irishthump

Subsequent layers of black wash tie it together and tone down the brightness.

A lot of detailing and weathering is still needed, but I thinks it’s an improvement. 

The arrival of the new A Classes have inspired me to do some work on the layout which has been neglected for a while!

I wanted to replace a bridge on the layout, the existing one being made from brickpaper from Scalescenes. It looked ok but I was never very happy with it. I decided to use XPS insulation for the new structure. It was cut to size and shape and the brickwork was then carved in by hand.

Most people use PVA to seal foam before painting but I prefer to use a coat of Mod Podge mixed with black paint. This creates a harder shell on the foam. Then I painted it using a tan colour acrylic paint.

Next I add some variation by painting some of the bricks various different shades. I used the following colours…

The affect looks a little stark but it will be toned down with a wash.

7 hours ago, MarklinVandal said:

Thanks for the replies,

Yes - Checked it out on DC both before and afterwards and all is fine there with the Lights.

After going back to DCC I then had one of "those" moments.......  "Ah, If I had been looking at the bonnet end as well as the cab......." Yes, you guessed it, I had tunnel vision on the cab and didnt notice the lights coming on at the Bonnet end!

Anyway, this is what I found.

F0 = Bonnet Marker light

F1 = bonnet Red light

F2 = Cab Red light

F5 = bonnet Head Light

F6 = Cab Head light

It appears the only one I am missing is the Cab Marker light

RE the Chip I have - Lok Pilot 5 DCC/MM/SX/M4

At the time I bought 134 I didnt have the money for the sound chip and I thought I would do something later - "Just make sure not to miss getting one of the Locos!" 

A sense of technical curiosity now has me wondering how I can find where the Marker lights Joe,  do you have a reference for this -"Unless you have DCC knowledge of Mapping functions using the Lok programming / Decoder Pro with a Sprogg"?  I mostly use Hornby Railmaster for Programming my Decoders and I have a Roco z1 controlled either by a MultiMaus or from surplus iPad.  I have also used one of the Free Dcc Programming tools previously that could pick up the z1 - I dont have the Train laptop to hand say which one.

On the other hand, part of the sound track of my childhood was listening to various GM Locos going through their scales while they sat in Kent station waiting their next duty -My Father used to pick up Packages from FastTrack many an evening and I would go along and wander along the platforms until the paperwork was sorted.  there was inevitably one or more GM engined leviathan ( to me) sitting there with its engine note going up and down, or perhaps hauling something through the station.  So maybe I should go for the sound chip for 134 - She's certainly the most characterful Loco I have.

Cheerio all.

I actually can't remember offhand which function output controls which light! I'll have a look at the Loksound file when I get a chance. You'll need some form of interface for programming the decoder as doing it with CV's is fraught with danger!

On seperate note,

When fitting couplers in the NEM pockets on the detailed end of the A Class it appears you need to remove the brake cylinder at the fromt of the bogie. How is this removed? Is a simply a friction fit and do the sideframes have to come off as well?

That's a hell of a layout! I'd love to see more of it...

18 hours ago, NIRCLASS80 said:

Sorry but that video doesn’t do the models justice. The sudden start really annoys me when the technology is there to do it right. 

Yeah I have to agree. Especially with the fantastic drive mechanism in these locos. But it's something I see a lot with DCC sound; unrealistic operation despite having all the "bells and whistles"!

The sound quality DOES come across well in the video though.

5 minutes ago, Garfield said:

That'll be the Texas contingent...

They do love their diesels in the Lone Star State.

1 hour ago, BosKonay said:

Because they won't be.

Scenes outside IRM Towers within 10 minutes of that comment...

7 hours ago, Westcorkrailway said:

To be fair, we all had fair warning that when there gone, that’s it.

 

 

Never ceases to amaze me. The people who, despite the warnings about limited stock, still turn around and whinge when they miss the boat on these!

Picked up my two A’s today!

They are absolutely stunning. Sadly I only had time to pop the decoders in and give them a bit of run, but first impressions are fantastic. One thing that struck me is the quality of the sound from the speaker set up. The lads at IRM have outdone themselves.

2 hours ago, ttc0169 said:

All checks done….all ok….let’s get the road trial underway…..

 

Bloody stunning! I ordered the Supertrain myself, can't wait to get my hands on it!

52 minutes ago, Garfield said:

If you send us a quick email with the order number we can check it for you. 

Sent. Cheers!

Just a quick question for the IRM lads….

My own A Class order doesn’t show up in the “my orders” section of my account on the IRM website. Is this normal? I’m thinking maybe it’s because the order was made so long back….

1 hour ago, Billycan said:

I wrote,

Just seems to me that those who paid their money first should be served sooner rather than later.   

What do you think?

I think that if you fully paid before the items arrived in stock then you’re as entitled to them as quickly as anyone who payed in full at time of order. So dispatch the items in whatever way seems fit. In this case order date is perfectly fine.

1 minute ago, StevieB said:

Having waited so long for these beauties, does it really matter whether you get yours tomorrow or the day after?

Stephen

Have to agree with you!  Although I'm one to talk, I requested to collect mine coz' I did'nt fancy waiting on the post!

2 hours ago, Billycan said:

So, people who 'strictly' didn't have to pay and didn't, will have priority over people who didn't have to pay but did?  Just seems to me that those who paid their money first should be served sooner rather than later.   

Are you suggesting that people who simply paid in full at the time of ordering should get there's before those who ordered earlier but waited til the last minute to pay?

3 hours ago, Fowler4f said:

Could we have an end of the day update please. Thanks.

Here’s your update. It’s 6pm. That’s pretty much the end of the day.

Stay tuned for further updates….

4 minutes ago, BosKonay said:

We’ll not too long now and there will be some nice IRM stock to run with them instead  

Touche!

On 18/9/2021 at 10:00 AM, BosKonay said:

Hornby magazine take a look at the A

 

An A class with a rake of maroon MK1's?!!! You need to have word with them Hornby lads.......

Hats off to the lads at IRM, these look phenomenal! Honestly though, these are probably outside my sphere of Irish modelling but I may be tempted to go for the BR ones, finances permitting!

I really hope the other model companies are taking notes here. You’ve really pushed the envelope with the design and features of these coaches.

On 14/8/2021 at 11:15 PM, ttc0169 said:

Why bother with experimenting at this stage when the locomotive are only weeks away,be patient and enjoy the experience when they do arrive.   

I’ll be doing this myself as I plan to remap the functions to different keys so the A Class locos match the rest of my fleet.

Nice to have this done and dusted before the locos arrive. Means less faffing about when they get here.

On 13/8/2021 at 11:34 AM, Garfield said:

We're looking at delivery around the end of the first week of September, with shipments to customers commencing the following week. 

Will there be an option to collect our orders when they are in stock? Or will Covid restrictions still prevent this?

Wow I got one too and I barely react at all!

1 hour ago, Warbonnet said:

Sound decoders arrive around the same time as the locos! 

Perfect! Cheers Fran.

21 minutes ago, Warbonnet said:

I must be in a minority thinking the As looked better than their GM counterparts so... 

Not all! As I kid the A Class was always my favourite, but at the time the GM's were much more common on the southside (at least it seemed like it anyway!).

Onna seperate note, when will the sound chips for the A's be available?

On 31/5/2021 at 10:13 AM, minister_for_hardship said:

Fence wire tensioner.

Thanks for the pic, mayber he'll believe me now!

5 minutes ago, murrayec said:

I reckon it's a tension winch, for pulling fences or holding down! The fact it has wire on the drum, it's last use was most likely on a fence.

A lifting winch would have gears to lighten the load on the operator, and a much larger drum to hold long cable......

Eoin

Yeah that would make sense as there's no release mechanism for the ratchet.

My friend is just fixated on the CIE prining on the side. Although I'm not sure that's what it is! Don't worry it's just curiosity, he's not trying to flog it!