Irishrailwayman

These figures are actually Preiser Trainspotter/photographers! I have a postman elsewhere on the layout near a model post office.

Thanks Rob. I hope to visit Llangollen again in 2013 and do more research. Gerry

Thanks lads all for the positive comments. I started on some Ballybeg rolling stock back in 2002 and the layout has had eight public outings winning Best Scenic and Best in Show awards along the way. Each time I show it I use liveries of a different Irish era: everything from 1940s/50s steam to early 2000s IE. I have all other locos and goods/passenger rolling stock for each era. Finally, I change the lineside models to match including coals stocks/oil depot and cattle loads/goods loads etc. Ballybeg pioneered Irish sound and lights in DCC for both diesel and steam locos. The scenery uses perspective modelling to give the impression of depth. All components on the layout were commercially available as kits or RTR (although extensively worked on). I must hand it to Eamonn who is a whiz photographer and really captures that "is it real?" feeling. Some of my locos are a bit too pristine and I might have Anthony do some suitable weathering for me... Ballybeg is awaiting MM 071s to replace the MIR models currently in use. I have just retired and will continue working on Ballybeg as well as a new project in N Gauge finescale "Llangollen" a BR/GWR preserved station in North Wales. Look me up at the next exhibition. Gerry

These are the same recordings taken by Mr Soundguy in 2007 but are being tweaked electronically to suit the newer model as well as improved soundchips and speakers. I was glad to have arranged for him to visit here that year and am delighted that the project has persisted with such good results. Covering 121/141/181, 201, 071 and A Class is a huge achievement and contribution to Irish railway modelling.

Wiggy, the MM 21-pin chips are ESU Lokpilot V4 (DCC Supplies or the ESU websites should have instruction booklets). I use a Gaugemaster unit to map the CVs as follows: CV32: 2; CV340: 5CV346: 10; CV362: 4; CV 378: 8; CV 394: 16; CV 410: 32. This gives directional side/main lamps on F0and F1 with the cab lights on F3 and F4. Sometimes this causes the loco to roket around - if this happens just write 8 to CV 8 and start the process again. I also have the CV set up for ESU Loksound V3.5 if anyone needs these. The new 201 soundchip from Modelshopbelfast is a Zimo which should be preset to make all the lights etc work properly - if not contact MSB direct. Incidently, Model Rail in June 2012 have an excellent article on replacing the entire circuit board with an ESU 21-pin Adapter Board #51968 allowing the full capabilities of the chips to be exploited. Not for the inexperienced or the faint hearted I would think given the cost of MM201s!

Does anyone have some decent colour photos of the Mark IIs in their Galway livery that they could share? I am particularly interested in the restaurant and EGVs (I don't think a first class was done?).

Don't worry about it! Ballybeg is a pun on the Irish translation - An Baile Beag - the small town (especially at 4mm/foot). Feel free to model a Ballybeg Branch layout if you so wish. Best of luck, Gerry B