Blu Bianco

Anyone from experience know are the Bachmann platforms much wider than the Hornby Skaledale ones? In pictures it looks like they are at least a bit wider. The reason I ask is that I am trying to accomodate my Carlow Station building and it covers the whole way across the Hornby Skaledale ones (be it straight or curved), leaving no room for passengers etc, to go by the front. I would have to get another set of Hornby ones to put parallel to give the desired space. Does anyone use the Bachmann ones and do they give adequate space to the Carlow Station building or how does anyone with the Carlow building (or a similarly sized larger width station) utilise theirs on a platform or otherwise? Thanks!

A new release from the Murphy Models stable is always something to be treasured. In regards to the Irish modelling scene, we have to remind ourselves sometimes as to how good we have it compared to just under 15 years ago.

My condolences to both you and your family at this difficult time for you JHB.

The ole' spirit of barter hasn't faded away just yet it seems........

Does anyone have any further news on when they are going to arrive in stock in the shops? I was expecting something circa €56 and as previously pointed out, given the Euro's endless fall and the rising production costs in China then I can't say I was surprised. Been good if they were a bit cheaper but thats just the way it is currently.

Thanks for that. You would expect then the Elite to be ok with both? Oh and a heads-up for anyone with an Elite who is thinking of getting one of Hattons own 21-pin decoders for their Murphy Models 141/18 loco, Hattons state on the product page that this decoder isn't compatible with the Hornby Elite.

What have you heard about this Noel? Do you mind me asking what controller you use? I heard that Hornby Select users had issues with the 36-557's. However reading on some UK forums, there also appears to be people saying Hornby Elite users had issues with this decoder too. It is hard to know which of the 36-554 or the 36-557 is best to use if you have a Hornby Select, or if you have a Hornby Elite!

You've been busy again Noel! Great scene. 188 was always my favourite 181 class (and from the whole 141/181 classes).

I was pretty shocked by the lack of interest shown in them to be honest. They are well produced and ideal for an Irish-based layout. Its a pity as I remember the 'show of interest' notice that both you and Seamus sent out regarding getting these models produced. Its one thing that will always happen though, people cry out for models to be made but when it comes to it, the demand often does not compute into an actual purchase. I can see how retailers can then become very nervous then about commissioning any future models/projects. The first two were probably snapped up due to fact they were buildings specifically produced for the Irish market and somewhat unique. An engine shed is always going to be popular and the stone station was going to satisfy the need of many for an Irish station. However the second station, based on Carlow, I think is a far better looking model (as the stone one can arguably be compared to a British station). The Auld House is a great model but I think due to it not being strictly a lineside but more of a scenery building, then some probably weren't too bothered in the end. Again, a pity.

Well done to you Marks. Good to see an Irish model shop being honoured and receive recognition like this. Bachmann produce great models and am always glad Marks stock them.

Is there any further news on the upcoming MM Supertrain coaches, regarding price, model numbers, price, etc? I know they've a long way to travel to get here by ship and then have to clear customs and all, and am no way holding them to the predicted late November arrival (well aware there can be delays here and there!) It was more to know as to if anyone had an update on them. I hope they arrive within the next week or abouts, and not the last thing before Christmas, as I don't fancy the cattle-shed journey in and battle to get back out of town with all the additional shopping crew!

I was on the Craven's last weekend and it was stepping back in time but in a magical way. Brought back many memories of trips gone by! They are really comfortable (to me anyway) and I wonder if the same people who described them as dirty and past it back in the 90's are happier with their more cramped, hard stiff railcars now? The lighting in the one I was sitting in, was the standard central, fluorescent system up along whole length of the roof the carriage. I was on a carriage years back, passing Avoca, and I remember the lights were not central strip lighting. They were in sets, kind of circular, like a sausage slowly unravelling. Can anyone tell me was that the lighting in the earlier set of the Craven's? Or were they a different carriage?

Thats great, their hard work is well worth it. Can't express strongly enough how much it means to have a 141 preserved in full working order. Have fairly fond memories of the IR logo myself, even if the IE one is a bit more visually striking.

Great pictures, serves as a good memory to it. All three engines were on top form, 078 in the new slate grey firstly brough us to Waterford. 079 was looking a bit worse for wear but is running well, and took us to Limerick, and 074, which the guys in Limerick as you say had kindly spruced up a bit, took us all back to Dublin.

I think I will proceed then as is, and if I ever wish to upgrade then I can at a later point. It was more the issue of not spending anymore on other stuff if I had to put it into a new controller right now, if my listed combination wasn't going to work that well. I won't be running sound locos (for the foreseeable anyway) and that kind of deals with that issue! Thanks for your help, it eases my mind.

Any reason why they changed it from the IE? Out of preference? Or was it just on a handy spare that was needed for that part?

Sorry for the delay, been a long time I know due to work, not feeling tip-top and other smaller issues! Nearly ready to get going, have the track down and I will get a picture to you in the coming week or two. Before I finally get it all hooked up in the coming month or two about, I'm looking for some advice here. Here's the story: As a recap, my layout is going to be DCC operated, 10 x 4, and I will have a fair few loco's to run, but I won't be running 6-8 simultaneously or anything, maybe two or three at a time, with others stationery in sidings, etc. I will have two main lines, with a parallel full secondary line operating on the outside, which leads into sidings, etc, on the main straight. Naturally there will be inward turns, which lead into the centre of the layout. There will be many tracks veering off into sidings, leading into stations/yards/sheds, etc. I plan to have my layout fully wired, linking all tracks, soldered, etc. I think I have about 17 sets of points! My question really concerns having the necessary power/capability to run my layout sufficently. I have a Hornby Select Controller, a Hornby C7024 4 Amp Digital Power Control (for plug into wall), and more powerful than the one amp one originally supplied with the Select. I also have the Hornby R8239 Power and Signal Booster DCC Accessory. My question is, with all these additions, will the Select be boosted enough to operate sufficently with enough power, than it would have had originally, to cope with my requirements or would you recommend a different Controller/Operating system? If you do, please bear in mind that I don't have endless finances, anything bargain to mid-range would be better! Gaugemaster or Hornby, etc, or something else, and their relative ease of availability?

I prefer the look of the ŽS 666's to the Renfe 319's. Probably because I'm more of a fan of the 071's. Whereas the 319's are almost taking on the 201 look, stretched out, longer. I wonder will they ever come back into service in Serbia, or have they been overhauled already?

More than a hint of a country look, despite the urban scenery, with the large 071 pulling just two carriages! Excellent work Noel. Your constant updates are an inspiration to everyone.

One hopes, is a very apt thought! I sense there's more than a sense of apprehension amongst most members here, as to their eventual fate. I try to hope that they will be saved but there's always this nagging doubt that the money from scrapping them will prove too much of a draw to Irish Rail in the current climate, rather than waiting for eventual buyers or use as a test train, etc.

Just a word of warning to any of those who may need this service, last weekend my girlfriend and I were asked to pay a 50 cent charge, each, for the 'pleasure' of topping up our cards by a certain store in the City Centre. To be fair to the clerk, he seemed quite apologetic about it, the usual 'its come from management' expression, which I can well believe. I don't know if this is widely prevalent, has anyone else encountered this? I'd say we would be told it is the perogative of the business providing the service but I wonder are Dublin Bus/Irish Rail etc, fully aware of this. Either way, it seems counter-active to the whole idea of the system, and also as a consequence, I certainly won't be going back to that store to make any LEAP or non-LEAP Card purchases ever again. Backfired on them big-time! Its becoming very prevalent here now that more and more businesses are making you feel that they are going out of their way to 'do you a favour' by offering a service. If more people stood up to the shoddy treatment we get across all fronts, and blanked the businesses that we feasibly can blank, then things would be better.

Excellent news about the impending release of more Mk2's. Always good to have more Irish rolling stock to have about the sheds and sidings, when not on duty of course. It adds to the scenery! As for the 201's, it seems they are like bovril, you either like them or you don't, as someone part-referred to earlier in terms of popularity and the resulting sales. Fair play to those that like them but for myself when they came out in the 'real world', I just could never get into them. I don't know if it was to do with their shape or something. To me they didn't have that distinct look or sound, that the 121's, A Class, 141's/181's and 071's had. Perhaps it was similar looking loco's on the British and European networks and the resulting homogenised feel to things. Whereas to this day, the sound and look of the 141's and 071's, et al, are standout features to me that you simply didn't see across the pond or Europe (save for the exception of four EMD's, which were somewhat similar to 071's, working in Yugoslavia, later Serbia).

Germany were very cavalier tonight. Schweinsteiger should have been playing from the start. No idea what Khedira is doing in the team at all. But I know Loew really likes him and if he really wants to play him then his only position is a holding midfielder. He should put Boateng back into central defence, drop either Mertesacker (terrible tonight) or Howedes and pop Lahm back into his favoured right back position, or left back, which he can play also, to make room for khedira and play Schweinsteiger, who at least gives the team some impetus. As for Ozil, sigh, he was trying his usual 'hardest'. Talking about cavalier again, Argentina earlier were very lucky. Iran deserved to win that match, they had more chances and offered more. I know most won't agree with this but as to how some of Argentina's players are rated that highly is simply ridiculous. Higuain (who is the subject of a €55 million bid from Barcelona seemingly) didn't offer a thing. Aguero (whose valued at more) didn't have any effect either. Their whole forward line was blunt. As for Messi (controversial), for 93 minutes of that match, he was distinctly ordinary, against a much poorer opposition, and I don't feel that his 'one moment of brilliance' which won the match, compensates for that, in the long term. Some may feel that this is what sets him apart but I think against Iran he had the ability to do much more than he did and thats a serious flaw if you are going to call someone the best player in the world. I know he's scored two goals but he hasn't played particularly well, in a team which hasn't played particularly well. No fan of the guy but if Cristiano Ronaldo was a bit more likeable and didn't dive as much (although Messi dives his fair share too and there isn't the same furore about it, and referees seem to protect him too much), then I think he would overshadow Messi much more on the world stage. Ah Dave, you mean to say that the thought of Nigeria v Bosnia or South Korea v Algeria won't get you glued to your couch and munching into your Pringles? I'd save them, they both sound like right corkers!

Its the second time recently that one of that company's fleet has gone up in smoke. Is their maintenance not upto scratch, are they running them into the ground and overheating them, or were they sold a dud-batch of the model type? Who knows!

Regarding the RTE coverage of the Uruguay v England game, the contrast in George Hamilton's voice when Rooney scored, compared to Suarez's winner, was highly noticeable. He nearly wet himself when Rooney scored, then there was barely a whimper once, and after, Suarez's winner went in. I'm not saying he should have an anti-English bias, just that he should be even-handed surely. However, not for the first time, he has been way too over-excited for an English goal. Anyway, thank you Costa Rica, for many reasons. Amongst them we have been spared the sight of Eamon Dunphy in a dress! We will never know now if he would have gone for a frock, a little black dress or a polka-dot number........?