Garden Railway Forum

Thanks for the information Peter. I suppose it could be argued that most ng lines in the UK were built for very different reasons to those in Ireland.
To carry a specific freight rather than as a common carrier. This suggests that although some passengers were carried they were to all intents, industrial systems.
Before bricks start being lugged my way I will add...
With notable execeptions.

The Irish lines were an odd collection in some respects. The Donegal, the Swilly, and the Ballymena lines were common carrier which happened to be 3' gauge, though two of the four started out as IBG branch lines. The Cork, Blackrock and Passage was also originally IBG, but was a suburban branch with fairly intensive (hourly plus at times) passenger service. After conversion to 3' it retained its suburban character, and even sported a length of double track mainline. In terms of traffic density and bias towards passenger work it is the closest to the Isle of Man Railway of the Irish lines. Most of the rest were cheaply built local common carriers - i.e. Light Railways - built under the terms of the 1883 Tramways and Corporations (Ireland) Act. Some were very definitely Tramways - the Clogher Valley, the Skull and Skibbereen, and the Tralee and Dingle; others were hybrids, such as the Cavan and Leitrim, and the Cork and Muskerry! On the other hand, the West Clare, like later sections of the Donegal and the Swilly, were built under the 1883 Act and its successors, but were more along the lines of normal NG common carrier railways taking advantage of the various tramways acts for their financial structure. There were a few lines built to IBG under the Tramways Act. The Dublin and Blessington is perhaps the best remembered of these, followed by the little line from Courtmacsherry to Timoleague. It is a rather fascinating mix, and certainly enough to leave folks scratching their heads at times! With the exception of the Ballymena lines mineral traffic was not a major factor for any of them at the time of their opening, though the C&L became a serious coal carrier after 1919.

In some respects, the British lines are a bit more unified in origin. Mineral traffic was a major factor all the way through from the Penrhyn Tramway through to the Ashover. The nearest equivalent to the Irish lines is the Southwold Railway, followed by the Welshpool and Llanfair, whilst the Lynton and Barnstaple was the product of a specific local needs, and the geography.

Peter in Va.

A little more progress on this van,
A brake standard was purchased at Exeter so the inside is complete, there is no need to detail it too much as it won't be seen even with it lit up as the windows are small and only three work.
The wheels are now on and the brake gear and roof will be next.





I am wondering if I should fit steps to it as it looks a little high to clamber into.

Steps or running boards

Running boards might be the best as it will mean much of the brake gear is hidden.

Running boards, for me. You have side doors as well as the veranda, and two sets of steps on a short vehicle will look a bit odd - and be more vulnerable.

Love the flags tucked in there!

Nice build Jim, love the detailing and the general run-down-quick-fix repairs, just as it would have been.

Very little progress recently as the day job has been getting in the way. I did get in the shed tonight to fit the brake gear. I had a barmy notion to look at actually making it work using a motor to wind a threaded rod. I very quickly realised that this was a nice thought, but far and away the most impractical modelling idea I have had in yonks.

The van appears to have flattened one of your railway folk.

Either that or he has passed out breathing in the paint fumes.

Paraffin heater fumes I think.

Definitely fumes at workbench height - its got another unfortunate blighter at the top of the picture!

Mr and Mrs H&S coming your way Jimbo.

That brake gear should fill up the void between the wheels admirably Jim. Nice one.
Grant.

Dai has been resuscitated and is ready to take his place as guard.

Phew - good to see him back on his feet - he'll have to guard against any similar events!

he'll have to guard against any similar events!

Oh dear.....

No chance of being overcome by fumes, The PMR don't believe in heating their brake vans.

I'll get my coat!

Well it is finally finished. All fitted up. Dai Rhear, the guard, is on duty.








The lamp is from SLR models and is a tad bright, I may change it from using two button cells to one in order to dim it slightly. The interior is lit by a hacked about LED flickering tea light. This gives a nice, flickering oil lamp effect and shows of the inside quite nicely.





I must say that I am quite pleased with it. When the wife goes out tomorrow I will bring it in the house to warm up and give it a spray with some matt varnish, just to seal it.

Next project has been started already, watch this space.........

Nice looking vehicle Jim, when the weather looks promising we must give it a spin.