Noel

Its like a loco from a Bond movie, militaristic and menacing looking. Sorry the long 201 'Peat Briquette' doesn't blow my skirt up in any livery. If the ICR yoyo's takeover the Cork and Belfast routes retiring the 201s to freight, they may well end up in this smart freight grey livery.

As a matter of interest what is the status of 201? Is it on the 201 scape line at inchicore? Presume it doesn't have the PP gear? Was there a suggestion some years ago that some of the 'resting' 201s could have gone back into service re-engined with hybrid power trains? In the context of climate action, diesel locomotion's days seem numbered.

Yes I used to use similar strips of clear plastic wedged between sleepers for TLCs before switching to kadee delayed uncoupling magnets. However I found kadee magnetic uncoupling significantly more reliable and predictable.

Little Siddington - Virtual Show - Gauge O guild https://www.gaugeoguild.com/virtualnov21/doku.php?id=layouts:litsid This Irish built layout and the invisible engineering and electronics behind it are simply incredible, not to mention the scenics and fully operational and interlocked signalling. Bravo WMRC. https://www.gaugeoguild.com/virtualnov21/doku.php?id=layouts:litsid Wow this is layout engineering control and signalling on another level

c'est magnifique. Sublime, I hope you are well pleased, that’s a masterpiece of subtle reality and scenic photo realism. Holy moly that last photo in particular is hard to tell if it’s a model or an actual photo. The detail is off the scale. You’ve set a new standard and shown what is possible with artistic creativity, time and patience. Congrats. Is it portable or a fixed layout? If the former can’t wait to see it operating at shows.

Spotted this over on WMRC mailing list earlier. Thanks to Gerry Byrne @Irishrailwayman for sending it.

Yea don't want to end up with any of the UKs chlorinated duck fried rice with orange!

ABC - A class and C class meet, B188 waits for the road in the yard

Nice, love the Airfix loco shed.

Exquisite job on those MIR kits. Fab finish.

Yes Solar PV even at 53ºN here in Ireland seems a no brainer, and for 6 months a year can be used to also charge a BEV.

I seem to have made it by the skin of my teeth. Had a busy afternoon, last I heard 88 were left, by sheer chance popped on here for a look and saw the count down.

Class. Subtle blending. Like those platforms too.

Phew!

By way of balance this may be worth considering. Bare in mind that 'big oil' and legacy auto is not going down without one heck of a fight, and they have the financial resources to fund tactics to slow down or block transition. Big Tobacco tried back in 2002 to block governments around the world, but sense prevailed eventually, but not until hundreds of millions had been spent in carefully crafted misinformation campaigns delicately seeded through the media and arms length charitable research foundations producing bogus reports. The Hydrocarbon industry is vast, politically connected and the backbone of many economies. Only time will tell. I was a former super sceptic, but took the plunge to BEV over two years ago. All I can relate is it just works and was a painless seamless transition with none of the mythical tales of woe happening. Aside from the climate benefits it costs €8/wk on electricity instead of €85/wk on diesel, we can get to Kenmare or Donegal from Dublin at 120kph in mid winter with the heating on a single charge with ease. Two year servicing cost was €89 (as no parts used), 50% off tolls, quiet and relaxing to drive, regenerative braking with one foot is so chill out. The monthly fuel savings can make a big dint in financing costs, and for 8 months a year the car is charged off Solar PV so not even using the grid (ie indirect fossil energy). Having said that the Irish grid is now one of the cleaner European grids averaging 45% wind, and heading for 70%. We don't have to go back to living in caves nor do without the lights on, we just need to make intelligent adjustments to how we consume energy and food. The good news is all the alternative tech already exists, is proven, and makes a compelling economic case. I'm optimistic about the future. Don't believe all the scare stores, but retain a healthy scepticism and do the research to fact check. BEVs are no milk floats, remember Ernie was the fastest milkman in the west (aka Benny Hill).

15:25 B188 goods prepares to depart after the 15:10 branch service to Tume departs headed by A23r. As B233 C class waits in the loop for the Tuam train to clear. A23r departs for Tuam hauling daily branch passenger working from Limerick to Tuam. She's accelerating now out into the countryside A23r has my all time favourite CIE livery with the stepped orange band. Got the 6 wheel HLV weathered last night (SF). That day glo orange had to go.

Yes its testament to the collective body of work and diverse talents many of the WMRC members brought to bare on its design and construction.

I've two of those but I'd never sell them because they are part of my collection of historic Irish models, same with the Silver Foxes. My IRM 001 is going in a display case and won't run much.

That guy sitting beside the Diesel Depot... Is he plugged into the wall? No nearly all WMRC layouts use tablet and smartphone wireless cabs. LS - Little Siddington is WMRCs large O gauge layout. Probably the largest layout in the country, certainly the largest portable layout in Ireland. I didn't notice any angry people. Was that just a covid mask perception? LS wiring, signalling and control is a master piece. O gauge stock on the move has such presence It is amazing to see how much LS has come on in its finishing and detail since its first outing at Reheny only a few years ago. A testament to great team work and collaboration with different members contributing their own unique talents ensuring all the elements progressed to a high and reliable standard. It amazes me how quickly that layout can be errected and assembled. Testament to great design and robust reliability of the track work, electronics and scenics. Well done to all. And a great club layout for members to run their growing inventory of O gauge models. It's also been great to see private members building their own O gauge shunting layouts some of which can be plugged into LS. An inspiring club with a great active membership. Collaboration at its best. And expansion plans for the club house too.

Gort had a visitor from Ennis today, up afternoon passenger working from Limerick to Athenry. Gorgeous A23r superb precision runner able to crawl super smoothly over points at speed step 1, looks as good as she runs. Kadee No 19 coupling seems the best all round fit to replace the TLC. Light her up. Black'n'Tan heaven. A23r and B188 complete a brace of classic CIE stalwarts on this route. "Rails through the west" recreation with the poetic addition of an A class PS: Aside from the loco itself, Impressed with the packaging, detailing pack, and especially the exploded parts diagram and info leaflet. It was like unpacking an Apple product.

Need to find some ducks and suitable 'pond life' to put in the water

What a fabulous layout. Top drawer, love it.

Thanks Fran, but did I ask for them to be 'held'? On what charges are they being held for pending 'release'?