GSR 800

11 minutes ago, Westcorkrailway said:

Aperently this lot of 0 and 00 gauge stuff is for sale 

site?

26 minutes ago, murrayec said:

There was 3 turntables, can be seen above on the branch leading to the two story workshops, which had a lift to get stock up to the second floor!

The turntables at that time were only 10 foot long, locos and tenders had to be rotated separately.

Eoin

 

Eoin, I saw the small turntables, should've been clearer when I meant a regular TT rather than the mini ones!

Could be very interesting to model indeed.

Doesn't even look like theres a proper turntable, I suppose there wasn't a huge need with the majority being tank engines? One may have been installed post OS map, idk either way.

If modelling the 60s and 70s, the canal being jam packed full of rubbish seems to be prototypical

48 minutes ago, Mayner said:

Many older more established modellers had similar concerns about the future of railway modelling when I first started modelling as a teenager about 50 years ago. The majority of the older generation modelled the "Big Four"/BR steam era, Irish railways were basically off the radar apart from a small group of scratchbuilders.

At the increasing popularity in modelling Irish railways was largely driven by a small group of modellers in Ireland and the UK who during the 1970s/80s built models of Irish locos and stock and a number layouts that appeared at exhibitions and in magazines. The greater interest in Irish modelling encouraged  people like Ian Mc Nally (MIR), Terry Mc Dermott (TMD & SSM Kits) and Mike Cole (Q Kits) to produce models of Irish locos and stock (some high quality, others less so).

While  RTR manufacturers and commissioners have a proven capability to produce high quality rtr models of  locos and stock, the availability of relatively low cost models from China is contributing to un-realistic expectations of what can be produced and more seriously a hollowing out of the hobby with the closure of several specialist UK suppliers and kit manufacturers with a potentially serious impact on people who intend to model Irish railways in the steam or transition era.

Its unlikely that it would be financially for IRM or MM to produce a representative selection of locos and stock required to operate a CIE 'transition from steam" era layout set during the 1950s while it may be viable to produce a C Class, AEC Railcar set with 1953 Buffet Car, Open Second, Side Corridor,  Brake Second, a Park Royal, Laminate coach (post 1956) (3 different types), its unlikely that it would be economic to produce vehicles ran singly (demand 1-2 per customer?) such as BR BSGVs, Bulleid 4w vans.

The Steam era opens up its own unique rabbit hole while wooden bodied GSWR/GSR side corridor coaches and Bredin stock were fairly widespread, ex-CBSCR, DSER and MGWR coaching stock were still in widespread use on their sections into the 1950s,  MGWR Post WW1 Corridor coaches (most comfortable 3rd/2nd Class coaches in Ireland) were also used on GSWR mail line and Midland 6w scattered far and wide, but seldom appearing in solid trains of 6w stock.

Locos open up a whole can of worms passenger trains were largely hauled by pre-amalgamation 4-4-0s until replaced by diesel railcars or locomotives from the mid to the late 50s. GSWR-5 Classes large 4-4-0, 3 Classes small 4-4-0, MGWR 3 Classes large 4-4-0, 1 Class small 4-4-0, 1 Class 2-4-0. The GSWR, MGWR and DSER each had their own "Standard" (J 15 size) and large Classes of Goods Locomotive. What about Tank locomotives, what about the Great Northern, the NCC, BCDR and dare we say it SLNCR with its unique sense of uniqueness.

 

I think Irish steam affords itself well to a continuation of kitbuilding and the likes. So many classes of locomotive and rolling stock that an RTR producer couldn't justify producing en masse. The loss of British suppliers is however a significant issue, and would be very difficult to justify replicating for the small Irish market.

Locos most likely to 'stick the landing' for RTR would be IMO (in no particular order)

J15s

800s

J26s

B4s

Q class

S class

V class

Vs class

T class 4-4-2 tank

Jeeps 

NCC Moguls

I'm sure I've overlooked a few.

400s could be thrown in there, the issue being of course the dozens upon dozens of variations through their career. May as well throw in the 500s in the same batch if the 400s get done.

Outside of possibly their 4-4-0s, I wouldn't be too certain about anything MGWR other than the cattle engines.

idk how well the BCDR would do, the Baltics are nice but its a bit niche?

SLNCR could see a few prototypes in a decade or so, they've got the charm anyway..

The GNR lends itself very well to RTR, as does the NCC. GSR is a lot more varied though the mainline (800s, 400s and Moguls) aren't too bad either. Main issues I'd see are the variations for the 400s (maybe limit it to CIE days where you've two 'main types' of 400) and the Moguls already having (albeit a severly dated by now) representation in RTR. 500s, idk.

In terms of tin vans, solution would probably be to include them in certain larger packs of coaches to ensure they get sold. I'd buy a few tin vans anyway, quite sorry I missed out on yours! They are great for making a short train seem longer, something the six wheelers will add to.

Looking to Britain, the famous prototypes get reruns again, and again, and again while locos such as the V4s have yet to have a single RTR model! Only now are many of the older types (pre grouping) being looked at, indicating an increasing interests in even earlier eras. (Though arguably in Britain the bell curve of interest has always begun earlier, with the grouping rather than in Ireland, where it seems firmly starting late 50s-early 60s and peaking 70s-90s)

1950s-1960s is my era and seems to be for many modellers in the younger age group. I started with british steam from hornby. Always liked steam more than diesel, and when I was given the lend of A Second Glance there was no looking back! RPSI tours certainly helped to cement that, having seen 186 and 4 at a young age.

I suppose it helps that the modern era is dominated by the 22000s (though I'll almost certainly buy a set) which is far less interesting compared to the 50s and 60s which has such a rich variety of steam and diesel power along with a massive range of rolling stock to consider.

I'm partial to the early diesels and enjoy the reliable running of the Murphys and the IRM 141s, 121s and A's but steam remains king, and once IRM is producing rtr steam the bank account will look worse than your man sam bankman fried who lost his entire net worth in a weekend when his ponzi scheme collapsed.

Irish locomotive models are a better investment than crypto Sam....

49 minutes ago, skinner75 said:

Sounds interesting - care to elaborate?

Something about moving over to a new server or something?

A significant amount of images were lost in the process which is very unfortunate.

15 minutes ago, Mike 84C said:

I get the impression that BRM is owned by Warners publishing, if I'm wrong please correct me but a post from one of the moderators gave me the feeling that "pay us money and we can stop the popups" feels a lot like mild blackmail. I'm with Mayner on the width of expertise and like IRM help is so freely given.

on another forum I'm on, in order to generate upkeep money members can donate if they wish. No ads as a result.

Keep in mind said forum has around 80k members, though obviously a great deal fewer active users, but nonetheless twice that of RMweb.

I don't find RMweb a terrible hassle on the laptop, dont look at it elsewhere, but I do think it could have been done better. Don't really understand the point of complaining about it here though.

19 hours ago, Noel said:

Admit I'm surprised. I got an email this morning at 07:20am about customs charges due on an parcel from UK (DCC Concepts). Paid fees online about 07:30am. Had been expecting a 7-10 days brexit delay due customs processing release of parcel, but lo and behold parcel arrived here at 9:30am this morning. It looks like An Post must have a facility to hold parcel's in local delivery office pending payment for customs fees due (ie Duty+Vat). I was expecting a 10 day delay. DCC Concepts deducted UK VAT from my purchases so at least I didn't get hit with a Double VAT Whammy. Happy Days, NCE Power Cab ready to hook up to Gort, releasing the main 5amp NCE Pro Cab to go back to the big layout. I like the cab ergonomics of the NCE in hand, really suits shunting operations and sound, and I'm familiar with it. Don't like touch screen HUI as it requires eyes rather than blind tactile feel use of throttle. 

Whenever I've tracked postage, customs duty notices are almost always sent after they've arrived in Ireland so the postage from there should be next day or two.

Postage from the EU is usually quite quick, Britain hit or miss. 

1 hour ago, Galteemore said:

Wonder how the lettuce is doing.

13 minutes ago, Killian Keane said:

If NG is on the table, a one of these would kill multiple birds with the one stone

Maybe some T&D?

And one of my favourites..

11 minutes ago, Andy Cundick said:

If its any help i've already built Tailte and have all the  bits to do Macha if i make a start on her now i can pretty well guarantee ,an 800 announcement within the week. Andy.

Might as well show us like 

My own 800 is currently sans chassis, off to the other island for final assembly.

53 minutes ago, David Holman said:

Going through the Green Bible, we have:--

• pretty much all the 2-4-0, 2-4-2 and 4-4-2 tanks - no splashers, with drivers inside side tanks
• J28 and J27- tiny Hunslets
• The 4-8-0T
• The Bandon 4-6-0T 2-4-0T and 4-4-0T
• St Mologa
• K1 2-6-0

 And it is the same problem in the GNRI Blue Bible - four coupled tanks and that is it. Just so many splashers making re-gauging awkward.

The Bandons 4-6-0 tanks would probably be the most realistic from an RTR perspective, quite famous, handsome, unique, built in decent numbers with some running right up toward the end of steam.

2 minutes ago, Westcorkrailway said:

I believe he means the CBSC tank engine 00 works produced. Mine has that issue….they fixed it free of charge but mine still seems to be slowly wearing away 

Ah, I thought he was referring to the SSM bandon tank and I was getting mighty confused!

Shame about the gear, fiddly carry on changing them out too.

For me I've decided I'll wait and see what IRM is producing next year before deciding whether or not to buy the J15.

41 minutes ago, Mike 84C said:

My J15 is so far fine, runs well but my Bandon tank from 00 works stripped the axle gear after about an hours running on our club test track. Roderick supplied a new one free of charge which I fitted. Problem solved! And very good service, should I have had to do rectification? my choice but?????

Other way around?

24 minutes ago, DJ Dangerous said:

 

Don't be getting too excited and creative!

Three locos, each in three liveries, plus a Cultra special edition in a wooden box, and happy days, that's enough!

Maebh only had two liveries unless you include the Cultra addition

1 minute ago, Niles said:

If you're creative, there was a list of names for proposed additional 800s never built... Aoife off the top of my head (my sister's name so it stuck in my memory more than the others). I think @jhb171achill might have info on them.

Deirdre and Grainne, don't remember anything about Aoife

4 minutes ago, connollystn said:

It's most likely that we'll see models of the B101 or C201 classed before anything in steam arrives. Those locomotives are most likely to sell in great numbers and I can see us all still here in five years time speculating about which steam locomotive IRM are going to produce first.

On 6/12/2022 at 7:18 AM, BosKonay said:

I agree all should be encouraged but it’s also not sensible to assume that a RTR manufacturer won’t get to a prototype that runs with the RPSI in time. I can promise several things next year, including steam, but the j15 will not be coming from IRM in the next 24 months. 
Hope that clarifies what I mean by ‘never say never’. 

Guess it went over your head the first time

C class would do quite well, natural evolution from the A's

B101s I quite like, I'm sure they'd do fine, not sure if they'd sell in great numbers though.

1 hour ago, Westcorkrailway said:

While it would only be ideal for a small percentage of layouts. I bet may would apply Rule 1 to get Maebh down onto there tracks. While my guess is whatever is next won’t be an 800. That Facebook survey proves its….somehow…..a viable option

 

Id probobly buy 800 in CIE livery and MAYBE 801 in CIE livery and get it weathered as she got west cork beet trains between cork and mallow and is shown doing so in the west cork DVD.

 

special edition 800 GSR 

801 GSR 

802 GSR

800 CIE

801 CIE 

802 CIE 

800 cultra edition (CIE livery with Great southern tender) 

802 Tailte would be a very interesting model for a certain tour operator

 

not to mention radio train attachments and the USA visit attachment 

 

imagine a box A1 style with a repro maebh plate on the front

Theres quite a wide variety of possible variants for the 800s, though I think the most likely will be 

800, 801, 802 in GSR green

800, 801, 802 in CIE dark green with the later tender (I'm unsure if all three recieved the new tenders, 800 has 82), smokebox door wheel and additional handrail on smokebox door, and escutcheon removed from tender (immediately after CIE takeover there was a small flying snail on the escutcheon).

801 and 802 have the single chimneys from the early 50s onward (looks like Tailte may have been as early as late 40s)

Possibly variants with 801 and 802 in the lighter green also, which is what 801 wore during her last few beet seasons and the IRRS tour in 1961-2

But their are dozens of possible variants, though this is pie in the sky stuff.

800 in original shop (unlikely)

all three in GSR green (likely)

all three in CIE green, mid 50s condition (most likely)

all three in postwar CIE condition (before modification but with CIE green, variety of small modifications, unlikely)

801+802 in CIE light green (mayybe?) (From what I've seen it was unlined? Could be wrong on that)

800 in Cultra (not sure)

Alas I'd be 70% sure the 800s won't be IRMs first Irish steam locomotive, though probably in their top 5 list at least as far as Irish steam goes. 

V class or S class would be my bet. Beautiful sky blue livery (and a few other variants for both classes) preserved locomotives, one currently running. Jeeps wouldn't be bad either but ehhh. Only have to worry about 5 locomotives for the V class and S class (unless you count the S2s)

2 hours ago, connollystn said:

Can't imagine IRM ever producing a model steam locomotive for the Irish market as the demand just isn't there.

Tell that to IRM..

2 hours ago, Blaine said:

Au contrare, an IRM J15 will look better and more importantly run better than the OO Works ones.

1 hour ago, Blaine said:

It's a competitive market ultimately, not everyone is friends and you need rivalry to make better models to higher standards. Notice Accurascale pushed on with the 37 after Bachmann quickly announced theirs and it will be available soon

Anything IRM is mass produced to a standard. OO Works are small numbers and hand assembled in the UK, basically pre-assembled whitemetal kits, compared to mass assembled IRM items. The IRM model will be a lot easier to get a hold of, along with better running and warranty backup. True RTR and not a niche manufacturer

I'm neither here nor there with this, Ireland is a much smaller market, Though I think an IRM J15 would do well, its not as safe a bet as other preserved types, even if they were the largest class of loco in the country. I think, at least for their first Irish steam model they'd go with something else, money being on GNR, maybe NCC types. I'd lean GNR for the first one. No doubt it'd be the better model though, nothing against 00 works just a fact. If IRM dropped J15s I'd buy two anyway, just as I bought two A's. 

And the silverfox A's have seemingly vanished from all layouts...

In the British market you have the numbers and arguable 'stagnation' from the big two giving room for competitors to produce better models at lower prices.

My bet would be on a V class, maybe something NCC though the time for that would surely be to coincide with the Moguls completion. Of course theres the precedent there with 4-6-0s for the 800s but I wont be holding my breath since she's not RPSI.

13 minutes ago, Flying Snail said:

I wager my winnings from the WCIR bet on it being one of the other new announcements... but surely the only time steam was associated with that form of traction was after Dick had done his/her business on a cold morning??? 

Dick was a mare

1 hour ago, BosKonay said:

I agree all should be encouraged but it’s also not sensible to assume that a RTR manufacturer won’t get to a prototype that runs with the RPSI in time. I can promise several things next year, including steam, but the j15 will not be coming from IRM in the next 24 months. 
Hope that clarifies what I mean by ‘never say never’. 

And then there were fewer...

One of the GNR types I'm sure, though you'll keep the seal on it. I'd be tempted to say the S class, though the V class have that extra bit of wow factor...Q class is probably the least likely of the three, but maybe, maybe. 

At any rate, nice looking model, hopefully with the larger tender they add weight to it. 

315 isn't bad for a batch build, I may buy one if the budget allows it.

2 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

I wonder if its listed? They’d have to rebuild it if so.

Depends if it's the station building or specifically the train shed. Listed lodge cottage up the road was absolutely gutted in a rebuild, only original thing left was the front facade. 

Still good to see it lived in rather than rot but I digress.

Most of it seems to be on VAT, absolutely robbed blind.

1 hour ago, jhb171achill said:

Superb stuff, Neil! Wonder will they put the old overall roof at Foynes out of its misery...........

Quite likely, its a health and safety hazard. Whether they replace it, who knows, probably not, would be corrugated if they do.

1 hour ago, Galteemore said:

4-4-0s are notoriously hard to get right in model form, and various solutions have been advanced to assist. I won’t bore you with my own GN 4-4-0 weight plan as it’s not relevant to this situation. Try sticking some weight in the cab - temporarily at first - and see if that helps. Lovely work by the way - the late Iain Rice would have thoroughly approved. This thread may also help 

 

Perhaps, but my J15 is a pretty weak runner too, I've never had such a problem with any other locomotive, it's jerky and has little torque unless you give her a good lick of power. Steamers do tend to be a bit more tempermental than diesels with running but her running is bad in a very unique way. She almost always needs a bit of a bump to set off and stalls randomly.

Come on lads, they are already building 4-6-0s, it's clearly a prototype to everyone favourite Irish 4-6-0s

The Long Toms of course