dave182

In anticipation of the release of the SSM model, I've been browsing the web for info/images. As Modellers we love when there is a deviation from the norm, and I think I've found one regarding the Ammonia tank livery. Take a look at the rake pictured in this early black and white photo (credit: http://www.geograph.ie). Note the last tank wagon is black! (or a very very dark something) Never ever seen that before. Just delivered? Mid repairs maybe? http://http://www.geograph.ie/photo/3266202

Thanks Warbonnet! That must have been some sight in real life, and yours is just as mind blowing in miniature!

Without going off topic too much, what would have been the longest freight trains (loose coupled 2 axle wagons as per Warbonnets video) to run in the UK when these wagons were the norm? I'm thinking coal trains, or long distance mixed goods between London and the north? Would 86 to 90 wagons be realistic? Mods: start new thread if necessary from this post (thanks!)

Just a thought, that Duckhams wagon looks a bit like the tanks that run on the weedspray train. They are on demountable ISO frames.

Taxi for Josefstadt....

More per way "clickbaiting" dave!.... Your most cryptic one yet Glenderg, not quite following!?! Yeah I'm amazed at how little is left, and following up on the 4-wheeled cement bubbles, the latest sweep of google satellites over Platin Cement works shows many of the sidings removed, so looks fairly unlikely that cement will ever be carried on IE rails any time soon. JHB's comments on the pallet ferts raises another question. I know the Ammonia Tanks were leased from a French company. When IFI closed what happened to these wagons? Were they scrapped here in Ireland or did they get a new lease of life somewhere else?

Just wondering what 4-wheeled/ 2-axle wagons are left on the network at this stage?? With all the limelight been taken by the mk3s going this summer, I'm wondering what else IE have cut up? Are any cement bubbles left for example?

Nice pics Hurricane! As an aside, that has to be the tidiest I've ever seen North Wall Yard, now that all the Mk3s are gone!!

Looking for close ups of the 2-axle and bogie versions of the axle-carriers that operate out of Limerick, and I've seen them around Inchicore, and occasionally out in Fairview. I'm assuming they might also make an appearance at Drogheda and Portlaoise depots? Are bogie sets ever carried by rail here? Thanks in advance, Dave

Just wondering with all this talk of a cold winter coming, what do Irish Rail have in their arsenal to deal with heavy snow falls, or ice on overhead lines? Do they own snow ploughs for example? I was lucky enough to have missed the 2010 cold spells, so don't remember if there was much in the way of disruptions. Any picks of historical IE/CIE equipment? Here's a great story I found to get the ball rolling! http://www.westontrack.com/history12.htm Hardy bucks!

Hi All. I've really enjoyed this exercise and let me first thank Warbonnet for taking the time to post the survey. The banter has been great, and even a little heated at times, but very thought provoking with some great input. My interpretation of the survey are this: 110 votes in total, of which 81 would prepay for a model. If each pledged €150 towards a loco model the pool total would only be €12,150, clearly a long way off what would be required. Add to this the range of suggestions posted to this thread and it becomes even less of a runner. This forum is a great resource for Irish Railway modellers but is only part of the picture. It's great to see contributions from the likes of Leslie who brought us the Bell containers, and I know for a fact that other suppliers and retailers will watch this poll from afar. The unfortunate reality is that the market is small, and we will have to hope that people like Paddy Murphy have the drive to keep producing Irish models. The one glimmer of hope that I see are the advances being made with 3D printing. I think all of us have had some experience of this process by now, but with mixed results. It's only new technology, and I hope these early experiences don't put the designers off when it comes to investing time in their models. As an example- Glenderg has obviously been plugging away at some projects as he outlined in this post earlier, and I would hope that the 3D printing technology catches up to his high standards and maybe allows him or people like him to make a few quid aswell! Final thoughts, I thinks it's clear that crowd funding is not a runner, so I'm gonna have to resort to begging letters addressed to Mr. P. Murphy for the 121 project to start! I'll take 5 please!

Can anyone give me a quick overview of Westrail- stock, operating period, demise?

Top 3 in order of preference: 121 Class rtr A Class rtr CIE 20' container with side doors on rtr chassis

I've often wondered about crowd funding and it has it pros and cons for sure. I think a more realistic proposal for me, and this is just a suggestion and would need agreement from all parties... We know that the 121 loco is probably the next release on the radar from Murphy Models. The catch is that sales have slowed generally and production costs have gone up. So I'm guessing Paddy Murphy and his retailers are nervous about investing in this next release. I'm wondering would Murphy Models 'manage' and fast track this next release if crowd funding could raise a certain percentage of the cost. So let's say for example that Paddy agreed to go to production if €50k was raised in advance. So let's say 334 people commit €150 each then we have €50k to pledge to this project. When the model is released you have a credit with MM for €150. The reason I would suggest this is as follows: -We have a proven quality track record in Murphy Models -Murphy Models have existing channels of communication with the manufactures and a track record, so not starting completely from scratch -The 121 model would suit an american outfit like rapido as a first venture into Irish modeling -I'm sure MM have done some groundwork already in preparation for bringing this model into production, so a quicker turnaround -Finally, it works in MMs favour as it signals commitment and he can produce a percentage more for his traditional retail customers It's just a suggestion but I feel it's the most realistic and achievable in the current climate. I think the 121 will probably have a similar production cost to the 141/181s so we all know what we're dealing with. I think it would be a good test scenario for crowd funding an Irish Model, and if it worked out the I think both us as Modellers, and someone like Murphy Models or one of the retailers, would be happier to take on a commission like an A Class or C Class in the future. That's my input!

What a great find Warbonnet! I think there is quite a shortage of 1:76 trucks from the 80s and 90s. I see Oxford have a DAF cab listed for early next year- would love to see a Roadliner or Guinness version. Commission anyone??

Again!! Did you spot the loon in the bicycle peddling along the wall without a care in the world!? There's always one!

Gorgeous! Lovely detail- love the castrol adverts on the back, lovely little touch that really finishes it off! Well done

I've had a quick look at some business reporting websites, which show that there was some changes made to the business mid-September of this year, about 2 months ago. One change was that the owner stepped down as Director of the Business. The last set of accounts show that the business has a negative net worth, But that doesn't mean much in the current retail climate. Piece about the company here... http://m.newsletter.co.uk/news/regional/model-shop-scales-up-for-future-1-4889750 I've been very careful in what I've just posted here, and all of the above is in the public domain. My personal opinion is that there might be some issues going on. I'm sure in this small community that someone on here knows the owner(s) and before this gets too far along the rumour mill, I would encourage the owners to post a statement clarifying the position of the business. The website is still trading and accepting purchases, but this doesn't necessarily mean anything.

Ah brilliant. Didn't realise they had more than one on the go. One for your Arthurs quay scene, Glenderg?

Thought you might!

Does anyone remember, or have pictures of, the green Fendt tractor that was used on Alexandra Road in Dublin Port? It was around until the early 90s and was used to shunt oil tanks from the concrete stand just inside North Wall yard to the various terminals along Alexandra Road. It was nothing fancy, and if memory serves me right it had a couple of wooden railway sleepers lashed on to it acting as buffers. This might have been covered on previous sites but can find no reference, so no harm to revive the thread here for reference purposes. Also wondering who operated it? CIE, Dublin Port Authority or the Oil companies? Did it have a predecessor?

Wow! Some lovely layouts on display there, and Bleach Green is looking superb, has really matured! I love that Southern layout aswell, just oozing character.

Working in reverse order... AClass007 I would imagine that flaunting pallets of fertiliser cargo may not just have been ideal during 'The troubles' so maybe an issue of security?? However I suspect that if they kept the lighter wire mesh frames then the wagon doors would have operated as intended, i.e. sliding in between the pallets, and not modified to hinged doors. Divecontroller, couldn't agree more! IRL£ 23m seems like a smart investment then compared to what it might cost now! Finally John, it's such a brilliant video and you obviously understand what was going on at the time. What strikes me is that some of the stuff going on was quite ground breaking and pioneering! Just a shame that it never quite got to be realised- what an amazingly different network we might have now! As for H&S... Yer man spray-painting brown oxide on to the fert wagons, probably high as a kite!

Brilliant!

Here is a brilliant clip outlining CIEs plans for modernisation in the 70's. Of particular interest- there are some great shots of really unusual wagons and interesting first draft prototypes. Bogie fertiliser and pallet cement wagons like you may not have seen before. Also some very early 'Bell' containers, and brand new Bells that we know today. Some great inspiration if you are looking for unusual wagons for your layout, or want to know what was running during this period of change in Irish rails.