connollystn

Thanks for posting that link, it was well worth watching.

Scaletrains will be producing the Milwaukee Road/SOO SDL 39 - due to be launched ealy next year. Would be a nice addition to your [NIRCLASS80] layout.

Hi guys, the moaning and complaining stops here. I remember a time when I'd go to the ends of the Earth to get my hands on any Lima 'CIE' model (I certainly know that some of you did also), they were desperate times. We've come from one extremity to another. 20 years ago we had nothing and now, we have models that compare to the best. I practically shed a tear when I got my Murphy Models 121 - it is so good and didn't think anything else would ever compare - then I.R.M. produced the A class. It [A Class] is the model I was waiting for most of life and still can't believe they've actually come to fruition. If I'm desperate enough for a wagon I'll buy a multi-pack - certainly better than any respray of a British Rail prototype. I commend the guys, Patrick Conboy et al, for their hard work and dedication to bringing us such fantastic models. We Irish Railway Modellers owe them a lot of gratitude.

The reality is that Accurascale (and I.R.M.) are bringing models of rolling stock to the market that otherwise may not have been produced in any shape or form by other manufacturers. The thread in that forum [New Railway Modellers] about Accurascale wagon packs will be a minority view. Modellers should be more than grateful for the amount of investment in both money and time that manufacturers go through to get their product to you. Murphaph made a useful suggestion (see above) which should help those who only want one item from a multi-pack. PS. I only want one Rolo..................

@NIRCLASS80 Really impressed with the quality of you photography. The pictures are very sharp and clear. It's unusual to see pictures of models that look as good, if not better as a photograph or video, than they do in real life.

Excludind the Luas* what has Alstom successfully produced for the Irish rail network? *Luas is the Gaelic for 'speed'** **Does not apply to trams operating in the city centre*** ***I love using asterisks**** ****There I go again***** *****Can't help myself******************

The damage caused to the railway tracks by both the 201 and 071 locomotives was due to poor infrastructure. The reason that there weren't a lot more incidents was due to the knowledge of the locomotive drivers who knew where the trouble spots were and operated their' trains accordingly. From what I can recall from my youth is that the sleepers [ties] were in a very poor state and were barely capable of holding the tracks in place. The people running CIE are civil servants not railway people that's why the network is so bad.

At my age the last thing I need to hear is someone looking for a 'spare' wooden box.

@flange lubricator I wouldn't call having four As a small fleet. I have two and count myself lucky enough to be able to afford them. They're the best thing to hit the Irish railway modelling scene and I was waiting all my modelling railway life for these to arrive. I'm so grayeful to the guys at I.R.M. for doing such a fantastic job. For me the reputation of I.R.M. depended on how well they did the A class (was ready to do a hatchet job) but they cut me off at the pass by doing such a wonderful job. It doesn't matter what else they do 'cos I got what I wanted.* *Who's a selfish git? - connollystn is!!!

I have to agree with you [jhb171achill], CIE have a long history of getting things wrong.* *That's my translation of jhb171achill's last post

Have to say that my heart dropped when I saw who will be supplying the fleet and, what are they going to do about the Connolly [Dublin] - Maynooth stretch of the network? It takes up to 45 minutes to travel between these destinations on ICRs hence, I travel with Bus Eireann as it's quicker.

Not a fan of the Murpby Models 201. Doesn't capture the character of the prototype due to obvious inaccuraracies. Consodering what the guys at I.R.M. did with the A class would much prefer them to do an up-to-date mode of the 201(new).

I had a Jouef transformer for years (from the 70s), I felt it perfomed better than the Lima, Hornby and, Fleischmann ones I had. The Hornby and Lima transformers were quite flimsy. It's always worth investing in a good transformer and track from the start as they never get dated. No point in having the best locomotives if the transformer and track aren't up to scratch. Have to say; that Hornby 'Coca Cola' train set is nice. It's the sort of set that would get people into the hobby.

Correction! My last post should be €500 000 000. Anyway, if they do get the go-ahead I won't be alive to witness it.

The Irish Times [online] have just published an article about Iarrod Eireann seeking €500 to expand freight services by 2040.

Thanks Broithe, had a very quick look at that document. It's pie in the sky. Reminds me of work, we set up committees to discuss issues, then more committees to discuss the findings of said committees. Spend so much time talking about it that nothing gets done.

Very sad to hear that Ernie isn't well. I recall mentioning sometime ago that this is my favourite thread. By regularly updating this thread with photographs and accompanying captions I've learned so much about Ireland's railways from the mid-twentieth century. This thread is a very important archive and I appreciate this very important resource. Sending my best wishes to Ernie for a speedy recovery.

At least they saved lots of money. I'm not big into the Christmas thing, I'll be sitting down to my usual fillet steak with tasty pepper cream sauce - deeeelish.

@Broithe - Think you might have missed the boat (or train). If the guys at I.R.M. are anything like the shower I work with they'll have left a half an hour early.

With so many new I.R.M. announcements the M.R.S.I. exhition at the end of October 2022 should be the best ever. Pity it's such a long way away.

Have to say that I'll miss your [NIRCLASS80] video updates. The layout isn't cluttered and together with you excellent camera they're a joy to watch. As I don't have a permanent layout I like watch videos of others' layouts and gives me the opportunity to see locomotives and rolling stock operating in near prototypical setting (maybe I should join a club). Looking forward to the return of, what I expect to be, a newly revamped Ballyercall and lots more videos. Good luck with the move.

Don't know about you [jhb171achill] but I can feel an I.R.M. new a nouncement coming on.

jhb171achill, I'm not much good at Irish but does that translate as 1 - 1 'cos that was the result? Doubt I'll be relying on your suggestions as to what the next I.R.M. announcements will be. I'll ask my friend 'Sam' who'll upload an unboxing video in response.

Thanks DJ, that'll give me something to ponder while I'm in the pub watching Chelsea slaughter Manchester United (today starting at 16h30).

Now that we've gotten the I.R.M. As out of our' systems I wonder what will be the first of the 13 new announcements the guys have for 2022?