Noel

Look as consumers any of us have a right to express measured and factual disappointment with any companies products if we feel it is both fair-minded and warranted, and constructive. We are entitled to have opinions as long as they are expressed politely and it is even handed. I have had a number of minor issues with my two 121s, but chose not to expresss them on here for two reasons a) not to be negative on the very week these much awaited models had arrived and b) for risk of being flammed for pointing out anything. Overall these are really superb models and a little weathering may cure many personal tastes. I'm delighted to have them and didn't want to rain on the parade even with some minor truths. First world problems, but I do understand and am respectful of others opinions especially when moderately and fairly expressed. For me the glass is 105% full rather than the 110% I might have thought, just minor issues I managed to resolve which I won't go into. Its a nice problem to have. Been playing with B134 all morning shunting my heart out with the little beauty. Happy days. Hyper excited to get my hands on B127 and B124 when they are released.

@IrishrailwaymanGerry is that the Signal box that has the working point levers that are servo driven (ie they move when the digital accessory is operated by the manual switch panel)?

That is a museum quality piece that should be on display at a national railway museum. Stunning model engineering, absolutely sublime build and exquisite finish.

Just a suggestion DJ, but even without access to modellers or clubs, youtube can be a wonderful training resource and tool for ideas and inspiration. One could start by learning a few of the ways of weathering using just water and weathering powders, which is very forgiving and effectively allows one to easily 'rub out' mistakes or bits one is not happy with and start again. One can create very gentle washes using water and decalfix solution with just a few grains of weathering powder dust, brush or wipe the whole model, and then wipe off again. Decalfix, allows the wash to be reactivated with just water. No solvents needed. That will nicely dull the finish of any shiny bright coloured plastic. There is no need for an airbrush, that could come later. Some folks spray clear matt varnish over plastic bodies which give a better surface for weathering powders to bond to. But mask the windows or they will go milky white and opaque if exposed to varnish. Start with old wagons so one has the confidence before moving onto more precious rolling stock such as a craven or a loco, as time goes on, one can experiment with slightly more powder, allowing the wash to dry into recesses and panel lines, roof joints, etc, and the adventure continues and one becomes more adventurous each attempt. What's the worst that can happen, one wagon ends up looking grotty, but water based paints (acrylics) and weathering easily corrected and redone if a boo-boo is made.

Superb result. I remember those and that livery so well. They were like air liners on wheels. So comfortable.

He usually supplies the WheelTappers DCC sound decoders and a selection of speaker choices for 141 and 181s. I'm waiting on a WheelTappers decoder for B135.

It's a dilemma alright, if I'd been asked this question 4 years ago I'd have been very much in favour the option of a very list dusting of factory weathering just to take toyish plastic shine of some models (ie like MM083, MM177 were done). With the advantage of hindsight and the passage of time, now I'd prefer pristine and have a go myself. One side of me is keen to have a go at one of the grey 121s, but the other side of me says don't dare, leave it alone its beautiful as it is. Even the lightest factory dusting can transform the appearance of a plastic looking model. Each on to their own. Blast I had planned an afternoon watching the rugby now this tread has me thinking I need to spend a few hours on B134, but the RPSI prototype recently resprayed has not even been weathered yet by real weather nor real time. Might try B135 instead but will have to wait until the faulty speaker is replaced or repaired.

Took an ESU LokSound V5 decoder out of a 181 this evening and tried it in B134 and had some fun shunting CIE 2 axle stock with kadee couplings. Not action packed but a demo of kadee uncoupling with sound on a 121 (ie EMD 645 engine). Awaiting MM sound chip due for delivery next week.

Yummie. Outside USA should not be problem with AddressPal to get around that.

B134 + B135 in consist at Woodvale Junction. Had fun driving CIE era goods trains behind these two yesterday and today. B135 current RPSI livery with the walkway rails.

Holy Moly the detail inside the cab with driving controls is sublime One of the high lights of this model is the see through body ventilation grills This model is multiple gears above the already superb 141/181 GMs, look at details like the wipers and window rubbers. Opps just noticed from this photo one of the cab door grab rails is missing, hadn't noticed until posting this. Decoder installation is so easy. The cover pops off easily but goes back on very snuggly when pushed back on with no gaps. Lenz Silver+ 21 pin until the MM LokSound arrives next week. Fitted Kadee No 20 to cab end, and no 19 to bonnet end. Kadee height perfect with the shim installed and running trials using uncoupling magnets successful A engineering and design feat to fit so much inside such a small loco. Love the finess of the wipers. The tablet catchers lacked were low profile. The more you look at this model the more things and detail you notice. Thank you Murphy Models, this model line marks one of the high points of a highly successful career in the Irish model rail business. Worth the wait and more. Thank you for your successful business products

PS: Purely for info today out of curiosity I took a LokSound V5 21pin 141 decoder out of B165 and popped it into a MM 121 and it worked ok including the ESU full throttle drive features (ie throttle hold, braking, etc). I could not drive a loco anymore that was not able to coast nor brake on command and be driven prototypically. Might pop short video clip up over next few days. It's a total feast of options available to Irish modellers. Going to layout now for a while to play and shunt wagons using B134 with kadee automatic uncoupling magnets to marshall a goods train in the yard.

Absolutely stunning layout scenes Eamon. Sublime and a credit to your skills and artistic talents. @Robert Shrives Yes figuring out the packaging was a bit like a Rubik cube puzzle. Only a few bits had fallen off my loco in transit and one broken vacuum pipe. Most easily remedied by pushing back on with a tweezers.

Thank, was wondering what that was for. Dave do you know if there are any plans for instructions or a PDF on the MM website for servicing and maintenance, fitting of detail parts, etc. Small slip of paper comes with the loco with basic info but no diagrams like the 141/181/071s. Thanks. Noel

Fab pictures, especially the wonderful late evening light.

Green? Now I'm sure somebody at some stage may respray one in current intercity green'n'grey livery just because the can. Personally I'm really looking forward to the B&T version.

Enjoy them. Love it, a pair of 121 locos top'n'tail hauling and pushing the four container wagons. Top'n'tail locos seems a common practice with heavy freight trains on part of the UK rail network.

Gerry, having seen your lovely grey livery B121 in the flesh on Ballybeg, I can attest that it turned out a super model, especially for a MIR kit. It really looked the part and greatly surpassed the 2ft rule. You can run it proudly alongside B135 or B134 and it will not look out of place. Your colouring was spot on.

If I remember correctly somebody on the forum about 6 years ago did a technical post on replacing the motor with a CD drive motor (ie the motor that opens the CD cradle slider). If you think the 201s are noisy the Lima 215 'A' classes (ie BR Class 33) sounded like a Ford 4600 tractor on speed. Turn the sound up for Lima authentic self sounding model.

Wonder if that's the same merc who tried to skip the queue for the railway gates in this famous video clip: Some fab 121 coverage on it also

B135+B134 in consist arrive on the layout. Used a pair of Lenz Silver+ 21pin non-sound decoders while I'm waiting for LokSound decoders to arrive. Happy Days, Murphy Models have produced a stunning model that runs as well as it looks.

Oh great joy. Just ran B135 and B134 in consist hauling 1960s goods train. Took only seconds to pop Lenz Silver+ 21pin non-sound decoders in the pair. Perfectly matched. Oh Yummie, these 121s were worth the wait. I'll probably fall off my perch when the Black'n'Tan livery versions arrive.

Sounds great. Happy Days, B134 arrived this morning from Accurascale's UK base, but the sound decoder must be a day or two behind. Will try run a Lenz 21pin for now. Had a look inside the decoder bay, it is tight in there alright. Love the see through side grills on this loco. Took B135 out for a test drive. Beautiful gearing and smooth motor, even better than the mythical 141/181 drive systems. The best yet from Murphy Models. Sublime. I put the valance cover on the cab end and kadee no 20 coupling on the bonnet end. Needed a simple plastic shim fitted in the NEM pocket to avoid the kadee drooping. All good with the height gauge and coupling tests. Super smooth runner with an even better motor drive than the legendary 141/181s. Tried it on DC first before DCC. Gorgeous model. Will give B134 a run in the next few days, might even try the paid bonnet2bonnet in consist even though the grey 121s never double headed in reality. Nice detailing pack but handle with extreme care. I do like B135 with its original 196l layout as per delivery and early years of operation until walkway grab rails were added near the end of the black'n'tan era. An exquisite result, worth the wait, thanks to Murphy Models. The best yet from that stable, and it runs as well as it looks. Superb. Congrats to MM for the "crème de la crème" of their loco portfolio. It looks and runs so well you could lick it. Love the see through ventilation grills on the bonnet sides, that's a first for any Irish model loco.

Hi Eamonn. Layout looking fab, shows off the 121 really well. Do you mind me asking which sound chip was that, the MM LokSound, or Mr SoundGuy Zimo? Sounds, great.

Agree. Yes it does look better in the flesh than from photos especially they grey colouring.