LNERW1

Im fairly sure at least one unmodified Wagonmaster survived until the end on the smaller Coolnamona line (south/southwest of Portlaoise). Visiting in December 23 yielded one, if not two. Unfortunately I didn’t have my phone on me at the time so I have no pictures, but I believe my dad did take a photo of every loco present.

In fairness I’m sure there’s a good few enthusiasts at Boora so more than likely the similarity isn’t a coincidence!

I love things like this. Entirely good-hearted and well-meaning people asking Irish Rail to bend over backwards to replace a 15-minute drive with a 3-minute train ride. All the best to Paddy Brazil and I hope he gets his way sometime soon.

I don't blame you. It isn't an easy read tbh, a bit repetitive and boring sometimes - and that's rich coming from me - but it's definitely worth reading overall I'd say.

Just thought I'd share here a video game called NIMBY Rails. In short, it is a railway building game that allows you to build anywhere on a map of the real world, with several different types of track, ie 350km/h high speed, 160km/h medium speed, and 60km/h tram lines. I get the feeling it's suited for this forum as you have the option not only to replicate the current Irish network (or that of anywhere else in the world, for that matter), you can also rebuild closed lines that you think should still be open, or leave out those you consider pointless. I found it a while ago after stumbling across the Reddit page for the game and have since began working on my own Irish network, pictured below: The trains are colour coded based on purpose/operator, colours are listed below: Dark green- Iarnród Éireann (mainline) Light Green- Iarnród Éireann (suburban)- at the moment only DART Light Purple- Luas Dark Turquoise- NIR (mainline) Light Turquoise- NIR (suburban) Red- Trams/Metro outside Dublin My network is far from finished, but I thought it would be a good example for what can be accomplished and frankly I'd love to see what this forum could come up with. Some links that may be helpful: Wikipedia Page Wiki Steam Page Subreddit Since I found this game I've been desperate for someone to share it with and I decided this forum was probably the best place. I also wanted to show off my own network as I am very happy with how it's coming along. I hope I've helped someone find a game they'll enjoy. All the best, LNERW1

No, as the article says it was only proposed but was rejected for being unfeasible for a multitude of reasons. I think it's fascinating though as it would have substantially changed that area of Laois.

Found this while researching for a CBA on the Kilkenny-Portlaoise railway line. A search for "Mountmellick railway station" yielded this. Interesting idea, but in fairness it would likely have closed well outside of living memory, and Lord knows looking for information on it would be like hen's teeth. Interesting read nevertheless and well worth a look.

By my guesswork there’s 18 grand worth of models on those shelves. You could buy three working, reliable cars for that. Maybe four a-tiny-bit-shite ones at a push. Ah, I see. Money is not the issue for you, you are clearly a man of impeccable taste. I’m sorry for ever doubting you. (That’s a mad amount of sausages, you’ll have a heart attack if you eat all them within less than a year-but in fairness I’d say we’re all as bad anyway)

That is a very good way to show off insane wealth. Do you have any OO wagons?

Should have seen that coming... nevermind then. Sorry about that.

EDIT: as clarified by Darius below, all Rue d'Etropal products were available on the now-defunct Shapeways Marketplace, and they do not seem to have been made available anywhere else yet, meaning they are not accessible at the moment. Rue D’Etropal (3d printed models) do Clayton rail cars, also suitable for your setting. There’s also a couple MGWR coaches that, I have to say, have me tempted. http://www.rue-d-etropal.com/3D-printing/3d_printed_Irish-5ft-3in-gauge-trains1.htm Hope this is of help.

I’ve had the same thing happen-13,162! I know everyone loves me (wink wink) but I think it could be bots trying to collect data as I seem to be one of the few members who’s filled in all the “about me” boxes. That’s the best hypothesis I have at the moment.

Tipp-ex could probably be used as some sort of white paint in a pinch. There are three main forms in which you can purchase the stuff, and I can think of at least one use for each. Pot and sponge/brush: general white paint- you would have to be in quite a pinch in fairness but it isn’t too off-white so it could be passable. ”Shake ‘n’ Squeeze” applicator pen: lining. It is difficult to use precisely but it’s easy enough to learn how to make smaller marks with it. If you had some masking tape on hand it would make neatness a lot easier. You likely wouldn’t need any fancy stuff either as Tipp-ex is fairly viscous and so would probably have trouble getting under tape. Those little tape-mouse thingies: Lining on platform edges. To be honest that’s the best I can think of. If you found a wagon with the right size planks it could conceivably be used to recolour some planks on a wooden wagon to give the effect of replacement, but that would probably only be useful in larger scales, and let’s face it, if you’re modelling in a scale large enough for this to be viable, money is likely not a problem for you. Or at least it wouldn’t be if you didn’t spend it all on trains. Now please keep in mind I haven’t tried any of this. I just felt an urgent need to post something and feel somewhat useful, so these are just some thoughts that I’ve had floating around for a while. All the best, LNERW1.

I happen to know Ronnie- he gifted me this: As well as many books on railways across the world. I may talk to him for the project. A true gentleman indeed.

Just looking for sources on the Portlaoise-Kilkenny line for a CBA I’m doing in school at the moment. Wikipedia doesn’t have much info, and so doesn’t seem to have any very useful sources beyond a YouTube video on Attanagh station. I may also turn the project into a YouTube video as I believe it has potential to do well, but at the moment just focusing on the school side of it. So, if anyone has sources, be they online, physical or anecdotal, please do share them. Any history or enthusiast website is fine, but forums would have to be listed as anecdotal. This isn’t a massive problem of course as it’s not a Junior or Leaving Cert CBA. Also if supplying photos of book pages, please provide the title, authors, ISBN and page number, if any of this is not already visible. Thanks for your time and i hope with all my picky demands some useful information can squeeze in. All the best, LNERW1.