Broadstone

I have a J15 0-6-0, a Kerry Bogie 4-4-0, 0-6-0T no 100 plus 4 x 6 wheel coaches and about 20 wagons including a rake of cattle wagons. For the MGWR I have a 2-2-2ST 'Elf', a 0-6-0T 'Bat' which is being re-built plus about 4 wagons including a brakevan and horsebox. I am intending building a 2-4-0 'Sylph' and an 0-6-0, both with Attock's fly-away cabs. I need to build a fair few MGWR open and box vans.

Thanks for the comments and likes, it makes it all worthwhile. I started off my interest in the Irish Broad Gauge because of reading Tim Cramer's articles in the Railway Modeller and Model Railways and was much taken by a model he made of GSWR 0-6-0T No 90. This in turn led to a fascination with the Timoleague and Courtmacsherry light railway, of which Corcadoragha was the result. I built a model of both GSWR No 100 and Argadeen and they are illustrated in the link that Galteemore has posted. Later, following holidays in County Kerry and friendship with Patrick O'Sullivan, my interest widened to more 'mainline' railways and Kilbrandon was the result, heavily influenced by Killorglin but with a freelance light railway junction to, you've guessed it, Corcadoragha! Kilbrandon went to some 25 shows before I retired it, feeling that my standards had improved. The last 7-8 years I have scratched my NER itch with a model of Blakey Junction on the NER's Rosedale Branch in North Yorkshire that I have long been fascinated by. But I have always intended to return to the Irish Broad Gauge. Over the years, although I like all railways and certainly all Irish railways, I have become more and more interested in the MGWR, whilst still greatly liking the GSWR. The thing is, they really didn't like each other and there were many skirmishes between them as the Irish rail network was planned and developed. The fact is though they were both very fine and attractive railway companies and to make a model of both was bound to involve some compromise and fiction. My best and most credible idea was probably Athlone Midland, an incredibly attractive station right next to the mighty Shannon with a very impressive viaduct over it. Although a Midland station, the GSWR had a connection across the Shannon and I believe there was interconnecting freight and passenger traffic. Try as I might I just couldn't find a way to build that, or even part of it in my available space, 18' by 11'. I next alighted on the East Wall LNWR terminus where both MGWR and GSWR trains ran in certainly up to about 1920. That would make a great model but I really do want a continuous run rather than a terminus. By the same token Sligo was considered and rejected. Although on the plus side I could introduce the SLNCR it was again a terminus and in any case all the freight headed down the hill to the docks and I do like a goods yard and shunting! Back to the continuous run, I did consider Ballysodare on the Sligo line, but Liffey Junction won out, but with my outrageous alteration of Irish railway history and geography. It's very near my Wife's family home and as I said, we walk there a lot. I think the canal at the front with the railway behind will be quite attractive. Given that I am adjusting the history a wee bit (!), visits from CBSCR and many other engines Rob will be greatly welcomed. Perhaps the MGWR was testing it out.........?! Attached is a photo of my model of Elf, MGWR 2-2-2St no 28 which worked on pilot duties at Broadstone and I'm sure ventured up to Liffey Junction. She/he will be busying around Broombridge Junction that's for sure!

I have 2 previous layouts in S Scale Irish Broad Gauge - Corcadoragha and Kilbrandon. And I'm now starting to build a third; Broombridge Junction, heavily based on Liffey Junction in Dublin, but with some important distinctions. I have always liked the location next to the Royal Canal and always go for a walk or a run along the canal whenever I am staying in Dublin with my Sister-in-law. It was on the MGWR mainline out of Broadstone and was the junction for the line heading down to the Dublin Docks along the Liffey and to the LNWR's East Wall Terminus. It was also the site of a large cattle dock and extensive sidings for the cattle trade, a coking plant and the MGWR's sleeper saw mills. It was a busy spot. It also had an attractive location alongside the canal, the Liffey lines sharply diverging and passing over the canal. At the other end, both the railway and the canal were crossed by Broombridge which brought the road up from the Ballyboggan townland towards Cabra. Broombridge is famous in Irish and World mathematics as the place where Sir William Rowan Hamilton suddenly cracked the phenomena of Quarternions and scribed the mathematical formula into the bridge while out walking with his Wife; he was therefore not the first man to be distracted by a thorny problem instead of giving his dearly beloved his undivided attention! There will be a few distinctions: First of all and most outrageously, whilst Liffey Junction handled exclusively MGWR trains, my Broombridge Junction will have trains of both the MGWR and its deadly GSWR rivals. I appreciate that this may disturb a few modellers. The GSWR did actually join the MGWR Liffey Branch under a mile away at Glasnevin Junction. But in order to allow me to run the GSWR stock I built for Kilbrandon, I am assuming the GSWR lines to the Docks joined the MGWR East of Broombridge. Ridiculous I know, but it will make my layout more interesting. Secondly, and I am likely to further scandalise MGWR followers here, whilst MGWR engines, rolling stock and buildings were amongst the most attractive in these islands, Liffey Junction was probably one of the most ugly. There, I've said it. So, my Broombridge Station will be a nicer looking model, sited where the modern Broombridge station is with an attractive station building and shelter. So, this post is a taster. The boards are being built. I have a lot of GSWR stock and am working on some for the MGWR. Future posts will have a track plan and some maps to explain the above rationale. And as the model proceeds I'll add pictures of progress. After a lot of planning I am greatly relishing building this layout! Thanks for reading.

Thanks for the suggestions JHB, I will look into them. As an aside, may I be so bold as to say that I brought your very fine new book "Rails through Connemara" at the Alexander Palace model show and I am now thoroughly enjoying reading it. A great book about a wonderful railway. I have explored much of it (we have friends in Headford) and the landscape is so beautiful.

It was great to see you at the weekend David and meet Galteemore - we small band of Irish Railway modellers must stick together! Fintonagh is superb. It is bursting with atmosphere, a triumph of the imagination but with firm links to the prototype inspiration of the CVR. And it works so well and I kept popping back, always something new to see. Its brilliant how you have linked the railway to the town and the backscene to create a real place. I also liked the shop names for those in the know.... And I picked up a few great tips about baseboard construction and support. As a committed exhibitionist (!) these things are very important and I may try the beams etc on my next layout. Blakey Rigg has a few years on the circuit but I'm actively planning a return to the 5'3" in S. I will probably start a thread myself as I try to get a believable scenario for a place where the GSWR (I have a lot of stock from Kilbrandon) and the MGWR came together - difficult as they were at loggerheads! Its narrowed down to something based on Athlone Midland, Ballysodare or, outrageously Liffey Junction (assuming that the GSWR line joined the MGWR west of Broombridge. Or a mythical west coast terminus inspired by Galway. I have a lot of thinking to do, particularly as it may be my last layout! See you in Uckfield David.

I would love to be able to visit this show and see Belmullet David, having been a great admirer of Arigna Town. And I would of course bring some Irish 36.75mm stock. But I'm a long way, away and in any case doing the York Marathon on Sunday. I hope the show goes well, I'm sure it will. Best wishes, Paul (Broadstone).

A very fine model of a beautiful engine David. I've also learned a lot from your stage by stage construction posts and the many photographs you have taken of progress. Thank-you!

Top stuff David, engine, coaches and layout! The train is looking very good and so evocative of that era. As you say, a small engine compared to the J15, itself not a giant. As to the turntable, I'm sure I have seen pictures of protypical turntable extensions to accommodate longer engines because it was uneconomical to build a new well and deck. I'll see if I can find proof. On a related note, my S Scale GSWR Kerry Bogie 4-4-0 always struggled pulling a heavy train, particularly round the curves at either end of Kilbrandon, especially that leaving the station which went straight into the bend (or round it!). At the other end there was a bit of straight track beforehand and so it got a bit of a 'run-up' before hitting the curve. I therefore had to actually drive this engine which was fun.

As a humble Juror in this complex case, I can only defer to m'Learned Friend JHB. They look right David! And it's another illustration of how lining brings a model to life, although yours are alive and kicking without it. But the early railways look almost naked without it. 'Rails to Achill' is also one of my favourite Irish Railway books JHB.

I had heard at the weekend that Dave had died - he was a brilliant modeller and lovely bloke who lived here in West Yorkshire and was well liked across the hobby. He was a very clever and resourceful modeller with a wide range of engineering, modelling and artistic skills. He built many layouts, mainly in 7mm and countless engines and stock as a professional model maker never short of work. He was very fortunate in his partner Liz who as well as being a lovely person is no mean modeller herself. My heart goes out to her. I first met Dave at the Chatham Show in about 1985 mentioned by John above! I drove there specially from North West London where we then lived, precisely because of Killaney. I had actually scratch-built a GSWR 2 plank wagon and took it to show him - it sat on a siding for the day because it had 3-link couplings instead of the Jacksons that Dave used. We exchanged contact details and when I moved to Leeds with work in 1988 I caught up with him. My 7mm J15 that I put a picture of on IRM a few weeks back was actually lined by Dave. A bit later he went back to the Highland Railway and later the Cromford and High Peak, again in 7mm. More recently he was working in Gauge 1 and I visited him and Liz at their home a couple of Summers ago when they had a Gauge 1 Live steam open day on the track that ran round their garden. Special memories. Him and Liz always had a demonstration stand at the York Show, way up on the top floor and I always looked forward to a chat with them both. Thinking back, it was Dave that introduced me to Richard Chown, probably in about 1988. Between them they worked hard to convert me to 7mm but we were living in first a flat and then a wee house with a young family and the S Scale bug had bit - I felt I could get more in within the space I had. But it appears that Dave and Richard played the long game.............. Dave led a very good and satisfying life, albeit one cut short. He was a very good painter and mechanic. He was a great guitarist and I saw him play in pubs on 2 occasions, both wild and memorable. In the hobby he was restless and brilliant, highly innovative and not constrained by established thought and ways of doing things. He will be greatly missed.

As ever, great stuff David. I have recently brought three of these Tyrconnel coaches and will also refer to your article when I come to build mine. Yours is going to be a wonderful train!

I have just seen this thread John and I have, years ago, explored Ballysodare Station but never got down to Polloxfen's mills - my loss! It looks to be absolutely fascinating and I wonder if any of it is still there? Certainly I poked my nose into the old station building and the goods shed at Ballysodare, both in a very sorry state. The goods shed is/was suprisingly large. The station would make a fine model what with the MGWR mainline, the WLWR/GSWR train trailing in at Collooney annd the SLNCR at Carrignagat (not sure I've spelled that right!), plus the industrial branch down to the Mills. Food for thought! But I also clicked on the link to the Library of Ireland and Lawrence Collection photographs and have just spent an enjoyable hour ranging through pictures of the Mills, plus also Athlone, Liffey Junction and other fascinating railway and historical subjects. Thank-you!

You are making a beautiful model of a beautiful locomotive David. It's a stunner and if I wore a hat I'd doff it in your direction!!

Wolfdog is looking absolutely beautiful David! They are great looking locomotives and you have caught yours to perfection. There is that stage when all the detail takes so long and progress seems slow, but it's all going in one steady direction; you're on the home straight, the flag in sight!

Thanks Galteemore. Here is a photo taken by Paul Basson for British Railway Modelling when Kilbrandon was featured.

Thanks Gents, much appreciated! Yes, what scale next? I can only do one layout by the way but it will certainly be MGWR with a bit of GSWR.

Richard, the engine is a J15 that I built from the SSM kit over 30 years ago. Seen here alongside my S Scale model of an earlier J15. The 7mm one generally needs restoration, detail, the correct wheels and a new chimney.

Wolfdog is really coming to life now David and is looking really attractive. I think your colour choice is very good - it just looks right. Ah domes, they are probably the most difficult items to produce on a lathe! I do flycut the base on mine but others, including Trevor Nunn, file, heat (to soften the brass) and once cooled, squeeze onto a solid bar the same size as the boiler. I've yet to try this latter method but who is to argue with Trevor's results? I have taken the plunge to rewheel an Irish loco I have to the correct 5'3" gauge and I have ordered some Tyrconnel MGWR coaches and Slaters wheels and 5'3" axles. 7mm is tempting! We'll see what happens. Its either going to be something inspired by Liffey Junction or Athlone Midland in S, or something else inspired by Balladereen, Kingscourt in 7mm. But not both - space, time etc!

Looking really good David. Who is to say what the exact colour was, but what you have used looks right. With all the detail and other parts picked out in other colours then it will form a whole, add a bit of light weathering and it will be real. I cant wait to see it in the flesh one day!

I read in the Irish Times earlier this week (my Wife has a subscription and it's a very good newspaper) that Belmullet has the highest rate of Covid in the the Republic at the moment! Nothing to do with railway of course but I thought you might be interested. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/coronavirus-search-belmullet-still-has-highest-rate-but-how-is-covid-19-spreading-in-your-area-1.4470444

Looking great David and with the lathe you are further extending your skills! I learned the hard way about leaving a chuck key in the lathe and was lucky it flew past, rather than at me! Some people put a spring on the key so that they have to push it into the chuck and hold it there and it comes out by itself the minute they let go. But after a while (or an accident!) it becomes second nature. The lathe does open up a world of modelling possibilities, chimneys, axles, buffers etc, etc. Enjoy.

It's a great book and gives this important subject the academic seriousness it deserves. I am only part the way through properly reading it after the obligatory browse and all my positive first impressions are borne out by more detailed reading. It is a comprehensive and weighty tome. On balance I am glad they have avoided gloss paper and gone for quality matt - not only are my limbs and bookshelf grateful, but also for the reasons set out by Galteemore above. I have just finished reading the history of the 0-4-4 back tanks, one of my favourite engines, and their derivation from very successful single Fairlies. And within this tale the avarice of Fairlie himself for swingeing patent charges that reminds me of the current greed of various already wealthy American retailers! I'm enjoying the read and heartily recommend this book.

Thanks David, just had a look at the Fintonagh thread and it is very useful - also liked the tips about avoiding geological faultlines across baseboards!

Great work David with the mail train for Belmullet! The reasons I am posting here is: 1. Double slips on Irish Railways - please see the sad photo below of the lifting of Killorglin station in the 1960s. There clearly, is the double slip on the mainline at the end of the main running loop to give access to the goods yard and another slip, single I think. I replicated this on my Kilbrandon S Scale layout and a great flexible space saver it was! So, all power to your arm. 2. How do you join your backscene boards so that there is no join showing? I can't see the join and need to learn from the master! Paul

I so wish I'd got a photo of the 3 of us that day. Oh well!