Flying Snail

There's also quite a few early photos on these forums, such as Rob R's thread on the WLW: or JHB's thread on the GSWR here: and that's just a sample of what you can find on here!

There's a few more sources of early photos closer to home, such as the National Library of Ireland. Robert French took a number of railway photos around Ireland, such as this one of Achill taken some time in the early 1900s or the late 1890s (I think the staton opened around 1895): Link to original here: https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000058755

Also from the Ken Nunn Collection - this is in the UK Science Museum archive, a 1895 Kitson and Co built 0-4-4T: 52 Brian Boru. https://zoom.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/iiif/3/316%2F70%2FWaterford.ptif/full/max/0/default.jpg Link to collection here: https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co8362459/ken-nunn-collection

Sams Trains has documented his journey designing and 3D printing locos and rolling stock over on YouTube. It's not a set of tutorials per se, but he does go into the process in some detail. He also has an article on one of his designs, and 0-4-2 in the August 2023 Railway Modeller. Link to his Youtube playlist here:

Given that it's such a niche scene, I think its also very likely that someone passing off another person's design as their own would be identified fairly quickly. When I talk about opportunities - I'm really talking about individuals wanting to develop their own Irish layouts or use examples like @Rob R's MGWR wagon to learn CAD. I love reverse engineering things and understanding how they work, or why the designer made the choices they did. So my plan is to have a play with your design, use it to understand and learn from your approach to designing a wagon, then have a go at my own models.

Yes, I think you're absolutely right - it would really open up opportunities for those interested in the Irish scene

Very nice indeed Sean! The 4mm stock in the background behind it gives some idea of how small this little loco really is!

I think you're doing more than okay given its just your second time. Very interesting to note that @Past-Avenue uses it to create his models - they're really good, so it must have more than enough features! I'll have to check it out

ICR looks very much at home on Barrow Street Fingers crossed that the testing goes well!

I have to say, these threads you're creating are great resources. There's clearly a lot of research going into them!

That looks good - I'm looking forward to see how the 0.2mm nozzle performs

Page 6 of this 2016 FOI request has the lengths of the passenger units then in service ... wagons and locos are also in the same document. https://www.irishrail.ie/getmedia/96710d73-a7de-46bf-b137-acf23b39341b/ie_foi_058_response_pack.pdf

Its very impressive to see the level of detail you're getting with FDM printing

Thanks for sharing Ernie - I think those pictures are all very readable - the resolution is good enough to zoom in and read individual entries.

Great shots .. the FREEMO layout really looked impressive!

I had a very enjoyable afternoon in Blackrock. I didn't hammer the wallet too much but I bought the winning ticket for tomorrow's raffle as well as picking up one of JM Design's GSWR van kits from Leslie, and one of the SDMRC's special editions vans. The exhibits were top notch: Donaghdee and Dundalk were excellent. I really liked Dun Laoghaire and Kildare always makes me feel nostalgic for the time I spent hanging around there in the 90s. Schneeweiss and the Somme where both interesting. I also enjoyed watching a bit of shunting at Barrack St goods yard and had a nice chat with Metrovik as he ran the excellent Beaghnach End. Paul Isles was very giving of his time on the Accurascale stand (the photographic grey version of Maeḋḃ looks fabulous) as were the guys at the DCDR stand. Loads more: Freemo and T-Trak always catch my eye, a DCC-like controller for DC - the list goes on. Well done SDMRC!

Wow - it looks gorgeous!

It's the original one for me.

This is a good thread for those thinking about possible 1970s formations:

Very nice! Enterprise engage ... very apt, but the Star Trek fan in me can't ignore the missed opportunity to get some 'monster maroon' in there too!! I'll be putting in a pre-order - resistance is futile and all that

we'll find out soon enough Happy birthday IRM, I hope there's plenty of celebrations this week - you've earned them! Looking forward to seeing what you get up to over the next 10+ years

Sehr schön!

I don't think they'll be announcing a powered model. There's often a small hint when they tease a new announcement so when Fran said the first item 'compliments our range quite well', I thought that maybe that's a hint that it isn't rolling stock. That made me think it's the footbridge. But Mol's guess above makes a lot of sense .. and they did it before with the last magnesite wagon

Thats a great space. Shed interior looks well boarded out and painted - you'll be able to run some nice long trains there

Mine arrived this morning too ... they are lovely models indeed. Our postie came along just as Mrs. Snail was heading out to work, so she was kind enough to bring them in .. and kind enough to remind me that I have quite a few green boxes now