meathdane

Correct on all accounts, boiler has a sizable weight inside of it, as does the tender, the shell itself is plastic Bit of an oddity I assume but the actual firebox controls on the foorplate themselves are one big die-cast chunk

Putting aside my awful paint and weathering attempt, I do have to say the moguls are rather fetching in a mundane kinda way in the grey! I'd love one with a proper non split, dcc ready chassis and that horrific quasi kinematic drawbar revised Other than that, they're a great model to cut your teeth on and a easy modification to start your irish steam conversions!

All this speculation for a loco and they'll pull the auld switcharoo and give us a Steam generator van! Wouldn't be a bad thing either mind you!

Tempted on one myself, Anyone have any more in depth info on the models? How DCC-able are they?

We have movement at last! Got around to wiring and the first locomotive has moved under its own power. Kadee uncoupling magnets next to be fitted and tested along with the arrival of two more double slips and the station area can be fully laid and wired up Snapchat-864167541.mp4

After finally managing to get some Flexitrack and paintwork, the 4 platform station area is beginning to come together, still waiting for things to get moved, but progress is progress! For scenic areas, 48" radius curves will be the minimum, with some tighter 3rd and 4th radius curves in hidden/non scenic areas. As well as long radius points wherever possible, with mid radius points for storage areas and short radius for the depot only. Early days yet, but it's beginning to start to look kind of like a layout!

Good thing I've ordered the 4 pack, an extra green and a BnT, just to be sure! And so it begins...... Are they here yet?

Just got an email from Hattons! A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one

Absolutely outstanding stuff Rob! A real credit to you

Unfortunately I didn't get as far along as I had hoped so far, the paint rack, tyre machine and pillar drill are blocking progress and to get that moved, there is a pair of MK2 Escorts that themselves have to be moved back to my uncles yard, so everything is on hold until they move. That aside, Baseboard three is built, another 8x2 board, bring the total length of usable baseboards up to 23ft so far, a rake of 12 gypsum wagons can be seen in the back left corner for scale Baseboard 4 will drop a couple of inches to give the layout a variety of elevations, I'm planning to include a small dock/town street in the lower area With not a lot else to do, I've turned to trying to pin down an exact track plan, though its hard to scale and plan for space with just my mind and pen and paper. As well as sitting by the window the arrival of my Ferts, loaded and empty 40s

Much appreciated Rob! I'd be alot further along had I not underestimated the amount of batonning I needed! Another 15 lengths are ordered, so I should hopefully have nearly 30ft of baseboard done by Sunday! All going to plan!

The main layout has begun in earnest! Two baseboards built and leveled measuring 8×2 and 7×2. The beauty of backing onto a solid cavity block wall is the ability to fix a length of 2×1 which gives me the back side level meaning the front side is the only area to worry about. Just awaiting more timber to continue the build now!

I asked him about the Mk2 run today and he mentioned EGVs in the new runs, with prices and dates to be confirmed

Got my fingers crossed for a IRM updated hornby style 0-4-0, complete with flying snail! Be a magical moment

Complete Irish freight set for grabs on ebay! Looks as new, might suit a collector? https://www.ebay.ie/itm/204108087349?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=5282-175127-2357-0&ssspo=KfnS62DRQ-6&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=t63iiTcPSXy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Also an O gauge 2-6-0. No idea how authentic but may be of interest https://www.ebay.ie/itm/225186980541?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=5282-175127-2357-0&ssspo=fjZzYqCqS7u&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=t63iiTcPSXy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Honestly ive no idea! It appears to have a Bachmann Chassis, and it's the middle car that is the power unit with the older hook and loop coupling (could be common, however this is my first ever DMU, so I have nothing to compare it to) No make on the posting, no box, only thing I know about it is its a 2200 and it's DCC fitted

A few more tasty additions to the fleet, a 071 and a 2200 class DMU, a little out of my time frame but I couldn't resist! Plus this particular livery on the 071 is my top choice considering there was none painted in BnT

Love that touch of rural Ireland, really helps sell the area! Looking forward to seeing how the extension progresses!

Slowly starting to build up the fleet with these wonderful kits from @leslie10646, unfortunately I've lost my current workstation until the garage area becomes fully available. (naturally enough I must have removed a load bearing piece of rubbish as the roof has sprang a leak) But I can content myself with looking at the pictures for the next few weeks until I'm finally in a position to get cracking!

I'll probably not set an era, I've everything from early green A classes to pointed arrow IE, however the majority of the fleet is BnT, so probably 60-80s predominantly with a modern cameo every now and then. Container traffic I want to use mainly 20fts on flats

What's that saying? You're only as old as you feel?

I'm 26 myself but I don't think I ever mentally progressed beyond 10

It was a big first step! Took me best part of a week to clean and sort the place! Designing will be the longest part! It'll be revision after revision until I'm happy (which may be never )

Been quiet recently, however i have been busy making a burst at my cars with the good weather. As with many of us, I was struggling for space to craft a layout, but I've been lucky enough to be given full run over a garage at home with a decent sized space for a layout. Ideally I would love to use the full garage but with 3 restorations underway, I do need to leave space to work on my cars as well as a little bit of communal storage. The area I've designated for the trains is approximately 23 × 9.5 foot, giving loads of space for scenics and a fiddle yard. I will likely stud this section off and put a membrane in to ward off the inevitable dust from doing car bodywork and paint as well as a door. The layout is still very early on in the planning stage, but I want to have DCC Round the wall layout with lift out section Double main track all around the layout, with 4th radius minimum curves, and long points. A station capable of taking a double 141 headed 7/8 coach train with goods facilities including container traffic, fert, beets and gypsum traffic. Plenty of scenics, including rural and a small town section. 8 Lane through fiddle yard Thanks all! Dane 20220814_154418.mp4

Great work! Coming along very quick!