Patrick Davey

Shows how well built it was!

And she starts stretching her big driving wheels:

No. 74 meeting some GNR friends at Clogherhead this evening.

Great stuff Alan - sorry my visit was a brief one. Yes, great show!

Back on GNR metals at Clogherhead, trials were deemed a success but there was just no money in the BCDR pot to purchase new locomotives. The UTA would soon take over anyway and that would be that.

Evidence has just been unearthed, of a locomotive trial on the BCDR in 1947, involving GNR(I) PP 4-4-0 No. 74. These rare photos show the locomotive at Kilmore, between Ballynahinch Junction and Crossgar.

An absolute work of art Kevin - good luck with the talk. Not too many talks on the subject will have precision models of some of the subjects on display!

Fabulous space!

It’s Saturday August 10th 1957, and it’s a ‘soft’ day across the eastern counties of Ireland, with mist and drizzle creating a subdued mood that runs through the winding lanes and rolling fields. I find myself standing on the short railway platform at Blackstaff Halt, near Inniskeen in Co. Monaghan, waiting for the train that will shortly bring me into Dundalk. I’m the only one there, and despite my wish that more folk would make use of this very convenient connection between the rural and the urban, I am enjoying the peace and almost total quietness of such a remote and tranquil location. A summer breeze makes the trees above me restless, and a blackbird makes his tuneful presence felt from the hedge on the other side of the railway track. The steel rails are shining through the morning mist, seemingly stretching forever in both directions, and the strong aroma of creosoted sleepers is unavoidable. Off to my left, the level crossing keeper’s cottage is quiet, with only the gentle wisp of smoke from the chimney suggesting occupancy. Soon, a door opens, as an elderly lady emerges, checks the road for approaching traffic, then proceeds to close the gates and secure them against the road. The stage is now set for a small act in a long-running drama, the final curtain of which will, sadly, soon fall. I knew I was early for my train to Dundalk so I am unsurprised when I hear the unmistakable sound of a locomotive whistle come from the opposite direction. It is now almost 10:30am and soon the rails begin to hum as the confident throb of a steam locomotive’s exhaust draws my attention. It wasn’t long before ‘The Bundoran Express’ emerges out of the mist, headed by an immaculately-clean black locomotive, with the number 74 just visible on the front buffer beam and on the side of the cab. The name of the train is proudly displayed on a curved nameboard at the front of the locomotive, and following behind is a train of seven mahogany carriages, also immaculate, with the train’s name also displayed on long boards along the top of each carriage. Most of the passengers enjoying this leisurely jaunt through the southern counties of Ulster are on their way to be amazed by the grandeur of the mighty Atlantic Ocean at Bundoran, whilst some others will alight at Pettigo on their way to St. Patrick’s Purgatory at Lough Derg, hoping to atone for their sins of the past. The train eases along the platform, with the driver acknowledging the crossing keeper with a courteous wave and a short blast of the locomotive’s whistle, before the final carriage clears the level crossing and the train vanishes into the gloom of the cutting beyond, the echo of the exhaust fading into the distance along with the two red lights at the rear of the final carriage, like the menacing eyes of some mythical creature in retreat. The crossing keeper unlocks the gates, swings them open to the road once again and secures them in place against the railway. The drivers of the very few road vehicles who had been forced to wait as No. 74 entered, and then left the stage, are no doubt grateful not to be held at the level crossing any longer.

GNR PP No. 74, after a bit of final detailing and light weathering by Alan Nixon. Running here on Alan's excellent 'Loughan Quay' layout. IMG_5641.MOV

Lovely work Alan!

Mighty stuff Kevin!

Superb!

Lovely stuff and nothing wrong with the photos either!

Ok then.....just one more look at No. 74 I have an insane fortnight of work stuff ahead so hopefully after that I can start working on the one video I want to produce more than any other.....a 'pure' Great Northern one, featuring: Steam locos: U class No. 205, UG class No. 147, T2 class No. 64 & PP class No. 74 BUT railcar No. 714 (I also have 2 AEC sets but they're not chipped yet....) GNR mahogany-liveried carriages Loads of GNR wagons 4 GNR buses........