On 21/3/2023 at 12:09 AM, Bob229 said:

When visiting my Grandparents in Dublin, my Grandad often took me out to see Malahide Castle to see the railway layout it was fantastic hope it finds a new home and another treat was to go to Monck Place, Happy days

Yes the old castle layout was an amazing and stimulating assault on the senses it was so full of movement and light, ships trains, trams, constant movement in all directions. It was not fine scale but a visual feast of movement and most entertaining especially to under 10s. Glad to hear the original operating layout models will find new homes.

19 hours ago, James R said:

Thank you. I’ll work out how to do that. 

PS: Remember after the reset the decoder it will lose its previously programmed DCC address and revert back to the default address of 3. Just in case you think its dead.

Just do a decoder reset with only that loco on the test track or main track. Set CV8=8 in program mode.

37 minutes ago, irishrailways52 said:

nothing will ever beat the GPS in a new holland though

Yip & My last new holland tractor cost less than those Chinese prices.

Confess was stuffed for a deposit some years ago by one of the former cottage model makers before they decided to go into hiding. Small claims court next. 

Wonderful to see they have a few old B&T coaches as well. Great that ROI will finally have a proper 5ft3in operational heritage rail line in the future. Great results so far. It will be a time capsule back to the glory days of rural MGWR. Are they basing it on Jonathan's Dugort layout?

6 minutes ago, Galteemore said:

Don’t apologise. It’s your layout! Main thing is that you enjoy it. Your loading bank shows you already have a solid skill base to work off

Well done so far. Enjoy it. Its the learning and trying new stuff that's the best bit.

On 25/8/2023 at 8:02 PM, jhb171achill said:

………………………….

Finally some rural scenes around both Macmine Junction and Rathmichael.

Finally, I would very strongly encourage anyone living in the south-east to join this excellent club. Friendly reception, excellent clubhouse and excellent layouts too.

Go see ’em at the next exhibition, details of which will be posted on IRM, I am sure.

Stunning scenics and track laying

19 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

Finally, I would very strongly encourage anyone living in the south-east to join this excellent club. Friendly reception, excellent clubhouse and excellent layouts too.

Go see ’em at the next exhibition, details of which will be posted on IRM, I am sure.

Agree 100%, I was fortunate to join a few years ago and have learned so much from this amazing and diverse group of friendly, helpful modellers. They manage to blend innovation and daring with, the best scenic traditions, and camaraderie and joyful collaboration.  I don't even live near Wexford but get down now and then to club nights on Tuesdays. There is a great popup restaurant in the car park beside the club house so handy for Saturday visitors. Like the Chinese they are a great bunch of lads. Was privileged to be invited to my first exhibition at their big layout show last May. A special time when a special group of people have been drawn together with an abundance of talent.

I would not be surprised if your new book was the inspiration for a large new modular layout comprising the principle south wexford stations including Wellington junction's beat loader.

Wow this is progressing more than nicely. Wonderful to observe the ongoing developments. Class. 

The expats down there must be pretty upset

While you cannot get hot food ON Irish rail, you can hot food BY rail in some places

On 17/8/2023 at 8:42 PM, Broithe said:

I've been in a few stations that look like that on a weekend.

Looks like temple bar every morning

Blasted tension lock couplings!  They should have used kadee's  

Magical

Put Crossley ESU decoder in A46 today and a brief test run. Will do a proper comprehensive video when I get time. A short snippet for now. Some nice features on the project.

I see there's a lot of baby GMs on ebay recently for the first time in many months. I'm hanging on to mine, they were iconic and a seismic change to the hobby back in 2007 and 2008. The new models are almost identical, so no need to change, the mk1 versions of the incredible MM 141/181s even today surpass many model diesels in terms of scale detail and especially incredible precision running chassis. I knew the moment I ran the first one they were something really special no 182 bought at Malahide castle shop in 2008 when the big O gauge Fry layout was operating there. But it will be fantastic for the current crop of modellers who missed out on the originals to be able to buy them new, at sane non-ebay prices. Happy days, IRM mk2, MM mk2, IRM ICRs all coming down the line. Mk3 remain a mystery.

Looking forward to delivery of D6704 with sound, the BR Green variant. Never liked the exec blue livery despite a Triang version being the first model diesel loco I ever had as a child. The green is interchangeable with the steam locos used to haul my exLMS BR coaching stock. 

141/181s are all that are needed to model Irish railways from 1962 until 2007. Wherever you felt there might be a need for an 071 just substitute a pair of baby GMs in consist. Their diminutive size makes them perfect for typical layout sizes. They will never look out of place even on shorter radius track bends.

On 8/8/2023 at 5:35 PM, enniscorthyman said:

Reminds me of when the original 141/181s came our in 2007/8.They were a game changer and certainly changed the Irish model railway scene.I was on the old Microsoft MSN irish model railway site.The excitement was enormous.

Great news. Yes those originals are probably why most of us are running model trains on Irish layouts.

Is there a published fix for the cab lighting, or how to do this on the IRM support site?

19 hours ago, spudfan said:

110hp for €56,000 as Chinese brand aims to shake up Irish tractor market  or so the headline says. 

110hp for €56,000 as Chinese brand aims to shake up Irish tractor market (msn.com)

Prices excluding VAT: 25hp €19,995, 40hp €23,495, 75hp €32,995, 90hp €52,995, 100hp €54,495, 110hp €55,995, 130hp €64,995. 

 

Wonder how this venture will go. Could tempt someone in the market for a second hand known brand. Quality control and parts availability will determine whether these tractors succeed here or not.

Dunno but as the BEV market in Ireland is currently exploding sales wise, Chinese brands such as MG and BYD are making serious inroads taking big market share slices delivery quality, extras at incredible prices. Volvo is owned by Geely too. Remember its not like the 1960s, nowadays the best quality electronic consumer devices such as iPhones, iPads, tablets, smart watches are mainly manufactured in China, along with model trains!

Chinese car companies BYD and MG have come from nowhere. These companies are the Toyota of the future. Electric car sales July 2023 Ireland. RTE are in 8th place.  This Tsunami of change has only started.

A bench vice and a vice grips is your only man for some jobs around the farm (in jest). MM mk2d NEM tics are notoriously hard to remove without risk of serious damage to the model. Similarly difficult at MM Craven bogies (eg for the wobbly wonder blue RPSI bogies)

Do not try this at home children without adult supervision.

Haven’t enjoyed success trying hunt magnetic couplings so sticking with Kadee’s because they are reliable, look better and uncoupling is simpler, inexpensive and reliable. The other annoying headache with magnetic couplings is the fixed polarity of wagon orientation.

Stunning result.