jhb171achill

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!

Going back to the topic of potential for modelling in more northerly climes, there's also the narrow gauge. Of the 14 or so narrow gauge lines which carried the public, no less than eight, plus another which didn't carry the public (and was the first), were all in Ulster. This included the smallest (Portstewart Tramway - 1.5 miles) and the two biggest, with some 300km of track between them - the CDR & LLSR. And three of them survived to become part of the UTA, though that body got rid of all three just about as quickly as it could, but not before several locos on the Ballycastle line received the UTA lined black livery. One was repainted thus but never ran again!

As for carriages, the remains of saloon 900 at Belturbet can be tken as the standard body shape outline for WLWR coaches. Almost their entire fleet were 6-wheelers. Unfortunately, nothing else survives. From what very little I've seen, wagons were broadly similar to earlier-era wagons of the day, on other lines. And yes, very elegant locos.

You've certainly done your bit for the north with Brookhall!

Just to add, a layout based pre-1900 of anything Irish would be pure gold dust. And the north has SO much untapped potential for modelling in any era. IRM's Mk. 2s and Hunslets, and provincial UTA Spoil wagons will hopefully trigger a change in this - the gaping gap, of course, being Jeeps and the fascinating array of railcars - AECs, BUTs (2 designs), MEDs and MPDs (multiple variations) and above all 70 & 80 class railcars. But of course none of those are exactly pre-1900; to your own suggestion, a BNCR branch would be easy. Scratch building their coaches would be much easier than any other company, as like earlier BCDR ones they were flat-sided and non-corridor. In fact, if a genesis-style "generic" flat-sided six-wheeler could be available, maybe by 3D printing, it would pass a "2ft rule" as BCDR or BNCR. For wagons, a scratch-built brake van is needed, as theirs were unlike anything else that ran in Ireland OR - as far as i've ever seen - in Britain. But wagons - Leslie's convertible "soft-top" vans are fine (2ft rule!) and Leslie's GNR cattle wagons could well be visiting the BNCR area with a cattle special from somewhere in Tyrone or Fermanagh!