NoelG

A few daylight photos of progress on Gort. I'm really looking forward to operations on the layout once completed. The intent was circa 1972'ish or even 1970. B165 picking up some wagons from the loading dock to be coupled up to the passing Limerick Galway working onward via Athenry where two wagons will be dropped off for onward collection by the later claremorris working. This is the shot that I envisaged recreating one day when I read "Rails through the West" only a few years ago. Can't wait to get the scenics done once the buildings have been detailed. Gort has an interesting track layout with a loop before the goods shed. This would facilitate southbound locos from Athenry to Ennis running around wagons being dropped off by running loco into the goods shed. Much more work to do but looking forward to building the cattle dock, putting up the many telegraph poles and scenics. Will test run locos and all electrics before scenics and ballasting to minimise need to redo anything should I discover any problems. My thanks to the many folk who kindly send me old photos of Gort buildings and structures and especially to Jonathan Beaumont and Barry Carse for the inspiration depicted in their book "Rails Through the West". Now down to work.

This photo scene from "Rails Through the West" by Jonathan Beaumont and Barry Carse was the inspiration for this layout. This is what I hope to capture one day when its finished. Dry fitted the buildings today to see how the whole thing fits together. The Southern end (Ennis direction) I'm glad I didn't use stock RTR buildings or kits for the buildings Hopefully when this loading dock has a small crane and some cattle pens and some cattle upon it it will come to life. This has been one of the most enjoyable projects in many years, challenging at times, but enjoyable too.

ready for glazing, gutters and weathering

Started painting these buildings Tried a few mixes for the roof slates before I was happy with the shade. Its so quick and easy to mix paint on the fly in the air brush cup. Goods shed is now ready for the doors, gutters and glazing

Thanks, Did a test piece of weathering today on a piece of embossed test card, but it didn't work well, do will test another approach before going near these buildings.

Buildings of Gort montage. Its the first time I've scratch built model buildings for a very long time (ie Kingsbridge loco shed), but its been fun having a go. Now I can go back and focus on electrics for a while.

The signal box is fabulous Colm. Really looking forward to this layout. Enjoyed watching so far.

That's absolutely STUNNING. The unique buildings are wow, the track work, scenics, absolutely a joy to view this.

Main structure of the buildings complete. Just detailing, glazing and painting left. Front elevation from track side Rear elevation from car park and road side The carved stone detailing on the window surrounds was hard on the eyes and fingers. But glad I persevered with it.

More progress. Learning so much new stuff on the go. Very enjoyable learning process. The hipped roof was a challenge for me. Anyway enjoyed this trial building the four buildings for new layout rather than using kits or RTR models

More progress. This is such a small building in real life, but having three distinctive sections has made it challenging. Front of building from track side Rear of building from road side. Getting the hipped roof done was a challenge, learning new tricks all the time on the go. Phew - it fits on the platform I made a year ago.

Roof trusses in and cornerstones done Dry fit first part of hipped roof for test fit

roof and office to the right to do yet

Having a second stab at another building Gort station house in progress. No drawings just a few photos to guess dimensions. This is the station house about 1980. Started with sides Then glue it together like a kit. Flat roof done. Pitched roof due on LHS section Just the corner stones left and the pitched roof

Gort station house gradually progressing Flat roof section done My thanks to Leslie McAlister for this photo which has been very useful, and indeed others photos from John Mayner and Roundhouse.

Lima mk3 resprays After priming, painting white, reverse masking, now time to spray the mix of orange I made up Mask off for the black Moments of truth as masking tape slowly removed in reciprocal direction Ok you can just about make out the thin strips of masking tape covering the white that was area sprayed weeks ago after priming. Looks a bit CIE super train at this moment, but once the thin masking tapes are removed IR/IE Tippex will be revealed. Moment of Truth, the big reveal. Phew! Content with that. Now just varnish, transfers, reassembly and weathering. I have sinned respraying something as utterly modern era as mk3s! I'll rot in the bogie of eternal stench for contaminating myself with such modernity. Bet you as soon as these are finished IRM will announce stunning RTR Irish mk3 coaches and I won't be able to resist buying a rake of them.

Now its like I've made a kit and time to assemble it

Fiddle Faddle, cut and file, ticket office progresses. Front and rear elevations.

Some Progress on Gort's cottage sized ticket office Laminated sheets for structural strenght Window surrounds A few more details to do before assembly

The main elements of Gort are now gradually coming together. Loads more to be done, but looking forward to it Pleased with Peco code 75 track I keep putting the brakes on against my instinctive tendency to rush to operating trains

Your very kind. Thank you. A childhood spent assembling model aeroplane kits after meccano and lego. Yes plastic card with Balsa used for some of the structural elements in the larger buildings. Balsa is very stable and doesn't warp unlike plastic card when the surface area gets large. Its very useful for roof structures and side wall supports.

Excellent. Looks absolutely mighty

Signal box for Gort railway station Water tower for Gort railway station Gort Goods shed as it was circa 1974 These are now ready for decoration and detailing. Then weathering.

Goods shed is ready for decoration and glazing now Loading bay platform for inside the shed