Patrick Davey

Definitely one to show the kids.....

Great stuff Alan thank you!

Name updated - thanks GM! All makes sense - thanks

Having studied both locomotives closely, I think the main issue will be modifying the cylinder/pistons etc - please forgive my ignorance of the correct terminology and please fill in the gaps in my knowledge below..... So the arrangement of the aforesaid (motion?) on the Adams Radial is as follows: And on the S class: The red coloured connecting rod could be key to the conversion - the Adams Radial cylinder block needs moving closer to the wheels and the connecting rod needs moving to the rear driving wheel. I imagine the cylinder block is attached to the Adams Radial locomotive body so it would need removed and attached to the new NCC S body I would be making. Once the cylinder is relocated, am wondering how easily would the connecting rod be repositioned as indicated and would that actually be enough to effect the modification? I know the NCC loco has a much more complicated system than this but it would be a good start! I am currently looking at the Hornby Radial on eBay - the Oxford Rail one doesn't seem to have as good reviews.......the only thing is the Hornby one has a metal body so probably wouldn't yield itself to cannibalising for chimney, dome etc.....

Thanks GM - must look up that book. Great suggestions re. castings etc. See my next post for further musings re. cylinders......

Thanks again everyone for your input here, it has been very reassuring!! So here's the current plan: * A second creation of Capecastle, this time in 5.5mm scale * A model of S class No. 41, in NCC plain black livery - this loco was one of two which received bunker extensions which I think improved their appearance * DCC rather than DC * A few scratchbuilt goods wagons and vans to start, then maybe carriages to follow if I survive the loco build The loco will be based on an Adams Radial chassis although I know I will be gritting my teeth when I take the body off as the Adams Radial has been very successfully converted to a BCDR 442t which would be something I would love to do in the future. I wonder will the body yield any useful parts for the NCC loco eg. chimney, dome etc? The big challenge will be the cylinder/pistons/cranks arrangement - these little locos were quite complicated in this area and there is an issue in that the cylinders would need moved closer to the driving wheels, necessitating shortening of metal components etc and I do not work in metal so I will need a little bit of help from my friends, as the song goes!

Thanks David - it was your own inspirational creations in the larger scale which started me thinking about O-16.5 and I was tempted, especially by the easing of pressure on the eyesight, considering I have never tackled a loco before. Galteemore's point about the correct scale/gauge ratio has me decided on 5.5mm though so I'll see how that goes. The Bruiser was considered but I decided on the S class as I will probably be modelling the 1940s period and The Bruiser was I think gone by then, plus the S class were the main (exclusive?) motive power by that stage and they have a lot of very convenient straight lines which are a further attraction to the beginner loco converter......

Most definitely!

This really is jawdropping stuff!!!

Quite happy to be hijacked by something of such unbelievable quality, definitely agree with JB, you should definitely start a new thread Alan!

Folks this is a textbook example of why a forum such as this is so beneficial, thank you for all your feedback and suggestions, I started off with a general idea and it has now been shaped by the collective experiences and advice of so many of you so I have decided that yes it is indeed feasible and I am going to use the proper track from Peco, and go for 5.5mm scale. So many valid points raised above, all gratefully received! Still a bit of work to do on Brookhall Mill then attention will return once more to the County Antrim narrow gauge

Thanks GM - sounds interesting, the straining eyesight made 7mm seem the best option for scratchbuilding/modifying a loco but your point about the scale/ratio makes it worth looking into! Where would I find more information? Thanks again Well that would make that bit a lot easier!! Thanks for that comprehensive diagram JB and I take your point about the track, there are definitely going to be trade-offs but it's still early stages so if I decide to do Capecastle again for example I might just buy the proper track - it's a very simple layout after all with just one siding with headshunt so just two turnouts.

This might well end up being 'pie-in-the-sky' stuff but here I go...... I don't usually like posting in forums until I have something firm to show but as what follows is completely new to me, I figured I'd be best getting some advice first!!! As my current build Brookhall Mill draws to a close (after 2 years of building) thoughts are inevitably turning to the next one. I had a plan to create another 'micro' which would feature some of the fantastic IRM and MM diesels but then I realised that my heart currently lies in the Antrim narrow gauge!!! I built a diorama of Capecastle a few years ago and was sad to have to dismantle it so maybe pangs of guilt are hitting me..... But I don't want to build a diorama. I want something that moves and can be operational, so even before I decide on a setting, I'm looking at locomotives. The most distinctive Antrim narrow gauge loco (for me anyway) was the S class compound 2-4-2t: https://transportsofdelight.smugmug.com/RAILWAYS/IRISH-RAILWAYS/NORTHERN-COUNTIES-COMMITTEE-NARROW-GAUGE-LINES/i-KvrR3WF/A A very attractive prototype so that is the most likely target. Building a working model of one of these in OO gauge would be impossible for me but then I started thinking of O gauge, but using OO technology.... The use of OO scale track to represent narrow gauge track in O scale (known as O-16.5) has been done before so my current thinking is to find a suitable OO gauge chassis and modify it for use as an O scale narrow gauge chassis. I thought initially of using a Hornby Peckett 0-4-0 chassis as my starting point then an esteemed friend suggested an Adams Radial tank instead, the only modification needed there would be to chop the leading bogie in half so that seems a better option. Plus the Adams is cheaper than the Peckett..... I am quietly confident of being able to construct a decent loco body from plasticard, incorporating metal components. I also did a test modification of a spare piece of OO track, removing every other sleeper seems to give it a narrow gauge feel for O scale - photo attached. Grateful for thoughts and even ridicule!

Hi Gavin, any update to the S class model? Cheers

A minor diplomatic incident at the mill this afternoon. Someone from York Road thought it would be a good idea to send over two LMS posters to Brookhall but Mr. Weaver is having none of it. He is currently telling his station supervisor and head porter what York Road can do with their posters.

Even though I won't have the great pleasure of seeing Fintonagh (and your good self!) at Cultra David, I do appreciate the mammoth effort you will be making in order to be there, thank you for that - looking forward to the photos and video clips!

Then there was the famous diplomatic incident in the late 1960s, just before Mr. Weaver retired. CIE sent up a train of dignitaries to personally thank Mr. Weaver for his hospitality over the years but he was in a particularly grumpy mood that day and refused to speak to any of them nor would he be seen anywhere near the diesel locomotive which brought the train to Brookhall. Instead he went off in a huff, stood on the footbridge above the signal cabin and just glared down at A3r.

Now I am extra gutted. I had hoped that Cultra would be my first outing with Brookhall Mill but I have to work that day And now I’m going to miss Fintonagh too…..

And another from the old shoe box under Mr. Weaver's bed - this was one he took from the tree behind his house, when his cat 'Merlin' got stuck up there after getting spooked by a nasty diesel engine (visible on the left shunting a brake van).

Mr. Weaver at Brookhall has been going through some old photo albums and he unearthed this interesting shot from UTA days with a UG loco shunting a linen van and an ex-GNR bus departing for Aghalee with a staff service.

As a huge fan of the SLNCR this layout is of great interest - I love the train formation!! I have tried to visit Florencecourt on a few occasions but a barking dog has scared me off each time.... A wonderful subject for a layout and I will be looking forward to seeing it develop GM.

Cheers GM and thanks for spotting one of my main objectives with the build - multiple levels within a small space. The scenic section is actually just 18in by 48in but certain photographic angles make it look much bigger!

A few views from around Brookhall Mill this evening.

He might, if any more of those blasted diesels arrive......

Been working on the mill roofs today. Coping stones and a hut giving access to the roof from the staircase. Also tidied up the doorway from the platform to the staircase.