RedRich

I would be willing to be part of a prepay venture like this, but it would have to be for something that I would want produced. The 121 is the loco I would pay up front for. Freight is very important and an actual prototype of a 2 axle wagon of double body beet, cement bubble, ballast wagon etc to the standard of the GM's and Cravens would be fantastic as opposed to the prestwin chassis route. So having said that my choices are. 121 Freight Rich,

Lovely models Richie. Really liking the wagon flats. Rich,

To be honest I am strictly a modeler of a certain period and an A class doesn't suit what I am interested in. If I had a spare 150 + notes even though I have some 071's, I would buy another one as it suits the time frame I want to capture, and is a cracking model. The 121 is an iconic loco for me as it is the first GM built loco CIE purchased. It suits the period and geographical location I want to recreate. Richies post makes sense and I think that the price for what people would want, assuming it is an A class that gets the most ayes would be more than what is being mooted here. I'll stick to the 121 as the next diesel loco model I would want, and seeing as PM has it ear marked for the future albeit going to plan with current sales of other models, that's where I would spend my cash. Rich,

I agree Richie regarding an A class. I would be interested if it wasn't something that was already available from a rtr or kit manufacturer. Freight models like a cement bubble, double bodied beet. or ballast wagon would be a great starting point. I could also see the price for a top of the range correctly modeled A class being more expensive than the prices mentioned. When the 201 price increase kicks in it could be close to 200 notes. That is for a model that was first agreed between MM and the manufacturer 3-4 years ago. Prices at the manufacturing and design stage have and are rising. I would be delighted to participate in a venture like this, but not for an A class. Rich,

Fantastic series, I was a big Sopranos fan myself, and I think Love Hate may have topped it as a fantastically true to life piece of television. I never thought that anything could top the US prison series OZ for graphic scenes of violence, but last night may have surpassed it. Some say that it glorifies violence, but I would challenge anyone to show me the glory in what was portrayed last night. The scene of Nidge's son looking on while his father was being shot was very sad as no child should have to witness that. Unfortunately it is the way that world is, there are always innocents involved. Rich,

I love it George. Enjoy the show on Monday. Rich,

I remember seeing MK11 aircons in the IR era, early 90's and the IR logo was part of the Inter city branding on the coach sides. Of course you are correct in saying that removing the IE logo on the door's would get you nearly there, and it would be just a matter of applying an IR decal to complete it. Rich,

Fair play Richie. Rich,

Etching primer can be a bit hit and miss sometimes Richie. I've seen examples in the past where the model looked like it had spiders webs on it. Varnishing the brass is a great idea. Having looked at the build on page 57 you have done a fantastic job from build to finish. Looking forward to the tutorial from the master. Rich,

I agree Ed. Loughrea is a model of a real railway as opposed to a model railway where people just want to watch trains go by. There are some fantastic layouts in the UK that use 16.5mm track and are operated like a real railway with a time table and prototypical movements, Widnes Vineyard is one of many I could mention. Some folk attending a show would find that boring to watch and would lose interest quickly. Rich,

It was a nice touch to include the kitchen area in the Restaurants and the guards area in the EGV, even though you can't see them when the roofs are on. Rich,

The interiors should be as they are in the pic's. The first class seating arrangement is where the 4 windows are spaced further apart. It has 2+1 seating, 8 tables, with double seating on one side and single seating on the opposite side. The Standard set up where there are 3 windows has 2+2, seating, 6 tables with double seating on both sides. There are 48 seats in all. The standard models also have the toilet modeled. There were some pre production pics of the MK11 aircons (including the composite) on the MM website some years ago. I can't remember if there was a first class. Rich,

They have come a long way Eoin. The way you have listened to opinions on here and always kept us up to date has been very welcome. I wish you every success with the models. The modular set up is really beginning to come together nicely. Rich,

It's far to early to be talking about the demise of rtr or MM. Who's to say that PM won't pass on the business to family to continue the company. Or someone else might take on the business. PM has established the company and it seems in a healthy condition when you think that models have been released annually over the last 7 years. The business seems to have done well in the economic uncertainty we have experienced in that time. The bar can be raised again (it always can) and there is faith in the products as they are. I'd be confident that we will see more in the future whether PM is at the helm or not. Getting back on topic, get the pics up Stephen. Rich,

Top marks for all the work, and the finished wagon. I will say that it is the finest bubble wagon I have seen. The chassis as already mentioned before is superb. The bubble from D&M look's great and the SSM kit really takes it to a higher level. I like the discharge pipes and the brake pipe connected to the uprights really gives it an authentic look. It is impressive modelling, well done. Rich,

Maybe Bachmann might produce the East Anglia DBSO in the future to add to the Corridor ones being produced in the first batch of releases in the MK11F range. The retailers have combined to have limited editions produced in the past, they might do it again if the correct DBSO is produced Rich,

Very nice Noel. I see you added the black on the sides, builders plates, and painted the exhaust silver. It makes a huge difference. Top marks. Rich,

Great to see the update Ivan. Really looking forward to seeing some more. Rich,

Top class as usual George. The weathering on 101 looks very tasty. The Bus Kit's look great. Rich,

You made the right choice with the bridge Kieran. I regularly have a look on your layout pages, especially the station. I love Clonmel Station myself. It's a beautiful building and your model of the buildings really captures that look. With the space available to you, you have done an amazing job. I wonder were the wagons built like that, or were the changes done by IE. Rich,

Clonmel getting the track pimped. They certainly have done some great work on the buildings also, fitting new windows where a lot of them were boarded up. They have really tidied up the front of the one story building also. I can't say that I like the new road bridge at the Cahir side of the station. A lot less charming then the old one. I would also recommend the rest of the vids on youtube in that collection. Put on the Kettle and relax for a few hours watching them. Rich,

Good man Richie, I was about to ask. Rich,

The pics Richie has posted show the two different types Kieran. In pic one the body sides are flat between the ribs on the side and ends. In the second pic you can see a slant below the numbers to the ends.. I would say the hoods were indeed added after some trial and error due to spoil falling between the boxes and headstocks. Imagine a rake of 12 flats from SSM with spoil boxes behind a Silver Black 071 on the layout Kieran, empty or full. Now that would be sweet. Richie scratch built some excellent boxes and are in his workbench thread. Rich,

One thing happens a lot with small runs for a small market is to produce a tooling that has a short shelf life and only so many runs can be produced before the tooling get's worn out. This doesn't happen with the bigger suppliers and they are able to re-use the tooling annually. I am not suggesting that MM have chosen that route, but other small manufacturers have. Rich,

There are also two different builds within the spoil carriers. So be careful which numbers you choose. Rich,