Ballisodare mill

[ttc0169]

My new adventure in Irish railway modelling has begun with my new micro/shunting layout Ballisodare mill,

Set in Co Sligo-(of course)-the era will be 1970s through to the 1990s-to add variety of liveries. 

Thank you to @irishmail for initially building the diorama,I have plans to extend both ends to have a factory scene at one end, and a small fiddle yard at the other. 

Power is provided by an NCE power cab control system -which I purchased with a small collection a number of years ago. 
Once wired up-testing commenced using an A  and a 121 class locomotives,
Comments are welcome….

A few photos of the micro layout…..taken with natural sunlight shining  

 

[DJ Dangerous]

Love the lighting, @ttc0169. Great to see @irishmail’s work live on.

[Mike 84C]

That is brilliant! and photos using natural light is inspired.

[David Holman]

Working dioramas rule. Everybody should have (at least) one!

[ttc0169]

Thanks Gents….having fun…A39 arrives from Sligo loco shed to shunt the empty grain wagons. 
 

[DJ Dangerous]

On 29/11/2025 at 8:48 AM, ttc0169 said:

Thanks Gents….having fun…A39 arrives from Sligo loco shed to shunt the empty grain wagons. 
 

That’s some stunning photo realism, @ttc0169!

[Rob]

Amazing Top class as usual.   

[ttc0169]

11 hours ago, Rob said:

Amazing Top class as usual.   

Thanks Rob

[ttc0169]

Three new arrivals in the shape of 12 ton unfitted H-vans-seen here being shunted by locomotive 188 into Ballisodare mill. 
 

[ttc0169]

Test fitting the new extension to Ballisodare mill-a few tweeks are necessary…..

[Turin60]

I am looking forward to seeing what develops here, I do like my dioramas/micro layouts!

John Bruce.

[ttc0169]

Into 2026 with Ballisodare mill sidings -the back scene has been added along with test fitting of track,points and rolling stock. 
 

[ttc0169]

A pair of the superb Medcalfe overbridges were constructed annd finished over the last few days for Ballisodare mill sidings.  
 

[ttc0169]

Ballisodare mill sidings

Great progress today when locomotive B188 worked into the new yard under its own power -and began to gauge clear each of the sidings. 

All successful -some wagons were added.

[Tullygrainey]

Love that last shot through the doors

[ttc0169]

Sulzer locomotive 107 arrives at the Mill sidings with a short perway train. 
 

Edited January 23 by ttc0169

[Turin60]

Gosh, you've been busy over the festive season and into this new year, well done.

John Bruce.

[ttc0169]

On 23/1/2026 at 9:42 PM, Turin60 said:

Gosh, you've been busy over the festive season and into this new year, well done.

John Bruce.

Thanks John,

An update over the coming days. 

[ttc0169]

Ballisodare mill sidings,

It has been an enjoyable experience creating and building the micro layout-thanks again to @irishmail for the initial construction,

Here we see C class locomotive 226 arrive with the first revenue earning train. 

Still work in progress on one section-enjoy and thank you.

[ttc0169]

225 shunts the vans into position for unloading at the mill sidings. 
 

 

[ttc0169]

More work at Ballisodare mill sidings-Woodland scenics realistic water added to enhance the look of the canal..a new bridge and tunnel was added,-a heavily modified Medcalfe tunnel kit

185 arrives with a short ballast hopper train-and runs around the rake  

 

[Patrick Davey]

Lovely scenes!!!

[ttc0169]

46 minutes ago, Patrick Davey said:

Lovely scenes!!!

Thanks Patrick

[derek]

Fabulous! Love the canal Noel. And the shot from "inside the mill" is the absolute dogs. 

[ttc0169]

185 prepares to depart from a full mill sidings with the ballast hopper train. 
 

[jhb171achill]

An absolutely superb set-up! And to the usual high TTC standard!

You’re putting me in mind of a (very) small terminus portable layout myself….

[Bob229]

Great progress, ready for an Exhibition this year!

[ttc0169]

6 hours ago, Bob229 said:

Great progress, ready for an Exhibition this year!

Thanks Bob-yes,I have been invited to one during the year,must get a move on the fiddle yard now

Edited February 14 by ttc0169

[west_clare_wanderer]

Hi @ttc0169,

I absolutely love what you have done with this little layout. It oozes atmosphere! 

I hope you don'tind me asking, but how did you do the inset track? What did you use for the surface? 

Thank you for any advice you can provide and keep the photos coming! 

David 

[ttc0169]

On 16/2/2026 at 1:28 AM, west_clare_wanderer said:

Hi @ttc0169,

I absolutely love what you have done with this little layout. It oozes atmosphere! 

I hope you don'tind me asking, but how did you do the inset track? What did you use for the surface? 

Thank you for any advice you can provide and keep the photos coming! 

David 

Thanks David,

The insert track has been joined by using fishplates -soldered to the rail for improved connectivity,

Woodland scenics products were used on the surface to create the effects. 

[west_clare_wanderer]

On 17/2/2026 at 9:10 AM, ttc0169 said:

Thanks David,

The insert track has been joined by using fishplates -soldered to the rail for improved connectivity,

Woodland scenics products were used on the surface to create the effects. 

 

Thanks, I really appreciate your reply. The cobbles/setts/stones (I don't know what to call them!) On the quayside look superb. I'll have to look out for that woodland scenics stuff, as I would like to try something similar. 

Is the cobble sheet which you have put between the rails card/paper based or like plasticard? 

Thanks again  

Edited February 18 by west_clare_wanderer

[ttc0169]

On 18/2/2026 at 10:22 AM, west_clare_wanderer said:

 

Thanks, I really appreciate your reply. The cobbles/setts/stones (I don't know what to call them!) On the quayside look superb. I'll have to look out for that woodland scenics stuff, as I would like to try something similar. 

Is the cobble sheet which you have put between the rails card/paper based or like plasticard? 

Thanks again  

Hi David,

The cobbled sheets are from the Medcalfe range of card products-the cobble stones are self adhesive, although I had to glue my ones down due to the adhesive having dried up. 
 

Many thanks again for your comments. 

[jhb171achill]

SO much to look at in that! Absolutely superb!

[west_clare_wanderer]

10 hours ago, ttc0169 said:

Hi David,

The cobbled sheets are from the Medcalfe range of card products-the cobble stones are self adhesive, although I had to glue my ones down due to the adhesive having dried up. 
 

Many thanks again for your comments. 

Thanks, they look great! I'll have to get hold of some to try it myself. 

[ttc0169]

Nearly finished…..I think…..not too happy with the NCE power cab control-when switching sound fitted locomotives-the sound switches off on one loco-unable to figure that one out