jhb171achill

If you're looking for NCC coaches, these of course would be steam era (which on the NCC was up to 1970). There are many cheaper LMS coaches for sale (ebay, Hattons, Mark's Models, etc) which are suitable for repaint, but would probably need a "Jeep" to hail them. NCC locos - the "Jinty" crops up fro time to time, though as far as I know it only ever shunted Belfast docks.

Long gone. Nobody at all was posting any more, or reading it.

I knew it. It's GNR No. 50, the erstwhile Director's Saloon, latterly used by the GNR's Civil Engineer as an inspection car.

Looking closer at that wartime film coach..... it is NOT the GSWR one shown above. I don't know what it is myself, though the design of it looks vaguely GNR. The balcony ended coach was 352, I believe, not 353, and it was scrapped in 1964. I had thought 1966 was a bit late for that vehicle, as was the green livery for a vehicle like that (though green was still to be seen on Park Royals and other "ordinary" stock). I wonder if that pic was taken on an IRRS trip ("outing", as they still quaintly, and somewhat worryingly, call it!) to Castlecomer in the early 60s? That was, I believe, one of the last times - if not THE last - that this beauty saw a day out in traffic.

Well, I've no idea what an "Attymon Carriage Enniscorthy" is....typical ebay drivel caption.... That last scene is clearly for a film, but which one? What's the carriage? The dull grey / green (certainly not CIE's) maybe intended to be wartime Italy or Germany?

......... and ..... a little more research tonight confirms that the container parts were indeed dark green. the black ones must have been on the Asahis - I'll check that too.

I found one old photo which appears to have standard brown wagons (as presumed; bogies naturally also brown). The container is an extremely dark green - almost black. I am pretty certain that some others were black, but at least this one was definitely a very dark green - probably the shade applied to the lower parts and bogies of the Anhydrous Ammonia tankers. The word "WATER" was stencilled on its side, midway, in letters which I suspect were about a foot high. No other markings or logos are on the actual tank container.

Superb. Did you make the actual tank out of plasticard or buy it? And if so, where, because I might like one like that!

Correct, folks. This project is indeed subjected to a "can't do" attitude; not because of the comments of the naysayers, but because of the truth on their statements and the unrealistic, albeit well-meant proposals of the promoters. It's a case, unfortunately, of "don't shoot the messenger"!

My recollection is black, but they were dirty. The chassis of the ammonia tanks themselves was in a very dark green like UTA green - maybe slightly darker, so it's possible they were painted in that. Old black paintwork can fade to just about anything, depending on the undercoat below it (and Inchicore used a lot of undercoat in various greenish shades); and the compounds within the particular brand of paint. I have seen badly faded maroon paint which looks brown, other examples pink, or a salmony colour. I have seen badly faded green paint looking bluish, or brown, or even a nondescript yellowy colour. Thus, photos of green-looking barrier wagons could be just black faded to that. I will delve a little more and try to find a definitive answer. The bogie wagons the containers were carried on were standard CIE brown, heavily weathered in brake dust.

Now, boys and girls, if THAT doesn't look amazing in N gauge, I dunno what does!

I understand that ECM Trains are planning a RTR 141. Since the 141s were for years the mainstay of many lines, in some cases almost to the exclusion of all else, a layout populated by half a dozen of these beasts would do well. My understanding is that it won't come cheap, but will be of exceptionally high standard, as per all from the ECM stable.

If it is going to be a kit, easier to get an actual Irish kit rather than xmend a British one. Studio Scale Models, Provincial Wagons and others here will go a good starting place.

If only ballast trains were still steam hauled! I remember them that way many moons ago.......

Correct, Noel...it was 1970s (1971 specifically, as mentioned) so the 1960s were indeed all about four wheelers. And naturally, a black'n'tan loco could be seen on later container trains until the very last ones got Supertrain livery, which wasn't until about 1979.

I am sure I am not the only one who watches the extremely high standards of modelling of the likes of Mayner, ECM Eoin, Messrs Holman and many others here. As others have said, much of what the better modellers here do is not so much modelling as fine engineering. Unfortunately, not all of us are anywhere near that league - I'm certainly not. Thus, like many, I outsource the more complicated things. One such item has been with the maker-up now for several years..... The completion date keeps getting put back and back and back and back. And it's not a cheap thing either, and I've paid for it. Maybe that wasn't such a good idea. I'll elaborate on that in the future should it be something to warn others of. So, the question: is there a good list somewhere of who can take on commissions? And, of what type? Some prefer to work with plastic, some brass, some both. And I accept that time doesn't exactly grow on trees when model-makers often have day jobs too, though at the least a realistic timescale should be given on commencement. Indeed, if anybody is available and in a position to deal with several matters for me, might I ask you to PM me? No harm in asking.....!

Which one is that, Wrenn, and is it 00 scale? I could paint it in 1970s orange and white.

I'd be looking for one of the type used about 1960-3, also typical mid 70s. I seem to remember Renault ones in 70s - would that be right or have I got my timescales wrong? They had started painting them orange with white doors then.

Mfjoc - that sounds correct. islandbridge - correct. There were never any purpose-built Craven catering vehicles - only those two conversions. If it was 1988, newer livery variant only. Pre 1986, Cravens were mixed in with laminates, Park Royals and 1953-6 24xx dining cars completely; as well as Brendon's while they were still running (last one about 1976), and the last few old wooden GSWR carriages (last withdrawn 1974). All were regarded as a common fleet. Only the new air-con Mk 2 tin cans were kept separate. Their corridor gangways didn't match anything else.

The cardboard one alone is worth having!

In that case, 1508/9 would not have run as catering cars in older livery style. Only the post-1987 IE style with orange and white lines above, and white line below windows. Which means that as firsts, they were only ever in the older livery with only white above windows, and no white below.

Will do!

My preference is a handwritten message on a €200 note.

The bookface page suggesting / promoting this has dropped the idea.

I'm just wondering when 1508/9 were converted.... was it pre-1990?