GSR 800

800 is almost complete. Window frames, name and numberplate added along with the long process of lining. Whistle, Tender chassis and cab interior remain to be finished. Gloss varnish worked nicely to clear the 3d printed window frames. She runs quite nicely on the 6x4 test track, clearing its tight curves with ease. The green paint is from vinny byrnes, RBS381 Mid Brunswick green in gloss. Took a while to find the right match but I think this is pretty much bang on to my eye.

Far from limited to railways https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Puritan_(1864) The US navy took a very liberal approach to 'rebuilds' of some of their ironclads to deal with Congress penny pinching on naval expenditure. Literally built a new battleship, slapped the old nameplates and bell of the old civil war ironclad on it and called it a rebuild

Only if they have lost marys blocking the jacks on their ICRs...

Hi Colin, I agree thoroughly, the 3d printing space opens up a world of opportunity. I have added separately fitted handrails, smokebox wheel spindle, safety valves, sprung buffers, and a brass coupling hook along with various other bits and bobs to the 3d printed body. I think brass fittings give any model a nice 'pop' It has advanced rapidly indeed

Agreed, with the amount of work you'd have to do to the hornby chassis you may as well go for the full kit at that point.

Hi Galteemore, Very happy with her, Killian has truly outdone himself with a wonderful 3d print. I am delaying having to paint the cab and all it's many dials and gauges! Killian is selling the 3d 800 loco and tender body for a very reasonable price The station is an idea for a more central Dublin terminus for the MGWR somewhere around Abbey Street, and the roof is based off Waterloo. This will be part of a larger layout with Mullingar.

Received the 800 last Friday, been working on her since! Good bit more detail and painting to do, lining needs to be added to the cab sides and tender, window frames need to be put in, number and nameplates need to be fitted. Here's how she looks so far

Duuublins goinn 90

https://irishcycle.com/2024/10/26/irish-rail-gearing-up-to-formally-restart-dublin-to-navan-rail-project/

return to the kinder egg

The problem being all IRM bubbles are rare as hens teeth

when you said challenger I was thinking of something a bit bigger!

Interestingly any time an 'older' family or friend mentions they travelled by rail in Ireland recently also consider it vastly superior to the likes of the 80s and 90s, usually if they are travelling in ICRs. Not travelling in freezing cold carriages! IMO don't feel much of a difference regarding noise/vibration between ICRs and say Mark 4s. I think the ICRs would be perfect if the seats were somewhat more comfortable. 29s are a different story, you know all about it if you're sitting under an engine! Unsure about the future of rail freight here. Certainly, there is plenty of opportunity for somewhat of a resurgence but significant infrastructure improvement is required to build a rail network that can deal with an increasingly intense commuter timetable along with increased freight levels around Dublin and elsewhere. The rail review outlined a lot of rail freight as effectively being a relief valve to take trucks off the M50.

You are entitled to your opinion and to voice it on a public forum, but said opinion becomes fair game for discussion and criticism whether you like it or not. That's how we develop ideas and critical thinking. You can choose whether you want to engage after the fact or not; again, that is entirely up to you. IRM is no corporate giant. Personally as a modeller I try to support both the likes of IRM and Murphys, that produce high quality RTR products for a tiny market that is often barely (or not at all) viable, alongside smaller producers like Des, John, Eoin and Leslie who are vital parts of our scene. As said above by Broithe, this is not an either or thing. But does it come with realistic chuffing sound?

Aye, it's more if I am looking towards paying off in segments that it'd be an issue. Knowing the Grain and H vans are coming imminently makes it overall much less of an issue for me, many thanks.