Noel

User Nile over on rmweb posted interesting 3D 42ft container flat with FUD option (frosted ultra detail) he's made for possible release on Shapeways. FUD option looks impressive compared to the normal WSF. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/130341-42ft-container-flat-wagon/?p=3013818 Photos below are Nile's linked from his post over on rmweb via link above. Makes one wonder what is possible in 3D with the right mix of FUD and WSF parts.

Kit building v RTR - In some cases can it be a false economy when RTR cost is perceived as a factor? I only ask this question in the case where both a kit is available of a particular model and a reasonably close RTR option. If I am really honest by the time you tool up with materials, tools, paints and all those little packs of extra bits inc postage, do many kits not end up costing more than their RTR counter part? For example while I really enjoyed my recent Lima GSV conversion, which wasn't even a kit more a kit bash, I wondered if it ended up costing me more than the €90 (RTR option). Yes I know half the fun was the time enjoyed building it, and doing some aspects of it more to my liking than the RTR alternative, but can't help wondering if making tweaks to an RTR would have cost less and ended up looking much the same. End of rambled wondering.

Not sure now. I had assumed it was the earlier split chassis variant from the sellers description "No DCC. this would need to added professionally". But it could have been the later pre-DCC chassis in Eoin's link. Hattons have new Black BR crested ones for £85 which are DCC ready.

Hi Dave. Sure understand. I just run them. Noel ps. The musicality of your little melody above got me wondering if you been in "the" D8 band?

Split chassis is a big avoid. Better to buy a DCC ready one like 32-235 for about £80 from somewhere such as Hattons and just change the decals to NCC.

Good suggestion. Did that Richie when mixing Vallejo primary colours but boy their red pigment is really strong, needs a just fraction of red to yellow instead of a 50/50 mix to get the right shade of tan.

Yes it's a shame to see wasting assets.

Expansion of low cost air travel possibly also a factor.

Agree, Indeed it certainly is. The IRM team are A class act.

As Carlsberg might say, WMRC layout exhibition is probably the best in ROI

Hi Guys which solder for brass etch kits 188 or 145 degree? Also Carr's red or yellow flux? (can't see much of a difference in product desriptions)

Thanks Stephen. Understand. I'm just one of those stuck in the mud types who liked using desktop pinch2zoom on phones. Remember the 'wow' when Steve Jobs launched the original iPhone demonstrating the New York Times web site using fingers pinch2zoom and pan rather than a 'stylus'. Will learn to use 'activity' menu step.

Or a survey photo of one sq inch of A39r cab door handle, and a little green foliage to make it authentic.

Coming along very nicely. Gerry I'm really interested in your choice of green for undercoat. It's what I would instinctively go for too, but I've heard some suggest a brown colour so static grass and/or green scatters have an earthy contrast underneath. How do you handle this? Thanks. Noel

Well call me a "brass fan" and etch my brain, I stand corrected and I thought I knew a thing or two about Garda fleet vehicles. Great finds Patrick. That blasted gear lever was a nightmare.

. . . And if only the Garda ever had marked R4s in their fleet

Hi Stephen Is it possible to access the full desktop layout of the forum on a mobile phone such as iOS? I’ve tried the standard Safari trick of holding down the refresh page icon, and it pops up with the usual ‘request desktop site’ option but the page just refreshes stuck in the mobile layout/theme. Thanks Noel

Interesting. Between the USAs massive switch to fracking and growing trend towards renewables, oil's days seem numbered. The entire geopolitical balance may change as middle eastern oil supplies become less important to western economies. USA is such a vast land area rail freight still seems to have a long term future.

Bizarre. Fools and their money!

Great thread Gerry, and very enjoyable watching your progress. Really useful to see how top class scenic work is done.

You are quite correct. Apologies I got into the habit of often referring to the green livery as the flying snail livery which is technically incorrect. May I extend my most frosmodic contrifibularities to you on brining this to my attention.

Fab photo find Stephen. I'm weak at the knees looking at that photo of the C class hauled train, which might have been green livery flying snail judging by the cars and the Caltex logo at the filling station.

Agree. It didn't take an engineer to see the CG of the boat would be too high, nor that the loco could be too heavy for the plywood truss bridge which has already broken under its own weight when carried (man handled after being wet). All par for the course as you correctly observed for entertainment TV. I've found a liberal drowning of wet electronics in WD40 can rapidly breath new life back into them. I've found a bath of WD40 can rapidly breath new life back into wet electronic devices. I'd trust dried RC gear in a boat or loco, but not on board 12ft wingspan 1/4 scale RC model aircraft!!!

Well done for making the leap. Enjoy PS: Re long trains, if modelling a branch line, Irish or BR, even branch trains operating across or off main lines, trains need no more than one or two coaches, nor goods trains more than a few 4 axle wagons and a brake van.

Yes we can deny it till the cows come home, but we model train buffs can at times have slightly interesting personality traits. I quite enjoyed the programme myself, son in law sent me a text 30mins after it started but caught it on Ch4+1 later. Thought it was perhaps a little long and repetitive, it have been edited down to 30-40mins. Next week looks like a howl of misfortune. Not sure how the RC electronics in the loco took to a dunking in the canal. Fun though. Recognised some prominent UK model youtube broadcasters.