Noel

Thanks Ben. Do you know if they were a CIE design or a modified LMS/BR coach? They look very like LMS cars. I wonder if any of our LMS cars might lend themselves to basic conversion and repainting in early 60s CIE black and tan. I presume they were hauled in the 1960s by 001, 121, 141 and 181 loco's. Would either of these LMS coaches lend themselves to conversion to CIE Laminate coaches? LMS coronation style corridor coach - Stanier? LMS corridor coach

A few more photo's. Murphy Models have helped me realise my dream to run proper scale Irish stock on this layout. A pal came around today (an engineer by trade) to have a play and advise me on DCC and signalling. MM 071 passing on the express loop Hopefully in time the goods shed will be replaced by a lime stone block building in the GS&WR style. Terminus as 4-6-0 prepares to move wagons to the shunting spur. MM 182 on up line of mid level through station (L1). Most of this level is out of view under the upper level (L2). The righthand most platform serves the single track branch line to the lowest level (L0). LMS on the down line. I know the stock is a bit of a mix up, but I like both Irish trains and British outline.

Yes I'm fairly sure that was when I was 12 +/- a year. Drawing was my thing as a child aside from trains, meccano, and lego. I probably spend 1 hour every night in the school study hall just drawing mechanical stuff, planes, trains but never automobiles for some reason I was a bit of a frustrated pretend junior architect, loved building things - and dismantling them to see how and why they worked! Model trains had it all. Thanks to my dad who ran Hornby-Dublo models under my cot at bed time when I was an infant, and got me a small lego set when I was 4, then giving me a small meccano set for my 6th birthday. This afternoon I quickly bodged some adjustments to the earlier plan using tippex to make it more like the actual real layout plan. Forgive poor quality, it was a photocopy of a photocopy, tippex'd and hand corrected. See below. Old New Layout - Track Plan The middle level twin track continuous loop runs under the upper twin track level for about 70% of its length and the hidden section is not visible on the plan above only the visible section (ie. thru station at bottom of page). The attached image is not 100% accurate, there are a few minor extra sidings in the terminus. PS: I can't draw like that anymore because my hand co-ordination has deteriorated in recent years.

Here is another layout design I did when I was about 12. Despite the station names it had a LOT of poetic license as regards track plans having any semblance to reality. Basically it had a twin continuos loop at base level, a terminus, and a transition gradient to an upper branch continuous loop with two branch stations. I spend many hours during school study time doodling designs for either RC model aircraft, model railway layouts, or the odd suspension bridge. (Example below drawn on back of my Geography copy book) One of many earlier alternative concepts

As a child I remember travelling on CIE coaches with six seater compartments (circa 1964-73), mainly the Galway line, but I think also on the Killarney/Tralee line. Q - What type of coaches might these have been? Where they Laminates pre Park Royal, Park Royal, or Cravens? My Memory is a bit vague, but I don't think they were Cravens because I remember the sides and ends met at sharp right angles unlike the slightly rounded cravens. The doors were at each end of the carriage, rather than into each compartment which had internal sliding doors to the corridor on one side of the coach.

Wow - As a 'newbie' on here, every few days I discover more and more amazing threads on stunning models and layout projects. Hats off sir. PS: I started school in Waterford about 1964. As a child I was taken by the railway station with the rock faced escarpment and huge signal boxes, and the rumbling GMs heading for Wexford by the river past the former Bell container port.

Well when (and IF) I get it finished - I will gladly come to some sort of club meet or exhibition meet and buy a few pints Your wish is my command! I just found the original track plans, but I can't find the slightly revised ones that I actually used. Will explain below. I will try and find the final revision drawings. Original Mk2 Track Plan - Revision Circa 1980 (Slight change to upper level and transition gradient between L1 and L2) Block Section Switch Diagram - Middle Level L1 (All soon to be redundant with DCC ) Block Section Switch Diagram - Upper Level L2 Engine Shed Design (drawn cira 1986) - Actual building 70% complete (see layout pics on earlier thread pages) The Changes The original plan was always to get L1 and L2 fully functional and landscaped before completing L0 (single branch line with reversing loop). Back 20 years ago I had planned to build the branch line with Peco fine scale track. The main difference between the plan shown above and what I built, is the transition gradient from L1 to L2 is much more gentle and the upper section on that side is now straight without the twin points to a downhill gradient back to L1 (bottom of page). Also the corner (bottom LHS of page) does not expose L1 track, rather a goods yard and turn table at the L2 station. Block Switch Panels I built 18 years ago - soon to be redundant with DCC Inertia Controller I built circa 1978 from a hobby electronics magazine circuit diagram. Back in the 70s "Inertia/Braking" simulation was regarded as something of a novelty. I do like the tactile feel of a rotary knob with stops and visual speed indication. I hope I don't find the transition to HH DCC Cab controllers a disappointment in terms of precision running control.

Absolutely mouth wateringly stunning! Ascetically, technically, visually, realistically, atmospherically excellence.

Well I've been testing the track again in past few days after 10 years of being almost completely dormant, and it still works. A little track cleaning was needed but not much. Forgive poor video, it was taken on a phone and edited very quickly just to get a quick rough clip up. When I get one of the scenic sections done I will take a decent clip using a video camera. 141, 071 and 181 at work. [video=youtube_share;Ya8gRZ4RE6U] You have no idea guys how much the superb layouts and models on this web site have reactivated my interest in this wonderful hobby. You have stirred me to start finishing our layout. For that I thank you. Starting the DCC conversion of the layout wiring next week. I can't wait to start the scenic work, and the next number of years working on the rest of the layout, but obviously some 'play' time too.

Thanks. I am awaiting a DCC controller and just wanted to test it with existing 12v analog wiring to see what the sound was like. I had assumed most decoders by default will run on analog 12v dc. I put the module in but the loco doesn't run at all so I guess the 'Analog DC' bit is set to off in CV29. I've popped the blanking plate back on while I run it in on 12v DC and will try it with the DCC gear when it arrives in the next week or so. Thanks again.

Q - Should a MM 071 with the MM DCC Sound module fitted run on 12v dc analog?

Thanks. I presume getting the body off a 071 is similar. Scratch that, I just red the instructions I just need a longer magnetic philips to get the 4 body screws off. Decided to run in anyway on 12v DC before installing the DCC modules in a few days time. Now to decide on a starting configuration DCC control system!!!

Thanks guys. I couldn't find your workbench tread irishthump

Thanks Dave. I'm not sure though if you can add smaller handheld cabs to that system for single handed use? The base unit seems too large to carry about but functionally seems to tick most of the boxes.

Thanks + Ditto. I have decided to rewire for DCC before I start scenic work, and also need time to learn the newer techniques and materials for landscaping. The landscaping will need to have joins and edge support where the separate baseboards join in case I need to move the layout. DCC? There seems to be a confusing maze of possibilities. I "think" my DCC requirements might be: (over a few years when built up) Rotory knobs for throttle control or joystick (I hate push buttons) One handed control/cab units (ie to have other hand free for uncoupling, points, etc) 5amp - The layout will end up with about 170m of track and about 25-40 locos stored on track (rest off layout in case tracks) Run up to 6-8 locos (or sets) independantly at the same time Happy to start with two cabs/or rotary controllers, eventually in time I may need 6 cabs located near stations for single handed use (i.e. two for mid level twin loop station, two for upper level twin loop station, one for terminus, one for branch line loop). Don't like the idea of taking over different locos from the same cab still while running. Need control/cab unit memory for potentially 60-70 locos (i.e. long term may convert my old Dublo, Triang and 70s/80s Hornby if I can get them running smoothly enough with extra power pickups, 5 pole, flywheel + gearing) No interest in controlling points using DCC, instead I like the tactile feel and operation of banks of levers (i.e. signal box simulation) Loco Naming on Cab/Control Unit Displays rather than selecting by number (e.g. IE 071, GWR PT 0-6-0, CIE 141, Cardiff Castle, etc). Good Sound Control - 21 Function module support for Loco Sounds, Loco Lights, uncoupling, etc) Nice to have but not deal breakers: Colour LCD Display on main programmable panel OR no display but Web Browser interface to programme the system from PC or Tablet. Smartphone/Tablet integration option for programming + Operating the layout One Hand Held wireless controller for walkabout outside the layout in the future, but not needed for a few years. Can most of the non-toy train set DCC systems handle such a list? Are my expectations unrealistic? Technically the eCos 50200 ticks many boxes, BUT it costs the earth and the cabs are too physically large for single handed use. NCE, Dynamis Pro, ROCO Z21 looks amazing, but doesn't work with physical cabs and knobs, only smart phones/tablets. ROCO Multimaus has a nice HH with knob but looks like a 'Fischer Price' toy phone! The ZIMO MX32 looks interesting. The Guagemaster/MRC Prodigy Advance DCC02 has a nice handset. I am spending a lot of time reading up on the different manufacturers including their online manuals and watching online videos of their features and operation, but to be honest the more I learn, the more I learn how much I don't know. As Fr Doughal Maguire once said "Ted, I'm seriously confused" "I mean DCC, what's it all about anyway Ted? They never thought that stuff in the seminary!" As to DCC loco module options, that seems as vast sea of options. Most of my locos do NOT have DCC sockets, so I will have to hardwire modules in, and perhaps add tiny LED running lights to some of the older locos. I would like to simplify it to FOUR suitable module types with wiring harnesses (i.e. no sockets available on my locos): Control + lights + Diesel sound Control + lights + Steam sound Control + lights Control only Apologies for the long post, but I feel I need to spend sufficient time to get this right as it will be a big investment and a don't want to save a penny now to lose pounds later by getting the wrong starter system. Happy to keep it simple at the start as long as it can be expended to match my list above over time when funds permit. Cheers

Thanks. Just read a magazine article on fitting one of these to a 141/181 but it seems a little bit of cannibalisation is needed to fit a speaker.

Just received a weathered Murphy Models 071 today from Graham's. I am totally in awe at the unbelievable detail of this model as well as how incredibly well it runs. Wow - model locomotives have come a long way since I last purchased one about 15 years ago. The detail on the 071 is in a league of its own. It just reeks of quality and realism. Hats of to Paddy Murphy. This is the best RTR model loco diesel or steam I have ever run or seen.

Thanks Enniscorthyman. I will try and source a module from MSB and also a speaker.

Thanks Dave. Any recommendation for speaker vendors?

Thanks Guys for kind remarks. Hope you won't mind me asking lots of questions in the future. I spent 2hrs last evening sifting through old boxes, filing cabinet and piles of old papers trying to find the track plan but no luck so far. I know they are here somewhere, but after a house move they are probably buried deep in some box. They will turn up. If not I can always sketch it out again and scan. heirflick is your name Sheamus? If so I think we spoke on the phone Monday re DCC sound and 141 which I managed to source thanks. Q. Does anybody have a recommendation on sources of DCC Sound 'speakers'? Or are they just common electronic components I could get from somewhere like radionics? Ohm rating? Cheers Noel

I've only recently discovered this forum and wow yet another superb project and layout. Hat's off - respect.

A few more photos. As you can see it's very bare as it has been for past 15 years, but hopefully this winter will see a start to scenic work and landscaping one section at a time. The layout has three ground levels. Upper has two continuous loops through four track station, connected by twin track gradient to middle section which has two continuous loops (70% hidden under upper level). Middle section through station acts as a major junction with twin track branching off to the terminus and a single branch line to a lower level branch station on the bottom level loop which will also have a reversing loop via a viaduct. As you can see I still have some of the clunky toy buildings I had from the 60s and 70s (Dublo, Triang, Airfix), which I hope to replace with a mix of kits and scratch built buildings over the years. Ultra wide angle Terminus - May end up a 'poetic license' version of Heuston mid 70s Terminus on middle level Mainline station with junction to lower branch line which will have reversing loop across a diagonal viaduct. This will facilitate end to end linear run out from terminus around the loops and back in. Note the clunky old toy Triang station buildings, which will be replaced during the scenic phase. Hopefully with lime stone block buildings. British style main line station on upper level. Note two 'Thomas the two tank engine coaches' Steam service area. Will have ash pits and water towers. Discovering your superb forum here has given me fresh interest and inspiration to restart work on our layout. The layouts and models I've seen so far on this forum are absolutely superb. I had no idea the hobby was so strong in Ireland. I had thought with the growth in gaming, portable electronics, social networking, etc, modelling in all forms had taken a nose dive, but obviously not. I am stunned by the sound possibilities. I used to play cassette tapes of railway sounds when operating this during test operation with classical music in the background. Can't wait to hear steam loco sounds and especially GM motors revving the genset as a CIE diesel loco starts starts to pull a load. I hope the sound effects on the 071, 141/181s also simulate coasting engine sounds. Cheers for now.

Thanks again

Thanks guys, I will check that out. What sound module do you recommend for the Murphy 141, or 181? Also does 4 function mean (power/drive + 3 other switch on/off circuits for lights, etc). Thanks again.

Yes, I drew up the initial track plan back in 1974/75 in school study time! I revised it in 1988 and finally started laying it around 1994 when I had completed the baseboards. It is buried in the attic somewhere, but I will dig it out and scan. Yes when I get some time I will take a few more pics. I have some old film photos I took of the baseboards during construction back in 93, but I will have to find them in storage boxes. The key concept was to be able to operate four continuous loops, or as one long linear section (i.e. using the loops) via a reversing loop for out and back operation into the terminus using all of the main track. Will have to figure that one out for DCC!