Warbonnet

Great job Glover! Re buffers, this is something we're replicating with our ballast and bubble wagons, making sure the heft of the prototypes is recreated in the models. One major drawback of a lot of RTR models is the anaemic and underscale buffers. You have got them spot on.

I'm happy to bet that we will see an A Class Kevin. These things take time and resources.

The 201s that were set aside (apart from a few fire/crash victims) did not have PP capability. I have always wondered was it an expensive job to retro fit them.... It is interesting however to see a couple of 201's on the comeback trail in Inchicore, with 230 currently getting rebuilt after its fire on Enterprise duties. Looks like the demand for locos is growing at least...

The head of IE of the day disliked the whole shunting process needed with loco-hauled trains. He was a former head of NSE and was used to multiple units and the flexibility they offered. This meant binning 201s and 071s off passenger trains, but also 141s required at places like Heuston and Connolly for shunting/release and of course the coaching stock involved. Railcars offer a more streamlined operation in this regard to Mark II and Mark III loco hauled stock IE had apart from the push pulls of course. The country was awash with money at the time and the desire was there to give IE plenty of funds to buy shiny new trains. While Mark IIIs are still running in the UK on a daily basis they've been refurbished a couple of times at least. IE's were due a big refurb and at the time it was explained that new trains wouldn't cost a whole lot more and would offer greater savings in terms of running costs, flexibility etc over existing stock.

I know this is quite the long shot but did anyone ever travel on the Cootehill branch?

Nice one Noel. Bachmann?

Cheers Popeye! We can't wait for 2017 and delivery!

Have a very happy Christmas everyone and enjoy the new year. Thanks for all your support of IRM (both forum and models!) and we look forward to bringing you wagons and new announcements in 2017. Here's a little bit of progress on the bubble we received from China today; etched ladders and walkways http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/5516-IRM-Cement-Bubble-CAD-Preview?p=95723#post95723

While we are all preparing for the arrival of a jolly man in a red suit, raising a glass to welcome the holidays or just eating our own weight in food, our Chinese friends are working hard in their workshop to bring us top notch ready to run models. We have just received these images of the etched ladders and walk ways for the bubble that we just had to share with you all. Incredible detail and much more robust for handling. We would also like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and peaceful new year. 2017 promises to bring super models from Irish Railway Models, as well as some interesting developments and further announcements. Thank you all for your support!

Other traction became available. Thanks to the MRSI for the hospitality and mince pies!

I know someone with a scratch built Kingsbridge station building for sale...

Great to see the pockets in action in Dublin again. Captured this wee race between 078 and Mark IVs at d'local station this lunchtime 078, Pockets and Daffy by franburke, on Flickr

We're always on the lookout to build up the reference library for current and possible future projects JB! We would love to have a look?

Yes, they're the same crowed that do Oxford diecast. They have Mark III coaches coming out soon which will be worth looking at.

It wasn't massive as far as I know and I was delighted to get one . Smaller runs in plastic are doable these days, it just leads to higher cost price per model due to volume. If you look at people like Heljan and some of the magazine and retailer commissions in the UK you can see that the volume does not need to be as high as it once was. It helps when there's been several liveries carried by the prototype too...

Not necessarily. There are lower volume locos being made these days. So never say never. Then there is top end RTR brass. But you'd be looking near €1,000 a pop. But unbelievable quality with all bells and whistles and a very exclusive, appreciating asset.

Some more pics. Please remember they need a few tweaks! Ballast Deco sample 1 by franburke, on Flickr Ballast Deco sample 2 by franburke, on Flickr Ballast Deco sample 3 by franburke, on Flickr Ballast Deco sample 4 by franburke, on Flickr Ballast Deco sample 7 by franburke, on Flickr Ballast Deco sample 8 by franburke, on Flickr

I'm lobbying my fellow IRMer's to do a top quality RTR version but they tell me I have to think with my head rather than my heart! haha

All the best Seamus. It's a sad day for the Irish railway modelling community. Thanks for providing some great bargains through the years.

Sorry gents, 12 hour days and nursing someone recently out of hospital is keeping me busy. Here is a quick snap of the first factory painted sample of the ballast wagon which as you saw in the previous pic arrived with the inner packaging for assessment. Overall we're happy but needs tweaks to decoration, including the gold wheels which have to go! Better snaps will go up tomorrow hopefully.

Minters all the same. Some lovely euro HO stuff for sale there.

Make that tomorrow lads, real life sadly got in the way today

Thanks for the kind words everyone. We are delighted by your support and we're working tirelessly to get these across the line for you all to enjoy. We have learned a huge amount over the past year that will serve us well going into this new era for IRM and we are sure that this move will speed up things going forward.