LNERW1

In Connemara atm on holiday. Killamuck has seen some progress, but I have mainly worked on a new module for Ardree Quay. I still need to work out a trackplan as I don’t think the previously stated one would work. I might go for a sector plate design instead. I have plenty of time to sit and plan for all four projects so expect some good progress on all of them when I get back home in August.

There seems to be much doom and gloom regarding lack of interest in railways, specifically in Ireland, and I thought I may as well start a discussion on what can be done about it. There are several points that need to be considered when trying to attract new members to our hobby but they can generally be grouped by age or time in life. Below are my suggestions on how to target each age group, in some ways building off my own experience in the hobby up to the age of 14. Anyone wanting to correct, critique, review or build on these is welcome, and in fact encouraged to. I appreciate some aspects may seem fantastical, you are also welcome to keep me in check regarding this, provided you suggest a more sensible solution. 0-4: The most important thing here is TV and toys. For example, RTÉjr broadcasts episodes of Thomas and Friends. An idea I think would work very well would be Irish Rail or a heritage railway working with RTÉ to create a programme about choo choo trains etc. Also important here are streaming services that are increasingly replacing linear television in terms of children’s entertainment. Re toys, I would say wooden railway products such as Brio would work best, as well as the swathes of merchandise associated with TV shows like Thomas and Chuggington. Also important here are events at railways, such as the RPSI’s Santa Specials and other seasonal events. Another thing that could very much be helpful is tie-in events, again associated with kids’ TV shows, and specifically Day Out With Thomas. A whole cast of Thomas characters may not be very achievable, but at least adding faces to stock and putting Thomas-themed decorations everywhere would certainly make an impression. 5-12: This age group would very much be better targeted through YouTube and model railways. Irish railway YouTube channels are not too common, although we can at least be thankful for a level of interaction between British and Irish enthusiasts. The model railway side can be pushed through Hornby train sets- I got my first age 6 so I would say that’s about the age to introduce kids to model railways. Another aspect of the model side of things would be to have a few small displays or shows around the place every once in a while. IIRC there’s nine shows every two years on the entire island, and geographically they don’t exactly evenly cover population centres: Dublin, Dublin, Dublin, Wexford, Wexford, Down, Down, Fermanagh, Fermanagh. There is none in Munster or Connacht (again, as far as I’m aware, but I’m pretty confident). Another possible aspect, that could be used to target other age groups or demographics, is displaying more technical information around public transport, like information boards on stations explaining history or some technical aspect of railway operations such as signalling, gauge, pantographs, bogies, couplings etc. Another way to catch the attention of this age group is through video games, but as to methods I can’t say I have much to say here, as promoting anything in a video game, that is not the point of the video game, is difficult except when it comes to energy drinks. 13-18: This is the point at which one is most likely to be bullied for liking trains, so involvement, especially on the model side of things, is difficult. My best suggestion is introducing aspects of railways through technology, history and geography classes within school, and I have seen brilliant ways of involving students in such things by creating model railway clubs and courses within schools, and even building miniature railways as part of technology classes or extra-curricular activities. This would encompass several areas of a school curriculum and could be quite convincingly promoted. Another aspect could be volunteering at railways as part of school activities, or specifically Transition Year. Finally, campaigns on social media like the UK’s #LoveYourRailway could make some more aware of the hobby. 19-25: At this point, one is least likely to care about picking up new hobbies other than those all their friends seem to have, so I would direct attention here towards those already interested and focus on strengthening their interest in the hobby. 25-parenthood: Usually, people around this age will be focused on jobs and relationships, and so may not have time for a new hobby. As this is around the time people really start getting some disposable income, however, model railways could be marketed towards this group. Parents of 0-4 could be targeted within, and I mean within and not with, the same methods mentioned above for their children. Parents of 5-12 will be a little less involved with their children than with 0-4, but could likely be targeted in a similar way. Parents of 13-18 should be targeted basically the same as those with no children at home, as the strong desire for independence that their children likely have as an adolescent would mean targeting this demographic through said children would be relatively fruitless. From one’s children moving out to retirement, the same methods could be used as from around age 25 until parenthood. Again, any time when one has more disposable income is probably a good entry point into the hobby. From retirement onwards, one is less and less susceptible to marketing, etc. and past 70 or so, one is unlikely to pick up any new hobbies. Im just putting this here to see if there is any constructive criticism anyone would like to offer re this, or any more practical solutions.

That is fine Robert, I misunderstood the language you used. I can be quite touchy specifically around words like “retard” or “spastic” that I’ve had used against me because I’m autistic. The same goes for apparent insults against people with disabilities those slurs describe. I was unaware of the language you were using and believed it was a much more severe insult that I find inappropriate and am uncomfortable with. I shouldn’t have assumed a man such as yourself would use such language. I apologise for the misunderstanding and hope you have a good afternoon.

I see. I apologise, then, for my anger above. I believed Robert was using playground insults and was quite shocked as I know him to be a kind man of good judgement. Apologies, Robert, I hope you understand. Edit: and, DJ, although I get your point, I believe “****tard” is derived from “retard”, if it implies stupidity, as the English language, and those who shape it, can often be cruel.

Respectfully, Robert, I would watch the language you use there. Perhaps soften the apparent abuse of people who you consider unintelligent. Railway safety is an important issue but verbal abuse does nothing. I do not want to start an argument but that language, although I cannot tell quite what childish insult you may have used, is uncalled for and especially unpleasant as I believe the term used was a slur “applicable” generally to those who may have intellectual or developmental disabilities. Watch what you say about people, especially around those who may have been bullied for disabilities or neurological conditions.

Thanks. What I was planning on doing was entirely removing the cab, and sanding down the frame to the correct length. If I need to remove a central section of the body I can do that too. I plan on building the cab out of plasticard, not decided on bufferbeam details but I'm sure I can find suitable detailing somewhere. I will probably use an 80s or 90s tooling, and with a 60ft long diesel you can probably count on the length being underscale to work on trainset curves.

@gibbo675 giving us some brilliant examples of British to Irish conversions, has inspired me to try follow up on the 071 from a 58. Read somewhere else that Hornby considered this, but I’m not quite sure on that. I’ll look for a cheap 58 first, then a 3D-printed end. Edit: will be starting a workbench topic for this and other things, also side-profile photos of 071s would be nice, thanks.

Michael Palin really is a brilliant man. He’s very kind, very smart and very funny. Definitely my favourite Python.

Not a fan of Portillo either, but my main gripe with him is his politics. I can imagine he's not an overtly pleasant fellow though.

Sorry, I think I got a J26 mixed up with a J27, that does indeed look similar, but Accurascale/IRM are unlikely to indulge in re-use of a tooling. They would end up producing models that are as expensive as the original, but inaccurate to Irish or British prototypes. They could reuse some aspects of the tooling, but they would have to simplify and modify the tooling to the point where they could just have made a new tooling in less time. coming from someone with zero experience of modelmaking, just to clarify.

I’m not seeing it. Maybe I’m missing a hint?

Looks brilliant, I also have a dock layout with no actual water yet, as I can’t find a way to incorporate it, but at the same time stopping the scenic break, a road bridge, from just running straight into the water. You seem to enjoy slicing up RTR British models and turning them into Irish ones, good luck with all your projects!

20240706_010353.heic A sneak peek of a little module to be added on. More later.

Thanks. I sometimes find it difficult to distinguish Mk2s and Mk3s, especially when you can’t see either carriages in full, or see the doors. I think I may have posted in your V class thread. Thanks again, LNERW1

I don’t envy you but I am interested to see how they turn out! Also, I like the James and Daisy visible in the first picture. I have a thread on Thomas somewhere. Is the HST a Thomas model, too? I know there’s a HST in later Railway Series books.

Two things- this is one of three projects I have on the go at the moment. The other two are Ardree Quay and my garden railway. Royal Park, another layout I had a thread on, has been more or less indefinitely postponed and the baseboard used for this project. Secondly, the vehicles are intended to have a very small wheelbase, and any bogie vehicles will have bogies that can swivel a full 360 degrees, that are also very close together. It’s not a micro layout by any standard, but it’s designed for very small stock.

This project was inspired by an ad for Peco Code 75 track. The different sleeper types were advertised as a selling point and I remember thinking that the metal-sleeper track looked very much like that used on Bord na Mona. The thought resurfaced periodically, but I only decided to do something with it once I stumbled across @Aussie Phil’s topic on his O16.5/NG7 Bord na Mona layout. This inspired me to make a start on a similar project myself. The primary difference, however, is that I plan on modelling a small independent turf company. I have made a small start on the layout, using the board from a postponed project (Royal Park) and several odds and ends and track bits I found around the “railway room”. The primary purpose of this layout is to create something I can exhibit, but also to get my modelling skills to the point where I can build something worth exhibiting. I chose NG7 as 16.5mm gauge track is the most readily available basically anywhere. I plan on using Code 100 track, but I may try to use some of that rail with the metal sleepers from the aforementioned Code 75 track. The layout will be a simple loop of first-radius curves, separated in the middle by a road, under which the track passes. One side will be the loco shed and wagon sidings, while the other will be a passing loop. Control hasn’t yet been fully decided, but I plan on using 12V DC as I want to use RTR OO chassis. Edit- the name Killamuck comes from the Killamuck Bog Trail on Abbeyleix Bog, as I walk there often and it seems a suitably “bog” and “midlands” name.

This project was inspired by an ad for Peco Code 75 track. The different sleeper types were advertised as a selling point and I remember thinking that the metal-sleeper track looked very much like that used on Bord na Mona. The thought resurfaced periodically, but I only decided to do something with it once I stumbled across @Aussie Phil’s topic on his O16.5/NG7 Bord na Mona layout. This inspired me to make a start on a similar project myself. The primary difference, however, is that I plan on modelling a small independent turf company. I have made a small start on the layout, using the board from a postponed project (Royal Park) and several odds and ends and track bits I found around the “railway room”. The primary purpose of this layout is to create something I can exhibit, but also to get my modelling skills to the point where I can build something worth exhibiting. I chose NG7 as 16.5mm gauge track is the most readily available basically anywhere. I plan on using Code 100 track, but I may try to use some of that rail with the metal sleepers from the aforementioned Code 75 track. The layout will be a simple loop of first-radius curves, separated in the middle by a road, under which the track passes. One side will be the loco shed and wagon sidings, while the other will be a passing loop. Control hasn’t yet been fully decided, but I plan on using 12V DC as I want to use RTR OO chassis.

How different are the Hornby chassis for the Royal Scot and Patriot? I ask as I have a Patriot and would happily buy a print of this if I were able to fit it to said chassis with minimal modifications.

This looks incredible. I was about to take out a baseboard and start planning for a BnM layout in the exact same scale when I happened across this. Unfortunately I don't think I can ask @Aussie Phil about this as he hasn't visited the site in nearly a decade and I must say I fear the worst. It's a real pity that we haven't seen more of this layout.

Plan has changed slightly- the baseboard I planned to use is now being used for an O16.5 layout based on Bord na Móna. Royal Park is being moved even further back, and will not see much progress for a good few years. As it is, all I’ve actually done is half-built an apartment block. The BnM layout is intended to be a way to work on scratchbuilding, while also being something I’m genuinely interested in.

Wow, really? What vehicles have you used, and on what lines?

There are a few solutions to ableism point tbh. Example of “buggies” is a nice idea, and circling back to the point on weather, having both electric buggies and pedal-powered vehicles with some “convertible” roof system would be great. Something simple that can easily be slid open, very akin to a convertible car. Maybe not super relevant but the Cavan and Leitrim have a couple of manually-powered vehicles, ie a handcart and a vehicle basically made up of two bikes. I’ve had the pleasure of riding on both and I have to say they’d be good fun along a BnM line. I still would love for the same thing to happen on Coolnamona though.

Apparently BnM has purchased Velorail vehicles- looks like they're planning something with their lines, so maybe not all hope is lost. (source: IRRS journal Feb. 2024, News section) Also, I think I saw @jhb171achill mentioned as the author of a text relating to a late stationmaster at Limerick junction in that same journal. Wouldn't surprise me, I think JHB might literally be the IRRS archive personified (in a good way).

That would probably be easier but that isn't exactly what I'm going for- the idea of realistically-operated semaphores is why I actually want a signalling system. I think I'll use Tenmille signal heads, attached to scratchbuilt posts, with the signal light hopefully being an LED (with wiring inside the post and the bulb being encased in resin or glue to prevent any water from short circuiting). As I said, the signal and point rodding will be using a wire-in-tube system, which will run trackside while wiring for LEDs is planned to be from wiring running along trackside power lines. This is so nothing is buried or hidden in such a way it would be inaccessible should something go wrong, it is also easy to identify, and I can say "Even the signal rodding and power lines actually function". The power lines can also power lighting in buildings, and any moving functions like a windmill or point motors on the tramway (I unfortunately can't use wire-in-tube for the tramway, so I will use point motors. I may also use electrical signalling of the type used on LUAS lines to control exit from the tramway onto the main line). Also, tracklaying is going to have to commence YET AGAIN as my butterfly mind has decided the system I was planning to use for building the roadbed was inadequate and will now be replaced by bricks with soil piled behind them- the bricks are going from being the embankment itself to a retaining wall. Don't worry, I haven't seen any flaws with this system so tracklaying should be final this time. At least for a few years. Finally, no progress on the railmotor. Signalling/wiring diagram planned, will hopefully be posted within a week.