jhb171achill

You're very welcome here, Callum!

Yes, that leading one is indeed an NCC one, as is the fourth. Rare in Dublin. You could always run them mixed with a couple of GNR designs built from kits by SSM or Worsley. I have always had an idea like Patrick Davey's Knockloughrim - a layout based on some sort of mid-Ulster line, where NCC and GNR stock would be equally common. Or a shunting terminus type of set-up, using a Jeep, old carriages like above, and of course an AEC or MPD railcar set.... Time, though, space and money mitigate otherwise.... I'd say if IRM bring out a laminate - and I hope they do - they'd have silver, green, and black'n'tan, the latter with the initial "2" on the doors, and later without. While the last of them were still in traffic 14 years after the "supertrain" livery was introduced, none of them ever got that. One detail livery issue with silver coaches is the numbers. On some, they were standerd "eau=de-nil" light green, but on others the numbers were RED. This is also reflected on Fry's models, but I do vaguely recall seeing a red number on something when I was a nipper. I have not yet been able to ascertain why some were red and some light green. By the way, no silver rolling stock ever carries the flying snail. or any type of lining. Only the coach number and class number on doors. Tin vans, of course, only had the number.

Now those REALLY look the business! Not so much these - they're NCC designs. As far as I'm aware, almost if not literally exclusively, only ex-GNR stock was used south of Lisburn, never mind the border. While some ex-GNR coaches certainly migrated north to ex-NCC lines, the NCC stock didn't tend to come over much to the GNR. Can't say it NEVER happened; quite possibly did - but a whole train of NCC stock as far away as Dublin I would very much doubt. However, the world is crying out for asveral 1960s-era UTA-based layouts of some sort anyway! But a "Jeep" is needed. For those who have them, there's the 00 Works GNR 0.6.0....

Eh? Must be SOMEONE who can drive ballast trains?

I think the moral of the story is that we need STEAM as well as diesel. Masochist!!

We’re in a modern house, so 100% electric and no open fire or oil or gas heating. Our power went off about 7 am, came back about 6pm - for five minutes - then off again. Finally back about 8pm - we were among the lucky ones. Apparently some will be without it for days….

There’s one in Omagh, at the top of a tree, another wedged in someone’s chimney in Abbeyfeale, half of one in Donegal, and the other is floating in the Atlantic off Venezuela….

Plus, in typical Silverfox style, the livery is badly incorrect on most variations.

Fast forward to another sunset winter evening in 1965. Here, the late afternoon local from Dugort has just arrived at Castletown. All the above “sunset” stuff; think power cuts & candles!

As it’s January 1963, the last six-wheelers are being withdrawn for good. The branch set has been changed - a 1924-built GSWR bogie composite has arrived, with a new tin van. The old set sits in the yard at Dugort. Tomorrow, it will be attached to the up Cork goods, and the three carriages will be scrapped in Glanmire goods yard along with many others. Tonight, the sun sets on them for the last time. A pity the Downpatrick preservation scheme is several decades away! Bottom: The “new” branch set in service last night with A12….

The connection for Tralee awaits at Castletown…

In these winter evenings, early sunset (you DO know what “sun” is? If not, see me after class), means the last trains leaving Castletown and Dugort as the last light fades. Here, A12 leaves Dugort Harbour for the short run up to Castletown West with the last passenger train on 20th January 1963…..

The up 11:40 to "town" departs on a bleak January day in 1948.... . On the same day, the afternoon mixed heads off in the same direction....

I'm not either, but I was persuaded to try by a friend and colleague!

The West Clare had several carriages with concrete blocks under some seats, as a result of a train blown on its side, plus a wind anemomenter in Quilty station. If the wind reached a certain speed, only these carriages were allowed to be used. If it rose above an even higher speed, all trains were cancelled. The anemometer is at Malahide Castle in storage - Cyril Fry somehow got hold of it. I am hoping it can be displayed at some stage. Tis getting a bit breezy out, boys'n'girls. Time to put the kettle on before a power cut.

They’ll need West Clare carriages on the Ballina branch, with their concrete weights under the seats!

From opening until closure (to passengers) this line like several other MGWR byways was populated entirely by standard MGWR six-wheelers. Like Killeshandra and Athboy, originally a third, a 1st / 2nd compo and a brake third, but the Midland became the first major company to ditch 2nd class, and passenger numbers were never high, so from the mid-1910s the set was typically a 1st / 3rd compo and a brake third. All six-wheelers. Had it made it to the modern era, expect two standards and a tin van until the mid-80s. These would be typically: - Until end of steam - probably an old wooden bogie and a six wheel brake 3rd. - 1960s - same, or else an old Bredin or a new laminate, but orange & black and diesel hauled, so a tin van essential too. - 1970s - last old wooden stock gone, but Park Royals appearing on services like this - so one or two various laminates, PRs or old Bredins. - 1980s: same, but you might see the odd Craven. After 1986, and the wooden body issue, only Cravens, though PRs might get a by-ball for a couple of years. Laminates gone. Four wheeled tin vans replaced by BR or Dutch by maybe 1980 latest. - 1990s: only Cravens, possibly two, and a BR or Dutch van. Loco-wise, up to the end of steam, latterly J18 0.6.0s and rarely anything else, though in earlier days 2.4.0s and “E” class tanks. At whatever stage they dieselised it, expect a “C” from 1960-ish for a few years, then probably an exclusive diet of 141s after that until a railcar took over. Today, doubtless a 29 class set. An “A” could have appeared too, with gypsum trains running alongside passengers, and post-1972 you’d probably get the odd re-engined A or C (B201).

Can't find that website either - just a somewhat meaningless typed list..........

They weren't painted at all. Therefore, what passed as their "livery" was a mixture of old GSR maroon, by now faded to a dull nondescript salmony pink, newer unpainted boards, and bits and pieces of wagon doors in wagon grey. Some panels might still look maroon-ish. About 18" high would be about right.

Anyone know anything about this company? They used to make brass kits and also 3D prints (presumably via Shapeways) of various items from the land of Haggis, lake-dwelling monsters, men wearing tartan dresses and whiskey without an “e”. One was a brass kit of a six-wheeled first class saloon, which was very reminiscent of some similar vehicles on the GSWR. I believe that Mousa was a one-person operation, a bit like Provincial Wagons, Worsley Works or 00 Works. Their website has vanished lately. Was considering getting one of these saloons. Any ideas / info?

The line is officially operational but has no scheduled services. Intermediate stations are temporarily closed. It has occasionally been used for crew training in recent years.

If the plan goes well, I've one or two in mind!

Was doing it with expert guidance; more next week!

Hmmm - 1910! This became the "Loughrea Coach" in 1963, with storage heaters added!