GSR 800

Do Accurascale models have serial numbers?

Do you know when it was moved? This was much further down from the engine shed, by the gantry. Took it in June or July.

Something I spotted down by the gantry crane while walking the canal at Mullingar, looks to be a Palvan?

227 was outside the valeting plant with the train, with 072 inside. Possible she was the replacement engine, idk.

227(?) sat down at Newry, had to be towed back to Connolly valeting plant by 072

I can only hope that, in time, Mullingar's rationalisation may be reversed somewhat, along with other parts of the system!

The dreaded word few dare utter.

Wonderful photos of the Midland. Manulla is barely recognisable at all compared to today!

A different time indeed! Good thing the mill isnt on, otherwise your man is lined up nicely for an eyeful of swarf!

I agree on the impact of inflation against stagnating wages, something can also be said about cost of living differences in various countries (ie 1200 would go further in the Canaries than Ireland). My point is more if you've 1200 euro base monthly wage, railway modelling is going to be very expensive indeed even prior to recent years rapid inflation, as a large new loco 175-200 would take a proprotionally larger amount of your wage against someone who earns more (though again there's the question of how far that money would go elsewhere with comparative cost of living). For myself I see the choice in RTR as increasingly being buy fewer high end, highly detailed locos with all the bells and whistles, sound etc, for a higher price or go with simpler, cheaper models. I've an interest in American N scale, where one can buy a Kato Big Boy with DCC sound for 500 pounds, and at the same time buy a 'basic' DC Kato or Athearn diesel for anywhere between 80-120 pound. Tariffs have obviously had an impact more recently, but that's a specific policy choice.

The average wage in the Canaries is not a good marker for what the target market can afford.

If anyone in Ireland is working a qualified full-time job for 300 euros a week, they are getting exploited through the wazoo.

That explains the line-up at Connolly yesterday morning! Two 201s and an 071 on shed, a rare sight there these days.

Just spotted her stabled at Mullingar with loco this morning.

I've always quite liked the bubbles, even if they only squeak into my era of interest. Quite shocked she's the last one left so likewise, donated!