jhb171achill

I never saw lorries on GVS platform, though I did see taxis, post office vans and cars there at the back platform. I did see lorries on platforms in other locations though deep in CIE territory.

Ballina seems to be about the only place left worth train spotting!

Many modellers have started off by using BR Mk 1 stock reprinted in either post 1955 lighter green or black'n'tan. They don't resemble laminates, which they are meant to represent, in any way, but do look the part. Similarly, BR full parcels brake of same era can approximate to a BR Genny Van. Various BR or LMS 2-6-4T locos can approximate to an NCC / UTA "Jeep". Wagons from the BR loose coupled era often will do as CIE or UTA wagons of the same period. Make sure UTA ones are weathered within an inch of their lives, and both they and CIE ones will have the chassis same as body colour - not black chassis which was very much a BR thing. Others here will point out steam locos which will suffice. The LMS "Jinty" 0-6-0T is suitable for a Belfast based layout, as the NCC acquired two and regauged them. Hope this is of assistance.

That's looking great so far! Can't wait to see it finished....

Now that's excellent work, Mayner. My grandad worked on those too...

Stunning pics!

Several points of clarification. The letters GSR and GSWR were indeed often filed off; change of ownership precipitated this, but it seems to have occurred on a random basis. NO cast plates ever had a black background under GSR or earlier CIE ownership, but see below, but in GSWR days they did prior to the introduction of lined black. Thus, the correct background for 90's plate at DCDR is black. All Inchicore type plates should have a grey background for anything at all post 1917 or so, with the following as the solitary exceptions. 1. The few CIE locos which were painted black in the mid and late 50s - black. 2. The 800 class; both names and number plates blue, as on 800, until about 1952. After that, 800 remained blue while 801 and 802 were changed to red. In all other cases, the same grey as body colour was used. My father recalls seeing some out shopped in late GSR and early CIE days with the surfaces of the lettering, numerals and plate rim simply sanded down to reveal bare metal, but most were painted a creamy light yellow, much the same as the colour CIE used for car side painted numerals. Sometimes rims of plates and numerals were painted a very light grey instead if cream, especially in GSR days. On at least one occasion, I have seen a photo of a loco in CIE times with what looks a much lighter colour - possibly white - used on rims and numerals of cast plates. It is important to note that once snails appeared, these were "eau-de-nil", not pale yellow, in other words a different colour to the cab side numeral. Locos painted green in late CIE times all had painted numerals rather than plates, except the three 800s. When numbers were painted on green livery, as opposed to grey or black, they were in lined "Eau-de-nil", not pale yellow; i.e. the same colour as the snails on both locos and rolling stock, and carriage numerals. As an aside, a small number of wagons - I think primarily horse boxes - got light green snails painted on their grey livery instead of the usual white... But that's one for wagon livery oddities.... The paintings on the front and rear of the book on GSR locos shows locos painted grey, with black number plates sporting red numerals, and black smoke boxes and chimneys. This is entirely incorrect. Hope this is of assistance.

Excellent stuff - here's to the next incarnation of it!

UP, the DCDR has to comply with the normal h & s stuff - but, depending on a number of circumstances, official arrangements may be made for a payment which basically covers insurance. When there, ask for the duty manager for the day. No guarantees, but DCDR folk will look after you as well as circumstances permit them to.

I think I'll go with awful!

Actually, I could be wrong but I think the gangways were taken off these as well...

A superb and very unusual model! I remember those things rattling about tagged onto the ends if railcars. One minor point - I would file the roof vents off.

UP, an adult all-day ticket is £5.50, or €7 or so. It's technically a return ticket but you can use it all day. Very good value! If you haven't been before, check out the various YouTube clips of it, in particular those made in recent times by the superb Mike Beckett. The "vintage carriages as usual" which I mentioned, on this particular day will be all ex-CIE: Former GSWR all third open no. 836, built 1902 (Second oldest operating coach in Ireland; Downpatrick also has the oldest but it won't be in use that day) Former GSWR corridor composite no. 1097, built 1924 (Actually into traffic in very early GSR days!) CIE brake genny standard no. 3223' built 1956 Hope this is of interest.

Absolutely stunning!

And gorged myself on choc... Despite being under orders from the Quack not to touch the stuff......!

"Mince Pie" trains operate at Downpatrick on 28th December (rather than 1st January as in recent years). Main line diesel haulage will feature this year, with either (or BOTH) A39 and 146 on all passenger trains. Departures from Downpatrick are at 1400, 1445, 1530, 1615 and 1700. Departures from Inch Abbey are at 1420, 1505, 1550, 1635 and 1720. Vintage passenger stock as normal.

I got thermal socks.......... Tis me age.....................

Me nose is stuck into The North Kerry Line....

Careful now..... UP with this sort of thing! :-)

I got one of the 800 brass kits. My own skills would never begin to. Do justice to such a superb kit - have you seen it? It's truly amazing. What I am doing is getting it professionally made up. Des has a contact for anyone interested. Once I have that, all pristine and shiny, I'll need a truly filthy grey J15 to go alongside it; another SSM kit!

This has opened an excellently well seasoned can of worms!

Ahhhh... The BCDR trust....... Hmm!

That looks amazing, scots mac! Excellent and convincing conversion!

Happy Christmas and New Year to all on IRM.

I should add that I would never want to divert sales from SSM or the like! :-)