jhb171achill

We've both above..... In the pics above, 1146 is a laminate and 1150 a Craven. The Craven firsts were "first", not "super standard", as that terminology only appeared in 1972. Craven firsts were externally identical to standards.

I understand the coaches will be the same black & silver-grey. Same maroon / red logos, which in design will be broadly similar to what's in use. That's the broad plan anyway.

Yes, Glenderg....

Incidentally, just for info, I might point out that 3223 on the DCDR is in 1950s railcar livery. The darker green, on loco hauled coaches, was done away with about 1955, and would have had the broader light green stripes both above and below the windows; these, plus "flying snails", being edged in gold. For the lining style and unlined snail currently carried, only the lighter green, as seen on the TPO, G611 and C231 was used. For purists, the fonts used on all three G class, both E's, and A39 are correct. That used on C231 is not. The numerals are too thick - see A39 - and the "3" isn't the right shape. NO ill reflection, none at all, on the SUPERB work of ITG and DCDR people in restoring her. I think the lettering was added to her when over in England.

Decals, I am told, will be largely red or maroon.

The DCDR's 3223, which is in traffic and may be seen readily, is one of these. It is a conversion of a former CIE side corridor standard (3rd class when built), these dating from between 1951-3. One of the former side corridor doors can be seen in the guards van end to this day.

Yes, locked up and overgrown. There's an ex-BREL railbus there too.

The ex GNR ones are at a place called Giles' Quay, between Greenore and Dundalk. There aren't as many as there used to be.

Junction mad, you are right about Park Royals having 3 + 2 seating, and no tables.

I thought you meant the ex-BR ones....

Dave - the last 4 and 6 wheel vans disappeared from passenger service in the late 70s. So, it's BR and Dutch vans after that. I don't remember seeing silver window frames on the mk2 ab's, but I didn't see them very often.

I've changed my mind. I voted that I would not pay up front; now I say I would.

They'd almost need to be made pre-weathered, as a clean was was an impossibility!

It's no longer the "no-name" layout. I'm christening it - with your permission - the "serious potential" layout! I don't think anyone here will disagree! Looking forward to seeing it develop. Some very nice locos and rolling stock.

Frosted. Smooth surface both sides, frosty type stuff on the inside. Dargan, if you can get to Downpatrick, PM me in advance and I'll arrange for you to see 1944 (the one the DCDR owns), up close and personal.

The UTA one is most certainly a dud. They painted numbers on wagons and never cast NCC-style plates. This guy needs to be reported, methinks..... Mind you, the MRNCC one looks genuine IF, and only IF, it's been actually painted that goldeny colour. But at that price - avoid.

That MR NCC "wagon plate" looks dodgy. It looks like brass, judging by the colour. IMPORTANT - Collectors, beware. These plates were cast iron, and would have polished to a goldeny colour. If it is painted that way, it looks 100%. If, when polished, the bare metal really is yellowy, it's a dud - albeit a very convincing one. The going rate in enthusiast railwayana markets for such things is £50-£60 / €60-€75. Even if genuine, on price alone I'd avoid that one like the plague.

Excellent info! On cold days, condensation would form on the inner lower walls, as these were "single skin" (hence, (a) the heating needed to be working, and (b) you could fit 3 + 2 seating comfortably. In RPSI times, tables were fitted in preserved ones. In traffic, they never had tables between seats; in those days it was by no means the norm, as it is now, for even main line stock to all have tables. In this respect, Cravens were well ahead of their time.

Referring to Britain as the "Mainland"...... Always reminds me of Borat's view of Kazakhstan, -v- the "U S and A"!

Only a vague thought - some of us here wouldn't be very flush with cash, but there would be a few that are..... Maybe if a consortium of a few brave souls put up whatever cash was needed and shared the spoils.... But, anyhow, some very informative stuff above. It is to the very great credit of all those responsible, that any RTR Irish models have ever appeared.

I remember arriving at Connolly and walking, with plastic bags tied round my feet, to Baggot Street (Waterloo Road). It was, I think, early 1981. It took me three hours to do that walk. Down the middle of Pearse Street there wasn't one person about, let alone a vehicle, and the snow was about eighteen inches deep from wall to wall.

I thought you meant the "C" class on the DCDR! (It's been in use on that line.....)!

I don't remember the circular windows after maybe 1980. I think it was gradual. Originally there were two internal layouts - suburbans (some anyway) had no toilets, but longitudinal seats inside the end vestibules. Certainly in my time of most travelling in them, which was mid-70s on, the inside walls were painted mid brown with cream or white ceilings, and the upholstery was the then-standard very dark grey (almost black) with a blue fleck through it.

That's funny! I remember reading once somewhere about a modeller using his wife's or girlfriend's clear nail varnish for some modelling purpose... Maybe some persons of the opposite gender do indeed stalk these boards (to see what hubby is up to)!!!

I would agree, Dive. Like its black'n'tan predecessor, it was a very bold and strong corporate image,way ahead of its time. Fifty-odd years on, black'n'tan (or supertrain) liveries would still look well on, say, an ICR - or even a 2600. The Enterprise livery(ie's), by contrast, don't have the same enduring effect, and the lime & navy, or 2-tone green of the dreadful 29's is worse.