JT22CW

I will certainly bear that in mind skipper! I'm pulling all sorts of ideas out the hat at the minute. What I might do for example is have what is currently Loco Shed B as being something old fashioned and original, and have Loco Shed A as being new build and shiny. Or, at least as shiny as something that could have hypothetically been built in the 1990s can be... Still very early days yet. I do like a degree of neatness in all walks of life however, probably why my design looks so... Clean..?

Version 2 has been sketched out in AnyRail! The diamond crossing has been replaced with 2 pairs of points to enable access to either line in either direction. The thunderbird siding has been moved directly next to the mainline, and in turn, the carriage sidings have been moved further away from the shed, as well has now also having an extra road available - these may be lengthened. The rest is pretty much as is. The rough gauge of where the site offices and mess room is not permanent. I may split these buildings up rather than have one huge complex. We'll see. Thanks for the guidance from a few people, definitely took into consideration some of the points that were raised, fairly happy with how it looks at the minute though, of course any more suggestions are more than welcome!

Aye they're bog standard 3 function one, which makes sense now. Fortunately DC Kits does a 6 function decoder for about £26. Small price to pay to get a perfect loco working in perfect condition. Sound chip to be sourced still too mind!

It doesn't. Same cab irregardless of direction.

F0 - Direction lights on / off F1 - Tail light on / off F2 - Cab light at non-radiator fan end only F3 - Shunt mode on / off F4 onwards - Nothing. Bachmann 3 function chip it is then!

For those enquiring about what system I use, it's a Digitrax DCS-51. Not the best, I know, but never had any major gripes with it until now...

His YouTube channel is what inspired me to go Irish as it happens!

Sounds like a 6 function decoder might be the solution then. I've heard the 201s require 6 function chips, trying to find knowledge of 071s needing the same.

The cab light works off F2, but only works at one end and the button has to be held down for it to turn on... Anyone else had these problems or is it just me, getting very worried now, as Kernow MRC has sold out of the 071 I own...

If there was a fault on the circuit board tho, I'm not sure why the main beams would work on DC and not DCC. Lights function on most of my chips as always been F0 mind...

Update folks! OK. So. On DC the main beam headlights do work. On DCC. Not so much. Tried a few chips, I've got a Bachmann on in at the minute, and having tried all the functions, no joy. Am I going to have to get the proper Murphy chip...

Oh DiveController... I may need a quiet word with myself in the corner...

Also found a brilliant webpage with tons of pictures myself! http://www.penmorfa.com/Ireland

Well, I've got a track plan. Of sorts... Twin track mainline will span the entire length of the running area, simulating the Cork - Dublin mainline. Access to either point section of Shannarch West Junction is currently only accessible from the Western end of the line, subject to change as I may put in a crossover at the Eastern side of the junction. The black line between the mainline and the depot is to represent what will be palisade fencing. There will be a number of features to the depot, modelling as mentioned, a somewhat medium sized depot, able to cater for all sizes of locos in a number of ways. From left to right we have: Loco Washing Plant - Because who wants dirty locos!? Fuelling Point / Load Bank Point - I haven't decided what I'm going to do at this point. I like the idea of having 071s and 201s with DCC Sound being "plugged in" to check engine levels (or rather, running at Notch 8 whilst stationary), which is why I'm leaning towards making this part a Load Banking Point. Loco Shed B - As described in the image, Loco Shed B will be for light day-to-day maintenance and overnight stabling. Refuelling facilities may be included in this shed if the Load Bank area is to go ahead. Thunderbird Loco Stabling Siding - Like many British mainline stations, there will be a "Thunderbird" loco plonked here, on permanent standby ready to be dispatched to rescue a train at a moments noticed. This will be on the 'Mainline' side of the fence. Carriage Siding - Fairly self explanatory. The siding will be long enough to accommodate a short rake of coaches, maybe in for light maintenance or storage for example. Wheel Lathe - Locos and rolling stock are not exempt from wheelflats, regardless of what country they're operating in. This single road shed will feature lifting jacks within it, and be the location where said locos and coaching stock get their tyres turned. Main Loco Shed - Again, as per the description on the track plan. This shed should be long enough to hold at least two 071s buffers to buffers. This will be the shed where heavy maintenance and overhaul of locomotives and their respective parts will take place. I'm not sure if it's over the top or remarkably simple, but, I can just picture it when I'm finished looking splendid, with lots of little areas to focus. I just have to get around to actually making it a reality... Think I'll be taking many notes from the likes of Everard Junction's YouTube channel regarding things like ballasting and track weathering! Comments and thoughts are more than welcome folks!

Thanks skipper! I could always say it got lost on it's way, hence why it's found itself between Cork and Dublin...

Just another question folks I have found the NI Railways 071 / 111 in the dark blue livery on eBay What time period does this owe itself to...

Thanks for that Old Blarney, that's worth it's weight in gold that gen is!

Evening folks! Haven't posted much yet, as I'm still fairly new - evidently. Before I go on to my big idea, let me nail out a few details for you. I'm Ewan - A Glaswegian, living in Manchester, supporting a London football team, with the idea of an Irish layout in mind... I got into Irish trains by watching a fair few videos on YouTube of 071s at full chat, and that was enough to get me hooked, let alone the quality of models provided by the likes of Murphy. Since then, I've flogged all my "British" stuff and bought myself an 071, which in Manchester is not an easy feat. I just need a few bits of help to really kick start the project. So far I've got a name - Shannarch West. Shannarch West is a small/medium sized loco servicing depot and refuelling point somewhere between Dublin and Cork. The depot will eventually be host to a number of 071s, and if it's both accurate to do and I can find them - 141s, with the occasional appearance of struggling 201s that require light work before a major overhaul at a bigger depot elsewhere. Now, bearing in mind the 071 I currently own carries the IE arrow logo, I suspect this places the loco somewhere in the Mid 1990s era, which also allows the introduction of the 201 into the fleet. How many of the older logos could I marginally get away with operating on an Irish layout at this point in time (or at least between 1995 and say, 2000). Also, what would be the kinds of coaching stock you'd expect to see in this period, as my only knowledge so far gained by YouTube videos has been BR style Mark 2 and Mark 3 coaches with a few modifications, but my concern would more be what kind of liveries would these coaches have. Anyone's help regarding the Mid 90s railway scene in Ireland is much appreciated, I've got a rough track plan in mind but that's always subject to change. I'm sure I'll post pictures along the way. Here's the 071 in all her finery though - to say I was gobsmacked when I got it out the box is an understatement. Cheers!

Cheers for the input so far folks. The three switches underneath are all pointed in the ON position but I'm still not getting the main headlights. I might leave it for now, as I'm eyeing up the DCC Sound chip Murphy have produced, unless anyone has any suggestions towards a different sound provider for the 071...

Evening folks, Just taken delivery of my first Murphy 071. Stuck a Bachmann chip in it and tried the lights. I've noticed the model does have the centre headlights, but, does anybody know how to turn them on... Standard directional lighting is working even if the bulbs are tiny. Not sure about the big beams though... Any help much appreciated...