BROOMBRIDGE JUNCTION

[Broadstone]

I have 2 previous layouts in S Scale Irish Broad Gauge - Corcadoragha and Kilbrandon. And I'm now starting to build a third;  Broombridge Junction, heavily based on Liffey Junction in Dublin, but with some important distinctions. 

I have always liked the location next to the Royal Canal and always go for a walk or a run along the canal whenever I am staying in Dublin with my Sister-in-law. It was on the MGWR mainline out of Broadstone and was the junction for the line heading down to the Dublin Docks along the Liffey and to the LNWR's East Wall Terminus. It was also the site of a large cattle dock and extensive sidings for the cattle trade, a coking plant and the MGWR's sleeper saw mills. It was a busy spot. It also had an attractive location alongside the canal, the Liffey lines sharply diverging and passing over the canal. At the other end, both the railway and the canal were crossed by Broombridge which brought the road up from the Ballyboggan townland towards Cabra. Broombridge is famous in Irish and World mathematics as the place where Sir William Rowan Hamilton suddenly cracked the phenomena of Quarternions and scribed the mathematical formula into the bridge while out walking with his Wife; he was therefore not the first man to be distracted by a thorny problem instead of giving his dearly beloved his undivided attention!

There will be a few distinctions:

First of all and most outrageously, whilst Liffey Junction handled exclusively MGWR trains, my Broombridge Junction will have trains of both the MGWR and its deadly GSWR rivals. I appreciate that this may disturb a few modellers. The GSWR did actually join the MGWR Liffey Branch under a mile away at Glasnevin Junction. But in order to allow me to run the GSWR stock I built for Kilbrandon, I am assuming the GSWR lines to the Docks joined the MGWR East of Broombridge. Ridiculous I know, but it will make my layout more interesting.
Secondly, and I am likely to further scandalise MGWR followers here, whilst MGWR engines, rolling stock and buildings were amongst the most attractive in these islands, Liffey Junction was probably one of the most ugly. There, I've said it. So, my Broombridge Station will be a nicer looking model, sited where the modern Broombridge station is with an attractive station building and shelter. 

So, this post is a taster. The boards are being built. I have a lot of GSWR stock and am working on some for the MGWR. Future posts will have a track plan and some maps to explain the above rationale. And as the model proceeds I'll add pictures of progress. After a lot of planning I am greatly relishing building this layout!

Thanks for reading.    

[Galteemore]

Now this is exciting ! Really looking forward to seeing this develop! For those of you who have never seen Paul’s work….http://www.s-scale.org.uk/gallery15.htm

Edited March 6 by Galteemore

[jhb171achill]

Very interested in this project! The very best of luck with it, Broadstone!

As an MGWR fan myself, I have calmed myself with double smelling salts for tonight. I think I'm psychologically now, with mug of cocoa in hand, even if i'll always be a bit scarred....

What GSWR stock do you already have?

[Tullygrainey]

This sounds great. Good luck with it. 
Very fine models in Galteemore’s link above

[Flying Snail]

Interesting concept - I'm looking forward to seeing this develop. Best of luck with it!

[Rob R]

I hope there is room for my Baldwin with the 9:35 from Bantry........

[Broadstone]

Thanks for the comments and likes, it makes it all worthwhile. 

I started off my interest in the Irish Broad Gauge because of reading Tim Cramer's articles in the Railway Modeller and Model Railways and was much taken by a model he made of GSWR 0-6-0T No 90. This in turn led to a fascination with the Timoleague and Courtmacsherry light railway, of which Corcadoragha was the result. I built a model of both GSWR No 100 and Argadeen and they are illustrated in the link that Galteemore has posted. Later, following holidays in County Kerry and friendship with Patrick O'Sullivan, my interest widened to more 'mainline' railways and Kilbrandon was the result, heavily influenced by Killorglin but with a freelance light railway junction to, you've guessed it, Corcadoragha! Kilbrandon went to some 25 shows before I retired it, feeling that my standards had improved. 

The last 7-8 years I have scratched my NER itch with a model of Blakey Junction on the NER's Rosedale Branch in North Yorkshire that I have long been fascinated by. But I have always intended to return to the Irish Broad Gauge. 

Over the years, although I like all railways and certainly all Irish railways, I have become more and more interested in the MGWR, whilst still greatly liking the GSWR. The thing is, they really didn't like each other and there were many skirmishes between them as the Irish rail network was planned and developed. The fact is though they were both very fine and attractive railway companies and to make a model of both was bound to involve some compromise and fiction.

My best and most credible idea was probably Athlone Midland, an incredibly attractive station right next to the mighty Shannon with a very impressive viaduct over it. Although a Midland station, the GSWR had a connection across the Shannon and I believe there was interconnecting freight and passenger traffic. Try as I might I just couldn't find a way to build that, or even part of it in my available space, 18' by 11'.  

I next alighted on the East Wall LNWR terminus where both MGWR and GSWR trains ran in certainly up to about 1920. That would make a great model but I really do want a continuous run rather than a terminus. By the same token Sligo was considered and rejected. Although on the plus side I could introduce the SLNCR it was again a terminus and in any case all the freight headed down the hill to the docks and I do like a goods yard and shunting! 

Back to the continuous run, I did consider Ballysodare on the Sligo line, but Liffey Junction won out, but with my outrageous alteration of Irish railway history and geography. It's very near my Wife's family home and as I said, we walk there a lot. I think the canal at the front with the railway behind will be quite attractive. 

Given that I am adjusting the history a wee bit (!), visits from CBSCR and many other engines Rob will be greatly welcomed. Perhaps the MGWR was testing it out.........?!

Attached is a photo of my model of Elf, MGWR 2-2-2St no 28 which worked on pilot duties at Broadstone and I'm sure ventured up to Liffey Junction. She/he will be busying around Broombridge Junction that's for sure!

 

[Broadstone]

17 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

Very interested in this project! The very best of luck with it, Broadstone!

As an MGWR fan myself, I have calmed myself with double smelling salts for tonight. I think I'm psychologically now, with mug of cocoa in hand, even if i'll always be a bit scarred....

What GSWR stock do you already have?

I have a J15 0-6-0, a Kerry Bogie 4-4-0, 0-6-0T no 100 plus 4 x 6 wheel coaches and about 20 wagons including a rake of cattle wagons. For the MGWR I have a 2-2-2ST 'Elf', a 0-6-0T 'Bat' which is being re-built plus about 4 wagons including a brakevan and horsebox. I am intending building a 2-4-0 'Sylph' and an 0-6-0, both with Attock's fly-away cabs. I need to build a fair few MGWR open and box vans. 

[Patrick Davey]

Very interesting and innovative project!!!  Am a big fan of rewriting history

Superb models - watching with great interest!

[David Holman]

Great news Paul - and about time! If I had mine again (and knowing what I know now), S would be very tempting. Lovely scale, lovely size and that rather enigmatic, imperial track gauge too. Sixty three sixty fourths of an inch for those who didn't know.

Looking forward to reports as the project develops and what a jewel Elf is too.

[Rob R]

On 10/3/2024 at 10:39 PM, David Holman said:

 Lovely scale, lovely size and that rather enigmatic, imperial track gauge too. Sixty three sixty fourths of an inch for those who didn't know.

 

63/64" which is as near as makes no odds 25mm

S Scale.

A scale for all seasons

[Mayner]

51 minutes ago, Rob R said:

63/64" which is as near as makes no odds 25mm

S Scale.

A scale for all seasons

S Scale on 16.5mm track popular in New Zealand for modelling the 3'6" narrow gauge. scale also popular in the States for both standard and narrow gauge modelling,

https://www.brians-place.com/models/S-Scale/railwaymodels.html

Apart from being primarily a scratchbuilders scale S is a nice intermediate scale between OO and O. Easier to work in than OO/4mm as eyesight and manual dexterity deteriorates as we get older and takes up less space than a similar model/layout in O Scale.

 

[Broadstone]

At the moment the main scenic boards are being built for me by a friend Ken who said a few years back that although he thought I was a reasonable modeller, my carpentry was rubbish, or words to that effect! He's a very skinned joiner as well as a brilliant modeller and I'm very grateful to him. So, in the meantime before I show the finalised trackplan, please see these images of the central scenic board which shows Lock 7 on the Royal Canal. The Scenic section will be 14' long by 2'6" wide and curves will then run round the back to a fiddle yard, the whole thing being 18' by 11' to fit inside my railway room. The Board 2 photo clearly shows Lock 7 just before it is crossed by the Liffey Branch which will be on the adjoining board. 

More to follow..........

[David Holman]

6mm birch ply by the look of it?

Nice. Very nice!

[Broadstone]

On 19/3/2024 at 7:16 AM, David Holman said:

6mm birch ply by the look of it?

Nice. Very nice!

6mm ply for the tops and 9mm for the ends and sides. But not birch David, as I haven't won the lottery! No its just normal, but quite nice ply from a woodyard out near Selby chosen by Ken. Who incidentally is a very skilled, not skinned, joiner from the last post!!

Edited March 21 by Broadstone

[derek]

49 minutes ago, Broadstone said:

  chosen by Ken. Who incidentally is a very skilled, not skinned, joiner from the last post!!

I know plenty of joiners who get skinned from time to time . Especially around this time of year

[Broadstone]

I suppose I should have started off this blog with the Broombridge Junction trackplan instead of describing it? But to be honest, it has been drawn out in so many scratty sketches before being drawn out full size with all the track and pointwork accurately laid out. So, here is the finalised neat and tidy trackplan. Simon Dunkley has helped with a Templot Plan that I printed out and hacked about to get my final plan and I'm very grateful to Simon, particularly for the single outside slip that forms the main part of the actual junction. 

I have had to make a fair few compromises from the prototype Liffey Junction:
1. The Liffey Branch heading down to the Docks and the LNWR's East Wall Terminus is now single track because I didn't have the width to make it double like the prototype. 

2. The original Liffey Junction station was, in my humble opinion, not amongst the cream of the MGWR's stations, but then it wasn't a 'public' station. It was a lonely and forebidding outpost, so I have made a proper 'public' station next to Broombridge, and in the location of the modern and very busy Broombridge station with its interchange with the LUAS tramway into Dublin (that runs along the former MGWR's trackbed to Broadstone - now there's an attractive station building!).

3. I have shortened the extensive cattle bank, but added in a loop and goods-shed. I am going to model the attractive Cattle Bank Office from the real Liffey Junction. 

4. I am modelling the 1914 signal box as it is such signature building from the real Liffey Junction. It replaced a rather drab box next to the up platform but I prefer the later box. This despite my intention to run trains from before 1914. 

5. I am looking forward to modelling the combined water tower and shunter's mess-room; its almost like a small church and the water tower still stands, sentinel like. Along with the signal box it is such a feature of the original Liffey Junction. 

6. The Station building will be based on that at Moyvalley and there is a plan and picture in Ernie Shepherd's excellent MGWR book. It will be accompanied by a fairly standard MGWR wooden platform shelter on the Up platform and a MGWR metal foot-bridge similar to that at Enfield. The goods shed will a fairly standard MGWR design.

So, although there is a lot of freelance thought in all this, it will have a lot of the signature of the real Liffey Junction plus recognisable MGWR buildings. 

Finally there are some very interesting articles about Liffey Junction in the Irish Railway Record Society (of which I've been a member for over 30 years) Journal:
No 195 February 2018 - "Broadstone revisited" by Ernie Shepherd and No 209 October 2022 - "Broadstone revisited - again" by Richard Maund.

Both are full of great photographs and the interesting history of Liffey Junction and the MGWR services that used it. There is a truly tremendous Harold Fayle picture of a passenger train passing through Liffey Junction in the rear inside cover of Journal No 195 which was and is such an inspiration for my model. I would love to include some of those pictures here, but am not sure that is allowed under copyright. 

Thanks for reading. 

[jhb171achill]

Looks superb. This should be a very interesting project. Within which period are you setting it, or will it be a bit of everything?

[David Holman]

Quite a prospect. Sweeping curves, varying levels - so much to like!

[Broadstone]

15 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

Looks superb. This should be a very interesting project. Within which period are you setting it, or will it be a bit of everything?

It will mainly be set around 1900 as most of my stock is in that period and I like the liveries. But, you are right, there will be a bit of everything if I can build it!

12 hours ago, David Holman said:

Quite a prospect. Sweeping curves, varying levels - so much to like!

Thanks David. Should keep me busy for a few years. I already have the single and double slips, recovered from Kilbrandon. And a lever frame and a few huts. And I have been making a few building carcasses. So, its already slowly coming together.

[Mayner]

Strong family connection to Broadstone and Liffey Junction and later explored the remains of the station in the early 80s. My maternal grandfather joined the Midland  as an engine cleaner in 1900 married my Grandmother shortly after being appointed as driver in 1918 and raised a family in a railway house in Great Western Square. Although his railway career was cut short as a result of ill health and passed away years before I was borne, my Mother often talked about childhood memories of her father working on the railway at Broadstone and Liffey Junction.

The area around Broombridge would have been completely rural market gardens and cow lairage up to the 1940s with the development of the Cabra West on a Garden City model with Corporatuion housing and industrial units backing on to the railway. 

[Broadstone]

On 29/3/2024 at 10:15 PM, Mayner said:

Strong family connection to Broadstone and Liffey Junction and later explored the remains of the station in the early 80s. My maternal grandfather joined the Midland  as an engine cleaner in 1900 married my Grandmother shortly after being appointed as driver in 1918 and raised a family in a railway house in Great Western Square. Although his railway career was cut short as a result of ill health and passed away years before I was borne, my Mother often talked about childhood memories of her father working on the railway at Broadstone and Liffey Junction.

The area around Broombridge would have been completely rural market gardens and cow lairage up to the 1940s with the development of the Cabra West on a Garden City model with Corporatuion housing and industrial units backing on to the railway. 

Thanks John, my idea of an actual public station there is fanciful as maps from the period do not show much if any housing, unlike now with the large Cabra estate. But I want a railway model that is attractive and has some traffic other than just cattle. My Blakey Rigg layout in S Scale is a fairly faithful model of Blakey Junction on the NER's Rosedale Branch and although I'm pleased with and enjoyed building it, I fancied a bit more 'imaginative leeway' with this new layout. I do realise that I am pushing it a bit but still think it will have much of the character of Liffey Junction and enable me to show some attractive GSWR and MGWR trains in action alongside a canal.   

I'm uncovering information about the area all the time and was stunned and delighted recently to read on FaceBook that one of the Liffey Junction signalmen (presumeably in CIE days) was a Brian Greene!

[David Holman]

Prototype v artistic licence v might have been v total fantasy has always been the way in model railways. Greatly admire those who go the whole way and faithfully copy the prototype, but (as with Grantham in this month's RM), there's usually a bit of narrowing and shortening in there for practical reasons.

 It was Iain Rice who coined the term 'signature elements', one that works for me - in particular the model should first be recognisable before any trains pass through. Buildings, signals, track gauge(?) and so on. Love the idea of the prototype, but capturing the essence of the scene can be just as important, which is why Kilbrandon worked so well - immediately Irish and a bit like a good painting or book, the more you study, the more you see.

 Keep it coming, Paul.

 

[Broadstone]

3 hours ago, David Holman said:

Prototype v artistic licence v might have been v total fantasy has always been the way in model railways. Greatly admire those who go the whole way and faithfully copy the prototype, but (as with Grantham in this month's RM), there's usually a bit of narrowing and shortening in there for practical reasons.

 It was Iain Rice who coined the term 'signature elements', one that works for me - in particular the model should first be recognisable before any trains pass through. Buildings, signals, track gauge(?) and so on. Love the idea of the prototype, but capturing the essence of the scene can be just as important, which is why Kilbrandon worked so well - immediately Irish and a bit like a good painting or book, the more you study, the more you see.

 Keep it coming, Paul.

 

Thanks David, my Sister lives fairly near Buckingham in Bucks and visiting it a few years ago was struck by how it could never have warranted a 4 platform station with an overall roof and expresses to London Marylebone! But it was, and is, such a stunning and influential model. I am confident that I will have those 'signature elements' - great phrase! Paul

[Broadstone]

Here are some pictures of the nearly completed baseboards on their beams that my friend Ken has built for me. I am hoping to collect them later this week or early next, can't wait! There's no way that I could have made them so well. I'm just itching to start building the track, my target to have finished the connecting curves and fiddle-yard (I'm building them) and getting trains running by the end of this year. Next year being buildings and scenery and more stock.

[Broadstone]

I collected the boards and supporting beams from Ken on Wednesday and have now set them up in the garage. I have laid out my trackplan and just to get a feel for how it could look, added some of my stock. 

The layout is currently set at a height of 5'4" on the trestles and although I have never gone that high for a layout, I do like it. I think it may have been Iain Rice who pioneered this approach and Gordon Gravett has shown it to good effect on Arun Quay. A few other fellow members of the Leeds Club have also used this approach on their layouts - Peter Kirmond with York and Laramie, John Aldrick with Ivy Bridge and more recently, Andy Ross with his brilliant model of the Hunslet works. What I like about this approach is how you look into the model rather than down on it and, with a full height backscene, viewers can avoid looking at me drinking tea behind the layout. The downside is that I would have to switch over to auto-couplings and operate from the front (where people could get a close-up of my tea drinking. 

The alternative is the conventional height and operation from the rear with a lower backscene and the 'hand of god' operating the 3-link couplings. I will make up my mind soon. 

Next step is to start building the fiddle-yard and connecting curves and then track-building. If I can get trains running before the year-end I'll be well on course. 

[Gabhal Luimnigh]

5 foot 4 does seem high, you must be a very tall lad!

[David Holman]

 Lovely stuff. Re baseboard height, Arun Quay is about 4'3, I think, which is where I've put Fintonagh and Northport Quay. This height works really well if there is a firm barrier in front for spectators to lean on and (just about) allows someone in a wheel chair to see.

 As for front v rear operation, the option of sitting on a high stool is a nice one, though much depends on sight lines for uncoupling magnets, shunting and the like. In the case of this layout, guess there will always be someone in the middle too.

 Autocouplings, are all the Spawn of Satan, as far as I'm concerned, but a necessary evil for front operation. Personally, never minded the hand of god, but there is no doubt that any hands free operation looks really good - very much as exemplified on Ballyconnell Road last weekend.

[Mayner]

The Canal with its lock in the foreground certainly captures the atmosphere of the Midland Main line and Liffey Junction. 

While I have struggled to fit a layout featuring a simple single line 1950-70s era crossing station in 4mm-21mm gauge into an 9'X17'6" space, Paul is planning to fit an S Scale  Main Line Junction into a slightly larger space.

The choice of the pre-amalgamation era with its use of generally shorter rolling stock than the late GSR-CIE era helps, the mock up of the Kerry Bogie its 4 6w coaches and horse box works well visually, where a 4mm consist of 071 diesel loco and 5-6 MK2D coaches may not work as well visually. After 30 odd years building/adding CIE era stock, I have began to backdate to the GSR era with its shorter passenger trains and greater use of shorter coaching stock.

I have a preference for "eye-level" baseboard height starting with a Irish N scale "around the wall" shelf layout in the early 80s. Track level on my Irish 4mm narrow gauge layout is 1.5m or approx. 4'11, the height in this case was set to clear a computer desk as opposed to deciding on 1.5m. The planned garage layout will  have a similar viewing height but at this stage its unlikely that I will have time to work on the layout for another 1-2 years during which a lot could happen. I admire Pauls determination to get trains running on Broombridge by the end of this year.

Importantly my 'eye level" layouts were all intended for home as opposed to exhibition operation, the narrow gauge uses plain old analogue control with a Guagemaster hand held controller that plugs into sockets at various locations on the layout fascia, I will probably use a similar set up on the broad gauge layout if I ever get round to it, its too much hassle fitting DCC decoders to locos built from kits and scratchbuilt years ago, Functions like working marker lamps are largely irrelevant on steam locos and my hearing is largely shot to enjoy dcc sound (went theough that fad 20 years ago)

My preference is for B&B couplers of the British variety from my experiences in EM and Kadee although totally non-prototypical from over 5 years working on and operating the MRSI Loughrea layout at exhibitions, my Irish 4mm narrow gauge layout uses Kadee HOn3 couplers though automatic uncoupling is not 100% reliable, I may fit B&Bs if I find time/get round to it.

 

 

Edited April 13 by Mayner

[Broadstone]

15 hours ago, Gabhal Luimnigh said:

5 foot 4 does seem high, you must be a very tall lad!

Apologies, I made a mistake Gabhal! Its 4'4" and I'm not that tall!! I think I must have started typing 56" then switched to feet. 

[Broadstone]

9 hours ago, David Holman said:

 Lovely stuff. Re baseboard height, Arun Quay is about 4'3, I think, which is where I've put Fintonagh and Northport Quay. This height works really well if there is a firm barrier in front for spectators to lean on and (just about) allows someone in a wheel chair to see.

 As for front v rear operation, the option of sitting on a high stool is a nice one, though much depends on sight lines for uncoupling magnets, shunting and the like. In the case of this layout, guess there will always be someone in the middle too.

 Autocouplings, are all the Spawn of Satan, as far as I'm concerned, but a necessary evil for front operation. Personally, never minded the hand of god, but there is no doubt that any hands free operation looks really good - very much as exemplified on Ballyconnell Road last weekend.

As above to Gabhal, its 4'4" David, so in line with Fintonagh and Northport Quay as well as Arun Quay. I like looking 'into' these layouts and another advantage is being better able to control the sight lines and hide where the tracks disappear. I've long noticed how in real life trains disappear behind buildings and trees without the need for bridges and tunnels. The actual Broombridge will hide the trains going off to the right, whilst on the left the water tank and some trees will hide them as they pass through the backscene. 

Yes auto-couplings are 'satan's spawn' and I'm not sure any of them work 100%. I'm experimenting with Jackson's as a friend of mine uses them fairly suuccessfully on his EM layout, even when it went to shows. I'm hoping to limit their use through the passenger and cattle trains being in 'rakes' with 3-link couplings inbetween and an auto coupling at the end. And most goods trains will be the same, just passing through from the MGWR and GSWR down to the docks. So, I'll just need to fit auto-couplings on the engines, brakevans and a few wagons likely to be shunted into the various sidings. 

I really like 3-links but after 20 or so years of taking layouts to exhibitions, it is undeniable that they can get a bit tiresome by the Sunday afternoon of a weekend show! I'm hoping that Broombridge will have a decent balance between some shunting and watching trains ambling slowly through the scene. We'll see.

Ah, Ballyconnell Road, a brilliant layout and a really nice group of excellent modellers.  Which show was that David?

[Broadstone]

4 hours ago, Mayner said:

The Canal with its lock in the foreground certainly captures the atmosphere of the Midland Main line and Liffey Junction. 

While I have struggled to fit a layout featuring a simple single line 1950-70s era crossing station in 4mm-21mm gauge into an 9'X17'6" space, Paul is planning to fit an S Scale  Main Line Junction into a slightly larger space.

The choice of the pre-amalgamation era with its use of generally shorter rolling stock than the late GSR-CIE era helps, the mock up of the Kerry Bogie its 4 6w coaches and horse box works well visually, where a 4mm consist of 071 diesel loco and 5-6 MK2D coaches may not work as well visually. After 30 odd years building/adding CIE era stock, I have began to backdate to the GSR era with its shorter passenger trains and greater use of shorter coaching stock.

I have a preference for "eye-level" baseboard height starting with a Irish N scale "around the wall" shelf layout in the early 80s. Track level on my Irish 4mm narrow gauge layout is 1.5m or approx. 4'11, the height in this case was set to clear a computer desk as opposed to deciding on 1.5m. The planned garage layout will  have a similar viewing height but at this stage its unlikely that I will have time to work on the layout for another 1-2 years during which a lot could happen. I admire Pauls determination to get trains running on Broombridge by the end of this year.

Importantly my 'eye level" layouts were all intended for home as opposed to exhibition operation, the narrow gauge uses plain old analogue control with a Guagemaster hand held controller that plugs into sockets at various locations on the layout fascia, I will probably use a similar set up on the broad gauge layout if I ever get round to it, its too much hassle fitting DCC decoders to locos built from kits and scratchbuilt years ago, Functions like working marker lamps are largely irrelevant on steam locos and my hearing is largely shot to enjoy dcc sound (went theough that fad 20 years ago)

My preference is for B&B couplers of the British variety from my experiences in EM and Kadee although totally non-prototypical from over 5 years working on and operating the MRSI Loughrea layout at exhibitions, my Irish 4mm narrow gauge layout uses Kadee HOn3 couplers though automatic uncoupling is not 100% reliable, I may fit B&Bs if I find time/get round to it.

 

Thanks. I have done so much walking over the years along that stretch of canal that I feel it is now in my bones. It must have been quite a scene seeing and hearing a long fitted goods straining up from the Docks with a steam engine at the front another banking at the rear and crossing the Royal Canal to join the mainline at the Junction. Even now the passenger trains coming up that line from Connolly make quite a roar as they cross the Canal Bridge. Please see some photos of the real thing (including our late and much missed Cairn Terrier, Millie). 

Despite never really knowing Steam, let alone the railways of the 1890s/1900s, I am most fascinated with the 'turn of the century' period. And trains were, as you say, a lot shorter. I am aiming for 4 x 6-wheel coaches and maybe a fitted horsebox or butter van, or 10 wagons + brakevan as a typical train. The fiddle-yard traverser will be 4' long in any case so there's the limiter. 

I'm aiming for Jacksons as opposed to B&B because they don't look too bad, although I know they can be temperamental. 

 

[Broadstone]

4 hours ago, Mayner said:

The Canal with its lock in the foreground certainly captures the atmosphere of the Midland Main line and Liffey Junction. 

While I have struggled to fit a layout featuring a simple single line 1950-70s era crossing station in 4mm-21mm gauge into an 9'X17'6" space, Paul is planning to fit an S Scale  Main Line Junction into a slightly larger space.

The choice of the pre-amalgamation era with its use of generally shorter rolling stock than the late GSR-CIE era helps, the mock up of the Kerry Bogie its 4 6w coaches and horse box works well visually, where a 4mm consist of 071 diesel loco and 5-6 MK2D coaches may not work as well visually. After 30 odd years building/adding CIE era stock, I have began to backdate to the GSR era with its shorter passenger trains and greater use of shorter coaching stock.

I have a preference for "eye-level" baseboard height starting with a Irish N scale "around the wall" shelf layout in the early 80s. Track level on my Irish 4mm narrow gauge layout is 1.5m or approx. 4'11, the height in this case was set to clear a computer desk as opposed to deciding on 1.5m. The planned garage layout will  have a similar viewing height but at this stage its unlikely that I will have time to work on the layout for another 1-2 years during which a lot could happen. I admire Pauls determination to get trains running on Broombridge by the end of this year.

Importantly my 'eye level" layouts were all intended for home as opposed to exhibition operation, the narrow gauge uses plain old analogue control with a Guagemaster hand held controller that plugs into sockets at various locations on the layout fascia, I will probably use a similar set up on the broad gauge layout if I ever get round to it, its too much hassle fitting DCC decoders to locos built from kits and scratchbuilt years ago, Functions like working marker lamps are largely irrelevant on steam locos and my hearing is largely shot to enjoy dcc sound (went theough that fad 20 years ago)

My preference is for B&B couplers of the British variety from my experiences in EM and Kadee although totally non-prototypical from over 5 years working on and operating the MRSI Loughrea layout at exhibitions, my Irish 4mm narrow gauge layout uses Kadee HOn3 couplers though automatic uncoupling is not 100% reliable, I may fit B&Bs if I find time/get round to it.

 

 

Thanks again John, re-reading your post, I may well be setting a stiff time target. But I did recover the double slip and single slips from Kilbrandon and am re-using them on Broombridge, so that is going to save me a lot of time and trouble. And I have started drawing out the buildings so some progress has already been made. Intending it as an exhibition layout also focuses the mind!

[Rob R]

It may well be a stiff time target but the SSMRS will be having an 80th birthday party in 2026.......

[WRENNEIRE]

Brings to mind Hamiltons equation  i² = j² = k² = ijk = -1. ( Quaternion algebra)
Just sayin like..