Colin R

Hi Roxyguy, that may not be to everyone's liking, but you know what, that looks fun and that is what it should be all about, well done sir. I love it.

Still finding my way around this forum and this one feel like home from home, going 21mm is the plan, but using EM standards that sounds about right for me. I bet someone somewhere will have apoplexy at that thought. Colin

Now this is going to screw someone somewhere in the next couple of years, lots of late nights in the government buildings all around Europe what with Brexit (I will shut up on this now) about to happen. Colin

Sitting down and trying to catch up with all this e mail stuff when I got a call from the very nice man from Whitehead RPSI. 5 minutes later and the book has been purchased and I have just supported the RPSI, feeling good and can't wait for the book to turn up.

Mick you have just convinced me that at some stage I need to buy a Bandon tank kit, just how I am going to get around to justifing the fact she may appear in the North West Of Ireland coming out of Sligo on a cattle special I just don't know as yet. a nice looking model by the way and well done. Colin

Have just been told that the seller for the GSR book has cancelled my order due to a stock control issue and the only copy they have is water damaged. Have contacted the RPSI to see if they still have a copy.

Wow thanks for that, and here I am thinking it can't be that hard to convert it, how wrong can you be. Just as a follow up question, does anyone have details of all the routes of the old mail trains in Ireland? and did any go through claremorris? Colin

good luck with that Paul look forward to see some progress. Colin

Hi Guys Just acquired a Hornby post office TPO Coach and I was wondering are there any photos or details of any GSR/CIE TPO stock from the 1940 to 1960's period which could be posted on here? Thanks in advance for any help and sorry for all the questions. Colin

Hi Guys I have just finished reading this thread and in one way I am glad that you have exactly the same problems as I do living miles away from Claremorris. I don't mean it in a bad way, but if you guys are having problems get the sort of details you need for a layout based in the 1980's then I take my hat off to you for doing what you have so far. Making a model of a prototype is always going to have difficulties and as sure as eggs are eggs the first time you take the layout to an exhibition in the area some guy will turn up and say 'but that was not how it was' you will no doubt want to do one of two things, 1) leave the layout as is or 2) rebuild the offending building with the fresh details. I can't remember who said it but I am still finding out things about Railways over here in the UK which have long gone, may I suggest with my researcher's hat on, that you consult the local paper and if Claremorris has one a visit to the local library and or heritage center if it has one, also drop in to any of the older looking shops, hotels and pubs (a good excuse for a beer or two) and have a chat, you would be surprised at what you might just turn up. You might not get any modelling done, but it sure as hell makes for a great day out. I have also had a look via Google street view as of today and you can see stuff which people even today will pass by as it has always been there. While I am still trying to get the basic's right for an Irish layout, more power to your elbow. Like you I like Claremorris for what you can do with it as a layout, it has that Irish feel about it in buckets and should I chose to build something, I think Claremorris will be the basis of such a layout. I would use up a lot more of modellers license as well, I like the photos of the station layout board and I will certainly being using that as the basis for the possible model. I know it may be from a much later date than the period I want to model (1940 to 1960) but I can just imagine trains from the GNR(i), NCC, GSR and even the SL&NCR Cattle trains reaching there as well. This would make a great exhibition layout in 21mm gauge and what better way than to display the various parts of the steam age of Irish railways. Just because I want to model it with 21mm gauge does not mean it is going to be a fine scale finished layout, far from it, it will have to have some compromises at some point. Good luck with the layout, I can't wait to see how its getting on. Colin

Just out of interest what was the shade of green used on the coaches and is there a car colour spray can with the colour in it or near enough, if not in a spray can what paint is recommended for this? Colin

Have you tried eBay? just be careful of some of the sellers and look at their ratings before you deal. I know they are not based in Ireland, but have you tried Slaters plastikard I got a bottle from them a couple years ago and it was not that expensive in P&P. How well do you know you local chemist? You could always go and ask them if they can get it for you? mine got me some industrial 99% strength alcohol, which is great for cleaning up model railway rolling stock with a dodgy paint finish that needs a new coat of paint. Colin

You could go one better and squeeze in a bit of narrow gauge as well. Like you Paul I have only just joined and so far I haven't crossed any red lines and as has been said they are most helpful if you have a question or two.

Ah just found another one called LOCOMOTIVES OF THE GREAT SOUTHERN RAILWAYS OF IRELAND by Arthur Stockwell pub 1937 1st ed via of all places Amazon. As it is an old books from that period (1937) it might have information which does not always get passed on this day and age. Will keep you guys updated. Above book locomotives of the GSR and the sister book on LMS NCC now ordered as well.

Thanks Guys

Hi jhb can i just clarify the title of the book with you thanks Colin

Hi all Looking through my Irish railway book collection I notice I don't have 'that book' every CIE steam loco fan has on his bookshelf, IE the one with all the facts and figures and line drawings of the different steam locos from the different companies. I guess it does not exist, but I was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction of any other suitable books which may cover some of this same information. Colin

Hi all Looking through my Irish railway book collection I notice I don't have 'that book' every CIE steam loco fan has on his bookshelf, IE the one with all the facts and figures and line drawings of the different steam locos from the different companies. I guess it does not exist, but I was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction of any other suitable books which may cover some of this same information. Colin

I agree with JHB, what gets me the most is that on eBay you can look for certain items (in my case Triang hornby Clerestories) and for a while the price is reasonable for a second hand model, then all of a sudden you get a spike in prices and instead of them selling for up to £10.00 or Euro 11.64 up they go to silly money of say £50.00 (58 to 60 Euros)each. Don't get me wrong I am happy to pay the price if it is reasonable, but a S/H coach which has seen better days going for that amount is just ridicules and why pay that much for a coach I plan to chop up?

Hi John. Do you think a 3d Print body would work? Colin

Cheers Kirley I will ask Alan to see what he has. Colin

Hi Kirley All I can do is to keep the pressure up, if this fails then if and when I get my new computer, I will have ago at doing the art work myself if it has not appear by then. Colin

Hi Guys Who would be the best person or place to find out more about this class of locos and who may also have a works drawings of them? Thanks in advance. Colin Rainsbury

Hi DC Yes I believe it was talked about, but from what I know it didn't happen for one reason or another, lets hope this takes place this time, as I have a list of Irish locos I would love to see in 4mm/OO kit form. Colin.

Hi guys. Can I first of all ask the moderators to move this to the right section of this forum if I have this wrong. I would also like to say that I am not selling these, but I am gathering information for a possible kit and expression of interest. I have just had an email back from Allen of Worsley works and he reckons it should not be a problem to produce a kit in 4mm for either 16.5 or 21mm gauge of the WT locos.He is away for the next couple of week on holiday, but he will look at this when he gets back. He would also be interested to find out how many of theses kits might be required in a first batch. If you might be interested may be you could confirm in a reply. For those of you that have never obtained a kit from Worsley's before, let me say that they are basic and do not normally include such bits like wheels, motors, gearboxes, etc with them, this will be up to you to source. Branchlines sell motors, gearboxes, etc at branchlines.blogspot.com wheels can be obtains from http://www.alangibsonworkshop.co.uk/ or http://www.markits.com/ I am not sure who makes white metal castings suitable for the kit since it is something I have never had to look for before. At the moment not sure just how many bits will need casting's but it might be an idea to start to look at and find out who produces the various white metal fittings that would be suitable for this loco. In the past I have asked Allen to produce a few etches for me and they have worked, he has always said to me, that if I can find a working drawing of a loco or item of rolling stock that I would like in a brass etch he is willing try to make it happen. OK this approach may not be to everyone's tastes, but I do hope that some of you will try and if you like it may be we could produce other popular Irish Locos and rolling stock that would be impossible any other way forward, like I have said this is not a full all singing and dancing kit, you do have to find some bits yourself, but I think it is a way to start to get a few more Irish locos available at a reasonable price. Colin Rainsbury