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! 9 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 July 16 Author Posted July 16 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) 17
Patrick Davey Posted July 16 Author Posted July 16 1 minute ago, Tullygrainey said: Nice one Patrick Thanks Alan - mighty building sir! 1
jhb171achill Posted July 16 Posted July 16 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 July 16 Author Posted July 16 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 July 16 Posted July 16 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..................!! 3
Patrick Davey Posted July 17 Author Posted July 17 (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 July 17 by Patrick Davey 11 2
Mayner Posted Saturday at 07:26 Posted Saturday at 07:26 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 Saturday at 08:37 Posted Saturday at 08:37 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 Saturday at 15:43 Author Posted Saturday at 15:43 (edited) Started painting the red buffer beams and matt black on the smokebox and running plate. Edited Saturday at 15:44 by Patrick Davey 11
jhb171achill Posted Saturday at 18:07 Posted Saturday at 18:07 It's an excellent-looking kit, and well made an finished. Tempts me to re-examine the SSM offerings....... 1
Patrick Davey Posted Saturday at 20:47 Author Posted Saturday at 20:47 So I was all set to get numbering No. 74 when I saw that I had no number 4s left - I'm using the Railtec GNR(I) railcar decal sheet and it only has 2 number 4s and I used them on the renumbering of my OO Works UG. Another sheet has been ordered but I went ahead and lettered the tender in the meantime. 8
Galteemore Posted Sunday at 06:15 Posted Sunday at 06:15 Very nice Patrick. The buffer housings should really be black to replicate GNRI practice 1 1
Patrick Davey Posted Sunday at 07:36 Author Posted Sunday at 07:36 1 hour ago, Galteemore said: Very nice Patrick. The buffer housings should really be black to replicate GNRI practice Saw that, but no way I could manage that level of fine painting! 1 1
jhb171achill Posted Monday at 20:30 Posted Monday at 20:30 On 19/7/2026 at 8:36 AM, Patrick Davey said: Saw that, but no way I could manage that level of fine painting! I'd be equally wary of such a small job paint-wise, but possibly a fine-pointed permanent marker might assist? All it needs now is a giant Translink logo and website address on the tender.....! 1
GSR 800 Posted Monday at 20:39 Posted Monday at 20:39 On 18/7/2026 at 9:47 PM, Patrick Davey said: So I was all set to get numbering No. 74 when I saw that I had no number 4s left - I'm using the Railtec GNR(I) railcar decal sheet and it only has 2 number 4s and I used them on the renumbering of my OO Works UG. Another sheet has been ordered but I went ahead and lettered the tender in the meantime. Right in time for an IRRS segment on the PP class in their latest issue! 3
Patrick Davey Posted Monday at 20:44 Author Posted Monday at 20:44 4 minutes ago, GSR 800 said: Right in time for an IRRS segment on the PP class in their latest issue! Along with the famous story about my own No. 74 2
Patrick Davey Posted 2 hours ago Author Posted 2 hours ago No. 74 now has her identity confirmed. I forgot that the Railtec transfer sheet has only 2 number 4s so I’ve ordered another sheet so I can complete the numbering on the buffer beams. A big shout out to Steve at Railtec for his very prompt and courteous service. David @Galteemore has previously mentioned the GNR’s red letter shading so I might look at adding that if I feel brave enough! 3 2
Patrick Davey Posted 1 hour ago Author Posted 1 hour ago 1 hour ago, Galteemore said: Looks fabulous Patrick - well done! Thanks David - my role was very small though, Mr. @Tullygrainey is the star in this one
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