Y.A.R.D. (Yet Another Repeat Distraction) 1: Coolnamona

[LNERW1]

Well, I have found a new prototype to throw my energy at instead of working on my actual layouts (There are, I think, 4): Coolnamona!

As it's my local BnM line, I've always had some interest in it, but a few days ago I was shocked when photos were sent to a WhatsApp group I'm in of a main line siding that served the works along the old Portlaoise-Kilkenny alignment. These photos are shared here, thanks to Seán Cain and @Hawkerhellfire for sending them, and of course their owners!

Peat trains ran to Waterford, New Ross and North Wall until the 1980s.

Now, I'm sure it's clear, from being a genuinely good prototype, to being very local, to being so unique, this has captured my imagination, so I have started a process I'm calling the feasability study, basically seeing, can I make this, not just do I want to, and while this is still underway, the relatively simple track layout, added to the fact I already have several baseboards to build it on, bumps it a little higher than all the other projects I've "proposed". As always I would advise not to get any hopes up, as I am frankly irresponsibly erratic, but watch this space.

[David Holman]

See what you mean. Despite the very large buildings, there seems considerable potential for a working diorama, with the track plan looking quite simple. Anyone got a map of the area?

[Flying Snail]

1 hour ago, David Holman said:

See what you mean. Despite the very large buildings, there seems considerable potential for a working diorama, with the track plan looking quite simple. Anyone got a map of the area?

OSI (Ordnance Survey Ireland) / Tailte Éireann have digital maps online. This one of Coolnamona uses the MapGenie 1996 - 2000 Base Map, and gives an aerial view from the time: https://osi.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=bc56a1cf08844a2aa2609aa92e89497e

The Kilkenny line is no longer in use by that point, but you get a good overview of the buildings and the narrow gauge track. You can swap out different base maps that show the Kilkenny line, but the aerial pictures only start mid 90s

 

[LNERW1]

2 hours ago, David Holman said:

See what you mean. Despite the very large buildings, there seems considerable potential for a working diorama, with the track plan looking quite simple. Anyone got a map of the area?

The general layout of the plant hasn't changed much despite a big fire in the early 2000s, so for an idea of the track layout I just use OpenStreetMap, as it shows the track layout in detail. Having been to the plant in person, a lot of the point levers look like they could be from the 80's at least, so I'd assume not much has changed, apart from there no longer being any track by the former broad gauge alignment. However basically all the track layout I need is in this photo:

I'm only working with 18" depth so I couldn't model the whole plant unfortunately! The broad gauge was just a siding and a run round, so only needs two turnouts and could have fixed uncouplers, whereas the narrow gauge I'd like to have run in with wagons full of peat and run back out with empties. This could probably be done with a hidden traverser inside the shed.

[Mol_PMB]

I think this looks like a great idea. It could easily be compressed to a manageable size without losing the functionality. And loads of scope for modelling al those little details to bring the scene to life.

[exciecoachbuilder]

On 15/8/2025 at 10:26 AM, LNERW1 said:

The general layout of the plant hasn't changed much despite a big fire in the early 2000s, so for an idea of the track layout I just use OpenStreetMap, as it shows the track layout in detail. Having been to the plant in person, a lot of the point levers look like they could be from the 80's at least, so I'd assume not much has changed, apart from there no longer being any track by the former broad gauge alignment. However basically all the track layout I need is in this photo:

I'm only working with 18" depth so I couldn't model the whole plant unfortunately! The broad gauge was just a siding and a run round, so only needs two turnouts and could have fixed uncouplers, whereas the narrow gauge I'd like to have run in with wagons full of peat and run back out with empties. This could probably be done with a hidden traverser inside the shed.

I love photo all the same. It captures perfectly the absolute mess that railway yards etc were before the health and safety rules came in. Inchicore works was very similar, if not worse in the 1970's. 

[Mol_PMB]

1 hour ago, exciecoachbuilder said:

I love photo all the same. It captures perfectly the absolute mess that railway yards etc were before the health and safety rules came in. Inchicore works was very similar, if not worse in the 1970's. 

BnM could still produce a fine old mess in the 1990s (my pic):