Robert Shrives

NIR, Undoubtedly with a through station the ground frames could be token released. With an intermediate token instrument in the station office a train could be locked in the siding. However you would not be able to leave the adjoining token change point until locked so traffic density could be low. You could be 10 - 60 minutes away from the next action! Great for crew going down the local bar but not much good if waiting for a train or just watching , keeping the terminal theme would give more. Robert

Noel, you may well be right but some folk will want RTR. It s more than likely as it gives a complete yellow train - careful design of sides to allow either a vent or window for GSV to spray. Same for roof. It it was GSV then my brass sides would go yellow as roof mods not needed and easy to fill grill with solder and cut windows. The Fox model I have would still be used I am sure . But a GSV, Cravens and a 141 makes for the typical branch train and all would be available RTR standards of current times and hard to resist. A veritable pile of Manulla Junction micros would result (add own station of choice!) Robert

Signalling looking good but as you have noted trap points required to stop wagons entering line from front siding and also to my mind both ends of the top loop siding. - these can be modeled in several ways - expensive is peco ones, medium is to cut up broken points using just the bladed section discarding the crossing bit. Cheap is to file up some plain rail and glue in place but these are static items , all depends on your thoughts - Ratio produce some plastic rodding items so you can suggest connections to small ground frames . Yes 3 - likely to be token operated ground frames thus locking main signals to danger. A generation of signals later and it would be a stop board on platform with some controlling script under it and an end of token working board as you enter from from fiddle yard. Plus miniature stop boards instead of ground signals. Robert

The power of CAD and computer visualisations- love the mirror view of the underframe. Looking forward to these as well but no idea on how to pay for them ! Robert

For "fiddling" also check out peco loco lift system and cassettes . A half way house is to have one permanent track into a fiddle yard , one point/ turnout and a stub line leading to a cassette link. So you can always just play with one item and not bother with the faff of fiddling but allows the flexibility to swap stock if and when required - and best part of cassettes without handling stock so damage reduced - Mind you having seen an O gauge cassette of wagons get tipped on to the floor at a show it is not perfect! - the noise and following silence at the show was deafening and the shock and sympathy from all was amazing, I guess meany felt a wallet squeeze at the thoughts of cost of repair...! Hope all goes well Robert

That looks good , less is more and the kick back will block use of siding. It might prove more useful for displaying stock to imagineer a groundframe and points offscene to the left and the siding coming in parallel to the main line with buffer stop at 45dgrees to baseboard edge - it reality a disconnected line from fiddle yard to display wagons / odd loco. The minimalist station building in keeping with the hard up era and perhaps a brick built one with a small lock up booking office in ugly grey cement bricks and a concrete flat roof, would look the part. 2car 70 or 80 action always possible. The platform is fine for train in front to avoid the issue of open doors but to avoid the "linear" look the low relief RUC might move right and be angled from the backscene. I think you are stuck with a row of trees on left to disguise arrivals or the common concrete bridge ruse.- which works better for the siding idea as the shadows cast confuse the connection. Modern micro layout thoughts suggest to have a bulge or curvaceous front edge also to break up the linear effect of parallel tracks - also allows some more scenic development on the front- it could be a plug on bit just for play time if space tight. Have fun regardless Robert

Well good to see progress and what a tidy works the staff can be proud of that. Is true cannot see space for chip or speaker as it stands but sure it can be squeezed in somehow. hopefully the MM 121 bonnet will lift off easily to allow recreation - there are some 3D print engine blocks about as seen on here recently. Robert

lovely looking CADS, and proved right again - last week added buffers to my resin kit ! Thanks to the kind "gent of Wexford St." Robert

Patrick, Glad all is well in the end and hopefully the girls left a good impression and times - if not all the time !! Photo is lovely , I looked and eventually found the hand throw for the point into the siding. I guess makes operating sessions a bit more lifelike. The A looks lovely and in good running order with no oilstreaks from an ailing engine- must be fresh from works! Keep smiling Robert

That looks much better and the little slice of country suggests more beyond the bridge. Good to read you are still at developing the model. I had wondered with you being off air so long. Now that enjoyable ballasting job to do... Robert

Ernie, Thanks for finding time to do this huge task - hopefully a break from modelling ! Just enjoyed a couple of vids from Limerick junction. I guess you have just finished looking at Tara wagons! Robert

Best bet is a result of derailment damage to original but sure experts on here will find out the real story.

Thanks , have to start saving ! .... Chinese new year always gets a bad press but really no different to the slow down in December and slow start in January here in the UK. Hope all the good staff return to your chosen plants. Please keep up the good work and enjoy the froth paddling.

Lovely paperwork, makes you think though, some poor soul banging away on a typewriter and then pen and ruler to box and then stand over a steaming zerox copier - height of tech in 1980 perhaps. Makes it all the more historically valuable I guess. Now it would be lots of copy and paste or spread sheet excell sort of electron bruising and a print now button. My Triang TT collection is also a bit box driven but many duplicates to play with on the layout. My N collection was based on having one of each of Dapols modern image stuff - non steam anyway but even that has fallen by the wayside as prices crank upwards and now its an example or two of new production. Mainly because some guys have been busy bringing out super Irish 4mm models and I still hanker after a 4mm Highland shed layout based on Kyle shed, oh and some G1 dabbling - like building parcel vans... size matters and a bit easier on aging eyes ! But I still enjoy running/ playing trains at least mine run on time unlike the day job!

No ! Stop it now the UK froth machines could not cope with between the lines messages but I would expect some fun if it was planned

Well with all the UK 92/ MK5 frothing I guess the offices at IRM Towers are pretty flooded but just wondered if the good gang had any updates to share from the lifeboats... Cheers Robert

Hi At Totton a 66 engine comp hood doubled up as a bike shed for a while - saved leaving a wagon under load I guess. thanks for photo story very well composed and like the depot mangement in the resulting oily void discussing the next move.

Lovely work, Blue I guess on first days in traffic before sun fade and grime took over .It looks like Regional Railways blue ? Robert

Good work on the livery images- a many hours work I would think. Hope they transfer to models as well. I would think the Class 80 railcar gets nearer as I have just taken delivery of some more etches ! Robert

Hi Thanks for publishing a working link - not sure what I got wrong , but looks like Mr Dempsey will be happy soon ! Robert

Slightly OT but having 3 part built 80 s , 2 XCastle/450 / A and C class in various states plus a resin 121 and a donor 141 then I would think these will a be RTR within a decade or so given my finishing rate.... Agreed it will be fun with the 121 when it comes - I might just have to have two and use my resin one on a push pull set with the loco as a dummy ! Robert

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MURPHY-MODELS-MM023-IE-RIVERCLEAR-IN-ALL-THEIR-GLORY-RUN-IN-ONLY might of interest Robert also this might be of value https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MURPHY-MODELS-215-229-IE-INTERCITY-IN-ALL-THEIR-GLORY-RUN-IN-ONLY Robert

Well to report last week built a 60` length of 21mm track - bullhead using wood sleeper strip, solvent and plastic chairs, track gauges made by washering out P4 gauges. Once dry rail still slides in chairs so able to move sleepers about , track robust and flexible. I have been given some EM pointwork on copper clad sleepers might make a basis for 21mm pointwork? Robert

Same thought exercised my mind as well. Not having seen any news with pictures then I do wonder if I live another 30 years that the truth will come out. My thoughts was a "credible" SAM threat and Drone makes good cover story, despite official information - just become a cynic over the years. I really hope not and some "nice but dims" get it in the neck for 5 years but luckily for many holiday insurance will cover as it is not been sold as terrorist activity - not lucky for airlines, crews , passengers and their families all who will pay a hidden cost. Robert

And Festive greetings to all at the IRM Towers complex. Hopefully a few days rest will be good before the trails and tribulations of Chinese new year... Robert