IRM Steam Speculation

[Patrick Davey]

Yes I know many of us HATE speculation discussion and consider it a pointless waste of time but BosKonay has confirmed in the OO Works J15 thread that there will be a steam offering from IRM next year so am sorry but I can't resist a bit of musing......

So an IRM steam loco would need to have as wide an appeal as possible, timescale-wise and geographically, so I'm suggesting that it will most likely be an RPSI loco, maybe NCC No. 4 or GNR No. 171 - the latter might tie in nicely with ongoing efforts to complete the loco's restoration although if the model was announced next year then it might not appear until well into 2024 by which time I imagine the RPSI would hope to have 171 operational again.

131 might also be an option - the current livery scheme is very attractive I think.

A model of an RPSI loco would hopefully make good commercial sense and in typical IRM/Accurascale style, it might appear in a range of livery options, covering everything from original company service right through to preservation.

I don't think a J15 is an option, not after the OO Works models.

[Warbonnet]

My Christmas present for @BosKonay... 

 

 

[Westcorkrailway]

13 minutes ago, Warbonnet said:

My Christmas present for @BosKonay... 

 

 

oh dear…. didn’t think it was supposed to be top secret 

I’ll hope for a MGWR J26 or bandon….in the 2 or so years this takes to be announced cause there is  whole ICR we have to wait for yet

 

but if we’re being real…there is only one locomotive calling out for RTR in steam 

 

WCIR 4-4-2T 

[Flying Snail]

2 minutes ago, Westcorkrailway said:

but if we’re being real…there is only one locomotive calling out for RTR in steam 

WCIR 4-4-2T 

Absolutely ... its a no brainer! Go nice with the WCIR 4-wheeler triple packs 

Edited December 6, 2022 by Flying Snail

[minister_for_hardship]

W&TR 2-2-2WT Fairbairn ftw.

[Robert Shrives]

I was hoping for news on the Fintona tram fleet  traction. ... surely a no brainer for IRM. 

 

[Flying Snail]

36 minutes ago, Robert Shrives said:

I was hoping for news on the Fintona tram fleet  traction. ... surely a no brainer for IRM. 

 

I'd wager my winnings from the WCIR bet on it being one of the other new announcements... but surely the only time steam was associated with that form of traction was after Dick had done his/her business on a cold morning??? 

Edited December 6, 2022 by Flying Snail
removing typos

[murphaph]

Medium term I would not rule out an IRM J15 given how numerous they were.

[DJ Dangerous]

Only one choice:

GSR 800.

All proceeds going towards her refurbishment.

Confirmation in approx. 116 days...

[DoctorPan]

Considering how design savy the team have been with projects, I'd wager on a Jeep or Mogul, with their common LMS parts would be a boost to an Accurascale LMS offering.

 

That or Fran wants a model of Pat or Sambo.

[GSR 800]

13 minutes ago, Flying Snail said:

I wager my winnings from the WCIR bet on it being one of the other new announcements... but surely the only time steam was associated with that form of traction was after Dick had done his/her business on a cold morning??? 

Dick was a mare

[Westcorkrailway]

3 minutes ago, DoctorPan said:

Considering how design savy the team have been with projects, I'd wager on a Jeep or Mogul, with their common LMS parts would be a boost to an Accurascale LMS offering.

 

That or Fran wants a model of Pat or Sambo.

 

 

i bet this thread came in handy in the process of choosing the locomotive….so accurascale could also have a go 

 

[Flying Snail]

7 minutes ago, GSR 800 said:

Dick was a mare

There was more than one though, wasn't there? I don't know, were they all mares?

But getting back on track ...  I think DoctorPan is probably right. I'd say a Jeep - IRM like to be able to view and measure the prototype plus there's plenty of photos available of them in service. Could then be leveraged for an NCC Mogul and maybe elements of it for an LMS project????

Edited December 6, 2022 by Flying Snail

[Keitheg6]

Dare i mention The Turf Burner 

[Galteemore]

In terms of sheer visual attractiveness to buyers, an S class would tick a lot of boxes - and can of course be authentically run as a preservation era loco. Will also be hitting the main line again soon too hopefully.http://eiretrains.com/steamindex/#GNR171_20100818_004_CC_JA.jpg 

[mmie353]

@Warbonnetah sur, the hints that we are given you have to admit keep us going here for days! All I have to say is, he is a great salesman!!

[Patrick Davey]

57 minutes ago, DoctorPan said:

Considering how design savy the team have been with projects, I'd wager on a Jeep or Mogul, with their common LMS parts would be a boost to an Accurascale LMS offering.

Not too insane to think of a Mogul as a possibility, to tie in with the RPSI new build.........

[Georgeconna]

Probably Eye candy....GNR Blue . Appeal across the water collectors too.

[Blaine]

3 hours ago, Patrick Davey said:

I don't think a J15 is an option, not after the OO Works models.

Au contrare, an IRM J15 will look better and more importantly run better than the OO Works ones.

[murphaph]

Yes, there have been several reports from members here of poor running 00 Works locos unfortunately.

[Warbonnet]

16 minutes ago, Blaine said:

Au contrare, an IRM J15 will look better and more importantly run better than the OO Works ones.

It would also be scale size... #justsayin! 

[connollystn]

Can't imagine IRM ever producing a model steam locomotive for the Irish market as the demand just isn't there.

[Blaine]

10 minutes ago, connollystn said:

Can't imagine IRM ever producing a model steam locomotive for the Irish market as the demand just isn't there.

They said the same about wagons and look what happened there

[Georgeconna]

The Cultra Collection.....Good ring to it!!

 

 

[Patrick Davey]

41 minutes ago, connollystn said:

Can't imagine IRM ever producing a model steam locomotive for the Irish market as the demand just isn't there.

BosKonay said so!

Maybe it’ll be a tank engine. I heard a rumour that the tender is out…….

”Taxi……”

[Broithe]

If it's going to be a coal-powered thing (or even oil - or turf!), then they'll need to get it into production quickly - before it gets banned.

[Patrick Davey]

1 hour ago, Blaine said:

Au contrare, an IRM J15 will look better and more importantly run better than the OO Works ones.

No argument there, as that would apply to everything IRM produces. But I can’t see them standing on the toes of a relatively small manufacturer, as this might discourage them from producing further Irish models.

Taking on the big boys with a much better Deltic and class 37 is one thing but I couldn’t see IRM trying to outdo OO Works.

[Blaine]

4 minutes ago, Patrick Davey said:

No argument there, as that would apply to everything IRM produces. But I can’t see them standing on the toes of a relatively small manufacturer, as this might discourage them from producing further Irish models.

Taking on the big boys with a much better Deltic and class 37 is one thing but I couldn’t see IRM trying to outdo OO Works.

It's a competitive market ultimately, not everyone is friends and you need rivalry to make better models to higher standards. Notice Accurascale pushed on with the 37 after Bachmann quickly announced theirs and it will be available soon

Anything IRM is mass produced to a standard. OO Works are small numbers and hand assembled in the UK, basically pre-assembled whitemetal kits, compared to mass assembled IRM items. The IRM model will be a lot easier to get a hold of, along with better running and warranty backup. True RTR and not a niche manufacturer

[Noel]

5 hours ago, Warbonnet said:

My Christmas present for @BosKonay... 

 

 

That's just mean.  I'd never even in jest have slagged off my employer like that. Good Bos's are hard to come bye.

[Noel]

1 hour ago, Warbonnet said:

It would also be scale size... #justsayin! 

Yes and an IRM J15 would be DCC ready, have lights, sound and more fine scale detail. And be better runners.  I had to jump through hoops to get sound fitted in one of my 00 Works J15s.  Would not be keen on 171 as 4-4-0 models are are usually horrible runners in 00 gauge, just can't get over a set of points without stalling below the speed of sound. J15 seems logical from a commercial point of view. Enjoy my three 00 Works locos but they are not exactly fine scale and very limited livery variations.

Edited December 6, 2022 by Noel

[GSR 800]

2 hours ago, connollystn said:

Can't imagine IRM ever producing a model steam locomotive for the Irish market as the demand just isn't there.

Tell that to IRM..

2 hours ago, Blaine said:

Au contrare, an IRM J15 will look better and more importantly run better than the OO Works ones.

1 hour ago, Blaine said:

It's a competitive market ultimately, not everyone is friends and you need rivalry to make better models to higher standards. Notice Accurascale pushed on with the 37 after Bachmann quickly announced theirs and it will be available soon

Anything IRM is mass produced to a standard. OO Works are small numbers and hand assembled in the UK, basically pre-assembled whitemetal kits, compared to mass assembled IRM items. The IRM model will be a lot easier to get a hold of, along with better running and warranty backup. True RTR and not a niche manufacturer

I'm neither here nor there with this, Ireland is a much smaller market, Though I think an IRM J15 would do well, its not as safe a bet as other preserved types, even if they were the largest class of loco in the country. I think, at least for their first Irish steam model they'd go with something else, money being on GNR, maybe NCC types. I'd lean GNR for the first one. No doubt it'd be the better model though, nothing against 00 works just a fact. If IRM dropped J15s I'd buy two anyway, just as I bought two A's. 

And the silverfox A's have seemingly vanished from all layouts...

In the British market you have the numbers and arguable 'stagnation' from the big two giving room for competitors to produce better models at lower prices.

My bet would be on a V class, maybe something NCC though the time for that would surely be to coincide with the Moguls completion. Of course theres the precedent there with 4-6-0s for the 800s but I wont be holding my breath since she's not RPSI.

 

 

Edited December 6, 2022 by GSR 800

[Patrick Davey]

Very interesting discussion everybody thanks for your input, my gut feeling is still that it won’t be a J15 for my reason stated above but I could be wrong of course……. regarding the 440 issue I would expect that if somebody can make them work it would be IRM

[Galteemore]

Properly sprung bogie, multiple pickups, and proper balancing and your 4-4-0 should be fine, especially if plastic. The OO works one is a big lump of metal struggling to balance itself. We’ll see how smart I am in a few weeks when my 4-4-0 starts her trials….

Edited December 6, 2022 by Galteemore

[connollystn]

The best steam locomotive for IRM to produce is No. 4. It was one of the last steam locomotives to operate in the British Isles and it would be right in the middle (or end) of CIE's modernisation programme. It could run along side any of CIE's diesel traction which was in operation at the time of No.4's withdrawal from service.

[BosKonay]

Like I said earlier, Never say never. Rumors of our lack of steam are quite unfounded and in time we will make everything we can that we’d like ourselves too  

Since launch we’ve driven a lot of growth in Irish outline, even converting UK outline accurascale customers to the green side. 

We also have the benefit of a strong and growing UK outline business which can subsidize Irish models that might not be very attractive otherwise. Both models that cross borders and Irish models that can be funded through Uk activities. 
For the Irish modeller it’s a great opportunity.