Patrick Davey Posted July 6 Author Posted July 6 At first glance it might seem like the loco from a ghost train but it’s actually GNR PP No. 74 built by Alan Nixon @Tullygrainey from a Studio Scale Models metal kit, and looking rather fine in grey primer. Alan has done his usual amazing job and the locomotive has been finished to perfection - she runs exceptionally well on Clogherhead, and even the ancient double slip doesn’t cause her too much difficulty. I am going to spray paint the livery shortly, GNR plain black, then apply the lettering, before she heads back to Alan for some basic weathering. A work of art! With sincere thanks to Alan for this - I have long dreamt of having a GNR PP loco and here she is! 8 8
GSR 800 Posted July 6 Posted July 6 An absolutely gorgeous locomotive! Such a staple of the Irish North West 2
Tullygrainey Posted July 6 Posted July 6 3 hours ago, Patrick Davey said: At first glance it might seem like the loco from a ghost train but it’s actually GNR PP No. 74 built by Alan Nixon @Tullygrainey from a Studio Scale Models metal kit, and looking rather fine in grey primer. Alan has done his usual amazing job and the locomotive has been finished to perfection - she runs exceptionally well on Clogherhead, and even the ancient double slip doesn’t cause her too much difficulty. I am going to spray paint the livery shortly, GNR plain black, then apply the lettering, before she heads back to Alan for some basic weathering. A work of art! With sincere thanks to Alan for this - I have long dreamt of having a GNR PP loco and here she is! Looks at home I think. Hope it performs well for you Patrick. 3 1
Patrick Davey Posted Thursday at 17:32 Author Posted Thursday at 17:32 PP No. 74 has left Clogherhead and entered the paint shop at Dundalk. These photos show the result of day 1 in the care of the GNR’s master painters (in reality, me with a rattle can) 16
Patrick Davey Posted Thursday at 17:37 Author Posted Thursday at 17:37 1 minute ago, Tullygrainey said: Nice one Patrick Thanks Alan - mighty building sir!
jhb171achill Posted Thursday at 22:14 Posted Thursday at 22:14 On 6/7/2026 at 8:55 PM, Patrick Davey said: At first glance it might seem like the loco from a ghost train but it’s actually GNR PP No. 74 built by Alan Nixon @Tullygrainey from a Studio Scale Models metal kit, and looking rather fine in grey primer. Alan has done his usual amazing job and the locomotive has been finished to perfection - she runs exceptionally well on Clogherhead, and even the ancient double slip doesn’t cause her too much difficulty. I am going to spray paint the livery shortly, GNR plain black, then apply the lettering, before she heads back to Alan for some basic weathering. A work of art! With sincere thanks to Alan for this - I have long dreamt of having a GNR PP loco and here she is! A thing of ABSOLUTE beauty! Pity one wasn’t preserved.
Patrick Davey Posted Thursday at 22:29 Author Posted Thursday at 22:29 5 minutes ago, jhb171achill said: A thing of ABSOLUTE beauty! Pity one wasn’t preserved. They are the one loco more than any other that scream 'GNR' to me! Imagine a warm summer morning in 1955, as this magnificent machine simmers at Dundalk as she prepares to take her semi-fast service to Omagh onto the Irish North. She gently rounds the curve away from the main line, leaves Co. Louth and enters Co. Monaghan, calling at all stations and halts to Clones, where she must await the corresponding up service (hauled by sister No. 75) before heading off into Co. Fermanagh, calling at all stations to Enniskillen, then at Bundoran Junction she enters Co. Tyrone and eventually arrives at Omagh, several hours after leaving Dundalk...... 3
jhb171achill Posted Thursday at 23:05 Posted Thursday at 23:05 36 minutes ago, Patrick Davey said: They are the one loco more than any other that scream 'GNR' to me! Imagine a warm summer morning in 1955, as this magnificent machine simmers at Dundalk as she prepares to take her semi-fast service to Omagh onto the Irish North. She gently rounds the curve away from the main line, leaves Co. Louth and enters Co. Monaghan, calling at all stations and halts to Clones, where she must await the corresponding up service (hauled by sister No. 75) before heading off into Co. Fermanagh, calling at all stations to Enniskillen, then at Bundoran Junction she enters Co. Tyrone and eventually arrives at Omagh, several hours after leaving Dundalk...... You have caused drooling in these premises..................!! 2
Patrick Davey Posted yesterday at 10:39 Author Posted yesterday at 10:39 (edited) Black more or less done - the white metal castings can sometimes cause difficulties with coverage, but overall I’m pretty happy with the finish. Next will be the red on the buffer beams and possibly a few other small parts picked out, then transfers, before she returns to Alan for some final weathering and tightening up. The builder plate was a small red oval, located halfway along the running plate in front of the leading driving wheel splasher, so I may explore options for replicating this, although my eyesight might protest The smokebox and running plate will be matt black too. Edited yesterday at 10:40 by Patrick Davey 10 2
Mayner Posted 11 hours ago Posted 11 hours ago On 17/7/2026 at 10:29 AM, Patrick Davey said: They are the one loco more than any other that scream 'GNR' to me! Imagine a warm summer morning in 1955, as this magnificent machine simmers at Dundalk as she prepares to take her semi-fast service to Omagh onto the Irish North. She gently rounds the curve away from the main line, leaves Co. Louth and enters Co. Monaghan, calling at all stations and halts to Clones, where she must await the corresponding up service (hauled by sister No. 75) before heading off into Co. Fermanagh, calling at all stations to Enniskillen, then at Bundoran Junction she enters Co. Tyrone and eventually arrives at Omagh, several hours after leaving Dundalk...... Nice job on the PP I was tempted to add one to my collection when SSM took over the NortStar range of kits from Addrian Rowland, was mighty taken by the large scale T&D Kerr Stuart tank loco. Certainly would make a nice companion for a OO Works U if you ever get to build a GN Main Line or Irish North layout. Many years ago my ears picked up when an aunt & uncle spoke about travelling by train from Amiens St- to Bundoran during the early 50s, I thought of the 'romance' of travelling by steam on the "Bundoran Express" their main memory/complaint was about the long slow train journey! Different perspectives. 2 1
Galteemore Posted 10 hours ago Posted 10 hours ago Lovely Patrick. Narrow Planet/Light Railway Stores can do BP worksplates, although in 4mm a dot of red paint or fine liner might work just as well 1 1
Patrick Davey Posted 2 hours ago Author Posted 2 hours ago (edited) Started painting the red buffer beams and matt black on the smokebox and running plate. Edited 2 hours ago by Patrick Davey 7
jhb171achill Posted 34 minutes ago Posted 34 minutes ago It's an excellent-looking kit, and well made an finished. Tempts me to re-examine the SSM offerings.......
.png.c363cdf5c3fb7955cd92a55eb6dbbae0.png){kind=logo}
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now