Irishrailwayman

Mr Soundguy has upgraded many of his Irish sound projects to include RealDrive on Zimo soundchips which I find pretty good having tried his 071 and 141/181 sounds (see: http://mrsoundguy.co.uk/index.html )

The snow is gone following a coat of undercoat grey (solvent) paint and green (water based) base coat. Beginning to look like a model railway.

Also worth checking out Wellington Bheag, Waterford and Carlow which were done brilliantly in N gauge...

In answer to a query on Cynwyd's push/pull rod system for turnout changes, I use K&S Precision Metal Brass Rod 3/64 inches (1.19 mm) Product #8161 available on-line from Kernow Model Rail Centre, UK supplied as 4 by 30.5 mm rods. I fit these across underneath the layout through 3mm holes enabling operation from front or back of layout with just 1 cm protruding either side (you could have them operate from one side only if you wish). I channel these underneath with short sections of narrow plastic rawl plug glued to the baseboard. The "L" section of rod that protrudes through the baseboard to pass through the turnout/point is attached to the main push rod using standard electrical connectors with screw fittings. I have used this system successfully on my Llangollen (N gauge, DC) as well as my Shunters Yard (OO gauge, DCC) layouts and it enables fast, simple turnout changes especially useful for shunting (both layouts are on separate threads on IRM.com). A couple of pics might make this description clearer. Double-sided sticky pads and insulating tape are used to hold the rods in place under the baseboard.

The polyfilla makes the whole scene look like a bad day in winter snow but not for long. Layout drying/hardening up over a few days. Next up: grey undercoat to seal and harden off the scenic base.

Couple of pics showing build-up of scenery at back of layout: wood scraps, wood glue, plasticard, cardboard scraps, damp newspaper, PVA glue and next up: Polyfilla - high tech!

We had a great Open Day here in Wexford with much support from local families and festival visitors alike. Thanks to everyone who attended. Hope to see you all at the Easter Model Exhibition in 2017 in Wexford.

In conversation with Paddy, he indicated that 2017 would definitely be the year of the 121! However, he is unwilling to indicate when exactly it will arrive. I gather that the technical work is well advanced however. Patience, and lots of it, is the essence of Irish railway modelling I'm afraid.

A couple of extra pics to whet the appetite for a visit...

The layout will be on show at the WMRC Open Day. We got an acceptable offer much quicker than we had anticipated!

This layout has now been sold.

Overall dimensions are 9 feet by 4 feet. The model is fitted with folding legs and may be dismantled easily into constituent boards for storage or transport. I will post further pictures and dimensions shortly.

Details of the Irish model railway layout have been posted on the For Sale or Wanted section of IRM: http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/5845-New-Irish-Layout-for-sale

Noel, I will post up further info as it comes to hand.

To raise funds Wexford Model Railway Club have a new Irish model railway for sale. It has been developed by renowned modeller John Walker and bears all the fine hallmarks of his craftmanship and skill. John previously has created numerous layouts including Joseph's Bridge, Ballyconbeg, Ballinagee and Ballinagee Junction. The layout on offer has not been named so the buyer can devise their own. It may be added to further with model figures/animals, trees etc. It may be run with two DC controllers or by DCC (controllers not on offer with layout). No rolling stock is offered with the layout. The layout may be viewed at the WMRC clubrooms in Wexford including at the Festival Open Day on Bank Holiday Monday 31st October. Offers around €500 are invited for the layout.

Nice video and love the Supertrain MKIII rake. I have a few of Mr Soundguys RealDrive 071 soundchips and they can be controlled in a similar way. His 071 sound always has worked out better than the 141/181. The GM engines were distinctive in their revs going up an down. Unfortunately, access to prototypes in a suitable location is a limiting factor. The technology available on the soundchips is improving all the time - pity the price of them is not coming down!

As part of the Wexford Festival Opera, Wexford Model Railway Club are hosting an Open Day at their club-rooms at St Joseph's Community Centre, Newline Road, Wexford on Monday 31st October 11am to 5pm. The event is free entry with a raffle, second-hand model railway items and light refreshments on sale in aid of the club building fund. A range of model railway projects will be on display including N, OO and O gauge models. Additionally, a new OO Irish model railway layout developed by renowned master modeller, John Walker, will go on sale, proceeds in aid of the club. Details of this layout will be posted shortly on IRM.com.

Kirley, a great layout and collection of rolling stock!

There are quite a few passengers waiting on the platform of Shunters Yard who may not be as amused by the constant goods vehicle movements as we might be. Therefore, a GWR railcar and GWR autocoach visit periodically to cater for them...

Thanks Dave. I just use an old Fujifilm FinePix F10 camera. It has features such as zoom, macro and focus adjust that can be used to advantage when shooting model railways. The great thing with digital is that you can view and delete as necessary without expense. Enniscorthyman gets great shots/videos also with his smart 'phone.

Shunters Yard is designed to use a spare 3-way point that I had for years and the new Bachmann 6407 pannier tank engine. I had the pleasure some years ago of doing a 3 hour driver experience course on the real 6430 at Llangollen in North Wales so I couldn't resist buying the Bachmann model. GWR has an attraction for me also as it is so well preserved/reproduced on the splendidly restored Llangollen line. Goods wagons for the layout are mainly Dapol and GWR liveries as well as colourful wagons in red/blue/green colour liveries etc were selected for exhibition purposes. Each wagon was fitted with Kadee couplings and wheels were "damped" to ensure sufficient heft when uncoupling/recoupling with the Kadee system. Note that three Kadee magnets were buried under the track/ballast at specific points to provide four uncoupling points. This enables remote shunting to be carried out easily by using DCC and the push/pull rods to change the turn-outs as appropriate. To maximise DCC sound, a small 6-pin "silent" chip is fitted to the tank engine while a Mr Soundguy soundchip is fitted under the baseboard along with a Bass Reflex speaker (under the signal box which has no glazing). A small motor is wired to the soundchip to enable the "chuffs" to work. A full range of 64XX sounds including whistles, track squeal and coupling is provided. The model was extensively detailed with coal, driver figures, lamps, bucket, fire implements, etched 6407 plates (from 247 Developments Ltd) etc.

A couple of final general shots including the control shelf built -in to the back of the layout before I move on to rolling stock... Note there are three push/pull rods to operate the points very simply facilitating shunting while only one DCC function (direction) need be pressed to control the shunting operations. These operate from the front or back of the layout enabling operation from either side.

Couldn't resist a few shots (at dawn?) when I saw Ballybeg in the low sunlight this am... Shunters Yard is tucked away overhead on its shelf!

Thanks guys. I should explain that a series of shots were taken from the same spot but with different depth of fields/focus to illustrate the depth of detail achieved. I think modern HD photography adds an additional facet to our great hobby.

A couple more shots for the record... Note that mirrors are used at each end to provide an "infinity" perspective. Additionally, each end has a sliding mirror allowing rolling stock to be added/removed without spectators seeing as they are covered by the goods shed and station canopy respectively. This also allows rail level perspective shots to be taken which are quite convincing I think.