dave182

Couldn't agree more, Mogul! I guess it's been such a long time since I've seen more than one freight train in NW that I was pleasantly surprised! I would hope that railfreight continues to thrive!

What the heck, Gordan?! I had to look at you're North Wall photos a few times before I could believe it... but was that SHUNTING I saw going on there!! Great pictures, and incredible that freight has managed to pull through despite IE's best attempts to kill it off!

Have to say I was most impressed with the last show and the number of quality stands. Spent a fortune, but well worth a visit!

That's a fantastic picture Noel! And looking back on Tara Junction; your model is spot on!

Biomass... I see the project in Mayo at the old Asahi plant has stalled also. http://www.thejournal.ie/mayo-power-plant-halt-2891808-Jul2016/

Thank Eoin!

I don't want to venture too far off topic, but am I getting the impression from the photos that Connolly Shed is no longer in use by Irish Rail, other than for re-fueling?

Now thats what I'm talking about! Are you in Bray this Sunday Eoin?

Guinness keg stacks would be one I'd be interested. They are available, but I can't get my head around the prices! Buffer stops were also discussed here some time ago, I know there are a few interesting examples still on the network. Platform sides is one that I'd definitely be interested in also.

I think that there is a lot of hype relating to all of this. As an example look at say Norway (not EU) and Sweden (EU). In terms of railways there seems to be reasonable free movement of people and goods across the borders with minimal fuss, all with 2 different currencies and tax rates. Look at the network of railways in the north of the two countries and the ore flows from LKAB mines in Sweden, exported through Norwegien ports.

Fantastic! I'd be tempted to just switch off the phone for a few weeks and 'forget' to deliver it. Grab a few beers for yourself and just watch some trains go round! Well done, fantastic build and thanks for sharing. Owner will be very pleased!

Wow Eoin, they look fantastic! Yes, I'd definitely be interested. I'll present to you at the next Bray show. Thanks Kirley and Mike, Of course Shapeways! I have a mental block when it comes to even considering Shapeways, I think it's the pricing, my mind has filed Shapeways away in the 'don't even bother looking' section. I did have a look though, and a few feature under 'electric motor'.

Credit: http://www.regalbeloit.eu/products.html Does anyone know of a source for 1:76 models of small motors, such as the one pictured? I've a couple of scratch builds on the go and I realise now that many railway wagons, doors, cranes etc. feature motor units. Any help appreciated!

Thanks Railer! Thats a shame, would have pesented some interesting photos!

Hi Patrick. I always get excited when I see a new post from you and your amazing layout! I've looked over the thread on many ocasions from start to finish and it's very inspirational! I see you neighbour Bruce operates trains occasionally. How do your American friends react to the layout? I'm a fan of operational based layouts and I love the concept of ops nights that you see on big american club layouts, but I guess they would find the short trains and minimal scenery and trackwork a curiosity?! Keep posting, I could never tire of pictures of this layout!

What has 071 been doing since the 40th anniversary unveiling? Will it be re-painted back to grey or will it stay orange for a while? Just wondering will it appear hauling the taras for example?

6 weeks?! That's tight isn't it! I assume staff recruited and trained up. I wonder how many people will be employed to keep the whole thing going?

I asked before, is there enough of a pool of flat wagons available to support this? Are any flat wagons stored up anywhere?

Well done everyone, great to have facts instead of speculation!

Yeah, I always thought that the cylinders were leased and that Irish rail provided the bogies. I would assume that the 'odd' tank was possibly sent over first on a trial basis to check compatibility with bogies, track clearance trials etc. This wold also make sense as the unskirted wagon looks more typically french in design. Assuming feedback then lead to the modified skirted design. Regarding the scrapping of the wagons, I guess the French owners would have taken into account the age of the wagons and cost of shipping them back to mainland Europe, refurb. etc. It probably made more financial sense to have them scrapped. All of the above hypothetical of course, but CIE in the 70s seemed to have been good with trialing prototypes first before going to full production of a wagon. I'm thinking pallet fertiliser wagons for example.

In fairness I think the 071s have earned their keep. It would be nice to see the fleet of 201s utilised fully and paying their way. Should freight pick up over the next 5 years and the 071s were retired, what type of locomotive would Irish Rail go for to supplement the 201s? Maybe a small order of 8 to 10 Vosslok 4 axle locos to keep the Tara Mines and engineers trains rolling? Just a thought!

Picking up on the Wanderers picture of the Freight trials run between Hueston and Sallins today, I'm wondering is there something in the pipeline in terms of a new freight flow? I've speculated before, but the first thing I thought when I saw that train of 16 autoballasters was 'biomass'! I never thought the current load limits would make biomass flows economical, but if a train load suddenly jumps from 36 to 54 TEUs then that's a different matter. Pure speculation and wishful thinking on my behalf! However Foynes is moving forward, and I think that biomass plant in Killala is going ahead... I don't think Irish Rail would run trials like this 'for the craic'?

My question relates to the heydays of GM power on the Irish network, so I suppose up to the late 90s. Would it be conceivable that from time to time depots or yards would end up with surplus motive power, or the wrong mix of power? Example, at the end of the beet season, knock specials etc. What I'm really asking is, if this happened, how was stock re-allocated? Light engined to new destination? Light engine but part of a freight or passenger consist? The reason I'm asking is that I clearly recall in the mid 90's seeing 3 x 141s (and other oddball mixes) on both ammonia trains and evening passenger train that were Arklow/Rosslare bound. I'm wondering was this when IR was at that low point just before the arrival of the 201s, when everything was on its last legs? In this case the extra loco being a thunderbird. Or were extra locos 'in transit'?

Ben, you're a man of few words, but that's a cracking bit of modelling going on there and a nice decent sized layout that's undeniably Irish in its feel! Keep the pictures coming! (Picture, 1,000 words and all that!)

A quick note of gratitude to Ernie and everyone else that shares their work on the site so freely- I for one greatly appreciate the time you put in in the background; uploading, editing, and researching the photos. It is such a brilliant resource and I hope to be referencing back for many years to come. Well done!