Mayner

Brian McCann built a 3mm scale model of Castlefinn on the CDR https://3mmsociety.org.uk/castlefinn/ . 1:120 scale (Continental TT) is correct for 3'6" Cape Gauge models inclNZ, South Africa, Japan, Indonesia?)

I always seem to have been interested in model railway operations and down the years built a number of Irish and American layouts where prototypical operation was an important factor. Irish outline branch/secondary main line bedroom layout late 1970s-early 80s My first successful layout was N gauge Irish outline inspired by Richard Chown's Castle Rackrent system and Brian McCann's N gauge Bagnallstown (compact double track oval, but with beautifully modeled buildings, structures and scenery). My layout was single line tracked terminus to fiddle yard with intermediate station/junction with goods only branch, with sequence operation based on Sligo/Mayo line. U shaped shelf layout in 11'X11' bedroom in my parents house during the late 70s early 80s Pair of 121s working 3 times daily Intercity services to Dublin, 141 working local goods services (Sugar beet in opens, Oil or Pallet Cement (6 wagon cut)and Night Mail to the 'main line" and 001 working the overnight goods or Liner to the North Wall. Locos stock was repainted/modified British/American rtr, CIE diesels American rtr chassis with modified or scratchbuilt plasticard bodies. Operation was reasonably reliable usually operated before lunch on Sundays, could run reasonable length trains 2 locos and 5 coaches on Intercity passenger, up to 15 4w wagons on goods. Layout was dismantled as a result of a housemove during the early 80s. American outline N scale attic layout early 2000s Years later I erected an "American Style" N gauge operating layout in the 17'X8' attic of my home, layout featured a single track folded 8 track plan to maximise length of run with a Division Point (marshalling yard, loco depot at junction between two lines) as focal point and scenic section with tall steel trestle and small station with passing siding (loop) and industry spur (powerstation) a secondary focal point. Again the focus was on sequence operation running the long distance symbol freights (scheduled) that operated over the section of line modelled, even with 2-3 operators (2 drivers 1 dispatcher/controller/signalman) we were too busy running the scheduled freights to have time to switch/shunt the local industries, or operate the pusher/banker over the hilly scenic section that was such a feature of the prototype. Apart from the change from Irish to American outline was the conversion to DCC in 2000 and uprating of powersupply/control system to run multiple multi-unit power consists (2-5 locos) and DCC control of points in the staging and most of the main line reflecting the CTC control used on the prototype. Running the 4-5 scheduled freights required up to 15 locos and 100 freight cars! All good things come to an end and layout was dismantled before we moved to New Zealand in 2004. Colorado narrow gauge garden layout 2018-onwards. My current effort is a Large Scale (1:20.3) garden layout based on Rio Grande Southern 3' narrow gauge operations in South West Colorado during its final years when the roads freight services basically ran 'as required" with a daily 'Motor" (railcar) operated passenger/mail/sundries service over its southern section! Track layout is basically a large oval with 3 Depots/Towns on a 2% ruling grade around the perimiter of our garden inked to our garage staging by the "High Line" on a 4% ruling grade. Operation is RC (radio control) using on board battery, switches/points are operated hand using scaled down models of the vertical switch stands used on the prototype or the more compact/robust ground throws. Operations is bascialy running an as required freight to or from the garage staging to Jackson City the principal town/depot on the road setting-out (dropping off) or collecting cars at other depots/towns en-route and running the odd Stock Special. For a back to basics low tech operation cars are/were selected using computer generated 'switch lists" using JMRI "Operations Pro" rather than the traditional coloured dot, one of the advantages of large scale modelling is that its easy to read stock running numbers. At one stage we ran operating days with the local garden railway group which is now largely defunct, as our younger members no longer have the time, (work/family committments, older members leaving the area, no longer capable or have passed on. Typically operation required a two man/person train crew one to drive, the second to act as conductor/guard, brakeman/shunter read the switch list, identify the car/set the road/uncouple/couple up and ensure the train is complete before giving the all clear, someone once said that switching/shunting on a model railway takes as long as on the prototype which can be tricky if working to scaled down time. Currently I am trying to catch up on a backlog of maintenance on a railway thats been in existance for almost 20 years, hopefully I will be able to resume running sessions later this year. Experiences with exhibition layouts. Personally I think operating layouts should be built primarily for the enjoyment of the operators and don't really work well as exhibition layouts unless designed specifically for the enjoyment of the visiting public and ease of operation. One of the best I remember was a circular N gauge continuous run layout at a UK exhibition (possibly Berks or Hants) about 40 years ago, layout was simple and operation utterly reliable, small through double track main line station 70s-80s era with a running loop served by a (very large) hidden staging. Continuous procession of trains (mainly Minitrix diesels & coaches), the odd goods/parcels placed in the loop to allow a fast train to overtake. Watched the layout for about half an hour never saw the same train goin around twice. I was a member of the MRSI Loughrea layout crew from the mid 90s until the early 20s and unsuccessfully attempted to introduce a running sequence on the layout, one of the challenges was that the public quickly lost interest unless something was constantly moving and the small crew that operated the layout seldom had time to rehearse before an exhibition, busily occupied getting the layout ready for an exhibition. One of the main challenges was trying to keep two locos moving when we attempted to operate Fair Specials and a passenger service due to the limitations of the track layout, you could shunt or run round the passenger or the Fair Special but not both simultaneously! During the Inchacore 150 exhibition casual visitors tended to loose interest and walk away, but off duty drivers seemed fascinated when I shunted a Fair Special with my 001, placing the 'laden" wagons against the Brake Van in the loop before departure and commented that I had a 'Mayo Touch" with my shunting! Under exhibition conditions operation was often by whoever was available and it was often simpler to run the passenger train (ofthe GN loco & coaches) and run round, than attempt to run a mixed with the added complication of additional shunting. One of the disadvantages of Loughrea was the sheer length of the layout modelled to scale length without compression. I successfully exhibited a compact industrial layout based on an Iain Rice plan with an operating quarry hopper and "spot the woodland animals" to keep the public interested when nothing was moving. Normal operation was to use an industrial diesel/steam loco to place wagons under the hopper, then draw the laden wagons to another siding and eventually make up a train ready for collection by a main-line loco. Although nominal train length/loop was set up for 5 wagons longer (10-15 wagon) trains could be handled when collected to a friends layout, the layouts were exhibited in this gusie at a Cork exhibition and Warley in 2005. At Cork one of the challenges was to try and make up trains that would be longer than the runround loops/fiddle yards on each others layouts. Layout was DC Gaugemaster hand held controller, points controlled with tortoise motors.

Like Sam Carse Kiwi modellers tended to select a proprietary gauge and adjust the scale to represent the 3'6" gauge - 9mm scale on 32 mm gauge, S scale on OO/HO gauge track (Sn3½) 1:120 Scale on N gauge track (TT). While 1:120 modelling is largely based around proprietary N gauge track, and loco mechanisms, 9mm & Sn3½ modellers have designed and developed their own 3'6" track systems and loco.stock running gear. Recently some modellers have adapted American On30 locos and stock for modelling New Zealand Bush railways (logging) https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1080932674061524 Not sure about Australian Ng as such scale and gauge used tehds to vary from State to State although apparrenlty Auscission ( equivalent Accurascale, Revolution Trains) have produced RTR Queensland 3'6" stock in HOm. Although Tri-ang produced its 'Transcontinental' range in OO for the Australian & NZ markets, Australian modellers and manufacturers use HO scale for modelling Standard and Broad gauge locos and stock. The Transcontinental double ended diesels is based on locos supplied by GM to Victorian Railways.

Interesting the Rapido parts diagram reminded me of another loco manufactured by Chines factory almost 20 years earlier. While there were issues some quality issues (mechanical) with the first batch of Bachmann locos, durability of injection moulded pony & tender trucks became a significant problem. Interestingly the loco I bough second hand almost 10 years ago is still running reasonably well approx 18-20 years since manufacture.

Here in the Waikato I don't even get to town about twice a year . Its twelve years since I attended a 'convention' our equivalent of Gauge O Guild/Scaleforum/NMRA convention rolled into one. Standard of modelling at conventions and exhibitions tends to be high (locos, stock, structures and scenery) , but few traders stocking scratch/kit building supplies of use to British outline 4 or 7mm modelling. (stock mainly British & American outline and second hand rtr The majority of Kiwi modellers tend to brew their own or import parts/components from specialist suppliers in the UK or the States just like when I lived in Ireland over twenty odd years ago. The absence of trade support led Kiwi modellers to develop their own scale & gauges to model the NZR 3'6" gauge using scratchbuilding techniques and later to develop their own kits and manufacturing capability, these days shifting from conventional to laser cutting, 3D modelling and 3D printing to produce composite 3d printed and etched models. Neil Ward a local modeller gave a persentation on the potential of 3D modelling at an Auckland convention almost 20 years ago, before going on to produce S and 9mm scale NZR stock and structures, his example inspired me to have a go with Irish outline stock and structures. https://newzealandrailwaymodels.blogspot.com/2016/06/124-50ft-car-first-class-bpx25175-neil.html I guess where there is a will theres a way! Going back to the origonal topic inspired by my first visit to Amiens St, I was sorely tempted by a Hunslet & coaches in the original maroon and blue scheme, but decided to pass go as I get more enjoyment out of building/assembling a model than acquiring a rtr model and storing it away.

Managed to escape for last Sunday's/August running day arrived after 3pm not many visitors about, volunteers closing cafe after last train, small diesel pushing/pulling single coach on final train (no run-round loop at upper end of line. August almost spring roughly equivalent of March in Ireland and UK, very cold overnight temperatures, clear sunny days, this week snow on beaches in South Island and people flocking the ski fields now that kids are back at school after mid-term break. looking up the cutting towards the actual junction with the 'main line" Glen Afton Branch and Pukemiro Coal Company line. Main line on right branch on left. npow used for storing p.w. and out of use stock. Site of triangular junction with the coal companies line, roadway now to a landfill/coal processing site on the trackbed of the branch line. Meanwhile back at Pukemiro Junction Climax 1650 outside the running shed, back section with windows is the 'Works". Cabin on left adds to the atmosphere whatever about the satellite dish. Second working steam loco this Peckett was originally owned by the Pukemiro Coal Company used to work trains between the Junction and the colliery. A piece of Kiwi ingenuity 1936 A G Price E Class geared "Bush Lokie" logging locomotive combining Climax (anged cylinders) and Heisler (coupling rods trucks) practice. Boilers/firebox NZ Bush Lokies typically unlagged. A G Price an engineering firm and locomotive manufacturer established during the 186os continues to operated from its Trames (Cromandel) premises and continues to carry out mechanical engineering work for a number of Austraiian rail operators. E Class crank shaft complete with eccentrics, valve gear missing. Powerbogie, perhaps some day I'll have the bogie and drive 3D printed in metal Last train of the day! the diesel was bascially an A G Price version of a 150hp Drewry, coach A328 Mines Car started life as two 4 wheel carriages during the 1880s rebuilt into a bogie coach 1891 similar to IOM practice, sold by NZR in 1945 used to transport miners at the neraby Rotowaro (Maori "pool of burning embers") coal mine. Ex-NZR A Class carriages with 'turtleback' roofs dating from the early 1900s once the standard main line NZR coach these cars run on open spoke wheels! This set is the normal consist for topped and tailed workings on busy days, a loco at both ends of the train (steam loco at up grade end). A number of New Zealand's heritage/tourist railways tend to paint carriages in a brown or yellow livery, for much of its existance NZR appears to have painted their coaches in a red/maroon livery

Ceased producing 3D printed wagons in late 2024. Produced a small batch of etched Bulleid Vans and MGW non-passenger stock 2025. CK Prints/Enda now produces the GSR Grain Wagon under license. I produced an etched GSWR/GSR/CIE 60 Class D14 4-4-0 in 2024, but at this stage have not had time to assemble Both RTR wagons and brass kits were produced to order rather than held in stock Produced a small batch of updated versions of the 20T Brake Van steel ducket, planked or ply body, GSW/CIE Covered, LMA and GSR Grain wagons. May turn up on the second hand market at some stage.

This thread has gone severely off topic. The handful of model railway shops that existed in the Republic were never really geared up to supplying kit/scratch building supplies, in a 1960s Evening Press article on his (Dublin) County Donegal Railways system Sam Carse spoke about obtaining tinplate for his scratchbuilt locos and stock from a supplier in Belfast. Back in the 70s Monch Place (Leinster Models) & Southern Model Railways (posh shop Grafton Arcade) carried a small stock of parts otherwise mainly various brands of Continental RTR, British Trix, Triang-Hornby rtr and plastic wagon kits. For the past 40 odd years sourced kit/scratch building parts from a handful of suppliers almost exclusively mail order, though usually stocked up at exhibitions while visiting the UK. Dave Cleal (Mainly Trains (West Somerset) was my 'one stop shop" for parts until he ceased business about 12 years ago, I currently use Wizard Models as my main supplier of parts (reasonable stock), DCC Concepts (solder & odd DCC stuff), direct to AGW (Alan Gibson Works) wheels and wire, handrail knobs, buffers & High Level gearboxes and motors. I usually order several items on a single order keeping the value above €150 both to keep my unit shipping cost down and avoid the recently introduced duty on "low value imports" that now applies in most Countries. I guess the way to look at is ordering direct from the UK and paying An Post and Customs charges is still likely to be less expensive than placing an order for a non-stock item with an Irish hobby shop (if they are willing to accept such an order and your prepared as a customer to wait. Back in the day (about 20 years ago) I remember a New Zealand model railway importer/retailer complaining bitterly about modellers importing American and British outline locos and stock from the UK & the States without having to pay duty and Vat. He recently sold his "Hobby City" business (similar scale to Marks) the new owners quickly ran down the model railway side of the business to focus on RC aircraft and die-cast, business still going strong model railways side reduced to Hornby, some Peco no longer stocking Bachmann never mind parts like wire solder or flux. Oh I use a 'homebrew" phosphoric flux, mixed from a phosphoric based rust remover diluted with rain water.

@DERAILED David Parkes (deeply involved several preservation attempts during the 80s-90s) passed away last October. I suspect he was being sarcastic when he mentioned an old GSWR 6 wheeler being a major asset on a Waterford/Rosslare preservation scheme. During the 80s-early 90s David was deeply involved in the GSRPS, Irish Narrow Gauge Trust-Cavan & Leitrim Dromad.

The Tower Building or my interpretation of the building ready for printing after several eveings work. Estimated print time 8hrs on my Photon Mono X! NZ is going through a cold snap at the moment with -0 night time temperatures, switched on the print room heater this morning to raise temp. to 24+c for the print job. Brickwork only modelled on the two elevations visible on the layout, will be using Wills 'Coarsed Stone" to model stonework at groundfloor level mainly to match stonework in quayside and retaining walls, also may computer/internet connection struggling in handling the sheer amount of data! Computer theoretically upgradable to Windows 10, but would need to upgrade graphics card or buyt a gaming computer! Oh for the days of Superquick and Faller brickpaper and cardboard buildings. The building was part of a complex built by the Guinness family at Grand Canal Dock in 1859 for storing/malting barley, now incorporated into a prestigious ofice, residential and retail complex. I got to add a water tank to the roof and a lattice footbridge link to the Malthouse in the background

21mm gauge. To a degree laying plain track is the simplest part in modelling the Irish Broad Gauge, re-gauging stock and adding pointwork is the more challenging part as it involves making a decision on track and wheel standards. I understand that Rob R has produced 3D printed plain track bases, other options include assembling 21mm trackwork using individual components such as C&L https://www.marcway.net/point.php system using plastic based chairs and sleepers, or rail and copperclad sleepers such as Markway Models https://www.marcway.net/point.php who will also produce custom track and pointwork to the customers requirements. David "The Colonel" comissioned Markway to produce Irish 5'3" gauge track & pointwork for his 7mm Arigna exhibition layout. While Murphy Models and IRM have produced locos and stock that may be re-gauged to 21mm gauge, a prospective broad gauge modeller has to make a decision at an early stage on wheel and track clearances, basically whether to re-gauge the model with the existing (MM, IRM) wheels or adopt a finer OO/EM or P4 profile wheels. The choice of wheel profile affects wheel back to back (B-B) gauge and running clearances through points. Traditionally 21mm gauge modellers used B-B gauges of 19.5 and 19.3mm with OO/EM profile wheels. (Tim Cramer wrote about using 19.5mm with Romford/Jackson wheels during the early 70s, TMD supplied a 19.5mm B-B gaauge and 12mm track gauges during the 1980s, a 19.3mm B-B appears to be derived from EM standards. Brendan8065 on this board has re-gauged IRM stock to 21mm gauge using the existing wheels with the B-B set to 19mm, the B-B has to be considered in setting running clearances in designing and assembling pointwork. In the absence of a published standard for 21mm gauge trackwork using the NMRA 110 profile wheelsets used in models produced by IRM/Accurascale, it should be feasible to use the Double O Gauge Association Intermediate Standards https://doubleogauge.com/intermediate-track/ to work out a standard for 21mm gauge track suitable for stock using 110 profile wheelsets. Locos. I regauged a 1st generation MM 141 using the existing wheels on new axles, but re-gauged wheelsets fouled bogie sideframes, ordered 21mm gauge Ultrascale wheelsets for to re-gauge remaining MM 141 &071s, haven't gotten round to re-gauging MM 121s or IRM 001s. Possibly would need to replace axles and wheelsets. OO eye level bullhead or low profile OO track. The gauge difference tends to be less noticeable when viewed from eye level possibly Peco Bullhead track used on the Navan-Kingscourt section mid 80s onwards.?

A friend successfully used the Bemo originally Rivarossi coupling modified for magnetic operation on an EM gauge layout during the early 2000s. His father who worked for the Irish Railway Clearing House had adapted the Rivarossi coupling for magnetic operation on a large OO gauge layout during the 50s-60s. One of the advantages of "hook and loop" couplers like B&B, Bemo, Rivarossi, Liliput is that the coupling can be set up so that the loop will couple up to the coupling hook on a locomotive buffer beam. https://www.modellbahnshop-lippe.com/Accessory/Accessories/gb/liste.html?spur=H0m&hersteller=Bemo&grup=Couplings The B&B coupling used in 2mm, 3mm & 4mm is similar in principal/operation to a modified Rivarossi/Liliput coupler. I successfully used B&B couplers on British outline locos and stock during the early 2000s I have a 'stash" of 4mm B&Bs somewhere, just got to find them/time to use them.

Photo likely to be pre-1934 .No 94 was a 60 Class/ D14 rebuilt with superheated boiler and belpair firebox 1934 transforming its appearance. https://transportsofdelight.smugmug.com/RAILWAYS/IRISH-RAILWAYS/CORAS-IOMPAIR-EIREANN-STEAM/i-W3PLw8P/A Main spotting difference between 60 Class -D14 & 52 Class D17 viewed head on was that 52 Class were fitted with a raised firebox while 60 Class had flush boiler and smokebox. Interestingly at least one 52 Class retained double smokebox doors in CIE days. https://transportsofdelight.smugmug.com/RAILWAYS/IRISH-RAILWAYS/CORAS-IOMPAIR-EIREANN-STEAM/i-zC9Ff7f/A

Mayo's historic victory was even mentioned in the TVNZ news at 6 last night (Mon evening) including clip of Mayo supporters reaction. 1951 loco/ train working would have been interesting to say the least. While Woolwich locos could be turned at Claremorris (following 1941 replacement of turntable) ex-Midland "Catte Engines", As & Cs 4-4-0s may have been the largest engines that could be turned at Westport, Midland "Standard Goods & Ks 2-4-0s largest/heaviest engines allowed on Ballina branch. So potentially ex-Midland engines (possibly a large 4-4-0 double heading with a Cattle Engine) on Westport specials through to Amiens St/Westland Row and Standard Goods or 2-4-0 on Ballina specials. I remember seeing a photo of a pair of ex-MGWR 2-4-0s double heading a Dublin bound "Pioneer" special (1947?) made up of 46 wheelers past Leixlip in one of the railway books. What of Balinrobe & Burma Road (Kiltimagh, Swinford possibly Charlestown & Tubbercurry (turntable), did through trains operate or connections into the Mayo Line. Possibly a Sligo or Ballaghadareen special who knows? I guess the greatest differences since the early 50s is that a higher proportion of the population own/prefer to use cars and the railways now operating a relatively frequent service on Sundays compared to the past (no scheduled Sunday trains on the Mayo line 70 odd years ago?) so no real demand for GAA specials. Back in the mid-late 60s our relatives from the West regularly drove to Dublin to attend matches at Croke Park or shows at the RDS and always visited their Dublin relatives on the way home, something you couldn't do travelling by train or bus.

Printed and positioned the Malt House to check how it would work visually. Again initial coat of paint from a paint/DIY store match pot. Quite pleased with the print quality & the way the windws worked out. I'll probably end up replacing the 'Tower Building' with a similar 3D printed building that extends to the backscene to give the impression that the maltings are part of a larger complex. Retaining wall to be extended to the backscene in Wills Coarsed Stone to match existing stonework Got to add windows and doors to the terrace of houses and finish painting the background buildings.