Noel

Well it's just over a year ago since I switched from DC to DCC and after much investigation went with NCE Pro cab back then. Have to say it has its good points and a few weaknesses, but overall delighted using it this fast year. Ergonomically the dog bone shapped hand held cab excels because it becomes invisible and doesn't get in the way of operations. Unsighted single handed use suits me. I like the inexpensive cab bus. I've put cab sockets all around the layout so can operate inside or out. The feel in hand of the cab is my favourite pro point, however I'd love a few minor tweaks (ie colour screen with loco names, ability to use buttons while in info display mode, get rid of the daft momentum button, etc). The reason I didn't go for the ESU was the fixed console nature of the twin cab controller would not have suited our layout.

Not easy to answer because Lima MM 201s were replaced by the superior Murphy Model manufactured 201s which have infinitely better motor drive chassis. MM 201s are selling new through retail channels from €135 to €179 depending on livery. Lima made 201s are rare and only available on eBay, used to sell at astronomically daft prices before Murphy Models launched their far superior 201 which caused the second hand value of Lima 201s to collapse. There are still the odd few 'head in the sand' types occasionally trying to sell them for upwards of €350, but they aren't selling at those daft prices anymore except to the odd unfortunate gullible punter. IMHO a new Lima 201 is not worth more than half the price of a new MM 201. The MM has centre drive chassis, both bogies powered, four axel drive and all wheel pickup, hence its low speed performance especially over point work puts the poor Lima chassis in the shade. Add to that 201 prototypes seem not as popular as 071/111, 141/181 GM model locos.

Thinking of visiting the Wexford show this year instead, or SDMRC Sat and Wexford Sunday. I heard they have more 00 scale layouts and less sales exhibitors. Any thoughts from folk who've been to both exhibitions in the past? Seeing layouts is what interests me most at these sort of shows, not as interested in the trade stands, although I understand the economics of running these shows needs both.

Darwin!

Looks nice. Thanks for the photos. They have retained window blinds in 1st class which is essential for business travellers. Makes Mk4 'city gold' on the Cork line look rather shabby. As a cost cutting exercise they have taken the curtains off the Mk4 city gold coaches. How can you use a laptop or tablet in sunlight without some form of window shade or curtain??? Our northern cousins know how to do things properly. The enterprise sets look great.

Just a quick query before I order. What sort of box will the wagons come in?

I would not worry about that. I collected rolling stock for about 20 years before I got around to building our layout.

Ditto?

A welcome development. Best wishes to the team with the new business venture. I look forward to looking at some of your new products at the show. It is refreshing to see how young the team is on the 'meet the team' page given the stereotypical age profile one expects in the hobby. The future seems bright. Well done guys. Noel

Good news indeed if it comes to pass. I'd buy three, a pair and a single for PP, B&T of course. They were rare enough on Irish metal so I guess 3 would nicely complement our 141/181 fleet.

Nice find. "Why?" ... cause we are kids at heart and like making and controlling our own little miniature world of escapism. The hobby is a legitimate means of constructing and playing with more sophisticated toys that don't cost the earth. Sadly I'm not sure I agree with the optimistic conclusion of the piece in relation to demographics. I suspect there is a nostalgia age group bubble that has a limited lifespan.

Ditto? HD/W bushes and magnets

Price dropped £10

Excellent. It reeks of a bygone era in the west of Ireland. Love the colour tones, buildings and backscene.

There is nothing worse than a botched paint job especially stripes and lining whose edges are not 100% straight or bleed. Dog rough.

Ugggh!!! Beauty in the eye of the beholder and all that.

I get that - comprendee

Great progress. This really going to look the part.

The thing about Jouef is they manufactured their european products in Ireland alright, but the continental rolling stock they merely repainted in a sort of CIE livery never looked remotely like anything that ran on Irish rails. At least the Lima Murphy inspired class 33s and BR Mk1s looked looked half right considering it was the 1970s toy market.

Media reports UC bay fire extinguished after landing http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/09/28/aerlingus-flight-returned/ https://mobile.twitter.com/aquamanatee/status/648656000027860992 http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/aer-lingus-pilot-tells-jfk-air-control-we-have-lost-hydraulic-fluid-and-have-to-return-to-jfk-31566592.html This had the potential to be a very serious incident. Well done flight crew and ground services.

Opps "This video is private"

Nice. Enjoy your videos

In any scale that that would be excellent, but in 'N' it is even more impressive. Congrats on completion. Hope you enjoy many years operating it.

Lenz shunting tip. This past year I've been using Lenz silver+ decoders on our MM 141/181 and 071 locos and very pleased with their ultra smooth and quiet motor control. However I only recently discovered Fn 4 effectively toggles a shunting mode which temporarily disables the normal accelaration and braking delays (ie cv3/4). This is really useful for direct instant throttle control when shunting. Function 4 turns this off and on. It has meant I have been able to program quite long accelaration and braking delays but not loose precision when shunting.

No but found a few links http://newirishlines.org/2009/09/28/converting-the-murphy-bachmann-141-class-diesel-to-21mm-gauge/