jhb171achill

Was it partially vandalised? Hope interior fittings all still ok....

There can't have been too many like that, Minister. I'm afraid I don't know what the "R" meant, but I would think you are right. Sounds like a one-off.

Many thanks, Eoin. "Rails Through Connemara" is now finished and with the publisher (after many moons of putting it off!). He has a big queue of stuff ahead of it, though, and it will probably be on the shelves towards the end of the year or a late as Easer next. As the name suggests, it deals with the Clifden branch and Shantalla Quarry Siding in Galway.

That little layout is superb. Others have discussed on this forum recently what "how-to" hints, videos or demonstrations they'd like to see. Perhaps one on how you get ground surface scenery so convincingly realistic? Anyone agree?

Dull would be right - these plates were made of cast iron, steel or white metal, never brass (except on the 800 class). Not only that, but the rims were painted cream, which would not have shone, or in some cases just rubbed down to bare metal (rim and numerals) with standard grey background. Thus, the duller it looks, the more accurate. Given the brassy finish of these plates, in fact some dumbing down of the shininess is appropriate.

Oil lamps, yes, would be dull and flicker sometimes! That actually raises a point for modellers in general; if modelling the steam or early diesel eras, the super-white-bright halogen torchlights on modern trains of all types are not at all accurate for the past. As Eoin has correctly identified, modern ones are way too bright. Red tail lamps are also much brighter now than they used to be.

Now that would be just superb! That's the best way, Eoin - good approach to it.

Wowwwwww!!!!!!!!!!

A 1970s Loughrea layout would be amazing! Two or three "G" class locos hauling most of the traffic would present an opportunity for a very unique type of operation. An occasional visiting A or re-engine C would add interest, as would an example of the (rare) visits of 141s. A model of the unique brake standard would be interesting, along with other oddball laminates and things. Leslie's "H" vans would have good outing there, but a good stock of standard CIE cattle wagons would be an absolute must.

I have to say that while I think the modular idea is excellent, I don't like the idea of a foot-long bit of one type of scenery changing to the next. With good planning, scenic continuity would be easy.

Excellent stuff. These have come a long, long way since inception. Truly superb work.

Excellent project.

Now THAT would be nice!!!!!

Well said. I couldn't agree more. I papered - yes, paper, BR Mk 1s, with felt-tip-coloured paper "wrappings" in orange and black - and stuck them behind a BR class 31 - to approximate CIE, in 1970 or so, as a young teenager. It served what was then the best purpose possible.

Both available as kits - though €€€€€€

Dunnit....

I have an old DSER appendix somewhere and some MGWR stuff. Will look.

Having seen it in the flesh, I can attest that it's even better in real life! It even has a model of "The Wanderer" taking photos out of a window in a Craven!

There definitely lamp codes in steam days, though I can't recall offhand the details. Must look about...

That one illustrates the different sized yellow patches well also.

Best pics I've seen of that trio for a long time if not ever!

Further update on livery. Interior walls varied in colour under GNR, UTA and CIE. I'm just realising that the model is in GNR days - details earlier related to UTA / NIR / cIE. In GNR days I THINK - but can't be CERTAIN - that interior walls were a light browny colour. Other variants - UTA started using their own standard dark green mottled upholstery by degrees, though I remember original GNR grey / green first class upholstery remaining in some. CIE also used standard CIE seat coverings. But in GNR days, as above. The

An excellent project - looking forward to seeing it. Exterior blue was very dark - almost navy, and much darker than the royal blue shade used by the RPSI. It is often assumed that the RPSI Cravens are in GNR livery - they're not, nor was that intended to be the case. Intentions had white ceilings and from what I remember the inside walls were a creamy or light grey colour, though it's possible the grey was added in NIR days. Floors were of a light blown Lino. First class seats were patterned with mid green and greys being prevalent, while second class accommodation had light grey upholstery with red patterns through it. Coach ends were blue and cream, with gangways black.

If you have room for a Castlegregory terminus in O scale, I'd go for it as it would make a very unique model with ample opportunity for increased level of detail. The branch train was usually a single brake third with one or two goods vans at most, so it's easy to model. One loco, a couple of carriages, and maybe two each of vans, cattle trucks and open wagons would be enough to make an interesting and authentic operating layout. The 009 and 00 gauge stuff will all sell easily in the http://www.interweb.ebay, I would think.

Depends what room you have available. Smaller the scale the more activity and track can be crammed in....