Noel

I remember when I first saw those in 'the model shop portlaoise' about 6 years ago and was astonished that two model train wagons could cost as much as €70 for a pair, and they didn't even carry passengers nor goods merchandise Yellow stuff, which I passed on at the time, but with hindsight perhaps a mistake.

Fabulous.

Post seems slow at the moment particularly from the UK, prob due CV-19 overload as folks are buying so much household goods online and sorting centres are overwhelmed. I cannot imagine how bad it will be after Jan 1 when the UK is a 3rd country outside the customs union and the single market. Not good for Irish modellers buying from UK. I've switched as much as possible to amazon.de and german model railway retailers. I will miss the likes of Peters Spares, Gaugemaster and Hattons. I posted an item to Spain 10 days ago and it still has not arrived. First world problems

That is what I believe the man from Uncle said a few weeks ago (ie @WRENNEIRE) This version arrived on the layout this week from a local workshop:

That's decided it then, Black'n'Tan it is! Thanks Jonathan OMG - Trying to replicate the work of St Anthony could be a fish plate too far. Its a few years back but I remember nearly falling off a chair when I first saw this loco done by A.

PS: The thing is there are asking prices and there are actual closed sale prices. Some of the sales prices on eBay for baby GMs are only that high because some folk are paying those high prices. Just market dynamics.

Ha So Did I. They could be picked up in stillorgan for about £40 from stall holders the last time I was there.

To respray or not to respray? I have this 071 a number of years in the hideous but short lived black and silver IE livery. I am considering respraying it in the newer freight grey livery like 078 in the lower photo. What do folks think, should I keep it as it is as an oddity or respray it into current freight grey livery which I rather like? There is another option which is to weather this ugly livery which may make the loco look more attractive. I have enough rust colours! 078 in grey livery

. . . and the Bachmann Irish Rail Intercity Mk2a's they ran with are long out of production and rarely turn up on the second hand market except the odd one now and then on ebay for crazy high prices. Try DC kits as they also used to sell the rebuilt Dutch GSVs.

122 got some gentle weathering. The cab door handrails were tricky Just a hint of CIE grime before the IR season and tippex took over. Just enough to look in service but not the scrap line. She's a beaut to shunt and haul. Had 14 coaches behind her today at one stage, and nearly 30 wagons on another train. Off course the real 122 would never be allowed do that, as the loco was under braked having only on brake cylinder per bogie side which limited the weight she was permitted to haul.

A pity the Middleton Youghal line was not returned to full rail for commuters from Youghal to Cork city, and summer tourism. Once its gone its gone, instead of another blasted greenway, and I like cycling greenways on my e-bike. Some greenways make sense, others seem just a seasonal PC fad.

If Tom doesn't have any another option is DC Kits (Charlie).

PM sent

@Robert Shrives ps. Coach roofs showing the difference. Lower one matched MM Mk2d IR/IE/CIE coaches, top one matches prototypical original CIE supertrain livery and many MM locos.

Hi Robert It was a mix I’ve used Vallejo yellow 35:1 Vallejo red. Please see test card below. In the past I’ve also Used Tamiya mix. I usually mix by eye and test the mixes on a spare bit of plastic that’s been primed. The Vallejo red (71:102 is very potent). First time I tried it was 50:50 but it came out virtually red, In the past to match MM Mk2d coaches it was more yellow (120:1 mix), which btw are not a prototypical shade and was never used on any MM locos. Hope this helps

Apologies for slight duplication with original post but this is a more complete chronology of this little project. 122 over nine months ago. Along side donor chassis. Made up see through Grills inspired by seeing the MM pre-production sample at SDMRC show. Test fitted side grills before painting Start painting Transfers. Choose CIE Broken Wheel roundal up front with the IR logo on the side The wire grab rails and walkway rails were a challenge Twisted eyes and a few hours last night saw them done Fiddley. My fingers were numb after this Painted all the rails black and fitted the pre-painted cab door grab rails which will be weathered in due course I do like this odd ball hybrid livery transitioning from the CIE super train era to the IR era before the tippex stripes were added Almost finito, just the wipers left and the old tail lamp Just about finished. The see through vent grills exposed the internal white sound speaker which will be painted black, or replaced with a smaller sugar cube speaker so you can see through the loco. Relatively content with the way 122 turned out. She runs sweetly with the Athearn donor chassis. The MM versions are perhaps only 1-5 weeks away, but I enjoyed making my own kit bashed version of 122 to join B121 on the layout with the incoming MM 121's. She has WheelTappers ESU LokSound 5 sound as well. Good Night.

Cheers Robert. I'll have to paint the white DCC speaker black cause its visible through the side grill panels. Just realised I forget the tail lantern and the windscreen wipers! Yes those hand rails caused quite a delay, as I was apprehensive about getting them square and straight. I avoided them like the plaque until yesterday, but once I got started I figured out a process that worked for me.

122 progressed to fitting walkway handrails and grab rails stage. Very tedious and fiddle work. Getting them parallel and dead straight put my eyes to the test and my fingers were numb afterwards Then had to paint the blasted things. There are more holes in this model for wire than swiss cheese, and more wire than P&T used to have. Really enjoyed working on this project for the past few months. I knew the MM livery variant was imminent but I started this months ago so decoded I'd finish it and run with the rest of the stock Finished bar a few bits I forgot like tail lamp and windscreen wipers 122 is ready for service on the layout What next, perhaps a B101 or a B114? Have 5 121s now, 2 x MM, 3 x Kitbashed and some B&T MMs on order. What a hobby this is. Good night.

Holy Cow those first two photos look REAL. Stunning

Newly arrived into service. Super train livery 121 get its first outing on the layout. 122 adds to a growing stable of 121 class locos.

Fabulous. I'd love you buy one or two of the HLVs. I need a silver one for the layout to run with B135 formations.

Fabulous scenes as ever. Lovely weathering on the barrier wagon.

Excellent photos, 7072 looks great. Interesting PW formation. And thankfully not a 22k yoyo in sight.

10:50 Kingsbridge (Heuston) to Waterford departing from platform 2, as 11:10 Kingsbridge to Cork stands on platform 3 prior to departure with new fangled mk2 air con coaches capable of 80mph on CWR. The waterford train limited to 70mph.