jhb171achill

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".

Got it, Snapper - thanks.

Anyone know why this website seems to be down? This is what it says..... ".....This account has been suspended. Either the domain has been overused, or the reseller ran out of resources. ....."

Heirflick - i think I saw the Pope in me local the other night.... someone was buying me shots.... is there a connection?

And who is this "Curran" whose poster is displayed by the "Irish Narrow Gate Trust"? What, in railway terminology, is a "narrow gate"? Something designed to prevent a train going somewhere?

As readers will know, the SLNCR's Railcar "B" is at Downpatrick, having been acquired from IE a few years ago. The eventual aim is to have her running again. An appeal was launched at the time for funds for restoration, and with this funding DCDR was able to acquire a second hand engine for her, of identical type, as the original one in her is, well, very ill! A quotation was sought about six years ago from a bus restoration business in England, who have a proven track record in restoring both old buses and Mk. 1 carriages for preserved railways in that neck of the woods. If and when DCDR can secure suitable funding - not easy these days - she will be packed off to have this work done. Anyone who has seen "B" either at Downpatrick before it went under a tarpaulin, or at Inchicore where it languished for some years before that, will be aware that its restoration is a very big job. However, it's actually not as bad as it looks and vehicles in far worse condition - believe it or not - have been successfully restored to full operational use in the past. Here's hoping.

Virtually everything you see like this in pubs is fake. To check out real railway artefacts, a visit to Headhunters in Enniskillen, or Cultra, or the small exhibitis in Downpatrick, or Hell's Kitchen in Castlerea are the places where the real deal can be seen.

Indeed, Mayner! Maybe these culchies see the likes of us coming!!!!!!! :-) The countryside round Loughrea is indeed bleak, but beautiful, and a perfect setting for a layout. I saw the Loughrea one myself at an exhibition and it was very impressive.

Hopefully the T & D may have a future, if a responsible group could take it over...

Glenderg, such is my technoilliteracy, I don't even know what those things are! I am using a steam-ear clockwork laptop. It's one of these new things, only needs two people to lift it.... To me, an iPad is probably some sort of cushion if you have dodgy knees..... :-)

No, Heirflick - somewhere even hotter: Ireland! I actually can't sit outside any more - it's too hot!