GNRi1959

I'm at a point where my new shed is nearing completion. External landscaping and internal second fixing almost complete. Before I start thinking any more about layout scheme I wanted to check out the viability of N gauge in Irish. I was highly impressed with Gerry Byrne's 'Llangollen' at Enniskillen but does it work with Irish layouts? I'm not debating the track dimensions, purely space available.

Dave, my first layout was in an attic with little or no insulation. It was fun. Sometimes we get very protective of our hobbies and interests, on this occasion all the advice received was valid however theres always a cut off point when it comes to most things.

John, I welcome your message and am only too glad that it arrived before I started any further work. My father was a Carpenter all his life and believe it or not, I am also a Carpenter who teaches in our local College. Now anyone reading the recent posts may think that it's time I hung up my boots and retired from teaching if thats the sort of questions I am firing out to a modelling forum. However, recently the country has gone mad on 'air-tightness', 'super-insulated', 'passive housing' and 'thermal bridging'. Whatever happened to good air circulation around a building? My fear is that introducing polythene barriers will promote sweating and more moisture and although Eoin is correct to direct me towards architects details on the matter, these details are fine in housing but not necessary in small garden shed. I'm in two minds about the vapour barrier but I will certainly insulated the roof.

Eoin, lets get this correct once and for all. Tomorrow I go down to the builders yard and get heavy roll of polythene damp course sheeting. Remove the Sterling board and tack the polythene to the inner walls of the shed. Replace the sterling board. Then insulate the roof, cover the inside with polythene and replace the Sterling board? Is this correct. I take it the Polyethylene barrier you refer to is similar to heavy gauge builders polythene sheet on a roll?

Eoin, the roof has no insulation at all. It is made up of four trusses, a breathable roofing felt and PVC corrugated tin on top. I have counter-battened the underside of the rafters and collar tie to give me sufficient grounds to screw 12mm smartply directly to the battens.

Eoin, the roof has a breathable barrier on the outside under the PVC coated tin. Its the only part with a barrier. So go ahead and do walls? There will be no kettles, radiators or otherwise.

Eoin and Broithe, thanks. I cannot fit a vapour barrier on the outside skin as the shed came sheeted. I put insulation into the studs and sheeted the inside with Smartply. Should I remove the ply and fit a barrier to the inside skin? Is there any point at this stage. I will be putting a vent at either gable end of the shed tomorrow and as you can imagine, shed doors are never totally airtight.

I was hoping to get some feedback on modellers who are currently working in garden sheds, whether modelling or storing layouts. As you know I have a new shed in place and just yesterday someone suggested that since I don't have a vapour barrier on the outer shed framing I would get mould and dampness inside my shed cavity. Basically, the shed is high quality tongue and grooved boards on a 3" framework. The roof is felted over the timber rafters and PVC coated corrugated tin on top. I have filled the void in the walls with Rockwool insulation and sheeted the inside with Smartply. Has anyone with experience or knowledge in a similar situation got any comments to add on whether I will have problems further down the road. Please. Thanks

I'll be drinking double 0

Shed walls now clad with 12mm SmartPly. Ceiling to be completed yet but waiting for electrcian to call and advise.

I think it's time we had an Irish Railway Modellers Badge so when we go to shows we are easily identified.

Thanks Leslie, I agree, the older, used variety are more collectable. A dealer in Co. Down told me he bought thousands of them at an auction for next to nothing. He was selling them off at 99p each

Just back from Enniskillen, congrats to everyone involved. I was blown away by Llangollen - it was a truly amazing Layout. It gave me fresh ideas on what N is capable of. I voted accordingly. Thanks Gerry for your advice. I also met Wrenneire which was nice. So sorry that i missed a couple of others whom i was told were there - Kirley and Andy Cundick.

David, fascinated by this layout. Furthermore, I was looking in an old box of railway photos and found some that may interest you. Ballinamore to Arigna train at Cornabrone 1954 Lissadell 0-6-4T lying derelict at Manorhamilton 1954 Ballinamore 1954 with Arigna train and Dromod train in station 1954 Theres a few others, some really amazing shots. They are all detailed on the back in pencil by the photographer and printed on beautiful Ilford paper. I would be delighted to give them to you if you PM your home address.

BBC Radio broadcast special show from Enniskillen this morning http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b096gpzm#play

Eoin, a masterclass of skill, well documented. Thank you for this.

Including those from 1950s

I've often wondered if tickets on ebay claiming to be genuine actually are. Some are in mint condition, un-used and claim to be authentic. Are they replicas?

Today I insulated all internal walls of the shed with 100 rock wool, the roof surface will be done tomorrow. If I don't get to the show in Enniskillen tomorrow I don't mind as I'm taking delivery of 8 x 4 sheets of 12mm SmartPly that I will be screwing onto the shed interior. This will give me a sound internal wall. The electrician is also coming tomorrow to bring in the power supply. Thats the plan, hope all goes well.

1. Select Insert Image 2. Select file 'From Computer' 3. Go to the folder where your file is 4. When you have selected it you select Choose and Upload it 5. Your file should appear AFTER you have POSTED! 6. Easy

I sent a selection of photographs over to Fintona library last week and the senior librarian has managed to put together a display and film event to run on Wednesday night. Here is a link to the film, not sure if its been linked here before. http://digitalfilmarchive.net/media/the-last-horsedrawn-tram-in-ireland-1890

I'll make the effort and if I do I will certainly call with you.

For me it has to be soldering.

I'm a bit lost for ideas on the baseboards. I'm seriously thinking of building sectional baseboard units at my workplace and have these screwed to some sort of base in the shed. If I ever need to remove the layout or exhibit, I don't need to dismantle.

At the rear end of the shed I've laid a PVC water channel between the garden shed and garden soil level. A 13" DPC was laid under the shed and folded up to create a barrier. I couldn't clear the soil away any further as there is a large maple at this end. The remaining three sides are clear of all soil or moisture. The plan is to lay pea gravel to the remaining sides to act as soak aways. The shed is raised on a 4" block foundation laid of a sub-base of concrete flags (double protection) so should have plenty of protection from ground conditions.