Robert Shrives

Just musing , I have seen the "ad" for bargain blue tara mines wagons - I wonder how easily a 3D print guru could produce the Kilmastulla bodies for the two "odd" extras in the Tarr mines fleet or to allow the "real thing" to be modelled. Robert

Crikey a real works back roader ! good luck on the rebuild. Robert

Looking good for the banger blue boys (and girls!), as noted on FB maxpax any type -all tasted the same from the TSOT, but will the poor electrics that plagued the real ones with flat batteries a big problem be replicated with random switch offs !! Funnily I was looking an N gauge Hurst etch of a MK2c brake just yesterday. Robert

Leslie, Thanks for the vote of confidence. Indeed a Jeep or two will be required, I did take a phot with 102 in maroon on the front but a bit too dark. Several phots DH plus load 10 on the second contract- I guess fewer wagons available. I add thanks to Darius for the UT and number transfers to complete the project, with a cut and shut on the numbers it would possible to do 10 more - fun but life a bit too short with all the other kits and stuff in the gloat mine. Robert

Well via work here is a UT side door spoil wagon one of 10 to this level of finishing. Idea is to leave one fresh and weather the rest. And here are all 10 waiting for IRMs next steam announcement, or perhaps diesel announcement for the Irish modeler.

As an outsider looking in to NIR activities and Irish Railways Noel Playfair name cropped up many times and always seemed a brilliant advocate for the railways and its supporting hobbies. As such a great loss to his family and the wider circle of enthusiasts and modellers, RIP. Robert

Indeed if you have been able to buy all three packs any later comers to the show might find a gap for a while and I am sure having a second bite with a variation of running numbers in a rerun will excite a few . Especially those wanting to travel back in time the Hunslet era. - You know you want too! It has to be said I cannot recall seeing pictures of mixed red/ blue and Grey/blue stripe Enterprise stock but I guess it must have happened.. Robert

Have to say I would be tempted after the orange and a black roof to have done the other side and ends with transfers. I know it is a "cruel" enlargement but the furry nature of the model will hard to "gloss over." I have used halfords spray bumper filler and sanded back so the filler is in the groves - on one GW railcar I did this three times! The print material is very hard to sand so filling is the only way forward I think. I guess an SD40 chassis will give all the bits needed. The Dapol and latest Farish coaches give a good basis for stock and the MK1 a starting point for a gen coach. All good progress ! Robert

I look forward to the odd gen coach being available so I can create 915 with its aircon style windows. But yes an add on pack could be useful. Also welcome an odd "DBSO" 812 to make into 754 for an 80 class oddity. Robert

Brilliant, even now capture the careworn look and the little variations between class members. The persistence with the logo has paid off with how the panel lines show. thanks for showing Robert

Well it should be as today before work I started sorting the pile of etchs and bits into project boxes for 3 sets ! A good year and with ICR on order saving pennies for Mk2s in IR livery. Thanks to all at IRM and looking forward to Warley 2023! Robert

Gosh ! I did not think STABLE would have an effect but I can see all of the above in myself - perhaps it is normal after all !! Robert

A 2mm scale friend reminded me of "STABLE" - STash Acquired Beyond Life Expectancy a while ago. So yes I know what you mean but looking at several 80 class , 450 class and the International train coach sides I have plenty to be going at for fun and giggles. Robert

Sorry no pics to endure - cannot upload due sick pc at home. The coal containers and oil tank tainers done. Due festive overtime rates the wagon works tackled 19 vehicles over last three days- the UTA spoils are now down to fixing the chain to jacking slide. The ammonia tanks that were stalled pending a solution to brake gear - cut and made up brackets from plasticard and fitted a bracket for hand brake wheels. Bogies were made up I thought but cannot find all of them so made some more up. Finally the bogie cements I have finally fashioned the pipe manifolds for the air supplies for unloading, and glued in place. Two of the resin buffers have suffered but I have cast ones suitable for another day off. A good productive weekend - 19 wagons worked on. Robert

A million years ago ( slight exaggeration) I got a set of the coaches from Ian Allen bookshop in Birmingham, £45 in a clearout sale. And might well have been among my first NIR purchases. like these boxed and only run once or twice. Not sure if I rewheeled mine but have done a lot of lima wheelsets - Peters Spares do a 26mm axle lima pack. Robert

Yep banged by head many a time (slow learner) on the door from the balcony on van no6. As a passenger guard and as freight guard on engineering trains over many years. tooling costs hopefully not too bad for a "simple" box. Robert

Should not really "agree" too much having made lsome of flats and fuel oil wagons out of Airfix/dapol and SSM etches. But can see folk would like some. Bogie ammonia tanks and bogie cement tanks as well I guess having had wagons part done for three long will make a good rtr in time , please do not announce them just yet!

As always well observed and sharp modelling. Robert

https://www.flickr.com/photos/60539035@N02/16408993345/in/album-72157650061850308/ Well that covers all the bases for and IRM mix and match option... Robert

I guess 112 will get a smattering of IR parts in orange - roof fan cowl and window frames on cabsides? Good spot on 112 buffer mounts . I have an MIR one in the pile of part dones and really tempted to do a BR Railfreight grey . One thing I have noted but not listed was how the locos yellow panels morphed over time. IIRC apart from size corners varied being squared or rounded so did all three have same rounded small panels at the same time I wonder.. Brilliant work regardless, look forward to seeing the finished weathered locos. Robert

Good to know all is now right - as a friend remarked just now creating a Vic Berry Asbestos firing tunnel model was not on his to -do list ! Not sure how you found tooling improvements but looked pretty good in pics and at Warley - which is on 2023 by the way. Bogies looked good but if the tendency to arch is removed forever that has to be good. Have to save pennies or sell an organ for the IR sets but they do look very good. Thanks for update Robert

It is sad that Shapeways has lost its way or made it hard for designers to upgrade. Check out Lenny`s work at Lincoln loco https://lincoln-loco.co.uk/ to see what can be achieved and this on a home printer system albeit a good one. Robert

Just a line and a few numbers to do, makes my wagons look lame. Look forward to see it making its way on the layout. Robert

Very good conversion, you cannot see he join!! And hopefully runs well to boot. Robert

If I could upload pics from home - sickly PC I would happily show a good selection with double beets, UTA spoil wagons. 20 foot flats for containers, oil tanks and coal boxes. Easy to make and detail the coupling mount with NEM pocket spot on for height suitable for Kaydee no 18 or 19 or a range of TLC with spade ends. Great value for money and great fun to put together - well mainly a few big bits and a selection of finer resin parts for brake gear. As a fully satisfied customer I can fully recommend Leslie`s range. Robert