GNRi1959

and this is how the real thing looked......

Just spent a few hours with my old friend Joe McGrew and shunter at Omagh who was able to verify the development of my Good Store building to date. He was able to give me a rundown of the various sidings that occupied the store, the platforms, the goods that arrived and the personnel who worked there.

Roof on, skylights to be cut out yet....

Good question Stephen. The plan is to build a working model of the entire Goods Yard. You may think it strange that I work on the building first and not the track work but I want to see how the footprint fits into available space and lay track once I know how everything sits. So far, it is looking very promising. I may be able to work the project in two sections with a max board width of around 600mm-700mm. I am working between the original GNR(i) engineers drawings from 1930s and dozens of photographs which show the various alterations to the original track laying. Its interesting to see that in latter years a diamond crossing at the cattle siding disappeared and a Y point emerging out of the goods store was removed and replace with a single line of track. I want to capture everything, as it was. Thanks.

More Progress today.......the shell of Omagh Goods Store built as per GNR(i) engineering drawings from Dundalk works and amendments as was up to closure.

I may use the high retaining walls at the rear of the building to conceal my controller and possible access to the siding that runs into the shed. These openings are now formed. There are a few possibilities........

This is a lovely layout which opens my eyes to the industrial side of our railway, something we didn't experience of the Derry Road. Great work.

Some minor tweaking of the gables at the goods store and addition of roof purlibs to support the roof. Part of the pleasure of this build is the fact that there are still several shunters and goods porters living who are able to help with the detail that photographs didn't capture.

SOLD

Set of three IRM Ballast Wagons, in near Mint condition in original box for sale. Rare, out of production €120

To be honest, the Japanese saw needs some practice, they cut on the pull - not push. If you don't master it, the blade will buckle - they are not cheap!

Thanks. A great big Altendorf Panel Saw. Though some of the smaller pieces I done with extra fine Japanese pull-saws. The bevelled edges were done with hand held block plane. If you have no access to machinery, the Japanese saws are perfect!

SOLD

Just easing myself back into doing something after many weeks 'out of the shed'. This is the Goods Yard store in Omagh. I have taken several pictures that I took back in 1987 when it was still standing and imported them into AutoCad. I then scaled it using several reference points and produced cad drawings. This is built in 6mm birch ply with some redwood to give it strength and durability. I have to form openings in several walls for locos and goods to enter, which is why it is taped together for now. Its footprint is 900mm long, at its longest point. Progress today, at last.

SOLD

Three left and three right hand curved points by Peco SL-E86 and SL-E87 Electro Frog, code 75 fineescale. Points are in original packets as new. There is one 1mm hole drilled into each but they were used for three weeks only and immaculate. Cost £13 each selling all six for €65 £55

Yes, a lot of movement away from Canon and Nikon. A lot going for Sony.

To be honest, my primary aim was to shoot the railway network ' as it makes its way around the North coast between Derry - Coleraine and Portrush. Since I now spend more and more time sitting on trains and watching them pass by, its given me a break from modelling.

Looks promising Robert, I'm more of a traditional SLR fan than mirror-less. My current cameras are Rolleiflex T and Rolleiflex 3,5f but as they are medium format film they are expensive to buy film/processing costs. I no longer print in my darkroom, long out of use.

I think its time to move from film across to digital photography as I can no longer keep up with the cost of developing/printing nowadays. Can anyone recommend a good digital camera - something like the Nikon D3200 or similar, in the same price range?

It's the same 'flute playing' mentality that closed it too!

Sorry guys but that's a bit obvious! I'm trying to get a digitised copy from a Tv recording. YouTube videos are low quality. Back in 1990s Norman Johnston and I went to Enniskillen to Fred's original 8mm film show. They were amazing nights.

Would anyone have a copy of the BBC TV production 'Farewell the Derry Road' which features the 8mm films of railway enthusiast Fred Cooper. It was broadcast a few years ago and I was hoping to obtain a digitised copy, if possible. Don't mind paying for it. Thanks - please PM

Message sent

The loco is absolutely as new - it has been run around a loop twice and put back in box. I don't think it is DCC ready. I am no Brit, by the way - I live in Tyrone - and we've won many an 'All Ireland". I will close sale at 160Euro if you really want them.