Clik here to view.
Lineside Details: GSR and CIE Tubular Post Signals
Alan O’Rourke The traditional material for signal posts was either wood or steel lattice. However, from the 1930s onwards, several companies tried more modern ideas, typically tubular steel, and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
GNR Hopper Wagons and Plough Vans
Alan O’Rourke Until the end of the 19th century, the typical ballast wagon was a primitive short wheelbase vehicle, with low drop sides, leather flaps to try and keep the stone dust out of the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Editorial: November 2008
Alan O’Rourke I used to buy secondhand model railway magazines for specific articles, particularly drawings or construction products. However, when browsing them now, I find myself drawn at least as...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Lineside Details: GSWR Mileposts
Alan O’Rourke Irish railways used a number of methods to mark distances: the symbolic steel sheet squares, diamonds, triangles and arrow-heads of the MGWR were probably the most original design....
View ArticleClik here to view.
GNR Butter Van
Alan O’Rourke In the days when everything went by rail, some companies found it worth while building highly specialised vehicles for perishable traffics, which attracted premium rates, even if it...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Editorial: May 2009
Alan O’Rourke It is now ten years since I took over the post of editor of New Irish Lines, and I am rather aware that my little musings are usually of a retrospective nature, so it may be rather...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Editorial: November 2009
Alan O’Rourke What is the ideal design for a model railway layout? I suspect that there are as many answers as there are modellers, both active and armchair, and that for most, design is constrained by...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Editorial: November 2012
Alan O’Rourke I sometimes find myself buying books for the completeness of my library, advertised as having some Irish material, but often very disappointing: a chapter or two, which says little, or...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Station Surveys
Alan O’Rourke We seem to have neglected the NCC so far in this occasional series, so maybe time to rectify that! Magherafelt Magherafelt was unusual in being a double junction. Mention the Northern...
View ArticleClik here to view.
‘The North Kerry Line’ by Alan O’Rourke
This new book provides a detailed history of the construction and operation of the lines from Limerick to Tralee, Foynes and Fenit from the 1850s to the current day. Based on ten years of original...
View Article