Warbonnet

Hi Edo, Many thanks. I dont take it personally and everyone has their view which is what it's all about. I just think it's important to explain where IRM are coming from and it's important to remember where the hobby was a few years ago compared to now (not to blow IRMs own trumpet or anything!) If we're not sensible then it's game over and the hobby will be poorer for it. Dont sacrifice the lab though, not when they have faces like they do! Cheers! Fran

Nail, meet head! Basically everyone would have to buy at least 2 (and some of you 3) of the weedspray vans to make it viable currently. It has one livery and you only need one, so why would anyone buy one or two circa €150 coaches they dont need? That's the reality I'm afraid, Noel! If we can work something out we may do something like this. Cheers! Fran

Hi Wexford70, We always appreciate your custom, along with everyone who purchases from us. I understand your point of view, but if we made the vans and were unable to sell half of them and the price was astronomical as it was such a small run (which it would be, we're looking at at least €150!) then IRM would be sunk and that would be that. I wish it wasnt the reality, but it is sadly. As I said, we're trying out best to resolve it. Thanks, Fran

The original first EP of the weedsprayer was shown here: https://irishrailwaymodels.com/blogs/announcements/first-project-42-sample-arrives also shared on the forum. There is a van for this set already available from Silver Fox models. We were honest and up front from the outset that doing the van will be very difficult. If you read back over my opening post it states that we have not ruled it out yet, but it is very difficult to do. We have been honest about this from the beginning and any level of debate cannot alter the facts of this matter. With a van available from Silver Fox you can now complete a weedspray train. I think people are looking at this from a glass half empty viewpoint. Thankfully there are many who are looking at it from a glass half full viewpoint and 25% of the production run has sold since announcement. Thank you to everyone who has purchased and supported us so far! Cheers! Fran

Hi Grahham, We would need to make 1000 of the vans as a minimum, which is a totally unique tooling. We do not have 1000 customers for IRM, or anywhere near. It's a completely unique body compared to other vans. As we saw with the plough vans these niche items dont seem to sell and we are a business at the end of the day. the outer hoses were left off as they would've caused derailments around curves. We modelled the container in original condition as it was longer lived and it is easier to add the panel than remove it and match paint. Both are prototypically correct. The 42 project cost a small fortune to tool and the grills would have caused all the other wagons in the series to be incorrect with mounting points etc., so we had to make a call. Would be a nice area for some etching manufacturer to offer components perhaps. We are sorry you are disappointed with these, but it does seem to be a highlighting of very small areas. Totally understand if they're not for you but many others are speaking very positively of them. We have had much feedback complaining of long lead times, now we release something to buy straight off the bat and we get more complaining. We really just cant win. Thanks, Fran

Thanks Robert, we tried to keep the prices on these as keen as possible! Thanks for the order. The headboards are not included but believe Studio Scale Models offer them. They were modified for weedspray use, but you never know! Cheers! Fran

Our highly anticipated weed spray set is now in stock in time to signal the final days of the prototype in service on the network! IE's weed spray train has been an essential infrastructure service for many years, operating every May across the entire IE network (including closed lines) to keep weed growth under control. In latter years it has also operated in September due to a change in the chemicals used. The prototype train switched from 20ft flats to 42ft flats in the mid 2000s with the introduction of the modified BR van. Operation was usually with a 141 and latterly an 071 with a very occasional 201 providing haulage. More recently the weed spray wagons have been paired with the larger sperry container wagon for brake force on its track recording missions across the network. Our weed spray pack features the three 42ft flat wagons with the distinctive weed spray tanks and a single CIE 20ft container used for storage of supplies. The tanks used were re-purposed from four wheeled tank wagons featuring the distinctive Bulleid triangulated underframes. This set is finished off with a 20ft container finished in a darker brown shade to reflect the darkened state of the prototype in service. As you can now expect from our models, the weed spray pack features a high level of detail and prototype fidelity to do these interesting prototypes justice! the diecast framed wagons feature sprung buffers, kinematic couplings with NEM pockets at correct height (and separate coupling bars provided for close coupling) as well as weighty tanks and container. We are still looking at producing the weed spray van, but as it is such a unique vehicle it is very hard to justify a RTR model. Thankfully there are models of this van already available in model form. The weed spray pack is now in stock and available for €150 for the three wagons. An essential pack for any layout based over the last 15 years of operation, this self contained short train is perfect for haulage behind your 141 or 071 models. Production is limited so make sure you place an order quickly for immediate dispatch here before they go! Place your order by clicking here. Cheers! Fran

Hi everyone, Hot on the heels of pack J selling out, our other slate grey pack, pack I, is now running low on numbers too. Don't miss out, order here: https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/cement-bubbles/products/cie-grey-cement-wagon-multi-pack-i Cheers! Fran

It has been cancelled due to a new Hornby model on the way.

We still have some containers left at least!

It's certainly something being considered among other things. We do have an interesting accessory coming soon that we're nearing production completion on that should be popular. A case of 'watch this space'

Hi everyone, They certainly seemed popular and we wouldnt rule out a rerun in the future for sure! Thanks to everyone who ordered!

They run across the IE network and have worked Enterprise trains previously on occasion.

We cannot disclose that information, but we sold a lot of them both!

Top is as delivered, one by the IMP is repainted by CIE in SuperTrain.

I like the sales pitch

Hi everyone, Some tantalizing pictures in from Murphy Models showing the various liveries with Supertrain to follow! Make sure you get your order in with us and support your Irish model railway manufacturers! https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/murphy-models-class-121-locomotive Enjoy! All pics are copyright of Murphy Models. Cheers! Fran

The craic starts when you compare a modern day 071 and an NIR 111. I'm convinced they sound slightly different due to the engine upgrades the 071s got, but I might be going mad (and I am slightly deaf to say the least, but maybe someone can confirm or deny this sound difference!) Cheers! Fran

Been reading a lot about US donors for prime mover sounds on this and other threads, but it's not that simple really. The 567, 645 and 710 have a number of different cylinder configurations. For instance, I heard a custom done 071 sound project a while ago, and it didnt sound right. The sound for the turbo 645 was likely from an SD40-2, which has 16 cylinders, whereas the 071 only has 12. It's a slight difference but it is different. are the sounds taking from a 645 E3? F3? etc. 567s are the same, the 121 and 141 are 8 cylinder, but very few (if any other than an SW900!) American locos had prime movers that small. An F unit has 16, and therefore there is subtle differences in the sound. I understand that this may not matter to some, but why go to all the trouble to make something that is wrong, rather than off the shelf that is right and put together by ESU themselves? I would just go for the bespoke chips for these and will be for my 121s I do fit sound to. 201s too. a 12 cylinder 710 as in a 201 sounds quite different to a 20 cylinder 710 in an SD80MAC. Of course the EMD fitted A Class sounds like nothing else due to its exhaust silencing, which is totally different to any other EMD engine'ed loco. This is why we went to such efforts to create the sound project for this. Anyway, just my tuppance worth on the issue. It's your model train at the end of the day! Cheers! Fran

Aaannnnddd it's since been snapped up. Thank you everyone! We still have 24 packs of the other slate grey livery, pack I, left. However, as we saw with pack J, these packs will not hang around much longer! https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/cement-bubbles/products/cie-grey-cement-wagon-multi-pack-i Thanks once again to everyone who ordered! Cheers! Fran

Hi everyone, Just a heads up; we're down to our last 11 packs of pack J in the very attractive grey livery! Thank you to to everyone who ordered! We have slightly more pack I, but not a huge amount more. Perfect for your 1960s era 141s and forthcoming A and 121s! Order here before they go: https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/cement-bubbles/products/cie-grey-cement-wagon-multi-pack-j Cheers! Fran

Hi guys, Thank you to everyone who has ordered them so far! We've crossed the 50% sold mark last night, so make sure you get your order in soon! You know how it is with our stuff, sells quite quickly! Cheers! Fran

Annnnddddd it's gone!

Hi everyone, Due to a duplicate order on our system we have one keg bundle left. Who wants it?? https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/guinness-keg-liners/products/cie-ir-42-flat-bundle-guinness-kegs Cheers! Fran

Hi Kevin, Yes, B134 is due with the other grey 121 locos in the first shipment. They are due to leave the factory in mid August and it is my understanding (TBC!) that they're being flown in. Subject to change, of course! Cheers, Fran