PaulC

Absolutely first rate. Paul

I couldn’t open the link GNR but that may be an apple thing. Paul

Doodling? What would you be capable of if you really put your mind to it?! Paul

Just impeccable work Eoin, the level of detail is second to none. I suspect that most would omit the idea of adding pipes to their build to make life just that little bit easier. One of the greatest things about this hobby is that there are experts in every field creating works of art the rest of us can only drool over. This morning I’m drooling. Paul

Great to see this up and running again GNR. It sounds like you have a great plan for the layout with a clear idea of what you want from it and the option of making it exhibition worthy is an added bonus for us all. Is the gap at the back of that centre board to do with the drop down chutes or is it for something else entirely? Paul

Two stunning looking engines. Very envious of the buyer. Paul

I have the greatest respect for any modeller wishing to go that extra mile and build there own trackwork. In any scenario I have seen it done it is by far a superior finish to any off the shelf product. You seem to have made giant strides already on the layout and this, I think, is going to be one to watch. Paul

What's your plans for them GNR? Paul

Hi Eugene Welcome to the forum. I would imagine those that are currently offering RTR product to the consumer could more readily answer the question but I would suspect that if the product is good enough, competitively priced enough and enticing enough you will get the business. All cottage industries require a bit of good fortune and taking a shot in the dark if they are to succeed and I would say yours will be no different. Looking at your photos, you look to be producing some very impressive Soviet stuff so I don't see why that can't be transferred to the Irish market. Paul

Coffee and chat by the IRM stand sounds peachy. Paul

I'll be there to look at it all! Anyone fancy an IRM meet up? Paul

Absolutely stunning work Bantree. The weathered look and battered bottoms to those doors is just brilliant. As for those hinges, a fine piece of detail most of us would probably overlook. What method did you use for them? Paul

Patrick, loving these shots of your layout. A simple plan with lots of detail creating a very attractive scene. Can I ask, what was your method for producing the platform surfaces? It looks like paper to me but I just can't quite tell. Paul

Trackwork for the station area is now complete. With the space available I've tried to put an essence of Ballymena in to it although unless you know the track work for the area it probably means nothing to anyone else It has been tested with a number of different locos and having rectified a few issues, everything appears to be operating as it should. It'll be some time before I turn my attention to ballasting so plenty of time to iron out any other problems that may arise. In the meantime, I've turned my attention to the more fictitious end of the layout - the branch line. Space here is so limited I will have to add a small extension to the front of the board to accommodate the track. I've said this is fictitious but I am contemplating building a replica of Cullybackey Station to replace the Wills one sitting in the photo. I have an itch to scratch build something and this just might be the cure I need. Paul

Some terrific examples of producing corrugated sheeting. It doesn't seem to matter what material is used, it's the painting that really defines it for what it is. Paul

The one disadvantage of Wills sheets is the thickness requiring a lot of cutting and accuracy to produce the required result. The main structures aren't too bad but windows and doors can be a real pain to get right. Paul

That's remarkable. I wonder, does the airport usually work its take offs and landings round the timetable of passing trains to avoid such incidents occurring more often. Perhaps the light aircraft was suffering difficulties and was given priority. There must be someone out there with mobile phone footage of this. Paul

Bloody marvellous. It's all coming together so well. Paul

GNR, don't despair, it happens to us all. I went two years along a road of building GH1 only to discover it wasn't working for me and ripped it all up to start again. That included a lot of track and point purchases all of which were either sold on at a loss or binned. I think you are on to something with your desire to replicate in some form Omagh station. You have the research, the photos, the maps and most importantly, it's of local interest to you which gives you more enthusiasm for it. It's just a matter of finding some aspect of it that you can create in the space available that will please you. It might just be the station building and a couple of tracks. Maybe the goods sidings will appeal more. Whatever it is, don't give up on your idea, it just needs modifying. Keep researching and that flash of inspiration will come to you. Paul

Not to push you further in the direction of soldering but I found this link from Model Rail forum that may be of interest when it comes to these harnesses. http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=11980 Of course, materials may have changed since this intitial posting 8 years ago. Paul P.S. This was my 100th post.

Further to my post of Clones engine shed, these photos were also taken at Cultra for a proposed footbridge at Tandragee. Cutting blades, ruler and plasticard to the ready ladies and gentlemen. Paul

On that note, GNR, I must post all the pictures of the footbridge too. Paul

Whilst at the transport museum at Cultra a couple of years ago I took this photo of Clones engine shed. It may be of help to someone or maybe even scratch a modelling itch. Paul

Thanks Jason, I'll look in to that. Paul

Is there a page or thread on here for uploading pictures that may be of help to others. Scrolling through some of my pictures I came across a photo I took at Cultra of the plan for Clones engine shed and thought it might be of interest to others. Paul