jhb171achill

Many thanks gents. What I had in mind (though it'll have to take back seat to "Dugort Harbour" is a "small steps first" thing - probably consisting of a G class or a C, plus a few trucks, shunting inside something like Polloxfens Mills at Ballysodare, or something like the T & C roadside tramway. Maybe a fictitious halt along it with one siding. The festive season, meantime, will be spent on the chocolate and Guinness diet.

What does anyone think is the best type of sleeper, and where can they be had?

Yes, indeed - lets hope that the authorities crack down really hard on them. Others should not be encouraged!

I think they’ve arrested two local people.

What was the purpose that these drone flyers, however deludedly, hoped to achieve?

Agreed! Happy Christmas to all here!

Don't IE still own Rosslare port? You'd think that ports like Rosslare, Waterford AND Cork would now be looking towards France with "land bridge" traffic in sight, which currently goes through Britain. And, naive that I am, I would have thought that it would have made sense for the government to be right in there trying to bolster these ports - AND rail freight.

That's exactly what they're doing, John. Unfortunately, the design of the building is such that the full potential won't be easy to achieve, but it is what it is, and those involved may just get on with doing the best they can! I've given them some historical context. Hope they make good use of it!

That's the problem, DART8118. His models are 0 gauge. There is only room for a 00 gauge layout! Having said that, all of the larger scale models you may have seen at Malahide Castle in the past weren't Fry's either. His models are old, and while there is some talk of a demonstration track for occasional outings for a few of them, their primary home will be glass cases. Hence my comment. It's important for publicity materials to make this clear, rather than mislead the public into thinking that they'll see 300 models made by Cyril Fry all whirling round what Malahide claimed, GROSSLY inaccurately, to be "the biggest layout in the world". A new consultant has been appointed to lead the railway side of it. Having met him, he appears to be more railway-savvy than his predecessor, whose expertise by her own admission lay elsewhere. I've sent him a "time-line" of important events in Irish railway history. He is discussing the best of Fry's photos with the owner of the collection, who I put him in touch with. The idea is to display them, though having seen the entire collection, I can say that Fry's photographic skills didn't come anywhere near matching his modelling skills. Moreover, he used cheap film, so that many of his images have deteriorated way beyond use, and others are barely restorable.

Ah! Ok.....

Nice loco body - in the pic it looks neat. Is this the way it came out of the printer or has it been tidied up?

What was the purpose that these drone flyers, however deludedly, hoped to achieve?

True. In my case, such learning would be well beyond what little addled grey pulp is left of whatever had passed for a brain. However, Daughter is a highly qualified IT designer, to whom CAD seems to be child’s play. To my mind, a “web designer” is someone who knits webs to sell to spiders, which I will then stamp on or bat with newspapers. And thus, the world goes round. My initial query was based on the idea that if I could get her to do the CAD stuff, and I bought a good quality printer, perhaps some sides and ends for several varieties of coach (e.g. my favourite theme - Midland six-wheelers), might be feasible, doing a few for myself and selling a few more. Not sure of the financial side though.

Very helpful, John, thanks.

Excellent - keep us posted!

What sort of €€€€€ are we talking about?

Robert, did you do these yourself? The above looks superb. I’d be interested in any advice you might have about how best to do this and what type of gear is needed.

I'd be looking initially at just two parts - a side and end. Chassis would be done separately, and floor, interior and roof home-made from plasticard. The sort of printer you have in mind - how much typically? DITDP says that design work to an adequate standard would take a good three days work, maybe longer.

Mine arrived, but have been intercepted by the Domestic Authorities. I'll see them on 25th!!!!

Woo hoo! I would add my voice to this. For those of us who need to plan future purchases and how to finance them, a list of proposed projects (as far as possible) and likely availability dates would be very helpful.

In conversation with Daughter-the-IT-Design-Professional, I am told that pictures of MGWR six-wheelers in a book I was dribbling and drooling over today, could be 3D printed. I know that all here will be very well aware of this, and to a far greater extent than I am. My question is, under what circumstances and using what type of printer, and at what cost, can such an honourable project be adequately executed? DITDP might make herself available for the design team, hours permitting. Thoughts?

The Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth has started, here in jhb171 Towers. I have wondered over the last few days why my eagerly awaited package from 00 Works hasn’t appeared; I sent a payment weeks ago. But now, all has been revealed, thanks to Resident Dog. While playing “catch the toy dragon” with him just now, I ended up spying a well wrapped package under the settee. The wailing has started! It transpires that the Domestic Authorities have intercepted said package, so the two J15s therein have been IMPOUNDED until Christmas Day! Aaaarrrrrrgggghhhghghhhh!!!!!

I’ve got through half of my months’ supply of smelling salts looking at that picture! As a result, I will be voluntarily returning to the Home for the Bewildered, Insane, and Imbecilic. When my own package arrives from 00 Works, I’m afraid I’ll need more medication......! Congrats to Roderick & Co at 00 Works!

3173 will either be all blue or blue and cream. Final decision probably a good way off at present.