Garfield

Hi Brendan, Thanks for your feedback. Regarding the W-irons, with the ballast wagon we were constrained by the fact that we did not have direct control over the manufacturing process until a very late stage (documented elsewhere). When you contacted us in relation to the W-irons on the ballast, we listened and made adjustments to the bubble chassis. However, we were again constrained by the fact the same chassis design was required for the bubble, as well as minimum manufacturing tolerances. If we had made the W-irons any thinner, the structural integrity would have been compromised and they likely would have warped while the plastic cooled after exiting the mould. We used the same method to accommodate re-gauging of our Accurascale 24.5t hoppers and customers report being able to drop-in EM and P4 wheelsets with little or no adjustment required - the difference being we had complete control of the design process for this model from the outset. Regarding the wheelsets, the recognised tolerances for 21mm gauge are governed by P4 standards, which means that RTR RP25.100 OO gauge wheelsets are incompatible and require replacement in any case. As you say, the the Taras, etc. have wider axles and it should be possible to fit P4 wheels directly to them. Regards, Patrick

I think it’s an improvement, personally. The search function is much better now.

Fixed your post, Dave.

FYP

The TNT worked a treat...

Clearly I pasted the wrong link...

With the prospect of a hard version the the 'B' word becoming increasingly likely, the effects of any improvements in paths and line speed will be nullified by border checks...

Didn’t the MGWR use a slip coach on the Sligo line, dropping off at Inny Junction for Cavan?

Just checked again and everything is as it should be...

Hi Noel, per Bosko's post directly above:

I heard it didn’t last... they just weren’t compatible.

Who’s buying?

Just to add, Steve and I responded to your chat the other night but you seem to have logged off straight away?

I’d be up for a few as well, JB!

Or possibly even electrics! Some British firms also submitted proposals to the GNR, with one design looking suspiciously similar to the ill-fated BR class 17...

Hi Sam, Welcome to the forum! Studio Scale Models produce some really good stuff, but most of their kits are etched brass and the larger locos especially require a bit of skill with soldering, etc. You could always start out with one of their brake van kits and see how you get on. The proprietor, Des, is a regular poster here and I'm sure he will be happy to answer any queries you may have...

He's on his way...

Thing is, the remaining ivory bubbles continue to outsell the orange versions. We expect all to sell out in a reasonable time, but the remaining ivory stock will be depleted well before the orange ones.

That's the barytes after they were modified for use as spoil wagons with the removal of the lifting gear for the body sides. The stenciled test markings on the wagons suggests the photo was taken in the mid '00s...

Not quite true, Noel. Hornby’s copyright is valid for another 25 years. Just an FYI.

Downpatrick? Does Kilkenny count, too? PS: welcome aboard, Gabhal!

Batches were fitted with either spindles or self-contained buffers when first built - depending on which type the works had in stock at the time. Some were retro-fitted with Oleos later, mostly at one end only, possibly due to having the original buffers damaged during a rough shunt.

A quick update on this... It looks like the liners will be finishing up earlier than expected - possibly as soon as next Monday/Tuesday.

Heard on the grapevine this morning that the Ballina-Waterford DFDS liners will cease at the end of June.

Say it with ploughs! Thanks for the order. Happy Birthday, Broithe!