irishthump

Oh yes I think the budget will stretch to a couple of these beauties!

Hi Sean, sorry this is such a late reply. I find Modellbahn Lippe the best source for blank ESU decoders. No Brexit and free shipping on orders over €100. https://www.modellbahnshop-lippe.com/Digital+_sp_+Digital+boxes/Digital/gb/liste.html?spur=H0&hersteller=ESU&grup=Decoder+with+sound Unfortunately I don't think the can program them for you.

You're right about the IRM A Class decoders. The file for these included a bespoke recording of a real A Class and they really are excellent so I didn't mind paying a little more and you can't get that prime mover sound anywhere else. Although I did use my Lokprogrammer to rearrange the function buttons on the decoders. The 567 and 645 MM decoders on the other hand contain sound files from ESU's library of US soundfiles, all of which are free to download. But these are still very high quality and are the correct prime movers in each case.

On MM V5 Loksounds only, which means the 121 decoders. Same for the IRM A class decoders. With older V4 decoders you need to load a new soundfile which is relatively easy to do.

Oh was absolutely being disparaging to the ESU techs and the files. The point to remember is that ESU produce primarily for the European HO market and they have different preferences to Irish,UK and US modelers. They use a lot of automation and other programming features that we don't bother with so prototypical driving of locos is not something they care about. However when ESU went after the US market they had to change and set up a US based team. That's then they really improved and now have a substantial chunk of the US market. ESU decoders work fine out of the box. To really get the full advantage of ESU decoders you really need a Lokprogrammer. Then you can create your own soundfiles using the superior US sounds which are free to download from ESU's website. You can also unlock and tinker with the prototypical driving and braking features.

No they're not. Please learn to take Noel with a pinch of salt, he has a talent for..... hyperbole shall we say.

The thing I would most like to see is the addition of a stay alive. I was disappointed that the 121's didn't come with that capability. I'd have happily given up the see-through grills in favour of the stay alive. Pre fitted speaker would also be nice, even though the older 141 wasn't too badly served in that respect as it had the speaker cradle included. All in all there was very little to criticize with original Baby GM's. They still hold up very well IMHO.

Looks great! Can't wait to see more....

Great result! Hats off to you with this, it sure as hell looked like a goner....

RIP

If you're talking weathering, every post should bring more excrement!

Excellent! Same techniques as on the Ferts and container flats?

Like the subtle variations. Very nice work.

The concrete hardstanding looks excellent.

I've a huge backlog of stuff to be weathered, but I think a couple of these will be bumped to the top of the queue!

Oh and I almost forgot! It was a VERY merry Christmas.......

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all.

OK I'm officially tempted!

For what it's worth, Ivory with CIE roundel.

Weathered a couple of Lima Mk2's over the weekend. Although their obviously not the most detailed models they can be made to look pretty presentable and they run very well. Weathering was mainly enamel washes with a little dusting of the underframe and bogies with the airbrush.

I view it on my laptop and I don't feel it's a great hardship to close the ad when it pops up. Remember, if you don't have to pay to keep something running then you should be able to accept a slight inconvenience.

What model is it? Different manufacturers need different chemicals to strip the paint.

That was done by giving the model a coat of Testor's Dullcote then airbrushing a coat of a grimy brown mix of Tamiya paint. When that is touch dry, use a soft brush moistened with 50/50 IPA and water and start to remove the paint in downward strokes. The mottling occurs when the Dullcote reacts with the IPA.

Piko tanker wagon….

Here’s a couple of extra pics as I’d forgotten to add the buffer grease!