Robert Shrives

To report this migration and patching has resulted in me being only able to access IRM at work. At home I can see no images nor input any text. the text box is just a few mm high. RM web did this a while back but now works ok Western Thunderer site works perfectly as does all the banking sites. Obvs I cannot upload at work so no more phots and workbench updates from me, for which you might be relieved. Such is life - no spare cash now for a new PC which would cure all and allow old machine to be semi retired/ re-engineered in time. Still enjoy reading all the good works and seeing new models Robert

Well the next batch of 5 chassis kits arrived yesterday and been in a sonic bath to clean, a few hours to sort flash on the tiddly detail bits, along with 6 months of model dawdling and the 5 tank wagons will be "ex-works" Along with the coal and barrier wagons a 15 wagon train will be possible. Still need to paint pallet and then back to the UTA spoils, really need to get these nearer the finishing line! Still no pics as no longer able to upload to forum. Robert

Well I hope they go to a good home and IRM get a few more votes to do one ... In the current climate here in UK not able to afford to even think about buying but they do look good. robert

Makings of a low relief bike shed ...

I would like the Waterford box as it would be a complex build and happy to pay into the design. As I would not have the time and probs the skill set to do it justice. The box, platform and cutting side as I said on Facebook make for a good diorama/ phase one of a bigger layout. Robert

Garfield Done and thanks ! I have suggested the donation goes into your campaign totals. looking forward to Mk2s and dreaming on Hunslet 101s Robert

Sadly I am face like many with rising costs of living and so cannot afford more ballasts/ mag wagons but is it possible to donate the 10euro via IRM as I cannot find a suitable web page on the Down Patrick site. Robert

Hi Several good folk have done conversions and shown on here and there is a Silverfox Resin one piece bodyshell. Also etched overlay sides from PH Designs which are very fine and have separately applied window frames. Well worth checking out. IIRC there are also sides by Bill Bedford as 4mm brass eches. Steve at Railtec does a set of transfers for the RPSI gen coach for a few pounds if that is the one you want. SSM models do a set of transfers for GSV vehicles and while fragile are a lovely piece of work - you do get spares! Cheers Robert

Well managed to get final chains on balance/ operating wheels and pics uploaded to thread on RM web. Some filler required where bodies reduced in height to match the pallet with plastic sides and now waiting a cleaning and priming. I was thinking a pale blue and grot livery with numbers from railtec sheets. Started looking at tanktainers having got 3 more etches to match the tanks shown up the thread. Hopefully some chassis kits from Leslie in a few weeks. Thoughts turn to the bogie cement manifolds and making a set of brackets for the Ammonia tanks - sadly no etches available despite a call with SSM - etches on wagon kits not available on their own without hassle. So plasticard to the rescue. I guess if l was clever a 3d print would ensure consistent works but not that clever! Robert

Managed to get some fine chain and started the work on the bi door pallet wagons. I only have 3 so not a big chore but blimey fiddly fixing chains - drilled for 0.3 wire set into edge of door and this only just fits into links, got a 33 link per inch chain for £10 per meter No pics as yet as my PC now too old to upload pics on forum after various upgrades, means I will have to save pennies/ buy less IRM products to afford upgrade or save you seeing my ham efforts which might be a blessing. Robert

If only form any source ...well IRM perhaps... Robert

Brilliant work in every way, I had asked Mike Edge if he would consider a brass kit but reply was well down his list. This is sublime modelling and I wish I was half as good ! thanks for showing! Would you consider doing a second one ?

Now had a chance to read captions and some text - a lovely piece of work recording a short but interesting period showing what a railway can do - and clearly on a shoe string! Robert

Copy landed in Brum at lunchtime and had chance to flick through. looks good and the human interactions show pride in the operation, good selection of pics especially wagon M65 upside down on its first journey showing its "under things" to all!, The gas axe bottles in foreground and a lack of a wheel set do not auger well. As suggested a good resource of wagon weathering - it would be common it looks for a cleaned- repaired wagon to be mid rake and also wagons with repaired and clean doors. Otherwise the duck egg blue/ light grey weathered to a dusty stone brown, the Black UT lettering too high for cleaning and the numbers rubbed over now and again visible sort of. A great book and something that just would not happen in this way today. Recommended ! Robert

Like the real thing adapted for traffic on offer and making running more profitable. PW gang to congratulated in finding materials squirreled away in back of a few sheds and yards. Signals foreman less pleased at non programmed budget less upgrades, hopefully Board of trade will not find out until it has weathered in and all the signalling records updated. Brilliant little extension and add to operational/ play value. Quite brave to take a blade/ saw to the lovely scenery. Robert

Seconding all the comments - great work and buildings look brilliant. I too look forward to updates. Thanks for sharing. Robert

Snap George ! I have one as a 111 pending the urge to finish. I found fitting the bonnet side hand rails a real PITA yours much better in Video any chance of a still so I can learn a better better way - and then blatantly copy. Thanks Robert

Leslie, I hope the book will give good weathering help for the rake you kindly sold to me and obvs ensure IRM offer uber niche model in 2023. Robert

Deed done ! Robert

Really good work - just need to add the broken glass bottles cemented to the wall tops and some "Maggie out" sort of wall art.. Robert

Hi Patrick , above is a qoute from Noel on his kaydee thread which should point in the right direction. great pics of a domestic flow across your bit of Ireland. Robert

Hurst etch primed vehicle 547 10thou overlay on lima door end to match overlay holes drilled for grab and door handle- to be fitted later . To help the 80 class project first build DTS in primer - been sort of on its way for 2 years just needed some filler sanding back. 547 in NIR maroon , the Hymek not moved for a while. Robert

I will have to take some pics tomorrow of progress on the coaches but could not resist starting another - an old MIR etched NIR buffet car 547, I know the good boys in the bunker have one well on its way but to spur on the 101s and the original livery this lima based coach will be in the first enterprise livery and go with 4 others I bought from the web, I also need to do a DBSO and number all the coaches. Day off tomorrow so might get a bit more done on 547 to make worth taking a pic. Robert

Looking good should spur on developments of a 2600 or 2700 bodyshell as a 3D print even if only 2751/53 the single car double cabed ("bubblecar" in BR parlance.) You know you want to.... Robert