Colonel

I think he's converted to 7mm scale and not told anyone. Or maybe it's Gauge 1 - that is a garden paving slab the model is sat on, surely? Great work, Alan.

Interesting, so great idea to start this thread. A few of us will need to learn some new terms like PETG, but that's all part of something new. The photos certainly show some issues, with what seems like a lot of bits to remove. All those rivets would be a pain to do in etched brass, though how you'd keep them while cleaning up the print lines is another matter - all part of the testing I guess. While there's very little I've seen so far (louvres excepted), that I can't do via traditional methods, that doesn't mean I'm not interested because it is how the hobby will develop, so keep it coming. Indeed, with some traditional fittings formerly done via whitemetal casting, such as axle boxes, chimneys, domes, valves and so on, this is certainly where printing can take over. Years ago, remember Dick Bolland, of Shedmaster Models, telling Laurie Griffin that such castings were where there was money to be made, rather than whole kits. Laurie eventually took on Dick's stuff when he started Laurie Griffin Miniatures, so there must still be some truth in the story today.

For me, the faint print lines are a good representation of wood grain. As for the missing buffer holes, nothing a drill won't fix - likewise door handles. Anyone who needs the buffer holes in place will like as not struggle with fitting a chassis, while spacing of said buffer holes might be an issue anyway: 16.5 or 21mm gauge/32 v 36.75 etc. In other words, nothing wrong with leaving a few bits for the kit builders to do!

Fabulous, with so much to take in. Enniscorthy very much a scene worth modelling and what about the two section roof on the coach at Foyle Road? Lovely stuff!

Looks fantastic, so well done that man who did the artwork. However, as it seems with all 3D printing, the issue is time, so if we all want Rob to do a few, I suspect there might be a long wait. On the other hand, how much is a 3D printer and if the process of home printing is becoming a realistic proposition, are we about to cross a Rubicon in modelling where what we do in future is not buy kits to make models that are unlikely to be mass produced, but buy files to print them ourselves? The issue will then be how popular a model might be, because the more it is, the more a larger manufacturer might step on the toes of the file artist, leading to legal issues about rights of production. Nevertheless, when prints can look as good as this AND be readily adaptable to other scales, then exciting times are ahead.

While I will probably tinker a bit more with the pay train [the carriage windows need cleaning for one], have taken it as far as I want for now. The policeman has a dark green uniform, the loco has a new cab roof, while the rest of the work has been around wheel cleaning and testing. The latter involved a bit of fiddling - the pickups needed adjustment and the wheels were pretty paint splattered, but mostly I needed to find a way to connect the loco and coach electrically, to ensure a good length of track pick up. In the end used a chocolate block connector, epoxied to the underside of the coach, so I could run two wires from the motor to it, while still being able to separate for maintenance. Initially, running was a bit hesitant, but soon traced this to the trailing wheels on the loco being far too tight and the leading carriage wheels not touching the rails [!]. Eased the former and undid the nut on the draw bar a few turns for the latter and, fingers crossed, all is well. The combo runs nicely into Northport Quay's platform, though if I ever want to run it into the loop, it will need a longer drawbar. For now though I'm happy with it as it is. So, there we are. I'm going back to my 0 gauge cameo for my next projects, having a go at some buildings and scenery for a change. Speaking of 0 gauge, took the Battle of Britain pacific down the club last week and it seems mostly happy on the the main circuit, though It may be that the springing on the front bogie still needs attention. For now though I'm looking forward to doing some modelling that doesn't involve motive power!

Thanks Paul - have always seen it as a bit of fun, so keep telling myself not to get too precious and there are plenty of other projects in the pipeline. Equally, one of the many joys of this forum is how endlessly helpful folk are. Advice and info are always appreciated and every bit as much as kind comments.

Indeed - since been looking up the history (ok, Wiki). Seems they were armed to the teeth and almost paramilitary in nature - perhaps unsurprising given that things got volatile at times, long before the Easter Rising. The pay trains would have been quite a tempting target, so am guessing my coach 'strong room' may have contained a small arsenal, as well as the cash! Fairly sure Henry Forbes of County Donegal fame chased off would be attackers of one of his trains - armed with a pistol, I believe.

Yet another little job then, but thanks for the info - I just looked up Edwardian policemen, reasoning that uniforms would be the same, given Ireland was still part of the 'empire' then. Every day's a school day!

A tad more progress with the pay train, but still keep finding stuff to do. Loco crew and a policeman arrived promptly from S&D Models, so they have been painted and positioned on the loco and coach balcony. However, made a bit of a horlicks with the loco cab roof, while the transfer rivets haven't turned out as well as I would have liked either. So, new roof and a sand down of the loco buffer beam and coach sole bars needed, so I can apply individual plasticard cubes to better represent the rivets. Meanwhile, also realised I'd missed out the the water tank filler caps... Ho hum! Have decided I won't apply lining, as judicious use of weathering powders has taken away the overall blackness which I've never liked. More weathering to do on the chassis though. At times I wonder if a model is ever finished.

All power to you, Commerlad!

The Big question appears to be: How Much? How much would it cost to buy the rights to use the art work How much time would be required to manage the art work - liaising with potential customers, the etchers, running a website and so on How much time would be required to manage sales Always had the impression that Allen was a one man band, while you don't have to be a genius to work out nobody gets rich from running niche operations like this. Am guessing that with WW already starting to fragment, the best we can hope for is someone to take on the Irish elements - if only to ensure the artwork isn't simply lost. Trouble is who? Maybe if the cost of acquisition was known, it might tempt a group or individuals to put their hands up? I think there are other factors to consider as well. In particular, going forwards, how popular will etched kits be compared to the ever increasing use of 3D printing? From what I see on this forum, I think the latter could well be overtaking the former and as home printers get ever more affordable and the files themselves ever more accessible, will etched kits simply start to disappear for lack of interest? There is cost too - the new Finny7 kit for an 0 gauge LNER B1 looks superb (and the cab detail is jaw dropping), but it will set you back £1000 and is by no means the only one that has crossed this rubicon. Remember, this is a kit, not a finished model. Ideally, whoever takes on WW - and indeed other cherished brands as their owners give up, need to be young enough to ensure their survival going forwards - otherwise I can see scratch and kit building disappearing, simply for want of the components to do so. Incidentally, how easy might it be to convert 2D drawings for etches into 3D ones for printing? Is it an AI thing???

Looking great and compared to mid April, all the charm of a J26 is coming out now.

As others have said, that is a huge space and filling it with model railway will likely come at huge cost - in both time and money. Whatever you do, consider essentials like work bench space and likewise storage for materials and tools. Sounds like you are interested in a multi track circuit, with a junction to a terminus station? If so, will be an Irish theme, or will it be a generic one, to run trains of all kinds? If the former, a space like that gives to opportunity for an American style point to point layout, often built to include a hidden continuous run. Check out Model Railroaded Magazine for ideas. The key to this sort of layout is you operate each train as it travels around the various scenes, dropping off and picking up freight from various line side industries and stations on the way. Very prototypical. Like JHB says, you could model much of the Achill branch, or indeed Clifden, Valentia or indeed Derry or Burma roads to name but a few. Very specific though and not easy to get the right stock for either. Whatever you do, near in mind that filling a space like this will take years - five or more as a minimum, so think of it as a journey, not a destination and enjoy every step of it.

Fascinating - thanks David! I can't imagine Fairy or Sprite could do 85mph, but comparative dimensions between them and The Bug are interesting, Bug first in each case: Boiler pressure: 175 v 150 Cylinders: 11x18 v 8x15 or 9x15 Driving wheels: 5'7 v 5' or 5'2 Heating surfaces: 550 sq ft v 273/362 Water capacity 1000 gallons v 500 Coal: 1 ton both Bug was clearly much more powerful and the larger drivers would certainly give a greater top speed, but the pay trains had longer lives and covered much greater distances. The Green Bibles giving the 1901 WTT as as a two week cycle: Tuesday: Inchicore - Tullow - Kildare - Limerick Wed: Limerick - Ennis - Sligo Thurs: Sligo - Limerick Fri: Limerick- Roscrea - Maryborough - Waterford - Bagenalstown Sat: back to Inchicore via Carlow The second week took in Cork, Mallow, Tralee, Foynes and so on. No wonder Sprite is recorded as covering nearly one and a quarter million miles in its 37 year career!

Indeed! Lovely details in all these pictures.

Great project - very well done.

Maybe it's me, but it seems that the nearer I think I'm getting to finishing a model, the more things there are that still need doing. Certainly it is the case with Pay Train - although as you can see, it is getting there. Neither the loco, nor carriage roofs are fixed yet, while I'm waiting for some figures to arrive. I'm also trying to decide whether to add some lining to both vehicles. The carriage could be easily done, as I have in the past, with gel pen on top of the waist beading. However, not sure if the curved tops to the loco side tanks, nor the somewhat ugly cab sides lend themselves to GSWR red & white lining - maybe just lining the boiler bands, splashers and perhaps the valances would just lift things a little? Photos of Fairy and Sprite don't show any embellishments, but I can't help thinking thinking my model would benefit with a few. As you can see, I've named the model "Sidhe" [pronounced Shee, as in Banshee]. The name plates are made from 20thou plastic sheet, with 40x20 edging strip and Slater's letters. The brass finish has been done with a gold gel pen. The other work done recently on the loco has been in some basic detailing in the cab - though have just this minute noticed that it is still lacking a reversing lever. What was I saying earlier...? However, most of the recent efforts have been with the coach - in particular its interior. As it seems likely that employees would not have been allowed inside the carriage, but collected their wages from the balcony, I rearranged the interior a little, though kept the 'strong room' nearest the loco. There is seating for 6-8 staff [am assuming one or two of these would have been policemen], with cupboard & desk space in the middle and likewise across the end, with a lifting flap/counter across the door. Glazing, hand rails and so on complete the picture so far. I'm waiting for a couple of standing figures and will need to make another chair, I think. Also need to add a bit of desk clutter, though most of the latter would probably have been put away while the train was on the move. Would there have been a toilet on board? Given the frequent stops, perhaps this is unlikely. A similar question arises over whether there might have been a basic gas stove, to boil water for tea? What I have included are oil lamp tops and ventilators on the roof. Still to be added are some rivet transfers to detail the loco buffer beam and carriage sole-bars, plus a bit of weathering too. Add in wheel cleaning and test running and it is by no means finished yet - albeit starting to look the part.

That one would be a challenge to model, given it is not articulated. Guess you'd have to make the coach wheels as a bogie, otherwise it would be very hard to get it to go round curves and even then those floorboards would get in the way. Another one not on my Northport Quay list! Shame, as it is a nice little combo.

Lovely stuff Ernie and so much detail to peruse too. Is there another loco behind 182, or does it really have two whistles, I wonder?

Likewise the bare metal looking good, though if you expand the photos, it makes you realise how etched brass moved things on - avoiding the chunky edges in particular. No need for extra ballast though! Indeed, wonder if the weight has contributed to the cranks fracturing?

Clever stuff, Paul and interesting to read about Loctite 290 too. Seems there's a cyano for everything. Since having to find 4mm scale drivers for my 7mm narrow gauge locos, it made me realise how valuable Slater's wheels are and wonder why the likes of Gibson and Ultrascale can't follow the Romford practice of square ended axles? It's not just the ready made quartering they offer either. It may be me, but I find building, fettling and painting a loco chassis requires multiple fitting and refitting of wheels, which Gibson's in particular do not like - a couple of removals and they are soon loose on their axles. Very neat solution to ensuring the axles will quarter correctly too, by the way.

Crossing everything, am hoping to give back the Bulleid Pacific next week. The photos don't show much, but a lot of fettling has still been going on - most of it around the interface between loco & tender. At first, it was the tender hand brake stand rubbing on the loco fallplate - more than enough to cause derailment of the tender at one end and the bogie at the front! Got that sorted, but still had to made a slightly longer drawbar, as well grinding a bit off the fall plate too. However, something was still causing a derailment on a 6ft radius point, until I saw that some sort of plate thing was catching on the rear pony truck, so that required trimming too. Speaking of the pony truck, that has also taken several goes to get the ride height correct, while the loco brake gear has also tested my patience. It is all white metal and therefore rather fragile. I'm tempted to replace the lot with brass strip, but it seems to be holding together for now... Finally, this afternoon, managed to find a couple of sub-miniature connectors, so the tender pick ups are now wired through to the loco and the ensemble is now able to negotiate the whole of my 0 gauge cameo layout, I really do want to get back to the Pay Train tomorrow - the missus is on a girls day out, so a bit of me time in the workshop beckons.

So, potential for a steam railcar on Northport Quay then... Like Mol, ain't happening anytime soon though - for one thing, I'd have to start a whole new period of modelling and three separate lots of stock seems a bit extreme for a small layout.

Good stuff and nice to see a bit of hybrid/mixed media modelling.