Patrick Davey

Hillsborough - fabulous! And Enniskillen too, atmospheric! Looking forward to the 1930s NG material JB!

Wowwwwww.......looks like Dromore GNR(I) Co. Down!

Amazing to think these locomotives quite possibly made it to Valencia Harbour.

Cracking photo! Here's the same loco in OO gauge, as produced by OO Works a few years back. (My model on Colm Flanagan's old layout).

To keep everyone happy, you will need a 'LondonDeltic' too.

Thanks Leslie - keep safe yourself too. Yip - Google Street view shows the old broad gauge engine shed is a survivor. Not sure how much of the NG station remains?

Great pics JB - wonder where the middle photo is, it suggests a station on the DC line? Also, are the platforms staggered, the barrow crossing (?) seems to suggest this. Keep these amazing views coming please!

Looks like it ok! Sorry folks I got a bit carried away there, am done for tonight! Hope you found something of interest. There is a lot more of interest including extensive coverage of railways around Belfast, also good coverage of Dromore, Enniskillen, Ballymena and Omagh. Night.

Dunmurry, 1950: https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/XAW044780

More fantastic detail from Enniskillen, 1950: https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/XAW032785 Ballymoney 1950: https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/XAW032895 Larne Harbour, 1950: https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/XAW032994

Glorious detail from Downpatrick in 1929, including a 442 tank: https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/XPW028670 Andrews Mill siding, Comber, 1929: https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/XPW028662

And a nice 1949 view of Derry Foyle Road: https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/XAW027082 Enniskillen in the same year - lots of detail: https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/XAW027572

Another black loco in this excellent shot of Banbridge from 1923, showing the divergence of the lines to Lisburn and Scarva: https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/XPW008440 And here's a remote GNR outpost, Lenaderg on the Banbridge-Scarva line: https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/XPW008444

1933

What's your thinking on the loco JB?

Another gem from the 'Britain from Above' website - an excellent 1933 aerial view of Dundalk Quay Street station on the DNGR line to Greenore. Interesting to note an overbridge on the GNR side of the station beyond the level crossing, as well as a GNR loco (440 or 060?) presumably collecting coal from the quays for onward transportation. So much detail here to pore over!! https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/XPW042434

Yes indeed, that was the only one I've seen so the above aerial view was a great find! There are a few others with it too on the Britain from Above website - worth checking out!! Thanks for your reply.

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......