jhb171achill

Sounds excellent, Phil; best of luck.

That's actually an interesting point. BnM track almost always looks as it it's (a) three quarters submerged in weeds and mud, and (b) extremely uneven to an extent that in model form would just put locos off the track. I wonder how you would reproduce it - probably best smooth track with lots of grass growing round it?

What's going to happen in the Spring Series? Predictions? And - do we have an IRM sub-group who are known to inhabit Croke Park and partake of light refreshments afterwards?

Not in colour, though, Horsetan! ;-)

Four of the four wheeled TPOs were later converted into heating vans....

A Bord na Mona model would be a very unusual and interesting subject. Looking forward to seeing how it develops. Looking great so far! I like the old shed...

Looks incredibly real, and busy! Wish there was still a location lime it! It's better layout-watching these days than actual train-watching.....

Possibly have it running on a shelf-like layout around the walls of wherever you have your collection? That way you could make it out out of narrower boards end to end rather than a large rectangular baseboard... maybe that would do?

Superb stuff. Just reminded me that NIR had no less than four classes of locos in their all-blue - Hunslet, C, 071 (GM) and 201....

Would a D16 be feasible? Or maybe you ned a certain number to justify a production run? (Serious question)

It'll cost him fifteen shillings, though.....

Stunning!

That would look great, RedRich. You could get away with 461 in lined green in that scenario, instead of the less colourful plain dark grey of CIE days!

Maybe celebrate with a pint of make-up! ;-)

461 as built had a different boiler and chimney. What she carries is as a result of the GSR´s rebuilding of both 461 and her sister 462. Thus, a model "as is" would be appropriate for the GSR or CIE era.

Thats right, Mayner. I recently gave the IRRS several brochures that Dundalk works had basically sent away for. These were being considered at the time. one of then was from North British, one from another British firm (can't remember which) and the other German.

The Gothic style stations at places like Tynan, Glaslough and Lisnaskea would add even more interest! One can just imagine an 80 class calling at one of them - or a 141 with a couple of laminates - thirty years ago….!

David - if you have a look at the preserved Walker railcar in Australia, its probably similar. Cant remember details but you can't get clips of it on youtube…..

Unfortunately, this is another case of the heart ruling the head. Neither the northern or southern administrations have the money for these schemes. The fact that the trackbed of a former route exists undisturbed is zero reason to put it back. There would have to be a sound business case. Freight will simply not just appear, nor passengers in Luas-style numbers which would make the thing self supporting. The trend in western societies for the last fifty years, and likely to remain, is to lighten the load on public purses to reduce tax. The capital costs of these schemes would be cheaper per mile than motorways by a long way, but that's not the way the public and their elected reps will look at it. Scemes have been suggested to reopen the Valentia line, on the basis that if you just buy an "old steam train" and run it, sure it'll make a fortune, so it will. Same for Buncrana, and the various manifestations of a Great Derry, Barnesmore & Sligo Railway. Nice to think of, and who knows, a model railway based on Sligo to Derry via the SLNCR would make a truly fascinating project, but that's about it. Therefore, it's probably most appropriate to discuss such a new railway to Enniskillen on these model railway based boards, as opposed to public meetings or even the IRN!

That Galway livery on the genny looks superb. Pity it was always filthy (well,any time I saw it) in real life! I agree with others about the weathering and track - excellent stuff.

I remember that place well. Got 00 gauge hornby wagons thereabouts 1971....... It was in one of those former MGWR workers cottages adjacent to Broadstone Station. Wonder was it up and running some 7 years earlier while the loco depot was still open?

Nelson, you go from strength to strength! If you want to check out actual BCDR lettering, the recently recovered van body at Downpatrick still has very faded original lettering on it. It's on display in the Carriage Gallery, so you can readily view it.

Burnthebox, if you want to go to Downpatrick some time you can arrange to inspect a G and an E at close quarters.

No..... The closest would be a G class, but it's the vaguest possible resemblance; they didn't really look like this at all.