GSR 800

That explains the line-up at Connolly yesterday morning! Two 201s and an 071 on shed, a rare sight there these days.

Just spotted her stabled at Mullingar with loco this morning.

I've always quite liked the bubbles, even if they only squeak into my era of interest. Quite shocked she's the last one left so likewise, donated!

David, Looked at the email again and you're quite right! Don't know how I got the wires crossed with that! Post duly edited!

I swapped out the B1 wheelset for the (6'6) Princess Royal Wheelset as the loco had lost a good bit of pulling power with the smaller wheels. With Princess Royal wheels, this problem was solved. GSWR 4-4-0s had 6'7 wheels, whereas the Claud Hamiltons had 7ft drivers. 6'8 or 6'9 would be the likely choice if one felt like going for the larger GSWR machines, with 6'6 for the lower end compromise. Regarding 4-4-0s to 4-4-2s I've recently seen a 3d conversion advertised of the Bulleid conversion of a Q1 to the proposed 0-6-2 tank variant that he had proposed before moving onto proto leader designs. They've designed the bunker and faux chassis + slot for the bogie to seemingly slot onto the back of the Hornby Q1 model (and glued into place). https://mademe.co.uk/product/never-built-range-q1-tank-oo/

Has Accurascale a bit of a collab going on perhaps?

Beat me to it!

Anything outside in Mullingar has been vandalised. Many of the carriages in the shed (now at Maam) likewise, because the railway terrace is a ruin. There's a hole in the fence right before the Newbrook Road bridge you reference. A forlorn looking graffitied Palvan(?) at Mullingar. The Mk3 would be similarly graced rapido. Inchicore would be the only place, this is where the RPSI craven set is stored.

I heard it was a very mooving sermon..

There was a fella from the north, spoke fast and quiet, I was almost certain he was french at the start!

Was at loco overhaul last I'd seen her.

Very handsome model! Excellent work all around.

I'd be inclined to align quite closely, Mol! Midland represent! I think I'd go with a G2 myself, though as rebuilt. I think the crews would thank me! Regarded as the 'best' MGWR locomotives, they are surely the most fit to represent the company in preservation.

Might have said something else too.

@Mayner has mentioned similar before as a proposal under the GSR. MGWR trains would've run to Kingsbridge instead of Westland Row. The impact of this would be quite interesting, depending on where the line departed. One wonders if it would have prevented the changeover of Western services to the GSWR route to Athlone in the 70s

I wonder if Southern influence had anything to do with it. Bulleid was only a few years from joining, and Maunsell and Holcroft had worked closely with Inchicore in improving the 400s, and it's thought the 800s were likewise influenced by Maunsell, who visited Inchicore several times after retiring (in 1937).

Website still says international shipping is offered, may not be up to date, though.

Very strange indeed, considering they shipped to me last year.

Light Railway Stores do excellent custom etching, everything from name, number and works plates to headboards

Looks like Olympic's and later Britannic's slipway. Titanic's had the same ofc. AFAIK there were small carts and flatbed wagons used (unsure of motive power) to bring material, steel beams, etc wherever they need to go, to be picked up by the gantry crane and lifted into position. You can just see them far left under the hull right next to the ramp.

Wonderful work as always, Killian!

I've little sympathy for their plight. Disused railways that are very unlikely to ever see service again, fair enough. Achill, Clifden, etc. Significant link lines and main lines turned into greenways is just absolute madness.

Daft idea anyway, Irish Rail has even said they'll be happy to accommodate the cycleway if it doesn't impede the ability to run trains. Can't wait until they set their eyes upon the Mullingar-Athlone stretch for reopening.

Would certainly be cheaper. Often they've an edge knocked off them, are broken in two, with the odd one dislodged or even missing!

Another win for border parcel motel..