Railer

Have to echo the above myself. 5 and the Taras, that's a busy year indeed and just for the Irish market I take it? That's all my holidays cancelled, time to start adding to the secret slush fund herself lets me have Thankfully for me I think I'm starting to get her into this hobby somehow

It was, but to a different layout to 1508 and 09. 1518 didn't last long in that configuration and was returned to standard config in a short time. 1509 existed as a mini buffet config from about 1990 to 1993, so short time frame for it too.

Knew she'd be late livery Dave. She was modified a bit after '87. Shame about the bogie issues again.

Only 3 071s the the black and silver now. 074, 75 and 86. Glad to see the back of that livery tbh. Wonder how much longer the Mk1 weedspray will hang in there, word was that is was to be scrapped end of 2016 and one of the 2 Mk3s converted, suppose that would mean air braking the rest of the train too.

216 went back to NIR today releasing 8208 from night ballast duties to it's usual Enterprise pool rotation.

Thought the orange bubbles were project 4. Taras were 3.

Two restaurants in the rake. Sligo and Wexford, they are formed up together between the 5 sleepers and observation coach. They are just converted standards though 7171, 7169 not ex IE Restaurants. The Wanderer on Boards replied to you Dave with the Belmond rake list. 87104 (ex 7601) - EGV / Crew Mess (Carlow) 87110 (ex 7130) - Crew Sleeper (Donegal) 87001 (ex 7116) - Guest Sleeper (Fermanagh). 87002 (ex 7158) - Guest Sleeper (Leitrim). 87003 (ex 7129) - Guest Sleeper (Waterford). 87004 (ex 7149) - Guest Sleeper (Down). 87005 (ex 7137) - Guest Sleeper (Kerry). 87101 (ex 7171) - Restaurant (Sligo) 87102 (ex 7169) - Restaurant (Wexford). 87103 (ex 7104) - Observation Lounge Car (Kildare).

I ment that I was wondering what the wagons numbers were when they were shales. Just out of curiosity and roughly when they were converted.

Just a few questions. Anyone know the numbers of the Shale wagons that were converted to become Tara Mines wagons 31026 and 027? Also the number of the Shale wagon that was brought to mine last year as the new calibration wagon as the old one was life expired. There was a picture of it coupled to 2 timbre wagons at the Inchicore running siding but could not see it's number. The life expired calibration wagon that was replaced, did it ever run or was it always static or have a number,?

I have a picture of a 121 with Mk3 PP set in Connolly with the green stripe. It looked awful. Thankfully no push pull Mk3s got this applied to it. I'll try dig it out later.

As for predictions, 42ft flat Bagged cement/ pallet cement Oil wagons 22ft flat Bogie bulk cement 4 axel coal or timber or kegs 47ft flat Ammonia tankers

I think it's supposed to be a symbol of his confidence in his product. It's an item of sentimental value to him, apparently.

Think 112 is or was out for maintenance, that's why NIR had 216 on loan for 3 weeks on ballast duties with 111+113 on spoil. 216 went back home yesterday for a routine maintenance exam. 8208 went back north to replace it.

Wow, very impressive. The amount of research required compared to Irish outline is massive. I love the added detail of the instantor coupler, I assume we are getting those on the Taras too as they were in the CADs?

Countdown over, what happened lads..... The suspense...........

Fire damage actually, Dave. Was beyond economic repair.

I don't get this as a point against a valid successful oo model. Tara wagons only run Navan to Alexandra Road with trips to Limerick works as required. Shale wagons, (which I'm looking forward to aswell BTW) are even more limited in run area. In regards to gauge, thats just something we deal with, has to be overlooked for the greater good and all that.... But yeah, the CAF Mk4s can stay on the very long finger imo, so much more interesting Irish models to cover.

That's a big shame lads. Was on my personal wish list. Scratch build Mk3s with the duck test for the next few years it is so.....

I personally don't see Oxford doing an accurate Restaurant or EGVs or control car myself, never mind proper plug doors on the standards. Oxford are only going to do a respray at best of a wrong model Mk3, can't see anything more than that myself.

Looking at Oxford's current effort I'd be very confident a proposed hypotethical IRM Mk3 would be the superior product.Yes it would cost more, have higher fidelity and features but worth it to the modelers that want as good as it can be for a little premium.

What about the Silver Fox Mk3 puspull sets. I personally don't think they are are worth the price but appreciate the effort. At the same time I'd like something alot more accurate and detailed for the money. Even if/when Oxford do Irish Mk3s I'd love to see what team IRM would come out with. Oxford seem to be going for midrange price point, while Hornby Mk3s cost more yet not high end enough detail wise.

The other think to take into account is that the Oxford Mk3s are Mk3As, as in the UK loco hauled Mk3s. Our Mk3s were based closer on the UK HST Mk3 design. The International set that we called Mk3A were a different animal again.

Would love some dedicated, no compromise rtr Irish Mk3s, Pushpull sets and all especially with the 121s due soon (relatively soon anyway) would have been icing on the cake.

A Mk3 prototype that is of intrigue to me lately are the 2 Belmod Flying Scotsman Genny Sleepers. A model of them would be very interesting to me even if rather limited appeal and interest.

I see Oxford have released some of their Mk3 range, Hattons have a few in my favourite UK livery, Intercity Swallow. Anyone here any first hand opinions on them or any Irish resprays of them so far.