Noel

What a mess - MM Cravens need to be bodged to fit kadee couplings. The longest NEM kadee is no 20 which does not work with MM Cravens unless modified. While fitting Kadee couplings I discovered NEM 362 Pockets on some MM Craven are not NEM 362 standard length nor correctly positioned relative to buffers, but at least at the right height. (see pic below) . The pockets on the IE/IR twin stripe livery Cravens are too long and not therefore NEM362 spec, as are the tension lock couplings supplied with these coaches (i.e. shaft is longer). . But the CIE single stripe cravens have the correct length NEM362 pockets and supplied with tension lock couplings with appropriately shorter shafts. . To fit Kadee no 20s to the IE/IR coaches the excessively long NEM pocket must be drilled on each side to create a recess for the end of the coupling shaft to click into (i.e. to stop them pulling out). This recess must also be such that the kadee is about 1mm proud of the end of the NEM pocket face or it will not reach the coupling on the next coach. . To fit Kadee no 20s to the CIE single stripe cravens even though the no 20 fits the NEM pocket and snap fits, it is too far behind the buffers to couple up to next coach, so the pocket has to be drilled in the sides so the kadee no 20 is fitted about 1mm proud of the NEM pocket face. Bizarre that the same coaches with only slightly different paint schemes have different NEM couplings. Why bother supplying rolling stock with NEM pockets unless they are the correct NEM 362 spec, the correct length, the correct position and the correct height. MM Cravens have gone from a perfect 10 out of 10 in my book to a mere 9 out of 10 because of this major annoyance. How have others got around this inconsistent NEM 362 pocket problem? I know an option is to ignore the NEM pockets and glue or screw kadee gearboxe couplings like 146, or 148 direct to the coach body.

A great reference for the shades of green used in CIE flying snail era [video=youtube;L6YrqZ7HZ-0]

That's resourceful modelling

Sublime. No other words for it.

Charm oozing potential. Exterior and grounds looks like it hasn't been properly maintained for years. Some fun heating that gallery with all that glass. Wonder if stone floors were lifted and insulated. Shame the old signal left to rot.

Ah now steady on, the poor 201 is a proper decent locomotive that hauls real trains and has the most comfortable cab. Perhaps "Rattle can" a more appropriate nickname for 2x00 bangladesh stock, and "Back Pain" for the ICRs.

Its clearly a fake

Hi John FYI, you should be able to get around daft UK mail restrictions on small volumes by using 'Address Pal' but not Parcel Motel. Next they'll be classifying nail varnish as a 'HazChem'. I've had no problems getting small quantities of model paints including enamels, thinners and varnish from UK suppliers this way. Noel

Great find. Thanks for posting.

Fab pics of 4004 (nos 59 & 60)

That looks a really clever idea. Looking forward to its evolution.

Stunning video clip of the damage. It shows just how strong welded rail can be as the land slide pulled the track intact off the ballast and tight like a piece of string across the valley floor. Brave flying the drone into the tunnel potentially out of RF range.

Roxyguy, don't mind such tongue in cheek remarks, you are a "real" modeller (whatever that is supposed to mean) and I very much enjoy your posts and your layout. Looking forward to whatever you decide with a G class irrespective of how you do it. Just enjoy. Let he who is without rivets cast the first sleeper shoe.

B121 hauling GAA special from Ballygowhatsit to Waterford in simulated 1963 old film footage. Wagon at the rear carrying spare hurleys and six milk churns. Reworked iMovie version using multiple effects filters and silent movie style sound tracks

Hmmm - after cutting up two MM chassis with rotary tool that sounds like more bother than its worth Super photoshop. Agree. The low speed running quality of the chassis might be a mitigating factor in its favour if its good enough. Shunters need to be ultra smooth at low speeds and be able to maintain electrical continuity moving slowly over points. DCC stay alive capacitor seems vital for 0-4-0 configuration but where would a DCC chip fit never mind a capacitor in that little beauty.

Kenya's new railway line will be diesel hauled. BBC piece. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-40171095 Looking at the pics the track is jointed rather than continuous welded rail. Could that be because it's a hot country and CWR is outside heat expansion limits, or cost factor?

Good find. Possibly move the door from the rear to sides, remove walkway behind cab, trim roof a little, paint and weather with a bit of sleeper grime or frame dirt and she'll look like a G on anybodies layout. Personally I'd prefer an 0-6-0 shunter to 0-4-0 for slow speed running over points, etc.

? That's really helpful ?

Signal box looks absolutely superb. It reeks of atmosphere and authenticity. Detailing is excellent and I like the open window. Class job.

Interesting the controller labelling is calibrated from 0v to 9v. Were those old locos not designed for 12v?

Glad you liked it. A bit of simulated nostalgia fun for 1960s rural CIE era on old cine film.

. Simulated nostalgia film Apologies, couldn't resist

Hi Jonathan, does that mean Cravens never ran when the AECs were powered rail car sets, but may have run with converted AEC push-pull stock hauled/pushed by C class or the odd 121 on Dublin suburban pre-dart? Noel

Agree absolutely Jonathan. Engines, carriages and wagons that made train noises. A far cry from todays boring uniform modern image yo-yos. 1950 to 1975 seemed the golden era. Me too. I can almost hear the distant rumble of the new Murphy Models 121 class if I put my ear to the rails and listen carefully. Its only a matter of months now. Watching videos like these has convinced me to buy one in the grey livery as well as a few in black'n'tan. As Jonathan says we can run almost any stock mix behind them.

That makes sense. I originally thought it was a C class myself, but from some angles especially 6m37s the side profile looked eerily like a B113/114 with sloping front. I presume the second loco was travelling un-powered. Thank for info John. Even 50mph seems a fair old lick for loose coupled wagons over the long bridge.