west_clare_wanderer

Ha ha. Well, the positive is that my order must have paid for a new microwave for the office! No more going hungry boys

Please do! It will be great to see what you start to develop.

Deleted - duplication!

Thank you sir! Off to Ebay I go.....

I didn't realise they had done some in black and tan. All sold now though!

This is fascinating. Thank you! It's a good job the 141s are my favourite locos! Oh, along with the G Class of course I need to learn more about vans/brakes/steam heating vans etc. A couple are going to be essential for accompanying my single coach! I'm not particularly good at identifying types at the moment when looking a photos, although I am getting better. Yes, the difference compared to the UK rail system by the 1970s is marked, particularly the loco hauled branch trains. A fairly rare thing in that land of DMUs. I do really like the '80s and '90s era transition from Supertrain to IR, but the one drawback is the demise of traditional wagonload freight by the end of the 1970s. That decade seems to give a sweet spot of old and new. Plus, it is very easy to model nowadays with IRM covering the ubiquitous H vans and Bulleid corrugated opens. Supplemented of course with a few kitbuilt examples of other types of rolling stock which hung on.

Great. Thanks for the tip off. I'll keep an eye out.

Sugar beet wagons... https://ebay.us/m/roiAdg

Mol, As always, thank you so much! I'm always so grateful for your help and input. That's really useful to know. The era certainly allows for plenty of variety. Before the days of standardised fixed rakes of rolling stock and block trains. I've just spent an hour or so happily perusing Jonathan Allen's photographs. I'm going to lose lots of time in that fantastic resource. Of course, I should have added that it would be paired with a steam heating van or brake. There are some lovely shots of short trains in the '70s with that kind of set up. There's also some wonderful photos a little further north of the Loughrea line, just before it closed, with a G Class and solitary coach. Now that's the essence of a branchline! I've also toyed with trying to pick up a Cravens to go with a Park Royal. Thank you again. You're a gent! David

Another stupid question... Are the suburban Park Royals suitable for representing a branchline train in the west - Kerry, Clare, Limerick, Cork etc - in the 1970s? I don't have much space but I'm thinking a solitary Park Royal could do the job for my branchline layout. As always, thank you in advance for any advice.

In these days of world turmoil, constant complaining, negativity, and division, sometimes it is nice to highlight the positives. So, i just want to say a big thank you to IRM (Accurascale) on some wonderful customer service. Late on Tuesday (around 5.30pm), I submitted quite a big order for wagons. Fast forward to midday on Thursday, and a big box of goodies turns up. You couldn't ask for more. No connection, apart from being a very satisfied customer (although my wallet may not agree!!! ). I'm going to get my pre-order in now for some unfitted H vans and some bubble cement wagons. Time to get saving! Thank you IRM David

This is absolutely stunning. Superb modelling. You have done a wonderful job in capturing the essence of of a small Irish town. The buildings and street scenes are incredible. As is the colour palette. It's just spot on and blends so well. If I could produce something with just a fraction of the atmosphere, I would be delighted. Please keep on sharing! David

There are so many words I could use for your artistry,but they all seem rather inadequate. So I'll just say... Wow! Your work is an inspiration. Thank you very much for sharing. David

Just placed a big order for wagons with IRM/Accurascale (gulp!!), in order to kickstart my late '60s/early '70s layout. @Mol_PMB and @jhb171achill - thanks again for all your help guys. Your advice has been invaluable to a number of my questions.

Thank you Mol. You're an absolute gent!