connollystn

Really nice looking bus, think that you tend to get finer detail with plastic - lines look really sharp on that model. Rapido Trains are a Canadian bases company so a tad surprised that they are producing British OO models. Lots of nice stuff being produced by Rapido Trains for the North American railroad modeller.

Guys! You're missing my point. If someone wants to get into the hobby and purchase RTR models of Irish prototypes there is effectively little available to buy off-the-shelf. While production of RTR models of Irish railway prototypes started back in the early 2000s it has been protracted and, to all intense and purposes, have been sold out within a relatively short time after their' releases. I'd hate to join a club where there'd be a lot of models displayed which are no longer available to buy on the open market. I understand that people who join a model railway club will have diverse interest but the majority will be interested in their home railways.* *Correct me if I am mistaken

Is Ericsson still in Athlone? Thought that place closed down years ago. Can't imagine a model railway club being successful in the midlands. How can you get new people interested in the hobby when there are practically no models [Irish prototypes] available to buy on the open market.

@murphaph - I was curious as to the sound in that video clip [Digitrain] also. I listened to it a few times and came to one of two conclusions; 1) My hearing is impared because I'm an auld git. 2) Sounds like an EMD engined Crossley. If I.R.M. doesn't have the Crossley sound chip then nobody has.

@murphaph - If I.R.M. produce the C or B101 classes I can't see them being made anywhere near the numbers the As have. It's highly unlikely that a new locomotive will be appearing on our shelves anytime within the next 12 months during which time inflation will have gotten it's dirty little fingers on them.

@DJ Dangerous - The only good thing about that video is the backing-track, The KLF 'Last Train to Trancentral'.

@Westcorkrailway - Silverfox should not be mentioned on the same website (or planet) as I.R.M. Can't even say that their attempts at modelling Irish railway prototypes are a dogs dinner because if I did then my dog would starve himself to death - he's not a fussy eater but has his limits.

@Westcorkrailway - I didn't go to college and look where it got me [unemployed]. Anyway, better off buying one great model than lots of mediocre ones.

By the way, I've a feeling that the I.R.M. As are the last sub-€200 model locomotives of Irish prototypes. That sort of quality and detail is just going to get dearer.

Ah Westcorkrailway! You're being too kind to our 'friend' across the water. It might take you three minutes to remove it from the box but, at that rate, he could make a feature film out of performing the same task. You have to remember, their education system is different to ours that's why they voted to leave the European Union.

I feel that he doesn't have much knowledge on many of the items he's reviewing that's why he spends ages removing models from their' boxes. On the Westerns [BR Class 52] he was surprised to find a third axle on each of the bogies and, on another, was disapointed to discover that the centre axle was unpowered - not realising it was an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement [BR Class 31], allegedly. He should do a review of the I.R.M. A class - it will take him years to remove it from the box.

I couldn't agree more. Never watch his channel now 'cos he's an affront to the model railway hobbyist.

@Georgeconna re: influencers - One of the people you mentioned in your response to my last post can hardly be described as an influencer. That person will review anything just to place content on YouTube - the latest being a comparison of which brand produces the best railroad wagons [answer = Scale Trains]. Euvirail and Dean Park are my go to people for proper analytical reviews of models.

Jennifer E. Kirk mentioned the A Class on her 'Monday Club' YouTube channel [live every Monday evening]. She's going to record a review of locomotive so it'll be interesting to hear Jennifer's verdict. The Monday Club makes for good viewing and, if you haven't already seen it, you should check out Jennifer's interview with Fran of I.R.M. fame also.

One other thing that has always bothered me is, until the EMDs arrived, none of the diesels seem to have had a main headlight.

I'm surprised that C.I.E. built the E class locomotives rather than buying shunters off-the-shelf. With the 1101 and 1102 samples there was evidence enough that they weren't capable of conctructing a decent diesel locomotive.

13 new announcements for 2022! My bank account is just after suffering a nervous breakdown.

@ Killian Keane - Meant to say this as part of my earlier post but, despite my age [auld git], that is the first image of the Class 401 I've seen nose first. Thanks for posting that photograph.

Correct me of I am mistaken but, on closer inspection, the down-pipe is not connected to the locomotive.

Very disappointed by this announcement after such a long delay all we are offered is the regurgitation of an old model. Not good enough.* *Cannot remember my previous statement verbatim** **I don't know what 'verbatim' means but it sounds intelligent

@Galteemore - You don't need to go back that far, was talking about the 1980s, not the 1880s.

Have to say that traveling by train isn't the pleasant experience it once used to be.

If my memory serves me well I do recall seeing a photograph in a national newspaper of an E401 class hauling a Bell Liner from Waterford.

It's most likely that the next model from I.R.M. will be something modern like the Class 22 000 railcars as the current era isn't being being catered for and there needs to be something to keep young guys, like me, interested in railway modelling.