DiveController

The only thing I could see was a steamer shunting a vintage green ex-MGWR 6w postal van at Sligo in 1956, followed by a luggage van in silver . I'll have 'A Second Glance' tomorrow and look for it

Very nice! Really shows the models well.

Glad you got your hands on a copy CIE E407 at Kingsbridge 5/9/62 with a silver 4w PO sorting van (mostly out of the shot unfortunately) https://www.rcts.org.uk/features/archive/search.htm?company=IRISH+RAILWAYS+%28CIE%29&subtype=1&class=&location=&srch=&page=0

I agree that a passing loop on the main line would add to the appeal and running. The refueling area line might be that with some modifications. Relocate the refueling area to bottom left or even right. If you keep them, maximize the length of your branch loops by extending the top road further right with a point releasing the loco back onto the bottom road.

If you are planning what sounds like a superb plan for a layout, I personally would not 'spoil' an Irish scene by adding non-protypical stock unless that can be converted into something more prototypical. There is a lot available in OO but less in N, especially rtf Peco has good track work and points and is suitable for DC or DCC. DCC involves getting a 'cab' to control the locos independently (instead of the DC controller) and apart from adding a few extra wires to track work to ensure good electrical conductivity of the DCC signal, it's not that hard What era are you considering? This may not be your timeframe but maybe lookout some of the N layouts on the site for ides like this one which is modern http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/2403-Connolly-Station-in-quot-N-quot/page4 I'm not sue if the 2-6-2 can be bashed into anything prototypical. Someone will comment no doubt There was an actual branch line to the Curragh from the mainline until the early 70s, not sure when it closed There is an interesting photo of it in Barry Carse's book Earlier from the O'Dea collection with steam http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000306452 Lots of info on the DCC sub-forum

Best of luck, John. Long may they continue. Is Book Depository the best way to acquire a copy for those no longer resident in the 51st state?

It's a shame we do not see more photos of that livery. Always caked in cement, what a shame. This livery is growing on me. Since 8/9 of the IRM rake of 12 would be in this livery, I would have been tempted at the Raheny show I think this B'n'T is hauling either grey or more likely orange bubbles. I don't remember exactly when the liveries changed at the moment http://catalogue.nli.ie/Search/Results?lookfor=bulk+cement+hazelhatch&type=AllFields&submit=FIND&filter%5B%5D=format%3A%22Photo%22

They did't always run in block formation in the orange livery unless you had a Guinness to break the monotony A rare® picture of them in the non-cement livery with CIE logo

Lovely job, Kieran. Looks very well with the lower tan band too

On the return flight I got to read the rest of the book and I was interested in the buffer beam colors on the 201 class. In black livery post 1964 they had a red buffer beam but when the ends were painted yellow so was the bufferbeam. C203 appears on p36 thus liveried in 1968. B233 is also on the same page with a red bufferbeam and yellow end panels in 1969. Was this peculiar the Maybach engined rebuilds 233 & 234 as the C201s when rebuilt were turned out in B'n'T livery

The Dublin-Cork mainline speeds increased to 90ph in 1984 and prior to that a substantial portion of the mainline was relaid with new track panels with concrete sleepers. One other area that had concrete sleepers in the late 70s would have been the single line from Tara mines, presumably as the old GNR track had been lifted, and if not would have been unsuitable for ore trains that weighed almost 900 tons.

I think the continuous loop from lower to upper levels will help to optimize the gradients. A cutout with a removable scenic where the Avoca is might help, along with a baseboard height high enough to get underneath if necessary if the board can't be moved. Access to the tunnels?

You're going now, Richie! Great history, looking forward to the progress

Apparently, it's not;) Anyway, JB, I used the term Motive Power Depot as I couldn't be bothered to type it all out on the go. It's not just Multi Purpose Diesels that are a rare breed on the railways these days

The only physical differences seem to be the presence of a full ladder on the side of 181 (vs. grab irons) and seven little grilles on the front under the headlight

Don't worry. I think everyone realized that, including the two members above:)

If you look through photos of the bubbles they averaged maybe 12-16 wagons even though they could be longer. They frequently did not exceed a dozen wagons when in a mixed freight train, particularly when in the orange livery. Longer trains seem to be more common in more recent times particularly in the ivory and black livery. Since you're unlikely to have a scale model of one of the routes, a scaled back train of maybe 9 wagons would look the part

Was reading my copy of Barry Carse's book on Irish Metro-Vicks, which reminded me of this post. It states that A46 was the first A class to be painted in the darker green (and possibly the only one with a waistband, I'm not sure), but seemingly abou a dozen A class (named in the book) were painted in dark green in the period 1958-9 (likely due to existing in dilapidation in original silver). The lighter green became the new norm c. 1960. It goes on to say that A46 was the only one to go from the darker green to the lighter green, which in itself is surprising after such a short time in the dark green with the new B'n'T livery around the corner in 1961 I have looked for but not managed to find a photo of C234/109 (as it seems to have been used so little with the NIR) It would seem that the port window was lost when she was rebuilt with the Maybach engine but there may have been no necessity to change this back when she got her GM 8-654E, I suppose.

Is there a time frame that you'd prefer this to be set in? It seems like your locos are Supertrain and IR which would put your timeframe in the 1970s- mid-90s. This might be useful http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/content.php/368-CIE-to-Iarnrod-Eireann-Timeline I presume the water tower is a remnant from pre-dieselisation or maybe for passing IRRS railtours etc? If you develop the Oil Depot you may wish to ensure that you have enough room to get the wagons onto the mainline with sidings to shunt and store full and empty wagons. The components of the MPD should connect to each other and maybe to the Oil depot as well as the mainline

JHB, I think you advertised 141 and 165, both B'n'T. I think he is after 161sa Supertrain

True, surviving the crash to be lost during the recovery. The irony...:roll eyes: Spoiled for places to achieve 'appropriate' grip....

Hi Rich, Amazing what you can get away with in the dark I need to try my SSM 42' flats. Hopefully don't have the rocking issue, as the builder (not me) is solid. Your layout is coming along nicely! K

That looks way better! Nice atmosphere and like the Bell containers. I just picked ups half a dozen with some wonderful weathering but have yet to run them. The one thing about the flat wagons is the tendency to rock at joins if the track is not perfect. The containers are very light and I think some more weight may help this, possible only if it is low on the flat wagon below the pivot points on the bogies. Love those containers, presumably from C-Rail? The 20" are slightly lower than the 40" (which I think is prototypical). Your second last 40' wagon looks paler. Different type or weathered?

Hi Zivan. Welcome to the site. I like the new and improved website. Do you have enough Mashimas to complete the second batch of U Class or is the UG only affected by this? The ETA for my 205 was this month, hence the enquiry. What is the reason for the change to metal boilers? I hope you can source equivalent motors as I was looking forward to ordering a UG also, after a trial of my U Class

What are they useful for?