jhb171achill

It seems that most categories of what little has been preserved here are like that; the best is long gone before anyone takes any interest in it at all; witness no MGWR loco, not a solitary complete cattle truck (once the single most common vehicle), only half a dozen or so narrow gauge carriages (across the 14 narrow gauge lines across the island), only a handful of goods wagons of any type, and virtually no first generation railcars, in preservation. In the early 60s, when Senior was still on the railway, he saw an almost rabid cult determined to obliterate as much of the past as humanly possible. There was zero interest in anything heritage related, beyond the Belfast Transport Museum.

The very man! Yes, good oul craic to work with and an excellent, knowledgeable and energetic foreman.

Excellent info, Mol. Most useful to anyone planning a model. I have not found any evidence at all of a 101 carryiong the yellow front panels either - I strongly suspect none ever did. This was a variant confined to the two 113s, and SOME (not all) As & Cs. And yes, "skipping" of liveries was not unknown. Some GNR carriages went straight from GNR brown (or navy & cream) to black'n'tan, having "skipped" green. I understand that one ex-GNR K15 was the last still in brown in 1966 or thereabouts, and was repainted black'n'tan that year. The very last "C"s were delivered green, not silver. And some A class, certainly, and possibly C, went straight from (filthy) silver to black / black'n'tan variants. Looks very much as if 109 skipped the green too. If it was silver in 1961, it's hardly going have been repainted green.

Indeed; it was said that the only benefit they brought to some places was that they made it easier to get to an emigrant port......... I wonder what 4.4.0 chassis might suit? Any thoughts / ideas?

Yes. Predicted usage and potential of the Achill, Clifden and Killala lines was way, way more optimistic than even the busiest times each of them ever was. Investigation of the history of all three shows that the neighbouring MGWR was highly unenthusiastic about them from the earliest suggestions, as the MGWR was well aware they would never break even, let alone turn a profit. And unfortunately they were right! In terms of a layout, sticking strictly to the prototype, virtually all stations in all lines would be hard to fit in most people’s attics. In terms of Achill, Newport without viaduct and long western-side cattle sidings, would be as doable as any, while a slimmed-down Achill is doable. Drop one or two of the sidings even, and it becomes a compact enough terminus. Mulrany could make a compact enough station too - the hotel building is far enough away to ignore, though there’s less operational interest in it, especially since in later days trains crossed at Newport, not Mulrany. Then theres the planned, but never built, one-platform halt and fish siding at Tonragee - think of a red-brick Dunsandle. After the line closed, one of these locos ran on the Ballina branch for a while. Another put in a guest appearance at Loughrea, and two were moved to Athlone. During this time, the Athlone-Portarlington branch train was occasionally hauled by one.

I’ll investigate 3D prints too.

No answer yet, I’ll try again.

Really? Are there many?

Can’t recall exact figure quoted, but from talking to Paddy that day, the price for this - given the very high quality that we know it will be - is going to be very reasonable indeed.

Exactly - a case of “making do”!

Indeed - I had heard that story, but those staff seem to have either got used to them, or been told there was nothing else. As you say, there’s a record of one there in 1934. My dad plus someone else each separately took pictures of 293 there in April 1938 and late summer 1938. I’ve seen another photo of one of them undated but looks to be early 1940s, and Les Hyland saw one there in the early 1950s. And yes, GSWR stock there was rare - as anywhere on the Midland - in GSR days and into CIE times, but Loughrea had two separate ex-GSWR bogie composites in the late 1950s, latterly trailing a brand new tin van! The arrival of the G and C class locos, and modern coach 1910, put a stop to all that early in 1963.

Correct. The only thing is the livery! The actual vehicles are no more like anything on the DNGR than an ICR is! But they certainly are nice coaches! And yes, all DNGR stock was non-corridor.

Most interesting stuff, Mol. Shows what a bewildering variety of oul relics could be seen comparatively recently - the very last GSWR vehicle (a plough van) having actually lasted into modern IE days. And I can't remember where I took that photo!

Absolute beauty. Two of those, as GSR 291 & 293, became the regular power on the Loughrea line between the early 1930s and early 50s.

He doesn't tell you that the needle is ten fut high, though.......................................................

They certaonly look the part. Few ex-WLWR carriage designs survive, especially of older W & L types. In the short time between 1980 and the GSWR takeover just over a decade later, WLWR coach design was somewhat influenced by GWR practive in England - thoug not extending to their livery - hence the bowed-in ends omn WLWR stock - or what there was of it - built in their last days. They were the obly compnay in Ireland to adopt that design practice,which was otherwise so common that it was as good as standard on the GWR and Midland Railway in GB.

Couledn't agree more - they reveal much fascinating detail of what went on behind the scenes and are an absolutely essentuial source for anyone who wants to really know how the railway worked. It was very, very different to today.

Looks very real...

I think this project is just a bridge too far.

It'll be a great addition to have the main line ones. I'd be looking for a few for sure.

Sounds like many of my writing projects!

Interesting layout style! Irish or anything else?

Unless I've missed something on account of the thing not being steam-powered, has there as yet been any opportunity for the public to view one of these things at Inchicore, or will there be?

Unbelieveable stuff, excellent.

Indeed - though we still have many naysayers about just about ANY sort of rail investment in or around Dublin (over or underground, heavy or light rail!), or Athenry - Claremorris. Bold moves are needed by whopever is next in government. We all ought to remember this when we vote shortly!