British locos and stock that can be disguised as Irish

[jhb171achill]

11 hours ago, Mayner said:

………..during the early 1970s, there was a Railway Modeller series of articles on modelling corrugated iron buildings in card which featured assembling models based on Kenmare Goods and Carriage Sheds……

Any idea when? I’d very much like to see that!

[Mayner]

19 hours ago, Galteemore said:

Thanks Mike - was just ensuring old Triang got included. Their old 3Fs make very good Irish base locos !

The 3F, Jinty, Diesel shunter wheelbase was reasonably close to some of the ex-GSWR J4 & 9 and ex-DSER J8 Classess introduced post 1900 and the ex-DSER K2 2-6-0 locos. Main gap is a suitable donor chassis for the midland Cattle Engine with its large wheels and relatively short wheelbase for a large 0-6-0

Not sure of Hornby still produce a "Railroad" version of the Jinty or diesel shunter, or Bachmann their 3F or 4F though both Hornby & Bachmann 0-6-0s may be available second hand. 

https://transportsofdelight.smugmug.com/RAILWAYS/IRISH-RAILWAYS/CORAS-IOMPAIR-EIREANN-STEAM/i-wm6ZNd8/A

J4 262

https://transportsofdelight.smugmug.com/RAILWAYS/IRISH-RAILWAYS/GREAT-SOUTHERN-RAILWAY-STEAM/i-LPvqkcW/A

J9 351     some members of J9 Class built with raised running board similar visually similar to J4 Class

https://transportsofdelight.smugmug.com/RAILWAYS/IRISH-RAILWAYS/GREAT-SOUTHERN-RAILWAY-STEAM/i-XchX5K9/A

J8 445  

https://transportsofdelight.smugmug.com/RAILWAYS/IRISH-RAILWAYS/GREAT-SOUTHERN-RAILWAY-STEAM/i-3tnG9Dc/A

J8 444

A London based member of the "Malahide & Dromin Junction group used the Triang Hornby L1 as a donor chassis for an ex-GSWR D2/321 Class 4-4-0 and the 0-6-0 chassis for ex DSER J8 444.

Other locos included a GNR Compound and possibly a JT 2-4-2 produced by the late Harry Connaghton a Dublin based professional modelmaker who produced models of Irish Locos and stock in 4 & 7mm scale during the 1970s. The Malahide & Dronin Junction was exhibited at the Kilkenny Shop Dawson St during the late 70s before being exhibited for a period at Shannon Airport

[Mayner]

10 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

Any idea when? I’d very much like to see that!

Only very late 60s/early 70s don't remember the specific year or edition.

The modelling was fairly basic in nature buildings scratchbuilt in plain card capturing the basic shape and curved roof profile of the buildings. As far as I recall there was no attempt to form or represent the profile of the corrugated iron, which at the time would have been challenging without specialist tooling/equipment.

[jhb171achill]

6 hours ago, Mayner said:

Only very late 60s/early 70s don't remember the specific year or edition.

The modelling was fairly basic in nature buildings scratchbuilt in plain card capturing the basic shape and curved roof profile of the buildings. As far as I recall there was no attempt to form or represent the profile of the corrugated iron, which at the time would have been challenging without specialist tooling/equipment.

So easy now - plasticard sheet!

[Flying Snail]

On 29/11/2025 at 10:59 AM, Mayner said:

Interestingly someone converted a Triang Jinty into a 'close enough"  J11 during the early 1970s, there was a Railway Modeller series of articles on modelling corrugated iron buildings in card which featured assembling models based on Kenmare Goods and Carriage Sheds the 0-6-0 tank loco had a distinct GSWR cab, but no info on the loco. 

 

On 29/11/2025 at 10:08 PM, jhb171achill said:

Any idea when? I’d very much like to see that!

 

14 hours ago, Mayner said:

Only very late 60s/early 70s don't remember the specific year or edition.

The modelling was fairly basic in nature buildings scratchbuilt in plain card capturing the basic shape and curved roof profile of the buildings. As far as I recall there was no attempt to form or represent the profile of the corrugated iron, which at the time would have been challenging without specialist tooling/equipment.

The corrugated carriage shed based on Kenmare is in the August 1970 edition of Railway Modeller

Edited November 30, 2025 by Flying Snail

[josh_]

Any good doner mk3s that he an identical body to the kit mk3s that ran here?

[Westcorkrailway]

 

GNR/CIE Mak would be nice. I wonder had anyone tried doing it 

[Mol_PMB]

4 minutes ago, Westcorkrailway said:

 

GNR/CIE Mak would be nice. I wonder had anyone tried doing it 

Darius has one. 

[Mol_PMB]

36 minutes ago, Mol_PMB said:

Darius has one. 

At least I think he only has one. Knowing Darius and his Hunslets, it wouldn’t surprise me if he has three! 

[George]

Now this one’s a bit of a stretch but I reckon a Bachmann LNWR precedent could make a good as built M&GWR class K, possibly a later GSR CIÉ G2 with modifications 
 

[jhb171achill]

52 minutes ago, George said:

Now this one’s a bit of a stretch but I reckon a Bachmann LNWR precedent could make a good as built M&GWR class K, possibly a later GSR CIÉ G2 with modifications 
 

Bit of a stretch, yes, but it's a wonder what dropping it into a bucket of dark grey paint will do! Tender is very different, and a major plasticard job with the cab, and bob's yer uncle!

[Mayner]

16 hours ago, George said:

Now this one’s a bit of a stretch but I reckon a Bachmann LNWR precedent could make a good as built M&GWR class K, possibly a later GSR CIÉ G2 with modifications 
 

Strangely the Belfast & Northern Couties 7' Compounds No 50 Jubilee & No55 Parkmount were similar in general appearance to a Precedent (cab, splashers, running board & slotted valences) until re-built as 4-4-0s in 1897.

The MGWR K were mixed traffic locos with smaller 5'8" driving wheels compared with the 6'6" of the LNWR locos, though Class 7-12 "Mail Engines" (similar in outline to the K) had 6'3" drivers, but the last had gone by 1922 replaced by /renewed as C Class 4-4-0s. GSR 800 of this group has struggled to re-wheel the Hornby Claude Hamilton chassis with suitable wheelsets for a 3D printed MGW A Class 4-4-0 (6'3")

Modification to a MGW loco would involve considerable cosmetic modification (cab, sandbox splashers, deeper (unslotted) valence, flush riveting) but might pass for a GSWR loco due to the greater similarity in styling (assuming GSWR continued building express 2-4-0s into the 1880s)

[GSR 800]

47 minutes ago, Mayner said:

Strangely the Belfast & Northern Couties 7' Compounds No 50 Jubilee & No55 Parkmount were similar in general appearance to a Precedent (cab, splashers, running board & slotted valences) until re-built as 4-4-0s in 1897.

The MGWR K were mixed traffic locos with smaller 5'8" driving wheels compared with the 6'6" of the LNWR locos, though Class 7-12 "Mail Engines" (similar in outline to the K) had 6'3" drivers, but the last had gone by 1922 replaced by /renewed as C Class 4-4-0s. GSR 800 of this group has struggled to re-wheel the Hornby Claude Hamilton chassis with suitable wheelsets for a 3D printed MGW A Class 4-4-0 (6'3")

Modification to a MGW loco would involve considerable cosmetic modification (cab, sandbox splashers, deeper (unslotted) valence, flush riveting) but might pass for a GSWR loco due to the greater similarity in styling (assuming GSWR continued building express 2-4-0s into the 1880s)

Pretty much found you can get away with dropping the wheel size by about 2 scale inches (down to 6'6 from 6'8) but you get a lot of slip after that. Sonic models have since announced their Glen class, which may be a better option as a chassis for the MGWR A (higher boiler pitch, smaller drive wheels).

Past a certain point you're likely better off scratchbuilding, or perhaps 3d printing a chassis. At that stage might as well do the whole loco.

I have seen a conversion of a dean goods to a 2-4-0 before, but the driving wheels are much smaller than the Irish 2-4-0 survivors. the GWR 0-4-2 tank likewise has much smaller driving wheels.

 

 

[Tractionman]

is there a passable British open brake that I could use to convert to CIE stock?

I have been looking at old Lima and Triang coaches but advice would be welcome

happy to do some butchering and of course repainting as appropriate!

cheers,

 

Keith

[Mol_PMB]

Stanier period 3 LMS coaches are a good start, and have been made at various price points and levels of detail by Airfix / Mainline / Dapol, Hornby and Bachmann. 

CIE had quite a variety of brake seconds, some built like that and others converted from composites and all-seconds. None of the LMS types are identical to any of the CIE types, but they're the most promising route for an RTR-butchering approach. To get a better match to CIE vehicles, JM Design did make some etched brass overlays for the sides.

[Tractionman]

many thanks @Mol_PMB much appreciated, I will have a look on Ebay for a suitable quarry for my scalpel!

all the best,

Keith

[Mol_PMB]

4 minutes ago, Tractionman said:

many thanks @Mol_PMB much appreciated, I will have a look on Ebay for a suitable quarry for my scalpel!

all the best,

Keith

The older ones can sometimes be got for a tenner. Newer, more detailed versions can be £40 or thereabouts. 

Here's one I'm hacking at present, with the replacement sides from JM Design. This is a Bachmann one, and not a brake coach, but the principles can be applied to the older stock too. 

https://irishrailwaymodeller.com/topic/17455-voiding-the-warranty-mols-experiments-in-21mm-gauge/page/23/#findComment-283620

CIE coaches were mostly 61'6" long whereas the LMS coaches were 57' or 60' long depending on type. I'm using the 60' variants.

Edited 9 hours ago by Mol_PMB
forgot link

[Tractionman]

8 minutes ago, Mol_PMB said:

The older ones can sometimes be got for a tenner. Newer, more detailed versions can be £40 or thereabouts. 

Here's one I'm hacking at present, with the replacement sides from JM Design. This is a Bachmann one, and not a brake coach, but the principles can be applied to the older stock too. 

https://irishrailwaymodeller.com/topic/17455-voiding-the-warranty-mols-experiments-in-21mm-gauge/page/23/#findComment-283620

CIE coaches were mostly 61'6" long whereas the LMS coaches were 57' or 60' long depending on type. I'm using the 60' variants.

excellent I have in front of me my copy of Doyle & Hirsch to see what might be manageable with my limited skills, and so looking at possibly something like 1906, 1917TL or 1927TL (on page 34).

what orange paint for CIE do folks go for usually? (black I am ok with!).

cheers,

Keith

 

[Mol_PMB]

Here’s a Bachmann 60’ brake first in comparison with the JM etched sides for one like 1906:

Volkswagen orange isn’t far off - a bit bright but close. 

[Tractionman]

4 minutes ago, Mol_PMB said:

JM etched sides

they look excellent, sorry to ask but is there a link for ordering -- a web search came up with one but it was dead alas

[Mol_PMB]

1 minute ago, Tractionman said:

they look excellent, sorry to ask but is there a link for ordering -- a web search came up with one but it was dead alas

Best to ask @Mayner - they are not in regular production but I think they can be etched to order and sent to you? John did a batch last year which is when I got mine. 

[Ironroad]

Maybe of interest;

https://railsofsheffield.com/blogs/news/dapol-upgraded-oo-gauge-lms-stanier-coaches?srsltid=AfmBOoreu8HjrRG-fxIlLE86DqfyPcibO-4TdZjqaQqPduSuIaUadUnT