jhb171achill

It's not just you, Colm! The lower band on the real thing was indeed narrower, while that on both thosed models is way too wide. These light green bands were edged in gold, as was the snail and the numerals. On the post-1955 lighter green, the narrower waistband, numerals and snail were unlined.This later version had no light green band above the windows.

I remember seeing one of them (101, I think) with a train of old BUT and AEC cars. They would have hauled these and also old ex-NCC stock. I doubt if they hauiled both in the same train. I have a vague idea - though I never saw it - that on at least one occasion a Hunslet hauled a Mk 2 set WITH added older stock also added on. I do not know whether it was ex-railcars or ex-steam passenger stock. I have also seen a pic of one of them in front of CIE stock, though this may have been an empty working or a shunting manoevre.

Stevie, I can't be 100% certain but I suspect it was only in the later version with "tippex" lines only and the orange line below roof level.

One of each in a rake would look good. By the time CIE came into existence, a train of all the one type of coach, as nowadays, was as rare as hen's teeth. Just one of each type above, with a Bredin, a Park Royal, an old six wheeler and a tin van would be about right for most layout uses of that era!

Yes, "Maedb" would be something else, wouldn't it! Back on the Cork line, with 20 assorted Bredins and wooden coaches behind it..... (or 20 pocket wagons!)

The plastic's quite thick - presumably you'd try to have the glazing flush rather than "behind" the window holes... not easy? But well worth seeing the finished result.

Very good! And don't worry about the loco number not being light green - while the "snails" were that so-called "eau-de-nil" pale green, the numerals were a yellowy cream colour - just as you have them.

Stunning!!

Excellent shot. On left, a GSW composite of 1910-15 era. On right, a non corridor GSW suburban brake 3rd, similar era.

There was one set of these old veterans (in black'n'tan) used for summer excursions as late as 1974, after which I think they were withdrawn. One of them was ex-GSWR 1287, currently in use as staff room / operating manager's office at Downpatrick. This last set was based in Dublin. The black and white photo is of these. The colour photo was taken on the 1964 all-Ireland joint LCGB / SLS / IRRS steam tour. The coach shown is a former GSWR dining car; the rest of this train was composed of laminates. Until the mid 60s, wooden coaches were occasionally to be seen in main line trains. While no passenger carrying six-wheelers were ever repainted into black and tan, at least two ex-GSW six wheel passenger brake vans were; one even had gangways fitted. This coach, GSWR 69, is now also at Downpatrick undergoing a gradual rebuild into a more traditional pattern, but reincarnated as a brake first. The dining car shown in the second pic was still at work in the late 60s. On a model layout, accuracy would be represented best by a single wooden coach in a set of laminates / Bredins (though probably not Cravens); or if it was based in the greater Dublin area, or that of a fictitious large city (!), maybe a rake on excursion work. If it's mid 60s, there could be one still in green..... I'll stop dreaming now; the cat has to be fed!

Ha! JHB has remained quiet thus far.... My tuppence worth would be that Marks Models were quite upfront in saying it isn't meant to be an accurate model of anything. The price is cheap too. It looks the part, apart from the way-too-wide light green band below window level. On the most meticulous of layouts, there's usually a British Railways repaint of at least something, and not all layout builders crave absolute accuracy. So, as far I as I would be concerned, as long as a manufacturer comes up with something which he accurately describes, then fair play to him. So, it's thumbs up from me! I fully support the small band of folk who strive to produce anything Irish for the market - be it accurate, or a representation.

I have to say that both the grey livery and the new logo are growing on me.... I think the refurbed 071s look great and will as long as they keep them clean!

True, snapper, too true........

Best of luck with it, Moogle. I would love to see it at a show! A dirty "C" would indeed be a great addition also, and I forgot to also comment on how good the oul herd of cows looks! A load of cattle trucks, no two alike and all filthy, would be good, and since you say its inspired by a certain popular west Cork location, beet could feature - maybe it does?

What is wrong with these people? Lorry drivers who don't know what a low bridge is, now drivers of cars who don't know they are not driving a bicycle, or that trams can't swerve round them!

I never cease to be amazed at what turns up on this website. "N" gauge layouts are usually, to a purist, something of a disappointment, as the scale is really too small for most types of model - even commercially made - to really look the part. This is rarely if ever a poor reflection on the modeller; just the reality of a very small scale. As often, there is an exception to every rule, and this layout is certainly it. The badly weathered wagons, the corrugated steel roofed "soft-top", that uniquely and quintessentially Irish wagon, are but a few of the details that make this layout compelling viewing. More, please! There's more - the shrine, the Morris traveller, the West Cork style station, and the delightfully lazy-Sunday atmosphere of a country town in this period are just superb. The old wooden bodied carriages look great - how many layouts are let down by repainted BR Mk 1's? The goods stock of the day was invariably very weather worn, decrepit and often filthy. This detail is well captured by this model. I can just see Pat Shortt or the Hardy Bucks staggering down the street out of the pub...! Does the train about to leave this terminus serve Killinascully? Keep it coming! Excellent stuff, well done indeed.

Maybe 141-B-181 would be better! :-) (Could the licensing authorities introduce "B" for Ballyfermot, Blackrock, Ballsbridge, Booterstown or Ballymun?)

The dummy frames on 184 were of hardboard, and were used to light up future trips; the rolling stock was specially built on CIE wagon chassis. They were of plywood in some cases and were broken up some time afterwards.

So you've copied Murphy Models with the orange window surround!

Very cleverly done, but I think it ought to be taken down. Somebody out there is liable to believe that.

What a new arrival! Amazing, so realistic. The wagons, often a poor relation on a layout, really give it the edge. Keep it coming!

Good oul Brennan's bread there too....

True....! I suppose in this day of railcars, something's better than nothing!

The clifden track is indeed not real. The alignment of it, in fact, would not be possible on an operating railway.

Those posters LOOK genuine enough in terms of both artwork, artistic style and subject matter, but I have doubts about the print font used for "IRELAND".