Search the Community

I am gradually building up a road freight section to compliment the railway operations on Tara junction comprising of vehicles from the CIE,IR and IE period which span the best part of thirty years, I will start this thread off with a vehicle from the 1990s Irish rail era, Based out of Ballina freight depot was this Ford rigid truck which served the Mayo area and was branded for Rail Link traffic, Rail Link was an overhaul and rebranding for the former uniload and transtrack department with Ballina as the railhead for the traffic. The Rail Link truck makes its way through afternoon traffic while returning to the Lakeview freight yard to reload with more supplies for the High street.

Provoked by a comment on another thread by @jhb171achill, I am going to start a "Crowd demand" scheme for someone to take up. Virtually EVERY diesel produced by Saint Patrick and The Boys trailed four wheel vans around behind them at some point in their lives. And lots of local steam trains! I suggest that there is hardly a member of this forum who would not buy a ready to run Luggage Van, Heating Van double pack if someone would move themselves to produce it. Come on you entrepreneurs - a pack with a simple luggage van and the Heating van variant for say €100-ish would fly off the shelves. AND you have several liveries to offer - what more could a manufacturer ask. Members of the Forum - stand up and be counted - we won't get these important vehicles if we don't demand them!

From my website: As of January 2026, I am ceasing to produce kits of several of my wagons. However, as three share the same 9ft wheelbase, it is my hope that we can recreate these through the medium of 3D printing and provide customers with an almost Ready to Run vehicle. The wagons are the GNR cattle wagon, its close cousin the SLNCR cattle wagon and finally the GNR 9 ton van (which, while sharing the same wheelbase, is slightly longer). A fourth wagon is also planned, the Railway Clearing House (RCH) 10 ton unfitted van, as it would have run on CIE. I have previously made a kit of this wagon in its GNR form, but the GSWR, GSR and MGWR produced wagons to the basic RCH pattern, with minor differences as they would have used existing components commonly used on their railways. There is photographic evidence of some of these vans being still in use in 1970, and probably later on CIE. I would intend to produce some in GNR livery also. Also, although maybe for 2027, now that drawings have surfaced of the GSR horsebox, courtesy of @Mol_PMB, at last this gap in the wagon stock might be filled. (I haven’t forgotten the GNR one, which would be more up my street, but we’ll see how 2026 pans out!). In this project, I am working with Enda Byrne of CK Prints, who already sells my kits and wagons in the Republic of Ireland. I heartily recommend his excellent wagons to you. See: https://ckprints.ie/page/wagons

Hello all. I have recently taken to designing locomotives for 009 scale on CAD, and 3D printing them. I have made a couple Irish narrow gauge locos, and I’m now looking to make some standard gauge ones too. Locos such as the popular 101 class, the VS class, and other miscellaneous Irish locomotives are what I’m looking to make next. I’m struggling however to find suitable drawings or diagrams of any locos whatsoever to base my models off. Anyone know of any books or other media where I can find drawings of not just GSR / GNR(I) locos, but any Irish locos at all. If anyone is in possession of any locomotive drawings or diagrams, please let me know, and a deal may be arranged to purchase some? Thanks again folks.

Ive entered the final stages of my exhibition layout set vaguely in the Greater Dublin Area. Looking for any advice on what I could add to it to finish it off.

Dear friends I am giving serious consideration to retirement. If I get to 2026 (DV), I'll be 80, so maybe the time has come to stop? Reluctantly, I will not deny as I / we get plenty of fun out of it but the "work and getting there" bit is a lot less fun! At present, postal sales are almost nil, thanks to Brexit - and of course the excellent products from a certain bunch of youngsters in Dublin! Any sales I make are at exhibitions in Ireland and an invitation to attend the NDMRC (Bangor) exhibition in April has provoked much debate between Richard McLachlan and I whether to do "one more year" (even to the extent of checking hotel rates in Blackrock in October!). We're sleeping on it! It is no exaggeration to say that each exhibition is knackering, takes up at least two weeks of time, each time - more if I'm bringing new product as I would be chasing the producer for months before! At best I cover my costs. I don't intend to produce more kits beyond what is on order now, or in my attic. That is: NCC Brown Vans 6 SLNCR Cattle 4 GNR Brake 0 Double Beet 10 GNR Y5 Van 3 GSWR Brake 4 CIE Cattle 12 GNR 10T Ftd 9 GNR 10T U/Ftd 6 GNR 9T U/Ftd 6 GNR Cattle 4 GNR 6 Plank 7 GNR 4Plank 7 GNR Loco Coal 3 Spoil wagon 0 (but some on order) Bread containers 17 I still have about ten Grey RTR CIE van with broken wheel and 20 or so Brown vans, also with a broken wheel.

Just opened the boxes! First, a near repeat: 1681N, ex GNR Bagged Cement van in grey with two tone "Broken Wheel". and now for something complete;y different, 1069N, the same type of wagon but as they ran late in their lives. First the original: and now the model. Plenty of opportunity for the weathering experts here!

Hi, this is my first post here so I’m not sure if it’s in the right place to ask questions. I was just wondering if anybody knows if the locomotive C227 that’s stored in the west Clare railway is covered over or if you are able to see it, or if you have a photo of it in storage in west Clare? Thanks

I think that @Galteemore has highlighted this gent already, but he's done paintings from all parts of the Irish railway network - something for everyone, even the road transport types! See: https://www.painters-online.co.uk/gallery/?Search=briggs

To which Dave (Dangerous that is) replied: Leslie, I would bet my kidneys that at €15 per van RTR, your only problem would be people complaining that they sold out too quickly. You'd have people buying them in tens and twenties, not just ones and twos. Well, Dave, you got me thinking seriously, so if this wagon doesn't sell, my "boys" will be after you! I've started the ball rolling, but the files on my computer aren't as good as they might so you'll have to wait for an example picture of the CIE version, but this was the GN one - The CIE version omitted the "Return top Drogheda" and had an "N" (meaning ex G N R) suffix with the number. Then instead of the GN, a Snail in the top left quadrant. The black (metal) underframe is standard Dapol, who won't do it otherwise. It CAN be made grey, given a bit of patient work. The only other difference from a pure Irish wagon is the width, it will be a little narrower (being modelled on a "narrow gauge" wagon) than the correct Irish size, but what a couple of millimetres between friends? My next question is with a Snail, or a Broken Wheel? JB will remind me that the Wheel came in about 1963, which means that the wagon in either form is great for your IRM "A" Class whether silver, green or BnT. Or do I do a hundred of each? Answers by reply, e-mail, PM, or whatever, but please, not rude! The bad news is that the new wagon will be more like €18 a go. Whadda ya think?

The highlight of our calendar is the October Bank Holiday weekend, when we "play at home" as they say and exhibit at the Dublin model railway shows, held each year on rotation by the Model Railway Society of Ireland and the South Dublin Model Railway Club. That's where it all began for us five years ago, when the good folk of the SDMRC gave us some space at the very last minute (we will be forever grateful for it!) to meet the modelling public for the first time and announced our intentions to produce an Irish outline model railway wagon; the humble CIE hopper. A lot has happened in those five years, as IRM goes from strength to strength and the Irish model railway scene enjoys support and growth like never before. Of course, we didn't see that we would be in this position today back then, and certainly nobody could've predicted the strange times we are now in that causes us all to miss out on the Dublin show, but there's always positives ahead! We have decided to revisit that first model we announced back in 2015 amid much fanfare among those who knew us, but one that was missed out by many others who have only learned of our existence in recent times. Yes, our lovely little hopper is back, in a host of new guises and including the gypsum wagon variant for the very first time! Beginning with the ballasts, a mere 833 packs were produced in our first run as we tentatively entered the market for the first time. Since that run, we have gained many new friends and people "in the know" when it comes to research material, including a man who wishes to remain anonymous. Let's just dub him "The Archivist". The Archivist had some amazing research material which allowed us to bring back the ballasts back with a bang, offering a number of packs spanning three distinct eras with some unique and tasty markings covering their lifespan on the network! Beginning with CIE featuring their iconic roundels, before progressing into the IR post 1987 era sporting the points logo and text, and then entering their final years in IE guise with a smorgasbord of interesting markings and painted out patches. Of course, these hopper wagons were used for other services too. Hoppers numbered 26666-26694 were built by CIÉ in 1972 to cater for mineral traffic from Irish Gypsum’s railhead at Kingscourt in County Cavan, which served Irish Cement factories at Drogheda in county Louth, Castlemungret in County Limerick and Platin in County Meath. Initially, these wagons could often be found in mixed rakes along with ‘Bulleid’ corrugated open wagons. On such occasions the hoppers would always be located closest to the locomotive as they featured continuous vacuum braking, while the open wagons were loose-coupled and required a brake van to be included at the rear of the train. By the 1980s gypsum traffic was carried exclusively by the hopper wagons and this remained the case until the flow ceased in 2001. This long lived and widely travelled working featured A Classes, 141/181s as well as 121s during its life, even with the odd 201 featuring in later years in the Limerick area! We have tooled some all new loads to give the distinctive variety of shape and size of the gypsum as per the real thing! The best part (apart from variety, multi eras covered, gypsum variants with newly tooled load etc) is the price, with each pack costing just €99.95 each! This is a €10 reduction on our first run and is our way of saying thank you for your support since we started, as well as a little helping hand during these uncertain times. Ballast packs will be available in CIE, IR and IE bundle packs, with three packs per bundle along with their respective plough vans for just €370 (11 wagons per bundle including ploughs.) The gypsums are available in four packs of three wagons at €99.95 each or €375 for all 12 wagons. You can order the ballasts by clicking here and the gypsums by clicking here. Due to COVID restrictions on factory slots the production runs have been limited in size so order early to avoid disappointment. Delivery is due in late November 2020!

Hello all. I am having a think on the home/exhibition layout. I love the idea of a small terminus with a harbour side. Did CIE have any fish type vans in the early 60s or would the fish traffic have gone via road? Thanks as always Dave, Lancashire

What was the standard size of turntables on the CIE network.want to put one on my new layout to turn the 121 class but they are so expensive except for the Peco one, but that's a 75' span. Also when did it become law for the 121s to be turned ?

Bachmann MM0161 class 141 loco No 161SA in CIE livery. Has only ever been out of the box about two times just for test running. All lights are working and detail pack still unopened. Few minor scuff marks on box from storage. €225.00 including registered post within Ireland.

Some people may recall a website called Timetable World. This previously held a small number of scans of British/American/German railway timetables from the 1940s to 1960s. After remaining unchanged first some years, it has now been updated with an expanded collection of timetables. More material is to be added, but there is now an Irish timetable on the site, the CIÉ 1983 timetable, which may be of interest to some: https://timetableworld.com/viewer?token=66d160cc-d943-40f6-be38-842d1602845c# I believe there are more Irish as well as British and international timetables to come soon.

I'm currently compiling a list of Irish Coaching Stock for use in any article I'm planning to right and while I've had no real issues with the Mk2d stock I've found a few discrepancies with certain Mk3 vehicles that I'm hoping someone can clear up for me. For reference I'm looking for the state of the following vehicles in about 2004: 7107 - was this an Open Composite seating 36F/36S or an Open Standard seating 64? 7147 - was this an Open Standard seating 72, 66 or 64 plus a wheelchair space? 7157 - was this an Open First seating 64 or an Open Standard seating 64? Additionally I'm curious as to how the two Executive Mk3s were used. I believe they were used in specials and so-called "Executive" trains but I assume they were also used in normal service trains? If so what services were they typically used in and as which type of vehicle, I've seen reference to 7162 being used as a dining car, is this when used in Executive trains or in lieu of a CityGold vehicle or something? Finally I've got a vague idea of how the seats were generally formed but if someone could let me know if the following is broadly correct: Dublin-Cork CityGold services: Typically Generator Van-CityGold-Buffet-5/6 Standards Other Dublin-Cork: Typically Generator Van-Composite-Buffet-4/5 Standards Dublin-Galway/Waterford/Tralee/some Limerick services: Typically Generator Van-Composite-Buffet-4/5 Standards Dublin-Westport: Typically Generator Van-Standard-Buffet-3 Standards Thanks in advance for any answers or clarifications anyone can give. Regards, Ben

Thought this might be of interest, a short article written in August 1984 giving first impressions on the then almost brand-new CIÉ MkIII coaches:

I should have posted this in Photos & Videos of the prototype: If it could be moved easily by a moderator that would be appreciated: When CIE began its coaching stock replacement program in the early 1950s, it continued the traditional wooden coach building employed by the GSR and its predecessors. Over the decades, the length of coaches built by these companies had gradually increased from 4w to 6w coaches, then bogie stock on 45', 50', 57' and eventually 60' underframes by the 1940s. Other than the earliest composites built in 1951, the standard length chassis was then increased to 61'6" and remained at that length for decades to follow. The GSR style under frame and bogies were still used, until Bulleid's triangulated underframe and laminated panel construction began with the construction of a large fleet of Park Royal coaches in 1955. This continued with the Cravens fleet that followed. For years compartment/corridor coaches had dominated coach building until 1953 when the first centre open coaches for half a century were built as intermediates for the AEC railcars introduced in 1951. These 64 seat centre aisle open coaches had tables and a window shared by 4 seats. This is a nice 3/4 shot from a Flickr member whom photographed a fair number of important CIE coaches in the early 80s near the end of their working lives. 1356-71 series CIE Open Standard No. 1361 (1953) originally turned out by Inchicore in pre-1955 CIE green but after 30 years of service is seen in post 1963 BnT with single white stripe below the cantrail, Cork 1982 CIE 1356-71 series Standard Class Open (1953) No. 1368, Tralee, 1984 (note vertically extended lap window arrangement)

I saw this photo of 7140 branded as a First in a Flickr gallery a while ago, and I'm wondering if it's my eyes or do the seats not line up with the windows? https://www.flickr.com/photos/tramfan/14647733553/

Just quick heads up that the new revised Supertrain Mk2Ds are now in stock at Marks.

Hi all, A second one to Cull is another nice Model, The Bachmann K1 (OR N class) Steam Loco number 383, Very nicely finished in Matt Black Again this one has never been run, Mint condition, all Detail parts are in the box. As per the piccys the baccy boxes have the usual slight wear n tear on the egdes. Looking for €140.00 post for this engine, Post Around €10.00 registered in Ireland. cheers Geogre

Hi folks, Looking to sell this Barrier Wagon kit, Resin main Frame, white Metal bogies and buffer fittings, Each brass Tank Details and Plastic Tank. Price €25 plus €6 postage within Ireland

Afternoon Folks, As snow day has given the the opportunity to weed some more items out that I have no use for. I have here 2 built Fertiliser Wagons from the MIR Stable, No longer Prod, Seen around the Network North and South. 2 nice Runners, Standard Tension Locks on the Bogies (The pictued without tension locks will have them fitted before posted). Gibson wheels a Weathered as per pictures of the real thing hence the white/grey markings where bags were holed by the Forks. Looking for €99.99 for the two plus €10 registered post. As you can see from the Kit pictures They cost STG32.50 as per the box price tag which equates to €37.00.

Lads, 7 of these kits for Sale, Hard to get these day I believe. have 7 MIR Fertiliser Kits for sale. Very hard to come by these days as they are no longer produced. Some are in the boxes shown , 4 are packed in a plain Cardboard box. Looking for €40 per posted per wagon or €260 for job lot and €15 posted within Ireland All come with White Metal bogies, Buffer,brake Pipes, Brass Sides, Decals and Plastic Strut 3 sold already, 4 left.

Hi , Well Santa was kind with a new book, Irish Railway Rambler by Micheal McMahon from Colourpoint`s fine stable! ISBN 978-1-78073-075-2. A great set of pics and extended captions with good pics to help modellers. I have now read it fairly well twice and to my untrained view a good read and worth my 16 earth pounds - other currencies available ! Robert