Colin R

Maybe we should try and meet up over there at some point what do you think?

To be honest it is 009 and Pete has retired the layout and it sits in a garden shed, I haven't seen it since covid 19, if I can get over in the next few months I will try and take some photos of it. Colin R

Yes, there was always someone somewhere trying to go that bit further Roy Link for one but his bit was to make 7mm 14mm gauge popular a guy by the name of Pete Wilson built a full working Welsh Slate Quarry to 8mm gauge there was nothing made commercial and the whole layout was scratch built I think it was the first and only (as far as I know) narrow gauge layout to make into the pages of MRJ, sadly the layout was scrapped after a museum decided it did not have the room for the design, Pete has, however, keep most of the rolling stock at home. Over time, there have been some very inspirational narrow-gauge layouts. In my mind, the most famous Irish-based 3ft gauge layout was David Lloyds Augher Valley, and at the same time (I think it was the Manchester MRC), the Isle of Man Layout, both of which were 4mm scale, 12mm gauge. Back in the mists of time, someone produced a 4mm gauge 2mm scale narrow gauge layout, sadly any more details of that layout have been lost( I think it was called the vale or pentwan), but I think it had two steam locos one based on the Vale of Rheidol 2-6-2T and the other loco was based on the Leek and Manifold 2-6-4T. Just like the old Triang TT3, which died off when 'N' gauge was introduced, the same happened for 00n3 modelling. I notice that many current 009 loco 3D prints are based around a motor bogie with skirts, that is OK if you want to model tramways, but for me seeing the pistons and conrods moving on a steam loco makes the whole picture, No disrespect to the tramway guys but it is not something which floats my boat when it comes to general narrow gauge modelling (maybe one or two yes but not the whole show). Coming back to today one person that I have heard that is doing fine-scale narrow gauge modelling is Tim Watson from the MRC in London, my understanding is he is building a 7,92mm gauge 4mm scale layout of Lynton, I understand that he is using a Backwood Manning Wardle kit as the basis of his first loco, I have not heard much of late but as he is also working on Copenhagen Fields as well for the MRC he might not have as much time as he would like. I am not aware of any other fine-scale gauge layouts as such, but I have not included models from what I would call fine-scale modellers, since I do wonder what fine-scale modelling is all about. Colin

I am sure someone with more knowledge will correct me, but the old Donegal railway used red wagons and vans to indicate their use with railcars since they were/are very lightweight in construction. That said, I am unsure if they were used on Donegal PW duties. Colin

I am not sure if my skills will let me get to anything like the C&L photo above but it is just so modelagenic, sod's law will be that once I have managed to get one of the Backwoods C&L 4-4-oT built and running someone will bring out a RTR version. As Mayner said it was a complete railway If Hornby ever got around to producing a 4-4-0 in this TT:120 scale I could see a lot more possible models of the C&LR

Don't forget to click on the photo itself for more views

You know how it is, you start looking for something on the old Internet and something pops up like this link I hope you all enjoy over a coffee or something a bit stronger

As I understand it, yes it is, I was also told that he had to do three or four sets of etches to get enough good etchs for Kirley to build just the one loco. I did email Allen (Worsley works) and his answer was to find him the drawings and he will see what he can do

Yes, I do recall that group, I think they came to EXPO-NG at least once at Swanley there was a discussion about finer standards in 4mm narrow-gauge modelling, and I am happy to say that there are still a few who practice them. I do know of at least two sub 8mm gauge 4mm scale narrow gauge layouts under construction, one based on the Lynton and Barnstaple in North Devon and the other based on the slate quarries of North Wales. Plus, there is one 10mm gauge layout based on several 2ft 6in 750/760mm gauge lines. I think the guy behind this one has built a chassis for the old Leek and Manifold 2-6-4T. A friend of mine, Stuart Brewer, has also built a 14mm industrial railway based on the BICC cables at Belvedere in Kent the last time I saw it he had built one diesel loco and was also halfway through building a Bagnall 0-4-0ST as well. For my sins, I am currently planning a 12mm gauge layout based on Ballinamore on the Cavan and Leitrim, it could work out about 28ft end to end without fiddle yards, some things just don't go small in 4mm scale. But coming to the finer standards I think most 009 modellers prefer the use of N gauge chassis to build loco bodies on and not everyone wants to start to build motorised chassis in 8 or 9mm gauges. Colin

I remember them going for about £25.00 at the time Colin R

Right then, not so good news having asked Kirlty about these locos, but it appears that the method used by Tony does not allow him to mass produce them, so I think if we are going to get them in kit form, I need to search out all the possible drawing's I can find and then ask Allen what he thinks? Colin

I have made contact with Kirley who is in contact with Tony Ragg, they are going to have a chat about this over the weekend so you all have time to think about whether obtaining the etches now is something you guys want. If it does go ahead I don't expect them to be repeated. Finding the casting and other bits may take a while, but I am sure there are enough folk in this group to tell us where such items can be purchased

Hi Killian It would be very hard not to use the SSM kit, but I would suggest that as the model railway world moves on to 3D printing, it just goes to show what is possible. I have seen some really fantastic composite kits which have brass detail overlays and white metal / lost wax fittings on a 3D print body. I think it was the late Roy Link who tested the waters with that concept. Also we should not forget that at the time 3D printing was not that good compared today as better ployimers etc become available better details can be added. It then becomes the area of the skilled painter to do justice to the print. Please continue to produce these loco shells they are increadible Colin

That looks really nice do we know if it would run on 21 mm gauge?

Hi Horsetan I have said that there may be up to half a dozen people who might be interested, I am thinking that he may not want to do them unless he can cover the cost of the etching process. it would be a lot cheaper to say have half a dozen done that just a one-off