gm171 kk

I've bought the IÉ ballast pack and just wondering how the plough vans work? Do the lights and switches function without a decoder or do you need a decoder to have the lights on?

Studio Scale Models sell both types as a brass kit.

I'm thinking of an end to end layout with a traverser based on somewhere like Barrack Street or a part of North Wall/Holyhead Yards. Or I could just add a traverser to this layout and make some changes to the layout to improve it. I'm going to do a lot more thinking before I decide on anything.

192 on cement.

I just took delivery of my last pack of cement bubbles when this announcement came. And sure I had to order a bundle.

The photos below show what the outer radius curve would look like. That's true. But I'd also want to view from outside. I think a removal backscene like Everard Junction is the way to go on that one.

I got 8. I regret not getting 10 for a full rake.

080 on a short fertiliser train.

You're dead right about the curve tightness. Though I've mocked out how trains would look on that radius curve and it doesn't look too bad. A bit of both I suppose.

I've been stewing on some ideas for a new layout. What the previous layout missed really was functionality. I have, at best, 10' x3' or 6'x6' clear floor space. Ideally the layout would need to be stored away easily. So really I have two main ideas: Idea 1: A 10' end to end layout based on a freight yard with a hidden traverse included. Idea 2: A traditional 6' diameter circular layout split down the middle to show two different scenes on either side. I'd hope to build it such that it folds into a semi circle for storage. The upside of this layout is that trains can run continously without my control. Let me know your thoughts and opinions on this.

220 on a liner.

I took your advice. Thank you.

The ends of two wagon rakes are now detailed and new non polarised magnets installed. 143, 192 and 080 await their next turn.

Scheduled for 09:30 tomorrow morning.

Thanks lads. The layout looks a lot better in photos. My ballast work is dreadful and even at that it took a long time to do. It was my first layout. Lots of lessons were learned and, better products and materials have been found since. I'm hoping to start a new micro layout sometime soon as this track plan is a bit limited in terms of functionality. I just have no room!

Thanks again to IRM.

143 arrives at Dianghlasáil with three ex works LP wagons. They are added to the rake and will work as part of the new intermodal service from Dianghlasáil.

Probably the nicest livery it ever carried in my opinion. All it took was one photo of it pulling bagged cement wagons and I had to have a model of it. 220 enters the loop with a Belfast bound liner.

208 passes with a laden fertiliser while a keg train sits in the loop.

Don't encourage them please!

This yoke arrived into the yard this evening laden with Dubs seeking refuge from the pub closures. Excellent model.

Are 130 or 133 to have the reflective panels or just the plain IR livery in the pre production samples? Also are they going to have the 2+1 marker lights or the 2+2 as in the samples.

The tail lamps are a great addition. Great initiative to include the ones for push/pull 121s.

220 on the Bell liner.