RedRich

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,

It wasn't Tim Shackleton Richie. For the life of me I can't remember his name. He had painted examples of his work on display and the teak painted coaches were truly amazing for a non mass produced model. His lining was done with a lining pen and he gave a demo of how to achieve the best results. The lining looked as good as any printed lining I have ever seen. He gave a great tip on how to achive a metal look to factory painted coaches and locos by using tiny amounts of t cut and polishing the model. It really took the eggshell look off the model and it looked so realistic. He advised plenty of practice on old pieces of rolling stock to get the technique down to a tee. Rich,

Seamus if you decide to ever use a blade again, put some micro sol on the printed numbers and let it soak right in. Use a curved blade as it won't scratch or cut into the paint. All factory finished models are sealed with varnish before the printed numbers are applied. This is helpful if you are using white spirit or thinners as it may remove some of the outer coat of varnish, but it won't remove any paint. Rich,

I think Murphy Models deserve some credit for correcting the cabside numbers to the correct white with black shadow on 082. It bodes well for the chevron being corrected on the IE and IR models. Rich,

It depends on the paint finish Seamus. If the loco is produced in the same factory as Bachmann models then some white spirit on a cotton bud rubbed gently works, although it can leave a ghost image of the original number if done to rough. I have had some great results with t cut on the tip of a blunt cocktail stick, I got that advice from a well known painter in the UK , doing a demonstration few years ago. Rub gently and it should work a treat. Always make sure that the area to receive the numbers has a gloss surface to help the transfer blend in and it makes the transfer backing paper disappear. Use a matt or satin varnish depending on your choice of finish to seal the transfer. I look forward to seeing some pics of the finished result and I bet it will look great. Rich,

Very nice Pat. I bought 2 truck models a while back and it has kick started a new interest for me. Rich,

I picked up 112 and 071 myself. I am extremely pleased with them. when put buffer to buffer with a baby GM the height difference is spot on with the 071 sitting slightly higher on it's chassis. The paint finish is the best I have seen on a rtr model, they run like a dream. I also like that the various roof antennas, horns , vacuum pipes are factory fitted. It's not that I don't like fitting them myself, I just think it's a nice touch. Sometimes a model shines in one area and gets left down in another, this model is great in all the critical areas with maybe the bogies being a little 2 dimensional. How ever the babies were the same in that department The buffers look more like the 141 buffers but it doesn't bother me that much. I have always thought that the babies were among if not the best looking 00 models I have seen and these new models can take their place alongside them. No model is ever perfect, but this looks like an 071 - 111 from all angles and is worthy of all the praise it has and will receive. It sadly won't win any awards in the UK based polls simply because of the size of the market for Irish models. But if there were awards given by impartial magazine reviewers it would be hard not to give it a best 00 loco award. I've just put a few Cravens behind 112 for a look and the scene looks right. Rich,

I had a good look at the model on Des's stand at the show and it looked amazing. It's probably the best resin, brass, white metal kit I have seen as it just looks right. Congrats on doing a great job in having her finished for the weekend Des, it must have been non stop. I loved the steam loco in the cabinet. The MK111 Gen van looked great as did the other wagons. Good luck to anyone getting a kit they won't be disappointed. Rich,

The tamper looks sweet Noel. I like the IE logo on the side. The fact that it is operational really sets a new standard in per way models. As Jim has said the backs of the houses look great. I'll make sure to see you for a chat tomorrow Noel, not to long to go now. Rich,

That didn't take long Fitz. 10 out of 10 for your sales skill. Rich,

Kirley I have just commented a moment ago on how good the trees look in your layout thread. Another bonus is they'll smell nice with the hairspray. Actually the cheeper the hairspray the better it works. Rich,

That's coming together nicely Kirley. I like the trees, and the space for the layout is something I'd love myself at the moment. Rich,

They would make an interesting if unusual looking model. Rich,

Nice one Fran, you'll have to stick up some photos of the American loco. Rich,

Thanks Seamus, enjoy the weekend in Wexford. Rich,

The prototype is a bulky loco Seamus, and the model seems to portray that look also. What year were they originally announced as a future product. I remember that PM made the announcement at the SDMRC and I can't be too sure whether it was 2009 or later. Rich,

I know Fran I can't help it. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. The old man played a part in the construction of the Waterford Crystal Millenium ball that is in Time Square New York. Rich,

Looking forward to catching up with you tomorrow Des. I can't wait to see B109 in the flesh. A fully built and painted kit of the model will put it up there with the best. I've been watching it's devolpment since it's inception and it has come so far in such a quick time. Another 24 hours and 14 minutes to go. Rich,

Nice one Snapper, fotopic was a great resource for photos and is sadly missed. Rich,

Thanks for the pics Dave they are whetting the appetite even more. Only another 37 hours to go. The boxes do look to be shorter than the 201 boxes which makes sense. Rich,

So Sorry to hear about your bereavement Noel. May I offer my deepest sympathies to you and your family. Welcome back and I hope we bump into each other on Saturday. Rich,

It looks good Stephen and it's really coming to life. Rich,

The most important thing is running your locos and having fun. I could have hours of fun with that setup, and that is the most important thing. Rich,