GSR 800

We will likely see something similar on the Enterprise within the next decade. Presumably similar will end up replacing Mark 4s also

IIRC the Irish market is quite a bit younger overall compared to the British market, 30-70 rather than 50-80. For some time here the 80s to early 2000s was the dominant era for modelling, as the rationalisation of the railway wasn't 'complete' until the delivery of the ICRs and the end of most freight in the late 2000s. Younger modellers like myself do tend in many cases to look towards older stock of the 50s and 60s which IRM is increasingly attending to. I would buy pretty much anything from that period if it passed through Mullingar and doesnt break the bank. When I can I'd like to buy a four-car ICR to give the odd modern twist on my layout. A C class is a good go too, fills a big gap and have plenty rtr to pull behind them. The Jeeps do not have the same luxury in rtr, though leslie is quite happy to supply spoil wagons! Most Irish steam is in an awkward spot in terms of rtr rolling stock to pull, and/or no. of locos in a class make it difficult to run compared to an A or C class. The Jeeps and GNR 4-4-0s can get away with pulling CIE 60s stock though.

Works for me

It would make sense considering Stadler is in the running for the new Enterprise also. It probably won't be for around a decade, the 071s would be approaching 60!

It'd be pretty funny if IRM pulled out the Woolwiches. Plenty of variants there, including the 6ft driver type, and for Accurascale there's been no British N class model for well over 20 years! It would also allow them to expand to the U class, the N1s, and the K class tanks. Not very likely, but food for thought...

I certainly hope not, my one is en route! V seems like the logical choice.

What about... or maybe... Perhaps even..

I don't know, look at Streamstown then and now Where there's a will and plenty of dosh, there's a way...

I always thought Mullingar-Athlone would be ideal for such a thing. All you need is 40 km of fencing...

I reckon I've seen about 4 packs for sale on ebay total, plus a bnt full brake.

Steam would be placed bang on with the H vans, the Park Royals, Bulleid Ope s and flats, etc. A few tin vans and a brake van would top it off

I always thought those converted turf wagons looked ridiculous. Riding in style for the turf though! Reminds me of the Irish Railways in the 40s and 50s dvd Ferris compares the "sublime Compound" departing Drogheda to the "faintly ridiculous railbus" waiting in the bay. What did the poor railbus ever do to him

The same assessment that outlined the bigger boiler refit they were due to have was a waste of money?

All things considered, I'd say a few kits of different stations, signal boxes, gatekeepers houses, water towers, etc. could sell decently.

I've seen British ones on ebay, 3 of em for over 1000 pound. Looks reasonable in comparison!

Out with the angle grinders..

Aye, as would the J19 I'm sure.

I'd take a J18/19, a D16 Achill Bogie and a J26 in 4mm I'd take a J5 too

The DDs have a bad rep from their unreliability a year or two back, alongside the preference toward using ICRs for late autumn/early winter. Part of it is just the fact of life of loco hauled v railcars. A railcar with an engine (or two) down can limp home, a loco down and the train needs to be rescued and a loco found at short notice to do so. This was less of an issue when there was locos all around the system, that is not true today. Many a time a 29 is used to haul a Dart up to Fairview! In terms of comfort, DDs are miles ahead. If the ICRs had seating as comfortable it'd be the cherry on top of what is otherwise IMO an excellent, reliable class. It's agony trying to get comfortable in them!

one can only hope the buildings on the down Galway platform at Mullingar will eventually get similar treatment, though I highly doubt it. The roof of the canopy is beginning to cave in.

Enterprising, presumably.

Mayner previously mentioned that Anthony Burges described the MGWR branch to Cavan as a "mouldering branch line" Such a description is surely apt here too with these wonderful photos.

I think 1-2 a day will be NIR CAFs Vast majority DDs-ICRs 29s only as a backup AFAIK

There was an update due 7 weeks ago

Anything on the Park Royals?