Mayner Posted July 16 Posted July 16 1 hour ago, David Holman said: Interesting editorial from Karl Crowther in the latest Model Railway Journal. Musing on the future of the hobby, he wonders whether the quality of ready to run models these days "makes the question of gauge superfluous". Coming from a magazine that, over the course of 300+ issues, has always been a champion of fine scale modelling (EM, P4 etc), that is quite something. Suspect the mailbag in the next issue could be bulging with protests, but food for thought maybe? Back in the day, RM editor Cyril Freezer once said that you can't count the spokes on loco driving wheels when they are going round. Mind you, he also once wrote that you don't notice a lack of scenery if you are running an intensive service. Less sure about that one... Its an interesting point about the "question of gauge (EM/P4/S4) becoming superfluous & Operators not noticing a lack of scenery if they are running an intensive service. Not really an issue among the majority of Irish outline modellers who seem happy enough to stick to an established gauge. I head a comment several years ago about fewer UK modellers converting to OO because of the vast improvement in the quality of OO stock and Martin Wynne's (Templot) efforts to achieve improved running for OO RTR stock by reducing the gauge and adapting EM gauge running clearances the so called EM-2mm. Nobody had much time to notice the scenery during an operating session with several operators on a single track line (layout?) with switching (shunting) at most towns (stations) arranging meets and trying to avoid blocking delaying other traffic. Kept me busy as despatcher/operator/line controller, the crews tended to want to get over the road as quickly to have a tea break-knock off duty. 17 years after starting the layout haven't got round to building/finishing the building and structures planned and probably never will get round too. 3 Quote
Horsetan Posted July 18 Posted July 18 On 16/7/2024 at 9:53 AM, David Holman said: Interesting editorial from Karl Crowther in the latest Model Railway Journal. Musing on the future of the hobby, he wonders whether the quality of ready to run models these days "makes the question of gauge superfluous"....... If anything, that quality should be gravitating towards a more accurate gauge.... 1 1 Quote
jhb171achill Posted July 19 Posted July 19 On 9/12/2022 at 12:17 PM, Flying Snail said: Yes please! Wouldn't be right not to honour the oldest heritage railway in Ireland. Hon Laois .. there's a C&L connection in that picture too! Indeed! C&L bogies and other bits incorporated into the bogie coach! Quote
Mayner Posted July 19 Posted July 19 17 minutes ago, jhb171achill said: Indeed! C&L bogies and other bits incorporated into the bogie coach! Apparently the bogies and parts of the underframe of 7L the 'Bus Coach" were incorporated into the Stradbally toastrack. The "Bus Coach" passed to BNM after the C&L closed, but the bodywork was too far gone when the preservationists rescued the remains. 2 Quote
commerlad Posted August 2 Posted August 2 (edited) On 15/7/2024 at 1:45 AM, Mayner said: OOn3 never reached the same level of popularity among British/European modellers as OO9/HOe, I remember speaking to Pete McParlin of Branchlines many years ago sales of his Irish OOn3 kits were disappointing and he shifted focus to more profitable OO9 kits mainly Welsh prototype. While Bachmann and Heljan have introduced high quality rtr 009 models No one appears to be prepared to 'test the market" with rtr IOMR 3' gauge locos and stock, let alone an Irish prototype While it is true that OOn3 never has achieved the same popularity as 009 it is not true that no one has introduced ready to run OOn3. Also while Branchlines has produced kits for OOn3 Pete McParlin was the proprietor of Backwoods Miniatures (Also made kits for OOn3 as well as 009 , On30, On3 and O-16.5) and yes he did cut down his OOn3 range to concentrate on the 009 and the On30 that were better sellers. RTR OOn3 (while not a large producer) has been made by Malcolm Mills ( Back in 1993 ) at that time he also made resin/nickel silver etch kits for TT and the IOM/MNR Beyer Peacocks and Dubs locos He now concentrates on kit building services in O and Gauge A RTR West Clare/CDR/IOM Walker Railcar could be obtained for the price of £74 (The IOM loco kits being priced at £24 The Walker Railcar was not available at that time as a kit and he never ran any more parts) I must admit that I did not purchase 1 ( Nor have ever seen 1 for that matter ) but a phone call conversation with Malcolm reveals he made about 2 dozen and they were slow to sell. I have now got 2 of the Small tank versions of the Peacock kits he made and a Dubs "Caledonia" Is there any chance of these being done again ? NO. All the 00n3 masters and moulds were unceremoniously thrown in a skip when he had a tidy up / clear out of his workshop. Edited August 3 by commerlad 1 2 1 Quote
Patrick Davey Posted October 23 Author Posted October 23 3 days until the IRM announcement….. Steam or non-steam….what are we all thinking? My predictions (which have never been remotely accurate): C class if diesel S class or Jeep if steam Just hoping I have fingernails left by the weekend…… Also, I have really missed the countdown widget on the IRM website! 1 1 Quote
Colin R Posted October 23 Posted October 23 If it is going to be a steam loco you must ask yourself what is going to be the most popular loco that most people will want I would suggest something in blue such as 'Merlin' 1 Quote
Patrick Davey Posted October 23 Author Posted October 23 (edited) 40 minutes ago, Colin R said: If it is going to be a steam loco you must ask yourself what is going to be the most popular loco that most people will want I would suggest something in blue such as 'Merlin' Blue would be good! 171 might be more popular though from the historical angle, the V class were restricted to the GN mainline whereas the S had wider route availability as well as a wider range of liveries: GN green, GN black & GN blue as well as UTA lined black. The V class had only two liveries (open to correction!): black with original boiler and then the classic blue with belpaire boiler. Am sure they would have looked fab in the UTA lined black but I don’t think any of them carried that livery? Edited October 23 by Patrick Davey 2 Quote
Galteemore Posted October 23 Posted October 23 (edited) Strictly speaking the S, if modelled on 171’s current state, can only appear in blue or UTA black . GN green and black S class locos had shallower frames - the blue was only applied on rebuilding in late 1930s. Compounds were only blue post re-build. Although often a very dirty blue by the end! It Edited October 23 by Galteemore 2 2 Quote
Patrick Davey Posted October 23 Author Posted October 23 3 minutes ago, Galteemore said: Strictly speaking the S, if modelled on 171’s current state, can only appear in blue or UTA black . GN green and black S class locos had shallower frames - the blue was only applied on rebuilding in late 1930s. Compounds were only blue post re-build. Although often a very dirty blue by the end! It Am sure IRM could handle all such nuances! 1 Quote
Galteemore Posted October 23 Posted October 23 4 minutes ago, Patrick Davey said: Am sure IRM could handle all such nuances! Yes. Only IRM could manage the bogie splashers on the original batch ! 1 Quote
Georgeconna Posted October 23 Posted October 23 has to be 4, some lad selling a Fowler here today !! Getting ahead of the posse! 1 1 Quote
George Posted October 23 Posted October 23 If it weren’t for the oo works Version, I’d say the j15, lots of potential for black and grey unrebuilt and rebuilt versions, possibly even oil burning and special editions. Quote
Patrick Davey Posted October 23 Author Posted October 23 1 hour ago, Galteemore said: Yes. Only IRM could manage the bogie splashers on the original batch ! Wee buns. 1 Quote
Broithe Posted October 26 Posted October 26 13 minutes ago, Edo said: Is there a chance of any white smoke this year? They're still having some issues with the Infinite Infallibility Drive. 3 Quote
Broithe Posted October 26 Posted October 26 46 minutes ago, Galteemore said: The Vatican does see occasional steam….. Apparently, in terms of length of track per square kilometre of territory, the Vatican has by far the densest rail network of any of the world's states. 1 1 Quote
Flying Snail Posted October 26 Posted October 26 1 hour ago, Edo said: Is there a chance of any white smoke this year? They mentioned early 2025 over on Facebook for the Irish Steam announcement - see the comments underneath the announcement here 2 Quote
Colin R Posted October 26 Posted October 26 Well, I hope that I have pre-ordered a Bo Bo Hunslet, never expected that one, my one is in Maroon as built, but you know the Blue does not look to bad either. Quote
Patrick Davey Posted October 26 Author Posted October 26 5 hours ago, Broithe said: Apparently, in terms of length of track per square kilometre of territory, the Vatican has by far the densest rail network of any of the world's states. Then they should have a Holy See class......... Sorry that was rrrrreally bad...... 2 3 Quote
Broithe Posted October 26 Posted October 26 4 minutes ago, Patrick Davey said: Then they should have a Holy See class......... Sorry that was rrrrreally bad...... They did have a plan to build a combined class, in co-operation with the Greek Orthodox church. They were planned to be manufactured by Metropolitan Vicars. Note to moderators - It wasn't me that started this talk about religion! 7 Quote
Horsetan Posted October 26 Posted October 26 7 hours ago, Edo said: Is there a chance of any white smoke this year? You might want to read Robert Harris' novel "Conclave". The film version, starring Ralph Fiennes and an ensemble cast, is being launched round about now.... Quote
LNERW1 Posted October 26 Posted October 26 7 hours ago, Broithe said: Apparently, in terms of length of track per square kilometre of territory, the Vatican has by far the densest rail network of any of the world's states. Never thought of that but it makes sense. 1 1 Quote
leslie10646 Posted October 26 Posted October 26 8 hours ago, Broithe said: They're still having some issues with the Infinite Infallibility Drive. Agreed, but with IRM it is DEFINITELY the Infinite Improbability Drive which is steering their Steam Team. 3 Quote
Broithe Posted October 26 Posted October 26 29 minutes ago, LNERW1 said: Never thought of that but it makes sense. One can only assume that their rail system has fourteen stations. 5 Quote
murphaph Posted October 27 Posted October 27 11 hours ago, Broithe said: One can only assume that their rail system has fourteen stations. And Pontius failures are a common theme. 1 1 Quote
Broithe Posted October 27 Posted October 27 4 hours ago, Jarl said: Does it count as a mass transport system? It's unusual in that the Sunday services are the busy ones, with Christmas and Easter often being standing room only. The onboard catering is not the best. A bit of dry bread is about all you can hope for. 1 2 Quote
Horsetan Posted October 27 Posted October 27 7 hours ago, murphaph said: And Pontius failures are a common theme. Yes, but they wash their hands of those.... 3 Quote
Patrick Davey Posted October 27 Author Posted October 27 7 hours ago, murphaph said: And Pontius failures are a common theme. Pilate working in operation. 1 2 Quote
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