Noel

Yes exactly! They excelled in both (i.e. scale appearance + scale running). I think we got crossed wires. I was referring to some very fine looking kit built models that however run on chassis that do not do them justice (i.e. don't run in a scale like manner).

Mind you getting quite pernickity about exactness rather than overall impression feels strange given our 16.5mm track gauge seems as far off scale as perhaps a missing wheel. When looking at a model train in operation, realistic scale movements seem equally as important as a good looking fine scale model. No use looking 100% perfectly authentic if it moves like a toy, accelerates like a Ferrari and brakes at a scale 4g throwing imaginary passengers against carriage bulk heads when stopping at a station. A good balance between a great looking model that runs well will look the real thing. Can't have one without the other unless its for a display case.

Hmmm! Well I'm considering putting a Bachmann class 25 bo-bo chassis under an A class body. Its a perfect fit without lengthening or shortening. It'll be a cheat but at least it will run well unlike the Hornby plod, and pass the 2ft rule and closer in stations as the platforms hide the under frames and bogies anyway.

L Oh Yummie. I nearly fell off my perch when I saw that photo. B&T heaven.

Yes fab pic, and it was a classic livery, however that dull livery never blow my skirt up! It wasn't until the tippex livery emerged that I realised just how dull the supertrain livery looked. Scale does strange things to colour, while the ST livery was more familiar to my memory, I prefer the IR tippex livery on models. It just seems to scale better visually. I'm tempted to respray one of my 071s Black'n'Tan just for fun despite the fact they never had it. I have a silver and black one and I just don't like the look of it.

I hope you don't drive your car everywhere in reverse JB, and that your number plates are not upside down!

Ah that must have been major Dawnay & co heading to the park for a few chukkas

Thanks. Mixing up liveries and running an Enterprise/NI liveried loco with an Irish Rail coach set seems untidy and a bit of a mess. Is the enterprise fleet not self contained?

Thanks for the update. Ordered a rake, look forward to receiving it some time next year.

Interesting but it looks a bit of a mess. Wonder how reliabley it worked with those interlaced crossings and points. Must have been a bit of a maintenance nightmare, but I guess the stock only moved at walking pace so not as many derailments as one might expect, or easy to fix if any occurred.

Agree - Whoever owns it, the "Hornby" brand most likely probably never die. I hope they turn the business around. From Hornby-Dublo, Triang, Triang-Hornby to Hornby its an iconic brand that has introduced generations in this part of the world to model trains.

You know what they say: "Revenue is Vanity, Profit is Sanity"

World has a few nasty chancers, and unfortunately enough fools for them to feed on!

Thanks Guys. Might try and pop in next Wed.

Nice respray but the doors are in the wrong place http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Irish-rail-two-car-set-2700-class-/262180276009?hash=item3d0b298729:g:LjkAAOSwwE5WZdjd

L Yip Another thing I've spotted overseas is flashing yellow lights triggered by sensor when a vehicle approaches low bridge (presume induction loop under road)..

I'd be grateful if somebody could post directions to SDMRC club house, and/or a google maps pin. There is no 'location' info on their website, just a general reference to Knocklyon area. Thanks Noel

The Truck drivers in question obviously a bit dim. HGV drivers are usually thinking 4 moves ahead so it must be some dimwits that hit bridges so well marked. Having said that why don't the local authorities place gauge bars about 20 meters each side of low bridges, the trucks would hit those first alerting the driver before they hit masonry or steel? It's done in other countries.

Was surprised how small the business is (i.e. only 22m revenue HY). Hope they have enough stock to meet the demand of the Christmas market or they may lose more market share to Bachmann.

Was it this livery? It has been around for a while.

John as others have suggested avoid Hornby DCC controllers. There was another thread on here only last week highlighting the limitations of a Hornby controller that could not even be used to reset a decoder to default values. Check out starter DCC systems such as: Roco MultMaus, NCE PowerCab, Bachmann Dynamis, and Bachmann EZ Command The next level up is Lenz, Zimo, GuageMaster, ESU and NCE ProCab Recommend you invest some time checking out the ergonomics of the various systems cabs, button and control layouts, etc, throttle sliders v rotary knobs v buttons, etc. Its a good idea to download the manual for each system and have a good read. It will give you a good idea which system will suit you.

Absolutely beautiful piece of model engineering. Superb.

Yes fond memories of it and glad I got my family to see it before it closed. Despite the lack of detail on some of the layout models, it didn't matter because the whole thing just looked spectacular, worked, entertained and as Tony said had genuine 'Irish' looking trains and Irish scenes. I thought the layout was very clever in terms of its story telling. Cyril Fry's models on static display were superb. I didn't realise at the time that the layout models had not been built by him, but a talented group of modellers. It was there I first saw a murphy model baby GM loco in the shop and was blown away having been out of the hobby for about 18 years. I bought it on the spot and was amazed to own a model of a real Irish diesel loco. Glad to hear the museum will reopen in the next few years.

Thanks. I hadn't realised the 121s had push/pull gear fitted before they were used with modified mk3 sets.

Did any other loco such as 141s ever push converted AEC sets?