jhb171achill

True. In my case, such learning would be well beyond what little addled grey pulp is left of whatever had passed for a brain. However, Daughter is a highly qualified IT designer, to whom CAD seems to be child’s play. To my mind, a “web designer” is someone who knits webs to sell to spiders, which I will then stamp on or bat with newspapers. And thus, the world goes round. My initial query was based on the idea that if I could get her to do the CAD stuff, and I bought a good quality printer, perhaps some sides and ends for several varieties of coach (e.g. my favourite theme - Midland six-wheelers), might be feasible, doing a few for myself and selling a few more. Not sure of the financial side though.

Very helpful, John, thanks.

Excellent - keep us posted!

What sort of €€€€€ are we talking about?

Robert, did you do these yourself? The above looks superb. I’d be interested in any advice you might have about how best to do this and what type of gear is needed.

I'd be looking initially at just two parts - a side and end. Chassis would be done separately, and floor, interior and roof home-made from plasticard. The sort of printer you have in mind - how much typically? DITDP says that design work to an adequate standard would take a good three days work, maybe longer.

Mine arrived, but have been intercepted by the Domestic Authorities. I'll see them on 25th!!!!

Woo hoo! I would add my voice to this. For those of us who need to plan future purchases and how to finance them, a list of proposed projects (as far as possible) and likely availability dates would be very helpful.

In conversation with Daughter-the-IT-Design-Professional, I am told that pictures of MGWR six-wheelers in a book I was dribbling and drooling over today, could be 3D printed. I know that all here will be very well aware of this, and to a far greater extent than I am. My question is, under what circumstances and using what type of printer, and at what cost, can such an honourable project be adequately executed? DITDP might make herself available for the design team, hours permitting. Thoughts?

The Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth has started, here in jhb171 Towers. I have wondered over the last few days why my eagerly awaited package from 00 Works hasn’t appeared; I sent a payment weeks ago. But now, all has been revealed, thanks to Resident Dog. While playing “catch the toy dragon” with him just now, I ended up spying a well wrapped package under the settee. The wailing has started! It transpires that the Domestic Authorities have intercepted said package, so the two J15s therein have been IMPOUNDED until Christmas Day! Aaaarrrrrrgggghhhghghhhh!!!!!

I’ve got through half of my months’ supply of smelling salts looking at that picture! As a result, I will be voluntarily returning to the Home for the Bewildered, Insane, and Imbecilic. When my own package arrives from 00 Works, I’m afraid I’ll need more medication......! Congrats to Roderick & Co at 00 Works!

3173 will either be all blue or blue and cream. Final decision probably a good way off at present.

For modellers in general, I understand that in the medium term the Whitehead set will need to be repainted and a slightly different shade of green is under consideration.....

A superb article! And a really excellent job!

Late to be coming back to this, but I just spotted it. The upholstery there is not original.

They’ll all be repainted in MGWR carriage brown livery by then.

They’re all in the wrong livery......

Like Ying Tong Song or Kay Dee? Avoid Taa Ra as she’s a bit of a wagon.

I sincerely hope not, but little surprises me these days.....

Fry had a large collection of railway artefacts as well as his models. His models ran into the hundreds. All are in varying condition. The artefact list is currently being perused to see what bits are of the highest historical interest for display. I understand that all concerned may be meeting again very soon to evaluate progress.

Correct, indeed! An Irish Rail one, the whole way through? I had thought it was NIR ones.... Interesting, Ernie, many thanks!

Many thanks for that recommendation, Noel, much appreciated. Barry and I have several vague ideas about a third volume in the series, and as it happens I’m off to call with him this evening! A goods volume may indeed be interesting, and one project we had (albeit only vaguely) considered would include quite a bit of fertiliser and beet. As always, as a schoolteacher of mine used to say at exam time, “time is of the essence”!

Until 1965, steam engines and loose-coupled trucks (generally looking extremely dishevelled / neglected). After the UTA abolished all internal goods traffic and the Derry Road closed, MPD cars (2 or 3 together) were used generally, but as the 1970s progressed, these were gradually replaced by 70 class cars. Waterside station in Derry usually had a single MPD car as a shunter in the late sixties and early seventies. The CIE engine would bring the Derry goods as far as Lisburn, where it would be left in the back platform for the UTA / NIR railcars to pick up. CIE locos worked the Belfast goods first to Grosvenor Road, later to Adelaide. The CIE engine shunted Belfast after 1972; the ex BCDR diesel plus the CIE loco before that, and steam up to about 1968/9, usually Jeeps. The CIE motive power was usually pairs of 121/141/181s. As mentioned, very short lived timber traffic operated in the 1990s. I am not sure of the exact dates. This traffic, plus fertiliser traffic was also operated between Dundalk and Lisburn by CIE / IE, but as the 70 class cars were withdrawn in the early 1980s, NIR diesels took over. The three Hunslets had a turn, especially 102 but rarely 103; later the three 071s (111/2 especially; 113 less often). The second hand C class locos were occasionally used in the mid 1990s. By the time the Adelaide goods traffic ended (was that, I think, about ten years ago?), motive power was still inevitably “pairs” - variously 121, 141 and 181 classes. I recall 133 & 135 on it quite often, but I’m sure they all had a go. I never once saw a CIE / IE 071 on goods in the north. I can’t say with certainty that not one ever did, but I think it unlikely. If an 071 ever DID deal with goods to the north, it would have been an extremely rare one-off. Perhaps others might be able to clarify this.

Yes, neither an A nor anything else had the “tanner” and the “more orange” shades together - it was one or the other.