Shinkansen

Incredible day checking out the Inchicore works. This is something I wanted to do with years, and it did not disappoint  
I had some great chats with Irish Rail staff, and met the lads from IRM too. Delighted to get a proper look at the engineering workshops, equipment and of course rolling stock at Inchicore. A great privilege to see our industrial heritage up close. Big thanks to all involved in putting it together

Good to see some much needed investment. Although I would have liked to have seen DART underground go ahead instead of getting kicked 20 years down the road. Seems a bit crazy to me!

I like the look of the new DART units. Good looking modern livery too, a bit more imaginative than the “lets paint everything silver” blandness we’ve seen in the past. And hopefully they’ll finally fix the DARTs biggest fault… those seats 

https://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2017/09/07/designer-responsible-for-the-seat-upholstery-on-the-dart-is-finally-arrested/

Just after opening up my delivery from IRM. I wanted to say very well done to all at IRM for the hard work bringing the ‘A Class’ model to market. It is a credit to you all.
I am delighted with my two A’s (036 & 054). Incredible detail, crisp paintwork, and the history leaflet included. All in an incredibly well wrapped package.

Pure class

Nice collection of Japanese classics there lad Love the twin cam There’s always one hooligan doing doughnuts

I don’t think is a very good idea to be honest. Yes, while the broader gauge looks nice and is more prototypical. I can live without it as the negatives far outweigh the positives. 

It will add limitation to an established railway layout: i.e. not being able to run other stock. A lot of modellers don’t just run irish stock. I for example have a few UK locos that I like to run from time to time too. It is unlikely these will be convertible to 21mm if it became the new norm here.

Parallel to this, it will limit the appeal of Irish stock outside of the Irish market, which is already a very small market to begin with. When compared to UK and Europe. Limiting the interoperability of Irish railway models with existing track standards, will make our niche hobby even more niche than it is.

it just adds unnecessary cost to modelling without a lot of benefit. 

And finally. And possibly most importantly to anyone considering the monumental task of designing a new track system.... all the unforeseen challenges of designing points, turn outs, crossings etc... This is extremely risky / costly. This effort could be better invested elsewhere such as in developing more Irish locos, wagons, DMU’s etc...

Anyway, that’s my two cents worth. 

Cracking good deal lads. I missed the container flats last year so really looking forward to getting these. A real Black Friday deal indeed. 

Final update.

071 and Dapol Prestwins all sold. Many thanks to all who had a look.

Kind regards. Tom.

Another quick update on these items...

Price drop:

Murphy models 071 - now €120

Dapol Prestwin kits 043: €24 for the lot.

Best regards. Tom.

Quick update. Tara wagons are sold.

BRMk2 coach also sold. Many thanks.

Spring Clearout!

Hi all.

I haven’t been able to give the model railways as much attention of late. Life, house moves and motorcycles have all intervened. I haven't left the hobby, more an extended hiatus! Anyway, I have decided to sell on some stock, hope to find some good homes for all of these. All items are available for collection from south county Dublin (Stillorgan) area. Or County Waterford if that suits better.

If you have any questions, just ask / PM me. Thanks for having a look.

Regards,

Tom.

Murphy Models 071 in IE Black & Silver freight livery.

Bought new from Marks Models Cork. Never ran/taken out of its box. All detail parts are included (never fitted). €130.

***SOLD Tara Wagons (x5) unfinished project.

Wagons are converted from Dapol IOA wagons, and have a similar ‘chunky’ appearance to that of the original tara wagon. These retain all the running gear, couplings, and weights of the original wagon and run very well. Original plan was to create a rake of 8 wagons, I built 5 and have another 3 IOA wagons (unmodified) ready for conversion. Lack of time has meant these wagons have pretty much stayed in cold storage since I completed them. These have been weathered & graffitied to look like the prototype. Also included are a decal sheet, and etched brass hand wheels. Details on how I carried out the conversion can be seen on my Work Bench, look out for ‘Shinkansen’s Projects’. Selling together (not separately), €75 o.n.o for the lot. SOLD

***SOLD BR Mk2 BSO in Network South East livery (x1).

Bought new from Grahams Toymaster. Never taken out of the box/ran. Selling at €10. SOLD***

Dapol C043 Prestwin kits (x6)

Un-opened and unmade kits. Selling all together (not separately) at €30 for the lot.

Hi all,

I have 4x Hornby KFA container wagons for sale.

All models are new in box, and have never been ran. Beautifully detailed modern intermodal conatiner wagon.

Models R6485 x1 & R6485 x3.

Available for collection in Dublin or Co.Waterford. Selling all 4 together. 120 EUR for the lot.

PM me if interested. Thanks for having a look.

Regards,

Tom.

http://www.ehattons.com/148703/Hornby_R6485_LN_03_KFA_Container_Wagon_with_1x_20_and_1x_40_container_Pre_owned_Like_new/StockDetail.aspx

Yes, I would pay.

A proper rtr A Class or 121 would be cool. A 22K would be no.1 for me, but probably the most unlikely of the 3 mentioned to ever happen.

Fine piece of infrastructure Finnie. Well done, would like to see more pictures if you have them

Hi all,

doing a bit of stock taking at present. I have too many projects on the go and too little time unfortunately. So have decided to move on some items, hopefully they'll find good homes. Thanks for having a look. If you have any questions just ask. Prices do not include postage.

Cheers Tom.

Update ; Items 2 and 3 Sold, still to pay

Item 1 - 1no. - 1:76 scale Bachmann Class 220 Voyager Virgin 'Maiden Voyager'. In good used condition, no box.

60 Euro

SOLD STP - Item 2 - 4no. - 1:76 scale Hornby 'OTA' Timber wagons. EWS livery. Unused 'as new' condition, never ran. All detailed parts included.

50 Euro for the set of 4.

SOLD - STP - Item 3 - 1no. - 1:87 scale Volvo L60E Wheel loader, with detachable implements, unused 'as new' condition.

2no. - 1:76 scale Fork lifts, unused 'as new' condition.

15 Euro for the pair.

Love this layout. Proof that 'shoe-horning' the kitchen sink into a layout does not necessarily add to it. Even tough it has a very 'American' construction method to it (which I really like by the way), it captures the Irish countryside look and feel beautifully.

Top stuff as always Glenderg. Mk3's taken to another level. Your glazing solution is class it must be said. Wish it was around 2 years ago when I built mine, would have saved a pile of ahem... labour! One question... what do you use to 'glue' the acetate in place?

Cheers, Tom

Very nice 3d graphics there murrayec. Really helps visualise the finished idea. What software did you use for it? It'll be a very unique setting, your DART model will look right at home

Tom

Awesome work Dave.

I couldnt imagine how much time has gone into putting that all together. A very lucky customer indeed. The control panel and monitors look very cool. Top stuff:cool:

Tom

Very nice work John. Nothing as crisp and realistic as brass:cool:

Nice work George,

I'll echo that about the colour... the black that isn't black! Amazing realism. One of my all time favourite aircraft. Saw it sister the A12 on display once, Cold War technology at its finest.

Tom

Lovely sweeping trackwork there A4. Must be a joy to run full size trains on. The scale of it is something else. Very well done

That's a lovely bit of respraying / kitbashing by Driver301 and Tara Junction. Those British DMU's make a very passable 29000 it must be said, whether its N or OO gauge. Top stuff lads

Now for my two cents worth.... I really did like the Lime/navy/white Commuter livery. It was very distinctive and I don't mean that in a bad way. Even weathered up and unwashed (as they tend to be when in service) it still looked bright. The new Livery looks very dark, over time it'll look dowdy. Not good for enticing customers.

It is possible to change a livery without throwing the baby out with the bathwater! For example the change from 'Supertrain' to 'IE', The brighter orange and black/white lining freshened things up. No need for a complete re-paint.

But if indeed it is time for a new livery, at least make some effort. I mean it is quiet lame. Not to mention yet another livery that IE's fleet is running.... are we up to number 7, 8 liveries now???

There was some comment on UK liveries earlier... I actually like the 'Southern' one. Gives their stations and rolling stock a strong corporate identity. The 'First Capital' one is very Phone-shoppy alright... yuk! The 'wrap' looks quiet dated already.

A good livery and a strong brand is an important investment for any business operating a fleet of vehicles. If their design team would only google: Eddie Stobart Trucks, Union Pacific, Virgin Trains, Freightliner, Eurostar, TGV, SNCF French Railways etc... they might have got some inspiration on what a good livery looks like.

OK Rant over....

Tom.

Hi George,

Well done and the very best of luck with your new job. Thanks for all the tips and advice over the last couple of years. It's been a huge help for someone getting started in Railway modelling.

Good on ya. Cheers

Tom.

Edge of the seat stuff. Well done Brian, well done Ireland

I think anyone would agree it was the best looking stretch of rail in the country! Were the trains serving Ballinacourty before your time, or do you have memories of them?

They would have been well before my time. I think Quigley Magnesite closed in 82 (I think???)... I would have been 2 years old! I do remember seeing the remains of the plant, sitting out on the harbour in Ballinacourty. Mostly whilst mitching off PE during secondry school! Couldnt see a plant like that being located in a scenic spot like that today.

Im sure the rail stayed intact well into the 90s. It crossed the N25 in two places between Kilmacthomas and Kilmeaden. Everytime I pass by the old crossings I still expect to feel the tires of the car 'bump' over the rails. Long since gone since the road was upgraded.