StevieB

To return to this topic, this has probably got a lot to do with Brexit. A direct service between northern France and Rosslare is on the cards, cutting out the trek through UK. The additional journey time is preferable to the additional paperwork from 1st January 2021. Stephen

How right you are about Fintona. An almost perfect layout for those short of space. Stephen

I’ve got a couple of the SF Sulzers. They are heavy and run very well. Stephen

It looks just the part. Sorry to hear about the foot. Hope things improve with time. Stephen

My particular favourites are Bundoran and Fintona. Many thanks. Stephen

I think you’ll find that they’ve sold out what they pre-ordered, not sold out altogether. I’ve always found Hattons very good to deal with, no complaints. Stephen I think you’ll find the real rip off merchants are those asking astronomical prices on eBay. But, again like retailers, you don’t have to use them. Stephen

Well, it’s arriving into Dundalk, so maybe it’s to run round before heading home. Stephen

I am extremely envious of those who have already received their CIE black and tan 121’s. They seem to be taking a long time to reach the eastern seaboard of the Irish Sea. Any idea why? Stephen

Absolutely stunning. Stephen

According to Hatton, 132 is in CIE Supertrain livery. Stephen

It seems like CIE employed the same tactics as BR when it came to closing railway lines, make them appear to be uneconomic. Stephen

Locos and rolling stock getting dirty is an everyday fact of life but there was a stage when cleaning seemed to be a no-no. Did the 121’s get that dirty when first introduced? Stephen

Tom took his website down after it got hacked and then used the shop on his Facebook page to do his selling. Stephen

You’ll need to email Tom to see what he is doing at present. Effectively his shop is empty and he only sells on eBay what he produces. I think, though, he is open to the right approach if you’re prepared to wait. Stephen

When Gort is finished, I look forward to Noel’s short videos of trains running on it. It is just the right size to demonstrate to the younger ones how our railways used to operate, all the whys and wherefores of the shunting that used to take place. Stephen

Is my purchase of some old IRRS journals still on? Stephen

Thanks for those two photos. Let’s hope both the train service and usage justify the investment in the new station. It’s an interesting re-use of the old train shed. Stephen

During the first national lockdown over here in the UK Peco shut down their production line for some period of time, although the likes of Railway Modeller was produced. Different kind of production line I guess. Strange that you could buy their products online but they weren’t actually making them. Stephen

That Cork goods is an impressive length for a model railway. Stephen

There’s always an exception to the rule about supply and demand, and we’re so glad it’s your good selves. Stephen

I attended my first Dublin meeting of IRRS last Thursday, albeit via Zoom. It was a film show of the work of the late Joe St Leger, a guy who went all over Ireland recording the mundane for the benefit of others. Two pieces were of particular interests, the lengths gone to to run round a magnesite train at Limerick Junction in order to go from Cork to Ballinacourty, and the working of trains between Limerick and Dublin. A train from Limerick ran via Nenagh to Ballybrophy, where it was attached to the rear of a train from Limerick via the junction. Fascinating. Stephen

My local model shop said exactly that the other day, demand is outstripping supply. It won’t be long before prices rise, if they haven’t already. Stephen

PM sent. Stephen

Patrick Lovely video of your South Waterford line. Stephen

The first five years have been wonderful for those modelling the Irish rail scene. Here’s to the next five years. Stephen