Roscrea SVP shop.

[Broithe]

I've just had a look around in there, on the way back from Lidl, and was surprised to see that their book section has a specific 'Railway' section.

The books are mostly about the Big island, of course, but they currently have a copy of Patterson's Ballymena Lines, if that is desperately needed by anybody.

 

I think it was €8,

The shop is almost straight across from the round tower, if you're passing through on the 'old road'.

[jhb171achill]

A rare beast! I have a copy myself from years ago and it is a truly EXCELLENT book - about a much-ignored system. I often thought the Ballymena & Larne Rly would make a top-class subject for modelling the 3ft gauge. 

[Broithe]

59 minutes ago, jhb171achill said:

A rare beast! I have a copy myself from years ago and it is a truly EXCELLENT book - about a much-ignored system. I often thought the Ballymena & Larne Rly would make a top-class subject for modelling the 3ft gauge. 

OK - I only had a brief look at it. If it's there next week, I might rescue it.

[jhb171achill]

28 minutes ago, Broithe said:

OK - I only had a brief look at it. If it's there next week, I might rescue it.

If you don't have it, I would highly recommend it. You've got me fishing out my copy for another read!

[west_clare_wanderer]

8 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

A rare beast! I have a copy myself from years ago and it is a truly EXCELLENT book - about a much-ignored system. I often thought the Ballymena & Larne Rly would make a top-class subject for modelling the 3ft gauge. 

I've always thought this too. Those Beyer Peacock locos are very attractive (similar to the IOM).

[Mol_PMB]

On 2/8/2026 at 12:05 AM, west_clare_wanderer said:

I've always thought this too. Those Beyer Peacock locos are very attractive (similar to the IOM).

I've just returned from a fantastic week in the IoM with perfect weather for the annual transport festival. As you say, there's a lot in common between the Manx and Irish narrow gauge - not just the steam railway locos but the carriages and wagons wouldn't look out of place in Ireland. The MER electric trains echo the Bessbrook & Newry, and even the horse-drawn trams are a miniature version of the Fintona branch. Well worth a visit!

[Broithe]

On 1/8/2026 at 4:48 PM, Broithe said:

OK - I only had a brief look at it. If it's there next week, I might rescue it.

Right, so I have it now.

If it is not up the standard claimed above, my accountant will be formulating a fully comprehensive compensation claim about the advice that I was given.

As predicted, most of the other 50+ books are specific to the Big Island, either generic or about specific things. There was a general North American 'coffee table' book.

There were three editions of Light Rail Review, which aren't the sort of thing you will often come across.

I didn't notice anything else likely to be of interest here.

I considered asking if they had anything on continental models, but that always sounds a bit 'top shelf'.