Hunslet 102

I've been mulling this over for a bit. If I had an exhibition layout, let's say 16' long 2' wide, a perfect replica of say Askeaton, where would I start with the operational side of things?

 

I'd have scale speed for arrivals. But I'm hardly going to have the train stopped for 5 minutes waiting for yer man with the flag?

 

I know sod all about shunting rules, and I know how to make semaphore signals, but haven't a baldy about placement or operation.I'd sooner eat an operating manual than read it.

 

So David, what do you, Andy,Ed, or the many exhibitors think is the happy medium? Is there one? Keep the audience or the operator happy?

I am no exibitor,never have been and have never been a member of any railway club.I consider myself as a railway modeller,but at exhibitions I am basically Joe public. I can stand and watch small shunting operations for ages,appreciating all that it involves,but I equally enjoy seeing an express belting round a layout.In layman' terms,I generally have time to appreciate the former,while having to fight my way to view the latter. I think nowadays exibitors are interacting more with their audience compared to years ago,as has been pointed out,without them the show would not go on. In relation to the original topic,it is great that some modellers strive to make every aspect of the model prototypical,but somewhere along the line,a compromise will always have to be made

Junctionmad (Dave),thanks for your post,it is probably the most insulting post to most exhibitors and modellers alike and certainly damaging as far as encouragement for the hobby. Just ponder on my final word there 'hobby',that's what railway modelling is to most of us,including exibitors.By all means build your own layout to your own standards and requirements,I for one would equally enjoy viewing it as much as I would a roundy roundy at an exhibition,but don't slag off others efforts because they are not up to your certain standards.

Great video Kieran of those iconic railcars,they look really good.They spent the last few years of their working lives on the GNR section shuttling between Belfast and Lisburn.

The layout rebuild continues with some testing of the new third line running into Great Victoria Street.An AEC railcar is in the foreground,with Hunslet 102 Falcon on Enterprise duty heading to the station while sister loco 101 Eagle is propelling CIE coaches to the carriage sidings from an earlier shoppers special.The back of the police station can be seen above the wall.

The next 2 photo's show block c of a 3 part build of the tobacco factory that stood beside Gt Victoria Street,being built by Glenderg of this parish.Just waiting on blocks a and b to complete the build,hopefully before Christmas.Once received,I will be able to make a start on the Boyne bridge,which straddled the platforms of the station.

Great video as usual,really like the scene with the DH and spoil wagons,reminds me of my youth in the 70s when I would watch these noisy little loco's for hours laying ballast between Adelaide and Balmoral. Have a soft spot for the DH,behind the Hunslet of course.

Lovely model of the DH Kieran,it captures the profile of the prototype perfectly,just as I remember them,congrats to your builder

great collection Andy, would love to see more TDR

Thanks Raymond,more updates in due course

Nice looking layout,like the seafront scenes

Nice work,if your 00 layout turns out anything like your N gauge layout it will be worth waiting for

Some great info,thanks a lot

Great Victoria Street station 1968,with AEC railcar No111 in UTA blue/cream livery standing in the former railmotor platform,as platform 1 was commonly known as with an all stations to Lisburn train.Platforms 2 to 4 have both types of BUT railcars and a further AEC railcar in the then new NIR livery of maroon/cream.Not everyone's cup of tea railcars,but they were the mainstay of the passengers services in Northern Ireland and the mode of transport I travelled in regularly.

Very nice Raymond,the blending between the backscene and scenery flows very naturally.Keep up the good work

Great video and photo's Kieran,the coaches look superb

Nice video Noel,layout looking great

Great video Raymond and beautiful scenery on the layout,the viaduct is awesome.

Stunning Nelson,the brass work is outstanding,well done

Great video Kieran,I have only just grasped the sheer scale of you layout.Some amount of various rolling stock from all the various era's gives a flavour of Ireland down through the years. A layout to be proud of

Enjoyed the video Raymond,love that black/tan era.Layout is looking great,nice scenery

Nice job Kieran,look forward to the video.Well done

Thanks for your positive response to the Belfast scenes Kieran and Raymond,plenty more to come!

Nice job Kieran and great photo with the mirror image

Nice one Kieran,looks good with a nice crisp paint finish and clear decals,well done

Nice one guys,best wishes and success with the project,a very bold and brave move,but one which should ultimately benefit Irish railway modellers.

The town rebuild continues with the photo below showing the front of the new church.One will always find a church and a pub in every part of Ireland!

Below is a side view,a grave yard will probably be included in the foreground and the revamped RUC station can be seen beside the church.This scene was inspired by the old Lisburn Road police station that had a small church next door to it.

The final shot gives a clearer side view of the RUC station,still a bit of work to get it finished.

Nice video and nice build Kieran