RedRich

They're getting excited Des as the release date is getting ever closer. With everything else you have going on at the moment you really pulled it out of the hat with the work you put into the model to have it on display at the MRSI show. I'm still praying for a foot bridge. Rich,

Pat's right IE won't allow it, mores they pity really. Rich,

Good find Vincent. No doubt some models will appear in the RPSI livery soon. Rich,

Cheers Fran, Rich,

Weren't Chessie born out of the B&O Fran. I am not 100% sure. Rich.

Just in case anyone would like to see what the glazing looks like on BR models, here's a link. http://shawplan.wordpress.com/laserglaze/ Rich,

Lads I spoke to Brian Hanson a while back about the possibility of introducing laser glaze windows for the MM 201 models. The windscreens would need attention as they are fully flush glazed on the prototype. The cabside sliding windows would also need to be done. Now although the cab side sliding windows are not fully flush on the prototype they do sit to far back in the window frame on the model. Brian will be taking on the work himself as he does it all in house. The windows would be a friction fit or you can use a little varnish to secure them in place. They are a great add on by the customer to achieve that little bit of extra realism and they don't have the prismatic effect that plastic glazing seems to have. I will be sending Brian a 201 body to work with this week so at least things will be under way. If anyone has any interest I will ask Brian if they could be made available to other folk interested in them. Rich,

I've already been talking to Brian about it Ivan and I will be sending off the relevant details to him soon. Brian does everything in house himself and he said he would take on the work. I will keep everyone updated when I can. The windscreens and the cabside sliding windows are the ones that need attention. The cabside windows are set back to far on the model and even though they are not fully flush on the prototype they should look very tasty when done. Actually I must start a thread about it to see if anyone is interested in them. I have been talking to some lads that are already interested in them but I will certainly post to the rest of the group. Rich,

They are really great platforms Stephen. I can say that I will be having a chat with Richie in the future his models are truly amazing. Rich,

Good luck with the exhibition and welcome to the group. Rich,

I honestly think it is something you are born with. A club is definitely a great environment to be involved in as there are so many aspects of the hobby you can gain experience from should you ever decide on a build of your own layout. The Markle dvd's are great for hearing those sounds that are now a part of history. Rich,

Eoin there have been a lot of posts regarding the model and you have very graciously accepted every opinion. I admire your honesty in your replies to all posts, and as I have said before not for me but I do sincerely wish you all the best. Rich,

It's great to see the new updates Ivan, and it's nice to see you back. Rich,

They really are fabulous models Stephen. The design, build and paint finish make for a quality model. I like the platforms. Rich,

Stephen the next time you are in a garden center or Woodies get some turnip seeds and try them out as beet loads. You can make a false floor just below the capping on the top of the models. Seal them in with some matt varnish or cheap hairspray. Rich,

We are all entitled to an opinion and I have had my own say regarding the model also. I think as consumers we all have a right to give our reasons why we think a model is value for money or why it isn't. The opinions offered by Glenderg and Des hold a lot of weight with me because they work in the design and producing of models. David and Marks opinions also hold weight because of the models they have so far brought to the market. I don't have an informed opinion because I am not in the same position as these people are, and neither should anyone else unless they design,produce and build models. 99% of us on here are modellers of varying degrees and interests. What someone wants to pay for a model is their business and if the OP sells a full batch of models then more power to him. I model for my own pleasure and it gives me hours of satisfaction. Rich,

That's a beautiful looking model Fran. The underframe detail is fantastic, it really looks powerful. It's well worth treating yourself to one. You have an eye for the good stuff. Rich,

MJT do some whitemetal BR buffers in the retracted position. However Markits produce some brass BR buffers fully sprung and they are beautiful and well worth the money. Rich,

I'm glad they have done so well. They are very professional looking and the photos are great. Rich,

Welcome aboard Fishplate, it's good to have you here. Rich,

It's a magnificent Model Gordon. The model is based on the time it was loaned out to IE some years ago and any changes made since it returned to NIR would have to be made by the modeller. It's nice to see though that people are expecting more for their money these days regarding the quality of new models and it puts that rivet counter handle back in the ground. Rich,

I understand fully what you are saying Anthony and I agree. Having said that it is why there is a cottage industry out there and luckily the parts needed for 112 wouldn't be expensive as some could be shaped from plasticard. Rich,

Class 50 Rob. I got them years ago. The class 37 ones from Bachmann have the larger receptacle on the outside like 112. The Hornby ones have the larger receptacle on the inside but I will be using fuse wire to replicate the cable so it can be fitted the correct way then. I have some other pieces that can be used belonging to an old Lima class 67 also. The most important and most critical areas of any model are in the dimensions and livery, because if they are wrong then that's an area that can't be corrected easily if at all. I can understand the items being missing from the models as it would be more expensive to model the details on a single loco. I haven't heard if there are any further plans to release 111 or 113. The 201's for example have differences within the class around the front skirts that weren't modelled correctly on some of the models. The non flushed glazing was a big let down too and some people were annoyed by that fact, where as some people weren't Detail differences on the prototype usually happen during over haul. The model of 203 is correct for only a very short period in it's as released form. Before it was last painted into the newer IE livery it had the body side air intake grilles painted in undercoat as well as the front footstep cover blanks. Having said all that it would have been nice to see the parts supplied as add on details but it didn't happen. If you look at the US market the cottage industry and detail parts market is huge because of the differences between locos or other rolling stock in the same class that get changed during overhaul. The UK scene has a good cottage industry also. SSM are supplying some good detail parts in their range now so who knows if Des hasn't seen an opportunity to add the 112 details to his to do list. Rich,

I had been anticipating this in advance and luckily I had some spares still left over from other projects. The white metal one is a Craftsman model and is showing it's age next to the Hornby versions. I will use fuse wire on the Hornby ones if I use them to get the correct length of the cables. My Bachmann versions ( but I'll have to dig them out later ) are excellent but the receptacles aren't painted orange as they are spares from the original class 37 releases. I believe they are available now, painted but I think the Hornby ones have the edge on them. I like the fact that 112 is also fitted with the Sinclair antennas as well as the standard ones. The cabfront details are available from a US after sales detail company but I'll have to have a look later. From what I've seen in photos from the pre production models all the roof fans are painted black. I remember seeing an orange IE 071 from the footbridge in Bray many years ago and the fan grilles were painted orange as it wasn't to long in traffic after overhaul. With a little work and the correct accessories 112 can become even more stunning than it is. Rich,

That's great work Killagan and very tidy. I can't wait to see more. Rich,