fishplate7

Great to see and read the full page review of the 'cement bubbles in the February 2018 edition of the British Railway Modelling magazine, but above all, to read the reviewer's comments that this is, perhaps, one of the very best RTR models ever released (not the exact quote - someone will have it)!! Very high praise indeed and richly deserved!

Here's a very interesting website - Britain From Above! There are plenty of photos from the 1930's to the 1950's, and there are plenty of photos of Ireland! You have to register, which is free, but after that, there is an amazing wealth of information to be found. Here are just two examples: - O'Connell Street, Dublin in 1933, and Tralee, County Kerry in 1934. The images are zoomable once you register and you can zoom in closer than what I have posted. The detail is amazing! This looks like a fantastic resource for us modellers! The website is www.britainfromabove.org.uk Eamonn

Super job guys! Really well done and good luck with the show. See ye all tomorrow. PS - no pressure from me for my order - happy to wait!

Richie, Fran and Co. Only one word to describe this - OUTSTANDING!! Cannot praise IRM highly enough - this has been so well worth the wait! I look forward to being well and truly broke by the end of October!!

For those of you who may have missed it earlier this evening (and I include myself in this!) tune in to BBC FOUR (tv) at 2.30am tomorrow morning Monday for a programme titled 'The Joy Of (Train) Sets - the model railway story from Hornby to Triang and beyond!

I collected mine a couple of weeks ago. They are simply superb! They have set the bar at a new level for RTR freight stock and it will be very interesting to see the reception they get in the modelling press over the coming weeks!Huge congratulations are due to Richie, Fran and all the team for the tremendous work put into this project. The bubbles will be awesome at this rate!

PM sent also!

I headed down as well from Dublin. Was my first time attending. Well, well worth the visit! Lots of excellent layouts, both static and operational covering the rail, marine, military and haulage industries. Lots of space to view the layouts and some great chats along the way. Definitely well worth the visit! I, too, will be back next year.

Looks fantastic guys! Roll on delivery day!

Huge congratulations to Pat, Fran, Stephen and yourself Rich, on putting so much time and effort into running this wonderful website. I regularly read and look from the sidelines in awe at the layouts, the models and the general advice given out freely by and to members, and I am constantly amazed by the enthusiasm and knowledge out there amongst the contributors. I have my collection stored and soon hope to have the 'manshed' ready to begin my 'opus'! When I do this site will be my reference. Thank you everyone and here's to the next 5 years! Eamonn

Great photos Broithe! I work in Tullamore and from my office I can regularly hear the thump of the GM's during the day! Food for the soul!! Here's an old shot from the Lawrence Collection I think.

This link has been up before but you never get tired of watching it! For those interested in the art of mechanical snatching this is the best bit of video I have seen on it to date. Follow the link below and start at 2.24. It features a youthful Patsy Bolger, signalman in Enfield handing up the staff/pouch to the driver/snatcherman of a down 121 class. The next sequence, which shows mechanical snatching in operation is shot in Maynooth. Imagine what Health and Safety would say about all this today!! There's a lot more interesting stuff on this video too! Hope you enjoy it! http://www.euscreen.eu/play.jsp?id=EUS_524B0F1DFF9D4311A5271797E7849D5E

Looks excellent Leslie - I will gladly take some and join GSR 800 on the bankruptcy bench!

Patrick. I totally agree with josefstadt and all of the other posts here. I grew up in the era you are modelling, 1970's black and tan A class locos, loose couple goods, single line mechanical staff exchange, etc., I spent all my spare time on a single line section of the MGWR, working the frame, changing the road, locking bars, pulling off signals etc. all under the watchful eye of wonderful signalmen who made my dream come true! Your layout transports me back to those days!. It is an absolute joy to look at it and to see how you have developed it over the years. Its 'minimalist' nature is its strength and joy! You have perfectly captured this era, and as josefstadt says 'you are indeed a great craftsman'! It has atmosphere by the bucketloads! Some day soon I hope to start work on my own model of similar era in the not too distant future. I have a long, long way to go to scale the heights you have already reached, but I will try! Please, please keep posting Patrick! Many thanks indeed. Eamonn

Congratulations to everyone involved with this venture. Looks fantastic! Will have to take the turnstile off the wallet this weekend in Blackrock and order myself some. Eamonn

Absolutely fantastic work Tony! Eamonn

I did not think it would be remotely possible to model anything Irish in N gauge but you have blown that 110% clean out of the water! Its the realism which is so, so impressive, not to mention the rolling stock and buildings scratchbuilding skills. Cannot praise it highly enough! Congratulations Paul on an outstanding job and I look forward to seeing this at some of the forthcoming shows! Eamonn

Great pictures jhb171achill, whatever way they are posted. Many thanks for sharing and keep them coming! Eamonn

Patrick. You have created a truly magical layout where the locos and rolling stock take centre stage! Its my favourite era by far. Hats off to you sir, keep up the excellent work and most importantly keep on posting those photos and videos!

Congratulations to Mark and all the crew. Richly deserved!

Wonderful footage! Thanks for posting!

For me it would have to be: 121 class A class in that order, and to the same quality and standard as Paddy Murphy's 141/181's and 071's.

It was part of the Bram Stoker festival, which took place over the weekend and continues today. The trip through the Phoenix Park tunnel was advertised on the radio. Here's the link: http://www.bramstokerfestival.com/events/

Excellent footage and thanks for posting. I am not really a fan of the 201's but I must admit it looks and sounds great in your clip!

Yep...excellent shots!