Garfield

Nice one, John. I'd forgotten about Nonneminstre Models. They also produce a Hunslet War Department diesel loco, similar to the ones on display at Cultra and Dromod, and a Fowler diesel like the one at Dromod, except the model version is 2ft gauge instead of 3ft.

No problem!

The loco was built by F C Hibberd and has been preserved by the RPSI. More details here: http://www.steamtrainsireland.com/locomotives/loco23.htm

Something I picked up a while back... a free travel pass of a different kind!

I think the ITG approached IÉ about reprinting 124 and 134 in heritage colours while they were still in service. They were told it would cost something like €10,000. The idea was shelved.

An ICR in CIÉ green would be nice... like the 'proper' AEC railcars.

Quelle surprise!

Another mouthwatering creation, David... excellent work!

Woah... scary stuff. It's been a bad few weeks for IÉ between this and the roof collapse in Cork.

Thanks lads... if you don't hear from me by tomorrow night, send a search party!

Thanks folks... heading to Galway for a session.

There was talk of a new operating base being set up in the south east to look after the diesels.

Happy Birthday Fran!

Signals - Ballybrophy?

Of course, mustn't forget that!

Regarding the 121s, 124 has been preserved by the ITG and is currently stored at Moyasta, while 134 is still at Inchicore and is due to be acquired by the RPSI. There are no Metro Vicks at Inchicore now. A3r, 015 and C231 are at Moyasta, A55 is in Hell's Kitchen pub in Castlerea, A39 is at the Downpatrick & Co Down Railway, and C227 is in a sorry state in a yard in Waterford.

Most freight workings I come aross are 071 hauled. 201s have made it to Sligo long before the one in February of this year... never in revenue-earning service, though. Unfortunately I don't have any photos of the Longford gantry, but it was built to a standard Liebherr design.

The 201s don't come into the equation as the ones still in service are required to cover Enterprise and Cork services... its the 071s that handle the vast majority of freight workings. Anyway, the weight restriction was lifted before the Sligo timber ended. There are rumours of it returning, but nothing ever seems to come of it, and last I heard, the freight spur in Sligo had been disconnected, which suggests IÉ aren't expecting anything to head into that area any time in the near future. At this stage, I'd be surprised if any Sligo driver is still current on 071s. It's a pity because I miss seeing liners, timber and oil trains rumbling through Longford station... and even more so, I miss liner trains dropping off and picking up containers in the yard here.

I'm locking this thread as it's going nowhere. Photos and other details relating to members layouts can be easily found by browsing through the 'Irish Model Layouts' area here: http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/forumdisplay.php/7-Irish-Model-Layouts

Good point

I wouldn't be surprised if Wrenn's prediction was close to the mark.

The one thing that could lead me astray is Penn Central... always had a liking for that doomed ship.

I'm not sure, but my gut instinct says they aren't...

I've managed to successfully stick to 1960s UP/SP in N... apart from a three-piece Santa Fe F7 set in warbonnet livery I picked up a while back (and subsequently sold on again).

That's a simple one, Leslie... saturated boiler with outside-sprung tender, identical to 184, as locos survived in that condition right up until the end of steam. And even further beyond in 184's case. In fairness, apart from retro-fitted superheated boilers and larger tenders, J15s fall into this 'easy to swap details' category, too. But anyway, this is all hypothetical since we're not gonna see an accurate RTR Irish kettle for the foreseeable future. And a Happy Christmas to you too