jhb171achill

I have to say that I disapprove of buying up large amounts of a limited edition model just try to line pockets, when many modellers have to scrimp and save to get one, only to be told they're out of print..... I know it's old news but it still isn't right.

Absolutely superb, and in keeping with the generally well-kept appearance of locos at this time. Mind you, I once watched the up Westport roll into Claremorris (about 1970) and at the head of a pair of 141s was an example so dirty that I wondered for a moment if CIE had started painting the side orange bits in black, with just tan on the ends! It was, as they say in the north, "piggin'"! The track it's sitting (above) looks equally realistic.

Slow build maybe, but by the looks of it WELL worth it! I wasn't aware of these kits.

Aaaarrrgghhhh Dxyslescicx moment; you are quite right, Kirley. Note to self: Rewind, reprogramme...............!

Good idea. UTA and NIR were exactly the same bar the logo. All NIR did was replace the UTA crest with the NIR logo on just three engines, in one of which cases (No. 4) it was UTA crest on one side, NIR on the other! They never repainted, let alone replaced lining, on anything!

The D14s were the small "Kerry Bogies". The 60 class were D17.....

Ill have a look, Eoin.

They put them in double beet wagons.

If so, that (at the Irish standard scale 30ft) would be a boon. A MGWR body kit would be an asset; GSWR examples exist in the form of Worsley "scratch-aid" kits. Has anyone ever seen one of these made up?

But not that type or modern logo.... I suggested 70s / 80s; I'm as much inclined to think 90s....

Thanks, Andy!

Done the survey

I don't ever recall seeing them on trains, but trucks - loads of'em! Also, that livery for Jacobs is probably late 70s / early 80s; thus decades later than the likes of Inglis - and thus inappropriate for the Derry Road area if that's an issue.

Indeed. I need my smelling salts every time I see this superbly atmospheric layout. More!!!

I think it's the ONLY time I saw one so clean! It obviously is newly done. In traffic, like the UTA's spoil wagons, aft a single run they were filthy - permanently!

Yes, it was Bill Bedford Models, many years ago now! I have seen many conversions of British locos which look very convincing. But it's a fiddly business to get exactly the right look. Overall, much the same, but many, many detail differences.

Eoin - that would be great, especially with the distinctive MGWR footstep brackets. Andy - do you have details of the brassmasters ones?

I don't know of an exact colour, I'm afraid - possibly blending different things as the overall effect wouldn't be quite uniform.

One word - jail.

Coal is a more economic option. Apart from the practical issues mentioned above, the cost of conversion, maintenance if the apparatus, greater maintenance requirements and so on, the running costs of a diesel would be less.

So am I. They cover a lot of layout possibilities.

You're absolutely right, Colin. "Lough Erne" and, appropriately, BCDR No. 30, would be operationally suitable, but would eat more than a smaller loco, and would thus be uneconomic on all but the St Pats & Santa trains. A Jinty or J26 would be better, if available. There is one very severe gradient in the cutting just south of Downpatrick - in fact, short as it is, one of Ireland's most severe, as the line south of DP was very cheaply built. However, given a decent run, its shortness is such that even a Sugar loco can get three bogies over it.

That's absolutely spot on!

If a new-build was to be a likelihood, like the RPSI's talk of another Jeep -v- a mogul, practicality would have to not just be more important than emotional preferences, but would have to oblitarate such thoughts. In practical terms, the best options for a new build would be just about big enough to take the DCDR's maximum likely load (three to four bogies) over a distance of maybe 6 miles (9km), with least coal consumption. We're looking at a Jinty perhaps, a GNR 2.4.2T, a MGWR J26 (ideally; simple reliable machines), or the West Cork "Argadeen" 2.6.0T. Pretty much all else else either would eat too much coal or would be too light (e.g. 90!). 90, of course, or the sugar locos, are perfect for current operation, the shortness of which makes even a Jinty of a J16 an unnecessary extravangance. The RPSI's No. 3 "R H Smyth" was also an absolutely ideal locomotive for Downpatrick.

A shade lighter, perhaps? - to blend in with the local mud washed off the beet!