Noel

Thanks that link explains it. One question, I assume you removed the supplied speaker cradle that is pre fitted in the MM 141/181? And replaced the plastic moulding with the modified speaker.

Thanks DV and IrishThump. That very informative and great to get feed back from 'the horses mouth' so to speak. Does anybody have a video of the LokSound 'spooling' up in a 141/181 as you describe when it moves off. The 071 I have is very good at the synchronisation you describe. I spoke to one supplier on the phone who claimed the MM LokSound file v the Zimo file was chalk'n'cheese implying that the sound file used on the zimo was far superior, but it appears not to be so from both of your experience. You have saved me a few bob. Thank you. In the article below it looks like the author made unnecessary work for himself with the mods to the chassis to fit his chosen speaker in. I'm hoping for an easy 'plug and play' install just having to solder the speaker wires to the MM pcb. http://www.murphymodels.com/files/Class_141_Sound_DCC_MR130_058-061.pdf

I'll be visiting Seamus's store later this week to collect my order and some DCC conversions, so I will ask him what the story is as regards further resprays of the galway EGV to either IE or IR livery (i.e. black or orange roof).

Thanks guys. DV, do you mean you preferred the modified LokSound to the Zimo in BMS? The video in glendergs link is fabulous, but I didn't think the loco had that classic GM hi-pitched spooling up and down noises. It sounded a little like a BR diesel instead, but in fairness that may have been because in the video she was only shunted at low speeds and perhaps the decoder didn't get a chance to spool up the motor sound. The 071 chip I've heard had a more classic GM sound. If BMS uses the Mr Sound guy decoder, then that seems to narrow it down to three choices, BMS (Zimo Mr Sound Guy), Olivia's Trains (LokSound customised as per video) or put an MM071 chip in it (LokSound). Anymore 141/181 owners out there with sound chips? I'd read on one of the forums opinions that Zimo may not be as smooth a drive decoder as others, but that could be a myth? PS: How did folk get on fitting speakers?

Hi Folks Could any of you kind folk who have DCC sound working well on MM 141 or MM 181 locos please let me know where you sourced your sound chip and speaker, and also if you are happy with it. I understand it should now be possible to fit a speaker inside an MM 141/181 loco body without cannibalising it. The only two sources I am aware of are Model Shop Belfast and Mr Sound Guy. Are these two different sound files, or the same? Thanks in advance. Noel

Thanks Stephen. Most of our layout curves are 900mm radius with a few 750mm, do you think the Kadee 17 or 18 might work ok? I'm not keen on the visual intrusion of the drop bar on kaydee's, but like the narrow coupling. Are there shorter versions of the Bachmann tension lock style couplings that would pull coaches closer together? I suppose I could cut off the kaydee drop bar on couplings between coaches and leave them on the end of rake coaches. Noel EDIT: Apologies, just found this post http://irishrailwaymodelling.net/showthread.php/2268-kadee-s-and-Hornby-couplers nirclass80 video gives a great idea. I could cut the drop bars off the couplers between coaches and just leave them on the two end coaches of each rake.

Hi Folks Being a relatively recent returnee to the hobby I am well out of date on model technology like couplings. As I understand it most products nowadays including Murphy models use an NEM type coupling. My questions is are there shorter versions one can purchase for use on coaches that will run on large radius curves? It would get the coaches a lot closer to get there. Cheers Noel

Thanks. The 18-105 is such a versatile and light lens. We just need to find a suitable 'tardis' and send you back to 1965 for a few days to photograph real trains in colour. Cheers

Hi RR Yes as far as I know. See link below: http://www.themodelshop.ie/graham-s-resprays-mk2-egv-ie-livery-black-roof.html Cheers Noel

Some very atmospheric pics. Liked the motion blur shots too, especially the 201 streak. If only there had been somebody with your photographic skills out there 30 or 40 years ago recording rail scenes when there were interesting looking trains operating on Irish rails instead of wall to wall 22k buses. You must have a very long reach lens or do you crop those long shots?

Passing mid day expresses on Crinkle Wood line. 183 destined for Kingsbridge, rear of 073 for Crinkle Wood Crinkle Wood junction - somebodies kicked in one of the windows on the goods shed on platform 1 Kingsbridge with new arrival 2-6-0 CIE Mogul Once the preserve of British outline steam locos, Crinkle Wood junction is now taken over by Irish trains. Can't wait to get started with the scenics next month.

Apologies for the out of focus pics and awful DOF, was rushing and didn't have time to change lens. But you can get the general view of the Park Royal. She will receive a bit of mild weathering over the winter. A black 141 seems the right partner for Park Royal, or a black & tan 001. 183 approaching platform 3 Atmospheric blur - DOF very very narrow

I've ordered one in IE livery (e.g. MM5602 livery) from Seamus Graham's model shop in Portlaoise. He can offer resprays of MM5601 in IE livery so it ends up looking the same as MM5602. I guess he could probably also do an orange roof version (i.e. like MM5609). Looking forward to seeing it. Better value than most ebay prices plus postage from UK. The recent ebay £80 seems a crazy amount of money for a €49 coach. Have almost completed the collection of a few Irish coach formations, all that is missing now is the EGV, and Dutch GSV and a few more Park Royals. Kingsbridge will then have a nice fleet of Irish trains to run on it and not just GWR, LMS and LNER (i.e. while I do the scenic work this winter).

Entertaining story Leslie.

But definitely worth it. They are unique hand build scale models of an iconic coach that ran on Irish rails for many decades. Park Royals with their distinctive shape really add character to a coach formation and a layout. I'll post a few more pics later. The build quality is excellent. I wasn't sure what to expect as sometimes 'specialist' low volume kits and custom RTR stock can fall a somewhat behind the quality of major manufacturers, but certainly not in this case. My expectations were exceeded and I will be ordering more now that I have received this first sample and it has measured up.

The postman brought a Park Royal coach today from IFM. Yipee - its superb. Congrats to Tom for producing such a gem. Park Royal right at home with cravens I'm a really thrilled with this coach. Top class model. The poor phone photo doesn't do it justice. Will take a proper daylight pic tomorrow. She looks at home in 'Crinkle Wood' station

The coach came in a set with LMS Princess Elizabeth loco which had a working smoke generator.

Ah, OK. I thought MRSI was an overall model rail association for Ireland. Didn't realise it was a north side club. Do SDMRC run similar exhibitions?

What about the IMI Conference centre in Sandyford (i.e. the large hall)? I think its only used on weekdays.

Very nice. Is this a new MM product or a respray? If the latter, hats off - excellent. Like the curtains.

Having just watched a DVD on Irish Railways 1967-1997 I am consolidating my jurassic tendencies - Yes it's 1960s and 70s era for me even more after the memories stirred by the video. All the unbraked freight wagons, mixed passenger and freight trains, Bredins and Park Royals, loose wagon shunting - wonderful operations. Makes me wonder if I will need less Cravens and more Park Royal and Bredin/Laminate coaches?

Hotels with big conference rooms sometimes offer deals as they will get food and bev trade from the visitors. Personally I think its nice if there is at least a cafe on site or even F&B for those who've travelled long distances. Folks may stay longer, spend more! And at least there is somewhere to sit down for a rest!

Thanks, that seems a good suggestion. Watching a recent Irish Railways DVD it brought back memories with clips of 001s and 141s pulling a few coaches with assorted goods vans and wagons attached and a brake van. Must have needed an interesting 'braking' technique in those mixed formations with the unbraked loose coupled wagons behind the passenger coach(es). The driver must have been careful to initially slow the train gently so all the wagons closed up on their buffers before applying more braking action (i.e. avoid multiple shunt bumps against the passenger coaches as each wagon closed the gap between buffers).

Thanks, that's interesting cause I have a lot of them in 'Corrination Blue' livery which could make suitable donors both for olive green livery and B&T. I travelled a lot on them too in the 60s and early 70s. After watching some Irish Railways DVDs I'm beginning to think I may need more Bredins and Park Royals than Cravens for the Kingsbridge layout.

Please forgive, but why tasty, is it not just the Galway mk2 livery EGV with an orange roof instead of black? The Galway livery like the original 201 livery never looked attractive (i.e. from a marketing point of view).