Noel

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?

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

Stunning scenics and track laying

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

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. IMG_4463.MOV

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.

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

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.

Really enjoyed your latest book JHB. Bought a copy for a friend also.

Yes

Darwin awards

Ordered two copies three weeks ago, one for a friend and one for myself. Hopefully arrived before I get home from holidays. Looking forward to it. Glad to read in the recent all island strategic rail review the recommendation that the rosslare to Waterford railway line be restored to traffic.

When I was at school Ireland was admired worldwide for its advanced harnessing of peat for energy, little did we realise then how much damage it was doing to our climate and biodiversity. End of an Era, all right, but from a climate perspective, existence doesn't seem an optional aspiration.