LNERW1

Thanks, presume the next exhibition I could realistically get the layout finished for will be the 2058 MRSI show, so look out for it then…

Thanks lads, I feel a lot better about the layout now. I've had an idea now, which might be a bad one but I'll tell ye anyway. Ardree quay is 18 inches wide and 4 foot long, made of 9mm board. If i were to get a 9mm thick, 6 foot by 4 foot board and cut it longitudally into four sections, this would provide four more modules the exact same size. Along with upgrading Ardree's current baseboard, I could quintuple the effective length (all in modules that can be stored while not in use). I of course don't plan on building the layout that far with scenery and all, but I do need an adjacent module to the current one to be able to finish it. I may as well kill four birds with one stone, and so I think i might go through with this idea. If I were to do so, this would be the arrangement. the current Ardree Quay is on the far right. Modules are in [brackets] while scenic breaks are listed in between. [Fiddle yard(cassette)]-bridge-[Shed/Yard module]-[countryside module]-[Farmyard module]-Bridge under a road accessing Ardree Ferry Terminal-[Current Ardree Quay layout]. I appreciate this might not be too clear but hopefully it gives you a good idea of where I plan to go with the layout basically up until Christmas. Past the bridge on the far left I may eventually add more modules. Ardree Town is intended to be directly beyond said bridge. I also appreciate that a 20ft long layout may seem unmanageable, but again you have to remember it is intended to be operated either with the fiddle yard directly adjacent to Ardree quay at home, or in its longer state at exhibitions. That is, if I go to any with it. Speaking of, I'd appreciate if someone told me how to get a layout to exhibition. Do I get invited? Do I contact the organisers and ask to exhibit? It's all a mystery to me and I'd appreciate some help.

Ah well. I’ll just come in 2026 instead…

Is O'Connell Street going to be there? I'd kill for a chance to see it in person.

I was talking more about the “Tank” side, ie absolute unit of a loco. And obviously they’re both American. As far as the nickname goes re 66s it seems to be a thing mainly in parts of northwestern England, specifically Merseyside and Chester IIRC. As far as I can tell of course, I could be entirely wrong. I’ll see if I can find the Facebook posts I’ve seen before where 66s are referred to as such. As far as 071s I think I might have been misremembering. I think I equate 071s with 66s sort of subconsciously even though they’re not that similar, it’s weird.

Don’t worry lads… I brought Donuts.

Only three layouts listed on the MRSI website… would anyone have a good idea of the number of layouts?

Ah well, all the best anyway. Looking forward to this, the track plan looks really interesting.

Surely they've checked whether the trains will fall through the floor already... I doubt they'd only be realising that now, right?

He gets a bit wild after staying up too late modelling, DJ…

Lads I need some serious help. Absolutely nothing has happened. I’ve spent years building up knowledge on how to make scenery but god is it difficult when you get to it. There are so many massive roadblocks thrown up by lack of planning and I’m worried I could have to abandon this iteration as it just didn’t have a set structure from the start and I didn’t know what I was doing. I don’t want to get rid of what I’ve done, though, so can anyone help here? I feel quite lost and need a bit of help.

Some great trainspotting on that bridge! If poor Dermot Morgan was still around, maybe we’d have seen Father Ted ripping the piss out of Irish Rail… it’s a pity he’s gone, a very funny man.

No chance there'll be a repaint into original livery? It's probably similar to the Arrow situation where IÉ can't have a unit that doesn't have some yellow on the ends, for safety.

Paxman-Valenta HSTs on Dublin-Cork expresses would be interesting… I personally wouldn’t mind it. I’ve been in a re-gauged Mk3 too so it wouldn’t be impossible…

Looking at the schedule, next post will be on my birthday! Quite a nice present tbh.

No, YOU read that wrong i hate my brain

Thought I’d actually contribute- I’ve heard 071s and 66s referred to as Yank Tanks. I feel it’s obvious enough why.

It’s not live steam DJ, Hornby are fitting smoke generators to some new RTR models. Probably just meant to drive up the price point honestly.

This forum should have its own comedy troupe with all these jokes… some serious talent being wasted on us . Keep it up lads

Thanks DJ, but that’s still a good bit outside my budget. I suspect Hornby’s TXS/Smoke W1 may cause a flood of cheap, barely-used non smoke, non Triplex W1s, so I could get a bargain on a fairly new one. Still quite good for such a “cutting-edge” model though.

Thanks lads. I’ll look into both. I presume new-enough Black n’ Tan or weathered green will look best? Thanks.

I have a few questions, can someone help me out? Class 52- Wizzo? Class 31- Ped, what is this in reference to or do I want to know. Class 55- Boats? They are Deltics. This is one where I’m not confused, I’m angry. HST- Tram? I’m sure there’s some almost-sensible reason but really? Class 40-Bucket? Only ever heard the term “Whistler”. Class 60- Politicians and Donuts? I’m beginning to feel like you might be having me on. Class 66- Ying-Yings? What on God’s Green Earth is this a reference to? please help me

Yes. I’m just looking for something more realistic than tension locks. Luckily David, I don’t plan on using screw links for corridor stock! At the moment I’m planning on having relatively fixed rakes of two coaches using Hunt Couplings’ magnetic option, as I’ve heard good things about them and I’m happy to support smaller manufacturers. Screw links are just for the end of rakes, locos and wagons. Regarding carriages, does anyone know where I can find something to repaint into an Irish-ish coach? I don’t have the wallet or skills of a lot of people on this forum so proprietary or Gibbo-ised coaches aren’t really an option unfortunately. Thanks in advance, and sorry for the lack of progress.

Not a fan of the archive only going to 1999- the Argos catalogue would probably still hold the excitement today if they were still trading over here. I remember I used to love reading them as a young(er) child- and I wasn’t even alive when IÉ still had 121s! One of the things that can hold excitement for multiple generations, even if it’s just a small thing.

Wikipedia page of GC seems to state that lack of Glider connection was/is an issue but Wikipedia is notoriously unreliable on railways anywhere on the island.