Flying Snail

You can't go wrong with Leslie's kits - faithful to the prototype and great value - they come with everything you need to complete them except the glue!! I'm like a stopped clock ... even a stopped clock tells the right time twice a day

Another way to approach the problem of modelling railways on a budget is to think about going down the 3D printing route. 3D printers are increasingly affordable and the technology is continuing to evolve in leaps and bounds. Anyone one interested in doing this could do worse that have a look at the 3D printing playlist over on Sam's Trains. He has documented his 3D journey from very basic beginnings to his current loco: a very impressive LNWR Problem Class (see what I did there? ) Design Challenge | A 3D Printed Single Wheeler? | LNWR Problem Class

Judging by your buildings to date, I'm really looking forward to seeing all the different aspects of the scenes you've planned. If you wanted a simple way to separate the fiddle yard at the back instead of a cliff - how about about a simple divider/back scene painted the colour of the sky (or with some rolling countryside in the distance)? If you'll be viewing the layout while seated it wouldn't need to be especially high so you could get in behind it as needed. There's a few threads on here about back scenes, like this one for example: https://irishrailwaymodeller.com/topic/10189-query-on-backscenes-00-scale/

Can't wait for them ... looking forward to some 90s black 'n' orange

So we can sea

They say its good for the sole

Very nice pictures, and a timely reminder that the cold weather isn't all bad ... but come here, given your location did you ever think of changing your name from spudfan to Fear Sneachta?!!

Slieve Snacht is living up to its name today so Nice view you have there Spudfan

Funnily enough - this Christmas project from Steve's Trains popped up in my YouTube feed today. I think its the same set?? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4F5Tv0qNHw&t=32s (Lego not included)

Ballina, Westport, Galway, Limerick, Tralee, Cork and Waterford intercity services, as well as the Portlaoise suburban services all use that line into Heuston. I'm still not sure there's spare capacity even if they reopened Mullingar to Athlone and moved the Connacht traffic back to its 'spiritual home'. It would make for slower journey times west and introduce congestion for the suburban services east of Maynooth on the Sligo line. I expect it would probably require major additional works too - and not just on the stretch between Mullingar and Athlone. Don't get me wrong: I think there should be a station in Ballyfermot by the way, and I agree it probably should have been done years ago. I just don't think that it's that straightforward as things currently stand. I'm hopeful that DART+ will bring major improvements and I'm pleased to see DoctorPan's confirmation that a Kylemore Station is in the pipeline.

I'd imagine that route is at capacity until it can be four-tracked from Park West into Heuston. Although even then, the DART South West plans don't say anything about a Ballyfermot station that I can see

Well theres significant development ongoing in the centre of the image above, so it looks to me that this could be a (rare) case of homes and supporting infrastructure being built together.

... first class modelling!

I think I see a sliver of green when looking through the doors on the left of the Hattons B&T van ... perhaps that's another of them?

Well Patrick, you certainly flushed out all the wee toilet jokers floating around the IRM forums!

Some NCC and UTA rolling stock is there in kit form, but don't forget the RPSI has a wide range of carriages. RTR rolling stock for No 4 includes RPSI Cravens and Mark 2s. It has also hauled their Park Royals.

Very poignant (... and insightful context for the viewer)

Thats a very decent run (and more than I thought possible) - looking forward to seeing the project developing to its full potential! I've no doubt but that you'll get there!

Thats a separate issue @irishmail - I'm talking about the VAT DPD charge for DPD's own Customs Brokerage Service (and I believe @Georgeconna is too). EDIT: I've edited my previous post just now to make this a little clearer. Apologies for any confusion

Great work going on out there - how far from the station are you hoping to get the line to?

Have you contacted DPD for an explanation of the €1.15 VAT on their custom's brokerage service? Coincidently I had a parcel from Hattons delivered by DPD last week. I was charged the same €1.15 VAT by DPD for DPD's own customs brokerage service - I've just raised a query on the VAT for the customs brokerage service this morning, so we'll see. It's not much, but every little helps as Tesco says

I have one of those at home too, but she's grand once you buy her flowers and take her to dinner every so often

Lots of detail there Tony - really has the Shorty Train vibe!

Humbug, everybody knows you deck the Halls, not the Manors!

Due to space constraints at home, I find modular railway concepts very interesting - I'll be following along this build with interest. Given how fast you produce rolling stock, I expect that you'll probably have this done by the end of the weekend????