Colin R

May be it is me but the advert was for a super deltic loco, so is the E model that was produced supposed to be a copy of the prototype but with a deltic engine inside? I guess we shall never know, it sure does not help the modellers/historians when something like this red herring comes along. The other thing is was the deltic E class going to be a bogie style locos for CIE? but the need for a shunter was more pressing so that came next? Over on the UK they produced more prototype's than anyone else, I think some worked and went on to form the basis of more successful BR loco classes while others where just scrapped, the BR deltic had at least three variations that I know of the main fleet (Class 55) the Baby Deltic (Class 23) and a couple of prototypes the one in the NRM and DP2 (she has been scrapped after a major accident) but her parts went on to help build the class 50 locos. So this brings me back to my question. Did English Electric produce a set of drawings for a co-co style locos for the CIE based on the experience of the BR class 55 I wonder? see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_50 Colin

Hi guys I am biting so what was this mysterious proposed Irish loco? Colin

This does deserve its onw thread I think

Thanks for the up dates guys great stuff to see these flying off the shelves Colin

Hi I know this might sound wrong but do you have an update as to which models you still have left from this batch? (not that I can afford anymore just now, but it is more out of curiosity). Colin

Hay Murphaph I wonder how much people would pay if you could make a replica works plate say in resin

Just had confirmation from the Post office in the UK that my order is on it way thanks guys

They will be likes buses all turn up at the same time, I have been waiting this long so I think I can wait a while more.

Just how long was it from first announcement to shifting the boxes today? I am just glad that everything came together at my end finally, might be a while before I can buy any more Irish stock.

Do you know who is doing the shipping in the UK? If it is the Post office I can get them to hang on to mind so I can collect them from the depot and so they don't get left outside and stolen Thanks

Looking forward to my ones turning up soon, just as soon as I can they will become 21mm gauge EM standard locos.

Hi there is nothing new in this, the old Irish railway companies where sending stuff like this before most of us where born (I think) good to see some common sense coming out of all of this at last, maybe some one should say something to the guys who run Network rail here in the UK.

Hi Eoin. When you start to look around, you can find yourself looking at a number of these bits of kit ranging from £500 up to £4,000 pounds. Thanks for the information about your machine tools, it gives me something to think about. Colin

Hi Eoin (sorry for getting your name wrong in the last post). That is more than welcome, I have been thinking for some time about which mini lathe to get, the link did not help as it has too many goodies in store . That said, there is just so much information out there I had forgotten about. I will see if they do a miller to match the lathe, since I don't owner either at present. Regards Colin R

I think it has only just come out so still a new publication £8.50 sounds about right Colin

Hi Eion I must have missed it, but who makes the lathe you are using, if so what model was it and do you have any other advice beside the fan extension? Colin

Hi Guy, a question or two from a friend in the states Three long-shot questions for the members: 1. Might anyone know of a source for drawings or an illustrated folk culture study of traditional Irish donkey carts? I'm particularly interested in any regional variations between the Cavan & Leitrim Railway region, Kerry, and southern Cork. My Irish folk culture books and Irish agrarian history books are falling short. 2. Do any makers of kits (Anscorton, Langley, others) offer a kit for a cart that matches a specific Irish design? 3. Might anyone be able to recommend a published source of the history of cattle-raising in the Irish Midlands or in Kerry? I'd like to collect some details about the breeds and appearances of cattle that the C&L, the MGWR, and the TDLR hauled, to ensure authentic miniatures. Thank you in advance for any guidance. Martin Tuohy Tinley Park, Illinois, USA

Speaking of rail code sizes for the narrow gauge, I have found a supplier of code 40 which looks right for the 3ft gauge I will try a bit later to put a photo of it on here. As for code 60 that's funny as I also have some of that from years ago some one was going to build a large 009 layout and at the time that was the smallest size rail available, sadly he died and through a good friend of mine I was able to purchase about 30 meters of the stuff about ten years ago from his estate, when I get a change to start track laying again, i will try some of it out for 21mm gauge, I would think that as my concept is based on the Belfast and County Down, I would think the rail profile would be reasonably small code 60 or 70 perhaps.

Speaking to Andrew Burnham today he told me that at the moment RM and CM are working at half speed since so many of the staff are still off with things to do with the Covid Virus so they are way behind with articles on layouts at the moment.

Hi Guys just to give you all a bit of the heads up, I have just emailed a friend of mine at Peco and they were not aware of this forum, so now they have a link so don't be surprised if you get asked about your modelling from them, it would be good to see some of these layouts in the magazine and also some of the how to do it articles as well.

Thanks David, I am thinking around post war 1945 to 1960 period while it is very complex I am thinking in terms of something like the DownPatrick Junction as a starter layout, it should give me a roundy roundy bit and a branch line to a fiddle yard via a triangle for now, So code 60 sounds like the size to go for.

Hi guys I am sure we have discussed this before, but i think I must be forgetting. What code rail would you all consider using on a 21mm gauge Irish layout, I don't really do 21mm modelling (yet) but if I ever do get around to it, I am just thinking out loud. Colin

We do have a few railways in the UK which are not volunteer lead, such as the Launceston Steam Railway http://launcestonsr.co.uk/ I am not sure just how many people are involved with the Fintown Railway project, does anyone know any more about it? Colin

Just as an overnight though and again subject to having the money and at JHB's suggestion, if they could buy a couple of old wagon masters and then convert them to Donegal style looking railcars they could be on a win win situation, may be the guys at Donegal might consider this an option as well. They would be smaller than most of the old railcars, but they look like they have good gearboxes which can go in either direction at a reasonable speed as well which is something the old Donegal Railcars had a problem with, even I would consider swapping out the gearbox on the railcar at Fintown, so it does not get completely knacked with an ex Wagonmaster one. https://www.irsociety.co.uk/Archives/22/Wagonmaster.htm

The other alternative which is not going to happen any time soon is to find a lottery winner who is willing to move to the area and co-operate with the guys there to bring the whole thing up to a higher standard, I did read in one of the UK railway mags sometime ago they had plans to take the line to the outside of Genties and build a new station in that area. I am just not sure how realistic such a plan could be, but given the current lack of man power they have, I can't see an extension happening there any time soon, the sad fact is if and when those that run it start to give up the situation is only going to get worse. What it needs is a commercial manager with the understanding of how the internet works, I do find that it is hard to find anything about it on the web or if I do it is out of date. If they had a decent online shop, cafe and toilets, it might bring in a few bob to help keep the place open.