MD220

2 hours ago, BosKonay said:

For clarity as it’s been asked, we do ship to Northern Ireland from the Irish website. 

Thanks for that clarification. I'll know for the next time!

So the new run of fertiliser wagons  reached New Zealand nine days ago, the new unladen bogie flat wagons are already appearing on ebay at inflated prices yet in Co. Down in the North of Ireland, I believe, my orders of both may appear some time next week. 

Brexit? .... Brex-sh*t more like.

This is not at all a criticism of IRM I hasten to add, but would it not be feasible for customers from the six counties to continue to order from the IRM.com website and have our orders shipped from Dublin? I know that NI is no longer in the EU customs union but (as I understand it) the NI protocol has ensured that many of the same rules apply. I would be quite happy to order from IRM.com and pay in Euros, as I have done in the past , rather than be forced to the Accurascale site and have to wait for a couple of weeks longer for much anticipated releases.

I should finish by saying that the models look fantastic and I know that an extra few days waiting for them to arrive, in the grand scheme of things, is probably a small price to pay for such quality, but maybe the above could still be considered an option?

OK, rant over, I'm off to take my blood pressure medication.

Have a lovely day everyone. 

Great news! I missed out on these beauties first time round

She's a beaut! 

2 axle 20ft container flat.

12 hours ago, Mayner said:

The Tuam Ruston was a much larger rod coupled 165DS loco not dissimilar in appearance to the Hornby R30050 Bagnall model https://www.040trainsnmodels.co.nz/product/92914/ and the Tuam loco was painted in what looked like British rail "Rail Blue" I don't remember if it had black and yellow warning stripes like the Hornby Model.

Just a note on the Tuam Ruston. It was painted in a lined green livery when in Sugar company service, the BR blue with full wasp stripes was a Westrail repaint.

19 minutes ago, Warbonnet said:

 

Have to say I prefer this to the original 1961 grey and yellow, but maybe when 134 is finished in that livery it will change my mind.

 

Agreed.

I like it as a temporary thing. Gives an idea of what the 121s would look like if they survived in service into the 2020s! 

Really glad you decided to post this, great stories, keep em coming!

Newbridge, 1962-ish.

How far travelled were the E class in service? I know Limerick had one and I think Cork also. Did an E ever make it to the west? Galway, Sligo or Westport ( apart from 428 in preservation)?

What about north of Dublin to Drogheda or Dundalk? 

I took this pic in Claremorris in May 89 (I think. The date may be a little out)

I'm pretty sure it's 086 but it's a bit hard to make out!

2 out of my 3 A class have arrived here in Co.Down safe and sound, the 3rd is on its way.

Everything about these models screams quality, from the packaging right down to the locos themselves. They are absolutely top notch! I haven't had a chance to run them yet, I'm saving that until tomorrow, but I know they won't disappoint.

Well done IRM, first class job.

11 minutes ago, BosKonay said:

Ah now don't be at that..... 071 was bad enough!  

Video by Southern Yard on YouTube 

45 minutes ago, jhb171achill said:

I checked with my sources for any further details of NIR Mk 2s and their travels beyond Dublin.

Seems there weren't any, beyond extremely rare forays to Dún Laoghaire, so that's that; when NIR wanted to send a train deep into IE / CIE territory, it seems that they always used 80 class sets.

So no rare visits of Mk 2s to Tuam, Mullingar, Limerick Junction, Kerry or Waterford!

The ITG Western Enterprise tour in 1990 consisting of 111 hauling an NIR mk 2 set visited Tuam!

That looks stunning lads. Top marks. Getting excited now! 

Is there any news on the progress of restoration of the real 134? Some up to date photos would be good to see! 

Done

Yes I believe that all of the CSE Rustons were 88DS apart from the one in Tuam which was a much larger 165DM (I think!). A great little loco, sadly it's no longer with us following an arson attack at the former Westrail shed in Tuam.

I contacted Hattons earlier this week about delivery times for the ST 121s and they replied that they had no confirmed date for when they would receive them. I ordered my IR 121 from IRM and dithered that much about getting a second (supertrain) version that they'd sold out of them by the time I'd manned up! Ordered from Hattons instead. I'll know better next time. My next concern is that being in Co Down will there be extra hassle getting it back into the North if its delivered after Jan 1st?

11 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

Mogul, should you wish to use pics from either of those books on here, and for the purposes of illustrating a point you're making like the above, you are very welcome indeed to do so. (I'm one of the two named on the cover!)

 

 

It's still in print but running low.

If you want a copy please PM me - I still have a few new ones. Alternately, contact the publisher direct - Colourpoint, Newtownards, Co. Down. Malcolm or Wesley Johnston are the people to speak to.

Thanks Jonathan  I nabbed the last one on Amazon last night!

Thanks for the info Mogul. I have Rails through the West already, I must look out for North Kerry!

Would anyone have any close up photos of the open topped containers used on the Asahi coal trains?

Were they purpose built or just standard 20ft jobs with the roof cut off? Were they side door or end door, were the doors welded up and they were tipped to unload?

Sorry for so many questions at once but I've no doubt someone out there knows their history!

Many thanks  

Des

Downpatrick also has Laminate buffet 2419 and Generator/brake/open 3223.