GSR 800

She's a thing of beauty John, even more so underway.

RTR rolling stock is an issue for anyone looking towards earlier periods, RTR laminates, Park Royals etc. One only has to look towards the interest here at hattons genesis stock to see that even semi prototypical rolling stock for steam has demand. Things that overlap with the early years of the A's are ideal, would make the likes of the silver and green liveried A's even more attractive. That is not to detract from the many excellent brass kits for coaches and indeed overlays, but RTR simply opens up an era for far more modellers. Mogul was somewhat before my time, but my two cents would be it was just a clean repaint of the N class. By the time the liveries were given the Woolwiches they had a different look from their british brothers across the sea. Lack of the inchicore smokebox and smokebox doors, wheels etc which were all fitted by the 30s meant that it didn't have the "irish" look, you could probably buy a regular mogul for less and convert. From a manufacturing point of view it was practical surely, had the design, just repaint it but it's not an original purpose built Irish locomotive, I think that makes a big difference. J15, smaller numbers yes, batch built so price was steep, nonetheless they, the U and UGs are all gone. Thing about the 00 works J15 is it was one of the roundtop boiler locos, aka one of the rarer ones, especially by the late 50s/early 60s but nonetheless sold out. I understand the production run is obviously entirely different, but I think the fact all three recently released irish steamers have sold out in spite of the steep cost is nonetheless, at the very least a good sign of a healthy hunger for irish steam. If you want to go with something the majority of your market will buy it'll probably have to be something famous and preserved. Now speaking with massive, massive bias I'd say the 800s would be a good bet. Probably the most famous locomotives in Ireland, preserved , eye catching liveries, not a whole lot of variation between them and the possibility of attracting a few foreign buyers too. However, that said, Maeabh hasn't been in steam since the 60s, there were only 3 locomotives of the class built which means there are simpler fewer to buy. I do think it's one of the best for an RTR steam loco regardless, would feel like the obvious start for irish steam. However I'd also be looking towards RPSI locomotives, V and S class both have preserved examples, there are multiple locomotives, the beautiful sky blue livery. 461 is another, totally unique although the drawbacks would be only two built, one preserved. She is a movie star though . J15s are an obvious one, two preserved, staple of irish steam with multiple variations to go for. They'd have been my go to for RTR recommendation if they hadn't already been done, but a few weathered ones with belpaire fireboxes and the larger smokeboxes would be perfect for any layout from late 40s through to early 60s. What does a typhoon class submarine and a J15 have in common... To summarise, overlap. late 50s/early 60s market is there with the A's and 121s. Add rolling stock and I think steam would be the natural progression after that. Personally I'd be looking towards the 800s or J15s if something like laminates or park royals get brought out, which is itself speculation but "creeping back in time" so you always have an overlap would open up the road for steam, while keeping the risk down. I'm sure many would be in favour of the more obscure locomotives, along with a 21 mm gauge RTR steam loco but ultimately it does have to be a viable venture.

Former GNR locomotives continued to be refitted in the late 50s and early 60s, often with the sky blue GNR livery freshly repainted if I'm remembering correctly. I'd find it likely you'd have something similar with the likes of the 800s, maybe a few of the luckier Woolwiches. Main question would be if they bother with a roundel or not! for anything like a j15, black, almost certainly, Cork already did it with the odd loco they got to repaint and most were near enough black with filth regardless. Turburner in black n tan or supertrain, there's an interesting thought..

Work has finally restarted on the signal box. Not very happy with the windows on the Galway side so might replace them to fit with Sligo side.

Excellent and unique model from a unusual prototype. There's quite a few threads across the forum regarding the turf burner, one recently included pictures of her next to one of the 800s, will have to dig that up. There's also this model I remember coming across a proposal for a 3D printed version?

As said during and after the Emergency, many locos were oil fired. Aye, showed too, locomotives barely able to build up steam, breaking down, something going bust along the way. Maintainance nightmares. Were there some issues with oil firing though, otherwise would it not have been more widely implemented and for much longer?

Many thanks Galteemore. Indeed 4-4-0s were commonplace during the 50s and one or two more may be on the cards in the near future.

Some more work done over the past week. The goods shed is, in reality quite a wide building, and the platform canopy extends past the goods shed. There also seems to have been a small structure on the platform adjacent to the goods shed siding but I lack better photos of it. no.309 heads a passenger working through to Dublin. Columns have been added to the Galway platform canopy. Seen from the Sligo platforms, J15 no. 162 shunts in the goods yard. 400 class no.402 slows to a stop at Mullingar. She will take water before continuing on to Galway.

Work continues on Mullingar with the green and cream paint scheme making an appearance. Some scenery done just ahead of the platforms, a large frame is not prototypical. Some progress has been done on the Galway platforms, and a comparison with the real thing Columns still need to be added to the Galway platforms and the signalbox has yet to advance from a mockup Real picture is from Tom Ferris Second Glance At the other end of the platform the water tower and fencing has been added Looking across the platform reveals a hanging pillar nowhere near India..

Bit of work re scenics done at the mouth of the road bridge out to what is now the industrial estate but what was then a field, the road running along the wall back to the railway terraces. Rough shape cut out Walls plus grass added This bridge, fraudulent in nature is nearly a mock up, but I am happy with the overall look. The wall next to the hut's rickety appearance exposes the surely relatable problem of running out of glue. To be finished tomorrow.

Pretty much, unless there was some kind of buy back scheme and cost effective conversion services for locos and rolling stock, it's not really worth it. Path dependency has to be taken into account.

Bit more work has been done over the Christmas break,mainly around station frontage along with small bits of hidden scenery here and there. One may notice the yard is somewhat compressed. This is mainly down to the space available. Maedbh starts a train towards Galway. She won't be going very far, as the bridge hasn't been started! In reality the line curves slightly before reaching the yard. Mullingar was awash with water towers, two on the Galway and Dublin platform and one at the sheds. A mock up of the latter can be seen. There was also a signal box just ahead of the siding adjacent to the shed, still debating whether it should be put in or not. A cattle engine is a must it however!

G2 has seen a good bit more work, overall easy to assemble, clear instructions and an enjoyable build, credit to JM. Everything else to be done when the likes of wheels actually arrive! While I think the grey is overall a tad too dark, the grey was rarely clean anyway and dulled to an almost black, perhaps with the assistance of the odd oily rag. Seems to be several shades of grey due to the lighting... The darker colour is a bit clearer next to the J15.

And now for something a bit different. the G2 class were a regular at Mullingar and indeed some members of the class lingered on until the end of steam. The G2 class have returned it seems, mass produced from New Zealand! Having made landfall yesterday, I set to work. Chassis is a straightforward job, fold up and make sure it's square. Some prefabrication greatly speeded up the construction of the body! Dry fitting shows what needs to be tidied and squared!

We've a selection of chocolate digestives and Maryland cookies to choose between.. Signal box has been started, with a mockup dry fitted to see what she'll look like and if anything else needs to be done. Plenty of card around, might as well use it! The planking for the signal box is guaranteed to be an interesting ordeal..

I recently came across a photo of King Tutankhamen sitting just outside the refreshment room...had drawn somewhat of a crowd too! A biscuit to anyone who knows why a pharaoh was so far from Egypt...

Throughout the construction of the layout I've faced two major issues. The down side of the stations rear facade is completely overgrown, and there's no photographs to my knowledge of it that are of use. The other is the roadside facade of the railway terrace, which while more visible, is in many ways a mess of windows, porches and lots of swearing regarding said windows and porches. The answer therefore is simple, basically flip the layout so that both of these troubling facades are facing a wall and out of view. This also opens up more room both for the station and the yard, and so I had little hesitation. Having completed the switch I turned my attention towards the railway terraces. Plenty of photographic evidence both past and present to go off, and so far less of a headache to deal with. The station signal box is next on the construction list, the first of three! And the only one still standing in good condition. Another stood next to the engine shed, and was likely removed in the 1960s, the last was close to the gantry and the lower half survives to this day. For modelling in general, the Athlone line has a lot to offer, large stations like Mullingar and Athlone, to small halts such a Streamstown. Indeed there are quite impressive banks just before castletown and streamstown, along with plenty of bridges and tunnels to provide scenic breaks. Alas I will stick to modelling one station for the timebeing....

Few more pics today, some more progress on the station building too. Obviously there's still much to be done, the last picture shows that quite clearly! The curved roof of the station is proving to be an...interesting...task and the rear facade for the Galway side building is non existent as I've no idea what it'd have looked like! Quite the conundrum.. What else is to be done, finishing up the engine shed and railway terrace, at least two of the three signal boxes, water tank, water tower....

As dusk approaches, one of the J15s, no.162, brings goods from the Galway direction through the station towards Dublin.

The station is within 5k of myself so easy access. The Sligo side won't be modeled, don't have the space for it. G2 will hopefully arrive from NZ once international shipping is back on the regular, the idea is generally realistic running, moguls, J15s, cattle engines, G2s along with some of the D's but 800 and 402 weren't built to not be run! I'm well aware of the murder of Thomas Anketell, and the reasons behind it.. No plan on the track layer Currently have two boards 10x2 foot, nothing is set in stone yet but overall idea is a somewhat simplified track plan for the yard

Mullingar is one of the more unusual stations in Ireland, and offers plenty of modelling opportunity, a junction station at the heart of the MGWR, with a large cattle bank, goods shed, engine shed, a large gantry, the list is long to say the least. My focus is on the Athlone side, although both sides of the station have a lot to offer, the engine shed, goods shed and cattle sidings were all on the Athlone side of the station. Progress has been slow, but it's finally starting to have a vague resemblance. Maedbh makes a visit to Mullingar en route to Galway. The Civil Engineer was on holiday at the time apparently. WIP of the station building on the Dublin side of the station Engine shed and railway terrace under construction, slate roof is dry fitted. Far from finished clearly!

Seconded re resin here. There's a company currently trying to make a game for Titanic, Titanic Honour & Glory with a completely accurate interior and exterior 3D model for said game. I've followed with much interest, and they've released model 3D printed liners in 1/1000. They are currently using the more conventional version, but are now experimenting with resin printing, and well the results speak for themselves.

Does anyone have any pictures of Dunlavin pre closure? Some excellent photos on Eiretrains of the present day buildings, but I'm looking for it in its "heyday" although it seemingly never had much regular traffic. Any help greatly appreciated

Jinty would be far too large, as said a P class is probably the best bet. Terrier would be closer to a J26, coincidentally I've been meaning to get a terrier so comparisons between the two can be made in proper and decent order!

Had their own livery too, maroon and white for E428, with cream for the coaches.