RedRich

Some very good and important points lad's. It's alright walking into Lidl and reckoning you've got a bargain, but after a few months things can begin to give trouble. Look after your equipment clean your airbrushes regularly after every session, learn how to mix your paints to the correct consistency. If using enamels spray in a well ventilated location and wear a proper mask. They cost around 30 Euros and are essential. I've seen some imitation Zippo lighters in the past but they ain't Zippo's and do begin to fall apart after a while. It's the same with any precision tool buy the best you need or can afford. There are tonnes of spares, and online support available. Needle files are a classic example I have a set Swiss made files and needle files the cheap pack of 8 for a fiver don't just cut it in the long run. I stopped using cheaper cutting knives and scalpels in the past and now I only use Swann Morton knives. It makes a difference in the long run. Putting aside all opinions practice, dedication, and studying the prototype are also as important. Acquire the skills and believe me anyone can do it with practice. If you make a mistake start again don't hope the next one will be better once you get the first one right you won't look back. Rich,

An iconic design Fran which also saw the birth of MK111's, and still looks as good today as it did then. Rich,

That's a wonderful achievement he deserves the recognition for all his work. Photographs do play a huge part in the hobby. Huge respect and good wishes to Charlie. Rich,

The thickness of the nozzle dictates how fine you need your work to be. The fact that they are double action is a plus point. I would however take some caution before committing to buying the set. Check that there are spare parts readily available for the compressor and airbrushes. If you want a starter set to develop your skills it would be a nice starting point. You can always buy better quality equipment in the future that has good after sales quality and service. I have a friend that airbrushes fuel tanks on motorbikes and he has an airbrush for the last twenty years that is a bit like Triggers sweeping brush in Only Fools and Horses. It's had lot's of parts replaced through the years so he doesn't think that any of the original parts are left, but he still calls it his first. It's like any other tool be it files, drill bit's, knives etc you get what you pay for. I read an interview with the guy that does the custom painting for the American Chopper guys a few years ago and he said that it's like any other job where you need the work to be faultless you need the best equipment. Kudos to you for wanting to get a set and have a go, the very best of luck to you. Rich,

Excellent collection Richie. I am particularly taken by the pics of the chassis and J hangers on the ballast wagons. The whole collection will prove to be a great resource for multiple modelling exercises. It's sad though to see most of those wagons parked up and not working any more. These are invaluable pics and thanks for posting them. Rich,

That's a classic Fitz. Rich,

What a wonderful gift and a very loving gesture from your daughter. Your daughter and her friend did a fantastic job. Happy birthday by the way. Rich,

That looks like an evening well spent. It's coming together nicely and should like great when it's finished. Rich,

Thank you Gerhard. It's an odd looking livery, but there is something unique about it, and I like it. Rich,

I would prefer to apply the RPSI letters to the doors on the as still IE liveried coaches, I just can't take to those blue ones. I remember some running with the orange beneath the windows painted green. Rich,

TBH I assumed the same too when I looked at the pic. As I said I have a pic of one and I think that it has the IR logo on the side of the coach and not the doors. It would make for an interesting model. RPSI decals would be nice if anyone wanted to run some preservation coaches. Rich,

Dave I have a photo of one with the IR logo on the coach. It is on the desk top but there is a problem that I need to have repaired. I will do this in a few weeks. I will pm you a pic of the coach asap. Killucans answer was as you say the closest to the mark. Rich,

They all look fantastic Vincent. I'll never get tired of looking at 220, it's class. Rich,

Love pic 40 of 22010 22011 in Waterford Wanderer. Nice to see that the Depot man's storage sheds are still there. Have a very happy and peaceful Christmas yourself. Rich,

To see an actual authentic model of an Enterprise train is a marvelous sight. 233 looks awesome in the original livery with full warning panel. Noel that's made my day, thanks for posting. Rich,

That's looking every inch the makings of a special layout Patrick. All your planing is beginning to show fruit. In agree with John tail chasers or roundy roundy layouts although they can be built and scenically well finished, they don't offer prototypycal operation. I love the LP collection, my daughter asked me what are those. Keep it coming Patrick it looks great. Rich,

Thank God it's Friday Rob , Rich,

I agree about the shortcomings of the Airfix models Fran. The corridor connections are wrong and there are no representations of the corridor connection doors. The underframe would have to be completely remodelled and fitted with correct boxes and a single fan unit from Hurst Models, instead of the double one that is on the model. The First class model would give you a more prototypical look to the IE versions as the toilet windows would be in the correct place. On the standard Airfix Dapol MK11's the toilet windows are positioned differently to ours as they are MK11 D's and ours seem to have MK11 E body type positioned toilets. Our MK11's also had rivets on the window surrounds. I remember comparing the MM standard model to a Dapol Second class last year and the positioning of the windows looked more correct on the Dapol models than the MM model. When you access the work involved in getting a MK11 set modelled prototypically, and it would involve a huge amount of work when you factor in the work involved in having to model Composites, EGV's, and Restaurants, although they have some determining issues the MM models with work would be the best way to go. Although they won't be all singing and dancing dimensionally correct in some areas, if you can accept the errors and try to correct as many as you can they look OK. Rich,

Unfortunate about the layout Dingle, but as Pat and Seamus have said amazing models and excellently built. Thanks for the photos.

Rob's spot on in his description of disassembling the coaches Kev, they are a bit like Lima coaches in this respect, and the corridor connection ends clip on. Also the Jouef coaches represent Loco hauled Mk111's and not the HST type like Lima and Hornby. If you decide to model an entire rake (EGV, Restaurant included) use Jouef coaches throughout as the roof ribs are a lot more prominent on these models then they are on the Lima Hornby versions, and a mixed rake would look odd. If you want an off the shelf option the VW orange is a good match. As has been mentioned a motor factors may be able to mix some Ral 2011 in an aerosol which would be the authentic color used by IE. It's been said a million times before that shades of orange varied between vehicles when being painted after overhaul depending on who was mixing the paint. I've seen this in Inchicore myself in the past. Good luck with your project I bet they will be cracking. Rich,

Now that Rob has sorted that Seamus enjoy your sound chip you lucky boy. Rich,

Spot on Rob. The air reservoir tank's and pipework are nicely modelled on it. There's a lot of fine detail under the chassis on the models with conduit, pipes and valves. Rich,

Spot on Rob. The DC Kits refurbished van is a nice model. The bogies are a good representation. I think scratch built underframe tanks would enhance it even more. If DC Kits haven't already corrected the gangway it would make for a nice project to correct it yourself. Rich,

Rob the first release of the (converted for use with MK11A,B,C,) Dutch Vans from DC Kits had a MK1 type gangway fitted to the models. The prototypes were fitted with MK111 gangways. Pats link to the (correct for MK11A,B,C,'s) DC Kits model is of one of the first releases. I don't know if they corrected this on further batches. To add to what the lads have said MK111's only ever ran in service with MK111 EGV's, unless there were some loose coupled movements inside Inchicore. The Dutch Vans converted were 4601 formerly 3162 4602 formerly 3163 4603 formerly 3166 HTH Rich,

Great photos to go with the rest Gordy. Rich,