Noel

Hi 16miller Sometimes an image JPG can be too large in terms of file size to upload on some sites. It's a good idea to always reduce the size of an image that came directly off a camera or smartphone. Suggest reducing JPG image to 1024 pixals wide before attaching here or uploading to a photo hosting site. This has the added benefits of much faster upload, as well as faster display time. A photo on a camera or smartphone can be anything between 3mb and 10mb file size, but if reduced to 1024px wide will only be about 200k in file size. Retaining the original image size is of no benefit as websites generally only show about 1024 pixals wide on a screen. Noel

And it seems to operate at more prototypical speeds than the toy like speed of the Heljan.

Can't wait to run these on the layout. The more one studies these the more detail you become aware of. A supreme model product.

Hi Dave. Would an alternative such as this suit? Noel

There's one on eBay but looks pricey. http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Murphy-Models-NIR-111-071-class-loco-No-112-NIR-Blue/263234608226?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

I understand Marks Models may have the RPSI/MM Craven sets in stock in a few weeks. Well at the rate things have been happening in the last 48hours, nothing would surprise me in relation to timing of the 121. Can't see a big demand for more MM 201s when so many are still on shelves, same with ST Mk2s, but the MM 121s should fly off the shelves.

Thanks PJR. The drawing is of the 101 class. I'll keep trying to find a drawing of B113-B114 (1100-1101) class. But some really useful information and photos on that link. Thanks. Noel

I'm considering options for a model of CIE B113 class (B&T or green livery) over the winter. Having researched the forum it appears there were two model incarnations, a beautiful scratch built series of 12 by a modeller called Gareth about five years ago, or the Shapeways body, both running on Bachmann class 20 centre drive chassis. Obviously none of the scratch built ones for sale, so it looks like either a scratch build or bodge the shapeways: Are there any other alternatives I've missed? Does anybody have a link to plans of a B113? Has anybody had any example of success improving the shapeways body which seems a) incorrect at the cab end, b) lacks roof detail, and c) rough finish to say the least? (richie's belt of a shovel comes to mind) Thanks in advance.

That's a great idea Broithe. Your friend has an impressive layout.

Fabulous pictures Wanderer of the two private trains, especially the RPSI Cravens behind 073 and 232 in light of todays announcement about the RPSI/MM coach models on sale in a few weeks time. Can't wait to haul a rake of MM RPSI Cravens behind 073 or 222 on the layout. And a few weeks after that the IRM bubbles.

Hi Mike. In simple terms the key to avoiding motion blur is a faster camera shutter speed, which can usually be achieved by providing more light (i.e. brighter lit subject and/or larger lens aperture). BTW for video recording, shutter speed is nothing to do with frame rate. Typically video is shot at 24fps or 30fps (frames per second), think of each frame as an individual still photograph, each still photograph should have a faster shutter speed if recording moving objects. Without getting technical about things like aperture, shutter speed and ISO, basically just make sure the scene is very bright when filming fast moving objects. Smartphones nicely bury the need to know any of this photography techno mumbo jumbo and will guess the best exposure, so just make the scene bright and well lit. Dark = motion blur, Bright = sharp in focus moving objects. Hope this makes sense. Cheers. Noel

Superb job - just needs B4/B5 bogies to polish it off. :) :) (in jest)

Worth waiting for Class operation

You read my mind. Just started a GSV conversion that was destined for B&T livery, but I think it will now be RPSI/LMS crimson livery

https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0927/907774-galway-motorway I hope this is not one of those 'death by a thousand cuts' on the Ennis to Athenry rail link. I hope when our planners are considering the viability of rail links today, that they also plan 30 years down the line when our population could be 10 million and some of these now small commuter towns could grow to become large conurbations needing good public rail services.

Wonderful news and a great idea about MM RPSI cravens. That's Christmas sorted by a rake. They look superb. I'd been wondering about doing some resprays but the thin black lining between the blue and cream seemed beyond my ability. Looking forward to these and it's only two and a half weeks before they are available. Congrats to all involved. Didn't see this coming.

Some Video Tips Below are a synopsis of some tips I got years ago from a friend who was a professional camera man. I'm not a professional but I found his advise useful. Light the scene properly - avoid back lighting and strong overhead light that casts dark shadows, natural daylight through windows is best combined with indoor lighting that has a horizontal angle component. Set white balance on camera to suit candescent lighting, fluorescent lights, or sunshine if scene lit exclusively from windows on sunny day. Smartphones try and figure this out themselves. Plan scenes - avoid birds eye view of model railway stock, best is side on or slightly elevated view Avoid camera movement - use tripod or hold smartphone against solid object to avoid camera shake, or hold by hand as steady as possible. Generally never zoom or pan a camera - allow the action to move through the scene. If panning rotate camera very slowly and never back and forth On rare occasions when zooming do so very slowly and only once per shot If doing a tracking shot only the slightest horizontal tracking movement is needed to create the effect, avoid 'running' around a layout after a train. Use separate clips edited together. Sound - avoid unwanted background noises (e.g. background talking, barking dog, etc) Videoing moving model railway stock may work better if camera’s image stabilisation is turned off (avoids judder) Take multiple clips and then quilt together as a short movie using one of the many free video editing suites that comes with Windows, Mac or Smartphones. Use gentle transitions between clips (i.e. scene changes). Avoid sharp flick, most video editors even on smart phones allow various fades and scene blends. Be ruthless when editing to cut unnecessary material and avoid repeat shots. Sound - consider editing sound levels of recorded video if too loud Sound - consider adding a backing music track that is not too loud, nor incompatible with the scenes depicted (e.g: meat loaf and sedately moving steam train are not really compatible). Soothing music that enhances rather than distracts from the viewing experience Credits at start and end to summarise movie content is useful and allows a few seconds before movie starts If relevant add the odd short caption during the movie for example to explain a scene location, etc, but avoid over doing it and keep text to a few short word. When editing, cut, cut, cut - less is more if clips well edited together.

Video - Bundoran Express 1954

Hi Tony This supplier of customised sectional baseboards may be able to assist http://www.modelrailbaseboards.com. Ultra portable and quality especially if you are considering exhibiting as a future option. Noel

Thanks for posting that Noel. All sorts of interesting coaches on that clip. I wouldn't trust the color rendition entirely on the clip as you know. It is always frustrating to see this old color footage with such poor quality such was the technology of the time. Cheers. I think Patrick's explanation make sense. These were probably coaches that were mid way through repaints. Some nice footage of ex-GSWR 184 (J15) in operation though, and in all black livery with a flying snail on the larger tender!

I was looking at videos of GSWR 101 class J15s and came across this film footage. Holy moly my painting experiment wasn't a million miles off the mark - Black and Grey laminates - and a few seconds later Black'n'Green laminates. Look at 1m57s into video. It seems some coaches actually had this livery for a short while and even green and black (see film clip above)

Posting this also to the layout thread for archive purposes.

Superb scenes David. Its so real it looks like the set of a 1950s movie.

Hi Keven yes because it's GSWR and the difference is a hand built metal bodied 0-6-0 chassis should run much better than a 4-4-0 in 00 gauge due to weight balance, electrical pickup, and driving wheels, which seemed problematic for the 4-4-0 out of the box until some folk modified them retrospectively. That 4-4-0 was a beautiful looking model and I vowed then if they ever produced an 0-6-0 I'd get one. DCC frequency pulsing should compensate for the lack of a flywheel. The GSWR 101 was such a numerous example of the Irish steam era. Imagine the pic of 184 above in its original all over grimey grey livery hauling green or crimson coaches, with DCC steam sound. You know me Kevin, if a loco doesn't drive well, accelerate and decelerate prototypically, and run smoothly at ultra low speed I couldn't care less how well or detailed it looks. Prototypical function over form every time for me. Personally I 'play' and drive model trains around a layout, not look at them in a display case, and I accept that's just my personal preference, not right nor wrong, just me. Good night. Noel

Hi David. Good idea though to post with its own thread title for future readers. Leslie posted a link last month http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/6433-Order-now-for-Christmas-2018!-At-last-a-Ready-to-Run-J15. I was tempted and looking forward to getting delivery next year in grey livery. Will just need DCC conversion. It's a pity they didn't also release it in lined preservation green livery like 184. Noel Photo from Photo RPSI https://steamtrainsireland.com/rpsi-collection/10/no-184