Patrick Davey

Hi everyone, here's an update on my GNR(I) micro layout 'Brookhall Mill' - plenty of developments on the scenic side of things and I have built an office building in the polychromatic brick style of WH Mills, the GNR's charismatic Chief Engineer, see separate post for more photos of the build. Hope you are all keeping safe and well and thanks for all the amazing updates in this and other groups, which are helping to keep me sane!

This is inspirational Noel, the finish on the walls is incredible! Can't wait to see some video clips too!

Fantastic!!!!

Superb - simply superb.

This is just superb!!!

A masterclass in the art of constructing railway buildings.

Superb Noel!

Nice!

Jaw dropping, inspirational, exceptional....... the list of adjectives is endless.... Happy New Year Kieran and I look forward to more superb videos like this in 2021.

Nice work!

Magnificent Colm & Ken, familiar yet fresh!

Hi everyone Lockdown has generally been hateful but one small positive for me was that it has given me time to get started on a long-planned OO gauge 'micro' layout, with a GNR(I) theme. The term 'micro layout' has been defined with various dimensions, but according to the popular Facebook group 'Micro Layouts' it is defined as one with a scenic section no bigger than 4ft x 2ft in OO Gauge - mine is 4ft x 18in. I did a bit of planning and came up with the following requirements for the layout: * The layout would be portable - I love the buzz of exhibitions! * It would have a GNR(I) theme (my home railway, despite being a BCDR enthusiast!) * It would have good operating potential and allow the appearance of stock from various eras and companies * It would be a fiddle yard to terminus * There would be multiple levels, for added interest - as well as the main rail facility, there would be a brick-lined culvert as well as a road overbridge Unlike my most recent projects, it would probably need to be a fictional location, so I came up with the idea of a linen mill near Ballinderry on the GN's Antrim branch, which was owned by the GN and produced the finest linen in Ireland - so much so that it was visited by trains from numerous other Irish railway companies. It would feature a passenger shuttle for mill staff as well as various goods movements throughout a typical working day, and it would would cram as much GNR(I) architecture as possible into the small space - am a big fan of the GN's 'corporate image'! So there would be a typical GNR(I) signal box, platform shelter and stationmaster's house, and the mill buildings would be built to mimic those of the GNR(I) works at Dundalk. I wrote an insane back story to justify all this, totally improbable but certainly entertaining to anyone who has read it Part of the story involves the GN providing dedicated linen vans for the Brookhall Mill traffic so I took three of Leslie McAllister's GN vans and applied a fictional cream livery and had decals made by Endon Valley Custom Decals (highly recommended!) The layout was given the name 'Brookhall Mill' because close to the fictional location of the mill is the popular 'Brookhall Historical Farm'. Attached are some photos of progress to date - and we're off!!

Looks fabulous!!

Looking forward to this build Lambeg Man - best of luck with it!

This is knockout!!!! Well done!!!

I don't usually post in multiple places but am making an exception for this! I've been thinking that Inniskeen GNR(I) station would make an excellent subject for an Irish layout. It'd be beyond me on my own as I wouldn't have the space, but I thought I'd post about it anyway and maybe a group or club might take notice!! Inniskeen has many points in its favour: * A junction station with main and island platforms - the Carrickmacross branch passenger services stopped in 1947 but that could be conveniently rectified in model form * A range of excellent structures - station building, stationmaster's house, footbridge, island platform canopy, GN wooden shelter, large water tower and one of the GN's largest signal cabins. There was (is) an underbridge just before the branch junction and there was also a cutting at the Dundalk end - excellent scenic break! * Great operating potential, with mainline and branch trains, both passenger and goods, everything from The Bundoran Express (hauled by one of the OO Works U Class locos) to early CIE A class diesels (I seem to recall these are about to appear in model form too...?) * Good photographic coverage - an excellent series of JP O'Dea photos in the NLI collection. Maybe that might start some of you thinking! And if you would like someone to build that signal cabin.......

Love the track sounds - as you say Colm, now largely missing from today's railway.

Fantastic video Kieran - your layout deserves a magazine article! Make sure the birds are in fine form though for any accompanying videos.......

Keeping in mind the nature of the train's cargo, plus the avian background noise, might I suggest the following as an appropriate musical soundtrack: (Ammonia Poor Little Sparrow) Ok I'll get my coat.......

Officially all done - Capecastle is finished and all ready to go for the show at Whitehead tomorrow. To complement the diorama there will also be a small photographic display showing the station as it looks today, along with some historical views, and some information about my family connections to The Ballycastle Railway. There will also be a digital slideshow showing over 300 photos and video clips of the construction of the diorama. And back by popular demand, are the reverend ladies! A huge word of thanks to the many kind folk in this group who have commented on my updates during the build, this has been a great encouragement along the way. We’re stand number 11 at the exhibition, located upstairs in the loco building, so if you’re coming to the show tomorrow please drop by and say hello!

A quiet passenger-less morning at Capecastle.

Many thanks Keith! Do say hello!

Final detailing on Capecastle - more forestry work and telegraph poles! A few final final small things to do then just the backscene to add. Have enjoyed this, and have learnt a lot! Looking forward to showing the diorama at Whitehead on November 9th.

Wow - sensational work! Lovely prototype too!!