BosKonay

I agree. My only point is to give them a fair run rather than the 'box shifter only' view. If they lose on price that's fine. But where they don't they should deserve our support

That's not the point we are discussing. If the goal Is the cheapest possible price and ignoring the value add or commissions or expertise of local providers, then we have to be happy if they cease to exist. Then we also have to be happy when there is no one to commission Irish stock or develop new lines or attend the shows. For me it's all about value not price ( though as I've said I've never had a price issue for anything I've needed and I've spent thousands in the last year alone )

Maybe I'm wierd as I shop In the local grocer and butcher I might be in the minority but I don't like what chains like Dunnes or tesco do to communities by ripping out the heart of a town. My point is that we should do all we can to support and buy local. When you look at the commissions like the 2700 or ballasted, or the dapol range marks do, or the modelshopbelfast sound decoders, or the expertise, advice and participation in local events- where you can, why would you not support local? If we had no local shops, would we be happy buying uk stock from the big lads in the uk to paint ourselves? As far as I'm concerned, any time I've put an order to the local lads, they've matched or beat the box shifters prices for what I needed. Add to that what they give back to the community and it's a done deal for me.

I'm not knocking the big uk lads but there is not a snowballs chance in hell they would have taken the risk on autoballasters or spent time working on sound chips for Irish stock or had 150s repainted. The Irish lads did put up the cash for the commission and are to be commended. Where the price with postage is comparable I would always recommend supporting local.

Exactly Kirley. Would hattons have given us the autoballasters?

I would presume the point is that the box shifters have a model more like tesco. Stack em high and make up on volume. The local shops are more like traditional shops - experts in their fields, providing a lot of value added services and participating in events and supporting the community. The smaller scale model means you need to make margin on everything you sell and can't afford to simply sell at loss or cost + a point to clear shelves. This argument has appeared a few times and while not seeking to defend the local shops, it's enough to say I highly value the services and expertise they provide and have never bought anything from a box shifter for that reason.

Beautiful!!! Oooooozing atmosphere!

They are from Shapeways. Look for valve designs on there. A range of Irish kit bits from the Philips rapid prototyping company. Ive beets too which are excellent! http://www.shapeways.com/shops/valvedesign

Me neither Hopefully I'll have platforms down soon

If I get time later I'll dig out a box of mkIII's for a photo

Platform 1 (closest to the edge) is 6.5 feet long. Platforms 2, 3, 4 and 5 are all just over 9 feet. I can fit a 201 and 8 mkIIIs with room to spare.

Nice one on the tripod Garfield. Cheers!

You're telling me! I'd love a smoke gen fitted 181

And finally, 187 pulls the autoballasters

Welcome Mark!!

Cheers Rich, I was being a bit lazy playing trains instead of laying the shed sidings like I intended when I went upstairs :)

I promise to invest in a tripod before I get scenics done!

Testing out the throat with the Fuel Oil Train (and 229 again)

Here 229 Pulls them into a siding [video=youtube;KAWk4-OSBCk]

At the moment, 4 units, I'd plan to get a pair of double packs of the non-genny ones when they come out (hopefully!) Am uploading a few vids to youtube atm

It's funny, but true Some of the stories really are terrible :)

A couple of quick 'state of play' shots