Popular Post Ballinacraig Posted June 27, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted June 27, 2022 I've been meaning to create a thread for my layout for some time, so now's the time I've actually got around to do it! Ballinacraig is a fictional town set somewhere in County Wicklow or Wexford, along the Dublin to Rosslare line.I have always been particularly fond of this part of Irish Rail's network, especially as I used to holiday in Wexford as a child. The layout is set in the Summer of 2004, on the eve of modernisation of the line, which would see the total replacement of trackwork and signalling, along with the end of locomotive hauled passenger trains. I'm endeavouring to strictly adhere to this period, which means spending a bit of time doing research before building or adding anything. The layout is still in the early stages of construction, with many fixtures such as walls and buildings not glued down yet. The trackwork is Peco - Bullhead Code 75. All the buildings and structures are scratchbuilt. They are based on actual buildings from various locations along the Dublin to Rosslare line. For example, the station is a slightly scaled down model of Wexford (O'Hanrahan) station. The railway road bridge (still unfinished) is a scale model of the bridge over Esmonde Street in Gorey. The signal cabin is modelled on the one at Enniscorthy station. A special word of thanks to IRM member Warb, who very kindly drove up to Newry a couple of years ago and donated the station footbridge. It was from a previous layout of his that I had enquired about. Paddy 20 24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob229 Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 A fine start to the layout, the scratch built buildings are excellent, looking forward to seeing more of Ballinacraig 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rush and Lusk Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 Beautiful Modelling Paddy - well done. George 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonB Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 That is some seriously impressive modelling. Looking forward to future updates. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Davey Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 (edited) Now that's how to do it - simply superb scratchbuilding! Looking forward to further updates. Edited June 27, 2022 by Patrick Davey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galteemore Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 You should be ashamed of yourself- keeping this hidden away for so long! Terrific work - most inspiring. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flange lubricator Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 well done nice layout 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 Excellent quality- brilliant photos and great to see a 'modern' layout too ! Keep the photos coming 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dempsey Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 Brilliant images 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Past-Avenue Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 Stunning layout and workmanship. Please keep posting pictures and updates 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Shrives Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 Seconding all the comments - great work and buildings look brilliant. I too look forward to updates. Thanks for sharing. Robert 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayner Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 Great to see a layout with realistic modelled buildings, structures and signals, the bullhead track and point rodding adds to the realism. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achill Posted June 28, 2022 Share Posted June 28, 2022 Absolute brilliance! Superb stuff - keep the pictures coming! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgeconna Posted June 28, 2022 Share Posted June 28, 2022 Lovely, the A waking up the people as it rundles along over the bridge which is a magnificent piece of work. ! Lads delighted for the no.8 to take them somewhere Daycent!! Looking forward to some more pics! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enniscorthyman Posted June 28, 2022 Share Posted June 28, 2022 Superb work 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwayman Posted June 28, 2022 Share Posted June 28, 2022 Lovely layout. Particularly like the station. Any chance of showing the layout at Wexford MRC's Autumn Exhibition? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballinacraig Posted June 28, 2022 Author Share Posted June 28, 2022 Thanks for all the lovely comments. I will of course endeavour to update the forum with my progress as I go. In relation to IrishRailwayMan's request - it is unfortunately a permanent structure in my garage. Paddy 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick Posted June 28, 2022 Share Posted June 28, 2022 This is lovely. I'm looking forward to seeing more. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel Posted June 28, 2022 Share Posted June 28, 2022 That's a fabulous layout already. You've really captured the essence of that line, and at that time. It oozes wexford Atmosphere. Congrats, looking forward to following this. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niles Posted June 28, 2022 Share Posted June 28, 2022 Well done. Grew up in the area and you've captured the feel well, recognised Esmonde St bridge and all. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Holman Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 Lovely stuff! Really like how the various scenes hang together. It is one thing to make nice buildings and structures (which they most certainly are), but assembling them into a coherent, believable whole like this really makes the layout shine. The bus outside the station and the overbridge scene already have that certain something. As others have said, more please and don't forget the track plan too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Ballinacraig Posted August 25, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 25, 2022 An update on the progress of Ballinacraig. I have spent the last few weeks - with the help of my father - building a viewing box around the scenic part of the layout. On the ceiling of the box, I ran LED strip lights. Overall, this has greatly enhanced the viewing experience, however, I need to finish painting the backscene, which will be sky blue. I have uploaded some of the latest photos of the layout, including the new surround box. I am currently working on a row of shops for the main street. These can be seen in some of the photos. When they are finished I will post closeup shots of them. I have uploaded some videos that my brother took of the layout. I have added audio of their real-life counterparts to some of these videos, which I think adds a touch more realism. Paddy 121_1.mp4 121_2.mp4 141_1.mp4 121_3.mp4 20 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achill Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 That is MIGHTY stuff - well done. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Past-Avenue Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 Great work i love the bridge like the in Esmonde Street Enda 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Dangerous Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 Wow, incredible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 I echo the comments above about the standard of workmanship. In addition I though that the sound in the various videos was very life like, the sound of the horn and the noise going over the tracks. just amazing. MikeO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popeye Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 Beautiful scenes and great realism. The sound in the videos makes it seem real. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Davey Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 Wowwwww 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieB Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 A good advert for ‘less is more’. Stephen 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rush and Lusk Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 This is fabulous Paddy - very well done. I love your "railway room" - great pictures and excellent videos with the superimposed sounds - lots to learn from. George 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 Great photos and vids- great detail and love the 'modern' setting and rolling stock. That bridge is amazing btw- really realistic. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LARNE CABIN Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 Would echo all that has been said above, Paddy. Lots of excellent work, modern image not my cup of tea, but you have captured a lot of detail there! As has been said, love the bridge, and the videos are excellent. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murphaph Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 Is there a fiddle yard behind the layout Paddy? I am a huge fan of the shelf layout "lightbox" concept. Your trains are the actors in a play. Brilliant stuff. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballinacraig Posted August 26, 2022 Author Share Posted August 26, 2022 3 hours ago, murphaph said: Is there a fiddle yard behind the layout Paddy? I am a huge fan of the shelf layout "lightbox" concept. Your trains are the actors in a play. Brilliant stuff. Unfortunately, I don't have a fiddle yard as of yet, Phil. The line does run behind the layout, but space is tight, so there's only room for a single track. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiacra Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 13 hours ago, Rob said: That bridge is amazing btw- really realistic. Completely agree - very atmospheric! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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