Noel

Perhaps both but in reality for a 3rd party.

Hi Folks Could anybody please direct me to website which might allow me to identify decoders by their manufacturer ID "plus" their decoder version number. I know about the NMRA manufacturer list http://www.nmra.org/sites/default/files/appendix_a2c_s-9.2.2.pdf I can get both the ID and VER numbers using the programming track for locos that have unknown decoders. But I cannot find any resource that maps decoder version numbers to specific decoder products. I know basic Bachmann decoders (rebadged ESU lokpilot basic) are ID 151, but can't find which versions 088 or 089 map to 36-553 and 36-554 decoder products. Similarly the later Bachmann decoders (rebadged soundtrax) are ID 141, but not sure if version 081 is the 36-557 decoder. Likewise it would be nice to be able to identify Hornby decoder products. Many thanks Noel

I admire your positive outlook. Having just re-read the entire thread and seen the stunning effect you had achieved it is hard to comprehend how any of us would feel having to tear up such workmanship.

Nice photo of Claremorris. It is a mere shadow of its former glory. I know a certain forumite who was down there for a day last week taking photos in prep for a possible project, set in a time when the past intricate track work and all the junctions had lots of traffic. At least the ash pits are still there and the turn table is still working.

Yikes IT sorry to hear you had to do that. I know what that feels like. I hope you were able to salvage much of the amazing work you had done. I had to rip up my layout 34 years ago when moving house. It so upset me because I could salvage only the rolling stock and a few buildings as the baseboards were built into the roof structure and all the track was glued and ballasted to the boards. I vowed then if I ever built a layout again that it would be on moveable baseboard sections (i.e. semi-transportable). I wish you well on the reconstruction. What you had already made looked great.

Well we're drifting a little off topic and that's my fault, but as helicopters were mentioned and I also build model choppers, and the silly people in cars drove the SAR services off the rails it could be vaguely considered related to model aviation on a model rail forum. And yes the three SUVs I towed out of trouble in 2009 (families out to play in dads tank) did not even have tow bars, and one was switched into 2wd drive mode. I'll post more model aircraft pics when I get a chance. Ps. I was driving a 4x4 but knew what the diff lock switch did and to turn all the auto guff off in snow & ice. Quadradrive rocks.

No hadn't flown up there. Calary bog opposite the sugar loaf where the SRFC was based used to be my regular haunt. I used to commute via the featherbeds until the M50 south section was built. Spent a day snowed in up there 18 years ago in a blizzard when twits in cars blocked the road both in front of me and behind me. They hadn't chains, not even a shovel, no rope, boots, gloves nor jackets - townie folk who thought 4wd cars could drive through 2ft of drifted snow. Had to dig the cars out using 4x4 tractors later that night! Many years ago when I used to participate at public air shows and flying displays we used to operate 'toffee bombers'. We would fill the bomb bays with sweats tied to miniature parachutes and streamers, then fly over the crowd dropping the load over exited children who would excitedly run hither and thither trying to catch a falling sweet. Happy memories.

I'm comparing more with swiss, french, and italian trains. The only UK trains I have used in recent years have been the tunnel, the Heathrow express and HST125 on west country routes.

Yes the new motorway network has pretty much sealed the fate of intercity rail travel in Ireland and severely limited pax numbers as a result. I have to say Belfast to Londonderry route is one of the most scenic lines in the country on a nice bright day. The main problem is Heuston's isolation both by road and by rail. It adds an hour to the door to door travel time making the motorways even more attractive. Even by road it is faster to get to Cork via motorway from Heuston than by train, how daft is that in the 21st century. The UK mainland has had HST 125mph rail travel since 1975, 40 years later and we've only got 100mph on sections of the Cork line, and a business class service that sells disgusting food in bags off a trolley, and now they have got rid of all the trains and replaced them with plastic buses on rails that shake your bones till your teeth clatter. The seats in the 22k's are the most uncomfortable trains I have ever travelled on.

Reminds me of W J Owens in the 1970s

Looking forward to dropping into this sale. Great venue, can have a bite to eat before or after. Hopefully tomorrow will be my first opportunity to eyeball the new supertrain coaches up close and decide the woods from the trees. I was at one of these sales last year and was surprised how well priced some of the old Hornby Dublo 2 rail kit was.

I was just curious why the price was the same as all other Irish coaches.

Task 2 completed

Keen RRP prices even with the weak Euro. Almost close to Irish retailers. I see the new supertrain coaches are £39 which is less than €56. Off to watch the rugby now

I just love that layout. Your 141 sounds well. Have you got used to the coasting and braking? I just love driving that Zimo chip. Its the most authentic way of driving a train I've experienced so far. I tweaked some of the sound CVs and also some of the motor drive CVs on my 141 (i.e. Keith's chip) to get scale running speeds without loosing the notch down when target cruise speed was attained. Its just the most fun I've ever had driving a loco.

Ah, they are only trains. Not worth loosing sleep over.

Excellent shots of interesting subjects. Like the light tones too. You have a great eye for composing a scene. The aqueduct scene was worthy of a railway painting. PS: Not a boring 22k in sight

Superb

When companies hire brand and graphic design consultants they are always going to advise 'new image', 'rebranding', 'fresh image', 'new concepts' , how else are they going to earn their fees. By contrast look at Aer Lingus with only one really significant livery/brand change in over 55 years (i.e. excluding the slight reshaping of the shamrock about 15 years ago).

Yes its a bit basic. Actually the front of the loco looks like a 'smiley' face with a finger in its mouth (i.e. hose) and two eye (lights)

A wavey wavey pattern but it looks very well. Still think the yellow panel could do with an outline.

That link is a super thread IT. I found the Mk3 supertrain coach conversion, kadee and weathering post very useful and informative (bookmarked). Your supertrain Mk3s look spot on colour wise and also the black intercity decals look great.

They both look really well. Nice coach livery.

Well all I can express as a recent customer, is that I was more than happy with the three items I have bought from them so far, and I will be buying at least four more locos from them. As I said in the thread that was unfortunately hijacked a few weeks ago, their products ticked enough boxes for me personally. I appreciate that's only my opinion. Live and let live. Satisfied customer bought these: GSV Black&Tan (mk1) Dutch GSV Black&Tan weathered A Class Loco Black&Tan weathered

But the chassis is not of the same standard as the MM