west_clare_wanderer

I think we are going to see more and more of this. A perfect storm of a generation of cottage industry modellers coming to retirement, the explosion of 3D printing, the saturation of RTR. It all means more traditional modelling businesses are going to disappear. Hopefully, Allen's Irish stuff will find a new home though. Although as mentioned, the demand is probably miniscule in the grand scheme of things, so it's not going to be a multimillion euro/pound/dollar business.

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!

Trump is only interested in himself and this own self-interest. And by extension, the tiny minority elite who he represents. If that means opposing Putin today, but then supporting him tomorrow, so be it. I honestly don't think he has any moral compass. His only motivation is money, power, and influence. And let's face it, at his age, he doesn't give a flying f#€k about the consequences for future generations. What does it matter if his tarrifs screw the world for the next couple of decades, he won't be around to see it. Unless of course he is cryogenically frozen and lives forever. Or indeed is injected with bleach to make him immortal........

That is a wonderful photo. Crying out to be modelled! What type of van is that first one on the left? The colours in this are simply superb. The muted weathered tones are so subtle. Nothing - from track, to loco and rolling stock, from the grass to the sky, even the background buildings - stands out in a garish manner. As a whole composition, capturing the time, it is stunning.

Hi Mol, Well, I'm sure some questions are more stupid than others! But seriously though, I don't want to annoy anyone. Folks have been so helpful here since I finally stuck my head above the parapet and started posting. Time is precious, and to share it is very kind. Thank you ever so much for such an comprehensive and informative reply. I'm extreme grateful. The more I'm learning, the less I'm getting worried about grey/brown, snail/roundal in my chosen period. I often forget that it would take years to repaint wagons (if they ever did so). I really appreciate that explanation about the different types of flat wagons. I had noticed a difference, your reply sets out the reason brilliantly. Thank you so much again! David

Thank you very much for confirming

Hi all. Another stupid question from a newcomer... I'm going to order a pack of IRM flat wagons. The options are for the grey 'livery' or the brown one. In common with H vans, I'm presuming the brown one is the later one, introduced in the (mid?) 1970s? Whereas grey would cover both the 1960s and 1970s (flying snails and Supertrain). Sorry for asking such basic questions. My research would suggest the above, but flats aren't as easily found in photos, and given there is very little wagon to paint, it's sometimes difficult to see whether a wagon is grey or brown! Apologies for taking up people's time, and many thanks in advance for any advice you can provide. Take care, David

Thanks for the tip off Dave. I seldom come across MRJ, so I'll have to actively seek it out. Photos of Chee Tor still amaze me today. It's still at the pinnacle of everything 2mm scale modelling can be.

Having belatedly read an email from Rails of Sheffield this morning, i see their pre-order deadline for the unfitted H vans has now passed. I presume we are still able to place our preorder directly with Accurascale/IRM?

I feel exactly the same. Putin is a horrible man too, but he is cold, hard, and calculated. Trump on the other hand... well he's a scattergun who changes his mind on a daily basis. I fundamentally oppose his politics, but its not that I'm particularly worried about. It's the random, incoherent approach which worries me more. One morning he might get up and, over his bowl of Coco Pops, may just feel like setting fire to the world.

My pal is there with his 009 layout, featuring excuisite hand built track, and flying another flag for narrow gauge. Looks like he will be in the best of company if Northport Quay is there. I wish I was there in person now, but look forward to seeing the photographs of the weekend.