Flying Snail

Well, if its any consolation for you - I always thought they looked very well speeding past Ardgillan and Balbriggan when I was up visiting my uncle in the 80s and 90s (and the odd time I saw them sitting on the platform in Connolly too)

According to my receipt from An Post, they did not apply a VAT/Customs handling charge. Customs Value: € 212.31 Import Duty: € 0.00 Excise Duty: € 0.00 VAT: € 48.83 An Post Fee: € 0.00 So, just the standard 23% VAT on the Customs Value declared by Rails (i.e the £ ex-VAT price)

I transferred my Hatton's pre-order of the Stephenson's Rocket Train Pack to Rails of Sheffield and they shipped it to me last week. I'm happy to confirm they did not charge UK VAT, it was shipped via Parcelforce and when it reached Ireland I had to pay Irish VAT - as it was a model train no customs import duty was charged.

I'm thinking of calling this one 'The Wife's lament', or 'I'll murder him, he doesn't even model the flipping NIR!' Roses are red, violets are blue Lets blow the kids savings On a weekend for two! You spent what on the grey ones? and you're in debt for the blue!?? Get away down to the shed No more nookie for you!!

Absolutely - I always shop local when I can!

Speaking of alternatives to Hattons, does anyone on here and based in the Republic use Rails? Have you had any problems with deliveries to the Republic?

Still trying to process the news. I never saw it coming: they have one of the best websites I've come across in the hobby, innovated with services like the trunk and their own range of models, had excellent customer service (their staff were always a pleasure to deal with and very helpful). They will be sorely missed. Now my thoughts are beginning to turn to my of pre-orders - I'm happy that my CIE Genesis carriages will be delivered but I also have items from other manufacturers including Corgi, Hornby and Rapido. Hattons have provided links to the manufacturers as well as to directing people with pre-orders to retailers like Rails of Sheffield. As I'm based in the Republic, I'm still a bit unsure of whats the best options for me so I'll be keeping an eye out for advice from manufacturers and those other retailers. With that in mind, I must say I think Accurascale did a good job this evening with their email to customers. It was very respectful and considerate towards Hattons and its staff (who are facing into an uncertain future) while providing reassurance regarding warranties and pre-orders of Accurascale items.

They are indeed

They've announced a closing down sale too, so I wouldn't be surprised if its been swamped by a large amount of traffic as the news filters out

They've stated that its going to be an orderly wind down (i.e. they're not insolvent and haven't yet ceased trading). Also, Batch 2 Genesis coaches WILL be produced and released as announced - that includes the CIE coaches Edit: post crossed with Galteemore above

Some sad news announced today by Hattons https://www.hattons.co.uk/newsdetail?id=1498 I for one will miss them - they really did a lot to try to support Irish customers post Brexit and I thought their trunk was a great service!

Some nice pics there - thanks for sharing!

Looking good!

Looks like that is a motto CIE also took to heart in real life too

Welcome LNERW1! I don't have any reference photos but I suspect the manufacturer's drawings must be available somewhere, perhaps in one of the UK archives? She's relatively young, being built in 1949 by Andrew Barclay, works number 2264 Also, Hon Laois!

Very impressive water work!!!

If it was in West Cork, I'd say maybe ... but since it's in Healy Rae country I reckon it's most likely the Dugort - Castletown dual carraigeway!!

It might be saved from closure yet so, Todd Andrews will hardly close it now seeing how much revenue the line will be generating!

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?!!