jhb171achill

I knew I'd get excellent info on this one! Apparently it was built in 1932.

Nice scenery in the background (right)...Scotland, perhaps? This is again, I believe, from a visit in the 1930s.

Another 1930s view.

It is 47 years ago, today, that the closure took place of the Burma Road, Listowel - Ballingrane Junction, Ardee and Loughrea branches…. I got to Loughrea and Ardee by rail, but sadly not the other two (though I was in Foynes by rail two or three times….

As you suggested in your first post, a well-run club can cater for all. I'm not a member of one, but if asked to set one up and given sufficient budget, I'd go for a "generic" layout, which was just a bit of fun for all, but with space within the club for a rivet-counter's paradise, where a high-end strictly accurate model of something could be made up - this would double as a highly impressive exhibition layout........ tis a broad church, of course.

That I don't know - I'll see a few of the people at a private function tonight so I'll make enquiries and if anything comes of it I will tip off MRSI and others. To be honest I doubt it, but no harm in asking.

That was actually the first thing that occurred to me, but there isn't the space. The area that used to be occupied by the old "O" Gauge castle layout is now an upmarket souvenir shop and cafe, and the Model Railway Museum would struggle to provide the space for one retail stand, let alone any layouts. In addition, the whole lot are run by a company called Aramark, who even if space was available, would want dollars and dollars and dollars.............

Certainly looks like one of them! Nice find!

I'd be after the loco. €40 maybe......!

I believe this was taken by Senior about 1937 / 1938 / 1939. That's one big beast of an engine. Probably has a very hungry firebox!

Not on the back. (I’ll show meself out…..)

Strongly recommended!

Indeed, Darren, I couldn't agree more. This, of course, is what the IRRS is for. If you are a member and have convenient access to their archives in Dublin, you will find a treasure trove of all sorts of old archive material from track plans to timetables to borardroom minute books. Station architecture, rolling stock drawing and other material feature too. You will find the resident archivists, Herbie Richards and Tim Moriarty, extremely helpful. As a member, you can access their online photo archive, a rapidly growing and massively important archive of photographs, which has been created by their photographic archivist, Ciarán Cooney. He continues to add new stuff to this, as time permits it to be digitised. I would highly recommend membership for all of the above reasons and more - monthly historical talks and presentations being another. Members Richard McLachlann and Herbie Richards have over the years compiled a number of invaluable publications of stock lists, original rolling stock drawings - plus some GNR architectural drawings; in fact, a copy of this latter was amongst the stuff they had for sale at Raheny!

It’s possible that the IRRS might - I would try contacting them, as I know they do have some GNR architectural drawings.

And a grey roof instead of black! They might as well have painted the wheels and ends fluorescent pink……! Yes, as you say, nostalgia value….!

Could well be! I would not be familiar........ last time I got a train from Stranraer was about 1970! And I've never been to Inverness. I hear there are lots of Scotsmen there.......... OK, one more for today, since ye've all been good. Again, possibly posted before, but there ye go.

Today's 1st November offering: And another few, for good luck: Closer:

According to Shane Roberts of IRRS (seen left), it had been dropping ballast north of Howth Junction over the recent possession, and was on its way back to North Wall.

Spotted this at Howth Junction just now.

Those eggs are the wrong gauge, and they don't have struts down the whole way.

Well, I've eaten all mine. Dunne's finest. AND I've got more McAllister-provincial cattle wagons......

One for luck, seeing it's Raheny weekend, and I got more cattle trucks yesterday.............. This is a railcar rather than a cattle truck; though those who commuted in them regularly might take a slightly different view..........

On a point you make, the pva drying with a shiny effect - is this suitable for making the gravelly area look wet?

I've posted this before but including here now for completeness. Any idea why there's that kink in the track in the distance?

Prices for new ones not finalised yet, it seems.