Mayner

I thought it best to provide an update on our current projects in a single post. OO Gauge CIE 20T Goods Brake. The first batch production vans arrived from the printers and are currently working their way through the paint shop before going to the printers decals and lettering. This batch of bans will be produced in the as introduced late 1940s dark grey with snail and stencil lettering and is basically to test whether its viable to produce rtr wagons using 3D printing technology with finishing and assembly in house. We expect to set a price point and release the first batch of vans at some stage in June 2021 subject to the arrival of wheels from our supplier in the UK. Receiving inspection Work in progress 8 Apl Spray booth not quite a Chinese factory. D17/52 Class locomotive kit. Although the majority of the kits have been pre-sold a small number (2) are currently available at $290 NZ + shipping. The kit was largely feasible as a result of the assistance off Studio Scale Models who agreed to supply their J15 castings and GSWR 1804 gal tender and we are unlikely to re-release the full kit once the current batch is sold out. Although we have got the etchings and castings in stock the release of the kit is likely to be delayed until July/August as a number of small detail parts such as handrail knobs are currently out of stock with our suppliers in the UK. CIE Tin Van, Hooded Van and PO/Tool Van Kits. The cut off date for accepting orders on these kits is the 28 April for supply of the kits in August/September 2021. We will be proceeding with the release of these kits in August 2021 although a number of customers who placed expressions of interest have not confirmed their orders at this stage.

Jonathan I picked up my ears at your 3'6" gauge interests. What gauge scale and gauge are you using for your SAR Models? New Zealand modellers tend to use S Scale on 16.5mm gauge (OO/HO) or 9mm on O Gauge for 3'6" gauge models, while Australian 3'6" modellers have been unable to agree a common gauge and scale with each state going its own way S on 16.5, OO & HO on 12mm used in different states. OO is closer to scale for Cape Gauge, than British standard gauge or Irish Broad Gauge.

After a gap of 20 years commuter trains are again running between Hamilton (similar populations to Cork City) and Auckland (similar pop to Dublin). The commercially operated Waikato Connection was discontinued in 2001 as a result of poor patronage and attempts to revive the service failed in 2008 as a result of political opposition to funding a passenger service, the region receiving $1 Billion to build a motorway instead. The main challenge facing the service is the lack of direct access to stations in central Auckland with passengers having to change trains at Papakura and use Auckland Transport electric suburban services as a result of a combination of pathing difficulties and poor co-operation between the regional bodies sponsoring the services. A bit like passengers from Drogheda and Dundalk having to change trains at Malahide and take the DART to Connolly and the city center. Its just about possible that the service may succeed despite having to change trains at Papakura as journey times in the morning and evening rush hour may be similar by road and rail as the motorways in the Auckland region are like carparks during the morning and evening peaks and driving the M50 feel like a quiet country drive. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/439867/long-awaited-train-service-between-waikato-and-auckland-begins The locos used on the service is basically Kiwirails version of the Irish 071, the coaching stock re-builds or re-built ex BR MK2 D&E stock. The Government looked at high speed standard gauge rail with a $12B price tag rather than an upgrade and electrification of the existing 3'6" gauge line with tilting trains similar to Queensland, so it will be interesting if "Te Huia" survives the next general election.

The majority of the viewing public would not notice the difference between an ICR and a a C&L train of 1900. When I worked as guard on a UK heritage line a lot of our bread and butter non-enthusiasts could not tell the difference between a steam and a diesel loco, they both made smoke and a lot of noise. They enjoyed the ritual of travelling on an old style train at a leisurely speed looking at the scenery or just chatting, an escape from the hassle of every day commuting whether by car or public transport.

There is a photo of part of the Boat Train including the dining car 353 arriving in Cork from Cobh on p 11 of Irish Broad Gauge Carriages by Desmond Cookham. The train is in the new GSR Brown and Cream Livery most likely a Cobh-Kingsbridge "American Mail" with three through coaches for Rosslare Harbour. There is a diagram of the Dining car and other Rosslare express stock in Transport Associates GSWR carriage diagram book, I can scan a copy if you want. The J Mc Cartney Roberts and R N Clements albums in the IRRS flickr collection contain a lot of photos of pre-amalgamation stock, its worth joining the society for access to the photos without considering the other benefits.

Tony What locos are you using? Steam locos or diesels with pick up on all wheels is the only way you will achieve reliable running in N or any track power system for that matter. My track cleaning car https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/cmx-products-n-cmxn-clean-machine-track-cleaning-car-brass-includes-pad/ has a tank that I fill with isopropyl alcohol which I would run round the layout once or twice a month. Expensive but worth while on a layout with 10' main line 30 plus locos and over 100 freight cars

I have worked on and off in N Gauge for over 40 years both exhibition and private layouts and never experienced problems with poor running as a result of dirt an grime once I replaced my Lima locos with Minitrix, Graham Farish and Atlas in the early 1980s. I switched to American outline in the late 80s because of the superior detailing and running of the Kato and Atlas diesels and the much more realistic and reliable Microtrains knuckle couplers and never really looked back. Its possible that conditions in the room (temperature or humidity) may be a factor in the amount of dust and grime gathering, I never found a need for frequent track cleaning on exhibition or home layouts including a bedroom with carpets. I originally used a track cleaning rubber but bought a track cleaning car which I would run round the layout once or twice a month when I built a largish N gauge layout in the attic of a house in Dublin.

2L (Kathleen) is a real amalgam containing parts from 1L & 7L. Originally a "Main Line" loco with a similar cab to 3L (Lady Edith) she was re-built as a "Tramway" engine during the 1940s receiving 7Ls boiler, and superstructure, she received 1Ls boiler on her final visit to Inchacore in 1950s the last of the C&L 4-4-0s to receive an overhaul.

The cabin is a standard GSWR design, the model is based on a survey of Kiltimagh carried out at various dates between 1982 & 2018! The lean to oil/lamp hut at Ballyglunin seems to have been a standard feature, there was a similar lean-to on the gable end of Kiltimagh cabin before the Burma Road closed in 1975.

Same seller has an OO Works J15 with a starting bid of £350.00 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OO-Works-GSR-CIE-J15-101-class-0-6-0-Grey-Final-price-reduction/384069239033?hash=item596c4f80f9:g:mYgAAOSwwlVgTdNe

It would be simple enough for OO Works to fit conventional spokes using their batch building technique Markits produce both conventional and H style driving wheels. The trick bit is whether the market is sophisticated enough to expect the larger DX wheels and running board. I suppose they could produce both a DX goods and a Crew Special Tank for the UK market and swap the running board and superstructure to produce a DNGR loco. It would still be simpler and less sacrilegious than trying to mate a London Road Models or GEM DX and Crew Special tank. Many years ago I tried converting a GEM whitemetal Crew Special into a 21mm gauge DNGR loco and it was not a happy experience.

A LNWR Crew Special Tank might be a better option for OO Works with potentially greater demand from LNWR, LMS and BR modellers than "passing off" a Beyer Peacock tank as a DNGR locomotive. There does not appear to be a rtr model of the Special Tanks and it would fit in with OO Works approach of manufacturing small to medium sized British Pre-Group locos Apart from the larger splashers the main difference between the "Specials Tanks" and the DNGR locomotives was wheel size https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNWR_Special_Tank#/media/File:Crwe_works_7_geograph-2219142.jpg

I commissioned York Modelmaking to produce a laser cut model of a GSWR hip roof signal cabin for use on my own layout. I was asked by a member of the group if he could order the kit direct from the manufacturers. I am accepting expressions of interest for a minimum of 10 signal box kits which are likely to be priced in the £45-50 price range. The kits are laser cut from MDF and Rowmark plastic parts and include York Modelmaking slates and ridge tile sheets. The kits will be supplied direct from the UK and may be subject to customs and local taxes upon entry to the EU or other countries. The model was completed with Wills Materials sheet slate roofing and ridge tiles as the slate and tile sheets were not included with the original set of parts. I mitered the corners of the MDF brickwork wall panels as it gives a more realistic effect than tab and slot joints sometimes used in laser cut stone or brick buildings. While I am fairly satisfied with the staircase, etched windows would look more effective and may be offered as an option. If there is sufficient interest in the signal box, I will certainly look at other buildings and structures including a typical WLWR Sligo Road & Thurles Branch station building, goods shed and platform shelter.

Its an impressive looking train and great example of how you do not need a lot of rolling stock to look effective in O Gauge. I hadn't seen a photo or a drawing of the 6w MGWR mail-luggage-brake before a 3 in 1 vehicle like the Branch Line Brake 3rds with raised look outs. Its an excellent model especially if you used the GA in the IRRS MGWR compendium which is so faded to be almost illegible. The only thing missing from the train is a MGWR Meat/Fish van to transport the freshly caught catch to the Dublin & Billingsgate Fish Markets.

Its possible that the 4-6-2T was a development of a 1925 GSR proposal an outside cylinder 4-4-2T for use on the DSER which eventually emerged as the solitary 2-6-2T 850. The 820 class looks strikingly similar to to original 380 Class proposal with an extended bunker and an additional set of driving wheels, it was proposed to fit the new locos with the O Class boiler which was fitted to the 1936 built 342 (D4) Class 4-4-0s and several similar ex-GSWR 4-4-0 Classes which would have achieved a large measure of standardisation. Its possible the GSR adapted the 3 cylinder drive and 4-6-2T wheel arrangement to produce a smooth rising locomotive with wide route availability. 3 cylinder locomotives were supposed to be easier on the track than 2 cylinder locos with outside cylinders and uncertainty over the stability of a loco with a leading truck at speed. The Woolwich Moguls were notoriously rough riding, 2-6-2T 850 appears to have had a reputation of rolling at speed while both the SR and LNER experienced derailments with locos with leading trucks at speed including the LNER V2 mixed traffic 2-6-2 & SR river Class 2-6-4T. The LNER appear to have resolved the problems with the V2s while the River Class were withdrawn and converted to 2-6-0 tender locos. Its unlikely that GSR/CIE had the resources or could afford to maintain its p.w. to the same standard as the LMS and GWR that extensively used 2-6-2T & 2-6-4T locos on fast passenger services. Interestingly Inchacore developed a proposal in 1945 to "convert" Woolwich Moguls into 3 Cylinder 4-6-0 mixed traffic locos visually a smaller version of the 800 Class. The conversions would have practically have been new locos apart from retaining Woolwich tenders and driving wheels a large boilered 3 cylinder development of the GSWR 500 Class 4-6-0s of 1925 one of the first successful mixed traffic 4-6-0 classes in the British Isles.

Having completed the test build we are planning to release the kit in June-July 2021 at $290NZ excluding shipping, import charges and local taxes The majority of the kits have been pre-sold or reserved, but we will continue to accept expressions of interest on a 1st come served basis in the event of cancellations. No 93 arriving at Keadue on the daily passenger. Not sure what a broad gauge train is doing on the narrow gauge. No 93 is OO the coaches 21mm and the track 12mm, I desperately need to build OO & 21mm modules of layouts. 93 broadside the number plate is temporary fixed with double sided tape as the model is based on 59. Boiler fittings and tender are SSM, boiler/firebox step ring, buffers, tender toolboxes are JMD brass castings.

Blue and Cream coaches turned up at Macmine Junction before the North Wexford line closed. There is a 1962 John Langford photo of an ex-GNR BUT railcar set at Macmine on the 07:25 Westland Row (Pearse)-Rosslare passenger with a mixture of CIE green, Blue and Cream and Black and Tan stock. If you haven't got them its worth while looking out for Irish Railways Railways in Colour "from Steam to Diesel" and "a Second Glance" both contain a good selection of colour photos of the West Cork, the SLNCR and narrow gauge in addition to main line CIE, GNR & UTA operations. next best thing to a time machine.

Yes, the gangways and large recessed doors were removed and windows re-arranged on one side.

Time Travel 2021

I have completed the test assembly to the revised 4w vans and I am accepting orders for delivery July-August 2021 @$150 NZ excluding shipping and local taxes & customs charges. I will contact customers who placed expressions on interest to confirm order quantities within the next 2-3 weeks. The models will be supplied as complete kits with the exception of couplings, the kits are designed with a mounting pad for a Kadee 36 coupler which bolt to the underframe. I am currently waiting for decals to arrive in order to complete the Hooded and Tin Vans and a coat of Testors Dulcote to tone down the orange peel effect as my CIE orange aerosol is past its use by date. Post Office Van. this kit includes alternate sides so the model can also be assembled as a p.w. riding van/tool van used with the weedkiller & gantry re-laying trains, but I have not assembled that particular version. Heating and Luggage Van which can be assembled in as-built or modified condition as 3134 Luggage or "Hooded Van which can be assembled in original or rebuilt 2749 conditions. The "Night Mail" with a Heating & Luggage, two Luggage Vans, a Post Office Van, a single Laminate Coach (Worsley Works) and a string of H vans

One intriguing possibility would have been the Derry Road continuing in operation at least as far as Strabane in order to maintain a rail link to County Donegal, either with the Irish Government sub-sidising UTA/NIR continued operation of the line or CIE or possibly the CDR taking over responsibility for operation and maintenance of the line. Interestingly CIEs operating losses increased significantly in 1965 after it took over responsibility from the UTA for cross border freight operations to Belfast and Donegal presumably paying the UTA for trackage rights in Northern Ireland and providing motive power and crews for the Derry Vacuum between Lisburn & Waterside. A 3' gauge A1A A1A version of the 121 Class would have been ideal for working Strabane-Letterkenny and Strabane-Killybegs goods traffic. The Letterkenny line carried relatively heavy traffic requiring two steam goods daily in its final years & Killybegs generated enough fish traffic to support a weekly Sligo-Waterford Bell-Liner in the 70s and 80s. General motors built a basic 3' gauge B-B version of the 121 (GL8) that ran on standard American freight trucks (bogies) and built a 3'3" & 3'6" gauge A1A A1A versions for East Pakistan & Taiwan during the 1960s. The Australians built a less powerful 6 cylinder 3'6" gauge Bo Bo version of the 121 with similar power output to a C Class. 2 locos would have covered CDRs power requirements with perhaps a 3rd as a spare, they could have followed the Australian option of using the locos on both narrow and standard gauge by swapping bogies. The Chinese built Kiwirail DL locomotoives are similar weight (108 tons) to the Irish Rail 201 Class and have a slightly higher power output than the Irish locos at 3600hp

Noel Nice to see you making a start on the overlays, I had almost forgotten my coach building episode. I use a piece of skirting board clamped in a vice for forming tumblehomes as detailed in the instructions. Pieces of skirting & stripwood 3-400mm long . Strip of brass or plasticard same thickness as coach side acts as a stop. Jig and coach side clamped in vice I find it easiest to glue the roof to the body of the Airfix/GMR/Dapol bodyshell before cutting slots in the sides. Tumblehome formed by pressing unsupported section of side against skirting board with the piece of aluminium angle in background a piece of stripwood or metal rod would also be suitable. Tumblehome formed without deformation. I found it easier to build the coach with a removable body shell as opposed to a removable roof as its very difficult to form a decent joint between the roof and body shell if they are separate sub assemblies. I first glued the roof to the sides and allowed the joint to harden for a couple of days before cutting out the slots in the body shell with an Olfa cutter. There is quite a bit on finishing these coaches on Page 3 of my Tales from the Carriage Shops workshop thread

Interesting photo I didn't realise that the 62'9" airbraked flats that ran on the Galway Liner mail were through piped to operate with vacuum fitted stock, the BR Vans and TPO & mail storage vans were through piped to run with air braked stock, the through piping of the wagons would have allowed the non-passenger coaching stock to be attached to the rear of the Liner rather than coupled directly to the loco.

The Moy bridge is a cracking spot, reminds me of the one and only time I travelled on the branch from Ballina to Claremorris possibly in a Park Royal coach behind a small BoBo the sense of remoteness and view across the lake reminds me of the Kyle of Lochalsh line in Scotland