RedRich

The very best of wishes to all for Christmas and the new year. Rich,

I'll echo what Eamonn has said Diarmuid and many happy returns to you. Thanks for not only joining,, but thanks for also contributing with your post. Rich,

I was taking the Christmas decorations down a couple of weeks ago and there were some Airfix MK11's that were earmarked for some surgery many years ago in the attic. I threw them down to be able to get better access to the decorations. Anyway when the deed was done I noticed that the coaches weren't there. The boy had them in the kitchen and played with them for hours, now this is a kid that you can't keep away from X Box and the Wii. Lad's I was proud of him. Playing games may give you good dexterity and eye to hand coordination but nothing beats actually doing something physical and I do hope that this will spur him into pursuing the hobby. Rich,

If he does Ivan I wonder will there be a finders fee. Rich,

Seamus having had a good few parcels from you I can honestly say that the care and attention taken to pack an item (items) is second to none. Thanks for the great service this year, and I will be back next year. I hope you and yours have a very peaceful Happy Christmas and all the best for 2014. Rich,

I see that we have our 500th member on the group. I've been on all the groups since the MSN group and I have to say that this is without a doubt the best group we have had. I would also like to thank Stephen, Fran, and Pat for the great work they do in keeping the group running smoothly, and Dave for the work he has done in the mods section and his fantastic MM Lima thread. For anyone that hasn't posted yet please do, tell us your preferences, don't feel a certain question might be seen as silly. We all learn something new everyday no matter how much or how little knowledge we have. There is something here for everyone. Long may it continue. Rich,

That's sweet Eamonn a well worked looking loco and not over cooked, just right. The level crossing looks great, Des did a superb job when designing it and top marks for the build. Rich,

Things are always busy Noel, and that is what appeals to me most about Tara Junction. No chance of ever getting bored or running out of ideas. Rich,

Lovely shots as usual Wanderer. I enjoyed Commander Chris Hadfields interview on the late late show last Friday. I wonder did Bowie ever think he would hear Space Oddity sung in Space when he wrote it. Did you get a chance to speak to the man himself. Rich,

A chap in Waterford has a magnificent model of Plunkett in 00 Gauge. The cabin is one of the stand out features on the layout. Rich,

Hopefully everyone concerned will be ok. The winds are atrocious in Waterford today, a couple of neighbours roofs have blown off their sheds, I can't begin to imagine how bad it is in Cork. Rich,

The fact that the Hornby MK11e's are going up against the the Bachmnann MK11f's, is the only difference the size of the roof hatches or are there any other little details. The Midland Mainline HST set should prove more popular than the later version they released some years back. Rich,

Happy Birthday Richie I hope you have a good one. Rich,

It's interesting that they are going head to head with Bachmann re the MK11e coaches. Rich,

I love it Tom. I bet it feels equally at home with the rtr models, and the fact that it is all your own work makes it that little bit special. Rich,

That is sweet Des, a great choice and another great addition to the SSM stable. I'll have to invest in one myself in the new year. Rich,

It's hard to imagine that the livery is gone. Although the newer 201 orange livery doesn't appeal to me as much as the original livery I do hope that some day the 201's that have been off the rails for some time now, can get back to work. It was a sad day when 084 entered Inchicore for overhaul even though it was in a sorry looking state it was the last one in the livery. Rich,

Looks fantastic Seamus. I wish you huge success with it. Rich,

Interesting Fran. I wonder did Colas request the changes. Rich,

Fran I agree it doesn't look as garish as the Freightliner 70 does. They aren't going to win any beauty contests as you say but they seem to be doing exactly what is says on the tin. I'd say Bachmann are pleased. I wonder have they any in the wings as we speak as a display non production version. Rich,

Unfortunately that's the way it seems Pat, still we can live in hope. I like the new avatar by the way. Rich,

The babies have always ticked the boxes for myself. The level of detail on both classes makes them as individual to each other as they are in real life. The bonnet side door grilles and main grilles are different on both classes and this is captured faithfully on the models also. It might have been easy for MM to take the easy option and just change the bonnet side roof access hand rails on a 141 to a ladder and number it a 181, but he didn't he went all the way, as far as he could go detail wise without having to really compromise the tooling which would have ultimately made the models more expensive, which I think was the right thing to do. As with all locos and rolling stock in real life, they go through changes mechanically and cosmetically during overhaul and this offers an opportunity for people to make little changes themselves to their models which at the end of the day is modelling and it's what the hobby is all about. I love the 121's myself and I really do hope we will see them modelled at some time to fulfil the complete set of GM locos. I still believe that the 141-181's will always hold the title. Rich,

It's a credit to you Tom, lovely work. Rich,

Excellent Stephen, I love the potholes in the hard standing. I wouldn't do too much sanding as it has that broken edge look in the last photo that is so normal to see around yards. I like the placement of the buildings, especially the half relief building behind the wall. Richie's water tower looks sweet. It's a great thread to follow for anyone wanting to get inspired. Rich,

Stevie did you order your items online or by phone. Have you an email or any other address for Mr Mackey. A lot of people involved in the cottage industry have other jobs and commitments, so it may take some time to deal with orders. This is also a very busy time of the year. To be honest I would be more alarmed if I had paid upfront for goods and money had been received at the other end, but I'd heard nothing from MISR. I hope you get things sorted, and good luck. Rich,