Noel

Christy Ring Cup farce. - It is hard to believe in this day and age that such a basic mistake as 'counting the score' could be made. No winners and red faces.

Nice pic of Carlisle Pier beside the 'George' http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/xpw042263?search=Dublin&ref=249 That's what I call integrated transport. Unlike now - Rosslare harbour platforms are a gazillion miles away from the ferry quay instead of beside like it used to be, and Dublin airport lacks a rail link to the city centre and intercity rail network, and you can't start a rail journey from Bray or Malahide, to Cork, Waterford, Limerick or Galway cities.

Yes I tend to agree, but Clarkson was at times at least entertaining being an "insufferably irritating giant ego" and an "attention-seeking know-all". The Boris Johnson of motor journalism. Anyway after seeing part of episode two, I doubt TG will be around for another season - It is dead in the water. PS: And I'm not expecting 'The Grand Tour' to be much better. All well past their sell by date.

Looks like the RIYC alright RIYC - excellent food too

Thanks Kieran. Wonder why they just don't paint it in standard Irish Rail green and grey livery. Do you know if it was a marketing theme or or a cross border motivated livery?

Nice pics Hurricane and Wanderer. What are IE doing with that awful livery on 231. Are there now three 201 class liveries? Irish Rail intercity, Enterprise (NI/ROI), and this very dull sliver and black livery? Bizarre I think I've asked about this before but not sure I understood why the 3rd livery.

The Bachmann Esso's are under €15 each and top quality

They seem rather over priced at €27 per wagon. (i.e. €405 for a rake of 15 compared to €225 for 15 similar bachmann wagons).

The superb BW pic caught my eye.

Agree - it may improve with time, but I'm not hugely optimistic. CE needs to calm down and give a more subtle delivery worthy of his talent.

Or more likely perhaps IRM?

Interesting human behavioural patterns alright. I'd forgotten it was even on till I got a hail of WhatsApp's and texts during the afternoon from family and friends suggesting I watch it. It was sooooo boring I actually fell asleep during the stars in cars segment and had to watch it back - waste of time. CE is normally a good media guy, but his high pitched screaming and fast talking really dumbed it down IMHO. I guess a lot of the negativity towards E1 may have been overspill from folk who were angry about JC being let go last year. Some may warm to it a bit when they smooth out the edges, but IMHO it needs a major overhaul, not just edge smoothing. It'll probably get canned at the end of this season. Just got rid of my proxy server too, so won't be bothering to watch Amazon Prime's 'Grand Tour' show either when it airs in the autumn with the 3 ageing amigos.

How did the producers not see that train wreck coming down the tracks prior to last nights screening on BBC. Some of the media are panning it 'Flop Gear' this morning, but that almost seems too kind - it was total and utter rubbish. CE's high pitched stage voice was so irritating and unnatural. He is better than that. IMHO, it was nearing its sell by date anyway before the entertaining 'ego' got fired last year.

Thanks Patrick.

Hi Fran, Patrick What date do you expect to deliver the ballast wagons? Thanks Noel

Grumpy here. Why the media make such a hames of reporting tragedies like MS-804 is beyond me. The wild speculation as to cause without any established factual data is astonishing. Not to mention their total lack of research or understanding of basic aviation terminology. I wish they would also stop calling the FDR and CVR 'black boxes', they are bright day-glo orange and have never been black. Civilian cliches and google searching instead of investigative reporting! The disproportionate frenzy of wall to wall coverage for days and weeks after such a tragic event seems distasteful and only adds to the trauma suffered by loved ones suffering grief. Approx 3400 people died of road traffic accidents around the world that same DAY, not to mention 000s of deaths in 3rd world countries from poor drinking water and preventable disease every single day - but much of the media seem just into sensational stories designed almost to entertain and shock, rather than inform. Apologies for mini-rant. Need to drive a model choo-choo and calm down. Going off now to run a few black'n'tan MMs with sound.

Looks really well Noel. N gauge really suits modern image with long scale length trains and gentle track bends that look authentic. That iconic HST 125 set brings back happy memories during the 80s travelling frequently from Paddington to Temple Meads.

LOL - That's the style "Gerry Anderson". The production APT looked somewhat better.

I must say, even when I first saw the APT demonstrated on BBC tomorrows world all those decades ago, I thought the body looked rather dated even then. Especially for a unique and revolutionary piece of technology compared to the F16, F14 and Spaceshuttle all of which looked amazing for their day and still do. The almost timeless HST125 was obviously designed by an engineer with an eye for style and function.

Independent piece today on grand Hibernian http://www.independent.ie/life/travel/ireland/sneak-preview-inside-irelands-first-luxury-sleeper-train-34723716.html

Thanks Railer, that makes sense.

What is the new common user livery and what locos will carry it and why? Will it be replacing the green and silver 201 Intercity livery? If yes are all the mk4 intercity green and silver coaches going to be repainted? Would seem bizarre if IE plan to change the mk4 livery scheme for a dull black and silver one.

That's a stunning composition

Eggsealant - Now that's Black'n'Tan

Er sorry, 071 is in "Super-Train" livery. That's not "Black and Tan" These baby GMs are Black'n'Tan livery: http://eiretrains.com/Photo_Gallery/Irish%20Locomotives/141%20Class/slides/141_20100424_001_CC_JA.jpg 071s never carried B&T livery, unless some clever bod would like to do a special photoshop!