derek

Higher standard? It really can't get much higher Patrick. Very sad to hear of this dismantling, but you have your priorities. Even the people on the platform look a little forlorn , watching the last train go by. Good luck with the move, and all it brings to you and Maureen, Derek

Amazing Kevin, absolutely amazing!

Love the ice cream van. Quite the colourful item

Yes, I would agree about having the effect of a ballast shoulder (ballast- shudder!) and the deadening of sound. I just used strips of 3mm hardboard as underlay(cos I had loads of the stuff) . I know plenty on here won't agree with me , but I fix track and ballast at the same time, using double sided tape. A bit more tedious but is way quieter than ballasting with glue. Go with whatever floats your boat as far as to underlay or not. Your layout is quite short, am I right, so your locos won't be going at any great speed. So the running noise should not really be an issue. (Unless you get a noisy mac noise loco, like I just did. But that's another story)

Well said Hope you enjoy the show

Ok, I have just completed the most enjoyable task of viewing all 71 pages of Tara Junction. (It was 70 when I began ). The thing is absolutely amazing Noel. The amount of stock you have is mindblowing. I read at one point that you had 60 locos on the layout with another 25 in storage! Saying nothing of the countless carriages and freight stock. Quite similar to my 3 locos( or not) I hope you never calculate what this has set you back (or your wife never does) Anyway it is truly a work of beauty, and the videos are brilliantly done. The little touches like people in carriages , lighting , no smoking signs........ it just goes on. Brilliant. And of course all the buses and cranes etc. Keep up the amazing work I like it in case you hadn't guessed

I emailed the lads at IRM to ask about a possible repair or at least a check on the original to see if anything was wrong with it, instead of a replacement again. At least if I knew that the noise was normal, I would live with it. I just don't want to run a loco that is somehow faulty and make the matter worse. Still waiting on a reply, although it is the long weekend and the lads are only human after all. Will report back when I do get a reply.

Just had a look at your videos, and to my ears your loco sounds quite like mine ( noisy) . Especially the second video. Think I will take up stamp collecting ha ha.

Thanks @Signal Post. I can't view your videos on this laptop. ( have to update the app). I will check them on another device later on. It seems strange to me that I would get a replacement with the same fault, but who knows. I agree that I have paid enough for a new locomotive without taking the thing apart myself and compromising the warranty possibly. Won't be going there. And yes, the lads at IRM are a pleasure to deal with. Looks like it's another email to Patrick then........ Sigh.... Your reply has confirmed what I was already thinking, thanks for that and for taking the time to post back. Derek

So that's a word now? I like it

No, don't think so Denis. I actually need the thing cleaned up. Ah I am only ballhopping, Council lads. Shur, my late Dad worked for them........

I suppose there is no word on the Park Royals? Just asking as I don't have one Goddam Irish carriage to my name.......

Well that is what I said Fran. There was never a question of me getting the same loco back as a replacement. It is just a pity that this one sounds just the same. Lovely model but it sounds like a piece of crap. The one I have from the original run sounds perfect. Dunno what the hell I am supposed to do now. Dave, I ran it in for 60 mins in each direction and it still sounds rough (to say the least) 190sa I got from you a while back is perfect. Totally different animal.

Really need to get the cleaners in

@DJ Dangerous, it sounds like a tractor no mistake. Very disappointing. @Gabhal LuimnighI wouldn't think it's the same loco back again. The "old" one was picked up by courier Friday afternoon and I got a notification same day to say replacement had been released for shipment. Turned up following Tuesday morning(last week). So the turnaround was too quick. And apart from all that, I am 100% sure the lads at IRM wouldn't try such an underhand tactic in the first place. @ttc0169 I ran the loco in for 60 mins in both directions and this is the result. Bit apprehensive about removing bogies. Is it a big job? Don't want to f**k the loco up entirely. And what type of grease would I use? Thanks Dave, Denis and Noel for the interest

The latest bit of work done on the layout was to replace the old MDF walls around the church, with DAS clay ones. Took quite the while what with doing curved walls and then making, and fixing, capping stones individually. I did some work on the grass and paths as well while I was at it. A wise man once said to me that this is a hobby for maniacs and lunatics. I'm beginning to see what he meant, but I think it was worth the effort. Here's the before and afters anyway........ before: and after:

Ok, final update on the noisy loco. Sent it back to IRM and replacement arrived within a couple of days. And to be honest I don't really see any difference between the two. At least now I know that this noise is normal. Just have to live with it. Here is a quick clip of the new one. See what you think. VID_20240430_163513.mp4

Love the plate turntable Best of luck with this Denis

lLooks like a lot going on there. What is the overall size of the proposed layout? Good luck with it

Count sheep like the rest of us Patrick

Jaysus! I thought you were starting another one. In a way I suppose you are

Yeah, at this stage the loco is deffo going back. I have emailed IRM with a view to this, so just waiting for a reply. Thanks for all the replies/advice. If the replacement runs the same, then I will at least know that it is normal. Pain , but what can you do?

You're under pressure now boy No half measures will do at this stage. Am I right lads?

Well deserved

With the recent arrival of some brown cement wagons from Leslie, this train is fast becoming the @leslie10646 special. When I finally get around to assembling the two cattle wagons and the brake van I also got from him, it will really complete the picture. Those wagons of his are superb.