GSR 800

Considering what looks like a bogie TPO behind (What's behind the TPO?), this is almost certainly the Day Down Galway Mail, hence the DSER 6-wheeler. Another picture of 58M that I've come across is at Dun Laoghaire, so quite likely they were used on the Mails as parcel vans. https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/53505927307/in/photolist-2pZjzJC-2pBSwtg-2pwq5Ez-2psSuR3-2pwDaP5-2pwDaMX-2qEc2YJ-2qE9Shu-2qEb3Ce-2pwxJ7s-2pwqE1Z-2pw8S54-2qE5gB1-2qEb3Cj-2qEb7ui-2qE9RYJ-2qEb3zZ-2qEb3Cz-2qE9Sh4-2qEb7d1-2qEb7tb-2qEb7sp-2qEb7sz-2qEc35v-2pwhEwX-2pwDWU6-2pvqF9J-2pvGAQ2-2pvqF9D-2pworPQ-2psKGyC-2pvvcXt-2qUMPJb-2pqXpd1-2pwqDdm-2pqVXnZ-2pwo4GF-2pw8S4c-2pvFNZ7-2pvFNZc-2pvHn8b-2pworPV-2pwqDdg-2pBRPZ9-2pBT3Pn-2qEc2YZ-2pwnd8i-2pwDWUb-2qE5gv9-2qEb7pP

Some more work done today. The clerestory and the Bredin Mk2 got some lining, decals and detail picked out. Once again picking out the windows in silver on the Bredin Mk2 was a tedious process! And with that they now join the train! Longterm I'd like to change the roof vents on the Bredin mk2 to something smaller, the dapol ones are enormously overscale.

Still kicking about on the Midland in 1956 then!

Could that be 58M behind the A?

58M at Kingsbridge, one spoked wheelset, one disc! https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/53509203665/in/photolist-2pwqE1Z-2pwphLQ-2pwqDUX-2pwpiNK-2pwiUt7-2qEvdvs-2pwqDXX-2pBQBck-2pwiU75-2pwphPf-2pBQBry-2pwiUa6-2pwncSt-2qEvdsS-2qEvduf-2pwf1xG-2qE5gXG-2qUMPG2-2pBSRdw-2pvHn98-2qEb7c4-2qEptXL-2pwxwPC-2pwq57W-2pwDCzX-2pwx5h4-2pwDaMX-2pwvVkt-2pwnd7B-2pwiTxE-2pBSgsz-2qEvdua-2pwiT3b-2pwiU2k-2pBLdEv-2psQmkk-2qEvdty-2qEvgfg-2qUUe8B-2pwosFV-2pwBDfg-2py3sZq-2pBLdFs-2pvwMcf-2pwot7e-2pwpjic-2pw8S54-2pwphVN-2qE5gB1-2pBQBag

Dart can't deliver to the Republic though.

I'd be willing to take two, with Mols one its enough to get an MGWR 3rd across the line. Any thoughts for the MGWR 4 wheel parcels van, 'The Hearse'?

Indeed, I was thinking of using it for exactly that, buying up multiples of everything MGWR!

Didn't seem to stop them applying snails directly over a double row of rivets

Yours is a fine model indeed! They are a lovely prototype. The J18 isn't much better in terms of footplate, though at least it lacks side tanks! If Roger confirms suitability for 00, may bite the bullet and go for three J18s to get it across the line. Somewhat surprised at the lack of attention to other rolling stock also. Roger has mentioned the card kits are all available in 4mm, I'll be getting the MGWR TPO.

I do agree it'd be market saturation, especially for the likes of the Bandon Tank and the J26, which have not only brass kits in 4mm but also 3d printed consideration in the near future. That said, what seems to be most popular so far is J18 (4/5) Elf (3) J30 (2/3) Only the J30 has any form of model in 4mm, that being a 3d print. Somewhat surprised the Ivatt F6 hasn't received any love!

the coat of arms was on a raised escutcheon, ie a piece of metal (rivetted?) onto the tender. This lasted into early CIE days, with a small snail even painted onto the escutcheon. Removed early enough into CIE all the same, seemingly gone by 48 or so

To follow up on this: from Great Southern railways You can see The smokebox wheel and handle in polished brass, the dart in black, along with the lower horizontal handrail and the smokebox hinge polished/unpainted. The upper handrail is painted black, which can just be seen in the second photo. The Buffer faces are also polished rather than painted black.

The valve gear looks excellent. Should the lining be yellow? Looks to be Macha in her later years, therefore with CIE green with white black white lining?

Interestingly I was just looking at their offeringgs for Buffet Car interiors! What's the dome and chimney off?

Roger mentioned that he had successfully downscaled a Hunslet kit to 4mm, but will email him regarding this to confirm suitability for 00. I do agree cast parts are becoming increasingly scarce as many of the old British manufacturers either close or will no longer send to the Republic. I'm making inquiries regarding 3d printed parts. Something I've found trouble with is getting bogies for the laminates; Dart castings no longer sending parts here due to GSPR.

I'll add one to any MGWR order, two in the case of the J18 and the Hearse So +1 Elf +1 onto MGWR coaches

Was talking to Roger at Alphagraphix, inquiring regarding the viability of making 4mm etches of the many 7mm Irish kits he has. From Roger: "To make the project viable for us we'd need to have definite orders for at least six of every vehicle/loco kit in advance to make the order worthwhile. Additionally we're not in a position to supply the necessary cast parts as we only have patterns for the 7mm versions." I was personally considering the following CIE/GSR J18 (I'd order two so four left) MGWR Luggage Van 'The Hearse' (Again, I'd order two) The Ivatt F6 (would order one) Along either considering some of the other MGWR rolling stock and locos. Many of the cast parts could likely be 3d printed.

Truly beautiful models! The CIE dark green looks fabulous. If I was to give a tiny bit of critique it'd be that the smokebox dart protruding from the handwheel should be blackened, and the handle should be brass/same colour as the wheel. AFAIK the handle was painted black at Cultra for some reason, they were never black (aside from with dirt perhaps!) during their careers. See above regarding the dart being black.

Some painting, lining and decals today for the Bredin Parcels/Luggage Van and the Corridor. The window frames are a pain in the arse to paint! I'm thinking of painting the other side of these in the later light green to have "more" coaches for little effort!

Many thanks David, have to agree regarding a mixed rake. Certainly plenty of variety on the Midland during the period. Clements notes a train of 10 bogies with some 5(!) vans behind, and many photos in the IRRS show similar.

"...And we've a tender full of round coal the like of I havent seen in ages and the train isnt too heavy.." "...Peter curls up on his box and has a sleep and for once I can fire in real comfort. She's burning next to nothing, the injectors are good, it's on the old tender with the flat tank so you throw down instead of lifting, the night is fine - in fact it's the sort of thing that never happens these days." Excerpt from the IRRS Journal no.203, Clements on the Midland.

I'll have to dig up that IRRS journal now. Needless to say I won't be modelling Clements on the footplate in his jocks!

And so it was, in 1956 Bob Clements delighted himself in the arrival of no.800 Maedbh hauling the Up Mail on trial on the Midland, having been evicted from her working on the Cork line by the new diesels. Having made her connection with both the Up and Down Galway Mail, G2 no. 664, prepares to depart with her train, with one of the new tin van TPOs, to Sligo. Duly ordered!

Details added to the TPO, corridors, axle boxes and springs, roof lights, battery boxes, buffers. Then it was off for a bit of a cleaning to remove any residue! Placed next to a 3d printed (IFM?) TPO. Few more details to add yet, but I think I'll paint her in silver when I get around to it.