irishthump

Have a look at the Tomy Tomica range of trains. Battery powered, very robust, easy to place back on the track. Smyths usually stock them.

True. I would like to try 21mm, but the amount of extra work it would give me just rules it out. But then again, I'm type of person who happily runs US and German HO stock alongside the Irish OO gauge. So what would I know?!!! Yes, those same rivet counters will demand every detail be accurate then run all their stock with dirty great tension lock couplers sticking it of them.

Probably not much difference, unless you’re running over a long crossover or yard ladder with insulfrog points. But it’s surprising there isn’t 6 wheel pick up. Many European HO models have unpowered centre axles but still pickup from all 6 wheel sets. Probably more to do with with them usually having friction tyres…..

That’s the only niggle I ever had with the 201’s, the fact that they only pick-up power from 4 axles. The middle ones have no contact strips.

Same to you guys from a delighted customer.

Thanks man. Yours set the bar!

Yeah I found these hard work! Like yourself, I though they only looked convincing when they are really filthy with layer upon layer of grime and cement. The only way to get that effect was to apply layer upon layer of weathering! I ended using every technique I could think of.... I found the streaking effects particularly hard to get right. Removing the paint with a fibre pencil was way too aggressive. I ended up letting the Tamiya paint dry for several days before scrubbing at it with a stiff brush moistened with isopropyl. The effect is quite convincing. The chipping cement was done using Maskol before the paint was airbrushed on. The cement dust is REAL cement. It's as fine as any weathering powder and looks great when sealed with varnish.

Fantastic space for a layout! Looking forward to see how the helix works with the various levels planned. Personally I wouldn't be brave enough to try a helix and I think I'd just do a round the room with long gradients to any upper level(s).

Finally finished the rake of 12 cement bubbles. I wasn’t entirely happy with how thy looked; I’d deliberately tried to make each wagon unique but it didn’t quite work. So I gave the whole rake an overall coat of grey with the airbrush and it seems to be a better look.

So the 8 Taras are now finished…. IMG_8329.MOV

I’ll take it!

Wonderful work, just perfect!

Seriously? The 201 is a very high-spec and a wonderful runner. I'd love to hear a full list of these "obvious inaccuracies". The 201 is the only MM loco that I don't have more than one of, and I always regretted it!

Des can be a little slow replying sometimes, but he’ll get back to you.

Lovely work there Adrian! The baseboards and woodwork look very sharp and the concrete hardstanding on the engine shed looks spot on. really looking forward to seeing this layout progress.

Yeah I really don't understand why Roads&Rails did this modification. Out of the box the A Class has better sound than any of my other locos, and I've tried a lot of different speakers and configurations. It seemed to be a case of "I'm doing it because I can!"

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the 121 has a 5 pole motor. It's getting to be standard on the new, high end RTR locos. Good points about converting to DCC, it pretty much precludes locos of a certain vintage. But I've had success converting the old Lima pancakes and Hornby Ringfield motors to run on DCC.

I was'nt aware the 121 had a coreless motor. Are you sure that's the case?

Took a break from the bubbles and made a start on my Tara’s….

Some weathering on a few of my cement bubbles.

Not usually, although many consider the action of the SEEP point motors to be a bit too fierce for handmade points. Peco points are well made and pretty robust so I would'nt worry too much.

Well that was a pig of a job! Don't think I'll bother doing it with my other 071, it's not worth the hassle....

I've been using both OO and HO scale figures in my locos. https://irishrailwaymodeller.com/topic/71-grahams-workbench/?do=findComment&comment=165393 I used a Bachmann figure for the A Class. It's actually a track maintenance guy but he works fine. You'll most likely have to cut the legs off no matter what figure you use. I picked up some HO gauge figures and I've been trying them in my other locos. You can see one in the 141 in that post. Again, looks fine.

Guys, What's the process for getting the cab off of the 071 model? I've got as far as removing the main body but the cab seems reluctant to come off! Don't want to force it and snap anything. Is there a tab that needs to be freed first?