Galteemore Posted October 16, 2025 Posted October 16, 2025 Fabulous. Always a great moment in loco building when the paint goes on! 1
Georgeconna Posted October 17, 2025 Posted October 17, 2025 (edited) nicely done Patrick. You must be pleased with this one. should really pop when the brass safety valves and other details get their lick of paint. On 18/7/2025 at 2:08 PM, Patrick Davey said: Very kind thanks David All track laid The boards to the left are the short ‘fiddle yard’ extensions. Running line to the left and limestone siding to the right. A big shout out to Alan @Tullygrainey for dropping in to sort the copper sleepers for the baseboard joints Busy work weekend ahead, then next week it will be painting and wiring of the track to look forward to! neat trackwork. Edited October 17, 2025 by Georgeconna 1
Patrick Davey Posted October 19, 2025 Author Posted October 19, 2025 Some small painting details this evening - trying for a more matt effect on the smokebox and running plate, plus the dome has been brassed. 13 2
Patrick Davey Posted October 21, 2025 Author Posted October 21, 2025 (edited) No need for a caption! Edited October 21, 2025 by Patrick Davey 10
Patrick Davey Posted October 26, 2025 Author Posted October 26, 2025 (edited) The Countess has returned to the Nixon Works for some final detailing and her digital installation. That will leave just the separate etched name and builder plates to round off the build, as well as a cab interior and some other small fittings. With many thanks to Alan @Tullygrainey for this great work and for this clip of the locomotive running on one of Alan’s superb layouts. And huge thanks to Jamie @J-Mo Arts for doing the CAD of the locomotive, you did a fantastic job there sir! IMG_2745.MOV Edited October 28, 2025 by Patrick Davey 4 2
Patrick Davey Posted October 31, 2025 Author Posted October 31, 2025 (edited) The Countess has returned from the Nixon Works after having her digital installation completed, using a ‘You Choos’ Jinty sound file - we went for that because it’s also an 0-6-0 and technically appropriate for Co. Antrim since the LMS sent two of them over here in the 1940s, although a generation later than The Countess. Many thanks - yet again - to Alan @Tullygrainey for this great work and for adding some additional details and weathering. A great range of sounds to explore here and I’m looking forward to making a few tweaks and learning how to use something mysterious called ‘Active Braking’….. Also - note how smoothly Alan’s chassis runs, with the best slow speed control I have ever seen, absolutely ideally suited to the very small layout which the locomotive will be running on. IMG_2793.MOV Edited October 31, 2025 by Patrick Davey 3 2
raymurph Posted October 31, 2025 Posted October 31, 2025 51 minutes ago, Patrick Davey said: The Countess has returned from the Nixon Works after having her digital installation completed, using a ‘You Choos’ Jinty sound file - we went for that because it’s also an 0-6-0 and technically appropriate for Co. Antrim since the LMS sent two of them over here in the 1940s, although a generation later than The Countess. Many thanks - yet again - to Alan @Tullygrainey for this great work and for adding some additional details and weathering. A great range of sounds to explore here and I’m looking forward to making a few tweaks and learning how to use something mysterious called ‘Active Braking’….. Also - note how smoothly Alan’s chassis runs, with the best slow speed control I have ever seen, absolutely ideally suited to the very small layout which the locomotive will be running on. IMG_2793.MOV 140.47 MB · 1 download Looks amazing Patrick. Beautiful loco and slow running so smoothly. The sound matching the speed really well too. I fear I may be eventually called over to the Dark Side of DCC from my current DC only world. 1
Patrick Davey Posted October 31, 2025 Author Posted October 31, 2025 4 minutes ago, raymurph said: Looks amazing Patrick. Beautiful loco and slow running so smoothly. The sound matching the speed really well too. I fear I may be eventually called over to the Dark Side of DCC from my current DC only world. Treat yourself, you deserve it!
Tullygrainey Posted October 31, 2025 Posted October 31, 2025 Glad to see the Countess behaving herself. Very best of luck with this project Patrick. I'm looking forward to seeing Capecastle 2 develop. 1
Patrick Davey Posted October 31, 2025 Author Posted October 31, 2025 14 minutes ago, Tullygrainey said: Glad to see the Countess behaving herself. Very best of luck with this project Patrick. I'm looking forward to seeing Capecastle 2 develop. Alan it wouldn't be happening without the generosity of @J-Mo Arts and yourself - thank you both sincerely!
Patrick Davey Posted November 4, 2025 Author Posted November 4, 2025 Just received this very tidy brake carriage body from a member of the 5.5mm Society - more to come too! Looking forward to getting it decorated into Ballycastle Railway livery and sorting a 4-wheel chassis, this vehicle is actually very similar to BR stock. 7
Patrick Davey Posted November 4, 2025 Author Posted November 4, 2025 (edited) I'm feeling totally spoilt these days - I have also just received this very nicely finished open wagon in 5.5mm scale from @Galteemore of this parish, a very much appreciated contribution to the steadily growing Ballycastle Railway rolling stock roster!! Many thanks David and my apologies to you in anticipation of having to repaint it into Ballycastle bauxite sometime soon, and covering up all your excellent weathering..... A special shout out to @leslie10646 who brought the wagon across the Irish Sea for me! Edited November 4, 2025 by Patrick Davey 3 1 1
Galteemore Posted November 4, 2025 Posted November 4, 2025 Don’t worry Patrick - it will also cover up the shaky hand lettering ! 1 1
Patrick Davey Posted December 25, 2025 Author Posted December 25, 2025 Progress on Capecastle has paused until into the new year but the postman delivered something nice recently: Looking forward to getting these nice etched details added to the locomotive soon. They came from Light Railway Stores. Happy Christmas to all, especially admins for making sure we all behave ourselves. Thanks to all for the great posts on the forum this year - the creativity is inspirational. 9
Patrick Davey Posted January 10 Author Posted January 10 (edited) Ballycastle Railway No. 2 ‘Countess of Antrim’ now has her identity confirmed! For my upcoming 5.5mm layout ‘Capecastle’. Just a cab interior to make and she’ll be good to go! Again, my thanks to Alan @Tullygrainey for his invaluable assistance during this project, including building the chassis And to @J-Mo Arts for providing his excellent digital drawing of the loco body! AGGGH just noticed the middle axle is off the track! Sack the photographer!!! Edited January 10 by Patrick Davey 12 2
Galteemore Posted January 10 Posted January 10 Fabulous. Come out well - amazing how much difference nice plates make to a model. 1
Patrick Davey Posted January 22 Author Posted January 22 (edited) Proudly bearing her brand new name plates, Ballycastle Railway No. 2 'Countess of Antrim' shows off her exceptional slow running and sound capabilities as she pays a quick visit to Kilmore on the BCDR mainline. Generations of historians have since been pondering how the BR and BCDR engineers handled the small matter of gauge. This event wasn't mentioned in Des Coakham's writings for some reason! Edited January 22 by Patrick Davey 4 1
Darius43 Posted January 22 Posted January 22 I have found the best way to embed videos is to have a (free) Youtube account. You upload the video to YouTube and then post a link on IRM, which embeds the video. Cheers Darius 1
Patrick Davey Posted January 22 Author Posted January 22 5 hours ago, Darius43 said: I have found the best way to embed videos is to have a (free) Youtube account. You upload the video to YouTube and then post a link on IRM, which embeds the video. Cheers Darius Just done that and yes it's the safest way. Weird though because I have successfully uploaded actual videos in the past. Ah well - all good now. Thanks @Darius43 1
Tullygrainey Posted January 31 Posted January 31 A footplate crew has now arrived from ModelU to take charge of the Countess. They needed a bit of help to orientate themselves but hit the ground running... 4 1 5
jhb171achill Posted February 1 Posted February 1 (edited) On 22/1/2026 at 11:45 AM, Patrick Davey said: Proudly bearing her brand new name plates, Ballycastle Railway No. 2 'Countess of Antrim' shows off her exceptional slow running and sound capabilities as she pays a quick visit to Kilmore on the BCDR mainline. Generations of historians have since been pondering how the BR and BCDR engineers handled the small matter of gauge. This event wasn't mentioned in Des Coakham's writings for some reason! Des told me the entire details of how this was done years ago, but swore me to secrecy, as he feared that the Circle Line would put 4ft 81/2 London tube trains on the Bangor line.... So I'm sayin' nathin', so ah'm not. On 10/1/2026 at 3:16 PM, Patrick Davey said: Ballycastle Railway No. 2 ‘Countess of Antrim’ now has her identity confirmed! For my upcoming 5.5mm layout ‘Capecastle’. Just a cab interior to make and she’ll be good to go! Again, my thanks to Alan @Tullygrainey for his invaluable assistance during this project, including building the chassis And to @J-Mo Arts for providing his excellent digital drawing of the loco body! AGGGH just noticed the middle axle is off the track! Sack the photographer!!! An absolutely mighty piece of work! Can't wait to see the carriages! Edited February 1 by jhb171achill 1
Patrick Davey Posted Sunday at 23:21 Author Posted Sunday at 23:21 A small (literally) update to 'Countess of Antrim' - a whistle!! On the prototype this was located at the front, on the smokebox, on the fireman's side. A brass Midland Railway whistle (it looked right!) was obtained from Roxey Mouldings and once again Alan Nixon stepped in to stop me making a mess of it! Thanks Alan! Just the crew to add, then this build will be completely finished. 10 3
Mol_PMB Posted Monday at 06:03 Posted Monday at 06:03 (edited) A super neat job! The model looks excellent in close-up as well as the wider view. Edited Monday at 07:58 by Mol_PMB typo 1 1 1
Horsetan Posted Monday at 07:36 Posted Monday at 07:36 On 31/1/2026 at 10:16 PM, Tullygrainey said: A footplate crew has now arrived from ModelU to take charge of the Countess. They needed a bit of help to orientate themselves but hit the ground running... Probably Australian. 1 5
Georgeconna Posted Monday at 10:37 Posted Monday at 10:37 Very nice Patrick. What sound decoder are you using, Seems a tad too many chuffs per revolution for a 2 cylinder loco but otherwise lovely!
Patrick Davey Posted Monday at 10:52 Author Posted Monday at 10:52 (edited) 15 minutes ago, Georgeconna said: Very nice Patrick. What sound decoder are you using, Seems a tad too many chuffs per revolution for a 2 cylinder loco but otherwise lovely! It’s a Jinty file I think and I was hoping I would be able to adjust the chuff rate at some point? We went for the Jinty as it’s also an 0-6-0. Edited Monday at 10:53 by Patrick Davey 1
derek Posted Monday at 19:12 Posted Monday at 19:12 (edited) Very neat work @Patrick Davey Edited Monday at 19:13 by derek
Galteemore Posted Monday at 19:24 Posted Monday at 19:24 Little accents like the whistle really set it off. Lovely engine 1
jhb171achill Posted Monday at 21:30 Posted Monday at 21:30 On 22/1/2026 at 11:45 AM, Patrick Davey said: Proudly bearing her brand new name plates, Ballycastle Railway No. 2 'Countess of Antrim' shows off her exceptional slow running and sound capabilities as she pays a quick visit to Kilmore on the BCDR mainline. Generations of historians have since been pondering how the BR and BCDR engineers handled the small matter of gauge. This event wasn't mentioned in Des Coakham's writings for some reason! That's easy. It is 5ft 3ft gauge.
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