Noel

Some pics of IRM's stunning Ballast Wagons These wagon are simply exquisite with even more detailing becoming apparent as you study them close up. Recently weathered B141 up front Not sure yet about attempting to weather these beauties. The ballast load looks like it could possibly be dulled down, but it is actually the correct bright colour for freshly crush hard core stone straight out of the quarry. I may risk a very light dusting of frame dirt sprayed on the wagons, especially the lower half and axle boxes.

B141 is the second of four B&T Baby GMs in for light weathering Had a trial of weathering powders but I didn't like the effect so wiped that off and started again. Just looked too scruffy on a nice model for my personal taste. B141 after a light weathering with air brush. Sticking to what I've learned so far! Needs a few more touches to finish on fuel tank, roof, etc, but like B181 want it to look reasonably tidy for that period where CIE kept those locos looking fresh. B141 newly dusted with a rake of IRM Ballast wagons Dare I attempt to weather the lovely Ballasts? I kind of like the look of them pristine and the colours are subtle and almost look weathered already. PS: On B165 and B188 I am going to attempt using washes for the first time but very lightly just enough to barely accentuate the panel lines and corners.

€230 for 'used' baby GM with sound, a botched speaker installation protruding into the cab, dinted roof grill - does the buyer realise they could have bought a new loco plus sound for less? http://www.ebay.ie/itm/132201863710?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Kieran you are and have been one of the most informative, constructive, helpful, polite and inspiring members of this entire form. This is a most unfortunate development and the forum will be the weaker for it. One can only hope this might somehow be resolved. Noel

Epilogue note for this 2yo thread and just to complete it in case anybody is reading it in the future, posted below are links to 121 project on workbench and one of the youtube clips. MIR kits were not available, so I went with the 3D Shapeways kit, running on the newer higher spec Athearn SW1500 chassis which purrs nearly as well as an MM. In the end I didn't cut up an MM141 donor for this 121, instead I used an MM141 as a donor chassis for a C class. Murphy Models 121 class models are expected this autumn so the need for kits and donor chassis will be academic shortly. Glad to have a B&T livery version in the mean time while waiting for superior MM RTR models. 121 Workbench: http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/6142-Kingsbridge-paint-shop?p=100168&viewfull=1#post100168 Video of chassis slow running: B121 prior to detailing - The new higher spec SW1500 chassis is a superb low speed runner with AWD and AWP.

Apparently not, but probably depends on each case. I just primed with Halfords plastic grey primer directly over the existing Hornby paint on the coaches I resprayed back in March, and they turned out ok.

Hi Pastavenue. To be honest I'm not 100% sure yet, but will let you know afterwards. The current plan is cotton buds and T-Cut to gently rub the numbers off the plastic body, then a patch of gloss varnish, then decals for the new numbers with decalfix, then gently weather with acrylic paints, then a coat of matt varnish all over to seal the decals and weathering. But will have to see how it turns out! Noel

Yip, time to slip the mooring lines and cast off

Holy Moly, that is an awesome production setup Eoin. Keep the faith, you can't rush a true genius and pure craftsmanship.

Interesting Rich. All mine were glued at one end near the top of the centre walkway steps, but the stanchions were just fiction fitted, as is the end that fits into the cab sides. Maybe its just my eyesight and shaky hands! When weathering B181 I found it easier to leave them on as they nicely picked up some of the grime I was spraying.

Just a suggestion, don't bother removing the walkway hand rails if you need to remove the body of a Murphy Model 141/181 to fit DCC decoders, or for weathering. They are a nightmare to re-fit, especially because at one end they are glued to the chassis where the steps are, and you need a microscope to refit the other vertical stanchions. It's relatively easy to get the centre body shell off using two ice cream sticks to pinch the body in and upwards over the two pairs of snap fit lugs, leaving the walkway rails in place. Just unclip the rails from each cab end which is easy.

Black'n'Tan fleet visit paint shop in preparation for light weathering - B141, B165, B188 Basically I just take the bogies off, mask the wheels and pick ups, then lightly mask the windows just in case of over spray. B181 was weathered last week as a test for these. I have to renumber another B&T 141 to B142 and that'll make five of these babies.

Thanks. Ok, if any of those mags sell once off 'digital' editions please let us know. Cancelled my mag subscriptions years ago and stopped buying retail (mags on aviation, photography, electronics, model rail, mac, linux, yachting, AV, etc) when I realised I wasn't reading them much, lack of original interesting content, and were taking up too much space on the coffee table. I did enjoy reading 'railway modeller' in years gone bye, and have a crate full of them in the basement. Autumn will be exciting with IRMs Cement Bubbles and Murphy Models 121 hitting the rails. PS: Btw not being pedantic, but are recent posts on this thread not now 'Breaking news from IRM in Dublin' :)

Glad to hear of the review coverage. Not being negative, its just a bit like Des, I no longer read paper media nor buy magazines. Be sure to let us know in due course when online reviews become available. Having been blown away by the quality of the Ballast wagons, which has fuelled anticipation, one can't help wondering when you expect the Cement Bubbles may ship?

This wonderful warm sunny weather is not conducive to working indoors with models nor playing model trains! The great outdoors and summer beckons!

Two intrepid modelling travellers made a pilgrimage to Wexford last week to receive a guided tour of four stunning layouts. We were treated to multiple stock operations on the layouts. A huge thank you to 'Irishrailwayman' for his hospitality and showing two visitors some of his wonderful layouts. Llangollen - N gauge - After seeing this stunning layout and its incredible detail I was won over to N gauge. Llangollen - N gauge - There is so much detail your eyes almost miss it. For example the kayakers in the river, the insides of buildings, drapes, curtains and roller blinds, the roof detail, weeds, weathering, it is a master class. The road traffic can changed to match the period of railway stock from 1930s right up to the 00s. Cynwyd - N gauge - West country BR scenes right up my street. Just reeking of the 1950s, and a GWR pannier tank to push me off my perch. Ballybeg - Stunning scene outside a country pub - the placement and use of figures makes it totally realistic and alive Ballybeg - Lock scene of a summers day - again this layout is alive with model humans doing real life. Amazing! Ballybeg - Signal box - wow, one working and one looking on as the kettle boils on the stove Ballybeg - Beautiful B101 running with stunning DCC sound chip (similar to BR class 24 engine) Thank you Gerry for your time and hospitality. Your work is totally inspiring.

Thanks for the response guys, that's really helpful. It looks like 'Vallejo Model Color' 70.891 intermediate green for diesel locos and post 1955 coaches, and 'Model Air' 71.009 'Eau de Nil' for the lining, and perhaps 70.850 medium olive for pre-1955 coaches? Railmatch 307 also looks like a possible match for diesel loco body. Vallejo have different colour charts in their range for 'model color' and 'model air' ranges of paints. Model Color Range: http://cdn.acrylicosvallejo.com/2d567ed91fb58cdc74108685395ac19a/CC070-Rev14.pdf Model Air Range: https://www.everythingairbrush.com/media/wysiwyg/PDF/Model_Air_Colour_Chart.pdf Any further advise would be welcome.

That's interesting

Yes that's the main purpose I have seen them used for in recent years. Mind you, if ya had taller clients and stopped working with shortie builders they might be able to reach! :)

They are very much 90s and early 00s presentation aids, now obsolete. They may still have limited application for architects, engineers, etc.

Ps: this is the type of green livery I was asking about the shade or Ral no? Don't know if there was a darker one or just this?

What was the shade of green used on the A and C class diesel locos, and for the pale green lining? Equivalent RAL number if matches would also be useful. I've been trying to visually find a match on this chart https://www.everythingairbrush.com/media/wysiwyg/PDF/Model_Air_Colour_Chart.pdf Thanks in advance. Noel

Hi Eoin, is that product a flux, or a paste containing flux and solder? If the former, is ordinary electronic solder suitable for model brass work? Noel

Well done Eoin. Super job for on split chassis, and very neat. They are a nightmare to DCC, and have to be run-in again after reassembly. Your tools to machine the metal chassis is a great help. I gave up on split chassis conversions after doing two of them some years ago, but I wasn't as neat as you have been here. On my poor effort, isolating the motor connections from the chassis sides was a real pain, and tapping each side of the chassis for pickups was equally awkward. What method did you use to connect the decoder to the chassis sides?

Thanks. Ok so, B121 and B233 will only be operating 'specials' from now on