Mol_PMB

Agreed. One of the design challenges for IRM would be how to configure DCC features. Their integrated one-chip system on the Electrostars and ICRs is very clever and ideal for a fixed-formation train, but doesn’t suit the AECs which could run in many different formations with a variety of intermediates. The model coaches would need to be through-wired for that approach to work. If I were to make my own, then I’d have a power and a dummy car and perhaps put a chip in each.

It is a smart livery! Whilst I construct a fleet of AEC Railcar trailers, they can run in loco-hauled sets too. But eventually I'm hoping IRM will produce something railcar-shaped, or I can find a combination of etched brass and a 3D printed cab end that will make a good kit possible.

I have made some more progress on the corridor second from JM sides and Bachmann coach, with the bodyshell and roof. There’s quite a lot of work going into this, it’s not such a quick win as I had expected. But hopefully will look OK when complete. I’m learning more, too. Having studied lots of photos I have identified subtle differences between the Inchicore and Dundalk-built versions, including the style of toilet window and the communication cord fittings being at the opposite end. Both batches were first painted plain dark green, but the Dundalk ones had an EdN waist line whereas the Inchicore ones didn’t. I’m building a Dundalk coach, because I want one fitted to run with railcars. But I have a second pair of sides that I could use to make an Inchicore one. I haven’t yet decided on a livery, there are potentially 4 variants of green and 2 variants of BnT that could be applied! I do quite like the idea of 1952 dark green with waist line, but it might be stretching timescales a bit.

Indeed - though there were many different types of train - Pullman and normal expresses, stopping passenger, and I particularly enjoyed forming up different classes of freight train - fitted perishables, slow mineral, special working with out-of-gauge load, etc. Of course every train had to have the correct headlamp code, and a tail lamp, and the appropriate bell codes used between the boxes. The signalling was all interlocked too. I suspect the layout no longer exists, as Allan died over a decade ago.

A few rather poor photos of operations on the late Allan Garraway’s layout in his loft at Boat of Garten.

My half-built Swiss layout (do I ever finish anything, I hear you ask) represents an entire branch line and is designed more in the American style. There's a lengthy thread on RMweb: https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/184135-the-broc-branch-in-om-scale-an-ambitious-project-that-stalled-for-a-decade-but-is-now-reawakening/ This is the lower level, plan view. Blue is the lowest level track with the fiddle yard top right and Bulle bottom left. The green line climbs gradually through the halts of La Tour, Epagny and Les Marches. On the layout, Bulle doesn't yet exist but the woodwork for the rest of this is done, and there is some trackwork installed in the fiddle yard and around Les Marches. This is the upper level (green track is shown on both plans). From Les Marches, the line turns red (upper level) and bridges across the room, It then climbs into Broc-Village where there is a passing loop and siding. The line then descends to Broc-Fabrique station, and a rather compressed version of the chocolate factory sidings beyond. On the layout, Broc-Fabrique doesn't yet exist but the woodwork for Broc-Village is done. The main operating area is at the left-hand end of these plans giving easy access to all the stations. Shunting at the Les Marches siding can be operated from this area too, as can most of the fiddle yard. The idea is that you would only need to duck under the bridge if something goes wrong, or if you need to run round a train in the fiddle yard (unusual, because most trains going that way would be railcar sets). In fact this plan doesn't actually show the run-round loop in the fiddle yard as I decided to add that later. Here's a combined plan with all the layers on, as well as side elevations showing how the different levels are set out. The top view is looking from the operating area towards the side with Broc-Village over La Tour. The middle view is looking in the same direction from outside the building (as if you could see through the wall) at Broc-Fabrique over Bulle. The bottom view is the combined plan. The problem with this layout is that it's too ambitious, I work on it in bursts and then get daunted and then switch to one of my other projects.

Not being a TV-watcher, I was wondering who that was.

The loco and tender have different lining styles as well as the colour difference. Is that a clue?

When you run out of blue paint on the loco and have to start a new tin for the tender? One of several negatives just listed on eBay, not my core interest but might appeal to others. https://ebay.io/m/OwC2b0

In my experience JB is more into the dancing girls than the quiet religious types I note that JB says he doesn’t STILL have their numbers - which suggests he did get their numbers at the time… But had telephone lines reached rural Ireland when JB was a teenager?

This afternoon has been spent manufacturing environmentally damaging microplastic waste, from a perfectly good model coach. First I took it apart, which was surprisingly easy: And then cut away most of the sides: This will have some JM Design etched sides overlaid onto it, to make a compartment second. I had all the ingredients in stock. The sides are intended to fit on a Dapol 60’ Stanier LMS coach kit, but those are no longer available. I’m using a Bachmann model of an LMS ‘porthole’ 60’ coach instead. It has some advantages like a more detailed underframe and kinematic coupler mounts, and the body/roof construction is more advanced, but more expensive than the old Dapol RTR coaches. The bogies and wheels look better too, but not much use to me as I’ll need to regauge it. This conversion is a bIt of a compromise as the coach is slightly under scale length and the roof profile isn’t quite right, but I thought I’d better build one to see how it looks with my other stock.

CIE had only been in existence for 16 years when the ‘black and tan’ livery was introduced in autumn 1961. For the first couple of those years most stock would still have been in GSR livery. And for new locos and rolling stock there was a ‘silver’ period in the late 1950s.

I really look forward to seeing this evolve.

Sounds like a good excuse to visit! At present I have some very unruly sketches, diagrams and scans which I am hoping to develop into something that can actually be built into a model or two. I also have a scrapbook of images comparing Park Royal profiles to other CIE-built coaches - looking here at cantrail height, roof profile, bodyside shapes etc as a sense-check for the drawings. Studying these I am beginning to understand the subtle differences and thereby determine which types could reasonably use IRM Park Royal coaches as a basis, and which dimensions might need to be tweaked to get them spot on. Laminates would be the easiest, but the laminate compos, although shiny and interesting, don't really suit my needs (I've done some side artwork anyway). A 7-bay laminate second is very tempting because the interior is the same as a Park Royal so it would be minimum effort, and it's also shiny (and I've drawn this too). But I've worked out that I already have plenty of second class carriages and what I need is compos. The 61'6" compo body can either be put on a Park Royal underframe (with the edges filed down a bit), or a stretched LMS underframe, which is appealing as it gives two options. But it probably needs a full body etch (sides, ends roof) as these are all different from the donor vehicles. That's more work and a more expensive etch, but may well be the way I end up going. A 60' compo could just be done with sides on an LMS coach, if I could tolerate the incorrect roof profile and width. I have some Dapol and Bachmann LMS 60' coaches (which I bought intending to fit the JM Design sides), but I''m not sure if my OCD will let me get away with that. Perhaps I should try doing one of the JM Design conversions and see if I'm happy with it? Could be a job for the coming weekend?

I do like the warning panels on the loco!

So, composites... The first batch built by CIE in 1950-51 comprised 6 vehicles 2124-2129, 3 first class and 4 third class compartments. 60'0" long with traditional steel-clad timber body and traditional underframe. Three soon had one compartment converted to a luggage space for use as a through Belfast-Cork coach, and those were also fitted to work with AEC railcars. Two others were soon converted to Radio Studio coaches in 1955, and lasted in that role until 1980 when they were returned to normal passenger service (standard class). The rest were declassified to standards in 1972 and rebuilt to bogie vans in 1973. A small class but they did work in Cork/Kerry in both loco-hauled and railcar sets. Etched sides on a Dapol, Bachmann or Comet LMS 60' coach basis would be an option, though the roof profile is somewhat different. Custom ends and roof would solve that at extra cost. The second batch built by CIE in 1952 comprised 7 vehicles 2130-2136, 4 first class and 3 third class compartments. 61'6" long with traditional steel-clad timber body and traditional underframe. One became a Radio Studio in 1965, and lasted in that role until 1980 then returned to normal passenger service (standard class), the rest were declassified to standards in 1972 and rebuilt to bogie vans in 1973. A small class but they did work in Cork/Kerry in loco-hauled trains. Being longer than the previous batch, LMS coaches would be less suitable as a basis for these. They feel like more effort than the previous type, for little benefit. On the other hand, a dimensioned diagram/drawing exists which would mean less guesswork in the artwork. And the same sides would also suit the next type... The third batch built by CIE in 1954 comprised 25 vehicles 2137-2161, 4 first class and 3 third class compartments. 61'6" long with traditional steel-clad timber body almost identical to the previous batch. However, they were on a triangulated underframe like the Park Royals and most had commonwealth bogies. Many were rebuilt to bogie vans in 1973 but some remained as composites until 1976/77 when they were either declassified or rebuilt into brake standards. In that form most lasted into the mid-1980s. Being the most numerous, these got everywhere and some are preserved. They are the obvious choice for a composite - but there's a risk that IRM think the same? Etched sides on a butchered Park Royal would probably be the best option for these. Possibly a whole new body on a Park Royal chassis. The donor vehicles may be too valuable to chop up. The fourth batch were built in 1957 and were suburban vehicles initially in unpainted aluminium - 10 vehicles 2162 to 2171. 61'6" long with laminate bodies, they were on a triangulated underframe and commonwealth bogies like the Park Royals . A very cramped saloon layout and no toilets meant they were usually confined to Dublin suburban services and some were fitted to run with AEC railcars. They had a relatively short life in original form, being declassified in 1969 and rebuilt to brake standards in 1970. Despite the appeal of a 'silver' coach, they're not really suitable for my Cork/Kerry region. Etched sides on a butchered Park Royal would be the best option for these. The donor vehicles may be too valuable to chop up. The final batch of 8 vehicles 2172 to 2179 appeared in 1961 and some were in BnT livery from new. 61'6" long with traditional steel-clad timber body on a triangulated underframe and commonwealth bogies. They had three first class compartments and the second class was in a saloon. They were rebuilt to brake firsts or brake standards in 1975. These were introduced too late to be in my green train and were fairly short-lived in original form. Probably not ideal. Etched sides on a butchered Park Royal would probably be the best option for these. Possibly a whole new body on a Park Royal chassis. The donor vehicles may be too valuable to chop up. Hmmm...

I'm sure I can spare a few 2s for you. Although I'm completing each coach as an individual model. I have a vague plan in the back of my mind to create a series of trains typical of secondary routes (loco plus 3 coaches and a van) representing a range of periods from the late 1950s to the late 1960s, and perhaps a mid 1980s set too. Loosely representative of what operated around Cork and Kerry, and a manageable length for a model railway. I'm also ensuring that some of my coaches are eligible to run in an AEC railcar set in future. https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/54419865335 https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/54419876160 B159 Killarney | Another shot from my first CIÉ "Rover" as B… | Flickr What I've also realised is that for these trains I need some composite coaches. There was a great cull of them in the early 1970s after the Mk2 stock had been introduced, but before then it would have been normal to have had a composite coach in most trains (except those formed of main-line AEC railcars which were themselves composites). But almost all the available models and parts are for standard class coaches. SSM did offer a Bredin composite but they're out of stock, and a relatively rare type too. CIE built 5 batches of composites, all different. Hmm...

I drew them myself and had them printed by Precision Decals. Same with the running numbers (1508, a carriage in which I have drunk many gallons of stout) and the vacuum release stars on the solebar.

This week’s project has been a quickie - regauging and backdating a Murphy Cravens coach to as-built condition. Many thanks to those who responded to my questions about the underframe detailing and the interior colour schemes. A few photos of the modified coach: Comparison with an unmodified one: Coupled to a Park Royal (also modified): I had painted up a load of passengers intending to put some in the Cravens, but then found that their legs wouldn’t fit under the tables. I’ll keep those people for another carriage, and paint up some leg amputees for the Cravens.

Do you have a giraffe car destined for DCC conversion too?

Hopefully I’ll be able to offer something with more modern design. But with more bits the price is higher. There’s much more to this than a pair of sides! I’ll avoid duplicating what’s been available from WW though.

Must be this odd thing blocking the light of the sun… Back in 1999 I was at Boston Lodge watching the sun through a welding mask. Today, at home with a more prosaic pinhole in a sheet of black paper.

Many thanks all! It sounds like there might be the odd interesting snippet in them. No point me spending a lot of money on one copy though. I’ll see if I can get a flavour of them when I’m next at the IRRS. Thanks again, Mol

Does anyone know how long this news booklet was produced for? I wonder how many survive? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/327305306131

Hi Angus, You may be right - could well be my misinterpretation. With other ranges they have acquired, Blacksmith do seem to have got the tools and have re-introduced kits previously unavailable, so I had assumed it was the same position here. One wonders about the size of Allen's stock of unsold etches! Considering the breadth of the range, I had assumed that most were made in very small batches or to order. If he had several of every etch in every scale in stock, then he must have had a ton of brass in his shed. Perhaps he did?