irishthump

The layout is DCC operated and wired all over. It is controlled from a Hornby Elite controller, which many people would recommend you avoid, but I have never had any issues with and it does the job perfectly for a layout of this size! The points are operated using standard switch and CDU control.

 

Hope this helps

Thanks Barl. The reason I was asking is that I noticed you used insulfrog points like myself. I've got a bit of flack over it from some purists who recommended live frogs but I did'nt want the hassle of wiring polarity switches. Personally, I have no problems with them once the track is cleaned regularly.

I converted a few of the older Hornby mk3's myself a while back. The difference in length was'nt an issue to me and I think they look fine, but judge for yourself here; http://www.irishrailwaymodelling.com/showthread.php/77-Graham-s-Workbench/page2

I'll warn you though, they are a bit of a pain to repaint because of how the glazing is done!

225 crash happened on 2/9/2010

Thanks for the info!

I assume she's back in traffic now?

225 suffered damage to the cowcatcher, panelling, headlamp assembly, buffers, air system piping, brake system piping , wiring, bogies, diesel tank, caws equipment, hep equipment and air reservoir tanks. This happened after a fatal accident involving a tractor at a level crossing.

How recent are these little "mishaps"?

Was I imagining things or did I see Joe Duffy in the Stillorgan Park hotel a couple of weeks back.

Great work and a lovely layout.

Is the layout DCC controlled?

What do you guys think? Am I talking out of my arse?

Absolutely not. DCC sound is not for everybody, it's just another facet of the hobby that you're either into or you're not. Obviously the sound can never match that of the real thing and for some that's a deal-breaker but I can understand that. It's the same as some modellers deciding to go with 21mm gauge track as opposed to 00 gauge just to go that extra mile in favour of realism.

I myself have a half-and-half mix of sound and non-sound locos. I love the "play" factor of driving the sound equipped locos but an just as happy letting them run (almost) silently around the layout as well. And yes the novelty can wear off after a few hours but who ever gets the chance to run their locos for more than a few hours?!!!

Looks the business!

All he needs now is some stock to fill them...

Sorry to put a damper on things but I got one of those soldering irons and I would recommend you to stay clear!

The tips are of poor quality and are of the screw-in type so they are difficult to replace. On the plus side you get a set of tips for engraving wood which

you might find useful.

The stand works well though!

When a speaker is in a sealed enclosure removing any part of that enclosure or simply drilling a hole in it will affect the sound not always for the bad but not always for the good. This applies to all speakers from something as small as a couple of centimetres to a rock concert speaker which a lot of the time have what's called a horn enclosure.

The bass reflex speakers are enclosure designed where as the speakers in the 201/071 are free air. Removing the back from the enclosure could in time damage the speaker.

Yes, removing the back can alter the sound, that's why most guitar amps have an opening at the back. But I noticed no difference when testing the speaker with and without the back.

In fact I was careful to place the speaker face up under the roof grill with the metal chassis of the loco forming a box around the back of the speaker which DID improve the sound.

I rememer reading that article when I was thinking about installing sound in my 141's. I did'nt fancy having to fettle any of the loco's innards to get a speaker to fit.

Gareth in Model Shop Belfast recommended this speaker: http://modelshopbelfast.com/index.php/railways/irish-and-local/4-ohm-bass-enhanced-speaker.html

If you remove the back of the plastic casing (which DOES NOT affect the sound in any way) the speaker will fit perfecly under the roof grill on the 141.

Until you want to fit a bass reflex then the chassis has to be modified and that becomes a big job to do it right

Yeah, but a 4 ohm bass enhanced speaker will fit without any surgery.

I guess the 201 and 071/111 have the board and speaker all ready, so it's drop and go with the sound chip.

 

The 141/181s require surgery.

Well actually all that's needed on the 141/181's is to solder the connections for the speaker, it's not a huge job. I found the hardest part was getting the bloody body off!

So these chips are seperate and noting to do with Model Shop Belfast?

Lovely paint job, Anto. Certainly looks the part!

Yeah, lovely piece of film.

And that's Dun Laoghaire/Mallin station before they wrecked it!

I hand paint all my built stock and while it is not a patch on any of the sprayed work seen on these pages,I find it much more rewarding and fulfilling doing it this way.

Have to agree. I would'nt dream of getting anybody else to build, paint or weather any of my stock. It would'nt be mine otherwise!

Well, finally got the flats and timber wagons weathered. Here are a few pics...

Weathering was done with washes and powders.

Nothing should delay the 121 model's production any further.

Is that a statement of opinion or a statement of fact?

In the American market which is vast compared to the irish one once the manufacturers moved to China and could make a ready to run wagon for about 5 dollars more, the Kits have virtually died a death.

I can understand that!

I think having the choice of both would be the best way to go as I the thought of assembling a kit can be terrifying to some modellers!

But I do agree that the kits can be just as costly as RTR when you factor everything in, price permitting I would be happy to go the RTR route.

Well, close to 42'9" anyway!

I had a few Hornby Railroad flats which I decided to cut-and-shut.

Here's one glued up...

A couple after the glue had set (I used 5 min epoxy).

Some buffers made from filed-down tacks.

Added some styrene detailing and Kadee couplers.

All four finished and sprayed with red oxide.

My own little fleet:

B141, 161sa, and 182 all sound chipped, and B165.

Well said Tom,and credit to Stephen for the site,and the Mods

who do a great job.400 members in a year is pretty good.

I never knew it cost 2k to keep servers going in the year,I

have no idea on this aspect,so thanks again.

I don't think there is a need for feedback section,as any

requests are always looked at.Sorry for off topic again.

I also never considered the cost of keeping the site running. Well done to you, sir. The site is an invaluable resource for the Irish modelling community and I'm one of many who have benefitted from the advice and expertise of it's members.

Hello, Jamie and welcome to the site. Nice to have someone from so far afield!

Sounds you already have a nice collection of stock. With a small space a nice little shunting layout with a goods or container yard might be a good idea.

Or maybe even a diesel maintenance depot and refueling point.

Try this site for track plan ideas - http://www.freetrackplans.com/Home.php