GNRi1959

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?

Noel, thanks for this. From memory your photos were quite impressive. Any advice on the purchase of a spray gun?

Acrylic based I presume?

What is the most effective and preferred method to paint rails to achieve a rust finish - hand painting or marker?

Noel, I don't suppose theres anything like that going handy these days?

The seller has agreed to cancel the order

To be honest Dave, your offer is welcome but I might hold off until the Cultra Show.

To be honest, I don't mind. I thought it was reasonably priced and would make a welcome addition to my layout.

A neighbour had a photograph of a Class 141 IE 171 on a train taking pilgrims to Lough Derg. The photo showed the loco arriving in Omagh back in 1963. Tonight I managed to buy one of these boxed/new locos on eBay for £85. It will be nice to add it to my Derry Road layout which has been goods only up to now. So I guess thats my spending for this month done and maybe staying away from Enniskillen tomorrow will do no harm!

GNRi Van with white metal braking system

You gotta be joking.......... Ready for transfers.

All tips are welcome however have you looked at the locations of the drilled holes? On the edge of the fragile resin casting?

Any tips of drilling the holes required for the hand railing on the GNRi Brake - I think I might have to go without, its such a fine work.

Patrick, yes the roof was just set on without thinking! i didn’t want to bring the 00 locos down to the shed while I was spraying wagons. I’ll do another video soon with them and make it longer. thanks

Track testing and testing wagons on a pre-paint runabout........

I have some sets of genuine brass pattern makers dowels for modular baseboard construction. They were fitted once and dismantled some weeks later, therefore they are as good as new. They were expensive to buy but are of no use to me now that I have decided against exhibition layouts. If you want them PM and I will give you a price/quantity.

Thanks, looks good

I'm building a few Provincial Wagons and obviously my tools aren't suitable for the smaller parts. I've just broken a fine 'cheap' bit trying to drill out the holes for the grab rails on the sides. Obviously rubbish bits, bought on eBay. I also need a decent set of miniature screwdrivers to secure the screws in the couplings - why doesn't anyone use slotted screws any longer. I want to replace these screws but what size are they? Maybe Nelson has the know how?

Its a really nice feeling that the wiring is now complete and all point motors switched. Everything is running perfectly so I can now enjoy a couple of weeks testing wagons and locos to iron out any minor problems that may arise.

David, each switch is individually wired back to a separate toggle and activated from a panel next to the controller. Tonight I ran a loco around and discovered the loco stalled at a crossing. I soon discovered that the point blades weren't in contact with the stock rail so I had to make a slight adjustment to the point and also secure the position of the point with a track pin to hold it firmly. I will have to repeat this around the entire layout until everything runs smooth. Getting there.

Warb, I take some interest in your storage boxes and methods - very similar to the way I think. I suppose all good carpenters think alike. I can appreciate your skill.

At the close of place yesterday evening, I have one final point motor to wire to a switch and I'm done. I have one that I need to re-align and I'm good to start running locos again and checking all points are trouble free. I'll 'pass' on the B&Q lounger, I'll only fall asleep in the shed if I get too comfortable.

Thanks for that advice David. One thing that I've noticed with Gaugemaster Point motors and Peco electro frog paintwork is that the throw of the point motor is greater than that of the point blades. Does this make sense. I don't have the paintwork fixed but I do have the Flexi track at either side of the point. When I switch the point I can see a light movement in the point as if the power of the motor is causing it to jump. Is this common?