Noel

One of the problems with some modern image rolling stock such as mk3/mk4 and twin container bogie flats is they are very long and don't look as well on typical layouts, which cannot accommodate decent length rakes of long stock items. They can look very odd overhanging shorter radius track bends. You get a more poetic license with shorter wheelbase stock facilitating more realistic rake formation lengths. For example the long MM 201s just didn't seem to sell well and may be in retailers stocks for years to come. Then there is the cost factor of buying a realistic length rake that is also practical to fit and operate on a layout. Now if I was modelling in N gauge it would be a different matter because you could easily accommodate an 8 coach rake of 75ft coaches looking well on large radios curves, but it just doesn't work as well in 4mm scale. One of the attractions of the earlier eras is you can mix and match virtually any coaching stock, they were shorter 57-62ft, and a rake of 4-6 coaches, or even one plus a heating van looks prototypical.

It seems a shame we don't have the population density nor heritage funding culture in ROI to preserve a section of a closed railway line that is still largely intact such as this one. The Limerick-Nenagh-Ballybrophy line seems at risk of becoming another closed line in the not too distant future. Ballyglunin is only about 10 miles from Athenry with mostly bridges at line crossings. Pipe dreaming.

Is there any remote possibility that part of the 'western rail corridor' might reopen in the next 10 years (i.e. if traffic levels viable post recession)? I think it was part of the original WRC 'dream' but I've no idea if that section of the WRC was wishful thinking or viable.

Ping?

Wonderfully realistic scenes Noel. I can imagine the purr of the GM motors at idle and almost hear a distant angle grinder at work in the sheds behind. (other Noel)

Hi Patrick. Loco already has correct 121 bogie side frames (see photo above). But yes I could have re-used the 141 side frames slightly modified when they were replaced with MV resin ones for the C class, instead of the 3D FUD ones. Aside from only one brake cylinder there were a few other small differences between 141 and 121 bogies. I've another C class in the works using another MM 141 donor chassis so I will save the bogie side frames in case I do another Shapeways 121. Noel

Cheers EM. 121 turned out better then I had expected. The body is a WSF print (white strong flexible). Few bits of plasticard added including roof. The bogies were 3D FUD prints (frosted ultra detail). Having figured out one of these combinations I was all set to do two more, but think I'll wait instead for the MM 121s which are due later in the year. If there is any delay with the MMS I'm chomping at the bit to try a grey livery one. Really pleased with the smoothness of the latest iteration of the Athearn chassis. Noel

B121 on cine film duty. Shapeways body + Athearn chassis (click for video)

You packaging work was appreciated and mentioned some weeks ago.

Fabulous film clip. Thanks for posting. So what changes would one need to make to IRM Ballast train to pass it off as 'Dolomite' train?

Fabulous layout photo scenes as ever Patrick. Great idea. Goods traffic rather than solely PW ballast use. I plan to do the same with older style plough van (i.e. brown/bauxite colour). I don't do yellow - far too modern looking for my personal taste!

Very nice. Looks super John. Looking at that wonderful outdoor layout, the maintenance required to keep track clear on a garden railway seems more that worth the effort. Model train services back here in Ireland seem virtually suspended for the summer season especially with the heat wave here now. Weather too nice to be cooped up indoors, but not in your case.

I'd hazard a guess new MM 141/181s may become readily available on eBay at much lower prices as soon as the MM 121 hits retailers shelves this autumn.

Nice pics, especially the last one.

Very nice and stunnngly precise paint jobs. How do they run, are they DC or DCC?

Bantry Pier really looking well. It's hard to believe a large part of the US Atlantic naval fleet lay at anchor on Bantry Bay in Bearhaven sound for significant part of WW1. A visit to Bear Island is like a time warp, and Lonehort naval battery a must see. It's more craggy island than craggy island ever was.

What is gouache? Is it a specific colour, or a method, or a type of paint (i.e. acrylic or watercolour)?

Sure I understand that, but what about the commercial cost difference between point to point delivery (a single delivery leg) on a small geographical island, verses point to rail to point (i.e. three delivery legs)? BTW, personally I'd prefer to see more freight by rail than road, but wonder if road is more efficient and less expensive for businesses. Has electrification of mainline rail been considered and costed in recent decades?

Ok, but our freight trains are "diesel" powered, rather than electric, so I can't see much of a difference in CO2 footprint moving say 14 containers from a shipping port to 14 different end point destinations, especially when the geographic distances are relatively short. Road option is also probably faster delivery point to point.

With the new motorway network is it not less expensive for companies to transport containers directly by road point to point using HGVs?

Ah, thanks for that info. Nice to hear consumer feedback resulted in subsequent changes, but perhaps a pity the modification didn't also correct the height and reach. I had mistakenly assumed the whole idea of NEM pockets was so consumers could easily change coupling types without needing tools and without having to cut or glue anything. From reading RMweb it seems the NEM 362 issue has also been a problem for manufacturers of British outline stock.

Ah Right so. I thought I read somewhere the axle loading might be too high for main line use, and wheel spin could buckle some modern track. I presume none of the functioning turn tables could accommodate 800 anyway.

800 is too heavy, so you'll also have to win the Euro millions lottery to pay for the upgrading of the track work on the Belfast-Dublin route

Thanks Patrick. I had searched a few times using advanced search, but as word 'kadee' was not in the thread title I didn't find this. Thanks Eoin That great. We did indeed two years ago. I couldn't remember if it was here it was discussed before or over on RMweb. By chance I was just using the razor saw to do as you have recommended in that thread. With the 'play' in kadees I'm beginning to wonder if they are worth the hassle, and with so many suppliers incorrect heights. Thanks again. Noel Bizarre that the IE/IR livery have different size pockets to the CIE livery cravens. Photo from RMweb Kadee Resources page

Thanks Stephen, but do you mean plug a no 20 into the NEM pocket, or glue a kadee under the NEM pocket (on cravens)? If I plug no 20 into either craven NEM pocket sizes the couplings don't reach each other despite being the longest NEM kadees.