GSR 800

Some more work done recently. Acquired a Worsley laminate SO kit. Have another two laminates ordered from Worsley Works, getting orders in before Allen retires! On some dummy bogies, awaiting parts from Dart Castings. Got my order from JM today also. After finding the roof and glueing it onto the dapol body the buffet sides were scribed, tumbleform formed from a thoroughly ag spec jig, and then overlayed. Both now require detailing, roof vents and cabling, glazing, interiors, painting, the list goes on! Some dry fitting on the Bredin Steel side. And the G2 has returned, was receiving some touch ups to paint and a new drawbar. Much to do on her also, weight to be added, the tender needs it's springs and axleboxes along with a dose of weathering, more handrails, step added to cab and the cab interior needs to be built and fitted. The chassis and wheels on both loco and tender also need a repaint into grey! I've also a horsebox, meat van and 2 tin vans to build, so plenty on the workbench!

finescale z sounds mad indeed!

Heljan seem to be very hit and miss. While the 'consensus' is generally that their steam is extremely poor and their diesels are okay, their diesels are very often nothing to write home about. And then sometimes they are grand.

Very useful indeed, could cover DSER and GSWR Atlantic tanks very well indeed, possibly BCDR examples also. How does it compare against the GNRI T2?

You can straight-up print the model with holes AFAIK, avoiding the need to drill (somewhat brittle) 3d prints altogether. Might need to bore some out somewhat at worst. I think this is preferable, better to have a more durable brass or N/S wire for handrails IMO. The addition of a jig would further simplify it further, yes.

I think the Lord Nelsons haven't shifted very well due to being panned as very light and therefore somewhat poor haulers for their size. Heljan don't seem to be very well considered at all.

What are overall sales for the 800s like so far compared against other locos in the IRM range?

She is indeed in CIE dark green, why Cultra added a G S is a complete mystery.

IR should send the judge the bill for reflooring the 29s as the explanation for why they won't be going for CAF again. CAF: Cheap as f*ck

If its a diesel, then surely a C class. If steam, V class or Jeep? We'll find out today anyway! Other announcement, maybe the mainline PRs?

Pretty modern carriage key on the left. Not a clue about the right!

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.