Robert Shrives

knew I had seen something .

slightly off topic but I removed yellow pegs from spoil wagon containers - off inner end as all held in place by the stone guard so got 8 pegs of two wagon so that allows two pegs on 4 short containers. A thin slice of plastic strip held in by tacky wax would also allow a non damaging fix. UHU or similar glue would do I guess. Robert

David, Thanks, Yes some fuel but in short wheelbase tanks the Roberts Esso tanks imported early 60s IIRC Managed last tank this morning and rest of Sperry less container details on an end - have to source from Arran Aird at some point - might be a generic ISO label . What I have not got for the tanks are some orange hazchem plaques - but think I will use some N gauge ones. then to weather/ spoil them ! Off to work for a rest ! Robert

Jason B, Well true and an ideal case for a well weathered master model to be used to get a best ever factory weathered model to lift the bar in which IRM excel ... Also wagon common enough and with several variations of notices plus Molasses and Chevron in blue might offer a good commerical base. And while great fun with the SSM etches for me many might find the rtr the way to get one. I had thought good for the Sligo fuel train but of course not quite the right wagon but that is now done for the UK market IIRC. Robert

Amazingly sharp modelling ! Your mock up is better than my best , many hats off to you ! Robert

Well transfers added to two more tanks, Sperry wagon this week. Thanks to Railtec and SSM Also an MIR resin 47 foot flat - on SSM bogies , Lanarkshire buffers and draw hook, awaits kaydee 20s and a brake wheel adding along with bauxite and railtec trasfers- albeit chopped to get right number, Will have to get suitable container to sit on top as it is very light. This along with the 3D print and I guess the cast version this is based on (I do not have) one is the history for these. On third thoughts ! You could really take a saw and stuff to the triang flat of old and create one... just in time for MIR to find another use for the bogie tools !! Robert

well to add to story a couple of pics of the MIR resin 42 flat on SSM bogies, Lanarkshire buffers and hook, I was tempted to add additional bracing but will leave in the supplied condition - brake wheels to add after painting .

Go on, go on , go on. You know you want to .....

Deed done ! Looking forward to announcement for next wagon/ loco/ railcar (ICR clockwork+pushalong = hybrid) Robert

Timber wagons are 62 foot and as built had differing bogies.- built as container wagons but some now part of rail/ steel liner trains . Which might be a new project having built three timber wagons from Hornby flats and the 3D prints intended for the 4 wheel version. At least the 47 foot container shares the 42 foot bogie as do more modern PW/ MOW wagons so still mileage in the bogie tools. I suspect the round buffered 42 foot flat on ridemaster bogies would go well with the earlier versions of Irish locos. bogie cement and Ammonia wagons look like the next signature models for those who do not want to go down the kit route. What would please me is if the boys in the palace could see a way to sell some complete bogies in say 8 bogie packs to allow up grading of older wagons from the MIR range and perhaps help folk who are not to keen on brass soldering. sorry if off topic and a bit wish listy! Robert

Dapol got Ian Clenton of Mercig to weather a model western and this was supplied to China as a example of what was wanted and this worked very well. It just means working up a close and careful spec for the factory to follow. The generic rail grime colour used elsewhere is a a shame as it does not even give a good base to work on. Robert

"Our ESU Sound decoder should be ready shortly for the 121." says Charlie Petty at DC kits when he advised on an order for some wheels this morning. Just adding this but do not know enough about DCC and how 121 configured to know if this is useful, I will leave that to better minds than mine ! Robert.

Good morning, I too extend a big thank you to Paddy Murphy for all works achieved and for having the confidence to go for the long run with the risks involved in business. I first saw rtr Lima models in Ian Allan in Birmingham and snapped up a blue 201 and a pack of coaches in NIR livery, perhaps 20 years ago, may be more. Like many others it started a life long interest in the real railway and modelling. Even MTK could not put me off ! The more recent models show that attention to detail really works - at a cost but hopefully sales have recovered some of the investment. Perhaps no state acknowledgement, but the name will live on in the hobby , like Fry and maybe in time IRM with a display space at the Fry model railway to keep all the development and sucess story in one place. Paddy can rest on his laurels for many a day and certainly deserves a rest and a good drink to recover from getting the 121 to the hobby, but can you keep a good man down ? Robert

Hi Thanks for that , I suspect the no shows have died ! it takes so long but hopefully your friend had a good time. I should be able in New year if COV19 etc allows make a trip but until then rely on staff within PRONI to come up with the goods. Robert

Hi To update PRONI have now responded and officer has made request to the paper miners in the opencast mine that is PRONI but it may take weeks for anything productive to appear. Seems it is not possible to get access regardless of COV 19 to the opencast mine of paper and the officer has to make a request to another department to get another staff member to actually look. - I imagine somebody in a brown smock coat from the 1970s.. Robert

Have to say my cab end horn trumpet has done the same thing - packaging interface issue! Great pics and reminds me I must build up my SSM level crossing kit ! Robert

Well see my comments above ! I did toy with idea of a power bogie in a pushpull driver coach but this did not get over the pizza wheels . Some white grease might help with gear noise rather than oil and I guess fitting a sound chip and speaker ! I have had some lima locos that when well run in are very good so if these models been in store and you use code 100 track then perhaps a really good running in session required. I suggest if you use code 75 or the fine BH track now available you have some good kit for a depot scene. Amazing it was 2018 I had put finger to keyboard - time flies - has anybody got any spare .. Robert

But as I have found on other projects that once a model is produced a zillion photographs suddenly appear to disprove and sometimes support the work done. The class 22 books for instance produced after Dapol developed the model and even requested assistance these books gave new insights, and allowed much frothing and bashing ... manufacturers are thus very wary of guesstimates. Quite a few underframe pics as a result of accidents so really we are lucky there are no photos of these tanks upside down. Robert

DJD https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/eurlammonia/h1fbb377f#he70e226d https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/eurlammonia/h1fbb377f#he70e226c gives a link to two pics the UK version. Yonks ago LIma did a tanker but was , I guess, an HO model - but given how big the tank is it might be ok. http://newweb.ngaugesociety.com/wp-content/uploads/Journal-6-16-Bashing-Chemical-Wagons.pdf Is a link to Grahames excellent bashing and the wagon gets a conversion from a Farish TEA wagon which Bachmann do in 00 eg. https://www.oliviastrains.com/trains/mt/bachmann-wagons/bachmann-tank-wagons/bachmann-38-110-tea. That a quick search , hope it helps. Robert I should add , cheekily of course ! That having got 6 into gloss white and hoping to use MIR transfers after some green on solebars on some MIR resin tanks - you need a Murphy 201 to pull as very heavy. I would expect the good gents in the IRM palace to be sorting the packaging designs this week ! .... Robert

Mine arrived in the Badlands of Brum today and in box suitable for 6 with a single piece of paper wrapped around the black box inside. I did on seeing box wonder if it was a "lottery" win !! Posting box off for recycling and happy with contents in every way , agree with George re care in removing dense foam shell and handrails but looks good on test track. Robert

Well my 134 in Grey arrived today and as echoed by many I say thanks to Mr. Murphy for all work and tribulations in getting loco to market. A lovely model and a great runner and sensible packaging. Looking forward to the Tippexed 121 arrivals Robert

Hi Thanks to all who have been in contact . Ian at MIR also helped thanks Robert

Sadly not it is a 47 foot one normally 30219, And is painted black rather than Bauxite. A full set of transfers from SSM as above are a treat ! Robert

Patrick, I hope you have now found peace ! Loading bank looks the part . I have seen one or two layouts which were suggestive of a just past rainfall with puddles and wet roofed buildings. But you can enjoy the passing phase as it dries out . As everybody adds great layout that inspires . Robert

Summarises the IRM issue with the GSV weed spray coach- essential to the model scene but un economic for the business model. Unless the Angel investor with no interest in returns happy to give over E100K we can wish all we like for rtr but a kit or a kit commission is where you will need to visit- even a 3D print will not be that much different on the rails for a price.. Robert