Noel

Fran may have run out of petrol on the bay, R116 on the way but Valencia CG rescue co-ordination centre has tasked the S61N to first check the cargo before attending Fran's vessel.

Sound promising. Hope fully some new ROI model types this time

Fran is on his way out to meet here at the fairway marker before the Dublin pilot boards her (he's a Hornby fan). The guys and poolbeg YC not impressed by the wake.

Spotted her off the Kish bank from the train earlier. Looks like she hoping to dock on HW Dublin this evening which is 18:20

Yip. I can see her off the kish bank from the train. Fran swimming out to her

Yip underway making way 17kt still west of the kish bank might still make HW dublin port today.

Bray-Wexford very scenic. Demolished remnants of the glory days of goods traffic visible in each of the stations, on what is now a virtual tram line. At least a 22k tram instead of a 2600 biscuit tin. Stunning scenery as far as Arklow. A nice day trip in the blue sky.

Hey that 13:30 outside the Port approaches, she'll have to wait out in Dublin bay for the tide till about 18:00 UT and a pilot to guide her in the fairway. HW Dublin is 18:20 tomorrow so unloading tomorrow night if lucky and then all the customs stuff but at least she originated from an EU port.

Or track it on AIS Yea they have built in sound effects Cadena 3 live on AIS. ETA Dublin port 13:30 tomorrow

Fab photo of Cork. Wow look at the busy goods yard behind, is that GN markings or GW on the vans in the goods sidings?

Stunning model. Not my era, but no harm admiring a superb model.

Thanks for info. So could it take more than a few months before they are available?

Not really with 4mm 00gauge, perhaps with O or 1 gauge especially with two axle freight wagons. There are cosmetic screw couplings that are basically NEM draw bars but then your stock is permenantly coupled so no possibility of shunting Thanks for the update Stephen. Any update on when your Crossley engined version of the A class ESU decoders will be available?

A little bit of fettling required to make your own shank out of plastic card to get both the distance and HEIGHT correct. 2mins with a Scalpel and super glue. slighlty different fix for MM Mk2d BUT only takes a few mins.

Looking forward to the promised Crossley ESU Sound decoders to go with the grey and green livery variants. Models a bit late, but not the end of the world, first world problems, nobody died and worth the wait I’m sure. Have a rake of laminates ready for them to haul. Kadee coupling replacements already arrived back in May. Now which one to weather, which to leave pristine? That is the question. Very few colour photos of the CIE silver As, but plenty of film/video.

Fortunately the A classes winging their way as we speak to Irish customers are coming from an Irish Company in the EU so we should have no worries about customs charges or brexitistan delays.

https://electrek.co/2021/09/16/wabtec-unveils-its-battery-electric-train-following-the-first-official-purchase/?fbclid=IwAR21nO-y0IEi4RsoxmuqA2IYfyRZlF-sm70--Cft_xqoTwJvAS66a5FR-F0

So hopefully these start arriving with customer this week.

It’s coming full circle models were first clockwork, then electric, now 1:1 scale beginnings of pure electrification. Wonder who’s sound chip they’ll use? the need for urgent climate action demands immediate change. Diesel loco may not be around much longer. The good news is all the alternate tech already exists, nothing needs to be invented, we don’t need to go back to living in caves nor do without the lights on, just make intelligent adjustments to how we consume energy and food, and make an economy out of it at the same time. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/16/battery-electric-freight-train-wabtec-rail-transport-emissions?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1iiso3-qWpW3aET57rsdQfLZgcT37ZHfJ5xOlr5b3-SPNEBTAocpxAV_M#Echobox=1631823090

A station with no signal box, no points and no sidings, hardly a station, more a long wayside halt.

Thanks. Are we a few days away or a few weeks away at this stage? Just asking for a friend

can't be long now. Next week may feel like December 24th

Is the diesel not also safety requirement on BR mainlines on preservation specials in case the kettle breaks down?

What’s the hurry. It’s nearly 7 years since Fran first told me about the A class and gave me a brief preview of Richie’s early cad renders. It won’t be long now but worth waiting for. But I can bet you within days there will be clamouring for more Irish models and Irish rolling stock. H-Van and beet wagons triple packs would sell like confetti at a Greek wedding in Ballydahob. Irish Rail Mk7 sets, RPSI 22k sets in vomit green and yellow. Where will it all end Ted? Well let’s just settle down and enjoy the A class locos in the coming two weeks and look back at the journey that culminated in this epic milestone.