jhb171achill

It's not a million miles off the early 1960's experimental UTA "Catherwood" livery for railcars!

Regulations in the WTT, Minister...... Yes - the model is THAT realistic......!

True, minister..... and it was the "Pale"......

Since when has a "ZO" (i.e. Dublin) number plate been Northern Ireland?

Yes, but unfortunately not likely to translate into railway traffic.....

There's certainly no political will here at all, not has there been for decades, and that's not going to change. However, international carbon-emission agreements and resultant EU rules may well overtake things at some stage; let's hope they do. What Ireland has against it, of course, is small distances. However, properly thought out, you would imagine that basic system of goods trains from Dublin to Waterford, Cork, Tralee, Limerick, Galway, Athlone, Ballina, and Belfast or Derry should be feasible.

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.