Robert Shrives

MV chassis pics Side view - noticed bogie frames not same height - will have to correct ! top down Hornby 25 weights, IIRC replica cab units 80 and 60 thou plasticard. vero board to link bogies - It would be possible to mess with black bettle and arrange use of a rtr PCB board to support lights etc. being a dino this might happen in the 22nd century ! Mk1 Bachmann coach with pickups and SF sideframes, coupler mount for Kaydee 5s- plan anyway. Black bettle as power base , Just see Eion`s cast weight. lovely job and adds weight low down. Finish off with matt black and a dust of frame muck.

Never liking having stuff finished these resting pending sorting square ends and adding resin doors I started looking at Enterprise stock by butchering Eurostars - got photos and a drawing for dimensions so £30 on ebay for 4 spares and repairs and a power car - which as an aside will give a good supply of grill sides for many a year for 80class etc conversions.. And in a fit of fun fitted Kaydee 5s to a MK2 cut and shunt for a tea car mk2a - Arfix shell with bachman MK2 windows and plasticard. I struggled for a while trying to see why Bachmann chassis not fit, coaches differ by 5mm, so Arifix chassis fitted and Kaydee mounts.

Hunslet in maroon got glazing added - canopy glue and glaze . The blue hunslet needs a bit more thought as that has etched frames.

Well pics to wet appetite having read comments, I retrieved a MM version and see what fun needs doing , along with an SSM upgrade etch and potential for name plates from Railtec being advertised yesterday I hope to over come initial reservations. Last pic I guess is "on the ramp" at the works! Body popped on 219, I think that the boxy tanks can be upgraded with saw and plasticard , traction weight could go higher up along with a slug of liquid lead in the tank spaces. Generally the body holds up well against MM version but faces worthy of a work provided paints match, unless I go for 216 in blue..

To add update 5 beet wagons got an upgrade and lick of paint and the long sitting Ammonia tanks got a bit of a push with brunswick green sprayed on to all six tank underframes - quite a masking extravaganser . Have to admit CIE will not be happy with only two having brakes. Hoping on inspiration and perspiration by Des at SSM to capture etch details on to one sheet - no rush being a hobby.

Hi The problem with vehicles without end covers and the middle deflector plus the side angle fillets flat areas become temporary home for stone which then have unerring accuracy to hit passing windows on other traffic passing! A loads inspector would require all cleaning off before departing a worksite - all time and money preventing something that still happened despite efforts on site. The self cleaning effect of the sloping sides is a much more efficient way of keeping work to time and remove the risk of broken windows and injured bystanders on platforms. Clam shell bucket on a 360 head very effective at clearing a wagon out so only the odd shovel full left. With the paranoia over dust dangers I guess that washing out a dismounted body would do the same. The whole scheme works very well and allows wagons to be used for revenue work if required in the future. Much cheaper solution to the various bogie and 4 wheel shallowsided box wagons produced by Railtrack and Network rail. Robert

Along with refreshments ! A great way to spend a few hours. Robert

CIE motive power shortage solved to the enjoyment of hoover fans ! Great to be able to ring the changes Layout now in Devon/ Cornwall ... Robert

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lima-L149437-Irish-Class-201-Train-Pack-with-3-MK3-Coaches-CIE-Black-O Newly posted £374 smackers get you it ... Hope somebody will be pleased , previous went for a penny under £400 per seller message. Robert

Which is why my main cut date is 2005! but have a bit too much modern yellow... as it was rude not to! Robert

Thanks A class with limby 55 chassis - surely not your inspiration for the accurascale beast ! but a good case of reverse engineering ..

The 20 foot chassis sits in the no brainer box really given containers and tanks marketed and beets will go well - 6 wagon packs I guess - three sets of nos gives a nice long rake. A Beet like lid for a false load will be fun and just up the street of the"bunker boys." Sure to be announced soon as I have 5 on the bench for repairs to end supports. - all running on Leslies floored 20` flat Robert

good idea , Will it be easy to see if items gone in time I wonder . Good to see you kicking off with a soon to be surplus A class model. what chassis under it by the way? ( Sadly just nosey and not asking for a friend as I have 2 anyway. ) Robert

As available from DCC supplies -I not think whole range but certainly some were in stock a while ago. Robert For these I glued with epoxy the fishtail directly to the coupler mount bar - less stuff under end of wagon to block daylight. But I have a bag of mounts from dapol shop a while ago and have glued these else where - MEK suitable plastic

Nile`s wagons make up very well - one piece print complete with vac pipes and buffers. SSM bogies and side frames. A Kaydee 20 can be glued to the coupler extension on the bogie - strip need shortening a tad so in a matter of hours a wagon possible . I glued on a 45 foot box with extra weights added and job done. Much the same for my Sperry version. I was happy with finish as once painted all ok , all I did was concentrate on smoothing side where number transfer sits. Robert

Viz the MK 3/ 2 sets I have the same and noted the poly tray was hand cut to take the MK3 but yours have the differing trays, When I can get to them next will have to check vehicle nos. As an aside the Hornby HST buffet is a 4 window TRSB which is much nearer the real CIE vehicle. Robert

The bit of rust is really a case of good/bad luck, bodies had bauxite primer, yellow and then masked for the black and, you`re ahead ome ! The tape lifted a few bits of yellow and a rust patch below! But need to have a play with more rust as they were quite a mess in the end. Robert

George, Currently ok as Des also helped with some prints so save the stamp if not yet stuck on it . It was suggested for a "What iffa" - a 141 in NIR blue - need to sort bits to see if I can do it and a maroon one, if I Do a "199" in NIR blue then that will use up all I have or had . Ian at MIR supplied the last of his rubdown logos . It might be worth seeing if Steve at Railtec will add some - he has done smaller ones so has the design. Robert

Thanks to all who helped out NIR logo of correct size and numbering 105 started, however one step back as broken buffer head spotted. Still progress. - second pic sorry . First pic shows a little addition of 110 between windows might not have been done but I like it , however also shows a bit of potential ignorance with recently seen note that the GM class was 110 class. But in my alternative world my MV is 110 as easy to cut 101 transfers..

Lockdown returns to a wet Birmingham, while given key workers status as a rail employee ( worker might be a bit strong!) I still get a bit of pre-shift time to faff! Two shale/ Tara mines wagons rolled off production line along with two 20 flats and along standing project with Lima ballasts masquerading as NIR ones. The Tara wagons are two MIR resin ones with added bracing to fool the eye into thinking 31026/27 as the modified pair added to Tara fleet. Railtec trasfers from 31xxx sheet cut to give and some older fox electrification flashes. Painted with Halford Bauxite primer and then some mid grey on roof panel plus a dusting on sides, paper paint mask made to slip around roof area and a gentle spray to give the greyed roof seen in many pictures. The two 20 foots are 3D prints and just wanted some transfers to finish off , these and some 3D print beet wagons off ebay got Provincial wagon transfers - the duplicates very useful so thanks to Leslie ! The ballasts had handrails and wheels, Railtec transfers and 148 Kaydees fitted, ready to go with an MV. These were my first NIR modelling unfinished for many years ... The 148s mounted after cutting off big Lima TLC and glueing in plasticard to bring amount plate flush with bottom of buffer beam and 148 glued with 3mm of mount showing - could have been less perhaps but these will go round minimum radius pointwork but easily altered for closer coupling when required.

That must have taken a while to shunt, hope the crew had time for a drink ! great pics, station looks pretty well complete I think you were looking at a good store for the siding where the car flat sits, did that plan proceed? I do think that the loading dock surface has captured that elusive natural rolled stone look As always thanks for sharing this little part of Ireland! Robert

Video helpfully shows 162 at 1.020 and 014 at 29.30 with IR points logo and no tippex white lines which makes modelling easier! Robert

Good to read, dealing with the Chinese is the distance involved not only in miles but getting a good relationship and it does read that you have done that. It is amazing that despite care and more care that details slip through so having more eyes on projects does help and hopefully your recent team gathering will help. Often the elusive detail picture and information come to light after production started and too late to incorporate, thus the comments post production on slip ups hurt more. Hopefully the pause and reflection period that COV 19 has caused will be of benefit in the end. Certainly looking forward to the final product and a big thanks for taking the plunge and keeping to the difficult road. Saintly status awaits ! Robert

Good to see the 121 got home ! Great shots and I hope DCC chip arrives to increase the fun. Have to say the factory looks better for the low relief roof and tall tanks. Good to see clip as well, life looking up ? Robert

Welcome to dealing with the Chinese! It is a shame that artwork bedevils projects with errors both ways and do check that what was originally agreed is still the same and do not just check amendments! I speak from bitter experience!! Good to know that frank and honest comms still available so thank you and as said it does allow for saving up. My biggest fear is loss of disposable income as post Cov19 job losses and slow/ zero economic growth will make sales tighter than a good feeling purchase now. Still keep to the grindstone as perfection is near to and as you correctly have said Holy grail projects are worth it. Robert