connollystn

Have to agree with Junctionmad and MAL. At one stage would have been all for 21mm gauge but since getting my A class locomotives I realised that it doesn't matter. The models are so good to look at that I don't notice that the track isn't the correct scale width. I've an interest in continental European railways and American railroads so HO scale is the happy medium for me.

Yes, they aren't full scale length. Up until the 1990s models of most continental European passenger cars were 264mm in length, then increased to 282mm (1:100) and 28.6mm (1:93.5 scale) which is to deal with tight curves of radius one or for trains with these coaches to be able to pass each other on a radius 1&2 layout. Full scale length coaches range from between 303mm to 316mm (usually the restaurant car is the longest). Roco still produces coaches of 264mm in length. Saw a small layout comprising of Marklin short coaches [264mm] and they were the ideal length for the tight space available. For most people, the most important item of stock on the layout is the locomotive - that's where there can be no compromise *I'm referring to prototypes which are 26 metres in length or greater.

How is that going????

Have you ever seen the Diecast Dude YouTube channel? Think he's from the Netherlands and he visits shops which specialise in model road vehicles, certainly worth a watch. Mind, he himself is into the small Matchbox size models but he does a tour of the whole store, I find his videos very interesting and entertaining.

I used to watch the Jennifer E Kirk YouTube channel and think that's how I heard of them as it may have been her who did a review of one of their models. There was a video of a model railway exhibition and they mentioned that they were doing the Class 91, was tracking the progress of the model that's how I found out that they had cancelled the project and the reason for it.

The Murphy Models 071 & 201 locomotives sell for mad prices but is there really a market big enough for a modern day version with the bells, whistles, et al to be produced? Wonder what people will be paying those models this time next year?

Think Cavalex have been around a bit longer than Accurascale but I'm open to correction. Used to check their website for regular updates. The loco project you refer to is the Class 91, Hornby released the said version last year but judging by the reviews it fell short so it's a pity Cavalex didn't get to produce their own. Cavalex looked at the numbers and decided it wasn't a viable proposition. They'll be producing the Class 56 which has an interesting history, some of which have been re-engineered as the class 69 (a model of which Bachmann have the license to produce). Will be interesting to see what their first locomotive [class 56] is like. You can't buy direct from them and they sell through a limited number of stockists so this, I'm guessing, doesn't help their cause. Hope this was of some help to you.

Great video. Fanta is the short for 'fantastic' but that drink is anything but. I'll stick to my Club Orange - the best soft drink in the world.*

Not totally off topic, waiting for IRM to make their next major announcement is thirsty work.

It's good to see that this report has made the mainstream media but, like many of you, I have doubts that anything in the document will come to fruition.

Would be nice to see some of the early CIE stock being produced as my silver and black A class locomotives are redundant at the moment.

A fool and his money are soon parted. "Take my money NOW!" (that's what I used to say to my former wife) Anyway, think someone will be desperate enough to pay those 'Bargain' prices.

Ah! No announcement today as the lads finish up at 1700 (5 o' clock p.m.). Anyway, I've to be up early in the morning to greet the postman as I expect a load of cards [not birthday] so will be distracted for most of the day......

That was last week. Seven days is a long time in railway modelling.

Get the feeling that the seller is getting rid of the 201 and 071 in anticipation of newer versions being produced. Does he know something we don't?

That was very wise of you hiding your Munster jersey behind that fleece as you don't want to be displaying that at the home of Leinster Rugby

Absolutely brilliant. Can't say more than that.

With it being St Valentin'e Day tomorrow it's likely that the lovely guys at IRM Towers will make that all important 'Major' announcement - I'll be expecting a card in the post! Mind, Noel got nothing from them for his birthday which was last week and all he ended up with was two Munster Rugby tops.

Very impressive. The class 43s look great in that livery. Are the Pullman liveried coaches the new Mark IIIs from Hornby? Is so, what are they like?

The KQA pocket container wagons would be a great addition to any layout and wouldn't be surprised is they were among the major announcements this year. They've been a long time coming.

Hi Barl, thanks for posting that as it made for very interesting reading, however, as with a lot of reports it will end up gathering dust on a shelf at TFI headquarters. We can only dream of 'What could have been'.

Chris & Co. have done a nice respray on those locomotives. Have to say that my favourite livery for the 071s is the Silver & Black, however, I prefer the appearance of the cabs without the grab handles - a lot neater looking. Wonder if it's to early for IRM to consider producing their version of this prototype, I'd say there's a lot of them about, still.

Both locomotives sold for just shy of €300 - with the sound chips included the buyers paid roughly what they're worth so it's a win win situation. Not often you can say that in these pages.

Each of them are around the £200 mark now. Knew the price of these would creep up but with sound chips included they're still good value.

The day isn't over yet, there could be an announcement very SOON!