Patrick Davey

Further investigation, involving the invaluable railway-exploration tool that is Google Earth, reveals a possible amazing survivor. The Ballyclare paper mill sidings were quite extensive and gave direct access into what appears to be a stone-built shed, marked with a white arrow in the original view. I believe this shed still exists, much extended, and I have also marked it with a white arrow in the recent Google Earth screen grab - it is also viewable on Google Street View (3rd picture). This seems to be the only surviving building from what was quite a large complex and if so, it represents a fascinating link to a distinctive operation on the County Antrim narrow gauge railways. Definitely on the list for the post-virus explorations. Note: The original photo dates from 1929, one year before the cessation of passenger services on the Doagh extension of the LMS-NCC, which is visible at the bottom of the picture.

Just discovered this gem of a photo from the 'Britain from Above' website, showing the layout of the narrow gauge lines at the paper mill in Ballyclare, County Antrim. The photo dates from 1929 but the paper mill trains continued until 1950 and were in fact the reason this fragment of the Ballymena & Larne line survived until then. https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/XPW028723

Chuffed (ha!) Great photos JB, please keep them coming, much needed at the moment.

And the 060 with the snowplough suggests Ballyclare Junction with the footbridge and tall cabin? The chimney pot arrangement on the station building also matches with the photo on page 93 of Ian Sinclar's 'Along UTA Lines'.

Awesome photos - the quiz photo looks like a top 'n' tail with a tank loco nearest... are you still in NCC territory.....can you give us a clue re. the year JB? A spoil train obviously comes to mind but am thinking it's not as simple as that?

Anticipating this with much enthusiasm!

JB any other photos from the bicycle & Shanks' mare part of your Dad's explorations? Could be mouthwatering stuff in there......

Rathkenny - wow........ The Wellington cutting horseman - wonder is it related to the attack on the troop train 1921......

Post of the year - fair play GM! I guess the Fintona branch was in effect a 'mane' line..........

JB that last photo is totally mind-blowing!

Micros are the way to go! My inspiration is a certain Mr. Chris Nevard, he produces amazing stuff!! http://www.nevard.com

Am currently planning a semi-industrial GNR(I) micro layout......

This is a confusing choice by OO Works, I can't imagine a huge interest in this admittedly interesting locomotive. If the UG was a slow seller, could this be better? No offence intended to the memory of the prototype of course. And I'm not understanding the 0330 either? £279.00.......yikes........

Good view of Athlone (Midland) station: https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/XAW019326

And Dundalk...... A few on O'Connell Bridge...... what a fantastic pic!

There's an excellent sequence of photos of the building of the hydro-electric dam at Ballyshannon, showing an extensive siding layout at the GNR station presumably built for the works. Great stuff!!! And Killarney and Tralee are well covered, including a great overall view of both stations at Tralee!

Fantastic!

Ah - there goes the next 12 weeks........

Just NI and GB - there might be a similar resource for ROI though, maybe someone knows?

Here's the very location in 1948, 2 years before the DC lost its passenger services. Photo from the excellent 'Britain from Above' website, a fantastic resource of aerial photos, you need to register (for free) to be able to zoom in to see the details, well worth it! Details worth noting here include the station (with the staff obviously intrigued by the photo aircraft), the level crossing on the Kilrea Road, the goods shed and the generally tidy appearance of the railway property.

Just in time for Cultra!

Yum!

Hi Ernie, yes indeed I have seen that photo on your excellent Flickr pages - it’s superb, thank you. Are there any more from the Armstrong collection? Thanks again.

JB it’s a Paterson photo, kindly given by Charles Friel. I’d need to check with Charles that he’d be happy for me share it but yes, it’s a cracker ok!

Officially all done - Capecastle is finished and all ready to go for the show at Whitehead tomorrow. To complement the diorama there will also be a small photographic display showing the station as it looks today, along with some historical views, and some information about my family connections to The Ballycastle Railway. There will also be a digital slideshow showing over 300 photos and video clips of the construction of the diorama. And back by popular demand, are the reverend ladies! A huge word of thanks to the many kind folk in this group who have commented on my updates during the build, this has been a great encouragement along the way. We’re stand number 11 at the exhibition, located upstairs in the loco building, so if you’re coming to the show tomorrow please drop by and say hello!