Robert Davies

On the same site there's this Piko bogie timber wagon @19.99ukp in HO that was talked about in a thread on here a while back: http://www.thesignalbox.co.uk/sb-special-offers/sale-piko-db-ag-lumber-wagon-was-34-99-now-27-99.html -Rob

Ernie's archive is well worth a look for finding the out of the ordinary... or just mildly remarkable to the modeller... 8208 at Waterford in 2004 on Mk3s: 112 at Waterford in 2004 on loaded beets: 112 at Waterford in 2005 shunting bubbles: 2707 Bachmann 'Iarnrod Eireann' railcar set at Waterford in 2005: -Rob

Strangely enough, Santa brought me a Murphy 071 class leader in freight livery - jolly spiffing it is too!

Dave Sallery, a premier recorder of UK railway operations, has recently released his archive of visits to Ireland during the '90s. Well worth a look http://www.penmorfa.com/Ireland/ -Rob

From Ernie's fabulous railway archive: Copyright respected, and thanks once again to Ernie for the forethought to capture these images! -Rob

That was useful, thanks for sharing.... This will however, be more useful especially for those that indulge in modelling US railroads, ModelJunction in the UK are having a "15% off everything in stock" sale over the Christmas break - until 3rd Jan I think. http://www.modeljunction.info/ There may even be a certain amount of detailing parts for Irish GMs if you choose wisely. -Rob

It makes the whole scene unconvincing in my view... and there is something a little disturbing about seeing Yoda in a Santa outfit. Is it wrong to admit that I noticed the UP 'Building America' Athearn Genesis SD70M before the Lego? -Rob

That's a shame, but at least it looks like you've nailed down the issue. A common cause of failure (certainly in Bachmann 37s that I happen to have oodles of, don't ask...) is that the wires running forward to the lights get trapped/chafed/broken between the body, chassis or screw holes, and any combination of those three places. The most vulnerable place that I can spot on an 071 is the main body screwholes between the circuit board and the speaker. -Rob

OK last suggestion for now.... Remove the chip, put the blanking plate back in and try the loco on DC to see if the cab light works there - I keep a 9volt battery handy for just these occasions(!) If is still doesn't work, I suspect that it's failed. -Rob

I thought for a brief moment that I should worry about you.... Then I thought, nah....

Apologies for the simple stuff first of all.... You should have an MM0004 chip in the 201, and an MM0005 chip in the 071 - The chips are different for the 071 from the 201 because the circuit boards are setup differently in each loco. 1. When you find that you cannot select the 'other' cab light, can you change the direction of the loco, and does the 'other' cab light up then, or when you press F4? 2. Can you swap the chips between the locos? Try 1. again. It should 'just work'. -Rob

Simple question, what chips did you use? -Rob

Me I think... Thanks, but fortunately the video that you've linked was in the first post of the thread: http://www.irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/1212-Four-Wheeler-Timber-wagons?p=17869&viewfull=1#post17869 Nice vid that shows what were once everyday operations - Thanks for reminding me about it! -Rob

Thanks John for the descriptions, input and clarification. -Rob

That's rather disappointing about the lack of assistance from the vendors that you approached.... For a 'townscape' I've always been quite impressed with Noel's Tara Junction - http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/67-Tara-Junction/page20 I don't know if he's got anything to add. -Rob

Thanks for taking the time to give out a few hints, tips and thoughts. The effort is sincerely appreciated. -Rob

Apologies for digging this one up again! Those containers on the 20ft flats, are they standard open top containers? They appear similar to the 20ft coal boxes that were used on the Cawoods traffic. When did the Tara traffic change from these wagons to the current ex-shale type wagons (approximate year, not day, date, time!) Are there any photographs of either the loading at Boliden's or the unloading* at Alexandra Rd? If you'd rather not post, any PMs will be treated with the utmost discretion. I'm guessing it would be a tippler arrangement because those wagons don't appear to be conducive to unloading by shovel.

http://www.art-printers.com/ This lot appear to be the manufacturer of the scenes sold by many model shops online, they specifically state that they do also do a range for 'N' and also 'O'. The differing heights they offer, they state, are just for people that need differing heights of backscene. They also have another trick up or two their sleeve - they can do backscenes on vinyl, for damper modelling rooms, and also they can do custom scenes from your own photos... They have a phone number and have been recommended to me on quite a few occasions. Best I can offer. -Rob

Can I please request that you go into as much detail about the build as you are able to muster, I'm trying to work out if I'm capable of doing something similar in final IE state. Can I just add.... Excellent work so far, the camera is a cruel mistress that highlights even the tiniest faults - so far, so very good! Regards, -Rob

Good news! - Bachmann are doing a Mk1 generator coach for Model Rail, Yay! Bad news! - It's a UK Network Rail version.... http://www.modelrailoffers.co.uk/images/prod_39436.jpg -Rob

Thomas Jefferson

The worrying thing is that these Jouef coaches are still among the most accurate MkIII loco hauled models made(!) Apart from the dreadful wheels...

Now you know what I do at 3am... I have no life.... -Rob ps But seriously, Seamus no problem, glad I could help

But apart from that.... Sorry, sorry, I couldn't help myself Taxi for Rob!

It's the pipework from the uderframe air tanks. It fits on the end of the torpedo style air tanks between the bogies. If you look at the loco side-on with the fans to the right -> it fits on the end of the tanks nearest to you now. -Rob