Warbonnet Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 We're become a bit notorious for our wagons, so it's great to be able to announce an all new wagon to kick off a busy 2022. Welcome to the CIE magnesite wagons! History Magnesite, the mineral magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), is a member of the calcite group of carbonate minerals that is a principal source of magnesium (Mg). During the 1960s, the American multinational Quigley Co., Inc. acquired sites at Ballinacourty, near Dungarvan in County Waterford, and at Tivoli just east of Cork city. The company specialised in the manufacturing of refractory products for industrial use and its Irish operation was concerned with the production of heat-resistant bricks for lining blast furnaces. The venture was championed by Quigley’s CEO, John A. ‘Jack’ Mulcahy, a native of Dungarvan who emigrated to the USA as a teenager and it took advantage of tax breaks offered by the Irish Government to attract foreign investment at the time. The primary mineral used in the manufacturing process was magnesite, which was extracted from dolomitic limestone. Seawater was necessary for this process, which made the coastal location of the Ballinacourty plant ideal. However, the source of the dolomite was a quarry at Bennettsbridge in County Kilkenny, some 85kms away. At the same time, Quigley required a means of conveying magnesite in bulk from Ballinacourty to its factory at Tivoli, where the finished product was manufactured for export. The solution to both traffic flows lay in the region’s railway infrastructure. Construction of the processing plant at Ballinacourty began in 1969 and was completed the following year, by which time Quigley had been taken over by Pfizer. Dungarvan had been served by the former Great Southern & Western Railway route between Waterford and Mallow, but this had been closed by Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) as recently as 1967. With track lifting crews working eastward from Mallow the most direct route to Tivoli was severed and CIÉ determined that the anticipated traffic levels did not warrant its reinstatement. However, the link to Waterford remained in place and offered connections to both the quarry on the Kilkenny line and Tivoli via Limerick Junction. CIÉ subsequently laid a new 2km spur to the facility which joined the existing track alignment east of Dungarvan at milepost 49. The quantity of dolomite required by the plant necessitated trains of up to 24 open hopper wagons to serve it twice daily. Until the advent of rail-bourne ore traffic from Tara Mines in the late 1970s, these trains were the heaviest to run on the Irish railway network and required two General Motors Bo-Bo diesels to haul them, although A Class locomotives sometimes deputised if a shorter rake of wagons was operated. Magnesite was conveyed from Ballinacourty to Tivoli once a day in distinctive covered hopper wagons which were constructed specifically for the task. This duty was almost exclusively hauled by A Class motive power and could consist of anywhere between 12 and 22 hoppers. Additionally, a cut of three-to-five fuel oil tankers was sometimes attached to this train to supply diesel for plant machinery, although this service could also operate separately. Besides operating on their regular route, these wagons often appeared in Limerick for exams and general repairs at CIÉ’s wagon workshops. Traffic remained steady for the next decade but by the early 1980s a number of factors were conspiring to darken the future of the Pfizer-Quigley plant at Ballinacourty. The tax breaks which had enticed the company in the first place had expired and high energy costs in the wake of the 1970s oil crisis were taking their toll on balance sheets. Meanwhile, overproduction of magnesite led to a worldwide slump in the mineral’s value and the company’s Irish operation struggled to be competitive. The final nail in the coffin was driven home when Pfizer-Quigley made the decision to construct a new processing factory in Asia to avail of cheaper operating costs, resulting in the Ballinacourty facility closing in July 1982. The Model Following on from the modular approach CIÉ took with its wagon fleet in the 1960s and 1970s, we have been able to capitalise once again on our common chassis first used under the ballast hopper wagons. This allowed us to create a whole new body tooling for these distinctive wagons, featuring the intricate loading hatches, discharge mechanism and profile of the hopper body. The models are set off beautifully with fine etched metal walkways and fine ladder detail, as well as an array of chassis detail to create a wagon to the excellent standards of fidelity we have become renowned for since their inception. We have taken this opportunity to refine the existing chassis tooling, so that features such as the brake levers and their ratchet/pin-down loops have been improved with additional finesse and detailing. Further additions to this tooling include the correct style of axleboxes used on the magnesite wagons and similar stock during this era. These adjustments and improvements are proof of IRM's commitment to authenticity. As can be seen in the photographs, tooling is already complete and these samples have now been assessed, with feedback sent to the factory, including improvements to the springs and the ladders as well as fit and finish and better seating of the walkways. Production will commence after Chinese New Year. A limited run of four different packs of three wagons per pack will be on offer, with a bonus exclusive limited edition single wagon pack also offered. This will be a first from us, and will feature distinctive decoration which adorned one end of the wagon on its final working in 1982. It will be limited to 350 pieces, complete with limited edition certificate and special presentation box, marking the 40th anniversary of the closure of the plant. Prices for triple packs is €124.95 and the special edition single wagon is €44.95, with 10% when you buy two or more packs. Delivery is expected in Q3 of 2022. Modellers can place their orders directly with IRM by clicking here! View the full article 16 1 2 Quote
leslie10646 Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 Wow, retirement put off for another day! Very nice wagon, lads. Good luck with it. Leslie 1 7 Quote
DiveController Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 Very nice! Wonder if there has been improved tooling for conversion to 21mm? 1 Quote
scahalane Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 Nice model lads. These will go very nicely crossing the lower Glanmire Rd on my layout! 3 Quote
Warbonnet Posted February 3, 2022 Author Posted February 3, 2022 7 minutes ago, DiveController said: Very nice! Wonder if there has been improved tooling for conversion to 21mm? Hi Kevin, As documented in the announcement the chassis is as per the ballast wagon release. Cheers! Fran 1 1 Quote
mmie353 Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 Will there be an option to purchase all of them with a little discount as in previous releases? Quote
BosKonay Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 2 minutes ago, mmie353 said: Will there be an option to purchase all of them with a little discount as in previous releases? 10% is added in the cart when you buy two or more. Quote
John-r Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 Fantastic looking wagon, really like this release, well done lads. Also the single wagon with the writing on it, that's just something else, Great work. 2 Quote
flange lubricator Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 16 minutes ago, BosKonay said: 10% is added in the cart when you buy two or more. I think you mean subtracted? 3 Quote
flange lubricator Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 Great news they will look great with supertrain and Black and Tan locos I will be participating. They will look even better in a mixed set with CIE oil wagons which is the way they operated , hint hint nudge nudge ……………. 1 1 Quote
Sean Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 Will the ladder and lid be removable to allow to become the ballast wagons as well? Quote
DJ Dangerous Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 40 minutes ago, Sean said: Will the ladder and lid be removable to allow to become the ballast wagons as well? They don't look like they are ballast wagons underneath the lid. 1 Quote
Robert Shrives Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 Looking good deed done for one pack and end of train special. Dry bread and no heating for rest of Feb... Robert Quote
Warbonnet Posted February 3, 2022 Author Posted February 3, 2022 1 hour ago, Sean said: Will the ladder and lid be removable to allow to become the ballast wagons as well? Hi Sean, No need, we still have some of ballast wagons left in stock! https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/ballast-hoppers/availability_in-stock? Cheers! Fran 1 Quote
Robert Shrives Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 In other news will the chassis ever be made as a bodyless spares option? - Might be useful for other kits robert Quote
BosKonay Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 1 minute ago, Robert Shrives said: In other news will the chassis ever be made as a bodyless spares option? - Might be useful for other kits robert Absolutely ! A set of three, with extra detailing parts just 99.95! https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/ballast-hoppers/products/ir-ballast-wagon-pack-c Quote
leslie10646 Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 1 hour ago, flange lubricator said: Great news they will look great with supertrain and Black and Tan locos I will be participating. They will look even better in a mixed set with CIE oil wagons which is the way they operated , hint hint nudge nudge ……………. So - guess what's next! I think that one is in the School Certificate bracket? Mind you, my PhD guess was wrong, but I HAD noticed the inter-usability of this chassis some while ago 1 Quote
Robert Shrives Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 10 minutes ago, BosKonay said: Absolutely ! A set of three, with extra detailing parts just 99.95! https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/ballast-hoppers/products/ir-ballast-wagon-pack-c Cheers, that had crossed my mind but thought they will all sell as ballasts now if it was £50 .... Robert 1 Quote
DJ Dangerous Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 They look stunning Had to order a rake immediately... Will definitely end up ordering more every payday, too. And to my pleasant surprise, the whole lot fits into a 2kg parcel so it's only €20 shipping down here! 1 1 2 Quote
BosKonay Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 1 hour ago, Robert Shrives said: Cheers, that had crossed my mind but thought they will all sell as ballasts now if it was £50 .... Robert Well if you buy two or more packs, it works out at just £75 a pack / £25 a \chassis/ Quote
Robert Shrives Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 17 minutes ago, BosKonay said: Well if you buy two or more packs, it works out at just £75 a pack / £25 a \chassis/ Keep going .... £10 a chassis .... and you get a sale. Robert 1 3 Quote
enniscorthyman Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 Absolutely brilliant news.I have just ordered the 4 packs and the single wagon.The Waterford-Ballinacourty line inspired me to get more intrested in Irish Railways following a vist around Ballyvoyle viaduct in 1992.Following the closure of the Quigley Plant these wagons spent a while in Clonmel and were eventually sent to Enniscorthy in 1983 to be stored.They survived until mid to late 90s when I persume they were cut up. 5 1 Quote
Georgeconna Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 Smashing stuff, bit underwhelmed at first as I had expected the Telephone box and that was dashed but these do look fab, Especially the Etch bit. Never seen that you tube video either so just sat down through that, Some superb scenes there especially the Dirty a class! I want to go out and play trains now! Well done lads. 1 1 Quote
murphaph Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 53 minutes ago, enniscorthyman said: Absolutely brilliant news.I have just ordered the 4 packs and the single wagon.The Waterford-Ballinacourty line inspired me to get more intrested in Irish Railways following a vist around Ballyvoyle viaduct in 1992.Following the closure of the Quigley Plant these wagons spent a while in Clonmel and were eventually sent to Enniscorthy in 1983 to be stored.They survived until mid to late 90s when I persume they were cut up. Anyone have more details about the dates at the end? Were they cut up in Enniscorthy or were they moved to somewhere else for scrapping? Quote
flange lubricator Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 (edited) 10 minutes ago, murphaph said: Anyone have more details about the dates at the end? Were they cut up in Enniscorthy or were they moved to somewhere else for scrapping? They were moved to Clonmel and then a few at a time to Limerick works to be coverted to Ballast wagons in the late 1990's Edited February 3, 2022 by flange lubricator 1 Quote
Georgeconna Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 31 minutes ago, enniscorthyman said: https://youtu.be/okOsw4W0CbA Stop would ya, Just want to go out now and make a viaduct after watching that! 2 1 Quote
Darius43 Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 Bundle duly ordered. Cheers Darius 1 1 Quote
Georgeconna Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 1 hour ago, Georgeconna said: Smashing stuff, bit underwhelmed at first as I had expected the Telephone box and that was dashed but these do look fab, Especially the Etch bit. Never seen that you tube video either so just sat down through that, Some superb scenes there especially the Dirty a class! I want to go out and play trains now! Well done lads. On that you tube video see the oil Tank Wagon shoved up over another one,, @ kilmac Looks pretty awkward! wonder what caused that. 1 Quote
enniscorthyman Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 The damaged oil tanks shown in the video at Kilmacthomas were the result of a derailment at Currabaha or Mcgraths Level Crossing just west of Kilmacthomas.The video certainly would inspire you model sections of the line. 1 Quote
Mayner Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 55 minutes ago, Georgeconna said: On that you tube video see the oil Tank Wagon shoved up over another one,, @ kilmac Looks pretty awkward! wonder what caused that. It looks like the wagons piled up or telescoped following a derailment and were dumped in the siding at Kilmacthomas, possibly as a result of a hot box or a broken axle on one of the wagons. The wrecked tank wagons were at Kilmac and a crippled magnesite at Ballinacourty on the final day of operation when a Quigley staff excursion and an IRRS "last train' operated over the line. 1 1 Quote
DoctorPan Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 2 hours ago, Georgeconna said: Stop would ya, Just want to go out now and make a viaduct after watching that! Having cycled the old line last year, the viaducts on the line were something else. Class a scenery and begging to be included in a layout 5 Quote
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