GNRi1959

I think the beauty and thrill of seeing a GNR(i) U class or UG loco can only be captured at close quarter in a small layout - in this case an end to end layout with hidden storage and fiddle yard - rather than a continuous circuit of track.

I am sorry for this unusual announcement. I simply couldn't commit to landscaping an entire layout in a shed that would never see the light of day. Having the layout take up all four walls of my shed meant I couldn't do anything else. I had no work area. I also like the idea of having a layout that I could exhibit at some point and that is where my focus is now. I do apologise for the way I broke the news, I'll be back on 'track' soon.

The lifting train has been and gone.........

Derry Road Runabout is no more

I have formed the opening flap for the shed now and am using 4 x 25mm brass screws to solder my rails to make the break. I've tinned the underside of the rails that will cross the screw heads and I have liquid flux at the ready too. Is it best to solder the outside of the rails only or can I solder inside also?

Although I have a photograph of a GNRi G Class taken at Omagh c. 1910, I know little about them as they didn't seem to feature in many other photographs. The photograph was taken by local man Norman Holland and a small collection of his pre-1st WW pictures came up for auction many years and my good friend Norman Johnston managed to get copies of the purchaser. He in turn let me produce negatives of the same prints - back in the day before scanners!

Leslie, the coaches are of no interest to me but I have some nice pictures of GN PP Class No.42 at Omagh on an IRRS Special. Is this a scratch build or kit built model of yours? Looks fantastic.

Of course they will...... I just hope that nobody notices the extra white stripe!

Noel, I appreciate your response and indeed everybody who has ever come to the rescue in my efforts. With every post comes a price, with every response comes a heavier price. If it comes anywhere close I'll settle for second best and if second best still provides some fun along the way, then, so be it.

Looking forward to receiving both Murphy Models MM1508 Irish buffet coach/snack car and Murphy Models MM1521 Irish open coach. I intend using them with my Class 141 diesel. What other coaches should I be looking out for to replicate a Lough Derg train from Dublin c. 1963-64.

Rich, thanks for your response - I'll try that.

I bought myself some Microset and started work on a Dapol open wagon that was going to satisfy me as a quick conversion. I applied the waterslide transfers as per instruction onto the Microset treated planking and as you can see from the photo, the lettering started curling as it dried. I think they may be out of date as I bought them almost 2 years ago . What do you think?

I saw a lot of this sort of stuff at a car boot sale in Castlebar, Sunday morning past.

Really nice of you to post these pictures of Whitehead considering that only a few weeks ago I took the train out of Belfast to Whitehead for a visit, only to find it closed. My own fault, I didn't read the opening hours on their website. So this is very welcome, I will go back again.

Are standard CIE laminates available RTR ?

Noel, up until recently I had little or no interest in diesel driven locomotives - this just adds so much more interest!

With GNR(i) U Class 4-4-0 and UG Class 0-6-0 both withdrawn due to running problems the CIE Class 141 takes over to shift goods on the 'Derry Road'

My interest in this special started when I recalled a photograph a neighbour gave me many years ago, unfortunately I have since mislaid it. Taken on an old 'box camera' the photograph showed a CIE Class B141 arriving at Omagh General Station c.1963-64. After the closure of the Enniskillen line in 1957, pilgrims left the train and were taken by bus to Lough Derg. I was lucky enough to purchase a Murphy Models CIE Class B141 this week which has added much interest to my layout 'Derry Road Runabout'. I have also since been able to get some interesting information about the service. In the CIE Working Timetable they were designated 'OMA DE' and they dominated the Lough Derg workings in 1963 and 1964. The train comprised a Luggage Van, a couple of standards, a Combo, former Great Northern Diner C402N and a brake/standard. Knowing little or nothing about coaching stock I would like to know if any of the above are available RTR? Incidentally, the photograph below is B153 at Pomeroy 14th Aug 1964 - photo by Sam Williamson.

Today I placed a weight on the tender and this greatly improved the running. I think to solve the problem I will have to probably open the tender an conceal the weight inside and consider the options that David has mentioned above - adding more pickups.

Thanks everyone who has pointed me to various technical details, its appreciated.

Testing continues on the Derry Road with the arrival of a CIE B141 class loco on the layout. It ran like a dream straight out of the box but I'm really disappointed by the performance of the GNRi locos. I need to go back to the thread where Kirley tested them and had to add weights to correct the problem. Anyone else have the same problem with balance and contact?

Thanks Robert, I think my problem is that I was trying to seal them soon after!

Whats happening to my freshly applied Railtec transfers. I've just applied them to the sides of a 9 ton Van and as it dries the edges of the lettering is shrinking and lifting. How long after fixing transfers should I seal them? Edit: Found this excellent video!

Since one very kind member offered me the sale of a Black'n'Tan number 141 I have started reading, with interest, of the use of this loco on the Derry Road. From the book 'The Derry Road' by Des Fitzgerald it shows No. 159 at Carrickmore heading for Omagh dated 13th July 1964 stating it was the last year of operation of this service. Therefore No. 165 would most certainly not have been in Omagh. My good friend, the late Norman Johnston, who captioned the book notes that the locos were first introduced 13th Dec 1962 so it is more likely that No. 141 came this way.

Thanks Noel, looks god. What ballast type did you use?