Noel

Sorry don't understand

Hi Richie Yes but would it not be of value to know what specific model the project might be, and then guage how many would fund that preferred model. From the two threads the 121 and A class seem the clear front runners, but if it was only one or the other, how many who have already voted yes, would still vote yes if their no 1 pref was not the chosen project. A survey monkey poll might reveal some specifics. Suggested possible questions: (please folks no need to answer these, just sample Qs) 1 what is your preferred model: from a list 2 what is your preferred livery: Choice of three 3 how much would you pre-pay for it: list of three possible costs (lower, mid, upper) 4 how many would you be likely to pre-order? 5 how many in total are you likely to buy in next 5 years? 6 how long would you be prepared to wait for delivery? (Choice of thee times scales, eg 12m, 18m, 24m) Please forgive, not quite sure I understand about the coaches comment. Are most CIE coaches running post 1975 not already available as quality RTR stock, even if some stocks currently sold out but likely to be re-run in future (eg Cravens, mk2 and mk3, or Bachman/Hornby re-sprays). I thought the deficit in affordable but high quality RTR coaches was 1950s to 1975, currently only available as kits or rather expensive RTR specialist collectors items. Most seem reasonable to good quality but not of the same high quality as say MM cravens or Bachmann BR outline coaches that sell below €40-50 per RTR coach. Have I got the wrong end of the stick? Are there not significantly more folks interested in RTR than kits, who have neither the time, patience nor skills to build a kit remotely close to RTR standards? Noel Ps. Btw it was nice to meet you at the MRSI show

Hi BK. Would it be useful to put up another poll of single choice questions offering folks the choice of their preferred model for a pre-funded production run? (Eg 121, A class, C class, steam 800, steam jeep, one or two popular freight wagons, one or two coaches (laminate, Park Royal). Noel

I've already posted this video on the layout thread, but just for logical completeness I though I'd add to this thread also, as it has plenty of footage of the new Zimo 141/181 sound chip in action, and it was the end result of the original question on the thread. Apologies for duplication.

Some really atmospheric photos Kieran. In the last photo of 083 beside the 22k, the 22k looks like a plastic toy from a pound shop. The 083 looks so imposing and substantial beside it. Anyway some really nice shots.

Brilliant, I love it PS: Great video

Ah, but that's not Deutsche Bahn, nor TGV?

Excellent. Welcome Alan. I'm a newbie here myself. That's a really interesting track layout. I like your selection of Irish locos and rolling stock, especially the AEC. The cement depot looks great too. Noel

Achieving the level of sales to win such an award is impressive, especially given the recession here. Congrats.

Hear hear

Yummie

Thanks, I've found the venue on BW website (i.e. their club house), but what time is it on at? Noel

The cab lights are F8 on 071. F0 is the running lights, and F4 turns the head light on. PS: EDIT - if you used a 4 function decoder you may not have access to the cab lights, but try F8. I used LokSound 4.0 and turned the brightness of the cab lights down using CVs. Out of the box they seemed a little too bright.

Looks wonderful. Dart and DMUs are not really my sort of thing, but wow looking at that amazing model it is getting very very tempting indeed. Congrats on a superb production and engineering.

Understand, but bare in mind the MM 141, 181, 071, 201s, Cravens and mk2ds, will most probably be available as re-runs for the long term future because the design, prototyping and tooling costs have already been absorbed. The UK market mainly sells models that purchasers have never travelled on, nor never seen in the flesh (ie BR big four steam era), likewise the iconic GMs should remain in proportionate demand here for the next 40 years or so (ie small production runs every six years or so). It is uncertain what the demand might be for current rolling stock. Part of the enduring culture of railway modelling has been nostalgia and 'the past'. Much the same as airfix aviation kits. WW2 models seem more popular than Cold War era or current era aircraft models. A(001) and 121 class models likely to be in greater demand than say 22k because of folks draw to the past. UK steam era gets a constant nostalgia refresh from movies and TV mini series which is a benefit Irish railway nostalgia lacks.

Ah a Severn class is my favourite RNLI AWB. Nice work. We have that kit, but haven't started it yet. Either my son or myself were supposed to build it, but instead I built a Saturn V to mark the 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrong's "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" moon landing. Many years ago after we pulled a crew off their burning yacht off the west coast, the Fenit RNLI AWB, and rescue 115 CG Heli from Shannon were tasked to the scene. Thankfully and luckily we had already got crew off without injuries and onboard our vessel. Scary memories, don't like fire at sea! Anyway 'Mayday Relay' works!

Hi DC, no prob, understand. Apologies for being a bit tender, I guess I was just a little hyper sensitive today. Take care Noel

Apologies, given that it seems almost inevitable that the driver of the truck was killed, is it in good taste to have such on the forum? I'm absolutely sure nothing such was intended, it's just unfortunate given the tragedy for loved ones concerned. I know the clip could be years old or recent, but watching somebody die is not something any of us intend to see. And please, I'm not having a go at the OP, just wondering with the benefit of considered hindsight. Or perhaps I'm just being oversensitive having been at a pals funeral today.

From my perspective I feel we owe PM an enourmous debt of gratitude. When I started decades ago there was absolutely ZERO Irish 'scale' RTR model locos or rolling stock. The odd repaint of BR coaches and rubbish repaints of poor running BR locos (eg Hymek and C33) that didn't remotely look like anything running on Irish rails. Thanks to MM we now have an absolute feast of the very highest quality RTR Irish locos and coaching stock to choose from in all liveries. This is well supplemented by some reasonable quality specialist items from other small scale producers. It seems to me we may have unrealistic expectations. We could do well to be a little more content with what we already have on offer. After all it's an absolute feast compared to 25/40 years ago. Personally if a proper high quality A class or 121 ever happens I will be as delighted as anybody, but not holding my breath. Due to economies of scale I doubt crowd funding could ever work in our minuscule specialist market. Unfortunately it seems a worthy dream.

Thanks, quiet was an objective. Everything is a compromise. My last layout (40 years ago) was ballasted directly onto baseboard and it rumbled like a banshee. I vowed never again would I lay track directly onto a baseboard. When I was laying the track on this layout I used foam underlay with the intention that in the future I might either a) border it and fill the centre with ballast material, or b) replace it with some sort of sound proof underlay that could take glued ballast later. The advantage of using foam underlay initially was that I could make tweaks to track layout easily and get trains running while I started the scenery. That was 20 years ago before the big 16 year pause from the hobby! The foam underlay has proven stable, UV proof, and did not deteriorate over those 20 years. I'm going to leave it for now and concentrate on the landscape scenery, and do some experiments with options a) and b) above in the mean time. Short term to do list Finish DCC wiring conversion - add extra drops to dead sections such as sidings and passing loops. Convert some more of my BR Steam locos to DCC with stay-alive for the 0-6-0s Paint sealant on visible sections of baseboard Replace three broken points (children's football landed on layout 10 years ago) Landscape shaping - foam insulation blocks cut with hot wire covered in plaster cloth (i.e. instead of yesteryear chicken wire + paper mach method) Landscape covering with scatter + may try some static grass Elevated track beside terminus - brick arch panels Clip on backscene sections using combination of my own photos and some Peco back scene papers (election poster board material) Replace existing plastic modular platforms in terminus with custom built platforms Finish 3 road scratch built loco shed in terminus Start a scratch built roof for the terminus instead of existing curved peco sample roof Install point motors - use lever switches instead of DCC (i.e. for ease of use, tactile feel, and visual feedback) Long term list Replace existing form underlay ballast with sound insulated ballast Signalling Start building lower layout (i.e. level 0 on inside). Single line branch loop using code 75 rail connected to mid level 1 at existing Ashford junction trough station Don't know why I am typing this level of detail which will most likely be boring for others, but it may act as both a memo to myself, and also prompt me to keep going. Apologies for verbal waste. DCC Sound is awesome, but there are some slow trains that sound better without it, just the sound of many wheels slowly rumbling on rails as slow freight traffic passes.

Respect. Wow - they are absolutely stunning.

Thanks BTB. Glad you like the video. I've been collecting BR outline stock for over 45 years, but delighted to have got some proper Irish trains running instead of the GWR, LMS and LNER stuff I've collected over the years. Paddy Murphy's stunning GM locos and coaches was the trigger that got me back into this wonderful hobby this year. Cheers guys - I'm hoping to progress the scenery over the next 4 months. There is a danger I might spend too much time 'playing' with it instead of working on it. Some wiring to be tidied up, and few more DCC power drops, a bit of wiring on the upper level so I can switch it to DC to run-in locos, and also run old stock that I won't convert to DCC. I have a lot to learn still about all the new techniques and materials that have emerged in the past 20 years. Some of the scenic work, modelling, painting and weathering work by forumites that I have seen on this site is simply inspiring. I am also in awe at what DCC has enabled in terms of layout operation, and DCC sound has me hooked like a baby on hot milk. PS: Yes I have a weakness for long trains, just very very fortunate to have the space for them.

Ireland stunning series whitewash - Nuff said.

How do you fix it Seamus? Do you spray over with matt varnish?

Phenominal. What donors did you elect to use for the Bredins? Ps: what type of fine masking tape do you use?