Robert Shrives

Hi Eion, Keiran kindly noted you were the master craftsman with A class bogie side frames - are these currently available - in my quest to finish two I have before IRM beat me too it ! regards Robert

Well to help along I have got another silver fox A class and C class in a box from a friend last week.... Surely this was sign from "on high" to tempt ... A foretelling perhaps but surely not a warning of a bleak future... Great images Noel ... I think Brian was just a naughty boy or perhaps a class 31 in new money. Robert

That looks very good and just proves the point , I have 6 42 foot flats in the works and along come IRM .... Must start several A and C class locos !! he dreams ... Robert

In the league of fake news - speeded up footage but at any speed pretty nasty and if one lane clearable why not two or controlled convoy workings. Still for those that survive it will be just a memeory in a few weeks after all the flooding and moaning ! Happy modelling to everybody. Robert

Hi If we can order sellouts on the project 42 range then hopefully the cashflow will allow for the wishlist to jump up to reality . I look forward reading of sellouts and the IRM crew reinvesting . Robert

Well gents , What a good series of projects the 42 foot base works in many ways. The ploughs complement the ballasts. Thanks for all of these and you will benefit from purchases - I commend rake discounts but I do not have space with a 6 wagon max limit, such is life. Re the weeds train - good works as the tanks can be mounted back on short chassis to back date quite a bit needing just to bash the spray and Bredin - IIRC from this far away did it not run one season with the EGV conversion and 4 wheel vehicles. The EGV conversion vehicle a good idea as it will allow backdating to normal status and fit in well with the Cravens and the preserved stocks So gets my vote to enable the weeds train and facilitate other conversions or hopefully a backdated model.... Will continue to offer up gifts for A and C - once your commercial breath caught with the above projects, Locos are big investment leaps so understand waiting - "all good things ..etc ." Robert

I recall the steam heat tubes on these tanks to keep it warm and reasonable runny to flow. Also recall some fun with flames to do the same thing at a depot in Birmingham on a snowy day - Nannies of the state today would be wet through!! Good idea for small wagon terminal and ideal for the rural scene. As ever great pics and thanks for inspirations Robert

Hi on the other Island much the same Back in 1948 Railways had over a million employees today at best 120000. There are just not enough boots on the ground to have manual snow clearing - mechanised is fraught with danger to what you are trying to protect. The Army/ governmental agencies offers not enough due to shrinking sizes. So it is seen as better to stop to reduce risks to a minimum and take the commerical hit as its a once in a 10 year event. European cities often "labelled" as doing it well but yes its main routes and folk are prepared for annual events also most have some form of national service that requires civils to assist- clearly in our nanny states this would be seen as infringing "human rights"- but to generalise these will be the first to moan that they could not get the KFC handouts!! You are right there needs to be quite a bit of deep thinking by state powers and a social shift away from "number one" selfish thinking. About to walk to Central Birmingham for a 12 hour control shift - boots and waterproofs but have just seen a bus ploughing the roads even if council have not even attempted anything - snow not deep enough to plough it has to be said and given state of dirt tracks underneath a plough would do just that and then as the first city of the north in the pothole stakes we would have an unassailable lead, as the roads would just get smashed up. Have to say yesterday some personal efforts by my train crews to dig out trains and cut into drifts were quite brilliant even though Network rail attempts quite feeble with a lack of preparedness that was amazing on the Western Zone. enjoy the snow! Robert

I must admit to having a little fun as working full time as a controller for a UK TOC that if a railway station staff member says calling from "xx train station " I say "where - never heard of it and say you mean xx railway station! " They do learn quite quickly and if anybody from the office comes to the control and trots out "train station" the howls of abuse are loud and clear ! I do fully acknowledge that the language is dynamic and changes no doubt we say things that are cringeworthy to our forebares... You only need to read of new words put into dictionaries every year to see it change . Robert

Hi , last picture showing curve and viaduct is great. I look forward to developments and once you start I am sure you will enjoy it however thanks for finding time to post pictures. Robert

Glenderg , Ha ! Like the idea certainly future proofing! and along with the wagons a good seller - trainset stuff I think. Robert

It might just me but it is sad to see continual reference to "train station" - I was taught it was a railway station. the BBC struggles in report to be right but the political sound bite and worse the station signage is in modern fools speak. Or am I just an old git .... !! Robert

It might have been said before but "A" classic wagon looking for a "A" classic loco to pull them ! Just got a Silverfox A and C bare shells last night ! Robert

Hi , That loooks really good - Iconic long lived freight flow so good sales hopefully. Robert

Blimey does that mean you have created 71/4" gauge A class locos then ! Robert

47 footer good for me ! I think there must be around 20 of the 3d print 42 footers being worked on across the globe. hopefully the good boys will make a class decision and we can all rest easy... Robert

Hi Same questions from me ! Robert

Gang , Have fun looks to be a party in the making!! Stuck on the other Island nose to grindstone/ keyboard. Looking forward to whatever comes forth from the IRM thinktank! Robert

https://www.shapeways.com/product/BUHXQWWWQ/cie-42ft-container-flat-wagon-a-3?optionId=64659656& If folk want a link directly to save ploughing through the Shapeways "lost engine." Robert

I have same basic one and put a large head drawing pin in the end and this allows a little pressure to be applied . Robert

Hi Just to say 3 arrived in a vast box from Shapeways - loads of bubble wrap to play with later! Lovely prints and brake wheels also obtained very fine. Hopefully some time later this week to drill for bogies, hooks and brake pipes. Should finish just in time for the RTR version and the A class to haul- just saying !! Robert

Hi Thanks also for the nuget on scrotes - I had wondered if was some sort of over run guard but seemed flimsy for that. On the larger Island I see containers placed door to door to do the same . and a useful photo as well. thanks

Hi Quite likely as the MIR barrier wagon kits livery diagram I have is done in green and the paint suggested is brunswick green. Robert

Hi , A bit late to the party but in other scales gluing chairs to timber sleepers works well and with C&L offering lengths of laser cut ply timber in longer than BR sleeper lengths like 9 foot would that help in creating 21mm gauge track with the right look - point kits available and long uncut lengths. Robert

Hi Well put in for 3 with buffers and bogie centres, not too expensive around £15 with brake wheels and transport from The Netherlands. I have some Y33 / Y25 mislabled bogies to hand - they seem in short supply again so will try hunt down a few more pairs. So now have around 20 Irish freight vehicles on the books, I guess Tara mines and fertiliser pallet wagons will make up the last. I feel a sort of Killkenny through terminus layout with NIR connection/ specials and a wagon repair facility or diverted trains to cope with rule one stock from across Ireland.