johnfromoz

Just a shout out about this book. While it's been overshadowed a bit by Rails through T. It has an outstanding level of explanatory material with great photos. Great credit to the author. Loving the recent book releases which give us hard copy reference material for Irish modelling of eras long gone. Keep em coming!

I revisited my MM 201 fleet today to fit sound into 222. I fail to see how this is anything less than a top draw model, despite now being many years old. As a side issue for DCC users, the Soundtraxx Econami 21 pin multi prime mover decoder (set to Class 66) is perfect for this loco and provides a lower cost sound option for a multi loco fleet. Once Function 3 is disabled (as it is a British two tone horn) it is a perfect fit for the 201 and has powerful sound output, more so then my MM ESU sound in 229. HeadlIghts and cab lighting are all independently controlled on F24-27. These can be remapped if you wish but doesn’t bother me as I use powercab. I have not run my fleet of 4 201s for many years, yet all running sweet as a swiss watch.

The first picture (of 007) is, I think significant in itself, portraying an A in original Supertrain livery well into 1990. Thanks. Great pics.

Do you have a service email for Murphy Models Noel?

Hi Leslie, haven't got to address issues yet, but mine definitely has a circuit board fault somewhere, causing a short above certain power levels or heat thresholds. I have been over the board with a magnifying glass looking for stray solder tracks and have cleaned it up a bit but problem persists. Loath to send it back to Kernows from Oz. Have you reset your chip? ( IE 8 to John

Hi all, have about fifteen Murphy locos, B121 being the first time I've encountered any DCC issues. Long story short, loco cuts out dead on my Powercab at anything above speed step 40. Lift it off track, replace on track it will run again, but only to speed step 40. Try to go higher results in it stopping 10-20 sec later. Tried 3 decoders, incl MM sound chip, same result with all, so it's obviously a heat/ power issue on the loco circuit board somewhere, no obvious signs of burning/ heat. I may have to consign B121 to yard shunter duties as a scale 40kph is no suitable for main line running.... Any ideas DCCers? John

Finally got to read this cover to cover. The quality of print and level of information provided is amazing. As someone who grew up in the shadows of the Galtees, this volume has a strong connection for me. thanks again gents. John

I feel your trepidation JB, contemplating getting one of the bright green As but mindful of the many many layers required to ‘dull’ down that green without obliterating it. I guess many ‘mist’ passes with frame dirt and various browns…..

Now that you mention it, I’ve also not received email alerts for PMs lately. John

Hi JM, duly ordered. See PM. Cheers, John

Hi Jonathan, I can see the benefits of a bespoke (and expensive) approach of using photos etc, but think there are many off the shelf options these days. TG we have moved on from the early Peco offerings. I have just bought the 'Harvest Hills' backscene from ID backscenes which provides (for me) a suitable Irish rolling hills scene for my early stage Irish layout, yet to be started!! 12 quid from Hattons Each to their own of course... John

And to think these are amongst the first for private sale.......

Thank you so much for posting this film, for those of us with blurring memories from childhood, these films fill in the gaps so much. So grateful... John in Tasmania

My copy arrived today direct from Blackstaff to here in rural Tasmania, not bad considering order was 22 November. I anticipate some great Christmas reading. John

At least we’ve got the material on here and on YouTube to look back at this great layout. Hope it re-emerges. John

Ordered mine direct from Blackstaff. Will get here in Tasmania eventually

Ordered a copy directly from Jim Edgar. Looking forward to it as inspiration for a small CIE layout....

Does anyone have knowledge they can share about the livery on A12? That is, CIE black with half yellow warning panel. Is it appropriate for mid-late 60s or even later? How many locos ran like this, or is it a one off? cheers John

Been waiting 25 yrs to authentically model this train. Thanks IRM. Liner leaving Dublin circa 1992ish. (Disregard the network rail wagon in the background!!) IMG_2659.MOV

Truly incredible, atmospheric in every way. John

Did you sort your lighting issues? The A seems to like a four function plus at least two auxillary outputs. A Lais current model 21 pin will operate all lights independently, but not the cab interior. John

Agreed Phil, impressive though the sound chips are, to have them in every loco of a large collection is a bit indulgent. The cost soon mounts up. I think the noticeable rise in decoder cost across the board in the past year will only be worsened by the current semi-conductor shortages. Gone are days of getting the basic Hattons ones for 8GBP after VAT removed. Just about everyone now charging 20 quid give or take. Lais are cheap and cheerful, but do the job with six functions. They are particularly suited to Dapol’s lighting setup in most of their recent locos. Better than Imperium in my view and cheaper. John

After examining a further two arrivals, I am struck by the uncanny levels of Q/control. I am yet to find a fingerprint, paint smudge. glue residue mark, ill fitting accessory or oil marks on the body, ALL of which are commonplace on new locos from the big three. Add to that locos that are routinely sent out by H, H & B with sticky mechanisms, dodgy paint jobs, loose handrails and the contrast with IRM’s first loco is stark.

For those like me: 1). Lucky enough buy a fleet of these and; 2) Maybe cannot afford to put sound chips in all of them, I offer the following observations: If. You cannot source/ afford the ESU V5 Lockpilot, a cheapie Lais 4 function + 2 Aux will control all light functions independently. But you will miss out on internal lighting. This is an acceptable compromise for me, given I can source the Lais for 10GBP equivolent and will have non-sound in at least five locos. Width space for the chip is tight in the A class, so had to shave a smidge off the chip silicon on both sides to slot in nicely. Hope this helps someone...

Thanks for that, so I’m assuming no Crossley engined loco made it to ST livery..