StevieB

Maybe it was because Mallow viaduct had been blown up and the North Kerry line was the only way to get to the likes of Tralee, Killarney and Cork. Stephen

Just checked on Wikipedia - the CIE symbol is the correct way round so the photo isn't back to front. Stephen

I did wonder that - isn't the CIE symbol on the tender facing the wrong way? Stephen

I've looked again at this last photo and compared it with the OSI plan of the station. I now believe that the loco is standing on the Ballina branch loop at the Ballina end of the island platform. Stephen

There are seven photos of Manulla Junction in the O'Dea collection. Six of them are different views of the station but I'm having trouble with the seventh which carries the description "end of platform and bridge". For the life of me I can't place it. Can anyone help, please? Stephen

What a difference your changes have made. Stephen

They certainly look the part from the pictures in my e-mail from IFM. Stephen

They are an immensely useful resource. Stephen

Depends what models they are - if they are BR coaches, then mk1's ran on 3' 6" (14mm) dia, whereas mk2's etc ran on 3' 0" (12mm) dia - can't speak for pre-nationalisation coaches I'm afraid. Stephen

Does anyone know why MM have fitted their Cravens coaches with undersize 10mm dis wheels instead of the correct 12mm dia? I can see no reason why the 12mm dia would not work. Admittedly it would make the coach sit 1mm higher, but then there were always variations with the prototype. Stephen

On my wants list are: CIE MM190, IR MM143, MM156, MM183, MM192, and IE MM146, MM171, MM177, MM184 and MM187. I have a number of surplus MM142, MM161 and MM182 which I would be interested in part exchanging for these. If anyone out there is interested, please PM me? Many thanks. Stephen

It would be very easy to lay all the blame at the feet of IE and NIR, but even the banks didn't see it coming and they got us into this mess, whether it's Ireland, UK or almost anywhere. 100 posts and you get an upgrade! Stephen

So young but so talented - puts most of us to shame. Stephen

People may be aware of my interest in Manulla Junction - some nice photos in the collection. Stephen

The railfreight centre of Irerland. Stephen

The 071's are obviously too old to have been fitted with anti slip control - impressive nonetheless. Stephen

Looking again at the photos on the IFM website, the model is numbered 27150, maybe a subsequent batch which was longer. Stephen

That information makes it look as if the IFM Palvan has been stretched a touch to fit on the Dapol 12' wheelbase chassis - strange. Stephen

The final development of the 4w van was the Palvan, which looked very similar to the BR van of the same name. Now my question for the experts out there is did they mounted on a 10' wheelbase, as the H van, or were they mounted on the 12' wheelbase being introduced at the time? The recently introduced IFM model uses the latter but, compared with photos of the prototype, they look stretched! Many thanks. Stephen

I love the backdrop - big skies are always the best option. Stephen

Politicians in Ireland are just like those in the UK, giving with one hand and taking away with the other. Irish Railway News carried a piece the other day about the Dublin re-signalling and diverting some Kildare lines suburban trains to Connolly via Phoenix Park tunnel and Glasnevin Junction. Seems like they are both in the foreseeable future. Now, if that route was included in the electrification programme, we could see the following services: SW to SE via DART Overground, SW to Midland and Northern via DART Underground, Midland to SE via DART Overground, and Northern to SE via Dart Overground. Now that's five routes rather than the two proposed with DART Underground. Surely alternate through trains are better than having to change at Pearse between lines. Stephen

I was at the Gloucester 0 Gauge Guild annual open day yesterday when I spied upon a NER wagon with the same braking system as in Ireland - long brake lever working on one wheel only. So there must a manufacturer out there who makes these, which would allow for detailing rtr goods stock. Stephen

I can only agree with all the other comments - wonderful bits of work. Stephen

You'll be finished soon and ready to move on. Any chance of a model of Sir Henry or Lough Melvin? Stephen

It's the first of the twice yearly shows in Cheltenham this week-end. Have to get the organiser, Mike Walker, interested in booking you. His only problem is a lack of computer to view Arigna Town. Stephen