Flying Snail

Not just model railways of course, but the real thing too. Perhaps they meant to say that you are the very model of a modern railway expert?* The museum, and the wider railway enthusiast community (and this forum in particular) are lucky to have you apologies to Gilbert & Sullivan fans, but I couldn't resist

This is a good anecdote to show why we need to test layouts with all our stock. Thats also interesting re buffer lock on the SLNCR ... in my innocence I had assumed it was primarily an issue encountered on model railways.

This looks like it'll be a very nice layout - like the name too!

Wow! It looks fabulous and very realistic!!

You'll also find an article on all the Royal trains used for the 1903 visit in the Locomotive magazine - this is the one GSWR 351 (the state coach) was built for. Can't remember which issue (its one of the 1903/04 ones), but back issues of the Locomotive are available online for a subscription.

Loco is Q class 124 - there's a good shot of it all dolled up on p79, and the shot of the full train posed on the curve is on p80 of Johnson's book. I've just sent PM now.

Looks like you all had a great day! I have to say, from looking at the pictures, not only does Brookhall Mill look wonderful in its own right - but it looks to be really versatile. The variety of rolling stock that you had is incredible and must have been very entertaining for the audience!!

I find the Hatton's website is good for this sort of thing - you can filter their Products page. However, it takes a bit of fiddling as liveries, era etc. can be mis-categorised. I had a quick play with the filters and this might cover a lot of it? https://www.hattons.co.uk/stocklist/siteresults?search/scales/OO/product-types/Coaches/brands/Murphy Models/liveries/CIE Córas Iompair Éireann%2CIrish Rail | Iarnród Éireann/stockstatus/all

The lettering is faint on the lefthand one but it appears to my eyes that it could indeed be WCIR. Although the lettering is lower down on the wagon compared to the pictures from the W&L Extension you posted a while back. The wagon design, with the two mid-height cross beams does look very similar too!

These are very nice indeed! There's some great detail in those National Library photos - especially when you consider how far away many of them were taken. I've been looking at lot at the ones the National Library has from the Waterford area too.

Just got an email today confirming that my 186 is ready for dispatch (was on standby for a cancellation) .. very excited but it'll be a while before I get my grubby paws on it though as I'm getting it delivered to my man in Blighty!

Shows what I know Every day's a school day!

I think it's too big to be a chair. It's wooden platform of some type - you can see the steps up to it on the bridge side of it. There's also what looks to be a post or pipe to the rear by the wall. I don't know whats it's for, but given that tablets/tokens could be passed just as well by the signalman from the platform, so I don't think its for that. I'd guess it could be for one of either .. Hanging mail bags for snatching by a TPO. Providing water to a loco. Those are just wild guesses - I'd say one of the more learned forum members will be able to solve the mystery. EDIT: perhaps its just a platform for engine crew to mount and dismount?? I can't actually see in the picture how a mail snatching device (don't know the technical term) or a water pipe would swing out closer to the track ... so perhaps not either of those after all

So ....... you're telling me there's a chance?

There were? Excellent!! Looking forward to getting a rake of these TBH I don't remember seeing any Mk2Ds at the show, I only remember the 141/181s ... they had my full attention

Never underestimate the fact that farmers love a good deal ... and as Mayner pointed out, its been done here before. Noel's right too, I think, about the direction of travel in the wider auto industry. Sure lets see what happens. Also, am I the only one who clicked into this thread cos I thought it was about the accurascale 37s????

Santa is going to be broke!

Hatton's have just announced details of the upcoming 141/181s now too .... due sometime between Nov and Feb apparently (and the pictures are from previous runs too )

Following hot on the heals of the Mk2D announcement, hattons have post up details of the upcoming 141/181 models: https://www.hattons.co.uk/directory/versiondetails/article?id=1406

Welcome Stuart - love the weathering, especially on the U class!

I'm not aware of any decorated samples having been shown off to the public so I'd go with the livery descriptions for now. Those photos on Hattons are of previous runs (Yes the photos are supertrain livery)

I like this. Nice to see the mods you've made to this kit to enhance it! Also, they don't seem too difficult for anyone willing to roll their sleeves up, get the glue out and build a kit in the first place

The cream and green looks very well - a freshly painted station would have looked very smart indeed back in the day.

Yes, please do continue to share your sketches!!!

They're doing a rerun of the earlier batch ... and they've re-opened orders for the 'Z' boiler ones too