Andy Cundick

I've been doing research into Courtmacsherry and in the process noted that the area on the outskirts of Courtmacsherry was known as Siberia now as the line passes through it would that make the trains the trans siberian express(Yes i know express is definitely pushing, but the princple remais)Need get a move on with this layout as its already invited to Warley 2018,what larks! Andy.

The Blessington Book quotes the seating as 40 so no change my guess would be that the seat frames weren't changed just reupholstered.i can't imagine Henry Forbes spending money on replacing seating.Andy.

Just checked the diagram book but no dice,CDR Companion has a good shot of the interior Page 34.She seated 40 which assumes 10 seats aside,i assume it was the same when she was demotored.It causes a few raised eyebrows when the motor version is seen towing the trailer version.Must get on and do the 5'3"version to complete the setcan't quite justify it on either Valencia or Courtmacsherry,but what the hell Andy.

Castlederg is all packed up and ready to go.Still trying to work out the logic of Castlederg being listed as overseas and Bleach Green under British!If you're passing stop by for a chat Andy.

From what i remember the Worley one comes with castings for the axleboxes/springs.The rounded nose is no problem i just used about four thicknesses of plasticard laminated together,the trick is to use alternate black and whits plastic which makes it easier to see how the compound curve is shapeing up(works well on railcar roofs as well).Its a good kit and pretty easy to do.Andy.

All my coach roofs are rolled from 5 thou brass shim its easy to form and strong when curved its been used for everything from Castlederg and Donegal coaches to GN railcars,Andy

Looks good enough to build put me down for couple Andy

Slight point of order they're 00n3 not 009,though that is an option and look distinctly unhappy like it.Andy

MSE do the bits for somersaults as used them to build Letterkennys starter which at one time boasted a lower quadrant and somersault on the same post.Andy.

I use the All Components Handheld on Valencia,they are to all intents a KPC Controller.We tried it on a layout which used a Gaugemaster and the difference was notable.It was nice to finally meet up at Ally Pally looking forward to the Arigna Rally at Southampton in January.Andy.

It might be worth bearing in mind that High Level do replacement motor bogies for Lima both 8 and 10 foot,they only take an evening to knock up and the running is infinitely better and just as easy to build to 21mm gauge.Andy.

i did get some ages ago i think from the S4 people,but these days make my own,using 2mm steel rod and "turning the pin points in an old drill with a file.They work quite happily.Andy.

I'm still using ones Studio Scale Models used to do,might be worth trying them,Andy

The Bill Bedford windows should be right as they were originally done for my Strabane model Andy.

Sounds like one of the MGW 440 fitted with a superheater,Andy.

Bit modern image John but i'd be interested in one,Andy

The immortal words that will probably end up on my tombstone "It worked perfectly well at home".Andy.

I use DG couplings from Wizard for all my layouts and find they work well whether narrow standard or broad gauge,Andy

If its of any help Agenoria Models do a kit which is suitable for No3 which is a standard Avonside design.The intriguing thing about the harbour line is in at least photos the train is of both 3' and 5'3" stock couplings and buffer all over the place! Andy.

There is is a useful article in Model Railways October 1976,with drawings for all the variations.Andy.

Must concur with Mayners comments on the kit.I didn't use either of the chassis but the side frames done by Alan Gibson and MJT hornblocks.Mines built as 552 in the 30's for next layout(Courtmacsherry).Though it does make guest appearances on Valencia just to give a bit of variety from J15's.See it at Warley.All the best Andy.

It might also help if you use a pin chuck rather than an Archimedes drill as there is less chance of the drill wandering as it is always cutting,if you need any extra swear words i've a good collection of them from my Swindon days,Andy.

Alan An easy way of keeping axles square is to use a jig made by Brassmasters which is series of parallel slots.I've just used it for a couple of Bandon convertables,as for the SSM w irons i use them and wedge the wobbly bit solid,it seems to work on Valencia Hope this is some use Andy.

Not convinced about compensation on everything certainly not on ordinary 4 wheel stock.Personally i reckon getting the track level helps more.I use the MJT bogies but they are soldered up solid an d merely rely on the 3 point suspension provided by both bogies,as for locos both J15's are fixed chassis but the GN A has a compensated chassis(i know bit out of location but to the uninitiated its a black 060) and they all run about the same.My view is use EM or P4 standards the main is the gauge which looks right cos it is.One oddity re Warley i noticed that Alan Gee (Schull)and me are listed under continental in layout page whereas O'Connell Street is with te British 4mm layouts,is that because we are beyond the pale?Andy.

Valencia was also in Irish lines a couple of editions ago,and if you are really desperate she's at Warley this year.The successor Courtmacsherry may be there in 3 years time as 2 of the 3' layouts are there the next 2 years.Castlederg next year and Arigna 2017,what larks! Andy.