jhb171achill

Having seen one of these wagons in the flesh, they are absolutely fantastic and an absolutely essential addition to any mid fifties to mid 2000s layout....

Outstandingly good!

Thank you Dave, very helpful.

As my American colleagues would say, that is truly AWESOME!!!

Off railway topic I know, but I was vaguely interested in getting a drone... looks like an interesting hobby. Anyone know the best place to go for advice / start-up?

Fantastic photos, folks - many thanks, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. We'll do it again! :-)

Yes. The law has not indeed caught up; doubtless numerous issues need to be addressed there. In the meantime, and probably only for a short time - most things are probably fair game.

Looks great!

A great pleasure to meet some of our number for the first time, and others again, at the DCDR today. Hope all concerned enjoyed it.

I have John Edgington's address - he doesn't do email but will respond to postal enquiries. The pic shown above is the earlier dark green. As Mayner says, the post-1955 lighter green livery (they were one of the extremely few classes to carry both)) is as shown in that photo in the book.

Folks Updated arrangements - I've been roped in to do guard on the 1400 ex Downpatrick and the 1420 return from Inch Abbey, so I need to be there at 1330 latest. Therefore - Garfield / Warbonnet - I'll pick you folks up at the agreed spot at about 11. So, we can all be free to arrive when we want; see the arrangements above - the first of the three tours of the sheds will be immediately after the 1445 sets off for Inch Abbey. Thus, it will start promptly at 1450. Other arrangements as stated previously. Looking forward to meeting some of you! We can all meet for a bite to eat afterwards if desired.

Cue an exploration series of some closed lines? Landowner permission would of course be a major issue. None of us would want a drone over our private land with unlimited access. BallyG station is different as it's in public ownership (CIE Property Board or IE, still, presumably?)

The gold lining on the "snails", Rialto, was quite thin, and omission of it wouldn't be a great disaster! Ideally, if transfers were available with and without it...... after 1955/6, when the lighter green carriage livery came in, they were light green unlined. Steam engines of the all-grey persuasion, plus the few in green, and the even fewer in black in the very late 50s, always had lined light green "snails". Beware of yellow imitations; these are doubtless the result of (a) the incorrect livery of 461 when first restored in 1990 (it was painted black, and with a yellow "snail", neither of which were right), and (b) the fact that on grey or black engines, the cabside numerals WERE pale yellow! Luckily, a green D class is more straightforward - best of luck with it.

Absolutely, Snapper! Maybe they should bin these oul railcars and 071s and 201s, and get proper blue 4.4.0s back on the GNR main line!

Dark green as on 800 today, and not unlike that on 461. Lining, numerals and logo in pale green edged in gold. As a general point, flying snails on steam or diesel locos or coaches, were always pale green, never yellow or white.

Love the replaced planks! Just right for early UTA era. Wagon looking tatty, replanked with one painted plank and others not even painted, and the rest of the wagon still in NCC livery! Perfect replication for 1950s.

What an absolute shambles!!!!!!! Just been reading the account of what happened today.... unbelievable. Railway enthusiasts or no, the "Steam Dreams" crowd can hardly have ben impressed!

Folks DRIVERS available: 1. Me - Southside Dublin. One free seat 2. Dartstation - Dun Laoghaire 3. Portoman - Portmarnock Can others intending to travel please "ping" any of the three of us to reserve a seat. Suggested time to leave Dublin area about 1130. From North, please let me know if you have difficulty obtaining transport. Thus far, I have no actual offers of lifts from Belfast.

Excellent, Garfield I have one free seat; I'm collecting Warbonnet and Garfieldsshost in Dublin. However, I need to stand in as train guard on the 1400 departure so I'll need to be at the railway about 1330. (Garfield - can I pick you and WB up at about 1130?) OTHERS: One of our number (Dartstation) can offer a lift for anyone in the Dun Laoghaire area or close by -can anyone interested please send a PM to him to arrange pick ups. (Dartstation - many thanks for your offer of transport). Those travelling from Belfast / based in the north - you might liaise with each other. IF ANY OF THOSE WHO EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THIS VISIT CAN OFFER LIFTS, OR HAVE DIFFICULTIES OBTAINING THEM, PLEASE POST HERE. All of us read these boards. Also, you can PM me and if I can make any arrangements for you, I will. Otherwise, I'll see you all at Downpatrick, where the programme already mentioned in post above will take place. This will be a unique opportunity for enthusiasts / modellers to obtain access to areas not normally available to anyone other than rostered working members.

IRISH RAILWAY MODELLER GROUP - MODELLER’S VISIT TO DOWNPATRICK & CO. DOWN RAILWAY Saturday 20th June 2015 Downpatrick is approximately two hours drive from Dublin. Head to Dundalk, then Newry, on the motorway, then into Newry town. From there, the way is signposted over the Mournes. See their website: http://www.downrail.co.uk/ I suggest that we arrange to meet at Downpatrick at 12:30. This will enable me to identify everyone and ensure we’re all in together, which in turn will assist in facilitating shed visits. Myself and another DCDR member will personally conduct these visits. The timetable circular for the day is as follows: __________________________________________________________________________________ Downpatrick Dep. 1230 1400 1445 1530 1610 1700 1745 Inch Abbey Arr. 1240 1410 1455 1540 1620 1710 1755 Inch Abbey Dep. 1300 1420 1505 1550 1630 1720 1815 Downpatrick Arr. 1310 1430 1515 1600 1640 1730 1825 (Trains in italics are empty stock / light engine movements) The rostered locomotives for the day are: O & K No. 1 for the 1400, 1445, 1530 and 1615 trains, with GM No. 146 on the Empty Stock train at 1230, the 1700 passenger train and the ECS return at 1745. __________________________________________________________________________________ Those arriving early will be able to watch whatever shunting is in progress prior to commencement of operations. When the 1815 ECS from Inch Abbey arrives, further shunting may take place. In addition to the timetabled services, the Gallery will be open. This may be visited at your leisure during the day. This contains two MGWR six-wheelers, the three restored BCDR coaches including the Golfer’s Saloon and the Railmotor. GSWR No. 90 is also present there, as well as the NIR Railbus. SHED VISITS will be arranged as follows: 1. At 1400, immediately after departure of the 1400 passenger train. 2. At 1445, immediately after departure of the 1445 passenger train 3. At 1610, immediately after departure of the 1610 passenger train. Each visit must take place promptly at the times stated, as they involve crossing the main line track which is in use. Health and safety regulations will require the limitation of each visit to half an hour, as we must be back across the tracks before the incoming return train. If you wish to participate in two or all three visits in order to photograph or measure all you want to, that’s fine. Opposite the station are both a chipper and a sandwich place. There’s a decent bar two minutes’ walk up the street. We can meet up after our visit to swop ideas and maybe have a bite to eat. The DCDR can accept Euros and credit card payments. You are encouraged to buy their tea and confectionery, to support the railway. Please also consider supporting their bookshop. Please obey any directions given by DCDR staff at all times. See you there! jhb171achill 087 2828905 jhb171@gmail.com

When will the Midland 2.4.0 be available?

Could everyone intending to travel on Saturday to the DCDR let me have their names and email addresses, please, and I will try to coordinate transport for all. I have arranged all-day travel for all, plus a supervised visit to areas normally out of bounds. Price will be about €10 max / £7. Motive power will be O & K No. 1 on the following trains: 1400, 1445, 1530 and 1615. On the 1700 departure, and 1720 return from Inch Abbey, GM No. 146 is rostered. Let me know your avaiability. I'll circulate exact details on Thursday.

In the States, they remotely control locos mid-train and at the back, so they all do the same things at the same time.

There were two proposals of interest on NIR in the 1980s.... one was shipping of De Lorean cars from the Dunmurry factory to the docks, and the other was lignite (brown coal) from Crumlin (on the Antrim branch) to Belfast docks. That's mainly what they got the six "C" class for.

If Ireland had coal mines on a British scale..... 2.10.0's hauling huge coal trains out of Arigna, Coalisland, Deerpark, Wolfhill and perhaps other places..... Today, 201s would doubtless be doing the honours. It could even have resulted in double headed 071 class....