BosKonay

If anyone is at the Hornby Magazine Great Electric Train Show in Milton Keynes, do pop by to say hello and check out our samples, as well as all in-stock items for sale

Accurascale announce Rawie Buffer Stop packs in 4mm 11 October - Accurascale today announces the launch of the latest model in its 4mm accessory line; the Rawie buffer stop. Several variants of this distinctive buffer stop can be found across the rail network, from terminus stations, to locomotive stabling points, to motive power depots and freight yards. The variant that has been modelled by Accurascale first appeared in the early 1990s and remain a bright red distinctive feature to this day across the network. The Accurascale model will come in multiple variants, with a basic buffer stop with traditional buffer pads, a buffer stop with Scharfenberg coupling box attachment and a buffer stop with a Scharfenberg attachment with lighting pole and functioning lighting, with pick up from the track. Tooling for the models has been complete with undecorated pre-production variants of the Scharfenberg box buffer on display at the Great Electric Train Show on October 13th and 14th. Tweaks to the design are currently being undertaken by Accurascale’s factory in China. The buffer stops will be in packs of two for the basic and buffer stop with Scharfenberg coupling box attachment priced at £5.95, while the LED fitted buffer is in a single pack for £6.95. Prototypical friction pads will be provided in each pack to be placed on the rails behind each buffer stop as per the prototype. They are suitable for both Code 100 and 75 00 gauge track. Delivery is expected to be Q4 2018 and can be ordered directly from the Accurascale website once it arrives in stock. https://accurascale.co.uk/

Accurascale today announces its next model; the CFMF PCA bulk cement wagon in 4mm scale and a 2mm variant in collaboration with Realtrack Models. Both models were unveiled with pre-production samples at the Great Electric Train Show in Milton Keynes on September 13th. Built by CFMF of France for wagon leasing company STS, the 50 PCA bulk cement wagons of the PC017B design diagram started entering service in 1982. Assigned the numbers STS10600-STS10651, 15 members of the fleet were hired to Rugby Cement for use on workings from Halling Cement Works in Kent to Greenford, Southampton, and possibly Bow Goods and Tilbury Riverside. Meanwhile, other examples were leased to Blue Circle for use on a number of workings. This included: special cement (e.g. Sulfacrete) from Swanscombe to destinations that included Barnstaple, Bristol Avonside Wharf, Exeter Central, Leeds Marsh Lane, Middlesbrough Goods, Southampton and Theale; special cement from Rhoose to destinations that included Bristol Lawrence Hill, Carmarthen, Exeter Central, Gloucester Llanthony, Hamworthy, Plymouth Friary and Taunton; oil well cement from Snodland to Chacewater; and bulk cement from Westbury to destinations that included Barnstaple, Carmarthen, Gloucester Llanthony and Southampton. A further batch of 15 wagons was manufactured in 1985 by another French firm, Fauvet-Girel. Numbered STS74030-STS74044 and assigned design diagram PC017C, these vehicles received Rugby Cement livery and replaced the wagons from the previous batch which had been leased to that company. All wagons were re-liveried in 1996 when they were leased by Castle Cement for use on workings to London – initially to Kings Cross freight depot and then to the freight facility at St. Pancras from 2003. Since 2013, a number of these wagons have also been used on workings between Clitheroe and Avonmouth. Realtrack Models previously announced a model of this distinctive wagon, but approached Accurascale in Spring 2018 with a view to forward the project, while also developing a 2mm variant. The two companies have worked together to bring forward the model, with Accurascale releasing the 4mm wagon under its own brand and Realtrack releasing the 2mm model under its banner. Accurascale’s 4mm version will see the model released in STS dark grey, Rugby Cement and Castle Cement branding, featuring multiple running numbers in packs of three. The 4mm packs are priced at £69.95 for 3 wagons, with attractive reductions across all three liveries for rake bundle deals. Each wagon is at the standard customers expect of Accurascale, with over 100 separate parts in each wagon, with the highest attention paid to accuracy, detail and running quality. Ease of conversion to EM and P4 is also incorporated, as well as NEM pockets at the correct height. A factory sample has been received in both scales and a number of tweaks and corrections are currently being made before production. Realtrack will release the wagons in the same three liveries as Accurascale, with prices TBA. The project is well advanced with Accurascale’s newest factory and a delivery date of January 2019. The Realtrack 2mm version is due in Q1 2019. Pre-orders of the 4mm wagon are available now exclusively via the Accurascale website: www.accurascale.co.uk

Hi Railer, 2018 has been an excruciatingly busy year for us, where not much might have 'appeared' on the surface, we've been the proverbial swans behind the scenes. Our Ploughs are on time and schedule, and due shortly, and the entire 'project 42' tooling will be underway in the coming weeks, so we'd hope the items on that list will start arriving before Chinese New Year at the latest. We've also some exciting new things being announced at month end, and beyond, and an even more exciting 2019 programme already in the works, as well as an extensive range of Accurascale UK outline items. We've now three factories up and running and smoothed out in China, with no less than 6 projects underway across them as I type!

Hi everyone, As you may already know by now, our highly anticipated Tara Mines wagons were due to leave our factory in China a couple of weeks ago for their long journey to Dublin. In fact, they did leave the factory, and headed to the airport for their first of two flights. Unfortunately, nature took its course and as a result of a ‘Super Typhoon’ hitting the model railway manufacturing region of China, our delivery of Tara’s was delayed. All flights were cancelled, and as a result our consignment missed the connecting flight from Beijing. As a result of the storm itself, the fall out and damage caused to local infrastructure, getting them out of China was impossible for a number of weeks. China's logistics channels is also amid all the Christmas market stock leaving the Far East for Europe, so it is currently logistics silly season and getting a new slot on a plane proved quite the challenge. The good news is that we have finally secured a way for them out of China after much searching around, phone calls, emails and annoyance of several logistics managers. The not so good news is that there was no space available by air, and instead they are travelling by sea. This means that they will now arrive in approx six weeks time. Apologies for this delay, but sadly nature is something we can’t legislate for in this instance. We will keep you up to date and will have more news when we have it. We are just as disappointed as you are, and we really wanted them here for the three day show in Raheny in October, but it's just the way it goes. As compensation, we will have plenty to see at the show, including an additional new model announcement on Saturday, October 27th, so make sure you come and see us! Thanks, IRM Team (Fran, Patrick, Richard and Stephen) View the full article

For the sake of clarity, the 'new' IRM stock - ie: all items post the Bubble/Ballast/Plough chassis, are designed for 21mm.

As we reported last week, the Tara’s were due with us this week. However, nature has taken its course and as a result of a ‘Super Typhoon’ hitting the model railway manufacturing region of China on Sunday our delivery of Tara’s has been delayed. This is down to the storm itself, the fall out and damaged caused to local infrastructure. We’re currently looking to get a timeline on getting them on a flight out of China but it looks like it’s going to be delayed by a few weeks at least before everything is back up and running smoothly. We are also amid Christmas market stock leaving China, so its logistics silly season at the moment and getting a new slot on a plane could prove quite the challenge. We will keep you up to date and will have more news when we have it. In happier news, one package that made it out of China before the typhoon hit was the first engineering sample of the forthcoming ballast plough which we can now share with you. The engineering sample is a first test of the molds and it also tests the fitting and finish of parts. As you can see our factory has painted it in a rather fetching shade of NIR blue for some reason! Overall there is a lot to like such as the crispness of the body, the additional detail and the etch grills. However, some changes required too. These will be conveyed back to China and changed before we receive the decorated samples in proper yellow livery! The ploughs will be a highly limited model and are selling fast, including the latest announced CIE variant. Have you placed your order yet? Don’t miss out! View the full article

I've tested 2mm cubes in rows of 4, which has been successful too, there is definitely a fine art to it!

Very nice Noel. How do you find the kadee magnets versus DIY neodymium cubes or similar?

Absolutely. The chips will work just fine on DC and you can also use the physical switches.

The key benefits of going DCC on them (with a DCC layout) are Switch on and off all lighting functions from your controller without upsetting the rake Set your exact preferred lighting level on both tail lamps and interior lighting The chips support blinking and other lighting effects should you wish if you are running a Loksound or LokPilot in your loco, you can give the brake vans the same address and they will act in unison with identical CV

They would be LokPilot Nano Standard DCC, NEM651 6-pin interface, direct connection or a very similar option. The LokPilot Nano Standard decoder has four function outputs supplying a maximum continuous current of 100 mA each, provided the total current including the motor output does not exceed 1 A. All important lighting functions (e.g.: blinking lights mars light, flash) are available and can be adjusted just like the brightness for each individual output.

If anything we're worried we might be about to bury you all in new stuff

I was only trying to blow the bloody doors off!!

Progress at last

With our new factories we’ve an exciting ramped up schedule. We’ll be announcing more items over the coming weeks

Hi Railer for clarity there is no impact on IRM timelines as we have now three factories up and running and getting up to speed. Only the cemflo planned assembly slot has moved.

She's a beautiful lady, that's for sure

Over now, but for the record, here was the list Belfast Model Railway Show 2018 Exhibits Silburn – Ulster Model Railway Club This year the Ulster Club’s OO layout is appearing as Silburn, set somewhere in GB and featuring a double track main line and branch line. A wide range of steam and diesel trains will be shown during the Show. Killagan – NCC Group A model of a country station between Ballymena and Ballymoney on the former main line from Belfast to Portrush / Londonderry. It is set in the UTA era 1949 – 1968 Ballymerg - The Model Electronic Railway Group Ballymerg demonstrates some of the MERG electronic modules. A number of other modules for the control of model railways will also be on display. Blue motion – Warren Fowles During British Rail’s blue era, two overhead electrics ply their trade, assisted by two diesels. Lambeth Road – North Down Model Railway Society The layout shows London Underground and BR standard gauge exchange lines and includes a workshop facility. Broadway Industrial Park – Peter McVicar An American style switching layout set in the mid 90’s using locos from Union Pacific and Southern Pacific. Industrial parks are where businesses are built with rail connections to the rest of the country. All locos are DCC controlled. Any questions please ask. Irish T Trak – Michael O’Connor An Irish themed continuous double loop featuring Irish themed modules running a range of Irish stock from steam to modern diesel and railcars reflecting most major operators, CIE, GNR. GSR, LMS, NCC, MGWR, UTA LLanuwchllyn – Gerry and Jenna Byrne Llanuwchllyn is a passing station on the Llangollen line in North Wales. It has been preserved as a narrow gauge line. The layout features the station in its standard form in the BR days in the 1960’s. Felddorf – South Dublin MRC A 750mm narrow gauge railway serving an isolated agricultural area in Germany. Swanbourne Vale Light Railway – John Izzard A freelance light railway set in the county of Buckinghamshire which runs between the villages of Swanbourne and Linslade. There is a mix of RTR and kit-built stock in use on the layout. All the buildings are scratchbuilt. Scenes of Continental Europe – Roland Palmer An HO layout depicting different typical European scenes Models for Heroes – Veteran Support Charity Models for Heroes supply model kits, tools etc to the UK’s recovery charities. Scale modelling is a beneficial hobby which supports the treatment of veteran and ex-service personnel with particular health issues. Jia Miaville – Brian Chambers The layout represents a small sleepy hamlet served by a branch line with another mainline running. Road Runner – Les and Leanne Conn Road Runner is a narrow gauge railway featuring Road Runner and Will E Coyote. New this year is P.O.O.P (Patented Olfactory Obfuscation Products) – it’s the bagging factory for a cat litter mine. The mind boggles!! Ardmore – Model Railway Society of Ireland Ardmore is an O.Gauge layout depicting a country branch line terminus, with turntable at end of passenger platforms. There is also a goods yard, cattle dock and engine servicing facilities at the nearby engine shed Quarry Hill / Janestown – First Bangor MRC This memorial OO Scale digital layout depicts a typical British steam era and is named after two members deceased partner and spouse. It consists of a double loop main line, a branch line and necessary sidings with control of trains and points by the Digitrax system. Attractions for the public are the long track runs for the trains, the smoking locomotives with sound and the camera train, displaying the drivers view around the layout on a monitor. Glenash – First Bangor MRC This is an N Gauge American based club layout, but built to suit all operators with enough license to run American, Continental or British outline rolling stock. The layout consists of two linked ovals for continuous running. The inner one has two passing loops and numerous sidings enabling shunting and storage to take place. A station serves both tracks at the front of the layout. An eye catching feature is a ‘Tomytec’ bus driving around the road circuit and stopping to pick up children at the local school. Robert’s Bridge – Robert McDougall Robert’s layout has grown and he shows us again just how much you can put into a 6’ x 4’space. Fascinating! Galloway Road – John Gough Galloway Road is an “N” gauge layout representing a small passing station in Dumfries & Galloway. The original Port Road was closed in 1965 but reopened as a heritage line in 1968. An end on connection through Dumfries to the West Coast Mainline at Carlisle allows the Port Road Preservation Society to operate a diverse range of mainly LMS passenger and goods stock. Brunig Bahn – Bill Evans A demonstration showing that you can create an interesting LGB layout in a small space. The International Plastic Modellers Association The group will be providing a wide ranging display of model aircraft, military vehicles, figures and other models painstakingly built and decorated by members. Moneygawn – Hugh and William Sweeney A OO small goods layout based on the Hornby trackmat with an extension. Coach building Demonstration – Raymond Wilson Raymond will again be showing how to put together a brass coach from a kit. He will be happy to demonstrate the necessary skills and answer your questions. Corlust Meccano Club The Club will be erecting a large layout on the floor of the Hall. What shape it will be, we’ll only know when it’s finished! Great fun for children and parents! Reculver Road – Brian Marshall Brian is a member of the Colonel Stevens Society and will be showing a layout set in the South of England and built to the Colonel’s principles. Other Society items will be on display. Belfast and Co. Down Miniature Railway Society The Society operates the Drumawhey miniature 7.1/2”railway near Newtownards and will have one of their locos on display and also a photographic display. They will also have a sales table offering secondhand models and books. Trade stand – Joe Barlow Joe will have a wide selection of plastic kits and modelling accessories for sale. Profits from sales will be donated to The Parkinsons Society. Trade Stand – Sean Ryan Sean will be selling second-hand N Gauge rolling stock and possibly some OO / HO models. Trade Stand - Chris Dyer Once again Chris will be tempting us with a wide range of UK and Irish model railways (including NIR) plus an extensive range of second-hand stock. Trade Stand - GModelscene Gabov will be selling lots of model railway accessories from Hornby, Faller, Piko, Javis etc. Trade Stand – Times Past (Martin Gray) Times past is a Bachmann stockist and carries a large range of Bachmann/Woodland Scenic items as well as being a Murphy models agent,

To clarify, the site is now standardised with https://accurascale.co.uk If items are selling 'quickly' ie: more than one pack per day for the last 3 days then the 'HURRY' message appears. If the stock level available drops below 50 packs, the HURRY message also includes the Actual packs remaining. The sites both now also tell you the most recent purchases from other customers as you browse. Hope that's clear! As an example, you can see that Pack D of the bubbles is extremely close to selling out https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/cement-bubbles/products/two-axle-cement-wagon-multi-pack-d

Hi Railer, Great idea! I've sorted the code for that now - any item under 30 packs / items in stock will show the actual stock level https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/cement-bubbles/products/two-axle-cement-wagon-multi-pack-d

Exceedingly

Pretty sure the backside looks little like the actual building, will see if I can dig mine out for a photo!

Hi K, The discount is based on the special link you would have been emailed if you'd already ordered a plough. If you want to order three packs, use the link from the promotional email / blog post to ensure the code is used, otherwise you can manually type in the code PloughDeal247 In the promo code area on the website.

Any three packs will make the deal work (as long as one is the CIE Pack)