there is a bit of guestimation in some of the heights and details. They are powered by servos under the baseboard controlled by a GF controls dual servo control unit. I took all the advice and pointers I could get from Steve Hewitt on RMW , he builds excellent working signals and freely gives help and advice. The finials are Scottish one's The arms are L&Y as are the weights Cast lamps are Midland/GCR The ladders and all the above are from MSE/Wizard Models Posts, wires for handrails are things I had in stock plus those handy little bits of saved etches.

First attempt? I look forward to seeing more of your excellent work.

Reminds me of the metre gauge 0-6-0t's that ran at the Wellingborough ironstone pits, maybe the saddle tank top needs to be a bit higher? . I think one was preserved at Hunsbury Hill Northampton. Must be 40yrs since I was last there! Excellent link, wonder why the 0-6-0 Avonside tempts me so much!

Good to see you're back Ernie. Hope all went well at the hospital. You do seem to keep finding unpublished photo's, a bit of a super sleuth!

I was wondering if it was just me!

Thanks for your thoughts guys, you and I have both been down the same road! I used a piece of foam under the wagon to add resistance but it seems daft to make wagons free rolling and then have to give them resistance to lessen the magnetic attraction! Substituting brass axles for steel on 40/50 wagons and coaches does not appeal. Noel, weight do you ballast your 4 wheel wagons to please?

David,an chance of a drawing/sketch to show the orientation of your under track magnets? I have a picture in my head and would like to know if it lines up with reality!

I like the three locos whisked off by rail,after all thats how rail vehicles usually travel. Happen in GB? No chance! Health & Safety, Gaugeing trials, Safety Cases, and then Network Rail say Nooo. Allelys with large lorries to the rescue. Traffic disruption, more expense, pollution. What a loopy country we live in.

Went by Toton Sidings this week, still long lines of stored loco's. Going too fast to see what they were, SWIMBO driving!

For a terminal station Harcourt street takes a bit of beating, turntable , cattle bank , engine facilities and a single platform. As does Kilarney with the backing out for a bit of operating interest!

I was thinking wheres the other end!

But where on the Far North line was the photo taken? Inverness?

That is a lovely picture of the D2 what a handsome machine.

My two cents worth would be for steam era water columns. Irish period ones are just that little bit different to English railway columns. And they seem to have lasted well into the diesel age. Indeed their is one hiding in some big bushes at Dunmanway station on The CB&SC. Pity it will never be needed!

Bet that start up was really popular with the residents of those houses! Job for a Sunday morning.

Thats a rather nice cattle train JB, makes my six wagons look a bit mundane. But I like very much the GN box van. Is that from the Pettigo Wagon works on Big Island?

I remember those CL 305 or something similar. We used to ride on them from Bescot/Walsall into New Street and back and they were very bouncy going fast! Love the Bombay Emu and the Hindi/ Sanskrit ? transfers? brilliant. Now I know those Midland coaches are in safe hands.

Hi J-Mo, if you want a little Irish loco project to get your teeth into please pm. Its a lot different!