Colin R

Yes I see what you mean Colin

Somewhere on the computer I have started a list of the state of the C&L vans, it is by no means complete but it is a start, as far as i can make out there were three basic styles, Low roof, High roof and cattle van's all built to the same size. well that was the plan at the start what I have found is that in the rebuildins dimensions did change, I have wheel bases from 7ft 6ins to 8ft. As for building a prototype C&L van well go for it, as I don't think anyone will know any different now, there is a possible 100+ variations but only 70 vans to play with so if you are not sure and you get asked that it never happen, then asked the person to come up with a photo. It is most unlikly that any two vans looked the same by the 1950's anyway. Colin

Hi Porky If you look at Google earth you can get a lot of detail with out moving from your computer, that said there is nothing like a site visit to get you in the mood for modelling. Colin

I agree with David Card modelling is very quick and cheap, I must take some photos of a couple of Isle of Man buildings I did so i can get some idea of the size of the layout, these are only basic shells to give me an outline, they do not have any detail on them. I have also given them a basic coat of paint to get some Idea of the overal colour as well. That is the plan George, just as soon as they turn up. Colin

Hi Guys I am in the same boat as you, still trying to find a source of decent Irish looking buildings, my search has come across this lady, I am not sure how this will work but I have just ordered some from her https://tinyireland.ie/

Hi Phil Going to the personal library I find in Tom Ferris Book Irish Railways In Colour (1955 to 1967) page 103 has 10 L (1956) in a clean but flat Black / Dark Grey colour, it certainly is in used condition but at that moment in time does not look to bad, no big bits of rust etc. However on page 104 10L is shown at a later date in a much more used condition with rust on the smoke box door and the chimney as well. I would think the guys on the railway knew that time was almost up, so the spit and polish of a clean loco had gone years before, I am not sure how often they got cleaned in the last few years, if at all. To me the final colour looks more like a very dark grey, but with a fine covering of coal dust and oil, not the most easiest of finished to achieve, but it is possible, the guy from Golden Arrow has done it on a few custom paint jobs for people I know, it can be very effective, good luck with it. Colin R

That is just fantasic modelling well done.

Hi Pat contact him direct, as he has a few items for sale now with some more coming on line about mid July next year, I am waiting of the 3 Donegal Coaches to become available, also he hopes to have Donegal railcar 12 available about the same time next year. There has been some chat about West Clare steam locos, but nothing has happen yet. Allen of Worsley works continues to produce a number of brass etches in both Irish Broad and Narrow gauges, these are not complete kits but just the basic etching, as you will need to source wheels, motors , gearboxes and any castings required for the kit. Colin

I don't want to know where they are but I would be interested if you could go and measure them all up and take loads of photos Colin

Going back on what I said early about these, Rule 1 will have to apply

Sadly I will miss the show this time due to work, but while leslie was trying to think of a way to buy one, here is a true story from the days of British Rail. Back in the 1980's I was and still am a supporter of the 2ft guage Lynton and Barnstaple Railway in North Devon, simply put the line was closed in 1935 and was soon lifted, however BR has a duty of care regarding certain items of civil engineering, now the old L&B has a 7 arch Viaduct in the middle of nowhere https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chelfham_Viaduct_Lynton_%26_Barnstaple_Railway_(geograph_1667109).jpg Now imagine our surprise to hear that the bosses of BR had decided to take a jolly for the day to visit the lynton and barnstaple railway and to try out some new standard gauge civil engineering kit. Well it was red faces all round once they realised it wouldn't fit and secondly they wouldn't be able to get it to Chelfham which was about 3 miles away from the nearest rail head, since the track bed and track had both be lifted and sold off. At first I didn't believe it, but I have been told this story by a few folk who where there when this happen, I wonder how the report went when they got back to base. Colin

Hi Guys I wonder if anyone can put me in touch with whom ever may have access to the old civil engineering ie station buildings and bridge drawing records of the Donegal Railway. I have asked over on the Irish Three Foot Facebook group and I have left a message for the Donegal Heritage centre to get back to me as well. I am not sure if or where any architectual drawings of the old station buildings and various bridges may still exist. Thanks in advance for any help given Colin

Solder might be a problem but if you can remove the body from the chassis so the motor etc doesn't get wet, place it in a small tank (size of the engine is big enough) with some soda crystals and put the body shell on top of some kitchen foil, fill with warm water to cover the body shell so crystal will dissolve in the water over night and it will come up nice and clean, do wash it all off before painting if you can remember use disposalable gloves when you take it out of the tank as your fingers will mark the shell again, hope this tip helps. This method can be used on any metal kit before painting. As for removing solder, I haven’t worked out a way to clean this up just yet, it is still a work in progress. If you can find one there used to be an electronic de-solderer which heats up the solder and you then use the sucker stage to remover it, however I have not found anyone who makes them, I should have keep mine from when I was at the college as they where giving them away at the time. Colin

That is so true Leslie, only problem is I have 4 A class to pay for then I have a couple of Donegal Kits to buy as well this year, I could do with winning the lottery right now .

That looks a really good and excellent model, however I am not sure my layout can justify buying one as I plan to model the Irish Broad Gauge in the 1935 to 1960 period or just up to the introduction of the C class locos, which ever is later. The reeason for the cut off date was that was when most of the public 3ft narrow guage lines where closed. That said Narrow Planet have just introduce the BnM Wagonmaster as an 009 kit, so I have one of those to build into 00n3 at some point. shifting sands and all that................

A race to the bottom is not always a good thing, I happen to like having a model shop near me as I can then go and inspection the goods I want to buy, I have had a couple of items from the internet that have been send back because of the damage caused either in transit or from the supplier. Now I consider myself to be a modeller who can fix minor issues on a model, but I refuse to accept items which are damaged or have parts missing from a supplier when it comes to the box shifters. Another point to think about, it may be cheaper from a box shifter in the first place, but, add the cost of postage etc and you may find it is no cheaper that buying it from your local shop, follow this up with a visit to your local model shop and when they get to know you, you might even end up with a bit of a discount on it anyway from them. Colin R

Hi guys as some of you will beaware Yahoo will be closing their groups by the end of the year, but as the old owner and mods have both past on no one can access the files to transfer them across to a new group, so in order to keep the small group going we have set up a new group on the IO platform IrishThreeFoot@groups.io The link should take you to the new site if you wish to join, it may take a while to get going again but you are all welcome. Colin Rainsbury List owner

Hi Eoin I have made up a number of scrappers to help clean up brass and plastic kits over the years from old hacksaw blades they last for ages. Colin R

All I can say is let me at them with a scaple, saw and file, up until now all we have had is either the Hornby Clerestory or the Ratio LMS coaches to butcher, these will add something else to the mix and I am sure some one will come up with a model which will impress and get that feel we are looking for. Just got to wait for 2021 for them to come out. Colin

Just went for £420.00 pounds Colin R

Hi Leslie I have had two SSM kits yet to be buit of the J15, so I need to get on with them, they are on the list after the Donegal/ Isle of Man kits this winter. Regards Colin

Another irish Loco https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ooworks-J15-101-0-6-0-locomotive-Grey-/113786878417?hash=item1a7e39f9d1 Just realise this is direct from Roderick Bruce Colin R

Thanks PorkyP they are very hard to come by, I have asked the guys at the Donegal Railway centre for help to see what they have, so hopeful they may have some details, but I am not sure where the GNR(I) archives have ended up to check them as well.

Thanks I have the drawings in David Lloyds book modelling the Irish Narrow Gauge, the early pair are providing a bit elusive in finding any details, the only thing that has come to light is the comment they where similar of railcar No 4

Hi yes it was the earlier one that I am after details for