Robert Shrives

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IRELAND-modern-station-signs-Your-name-choice/203048796745?hash=item2f46a6c249:g:IWcAAOSwW1da14Fz might be your friend ! Robert

Halford Ford polar grey is what I have used as rail grey and seems ok with enough contrast to show the white line on the transfer stripe - Steve at Railtech says he can do the stripe without the white line if required. Robert

Thanks - mind reading again , just about to add transfers to barrier wagons. Just looking for a photo or three. Robert

Grainge and Hodder in Birmingham have some specials for me and no problem and several Warley https://www.graingeandhodder.co.uk/ Robert

I don`t think the rods will fit on though! .... good project have you got spares for it ? 171 mentioned above £335 ... spare arms and legs easily available it seems ! Robert

Hoping to order when it becomes available. Robert

https://peco-uk.com/collections/track/products/streamline-bullhead-track would be a good starting point Robert

Garfield, A quick goggle stroll did not help with definitive answer but one pic of a an old LBSCR referred to an even smaller compartment as a dog box. The BR vans had full height fodder compartments but I cannot see a label in any pics - such is life. On the Ffestiniog Railway we have a guards van with a dog box - albeit this now used for electrical stuff ! Happy Sunday Robert

IIRC the low roof bit was for fodder supplies - it is about bale size. Robert

A snap shot in history - socially distancing in the majority ! great work and bubbles really smart.

Visited my local Halfords in sunny Birmingham this morning 0845 - first customer having opened 08.00.. Plenty of grey primer to be had in 300 and 400ml tins. That and a can of Ford pine green . They had a pile of end of line colours as well - but not priced.

Great idea from the bunker - small order placed. I wonder if selling the weed killer tanks as well might help income. Some 40 foot Bells would be very popular I suggest. Robert

Good to see this progress , PM sent and I bet it will be a real colour! I have used a frame as pattern for cutting glazing and will make 12 to ensure stocks for second one and choice for good fit . Thanks for the tip on graphite to keep grills clear . Robert

And a bit more SSM flat in brunswick green - Humbrol rattle can and cement pallet two tamyia blues but still not too sure.Second flat in same condition just waiting on more bogie sideframes , a third that was bought in S/H in glued up state over being soldered has had some glue reinforcement and couplings sort - all on Kaydee 20s , barrier tanks and container frames to sort.

Got a bit more excited with transfers yesterday .. The maroon what if MV became 110 as an overly easily mix of 101.. A quick mess with cabs off a duplicate 112 gave me 113

Do not worry about "If" get one now as they will all sell and you will regret it as and when more cravens appear. Robert

https://photos.smugmug.com/2014-photos/October-2014/i-Rj5dqS6/0/005ce54f/M/DSC_5784-M.jpg 6402 in some distress. Robert

But money talks ! and unlike the infamous police 37 where the white paint did not was off the Western was returned to its blue glory a few days later. I would think a light tack vinyl coat to protect the base coat for most effects. Looking forward to ordering one when the good folk have an opportunity to safely update systems. I wonder if the driver trailer that is conserved at the West Clare could make a comeback? https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4241/34650105654_bc012ee185_b.jpg Robert

I recall a Western being weathered for a gala so perhaps RSPI can be encouraged to weather it in a few years for a season. The class 50 gang on the SVR have painted locos several times in past years to suit sponsors or specific publicity events. So hopefully the 121 will get the chance to rotate colours over the years.

Good to know Eoin you get multiple requests - and this will be a tip of the iceberg . While some might cough at the price many will not - Bachmann in UK have whacked up prices and stuff still sells. When folk will pay £3 for cup of average coffee or £200 for sweatshop designer trainers, that sort of price for a model is good value. It is how to get the likes of the good lads at IRM towers to invest in effectively 3 locos worth of work at the same time - it would surely push back other projects as no money tree to hand. At least not the massive variations as seen in the 121 over the years so one set of tooling and one livery so it would only be painted numbers to offer market choice for multiple sets. The newly released Bachamann 117 at around £270 might be seen as a bench mark. But with tooling and development costs £150K plus is a big ask... Robert

ICR 3 car most likely as that is what is seen, the 071/201 container train good as well - need crane and liftable containers for play value as add site. Equally a 201 and Mk4s as an express train might give a wow factor. Gauge wise to maixmise sales I think 16.5 will be the only way to go - IRM have shown easy to make convertable so it is not a real problem. - Having stocks of 21mm wheelsets for drop in replacements - I wonder on minimum order 10,000 axles? Should have added - most likely wireless radio controlled and on board battery to simplify the get up and go play time would align to current electronics and wifi fever. Also of course idea for parents with no practical skills of wiring so no embarrassment on Christmas day 2022?....

George , Might be lucky and find IPA or t-cut will clean off the panels . The bubble has just had a waft of grey -so perhaps basis for more work with powders, lets not make it too attractive as too many will bid... Robert

Mike true! But once in the swing of things economy of scale drops into place - soldering brake wheels becomes automatic and doing a few more allows choice of the best. Just been folding the container cleats on a second SSM 42foot flat but now cross eyed ! Added brake wheels to the two tara mine ex shale wagons - will give a variation in the IRM rake - found a pic of a six wagon move - which matches my fleet size. Daft fact of he day Flikr has 18000 Irish rail pictures loaded. - one is a broad side of the wagon I was after .. good job the search function is pretty good. Handbrakes on cement bogies as well due to quick delivery from Wizzard models. Mind you three green locos looks like a production line to me !

Well a few days off work has seen some leaps and bounds on the box of wagons: Ammonia tanks got bogies and ride height adjusted, lots more too do , SSM flat soldered up and gone green for barrier Resin bogie cement of ebay with Stenson models air tank , A1 etched walkway from TTA detail kit, plus decking plate, new top hatches from Wizzard models . Lanarkshire models drawhook . Sperry container from 3D print , body join could be better - just need to buy in another 47foot flat from Shapeways . Airfix and SSM marriage to get fuel tanks - soldering on the gussets for five wagons was a days fun!

If I may here are a pic or two of my efforts this week on the loco front.