David

Don't know yet. She's a relatively compact loco as a model. To be honest I know literally nothing about smoke generators. Anybody here know much about them? I saw an electronic smoke generator in a loco once that gave out puffs of smoke relative to the locos speed.

Lads, I think there's a few fundamentals that we're not all on the same page about. Unless I'm mistaken, any wagons on the horizon or currently available are/will be handmade. I'm not aware of any factory made models in development. This means that for a 4 wheeled wagon the manufacturer is almost certain to use an existing chassis and not develop their own. That means that saying it is just a case of getting the tooling right is not true. Now the manufacturer should select a rtr chassis that is as similar as possible to the Irish prototype being modelled. This rules out perfection with chassis detail, at least if you want to pay less than 50 euro. I think it's important that the model looks the part. At a glance the models should look right and the owner shouldn't feel the need to grab the callipers and the scale drawings to check dimensions! Meaning that the axle spacing is correct and the model is accurately dimensioned to say 1 or 2mm. There is always going to be a trade-off between price and accuracy. I have seen a photo of the MISR ballast wagon and it looks 90% right to me so I think to say it is 'wrong' is way too harsh. We need to be careful to criticise in a measured manner. If there is bad or sub-standard construction or finishing it needs to be highlighted but a hand builder should not be slated for using a RTR chassis.

I've been following the thread with interest. It seems to me that price is a major concern for most, especially when you consider that you're going to be wanting in the region of 10 or more 4 wheel wagons to make a set. Keeping the costs down all comes down to how quickly it can be made. With this in mind, especially in the case of RTR, you are almost certainly looking at using a modified UK chassis of some sort with a custom built body or top. Every process you can cut brings the price down and makes the project more and more viable. I understand that if may look easy on the outside to just widen the frames slightly to cater for 21mm but this might mean designing a new part or a scratch-built chassis instead of a donor. This means that the 99% have to pay more so that it is more convenient for the 1%. I have to agree with Anthony on this one. We've been building models for the last couple of years and have had 1 enquiry about 21mm and zero orders. The economics simply aren't possible to make a 100% perfect, 21mm ready, RTR wagon for less than 30-40 euro a wagon and about 20-30 for a kit. The absolute cheapest I could see a RTR wagon being is about 30 euro and 20 for a kit and that's using a UK chassis. I'd also caution that more competition is not always a good thing in a tiny market as it can force quality down in pursuit of price reduction.

Looks good to me. Maybe paint the wheel faces chocolate brown and you're 100% there

The 071s idle at about 600 rpm and full power is about 900 rpm if that helps your calculations Stephen

PM sent

I'm doing a few of these kits this year for some people so I could add you to that if you'd like?

We'll see how we get on with the 461 and the possible metrovics. I'm also leaning in the direction of doing locos but in the end I will do what the people want

22k railcar is not out of the question but would be next year sometime and the earliest! 461 and the metrovics will see us well into the middle of next year. 22k will be a very large project but we'll see when the time comes. I'd have to admit though that I have a bias for older rather than newer stock

Richie now look what you've started! I'll have no model making work to do by the time kit-builders anonymous gets going

Don't worry, it'll be designed so that even I can build it so you'll be grand! I'll be aiming to keep the required soldering to a minimum or maybe totally eliminated. There isn't one drop of solder in the De Dietrichs and they're almost totally brass! Actually I lied, the wiring is soldered but that's all. I've sent you a PM re deposit.

Don't worry Richie! It's about a 50/50 split in this case. Maybe the fact that it's a loco makes a difference.

@jhb That price is an approx figure but it should end up fairly close to that. There will be a price difference between lined or unlined liveries however.

Just saw your post now. There isn't a deadline as such. The project is now going ahead. The only thing I'd say is that they wont be around forever and you only need 25 euro to get on the bandwagon

Looks like there's a fair few of you looking for the Metrovics

Hi Railer, The 2600s are still available. I've sent you a PM David

Cheers for the offer! We'd probably design it to accept either a budget motor bogie chassis or a top end chassis depending on user's preference.

The boiler will be a brass tube so no rolling required!

The discussion on future projects has started up again here http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/113-Future-projects/page3 Regarding a future A/C class project, the method of construction will be almost exclusively brass. There is just no contest when it comes to accuracy and detail. Our primary market it RTR so it may or may not be offered as a kit if we go ahead with it. Assembled kit may be offered. That will depend on interest. We did offer a kit version of the De Dietrich stock but there was almost no takers with orders being almost exclusively RTR. The same goes for the 461 model, almost all of the orders received are for the RTR version.

We have decided to proceed with the RPSI/DSER loco 461. The cement bubble is also being worked on at the moment. I expect development of 461 to take some time mainly due to having to complete orders for existing models. I've been asked many times about doing and A/C class loco and it looks more and more likely that we will do this after the 461 project. Keep the suggestions coming. They are much appreciated and seriously considered!

I have you both on the list Paul and Stephen. We're at 17 now

Looks like there may be another so that'd be 16 now. Fingers crossed we'll get another few

Looks great. Nice to see a bit of Midland modelling.

Hi guys, The orders now stand at 15 so still 10 to go. I'd like to add that the model will also be available in 7mm scale if there is any interest in this. David

Thanks guys for the orders so far. There are 7 orders so far so we still need another 18 to go ahead. All you need to do is send a pm or post your interest on this thead. The deposit is refunded if the project does not go ahead and if you have paid the deposit there is no obligation to buy if you change your mind.