Lough Erne

One possible suggestion would be a typical small crossing keepers house that you could see out the Mayo or Sligo Roads

Looking at the coach rake it appears to be GNRB No9, A Park Royal, GNRI No88, CIE Laminate 2421, A standard open Laminate, a Park Royal and a Laminate Brake 1916. See below link for details http://www.steamtrainsireland.com/carriages/dublin_vintage.html.

Stanier coaches like that never ran here however if painted in LMS NCC would not look out of place after 1945 as they would resemble the ex MR and LMS coaches brought over after Hitlers gifts to York Road.

As regards the MK2s in my opinion the green suits them very well and they would have looked awful in maroon and everyone was sick of the maroon anyway. If painted in their original or even authentic liveries you would have 2 NIR blue and maroon coaches or some form of NIR livery, and the rest in BR blue and grey unless you chose a mixture of Scotrail, Network southeast etc. And 303 would be painted orange of course. This would have looked awful and it was therefore decided since the coaches had steam era design features they would be painted in the last steam era livery -UTA Green. However this was put to poll for all the members to decide and won by a considerable margin.

As regards the coach liveries above I would agree that it is a shame that Nos 9 and 88 are not in authentic GNR colours but such is life!

Interesting that you say that there were six, as I was always under the impression that there were four nos 100-103. In some GSR stuff I have I can add the following

They were built in 1926

They were all third class sitting 46 each

They were electrically lit and had the luxury of hot and cold water in the lavatory

The photo of the bogies appear to be early pullman bogie design as photos of British pullmans would suggest this, though they later had a range of bogie types. As regards livery there is a photo of a rather 'weathered' pullman coach awaiting her fate at Naas in 'Irish Railways in Colour' by T Ferris on pg94 and has no sign of a flying snail.

As regards loco drawings have you tried contacting the manchester science museum for drawings? A quick search turns these drawings up which may or may not be what you are looking for http://emu.msim.org.uk/htmlmn/web/pages/common/imagedisplay_mosi.php?irn=15486

In addition the magazine New Irish Lines (alan o'rourke) may contain some suitable wagon drawings within the archives ( well worth joining anyway). There is also the IRRS and the UFTM which are generally rather helpful for drawings.

The future of 186 in the short term depends on lots of things, however it is probably a safe bet to say there wont be anything done to her in the next 5-10 years at least as there are 4-4-0's to be concentrated on, not to mention running repairs. However it is hard to believe that 171 has been out of traffic now for 11 years (to date).

@Railer, the age of the engine unfortunately means very little in terms of overhaul it all depends on how they were treated prior to withdrawal and during preservation. 27 for instance is the youngest engine though is probably in the worst condition overall. No 4 had a major overhaul in the 90s as mayner said where the majority of the firebox was replaced. However I would estimate that 4 will be back within 18 months (not gospel by any means) as she is OK mechanically and will (fingers crossed) need very little done to the boiler. It is interesting to note when discussing the locos that 4, 85, 461 and 3 have all had major firebox surgery since being withdrawn. Using this as a guide, 171 will probably need major firebox surgery (very expensive as I'm sure JB will confirm) and 186 (if she steams again). However 131 has not steamed since 1963 ish and her boiler and firebox are effectively scrap. Therefore 171 and 131 are both very much long term and will need vast sums of money and time.

From memory, as JB says 171 requires major surgery and is a while off yet from turning a wheel in anger. As regards 186 her boiler certificate expires at the end of this year and is unlikely to be renewed for a considerable period of time, so if you want a final steam fix from 186 I would recommend travelling behind her in the near future!.

If you can track it down there was an "off the beaten track" episode with James Galway? which covered the line prior to the track being lifted. There was good footage of the magnesite trains if I remember correctly. The footage I believe came from the IRRS as there was a RPSI winter meeting about 2-3 years ago which had cine footage of the line in action as well as footage beyond Dungarvan to Mallow.

Such luxury! any real vehicle I've painted has all been done using a brush! and needless to say it takes days.

I think there is a definite potential for a book along the lines of "the decline of Irish railways 1957-1967" which could be a historical background setting the scene with a conversational style text based on the monthly observations from the Irish Railfans news interspersed with photos charting the run down of the railway, lifting trains, infamous repainting of stations and point rodding etc along with that greatly missed of all closed lines (IMO) the Great Northern branchline.

They are a fantastic resource and though I only have a few in the house, once you start reading them you're lost to the world for hours!

. Am I right in assuming he's a relative of the other great Beaumont of Irish Rail Engineering?

He is, though personally I would ask which one. Mr Beaumont of GSR fame or Mr Beaumont of GNR(I) fame. Though in this case both.

PS It is a superb book and is a must for anyone interested in irish railways

Adelaide had a coaling stage accessed from a long ramp which wagons were pushed up, and I think manually shoveled out down chutes into the tenders/ bunkers. For a good photo see Norman Johnstons book "The GNR(I) in Colour" pg 37

No 9 or 1949 as she is known now for the benefit of IE's computer is actually a K31, not a k15. Unfortunately no k15s survive today. The last one no 98 disappeared in 1995 after she collapsed during a shunt.

yes the rpsi has 2 MK2ds 5203 and 5106, RPSI 303 and 304, as well as the state coach 5408 on long term loan. 303 pictured in the link above is almost ready to go after a long overhaul.

Now would be the time to get a photo as 171s boiler is currently out of her frames, and in the near future her motion is to be stripped, so if you want a complete bottom half photo act quickly!

Regards

LE