Noel

I do like Glad we're on a similar hymn sheet

Ha ha very good

Hi Richie. OK I can see that may have been a factor. The RPSIs previous livery had a yellow/gold stripe rather than just a thin gold line and the shade of blue was much lighter. Not exactly understated.

Absolutely. No Prob. Forgive, but I had a few minutes to doodle with some of IRM's resident photographers images. Two crude photoshop options just to express what I was thinking:

Hi Patrick,I totally agree with the 'understated class' concept for a product such as this, but it just needs the slightest lift. Add just a tiny little bit of understated sophistication (i.e. not stripes nor garish logos, just very thin fine lining). Noel

Lovely composition with both bridges in frame. That plain livery looks unsophisticated and even a little cheap. It needs some fine lining to give it that 5 star 'pullman' appeal.

What an atmospheric scene. Nice photo.

Hi Brendan. The 36-557 should work ok with MM 071s, I have used 36-557 in two 071s with NCE, but the older 36-554 was a better decoder. Some versions of 36-557 chips have behaved oddly and inconsistently with some DCC controllers, see links below. Apparently there were two variations of the 36-557 and one variant was problematic with certain DCC controller systems. http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=25748 http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/68254-bachmann-36-557-21-pin-decoder http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/68820-bachmann-36-557-decoders-and-hornby-elite/ However in your case if you switched the chips between 141s and 071s they should behave identically (i.e. worked in 141 and 071 or not worked in either). Just be absolutely sure you know what address you have programmed. If in doubt reset the decoder by setting CV8=8, this will change the decoder/loco address back to the default of 3. http://www.bachmann.co.uk/pdfs/36-558Tech_Ref.pdf PS: Since then I have been using Lenz 10321-01 Silver+ 21pin decoders on all my non-sound MM locos. See http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/4338-Lenz-Silver-21-pin-decoders-€25-Rainer-Kieskemper

Thanks Richie. What do you think about Laser based SLA v FDM? It seems to be able to get down to 25 microns on some new consumer models costing approx €1550. There seems to be quite a difference in finish quality between SLA and FDM.

Currently 3D printing for 00 scale Irish RTR models seems a long way behind injection moulded plastic in terms of finish quality and fine detail. However is 3D in the future ever likely to evolve to the higher quality and level of precision that is currently only achieved by injection moulding (IM)? Obviously IM is vastly more expensive to set up for small production runs, but 3D is fairly inexpensive if one can accept the quality differential enough to be able to run rare Irish RTR stock. Is current 3D technology like the early days of 'ink jet' printing before the quality issues were resolved and mass market appeal drove costs down as quality improved?

Hi Guys. There is no need to adjust the dip switches under the loco. Just use Function 4 for the head lights. Prototypically locos turned off head light when pulling into a station. Noel PS: As I understand, main cab lights would normally be off while a loco is traveling at night so that the driver can better see signal lights in the distance (i.e. dark cockpit). Instrumentation would be dimly illuminated.

The main headlight is switched by a separate DCC function (F4) F0 Turns directional running lights on/off F4 Turns the main beam on/off F8 Turns the cab lights on/off (if you have a 6 function decoder) Depending on which Bachmann chip you used, it may not operate the cab lights. Popular bachmann DCC chips are only 4 function decoders). Personally I don't care for the cab lights (i.e. too bright, unrealistic and too white/blue tint).

Darwin!

I'm all 1916'ed out. Wait till 1922 and all the army bands come out again. Easter Sunday this year was really well done, but ever since then it's been going on a bit especially on TV.

Nice pics. It is really peaceful part of the world down there. Shame that train is so slow. Car gets to Gorey 45mins quicker than the train!

A problem with 'running' feedback in reviews is nearly every video I've ever seen only shows locos moving at speed, or if they show what they claim is slow, is actually nearer a scale speed of 30mph! Few dare to show how smooth loco chassis are at prototypical scale speeds starting, stopping, shunting, running over point work. Any chassis can look good at 50+ scale mph, show me chassis starting off with slow scale like acceleration, or braking very gradually to smooth stop without jerking or stalling. The bottom line is a model needs to both look fine scale and move at fine scale speeds. It is a shame when some stunning looking models mechanical movement doesn't live up to their physical appearance.

That section of track was some feat of engineering in its day, especially the revised tunnel after the 1867 disaster http://www.bridgesofdublin.ie/bridge-building/disasters/bray-train-crash-co-wicklow-ireland-1867 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_railway_accidents

Me too. GWR was my introduction to semaphore signals so I'm not a fan of the round post signals which seem alien to me even though they are native to Ireland.

Will IRM being showing the ballast sample at Bray? (or perhaps this has already happened)

Apart from one of Richie's hairs on the load It looks absolutely stunning. If they come out of the box factory weathered as well as that most of us will fall off our perches with excitement. Top class, well done guys.

In fairness the Wexford exhibition which is a much smaller event managed to have tea/coffee and excellent home made sandwiches on site. Folks at these events need somewhere to sit down and take a break, have a snack and chat to pals. This facilitates folks staying on site for longer visits, exposure to exhibits and trade stands. Nuff said before I get flamed, but it is easy to outsource to an independent mobile van operator who will make their own profit over the three days without any cost to the show organisers nor any need for staffing. Running for cover now.

Thanks Dave. Have they considered letting one of the mobile catering van operators park in the car park near the entrance? No staffing needed, nor cost to MRSI as the vendor makes their profit from sales. Then if there was one class room left free inside with a few seats, tables, and rubbish bins folks could eat in there. It might keep folk on site for longer. Just an idea. Noel http://www.circuitcatering.ie/circuitcatering/Main/catering-units-new.htm http://www.thechipvan.ie

Dave, do you know if there will be catering for the public at the MRSI show this year?

Brilliant, I love it.

Sorry but not sure if it is good news. Seems more an embarrassing form of barbarism that is not really a sport.