Broadstone

This is really excellent David and the good old MGWR was such a fine, though neglected by modellers, railway company. So all power to your arm! I am deciding on my next project, either Athlone MGWR in S, or Ballaghadereen in 7mm. I cant decide whether I want a small 'big' layout, or a big 'small' layout if you get my drift! Best wishes and good modelling for 2021, Paul

This is a really impressive layout! I've spent a lot of time there over the years and would also love to build a layout, but it is big with the Sligo side - you are right to leave it out. I particularly like the circular refreshment room and signal box at the junction. But also, the combined engine shed and accomodation/offices - 2 features that are unique I think. What a station, what a model!

I can also confirm David, Mayners earlier comment about double slips in running lines at Killorglin. And somewhere I've seen a photo of said Killorglin double slip, which I was very happy to replicate on Kilbrandon as a great space saver!

Hi David, you have made my evening! It is a long time since I've dipped into Irish Railway Modelling and I had no idea that you were building a new Broad Gauge layout! It is, as are all your layouts, absolutely superb. You have a great ability to capture the atmosphere of your subject, both railway and scenery. And Belmullet is no exception and is an absolute inspiration. After the demise of Kilbrandon I have been getting the NER Rosedale Branch out of my system with my model of Blakey Junction. And I have just finished converting my garage into a railway room. So with all that out of the way thoughts are turning to my next layout and it is going to be another Irish Broad Gauge model in S Scale. Having mainly concentrated on the GSWR, I have over the past few years become absolutely fascinated by the MGWR; in hindsight I should have modelled the Midland from the start - my Wife's family live about 10 minutes walk from Liffey Junction in Dublin and one of my favourite walks when I'm there is along the canal from Phibsborough to Broombridge alongside the MGWR! So my next layout will be some sort of link, junction or joint station between the Midland and GSWR - difficult because they were at loggerheads most of the time. I'm thinking about a change to railway history around Athlone or perhaps Collooney. But David, I can't wait until the virus recedes, exhibitions resume and I can see you and Belmullet at a show! Best wishes, Paul Greene

Hi David, you have worked it out and done it right - the boiler and firebox are indeed flush with each other on most of these locomotives. Earlier ones had a smaller boiler and therefore a step up to the firebox, while later ones with Z boilers had belpair fireboxes, superheating, piston valves, the works in fact! I think that Terry's idea was that the boiler and firebox could be removed for painting. It looks to be yet another good job David! Cheers, Paul Reading back over the posts: 1. Firebox - yes it needs fettling and poking to get the firebox to fill the cab cut-out. 2. Yes, clearances are tight in the splashers. On my S Scale model I have some 5 thou plasticard inside the splashers to prevent shorts, necessary because of compensation. You should get away with it because you have a rigid chassis. You clearly have more level track than I am capable of building!! Paul

David, I have just read through this very interesting and inspiring thread about your brilliant new layout. It absolutely oozes atmosphere about the area with the trains running through the towns. Another slice of absolute brilliance David! And lots of great ideas for us all. I look forward to seeing it in the flesh the next time you are in t'North! Cheers, Paul ps Is Arigna Town now off the road?

I have built 2 of these kits, one in 7mm and in S Scale. They are a great design of a fine loco. I would like to clarify that they were designed by Terry McDermott. I have the original paper artwork drawn by Terry, which was then used to produce the photo-tool for etching. It is a brilliant piece of design by Terry and has all manner of additional parts for different cabs and splashers to do the original and later Coey versions of these very fine locomotives. Good luck and enjoy the kit David! Best wishes, Paul Greene aka Broadstone.

Hello David, I turn my back for 5 minutes and you have started and made amazing progress with a new layout that is absolutely stunning! Well done and I look forward to seeing it the first time you are up North. It also shows the benefits of retirement - just 15 months to go for me, but the buggers are determined to get their pound of flesh in the meantime................Best wishes, Paul G