CIE Mystery model

[Metrovik]

Picked up this 121 class at the MRSI show last October, I was drawn to her not wanting to spend upwards of €180 for the Murphy models version. It's a surprisingly good runner given its age indicated by the couplings. I think it's kit built but checked online and can't find any trace of it Anybody recognise it? or better still know who built it?  Also there's a lamp fitted inside that lights up, I just don't know why because it seems to just be under the body shell, maybe it once lit the cab or headlights?

[WRENNEIRE]

Could be an old MIR kit
Running gear looks like ex Athern
The light is probably from the donor chassis which I think had a working headlight

[flange lubricator]

25 minutes ago, Metrovik said:

Picked up this 121 class at the MRSI show last October, I was drawn to her not wanting to spend upwards of €180 for the Murphy models version. It's a surprisingly good runner given its age indicated by the couplings. I think it's kit built but checked online and can't find any trace of it Anybody recognise it? or better still know who built it?  Also there's a lamp fitted inside that lights up, I just don't know why because it seems to just be under the body shell, maybe it once lit the cab or headlights?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder as they say I’d prefer spending €180 on a Murphy models one tbh . 

[Metrovik]

To be honest over the course of the last few weeks Im starting to agree with you, but still ain't bad for 50 quid plus it sounds like the real thing albeit unintentionally

[Metrovik]

1 hour ago, WRENNEIRE said:

Could be an old MIR kit
Running gear looks like ex Athern
The light is probably from the donor chassis which I think had a working headlight

Thanks, Now I know that it's possibly serviceable and not a weird kit-built one off, it came in an Athern trains box so you're right about the chassis

[Mayner]

Built a pair of MIR 121 on Athearn SW1500 chassis back in the 90s not bad by the standards of the time, though the less said about the tippex lining the better.

The whitemetal MIR 121 and 141 on Athearn chassis were excellent "layout' locos could pull any train and operate reliably for several days under exhibition conditions.

I got rid of my Irish "modern image" stuff a few years later, the models were relatively crude and less satisfying to build compared with what could be achieved with contemporary etched kits