The Eagle Has Landed - NIR Hunslets Next For Accurascale IRM

[Horsetan]

1 hour ago, Galteemore said:

Also look at the KTM class 22 in Malaysia / basically a co-Co version of the Hunslet, and built by EE in 1971

An idea for an elaborate conversion kit there....

[Mayner]

14 hours ago, Horsetan said:

An idea for an elaborate conversion kit there....

Challenging converting a OO Gauge model to meter gauge a scale gauge perspective. 

Does the modeller compromise by converting a 4mm model to 12mm gauge or select the correct 12.2mm to S4 standards, build a model from scratch in HOm or follow the example of the Malasian modellers who appear to compromise on Japanese N. https://www.facebook.com/groups/railwaymodellersmalaysia/

[Horsetan]

15 hours ago, Mayner said:

Challenging converting a OO Gauge model to meter gauge a scale gauge perspective. 

Does the modeller compromise by converting a 4mm model to 12mm gauge or select the correct 12.2mm to S4 standards, ...

Funny you mention that. Many years ago, the late Lynden Emery started a narrow-gauge group within the Scalefour Society, applying P4 standards. It seemed to be going well until he died, after which development work tailed off.

[Colin R]

Yes, I do recall that group, I think they came to EXPO-NG at least once at Swanley there was a discussion about finer standards in 4mm narrow-gauge modelling, and I am happy to say that there are still a few who practice them. I do know of at least two sub 8mm gauge 4mm scale narrow gauge layouts under construction, one based on the Lynton and Barnstaple in North Devon and the other based on the slate quarries of North Wales.

Plus, there is one 10mm gauge layout based on several 2ft 6in 750/760mm gauge lines. I think the guy behind this one has built a chassis for the old Leek and Manifold 2-6-4T.  

A friend of mine, Stuart Brewer, has also built a 14mm industrial railway based on the BICC cables at Belvedere in Kent the last time I saw it he had built one diesel loco and was also halfway through building a Bagnall 0-4-0ST as well.

For my sins, I am currently planning a 12mm gauge layout based on Ballinamore on the Cavan and Leitrim, it could work out about 28ft end to end without fiddle yards, some things just don't go small in 4mm scale. 

But coming to the finer standards I think most 009 modellers prefer the use of N gauge chassis to build loco bodies on and not everyone wants to start to build motorised chassis in 8 or 9mm gauges.

 

Colin 

[Horsetan]

2 minutes ago, Colin R said:

Yes, I do recall that group, I think they came to EXPO-NG at least once at Swanley there was a discussion about finer standards in 4mm narrow-gauge modelling, ... 

That may have been coincident with Backwoods Miniatures, which was also trying to make narrow-gauge more finescale 

[jhb171achill]

This release is gold dust.

A few years ago, I would never have dreamed that anything Irish would ever develop beyond a bachmann SECR loco dressed up (to be fair, the good side of reasonably) as a GSR “Woolwich”; despite hauling CIE-liveried LMS coaches, of a design completely unknown anywhere in Ireland other than the NCC.

IRM have completely opened up the Irish market.

Most of here are well aware of the insurmountable financial viability aspects of producing an extremely high-end product for a very small market. And IRM is not a toy maker - that, in business terms, would be comparatively easy; they make exhibition-standard models. 

So when IRM produce something like a short-lived class of only three locomotives (and one, 103, clocked up WAY less mileage than the other two), that’s all the more for us here to be grateful for. 

So, well done IRM folks; you bring back my early 70s memories when I saw the “new Enterprise” (with an engine PUSHING it) for the first time.

And that funny whistly sound. Compared to As and 141s, I guess they weren’t around long enough for their voices to break.

 

[Colin R]

On 12/11/2024 at 3:25 PM, Horsetan said:

That may have been coincident with Backwoods Miniatures, which was also trying to make narrow-gauge more finescale 

Yes, there was always someone somewhere trying to go that bit further Roy Link for one but his bit was to make 7mm 14mm gauge popular a guy by the name of Pete Wilson built a full working Welsh Slate Quarry to 8mm gauge there was nothing made commercial and the whole layout was scratch built I think it was the first and only (as far as I know) narrow gauge layout to make into the pages of MRJ, sadly the layout was scrapped after a museum decided it did not have the room for the design, Pete has, however, keep most of the rolling stock at home.  

Over time, there have been some very inspirational narrow-gauge layouts. In my mind, the most famous Irish-based 3ft gauge layout was David Lloyds Augher Valley, and at the same time (I think it was the Manchester MRC), the Isle of Man Layout, both of which were 4mm scale, 12mm gauge.

Back in the mists of time, someone produced a 4mm gauge 2mm scale narrow gauge layout, sadly any more details of that layout have been lost( I think it was called the vale or pentwan), but I think it had two steam locos one based on the Vale of Rheidol 2-6-2T and the other loco was based on the Leek and Manifold 2-6-4T.

Just like the old Triang TT3, which died off when 'N' gauge was introduced, the same happened for 00n3 modelling. I notice that many current 009 loco 3D prints are based around a motor bogie with skirts, that is OK if you want to model tramways, but for me seeing the pistons and conrods moving on a steam loco makes the whole picture, No disrespect to the tramway guys but it is not something which floats my boat when it comes to general narrow gauge modelling (maybe one or two yes but not the whole show).

Coming back to today one person that I have heard that is doing fine-scale narrow gauge modelling is Tim Watson from the MRC in London, my understanding is he is building a 7,92mm gauge 4mm scale layout of Lynton, I understand that he is using a Backwood Manning Wardle kit as the basis of his first loco, I have not heard much of late but as he is also working on Copenhagen Fields as well for the MRC he might not have as much time as he would like.

I am not aware of any other fine-scale gauge layouts as such, but I have not included models from what I would call fine-scale modellers, since I do wonder what fine-scale modelling is all about.

Colin

[Rob R]

Pete Wilson followed up the 8mm gauge slate quarry with a large of WW1 Belgium/France complete with the requisite 8mm gauge WD Light Railway.

This has been out on the exhibition circuit (here and France) but not for a few years.

[Colin R]

To be honest it is 009 and Pete has retired the layout and it sits in a garden shed, I haven't seen it since covid 19, if I can get over in the next few months I will try and take some photos of it.

 

Colin R

[Rob R]

It is a while since I have been in the shed and I genuinely thought it was 8mm.

Just goes to show that if the rest of the layout is up to scratch then the actual gauge is irrelevant - hence so many people using 16.5mm gauge here.

Rob

[Colin R]

3 hours ago, Rob R said:

It is a while since I have been in the shed and I genuinely thought it was 8mm.

Just goes to show that if the rest of the layout is up to scratch then the actual gauge is irrelevant - hence so many people using 16.5mm gauge here.

Rob

Maybe we should try and meet up over there at some point what do you think?

[Georgeconna]

On 11/11/2024 at 12:18 AM, DiveController said:

So unfortunately not, Stephen. IRM is currently charging these rates to ROW. Those of you in ROW may not notice if you only order one or two locos but you certainly will for a larger order!

I have been looking an old waybill from one of my orders but they've been discarded. What would be the country of origin be for models due for delivery to US in 2025 (Ireland or China)?  @BosKonay

China.

[seagoebox]

A few things from my Hunslet file....

1) spec page from Hunslet.

2), a fanciful colour advert featuring 102 on a Bell Liner train under the little used gantry at Adelaide

3), a page from a 1970 BREL publicity brochure.

Railway Magazine July and September 1970 featured the Hunslets in a  couple of articles.

[jhb171achill]

On 8/12/2024 at 8:42 PM, seagoebox said:

A few things from my Hunslet file....

1) spec page from Hunslet.

2), a fanciful colour advert featuring 102 on a Bell Liner train under the little used gantry at Adelaide

3), a page from a 1970 BREL publicity brochure.

Railway Magazine July and September 1970 featured the Hunslets in a  couple of articles.

The NIR publicity pic at the container yard looks very futuristic!