85 Merlin

Hi, The show does look great nice amount of layouts and traders too, Really looking forward to the show in the morning. Just wondering what time is the IRM Announcement in the morning would love to be there to see it. Any idea of a time its taking place please Fran @Warbonnet Regards, 85 Merlin

Thanks Fran @Warbonnet I look forward to see them when they are ready and I hope you enjoy the show this weekend, Look like it going to be a good one. Regards 85 Merlin

Hi Fran @Warbonnet That is brilliant news! I'm absolutely delighted to hear that the 800s are nearly finished and will soon be on their way from China. I'm so hyped for their arrival! I love Irish steam and DCC sound, and these models are exactly the kind of thing I've dreamed of owning. Thanks to you and everyone at IRM/Accurascale, you're making that dream a reality, and I can't thank you enough for all the work that has gone into this project. I live my life with my heart on my sleeve, so please forgive me if I sometimes come across as a little frustrated or overly enthusiastic! It's simply because I'm so passionate about this project and can't wait to see and hear everything come together. I love Christmas, but in this case, roll on January! Thanks again, Fran! Regards, 85 Merlin

@Blaineit probably took you 2 minutes to put up something smart instead of a constructive reply.The young person you are replying is my son and has needs and extreme anxiety and it has taken him a long time with alot of encouragement to participate on this forum because of people who like to be smart and unhelpful, indeed my Mother used to say if you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all,maybe in the future you might take the time to realise there are real people behind these comments fighting battles everyday and something as simple as your comment can set them back #be kind always!

I have to say, I'm very disappointed with today's update. After waiting around three months for another update on the GSR 800 Class, I was really hoping we would finally see some new samples, get the long-awaited sound demonstration, and perhaps receive some clearer information on shipping. Instead, we have no new samples, no sound files, and an estimated arrival of January 2027. Honestly, after all that waiting, I expected a lot more from this update. I'm also struggling to understand the explanation regarding the decoders and the situation in Iran. ESU is a German manufacturer, so could someone please clarify exactly how the situation is affecting the decoder supply? If there is a wider supply-chain issue involved, it would be helpful to understand what that is. I appreciate that manufacturing models of this complexity takes time, and I'm not suggesting that everything is within IRM's control. However, when we've waited three months for an update, I think it's reasonable to expect something more substantial, particularly when the sound demonstration was something many of us were looking forward to and was previously promiesed I have three 800 Class locomotives on preorder, and I'm still very much looking forward to receiving them. But I can't pretend that today's news hasn't been a disappointment. Three months of waiting for an update, and we're still left without new samples, without the sound demonstration, and with another wait ahead of us. 85 Merlin @Warbonnet

Hi everyone, As we all know, it's the week of the Dublin Model Railway Show, and from what @Sulzer201 posted, we should be getting an update on the beautiful 800 Class! Does anyone have any guesses as to when we might hear something this week? Or perhaps Fran @Warbonnet or @BosKonaycould tell when we will hear? To me, IRM seems very quiet this year. I know it's only Tuesday, but this is also the week when we celebrate all things Irish model railways, and I'm sure plenty of us would love to see the news start rolling in as soon as possible! After all, we only get a week like this once a year, so let's make the most of it! Thanks everyone, 85 Merlin

Hi everyone, My guesses are more towards the steam side of the spectrum, although I do believe it will be a C Class diesel this year, going by some of the things I've seen on the forums over the past year. But then again, as a wild card, we could see one of two possible steam locomotives announced instead of a diesel. I believe there are two very strong contenders. My first contender would be No. 74, Dunluce Castle. If you remember what IRM/Accurascale wrote in their original 800 Class announcement, they mentioned having to scan the real locomotive to help get the details just right. Now, if I were in their position, I would certainly take the opportunity to scan a locomotive that I planned, or at least hoped, to bring to market in OO gauge someday. To me, an NCC tender locomotive would make a lot of sense, especially considering its close relationship to the Midland Railway 2P in the UK. This could open up plenty of possibilities for both the Irish and British markets. My second strong contender would be the GNR(I) S Class 4-4-0, No. 171 Slieve Gullion. It's a very pretty locomotive and would look wonderful alongside the many British pre-grouping locomotives that have come to market in recent years. I think No. 171 and her sisters would be a fantastic choice, in my opinion. Furthermore, she would look right at home at the head of the wonderful IRM and Murphy Models Mk2 RPSI set. I would absolutely love to see that running around my layout! But at the end of the day, we all know it has to be the one and only V Class Compound, No. 85 "Merlin"! I mean, who could possibly say no to that!!! Anyway, those are my guesses. It will be interesting to see what actually gets announced! Thanks everyone, 85 Merlin

Hi @Sulzer201 Oh wow, thanks for sharing this! I too have been wondering what the latest is with the IRM 800s. It does seem a little strange that we’re now into Q4 and there still hasn’t been much said about them. I posted the New Junction video a while back, which at least let us hear the sound files to some degree, and now I’ve come across this video showing the 800s running as well. I thought other modellers waiting on them might like to see it. Is there any more news on how things are progressing, or perhaps a little treat coming soon for those of us eagerly waiting on these models? Regards - 85 Merlin https://www.facebook.com/UMRCbelfast/videos/1081368907758000/ @Warbonnet @BosKonay

Hi @James I too have the new IRM 800s on order, and I'm a huge Irish steam fan myself! I find the Lima Flying Snail coaches and the Bachmann LMS coaches that were made for there Irish sets to be pretty good options. I know they're not 100% authentic, but from the archive footage I've seen, I think you could get away with them quite nicely! That's certainly what I plan to do until some proper RTR coaches are announced, hopefully someday! I would also recommend trying Dave @WRENNEIRE. I've dealt with him in person, and he's a really friendly chap who is great at helping people find items. He's certainly helped me out in the past! Also, if you happen to live on the east coast of Ireland, why not try the Bray Model Railway Show on October 18th? There are always lots of lovely people there, and you could have a chat with some of the traders, ask for ideas, or see what rolling stock they have for sale that might do the trick for you. Hope this helps, and best of luck finding some suitable coaches for your 800s! Regards, 85 Merlin

Hi Killian, I have just sent you a Pm about this, hope that ok. Regards, 85 Merlin

Well, it’s the last day of Q3 and sadly it looks like the 800 Class will be rolling into Q4. Hopefully it won’t be too late into Q4, as I really can’t wait to see them in person! Does anyone know when we might get to hear the sound files? See you all in Q4! Cheers, 85 Merlin

Hi everyone! Is it just me, or is anyone else hoping the 800s will be arriving really soon? With the end of the quarter almost upon us — just 24 hours away — what do you think, @Warbonnet Fran? Should we modellers be getting our layouts ready for a royal visit? Cheers, 85 Merlin

Hi everyone, Here is my photo of No. 800 Maedbh at The Transport Museum in Northern Ireland a few years back. I can't wait to run this beauty on my layout, hopefully very soon, my account says September 30th due so here's hoping - 85 Merlin

Hi @BosKonay Thanks for getting back to me about this, I was just wondering as I enjoy watching ships and was wondering what Accurascale/IRM did when it came to transporting their new models from China. Thanks again - 85 Merlin

Hi Fran, Sorry to bother you, but do you know who IRM/Accurascale use to ship the models from China, and which shipping line they’ll be travelling with, please? Thanks, 85 Merlin