DoctorPan

They seem to pop up on his ebay from time to time which is where I managed to get mine. As far as I'm aware they aren't in his shop.

Well going by what they've said prior, I would guess the Blue Taras might appear this year after the As

Sure, the J15 started life as a Hornby Dean Goods and the 800 is the old Bachmann Royal Scott, picked up cheaply from Hattons prior to Christmas.

While the run up to Chrstmas saw very little modelling due to work commitments, January has seen some spare time to resume modelling. Two conversions of RTR stock on the go atm, a J15 and a 800 (idenity TBC) in various stages of testing colour mixes as well as finishing off a second shunter for the CSÉ

Hornby's are seperate to Hatton's models

Few 88DS are gonna find themselves in CSÉ colours!

Adding my name into the ring of those needing replacement vac bags

It's this part that I object to. Funnily enough from my side of things, it's the direct opposite. NTA are quite happy to promote rail projects, it's just a matter of funding, likewise with IR mangement. It was only this year that Jim Meade had a talk with the IRRS where it was announced that it was cheaper to move freight by rail than road. What I've found is that some people wish for the old days of freight but when management wants to take steps forward to modernise the system, and shoot down dreams, they get labelled as anti-rail. Look at the massive DART Expansion design tenders awarded and the planning applications going in for the different stages and the invites for expressions of interest for DART Underground. If these projects are seen as anti rail as Stormont in the 50s, I would love to see what those people would consider pro railway as it would keep me in a job for a long time.

Does anyone know if there's spares going around? Two of my 121s have arrived with snapped vac bags on the cab end and would like to get replacements.

Other countries have just assumed the UK would bugger things up and have prepared for that. France's version of customs software has been online for over a year now while the UK's version isn't looking like it will launch until Feb/March next year. It maybe in everyone's interest to get a deal but when one side has already signalled they will break agreeements they made only a few hours previously, kinda hard to operate in good faith during talks

With that news leaves only my 3rd order of As left to pay off although I am tempted by a 2nd A in dayglo IR condition... much to ponder between now and the As release!

For regular users the benefits are not visable, but for non regular users and tourists the benefits are more easily seen. One only has to look back at the launch of Go Ahead with the general public asking if they accepted leap card like Dublin Bus.

NTA branding, bringing all PT services into line with a constant branding for the public. How long before we see an ICR or 29000 in NTA colours I wonder?

On one of my first days as a PW designer, one of my senior colleagues was running through a design issue at a station on the project with me and the issues with the signalling requirements. He leaned into me and said "The Signalling guys are wizards at black magics". Stuff above proves his point!

Excellent news, 121s and ballasts for Christmas! I was just wondering you guys had recieved my emails regarding my order from last week?

Can anyone recommend a off the shelf paint that's close to GSR/CIE loco grey?

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Bachman-irish-Rail-model-wagons/254782383445?hash=item3b5236a555:g:G6MAAOSwMp9ftX~W Some HOBs have popped up

I had considered getting them for some offical marks but decided the effort to fit them wouldn't be noticed at the 2ft rule.

First part of the Sligo liner train completed tonight. IRM container on IFM 20ft flat.

I think the suitablity of the terrier chassis can be seen in the photo above by the distance from the cab the tension lock coupler sticks out by.

Lovely stuff! IR ballasts got for my ploughs and some gyspums for the As! Now to discuss advancements from the bank!

Been having fun over the last month starting to build up some out of period stock for me (More of a IR era person myself) but always had a soft spot for the steam era so some rakes of flying snail adored coaches (and GSR maroon survivor) have passed through my workbench.

Turns out I was misremembering. North Wall one was one of the plough vans.

There's a van in Limerick with the pockets and bogie cements on the approach and there was one in North Wall until it was burnt down a few year ago.

The way I see it, more time to buy more accurate models.