Johnny B. Good

Hi David, I hope you don’t mind me asking but I read your posts and always learn something new. So your models here are in O scale right? So if I wanted to try scratch building a van similar to yours but in OO scale, would you recommend I still use the 40 and 80 thousand plastic sheet (that’s like 1mm and 2mm?) and then the 40x40/60/80 thou strips? Or should I be using something a different size? I’ve been using Evergreen because it’s easy to find over here. And I probably do use the same size, but I hate hate hate buying the wrong thing when all I had to do was ask someone first to get the right thing!!!!!! Lol Thank you, John

Hello all, Rummaging around the internet I found this - apologies if it’s already been posted somewhere else. I was thinking about scratch building a Sentinel shunter, (in part because it’s mostly a box shape, and I found a diagram of it). Well this site allows you (for scratch building anything really), to take the measurements of say a real locomotive, choose the scale you’d like to build it in, and put in the measurements and it will instantly give you the converted measurement (in inches or metrics whichever you’d like). You could use it for “trains, planes and automobiles” (and buildings). I hope you find it helpful. https://exactrail.com/pages/exactrail-calculator

I know the answer is probably “no” (because nothing could be that easy) but were rectangular tank wagons ever used in Ireland in the days of steam?

Thanks Robert, that does help. And thanks Eoin, Gibbo Galteemore and Alan I really appreciate all your help. John

Hi all, Please pardon my immense ignorance. I’m trying to scratch build and I need the particular part pictured below. It’s the riveted metal “beams” (?) that are on the sides of some vans. I don’t know what it’s called and I just wondered if anyone knew a company that makes these or a shop that sells them. Or do people normally just make their own? Thanks in advance for any info, John

Thanks very much everyone!

Hello all, I was just wondering if anyone can recommend this: for working on small models do you use magnification that you wear and covers your eyes or do you prefer to use a large magnifier that sits on your desk like the kind used to soldering. I need to get something so thought I’d check in here first. Thanks in advance, Johnny

That’s such a shame Colin! That one photo above is from the Bristol museum - maybe they have more related to it? (Sorry I hate taking no for an answer!) John

Hi Colin, You probably have these already but just on the off chance you don’t, the first three from Rowland’s book. The last is from New Irish Lines. The carriages all seem to have been made by Bristol CW & Company, and I’d be surprised if they did not manufacture similar or identical carriages for lines in Britain? I haven’t gotten the chance yet but I’ve been meaning to look into that company and what other lines they manufactured carriages for as I’d imagine there’d by way more photos for carriages of contemporary lines in the UK. And with all the railway societies, etc. maybe someone somewhere has a lot more photos or drawings of these.

I know this was posted awhile ago but I just saw these on eBay - maybe they’d be of use? https://www.ebay.com/itm/171797279592?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=6xtRIJjQTcW&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=mP3JiGpWQ8C&var=470740089404&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

As you guys say - fair play to ya - your models are fantastic Mayner! I’m hoping to get one of these soon!

I found this photo on another thread where it was said that this is GS&WR horse box. Is that right?:

Just found another interesting photo from Ernie’s archive collection (I hope you don’t mind if so please just delete). But it’s a great side view of a cart and it’s loading/unloading a train!!

So Jonathan if I focus on making/getting the centre canvas vans, cattle trucks and 5 plank wagons, my next question is just: was there any uniformity in length, width or wheel distance with these three? Some cattle trucks look huge and others look smaller to me. And some model kits (like Slater’s) the dimensions between different types seem identical. Were the roofed vans the same as the canvas vans just with a full roof? And did the GS&WR have a unique Horsebox? Thanks, John

Hi Guys, I hope you are all well. In my slow but continuing research into the GS&WR I came up with a question I thought I’d ask you experts: I’m trying to come up with a list of what you might have seen on any given day pre-GSR days. So so far this is my list and apologies if I’m not using the right names for them all: Centre Canvas Goods vans Cattle wagons 5 plank (coal?) wagons 3 plank wagons? 2 plank wagons Brake van (thank you Leslie! Lol) Hopper wagons Petrol tankers. JB had told me that starting out I should concentrate on getting the first 3 above (as that was what you’d probably see most often), and I have. But something just got me thinking recently what else you might have seen coming down the tracks back then. Like for example would you have seen dairy tankers? I know in places like Kerry the milk was brought to the local creamery but from there was it loaded onto tankers? I did try to find a list like this somewhere online but couldn’t. But, a while back Mayner gave me a great explanation about the Petrol tankers so I just thought ask about others here. All the best, John

Thanks Mayner I’ll give him a call. John

I know this is a long shot but I’m looking for the T&D locomotive kit that used to be available. The T&D horsebox as well. Thanks, Johnny

Mayner, I’m sure I’m being more than a bit dense here but are you saying that you can convert this model: into something looking more like this model?: I’m only asking because I would also like to get a model that’s more typical of the period 1900-1927, and I just found a cheap Airfix a model I could get! Johnny

Hi Colin and Martin, I’ve taken a long time to try and respond and I apologize but there was one book I had that I just couldn’t find until yesterday and I needed it for this. So here are a bunch of photos I’ve collected over time because I’ve been interested in this for modeling purposes too. I tried to get them in some kind of coherent order for you but didn’t quite make is But as you can see it looks like there was a basic flat platform with 2 uniquely carved beams. But then it looks like you could add side boards and or a back board as well as needed it. My layout is in Kerry and there are different breeds of cows but the one most unique to Kerry are...Kerry Cattle (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerry_cattle) There are Holsteins and all that but for my cattle drive I just used black cows because Kerry Cattle are black. I’ve used Langley models for a cart they have one that if you leave the front board off is pretty close to the Irish version. I’d like to try that blue one below from dart castings. Just have to modify the beams. The last one from Shipyard I just found I’ve never heard of them before but again it looks pretty close with the front removed. l hope these pics, as late as they are, help.

Really amazing stuff Alan!! Do you mind if I ask what (brand? I guess) you used for the mold and resin casting? I’ve been thinking of doing something similar but I’ve tried resin casting before (with non-train models), with mixed results.

I don’t know if you’re still looking for answers to these (as it was 2021) but if you are I may have some info for you that might help. Johnny

Hi guys, I hope you’re all doing well. My little Kerry railway line is coming along like a loco going up Mt. Brandon lol. Just a quick question since, again, I’m totally clueless…I got the Alphagraphix GSWR canvas van, and put it together and I just wanted to ask (thinking maybe someone here has made these) what kind of under carriage should I use on these? I have a 7 plank wagon which broke off the base and putting the Alphagraphix model on top of that it looks like a perfect fit. So I’m wondering what kit would match that. Do you think this kit would work: Thanks again for your help, Johnny

I’m really sorry I only now just saw this….yes I’d definitely like to get that but do you mean an actual model of it or something similar like this. (I know this isn’t a great example but): For now I’m trying to do this buying used stuff that’s close but not exact. Though someday I would like to get the authentic models. Johnny

That sounds good! Lol