Noel

Yes. I crawl/duck under the side despite a bad back, but I do it carefully and slowly. Never been a problem. However I can also operate the layout from the outside edge which is not comparing like with like in your set up. I constructed my layout tables in 1993 but if I was doing it again now I’d certainly consider a narrow lifting section, but it would be a 50/50%.

Hi Tony. Fascinating watching the iterative evolution of this layout. Its a kaleidoscope of change as you discover what works best for you. Well done. Noel

For a friend, I weathered this one from the original batch. I have since warmed to the Super Train livery after initially finding it rather dull. Combination of powders applied wet using paint brush and cotton buds, with airbrush for overall dusting to tone down that yellow shade of orange plastic on all the MM mk2ds.

Whoops. Not to worry curable with some weathering.

Yes deciding where to target model budgets in 2018 may be challenging with the abundance of new models shipping and about to ship from both IRM and MM and especially the 121 due near year end. I've warmed somewhat towards these CIE Mk2 coaches after seeing how they can look once weathered.

Sounds good, especially if a touch darker shade of orange.

Don't know if it is just the light, but the photos above suggest a slightly deeper shade of orange than the IE & IR liveried models (i.e. more red, less yellow).

Class job Eamonn

Sounds promising. How do they compare (i.e. paint job, shade of orange, etc)? Any close up photos?

Thanks John. Unfortunately I'll have to pass then on this one as it's not a full kit. Thanks JB. Had a good look at that and sadly confirms it's not for me due the demanding brass skills required to do it right. Commissioning one of the few brass masters remains an option. I would not be happy attempting that myself and end up with bockety or off square results. I'll make discrete enquiries Thanks for info. Ok, more than a few bits'n'pieces to be correctly sourced not to mention postage to make a proper complete kit. Quite simply my airfix skills are not up to it.

If they are complete kits I'd take two and a brake.

Ah now Eoin - Firstly two independent chart plotters, with a third hand held backup one powered by dry cell AA batteries, and if all that fails I have the paper charted course, last known WPT, log distance, CTS, next EP and HBC ready to take next bearing. But I get my depth info from sonar rather than dropping a lead line over the side every so often! I did actually train how to navigate using a sextant and sight tables but that old stuff has been 100% redundant for many many years, as have paper charts, but I like to keep my hand in just in case all three stat nav constellations GLONASS, GPS and Galileo all get wiped out by an EMP (that's enough acronyms to keep Wrenneire happy). Agree absolutely SSM kits are of a high standard for folks who wish to tackle brass kits.

Interesting, I never realised some had mesh doors until I saw the video clips. It struck me it was quite nice to be able to see the inventory through the mesh sides. Can't imagine how it could be modelled through.

If you already have the skills and/or time to acquire the skills, it seems worth it judging by the good kit quality and results of the few superbly skilled brass masters on here. Brass is not my personal cup of tea, I do not have the skills, time nor the tools required to build steam locos in brass to a standard I would be happy with. In this day and age the medium seems more from a past era rather like like using a sextant to navigate instead of sat nav. But that's probably just me.

Oder Black'und'Tan!

IRM any plans to model the ferts as they appear 01:27?

Hi Graham. Apologies for delayed reply, have been away so missed a lot of posts and only saw this tonight. Interesting question. To summarise I don't seem to have experienced issues so far with a mix. I've fitted draft gear box kadee's to all my old 2 axle Bachmann wagons, but NEM kadee's glued to the underside of the NEM pockets on my IRM ballasts and bubbles (i.e. for correct height). NEM kadee's on the dapol chassis 3D wagons (i.e. single beet wagons), and on the 3D 20ft container flats. But my locos are NEM fitted so coupling them to the draft gear boxes on the bachmann 2 axle wagons is the only place there is a mix (excluding coaching stock). On the coaching stock the MM Cravens have NEM kadee's but the coaches they are mixed with such as the IFM Park Royals, Laminates, GSVs, TPO, CIE Brake Parcel van have draft gear boxes and no probs so far. One rake of MM mk2d have NEM kadee glued for height correction, whereas the other uses Roco close couplers. I seem to do most marshalling and shunting with the converted Bachmann 2 axle wagons which are all draft gear boxes. But I'd guess coupling/uncoupling wagons mid formation is only about 80% successful, most probably due to the fact I have not weighted the wagons sufficiently as per NMRA guidelines (i.e. some wagons too light). The 2 axle beet wagons are the worst offenders so I will have to add lead to them via false floors or loads.

Thanks for posting. Nice work. Another interesting variation on Anthony's approach a few years back. I like the idea of the kadee whisker couplings when body mounted as they have more free movement that NEM variants which are really only designed to be bogie mounted except on short two axle stock. Are you planning to fit the valances around the couplings?

In the absence of anything better, I'm quite happy with the SF RTR AEC and IFM RTR Laminate coaches I'm running. Obviously I would love IRM spec'd equivalents one day, especially Laminates. PS: Also perhaps one day IRM H-Vans and IRM Beet wagons to represent the CIE era when these wagon made up the buik of goods traffic on Irelands railways! (i.e. pre-modern image era before bogies and CWR).

Has the colour been corrected?

Hi Fran. CIE all the way from this quarter. What would the likely delivery date be for the CIE version? Thanks. Noel

Fabulous sequence of really interesting photos. Thanks for posting.

Saint Eoin? I think you meant Eoin Isambard Kingdom Brunel-Murray the patron saint of model engineers.

In fairness Fran that is most likely because folk did not know about the Orange bubbles in advance, and most had already ordered what they may have assumed to be the only livery available in the short term. For example, had I personally known about the Orange bubbles at the same time as the Ivory, I would have ordered less ivory and more orange. Not complaining btw, just pointing out a possible rational explanation for why the oranges didn't shift as fast as the ivories. PS: Noted with keen interest "AS" exciting move into O gauge. I harbour an interest in a possible future O gauge 141 class - one day far far in the future.

Cobh railway station from another angle Luckily no 'orrible cruise ship tower blocks there that day to obscure the view. I love the red brick architecture of this station. Nice cafe inside the disused part of the station too beside the museum. No quite the 'Titanic' experience in Belfast but still a nice place to visit. These guys were opposite across the other side of the channel. Bofor's galore Wouldn't argue with those if on the wrong side of fishery rules.