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iarnrod

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Everything posted by iarnrod

  1. Heuston Shed would be a good choice. Inchicore wouldn't be exactly secure, unless they are storing them indoors. Many a coach has been vandalised or set on fire over the years while stored at Inchicore.
  2. Think there is only about three books that deal specifically with MGWR. Ernies Shepherds book is an excellent starting point. MGWR in pictures by the IRRS is another one. Des Coakham's Irish Broad Gauge Carriages might have some stuff in it. Only other MGWR book that I can think of is Rails to Achill.
  3. Where are they planning on storing this train when not in use? Not exactly too many secure locations on the network these days.
  4. Excellent job on the repaint, Anto.
  5. Are the PW wagons a kit or scratch built? Top drawer modelling there.
  6. CIE had a fleet of CIE liveried 20' and 40' containers, which were quite common back in the 80's in liner train consists. Not sure about CAST, but the OCL and Genstar containers are definitely prototypical for 80's CIE liner trains. Arran - would you consider doing a run of CIE liveried containers?
  7. Irish Rail, and CIE before it, went through phases of both Railcar and loco hauled trains. In the past during CIE days, railcars underwent many changes during the life span, to make them more suitable for operation. However, they were never totally successful, and CIE eventually returned to a mainly loco hauled operation. In today's era of efficiency and cost effectiveness, I can see why it makes commercial sense to operate railcars. Unfortunately, from the enthusiasts point of view, they make the scene very boring. We are lucky to still have some locos on the network, and I can't see that situation changing. In fact, the proposed upturn in freight will lead to a demand for additional locos, so hopefully, we will see the remaining 071s refurbished and some of the mothballed 201s returned to traffic. I am lucky to work by the Cork line, and hear the roar of 071s passing with freight trains. That's a sound that I will never grow tired of hearing.
  8. The survey seems to indicate a big turn in direction towards the CIE era. However, when the MM 141/181s were first released, the main area of interest seemed to be the IR/IE era judging by the way the locos and coaches sold. In fact, you could still easily pick up CIE liveried 141/181s up to about a year ago. I think now that many models and liveries are available, courtesy of MM, modellers are trying to replicate the era when what many modellers would call 'real' trains operated over the network. Indeed, I also wanted to model the current scene when MM started releasing their models, but have since changed direction to the CIE era. Fair play to Noel for compiling the survey.
  9. http://www.phoenix-paints.co.uk/precision-paints/railway-colours/irish-railway-colours-1.html This is the site for the manufacturer that Marks Models used to stock, and the same company that used to make paint for Model Irish Railways. They produce a range of Irish colours.
  10. David Franks, MD of IE, stated in an interview last year, that it is his goal to open the Foynes line on a cheap and cheerful basis, so basically spending the lowest amount possible to enable freight trains to use it. Part of interview relating to railfreight below. Freight Having been for many years the poor relation on IÉ, freight is now becoming the rising star. ‘During 2013 we recorded a 4% increase with freight tonnage. I see freight as an opportunity that we can use to claw in additional revenue, especially as much of the network is controlled centrally and there is rarely cost involved in opening up lines for an additional train path. On the (main) network I see passenger trains as covering all the network costs and freight should only be charged on a marginal basis; however on the few freight-only lines such as Drogheda to Navan, the costs must be covered. Freight must pay its way. To improve the viability of freight we are currently looking at how access to the network is charged, as at present all are charged the same rate. I don’t consider that the charges that we apply to passenger services are also right for freight and we may be able to reduce them.’ Another long time issue with freight customers has been the relatively short formations permitted on the network with 18 bogie container wagons being the current maximum. The problem with much of the network being single track is the length of passing loops. Even on double track routes, passing loops may not be of sufficient length. Says David, ‘I’ve asked the team to look at where train lengths could be significantly extended. Freight train paths could be designed to give a through run so that the use of loops isn’t required.’ One possible solution here could be operating overnight when passenger trains are not running. One key bulk freight flow is the zinc ore from Navan to Dublin Port. Franks had good news. ‘The Tara Mines have now had their licence extended so that traffic will continue.’ The traffic generates three weekday trains on the Northern Line. Intermodal trains on the network are buoyant and currently centre on County Mayo with the Ballina freight yard handling nine arrivals and departures each week. International Warehousing and Transport (IWT) now operate seven weekly services in each direction to and from the Dublin Port private sidings now that agreement has been reached to operate an additional service on Saturdays. DFDS runs two trains to and from Waterford Port each week to connect with its Rotterdam-bound container ship. Ballina and Westport also handle timber trains that operate to Waterford. ‘In the future we are also keen that with biomass becoming important, freight can transport it.’ At present a new biomass electricity generation plant is under construction in Mayo a few miles from Ballina and this would require a regular source of fuel to operate. ‘We are also currently carrying out a study to look at opening up the long time mothballed Foynes branch for the Shannon Foynes Port Company on a ‘cheap and cheerful’ basis. At some future point it is also likely that the mining of zinc ore in the Limerick area could commence and that, similar to the ore from Navan, would be an ideal source of freight.’
  11. I suspect that they are the metal pieces where the arrows are in these photos that I borrowed for illustrative purposes. Pictures are not mine, and belong to their respective owners.
  12. They used to have a website, but they were having a lot of technical issues with it, so it was taken down. I know they were in the process of putting a new one together. The shop, which is family run, is now in business about 3 years, and seems to do a good amount of trade. Another nice touch is that the owners will stick on the kettle, and make a cuppa and have a natter with regular customers.
  13. Refund received. Happy to say that issue is now closed.
  14. If you are a regular customer, they sometimes give discounts off purchases. Always a pleasure to deal with. The shop carries a good selection of model railway stuff, and they will order in specific items for you if they deal with that supplier. Personally, I can't rate them highly enough. The shop would be on a par with Marks Models in terms of selection of items on offer. Well worth a visit if you are down that way, or call them if you are after a particular item. I have no connection with the shop apart from being a very satisfied customer.
  15. Trains, Planes and Toys in Wicklow town are brilliant to deal with. Friendly service and open to swappage or trade in offers. Normally have items in stock that are sold out in most other dealers. For whatever reason, they are not listed on the MM website, but they do carry the full range of MM products. As far as I know they offer a mail order service.
  16. I did mail each month querying status of the coach, as per my earlier post, and I have all of the mails, and the responses to prove it. I have given up on that avenue at this stage. I need the registered business address as any claim with the Small Claims Court needs to be lodged in the district where the business is located. I will contact the CRO and Revenue on Monday to see if they can assist with the address, if no one on IRM can provide it.
  17. Looks like I am outside the time limit for Paypal to deal with the matter of no refund forthcoming. It was previously 45 days but now increased to 180 days. However, on the date of the transaction, 28/08/14, Paypal hadn't introduced the 180 day limit for disputing payments for Irish customers. Luckily, the payment was made off my Visa Debit, where you can dispute transactions for up to 180 days, so I will be filing the dispute with the bank on Monday morning. If that doesn't work, it will be one for the Small Claims Court to sort out. As an aside, can someone provide me with a registered business address and VAT No. for Glenderg Models?
  18. Order placed early August 2014 for this model. Payment of €78 made through Paypal on 28/08/14. Was told I would have model in a week or two. End of Sept 2014 - model still not received. Query made. Was told would have it in a week or two. End of Oct 2014 - model still not received. Query made. Was told would have it in a week or two. End of Nov 2014 - model still not received. Query made. Was told would have it in a week or two. End of Jan 2015 - got fed up with waiting and broken promises, so asked for refund. 13/02/15 - still waiting on refund.
  19. They look amazing. Love the extra details added to the production model. Hats off to Weshty for an excellent job on producing these. Much more detailed than the older MIR version. They will look well placed beside MM locos. Will these be available to buy on a permanent basis?
  20. Excellent to see the old freight photos. Some amazing stuff in your dad's collection. Keep them coming please as it's much appreciated. P.s. Last 5 photos in above post didn't load.
  21. No mention on the DVD itself or on their website if they are region specific or not. Send them an email to find out admin@anbricofelixjaz.com
  22. For anyone into the CIE era, I seriously recommend this DVD. Filmed in 1987, there is the odd IR liveried coach, but for the most part it is CIE Black and Tan, with footage of Mk2's, Mk3's, Cravens, Park Royals, laminates, Ammonia, Guinness, cement,a cab ride in an A Class on the Ballybrophy branch and even 071s on the Limerick shuttle. It is amazing how much the network has changed since then, and the DVD gives you 56 mins of pure nostalgia, with the odd incorrect caption thrown in. No commentary; just loco and train sounds. http://www.anbricofelixjaz.com/Website%20Copy_AV42_Ireland_DVD.pdf
  23. There is a distinct line under the black band on each coach where it looks like orange has been sprayed over the black. It's in the area where the White line would be on IR/IE coaches.
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