Noel

Wonderful. Pure class

IR 127 arrived today. Borderline modern era for me but this livery really pops on the GM 121 class and looks great. Put the Murphy Model supplied EMD 645 ESU LokSound decoder in it but struggled to understand some of the sound instructions and functions here: http://www.murphymodels.com/Class_121_DCC_Information.docx I could not for the life of me find out which function or how to switch the head light on/off while the running lights remained on. It seems the two running lights and head lamp are programmed to operated together as a unit like the earlier 141/181s (ie all three on or off). I know the head lamp is wired separately to a separate aux function than the running lights so it should be possible if the decoder was programmed to facilitate same. Gorgeous model. The speaker is working but is suffering very slight distortion. I've reduced the master volume CV63=60 which may save it from failing completely. No problems with hand rails or grab rails, all 100% in tact and in position as are both vacuum pipes. One needs to be careful unpacking not to knock the front cab end horn off when removing the padded box insert from on top of the loco. Beautiful precision runner. Will spend some running time tomorrow trying to find if there are any hidden 'full throttle features' (eg coasting, braking, train loads, etc). So far I haven't found any, it seems to have similar driving controls to the 071 and 201 projects which were also done by ESU for MM. Super sharp paint job. The tippex stripes are so well done. I do prefer the look of IR points logo over the later IE 3 pin plug logo. When I get the sound sorted out I will give this a very gentle weathering just to tame the orange down a little. Have kadees to fit as well. Happy days, thrilled to have one of these post CIE era models and looking forward to consisting with 143 or 156 hauling a rake of cravens and park royals, a mk2d set.

Personally I have always regarded the 121 cab end as front and set up my decoder direction that way. Driver sits facing forward on LHS beside the side window with the controls on his RH. I was always slightly mystified why there was such driver resistance to driving bonnet first when these GMs were first introduced given that steam locos had been driver boiler and smoke box first with poor visibility due to cab at the rear. The visibility from 121 Cabs facing bonnet direction was much better than a steam loco (ie four windows), no need to stick head sideways out of cab opening. Perhaps it was an IR exploit at the time? Visually bonnet seems sort of the front.

PS: Mind you reattaching the handrails on the 121s is easy to do with a tweazers. No glue needed. They clip in and friction fit very nicely. (ie unlike the 141/181s)

A recent 121 delivery from one supplier was not IMHO adequately protected inside the outer box just one layer of bubble wrap which does not prevent the MM loco box from moving within the outer packaging box, nor protect it from shock (eg if the outer box is dropped or chucked on to a load). No apparent harm done, all the grap rails where still stuck to the model unlike my 1st grey 121 a few months ago which had virtually every hand rail shaken off for the same reason (ie no bubble wrap at all, just some thin paper). Ideally the loco box should not be in direct contact with the side of the outside packaging box and should not be able to move around freely within the outer box. Should be stuffed with bubble wrap or an alternative padding. Mind you first world problems.

Its in everybody's interest to have some sort of trade deal. No one wins, there are no sides, just hardship for ordinary citizens all round. Flags won't keep anybody warm if it snows, and flags don't make good loo roll either.

Sadly from Jan 1, it will be bye bye online purchases from Hattons, Peters Spares, Rails, DC Kits, Silverfox, Eileen's emporium, etc, Guten Tag Keiskemper und ModleBahnShop, etc. Been using Amazon.de for the past two years for that sort of thing rather than amazon.co.uk. A sad sorry mess. If after Jan 1 UK online retailers are prepared to sell their products vat free, then paying Irish/EU Vat 21% at point of entry (ie delivery agent) may help their wares to be affordable, but I'm not paying double VAT (UK + IE vat) and possible tariffs as well. We are perhaps fortunate that the three main suppliers to the hobby here are all based in Ireland (ie Marks Models, Murphy Models and IRM).

Hi @RPSI B134 Are there any plans for RPSI to release more Craven RPSI Blue'n'cream livery coaches in the short to medium term?

The forecound Thomas is clockwork and 0-4-0T

Christmas spirit as Thomas visist

Richard, I suspect the historical problem may have been the local distribution sub-contractor in our area, they have never come anywhere near the time their SMS said, always hours later, and rarely even on the correct day, twice had parcels damaged because they were thrown over the wall on the public road because driver was too impatient to ring the bell or phone for access. I once sent a CCTV clip to their head office as evidence. We now avoid online retailers who use them. An Post has proven the most reliable and diligent delivery service in our rural area. So Far my 121 models have arrived safely that way. Anyway back to 121s. Looking forward to the IR and ST livery versions.

How, two were kind enough to let me know, but schtum on names. Not 10k at list price, traders will be buying at wholesale prices. It may not be cricket, its just business. If a commercial trader invests their capital or cashflow now for long/medium term stock that they can make say a 50% return on by selling in 5-10 years time when its in demand is high, that's just a good business investment given where interest rates are now. Given that MM may possibly be getting close to retirement, perhaps a particularly astute decision given there is little chance of re-runs. Only time will tell, but we have been told on here many times that the 121 was going to be the last model from that excellent stable that had virtually on its own transformed our hobby, with the baton now firmly in the hands of IRM, the future looks bright. Never have we had it so good.

I'm glad these locos have been a runaway sales success for MM finishing well at the top of his game. Some traders and collectors have bought between 50-100 of these locos. That's just commerce.

We have experienced very bad service from that company, chucked parcels over our wall, left out on the road, left out the in rain, damaged items, never arrive when their SMS says, always late, truly the worst courier company we've ever experienced. Signed for? A joke with them.

Stunning scenes

They look great. Like the correct deeper shade of CIE tan (ie golden brown) rather than IE dayglo orange. Cracking good looking models. Well done MM you got them delivered on time for Christmas, all 6 livery variations

Looks Fab. Received email earlier that 133 is despatched from IRM and on its way here

Yes great to hear the final batch of SuperTrain and IE livery 121 class models have arrived in Marks.

As Graham has suggested running in both locos should eventually get them fairly close (assuming no lube is needed in such new models), before adjusting CVs as per Grahams post a few days ago on speed matching tips. If you do need to get to that stage perhaps adjust CV5 downwards a little on the faster of the two locos until its top speed matches the top speed of the slower loco. I used to use a timing gate to calculate the scale speed of locos, but running them about 3ft apart one behind the other should enable you to match speed by adjusting CV such as CV5 and optionally CV6 by 'programming on the main' which saves you lifting loco off the layout onto a test track for programming.

Try 207 in CV 21 to get Functions 0, 1, 2 and 3 passing through to the decoder. In a consist you can set CV21 differently in each loco if you like (eg horn sound responds only on lead loco F2). CV21 entered in decimal in binary form controls function pass through (ie each bit represents the function number it will pass through to decoder).

Enjoy. Lovely looking models. Just wondering why the head lamp boxes are silver rather than the usual white for that livery.

Some CV's used to control consisting. Some DCC systems have user friendly consist setup menus that handle the primary advanced consist CVs. Suggest Check the value of CV21 in each loco once a consist has been created to see if FN1 (sound) has been masked off. CV21 determines which functions each decoder should respond to. I'm not familiar with Gaugemaster Prodigy Advance effect on CV19 and/or CV21. It looks like the decoders many be blocked from responding to Function 1 Advanced Consisting CVs CV 21 & 22 = 0 in all locos CV21:bits 0-7 controls F1-F8 passthrough or not CV22(lights)+F9-F12 (bit 0=fwd, 1=rev, 2-5 for F9-F12) CV23=accelaration adjust (+127 to -127) (CV50 bit to activate CV23+24 on some systems) CV24=decelaration adjust C19>0 means in a consist CV19=0 not in a consist CV19:bits 0-6 = consist address CV19:bit 7=direction (ie in case one of the locos is going in the wrong direction) FYI clip below 11m15s in, demo of sound working in both my 121s with LokSound decoders setup with an advanced consist on NCE. I did not have to set or adjust any CVs, the consist menu look after all of that and hid the complexities. PS: Below clip Creating and advanced consist on NCE sound working on both decoders

Don't forget OO Works Irish J15 and their Irish 4-4-0 a few years ago. Cracking steam locos.

I found a few photos during conversion to DCC The little PCB with the choke and capacity needs to be removed A micro decoder might just fit inside the loco where this PCB used to be, but a standard sized Lenz or ESU decoder needs to go in the tender where there is enough space.

Hear hear. Ditto. Spread it around. I've had excellent 'service' from Hatton's over many years, they have been much more than box shifters and the savings on big ticket items can be considerable (eg large amounts of track, locos, coach rakes, etc). Their postage to Ireland is excellent value compared to all the other UK retailers and costs half what one Irish Model shop charges. They also have an excellent website with useful features, vast variety of stock, easy to navigate and use. Postage is important when buying small items, say one needs a few wheels, a bag of fish plates, one pack of super glue, etc, being asked to pay more than €5 postage within Ireland makes it expensive unless one can wait to combine orders. They are all just businesses, employ people and service a demand. I do enjoy my bi-annual pilgrimage to Marks out in Greenogue, easy to get to, easy parking, good shelf displays so easy to find those bits and bobs for building and scenics. IRM have proven highly successful with their direct internet sales model, which benefits customers by cutting out the middle man, who in the past may or may not have added value anyway, selling direct enables higher quality models for lower prices to consumers. Win-Win. The attraction of model shops is local accessibility by road and on foot, and visual display of merchandise. The internet nullifies those and often has more detailed image display, but many consumers like the tactile feel of handling, visualising and inspecting merchandise inside an atmospheric model shop. There is nothing immoral about shopping around for a good deal, but it is nice to support your local sheriff as long as they are offering value, or the price difference is small.