Mol_PMB

I've had time for a bit more research. Of the 12 locos, 5 were withdrawn in 1954-56 and so don't fit your timeframe, these were 551, 553, 554, 555, 556. According to the list in Ernie Shepherd's book. But there is an IRRS photo of 554 in steam at Galway dated August 1958, so one of those dates is wrong. 553, 555 and 560 were on the W&T and had the enlarged cabs and modified steps. Only 560 saw use after its time on the W&T, lasting in service until 1963 working around Tralee. Considering the remainder with normal cabs and lasting into the late 1950s: 552 lasted until 1963, latterly working in Cork / West Cork. It had a slightly raised bunker. Loads of photos. 557 was withdrawn in 1959, latterly working in Cork / West Cork. Standard bunker, and retained numberplates well into the 1950s and probably until withdrawal. Some photos. 558 was withdrawn in 1960, latterly working in Sligo. It had a slightly raised bunker and large buffers. Loads of photos. 559 was withdrawn in 1960, latterly working around Tralee. It had a standard bunker and large buffers, and a unique vent on the cab roof. Some photos. 561 was withdrawn in 1959, seems to have been Dublin-based. Standard bunker and buffers. Some photos. 562 lasted until 1963, seems to have been Dublin-based. Standard bunker and buffers. Some photos. Happy choosing!

One of the surprises on the Tailte Tours trip around West Cork was discovering an old CIE alloy container at Baltimore. We only had a very brief 'request stop' and I didn't have a tape measure with me, so all I have are some photos from a couple of the more accessible angles. At first glance I thought it was the same type as the one preserved at Dromod, but I was wrong. This photo from Pat Kirwan on Flickr shows the 1961/62 type of container on the left, with relatively sharply curved roof and 11 panels on the sides, this is the type at Dromod. However, the one at Baltimore is the 1962/63 type of insulated container, a bit taller with a larger radius on the roof and 10 panels on the sides, as shown on the right in the image below.

It was a significant birthday for me in March, and with my IRM deliveries further delayed I was looking for something to treat myself to. I had a bit of an eBay ‘accident’ and ended up with two birthday presents, both of which have been delivered today: I’m not sure how I can justify either of these appearing at Quartertown Mill! The silver A fits my present modelling theme better than the 071, but the latter is more in tune with my childhood memories. Both are lovely models and are in pristine condition.

You'll be exhausted by the time you've found the correct casting, but chuffed to get it right.

That looks better than the original. More like the prototype, anyway.

Most 1950s photos of Sligo show 558: DGM_MGWR_558_Sligo_Quay_c1950s | [Photographer: Denis G Morr… | Flickr RNC_MGWR_558_Sligo_15_Sept_1956 | [Photographer: Robin N Cle… | Flickr RNC_MGWR_558_Sligo_15_Sept_1956 (2) | [Photographer: Robin N… | Flickr MAJ_MGWR_558_Sligo_Quay_30_May_1957 (2) | [Photographer: Mik… | Flickr AEB_SLNCR_MGWR_Henry_558_Sligo_Quay_15_Aug_1957 | [Photograp… | Flickr Painted numbers, and small bunker extension.

557 may be the best bet, seems to have survived into the late 1950s with a numberplate but small bunker: https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/53511679834 https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/53511776694 551 was in this condition but withdrawn at Inchicore in 1955: https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/54251301311 https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/53509201534 Otherwise I think they all lost their plates, or got the W&T cab.

Nice! Put some cement bubbles on the transporters for it to haul?

That's interesting, because I have the same preference aiming for 1960 condition or thereabouts, and locos working in Cork/Kerry. I think my decision is between 552, 559 or 560. Looking at photos there are plenty of differences between them - 552 has a small bunker extension, 559 has bigger buffers, 560 has the W&T enlarged cab and modified footsteps. I imagine there were such differences between all the locos by the 1950s/60s.

Excellent to see this, and good progress! I have one of these kits in the stash too, so I'm looking forward to following this build and it might inspire me to get started on mine too. Are you building to 16.5mm gauge? Have you chosen a prototype loco yet?

Nice goods vans, and we can even see the lettering on the sheet over the roof.

Sláinte Tours? I'm in!

Bedtime reading… Apart from the other Colm Creedon books, am I missing any? Are there any CBSCR carriage drawings in existence?

We need IRM to announce the C class! in the meantime I’ll keep building other stock that is suitable. One of the great things about Saturday’s trip is that with photos like the one above, I can mentally place them in the landscape I’ve seen with my own eyes.

It would make a nice little diorama, and I have a selection of appropriate goods vans.

Absolutely! A pleasure to meet you too and Cathal’s deep knowledge of the subject was a real bonus. Once I’m home and have sorted my photos I’ll upload a few here and on other relevant threads. There are some very modellable stations on the West Cork but I need to get my current project finished!

Absolutely wonderful and a deserved winner. Good to hear that it all worked well too. Sorry I couldn’t be there myself to see it, but I was at the opposite end of Ireland. Hopefully there will be other opportunities in future.

And a very minor point, I have validated my choice of red squirrels rather than grey for the trees on the Quartertown Mill layout. I don’t think JHB’s livery files extend to the lineside wildlife

The Blarney brewery ales are rather good. And I’ve even found some hand-pull cask ale from Kerry!

This orange sign still survives, right at the end of the platform: As does the traditional footbridge, though I expect the Cork suburban electrification will see the end of this piece of history:

Good to see this had worked out well. I didn’t engage with him because he was very specific in the initial messages about wanting to sell to Irish customers only.

A very good day had in west Cork where the sun was shining and there were many interesting things to see. Skibbereen: Some of my toy trains on the trackside at Ballinascarthy: No doubt there will be more pics to follow in due course. I even spotted an old 1960s CIE container by the roadside!

Many thanks for the update and photos. I don’t suppose there were any Park Royals on show?

A few of Ernie’s pics showing the type of GSWR van we saw in the field today. Two on the left: Right background: Partial view on the left: Mostly hidden by the loco smokebox: second wagon in the train: second wagon in a different train, this appears to have special use lettering and is numbered in the A series: on the left, this one has had thin metal sheeting added over the planks, like the one we saw in the field: on the right: And finally this is almost the main subject of the photo, and again one skinned over in metal sheeting:

Many thanks to @Westcorkrailway I had a fascinating private tour of parts of West Cork this afternoon and saw some interesting survivors. One of my models has been for a trip out to see its larger cousin. And I have been introduced to another that is crying out to be modelled It was only a few days ago that I was saying I need more trucks… I now feel ready for the proper Tailte tour tomorrow which will visit other parts of the network and see some more rolling stock survivors.