Warbonnet

I do like the Lackawanna unit, but Lackawanna EMD units don't look right without the 'beer belly' larger fuel tanks http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1168537

And last, but by no means least, the Lackawanna ACe http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/3/5/0/3350.1340809052.jpg

Very good, makes me even more fascinated with what whack a recent package of mine got! http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/481-The-perils-of-mail-order

Have the classic blue with no yellow ends on order. Been waiting a long time for this baby.

Absolutely stunning, the ACe looks so sinister and the white safety stripe along the bottom of the walkway sets it off nicely. IT - Warning - Might need sunglasses for this one http://www.railpictures.net/photo/401776

Yes, Champions League qualification is a must.

If you're looking for more visual inspiration and ideas, there is also http://www.emgauge70s.co.uk/modelpageindex.html BR 70's themed, albeit in EM. Still has some beautiful trackwork though, not to mention some stunning modelling in general.

I might well be wrong on this, but I believe the usual run is 512 of each running number. I'm sure Mr. Bracken will confirm or correct.

Fair play to you for having a go with the kit, hope you find one. For the savings club I think it would be best for you to drop Seamus a private message and go from there.

Penn Central. Nice and Simple http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/9/0/3/7903.1340641022.jpg

Cheers Des, if you ever want a closer look at it or other US freight stock (the covered hoppers tend to have etched walkways) give me a shout and I can meet you at a show or something.

I believe this fella is based in Kerry. Some collection of diggers and 'dozers. Enjoy!

Definitely CIE and P&T for me. Any other prototypical popular period liveries they were around in way back then?

Now that is a fabulous video. Very atmospheric. Great find!

The end ladder detail is a separate part, so I think I'll email atlas and see if they have any spares in stock. They should have the bogies at least. As you said, bit of weathering, maybe some glue and she'll be lovely. The walkway on the top is etched metal, so could be bent into a more realistic shape. As you can see the detail on this babies is lovely. Cheers for the idea Seamus, I have a heavy duty flat car and an old Athearn Switcher body set aside for such a load. Just need to detail the body up and build up some bracing! On the 'to do' list which is getting longer and longer these days... You seem to be posting a lot of American pics these days btw, are you on the turn?

I know man, walked past your old house yesterday!

I've just looked up the SCT website and see that some HXA's have the same bogie after all, http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/bogies/sct-europe/sct-europe3.html Apologies Rich!

Are you sure you have the right wagon Rich? The bogies look a bit different to me... HXA Our own Autoballasters (great detail pics from Seamus!) http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/350-ballasters-being-loaded-in-port They're a weird looking bogie. Looks like we'll have to continue the research! I've also just noticed how different and odd the buffers on ours are.

A few weeks back I ordered some US detailing parts from an online retailer that I use quite a bit to feed my yank habit. I also ordered an Atlas grain hopper as part of the order. Unfortunately somewhere in the postage system the package had an altercation with some heavy machinery. When the package finally showed up this was presented to me. Inside my detail parts were fine. Sadly, the freight car didn't fair so well... ( The ladder end detail, etched roof walkway and bogie took quite a battering, while the steel weights inside the car broke loose. The package was well packed and I have purchased from the same retailer before with absolutely no problem. It just goes to show that the postal services might not be as careful with your package as you might have hoped! Sometimes it does pay to shop local. Having said that, I have bought hundreds of times online, both model railway items and other stuff from all over the world. Never once has something like this happened, so I should count myself lucky I guess. The An Post guy who usually drops off parcels here is brilliant too, and is always careful with our stuff and more than happy to look after deliveries for me and my brother. His dad is into trains, so knows how fragile they can be. He was embarrassed dropping this package off! I emailed the retailer explaining what happened and they refunded me straight away. I offered to send them pictures but they had no hesitation that I was genuine and refunded me without question. Top service, and I will use them again in the future. I also think that I might be able to repair it, certainly worth a go! Anyone have any mail order horror stories? (Thai brides don't count! )

It's a pity Anthony and A4Mallard don't still live in this parish, it would be some club!

Cheers Bos, glad you like them!

Some final pics. I have some of the English autoballasters so I already knew that these babies were a high quality wagon. But still, credit to Bachmann and the boys from Marks and Grahams, they are lovely. Fantastic finish on them. I'll be holding them in reserve until I can get the correct parts to get them closer to the prototype. They are very close to it already though.

And the two together... Inner wagon

Picked up mine today, here's some pics; Box porn. Some of the genny...

Is that the Grange Castle in the Clondalkin area? If so, howdy neighbour! Welcome to the site yourself and snapper.