Bargain of The Century? The 'Dicky' Taras - An Almost Perfect Wagon At a Bargain Price

[Warbonnet]

Who doesn't love a bargain? And in these times of uncertainty in the wider world we need to consider value for money. We've always worked tirelessly to bring you the very best models for the best possible value for money. However, in this case we have really gone above and beyond.

Exceptional value, you might say! How about a brand new, never run model at a whopping 75% off the RRP? This is available with 5 different packs with 10 different running numbers. It's Irish outline, fully detailed, and works perfectly.

Let's welcome to our 'Dicky Taras', our Tara Mines twin pack wagons for just €20 a box!

"Listen, there is a catch right? That's crazy value!" you are probably muttering to yourself.

Don't be so suspicious! Well, yes. A slight one. Gather around and we'll tell you a story...

Okay. Fádo, fádo, we were working on our first run of Tara Mines wagons. During development it was noted that the pre-production model was incorrect. The bodyside strakes did not extend down the full length of the wagons. 

Now, here's what it should look like...

Exquisite! What our sample looked like...

Right! As you can see, they stop too short of the wagon.

In other words, our first run of wagons was manufactured both correctly and incorrectly. Initially the factory used the incorrect tooling, and we ended up with a batch of Taras with the incorrect bodysides. This was then corrected with the correct tooling and customers received a truly excellent model that was spot on.

Corrected and delivered, they sold out in no time. But, what about these 'dicky' Taras as we christened them? Well, they have sat in a dark corner of a warehouse for many, many years, guarded by 'Top Men'.

However, it seems silly keeping them locked away, when they too could be enjoyed by modellers who are not overly bothered with this blemish. So, we will be offering them for sale, strictly 'sold as seen' at the Dublin show this weekend for a mere €20 a twin pack. That's just €10 per wagon. A highly detailed, beautifully finished wagon that is Irish outline. Yes, the strakes are not long enough, but you cant argue that it's an incredible bargain.

Insane bargain, right!?! Limited stock will be available at the Dublin Show this weekend only. But, if you cant make the show and can only shop online, then don't worry! We will have them listed on our website for the same price for our Black Friday sale in November. If we have any after that they will be sold at shows and the odd flash sale only till they're gone. 

Each box will be stamped 'Reject' so they can not be passed off as original stock either as they have the same running number and barcode as our first run of Tara mines wagons in red oxide livery. Strike while the iron is hot this weekend and bag yours as IRM brings you the true bargain of the model railway world. 

View the full article

[Westcorkrailway]

9 minutes ago, Warbonnet said:

Who doesn't love a bargain? And in these times of uncertainty in the wider world we need to consider value for money. We've always worked tirelessly to bring you the very best models for the best possible value for money. However, in this case we have really gone above and beyond.

Exceptional value, you might say! How about a brand new, never run model at a whopping 75% off the RRP? This is available with 5 different packs with 10 different running numbers. It's Irish outline, fully detailed, and works perfectly.

Let's welcome to our 'Dicky Taras', our Tara Mines twin pack wagons for just €20 a box!

"Listen, there is a catch right? That's crazy value!" you are probably muttering to yourself.

Don't be so suspicious! Well, yes. A slight one. Gather around and we'll tell you a story...

Okay. Fádo, fádo, we were working on our first run of Tara Mines wagons. During development it was noted that the pre-production model was incorrect. The bodyside strakes did not extend down the full length of the wagons. 

Now, here's what it should look like...

Exquisite! What our sample looked like...

Right! As you can see, they stop too short of the wagon.

In other words, our first run of wagons was manufactured both correctly and incorrectly. Initially the factory used the incorrect tooling, and we ended up with a batch of Taras with the incorrect bodysides. This was then corrected with the correct tooling and customers received a truly excellent model that was spot on.

Corrected and delivered, they sold out in no time. But, what about these 'dicky' Taras as we christened them? Well, they have sat in a dark corner of a warehouse for many, many years, guarded by 'Top Men'.

However, it seems silly keeping them locked away, when they too could be enjoyed by modellers who are not overly bothered with this blemish. So, we will be offering them for sale, strictly 'sold as seen' at the Dublin show this weekend for a mere €20 a twin pack. That's just €10 per wagon. A highly detailed, beautifully finished wagon that is Irish outline. Yes, the strakes are not long enough, but you cant argue that it's an incredible bargain.

Insane bargain, right!?! Limited stock will be available at the Dublin Show this weekend only. But, if you cant make the show and can only shop online, then don't worry! We will have them listed on our website for the same price for our Black Friday sale in November. If we have any after that they will be sold at shows and the odd flash sale only till they're gone. 

Each box will be stamped 'Reject' so they can not be passed off as original stock either as they have the same running number and barcode as our first run of Tara mines wagons in red oxide livery. Strike while the iron is hot this weekend and bag yours as IRM brings you the true bargain of the model railway world. 

View the full article

We live in the best timeline 

[murphaph]

Will there be a bundle discount? Just kidding, that's an awesome deal. Fair play for not binning these. 

[DJ Dangerous]

Bundle discount comes in the form of a little cone shaped had with a "D" on one side and "Reject" stamped on the other.

[ttc0169]

Useful conversion to a  bogie shale wagon…..

[Westcorkrailway]

18 minutes ago, Warbonnet said:

Who doesn't love a bargain? And in these times of uncertainty in the wider world we need to consider value for money. We've always worked tirelessly to bring you the very best models for the best possible value for money. However, in this case we have really gone above and beyond.

Exceptional value, you might say! How about a brand new, never run model at a whopping 75% off the RRP? This is available with 5 different packs with 10 different running numbers. It's Irish outline, fully detailed, and works perfectly.

Let's welcome to our 'Dicky Taras', our Tara Mines twin pack wagons for just €20 a box!

"Listen, there is a catch right? That's crazy value!" you are probably muttering to yourself.

Don't be so suspicious! Well, yes. A slight one. Gather around and we'll tell you a story...

Okay. Fádo, fádo, we were working on our first run of Tara Mines wagons. During development it was noted that the pre-production model was incorrect. The bodyside strakes did not extend down the full length of the wagons. 

Now, here's what it should look like...

Exquisite! What our sample looked like...

Right! As you can see, they stop too short of the wagon.

In other words, our first run of wagons was manufactured both correctly and incorrectly. Initially the factory used the incorrect tooling, and we ended up with a batch of Taras with the incorrect bodysides. This was then corrected with the correct tooling and customers received a truly excellent model that was spot on.

Corrected and delivered, they sold out in no time. But, what about these 'dicky' Taras as we christened them? Well, they have sat in a dark corner of a warehouse for many, many years, guarded by 'Top Men'.

However, it seems silly keeping them locked away, when they too could be enjoyed by modellers who are not overly bothered with this blemish. So, we will be offering them for sale, strictly 'sold as seen' at the Dublin show this weekend for a mere €20 a twin pack. That's just €10 per wagon. A highly detailed, beautifully finished wagon that is Irish outline. Yes, the strakes are not long enough, but you cant argue that it's an incredible bargain.

Insane bargain, right!?! Limited stock will be available at the Dublin Show this weekend only. But, if you cant make the show and can only shop online, then don't worry! We will have them listed on our website for the same price for our Black Friday sale in November. If we have any after that they will be sold at shows and the odd flash sale only till they're gone. 

Each box will be stamped 'Reject' so they can not be passed off as original stock either as they have the same running number and barcode as our first run of Tara mines wagons in red oxide livery. Strike while the iron is hot this weekend and bag yours as IRM brings you the true bargain of the model railway world. 

View the full article

How many of these are closely guarded at the Fort Knox basement of IRM towers? 
 

There will be such a large queue outside raheeny…you’ll have to make a quota per person! 

[Broithe]

7 minutes ago, DJ Dangerous said:

Bundle discount comes in the form of a little cone shaped hat with a "D" on one side and "Reject" stamped on the other.

It should be noted that the stamping doesn't occur until the recipient is wearing the hat.

[DJ Dangerous]

Just now, Broithe said:

It should be noted that the stamping doesn't occur until the recipient is wearing the hat.

And is done using a boot on a foot while the bundle discount recipient is lying down.

[Robert Shrives]

Hopefully a few left for those unable to get to Dublin 

Robert 

[Warbonnet]

9 minutes ago, Robert Shrives said:

Hopefully a few left for those unable to get to Dublin 

Robert 

There will be, we're not bringing the lot to Raheny, just some. Rest go on sale on the website for Black Friday next month.

Cheers!

Fran 

[murphaph]

I was actually hoping that the bargain would also be open to those unable to attend the show. It's great that IRM has remembered its customers in the farther flung reaches of the planet  I shall definitely be taking some come Black Friday.

[John-r]

3 minutes ago, murphaph said:

I was actually hoping that the bargain would also be open to those unable to attend the show. It's great that IRM has remembered its customers in the farther flung reaches of the planet  I shall definitely be taking some come Black Friday.

I was actually hoping that some of the bargain will be there Sunday for us customer that has to rip the mattress up Saturday night to Get musty bank notes out ( not the northern type ) , I swear they should be fine..

[Westcorkrailway]

I’ve decided to take 2 packs. Enough to make a full train on my small layout 

 

already a bargain from raheeny and we aren’t even there yet

[DJ Dangerous]

7 minutes ago, Westcorkrailway said:

I’ve decided to take 2 packs. Enough to make a full train on my small layout 

 

already a bargain from raheeny and we aren’t even there yet

Watch yourself, Pal.

DJD Senior will be ahead of you in the queue, and he'll be demanding autographed examples, signed by the IRM rockstars there and then.

[flange lubricator]

2 hours ago, ttc0169 said:

Useful conversion to a  bogie shale wagon…..

That was my first thought!!! 

[murphaph]

I'm not sure a straightforward conversion to the shale wagons is there. The top profile is not present at all on the shale wagons. Removing it would be more than trivial as it's a single piece moulding. The strakes (my new word for the day) are also not equidistant from each other on the shales like on the Taras. An approximation of a shale wagon is as close as one is likely to get without fairly major surgery. The thing is IRM is likely to make the shale wagons anyway at some stage. I can't justify all that work for a wagon that will likely be released in RTR in better quality than I can achieve. I think they are most likely going to be a very cheap way to extend one's fleet of Taras. You could add bits of plasticard to complete the strakes then heavily weather the wagons to conceal any colour differences. I think that's what I will do with them anyway, after renumbering of course.

[flange lubricator]

3 hours ago, murphaph said:

I'm not sure a straightforward conversion to the shale wagons is there. The top profile is not present at all on the shale wagons. Removing it would be more than trivial as it's a single piece moulding. The strakes (my new word for the day) are also not equidistant from each other on the shales like on the Taras. An approximation of a shale wagon is as close as one is likely to get without fairly major surgery. The thing is IRM is likely to make the shale wagons anyway at some stage. I can't justify all that work for a wagon that will likely be released in RTR in better quality than I can achieve. I think they are most likely going to be a very cheap way to extend one's fleet of Taras. You could add bits of plasticard to complete the strakes then heavily weather the wagons to conceal any colour differences. I think that's what I will do with them anyway, after renumbering of course.

It was a thought, the other possibility is to do the two tara wagons 31026,31027 which were built as shale wagons identified by the extra rib running the length of them.

 

Picture from flicker by Irish Rail Trains 

 

Edited October 27, 2022 by flange lubricator

[Bob229]

What a bargain, had to read the announcement twice, and available to all will miss the show, it will be a busy Black Friday ,  thanks IRM

[murphaph]

1 hour ago, flange lubricator said:

It was a thought, the other possibility is to do the two tara wagons 31026,31027 which were built as shale wagons identified by the extra rib running the length of them.

 

Picture from flicker by Irish Rail Trains 

 

Good call. Conversion to an ex-shale Tara is a really good idea as these two fairly unique wagons are let's say, probably not a high priority for IRM. 

[John-r]

Good call is right, that looks doable even for me, any side pics, not to go off topic.

[flange lubricator]

8 minutes ago, John-r said:

Good call is right, that looks doable even for me, any side pics, not to go off topic.

You can find plenty of pics on the web here is one of a shale so shows the side strakes

 

[John-r]

Nice one , thank you , when I put in shale wagon nothing like this came up, on hindsight the two different Tara wagons a bit easier

[flange lubricator]

This is fantastic bargain especially for anyone who wants to try their hands at weathering without feeling that they are going to devalue a precious Tara Model.

[Westcorkrailway]

 

[murphaph]

Am I the only one that thinks these look nicer than the correct ones?  Ore am I mad?

[Westcorkrailway]

13 minutes ago, murphaph said:

Am I the only one that thinks these look nicer than the correct ones?  Ore am I mad?

If only tara mines knew they could get A 75 percent discount if they lost a few extra supports 

[Rush and Lusk]

Hi Fran,

Great to chat at the show today - congratulations again to all at IRM for the tremendous range and quality of products for modellers of all abilities. Very pleased that my ordered kegs, fertilisers & containers are imminent.

A suggestion for all of us who missed the "dickies" (swallowed up by all the "January Sales" folks yesterday !), to help fair availability and control large accumulation by some, perhaps you might consider a max quantity per existing IRM customer in the Black Friday event ? - just a thought.

Regards,

George 

[flange lubricator]

8 minutes ago, Rush and Lusk said:

Hi Fran,

Great to chat at the show today - congratulations again to all at IRM for the tremendous range and quality of products for modellers of all abilities. Very pleased that my ordered kegs, fertilisers & containers are imminent.

A suggestion for all of us who missed the "dickies" (swallowed up by all the "January Sales" folks yesterday !), to help fair availability and control large accumulation by some, perhaps you might consider a max quantity per existing IRM customer in the Black Friday event ? - just a thought.

Regards,

George 

That’s is a very good idea and perhaps a way of rewarding IRM loyal customers and at the same time discourage the skelpers.

[Georgeconna]

Had a mission to get 7 set of Tara's for 2 friends. Guess that is a mission abort now.

Just goes to show some people are not swayed by uber detail and will happily run stock as such. Maybe a railroad range is forthcoming.

[DJ Dangerous]

11 hours ago, Rush and Lusk said:

Hi Fran,

Great to chat at the show today - congratulations again to all at IRM for the tremendous range and quality of products for modellers of all abilities. Very pleased that my ordered kegs, fertilisers & containers are imminent.

A suggestion for all of us who missed the "dickies" (swallowed up by all the "January Sales" folks yesterday !), to help fair availability and control large accumulation by some, perhaps you might consider a max quantity per existing IRM customer in the Black Friday event ? - just a thought.

Regards,

George 

That's a great idea, George!

Limit of two or three rakes per existing customer, some sort of purchase history required.

[NIRCLASS80]

A limit of 2 of each pack must be doable in the website sale. 

[Westcorkrailway]

i got my 2 packs on Saturday. The problem is there was only 4 left when I got there……all of which were pack D. so now I have 2 pack D’s, do eventually I’m gonna have to find Someone one else with a duplicate pack!

 

[heirflick]

Is there any left for monday lads?

[DJ Dangerous]

1 minute ago, heirflick said:

Is there any left for monday lads?

 

I think that Fran said that he wasn't able to get any more out of storage due to the bank holiday weekend, so it'll be online-only for the rest.

[heirflick]

Thanks DJ