Accurascale IRM October 2026 Update

[Warbonnet]

Hi folks,

A full update of our current projects (ICRs, NIR Mark 2 coaches and GSR 800 Class) is now available here: https://www.accurascale.com/blogs/irish-railway-news/irm-production-update-800s-nir-coaches-and-icrs

All will be on view at the Dublin Exhibition this weekend, with a small new announcement too!

Cheers!

Fran 

[85 Merlin]

I have to say, I'm very disappointed with today's update.

After waiting around three months for another update on the GSR 800 Class, I was really hoping we would finally see some new samples, get the long-awaited sound demonstration, and perhaps receive some clearer information on shipping.

Instead, we have no new samples, no sound files, and an estimated arrival of January 2027. Honestly, after all that waiting, I expected a lot more from this update.

I'm also struggling to understand the explanation regarding the decoders and the situation in Iran. ESU is a German manufacturer, so could someone please clarify exactly how the situation is affecting the decoder supply? If there is a wider supply-chain issue involved, it would be helpful to understand what that is.

I appreciate that manufacturing models of this complexity takes time, and I'm not suggesting that everything is within IRM's control. However, when we've waited three months for an update, I think it's reasonable to expect something more substantial, particularly when the sound demonstration was something many of us were looking forward to and was previously promiesed

I have three 800 Class locomotives on preorder, and I'm still very much looking forward to receiving them. But I can't pretend that today's news hasn't been a disappointment.

Three months of waiting for an update, and we're still left without new samples, without the sound demonstration, and with another wait ahead of us.

85 Merlin

@Warbonnet

 

Edited Thursday at 10:35 by 85 Merlin

[DJ Dangerous]

Thank you so much for the update!

Don’t mind @85 Merlin, you will never please everybody.

Great to have a better idea of what’s likely, when, and people can now budget for Christmas expenses etc.

[Flying Snail]

23 minutes ago, 85 Merlin said:

I'm also struggling to understand the explanation regarding the decoders and the situation in Iran. ESU is a German manufacturer, so could someone please clarify exactly how the situation is affecting the decoder supply? If there is a wider supply-chain issue involved, it would be helpful to understand what that is.

 

Iran war disrupts the circuit board supply chain, raises costs for tech firms

[Patrick Davey]

Epic stuff folks - the efforts are appreciated.  We’re lucky!!

[irishthump]

58 minutes ago, 85 Merlin said:

I'm also struggling to understand the explanation regarding the decoders and the situation in Iran. ESU is a German manufacturer, so could someone please clarify exactly how the situation is affecting the decoder supply? If there is a wider supply-chain issue involved, it would be helpful to understand what that is.

 

It's the raw materials, epoxy resin (an oil product) used in the manufacture of the PCBs is significantly delayed because of the Iran conflict. The price of copper foil has also gone through the roof.

ESU are a German company but all their manufacturing takes place in China.

[85 Merlin]

@Blaineit probably took you 2 minutes to put up something smart instead of a constructive reply.The young person you are replying is my son and has needs and extreme anxiety and it has taken him a long time with alot of encouragement to participate on this forum because of people who like to be smart and unhelpful, indeed my Mother used to say if you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all,maybe in the future you might take the time to realise there are real people behind these comments fighting battles everyday and something as simple as your comment can set them back #be kind always!

[Warbonnet]

4 hours ago, 85 Merlin said:

I have to say, I'm very disappointed with today's update.

After waiting around three months for another update on the GSR 800 Class, I was really hoping we would finally see some new samples, get the long-awaited sound demonstration, and perhaps receive some clearer information on shipping.

Instead, we have no new samples, no sound files, and an estimated arrival of January 2027. Honestly, after all that waiting, I expected a lot more from this update.

I'm also struggling to understand the explanation regarding the decoders and the situation in Iran. ESU is a German manufacturer, so could someone please clarify exactly how the situation is affecting the decoder supply? If there is a wider supply-chain issue involved, it would be helpful to understand what that is.

I appreciate that manufacturing models of this complexity takes time, and I'm not suggesting that everything is within IRM's control. However, when we've waited three months for an update, I think it's reasonable to expect something more substantial, particularly when the sound demonstration was something many of us were looking forward to and was previously promiesed

I have three 800 Class locomotives on preorder, and I'm still very much looking forward to receiving them. But I can't pretend that today's news hasn't been a disappointment.

Three months of waiting for an update, and we're still left without new samples, without the sound demonstration, and with another wait ahead of us.

85 Merlin

@Warbonnet

 

Hi @85 Merlin,

I've confirmed that they're currently being made and will ship from China soon, landing in January. Surely it doesnt get much more exciting than this? It means they're almost finished! 

Thanks,

Fran 

[Grange Castle]

Great update ! 

Dying to see the ICR.

Delays happen and id rather wait for a completely finished in every area model than rushed and corners cut just to get it over the line. 

Like all IRM / Accurascale model they'll be of the highest quality and well worth the wait.

See yous on Sat ! 

P.s Get a Dart model going

[85 Merlin]

Hi Fran @Warbonnet

That is brilliant news! I'm absolutely delighted to hear that the 800s are nearly finished and will soon be on their way from China. I'm so hyped for their arrival!
I love Irish steam and DCC sound, and these models are exactly the kind of thing I've dreamed of owning. Thanks to you and everyone at IRM/Accurascale, you're making that dream a reality, and I can't thank you enough for all the work that has gone into this project.
I live my life with my heart on my sleeve, so please forgive me if I sometimes come across as a little frustrated or overly enthusiastic! It's simply because I'm so passionate about this project and can't wait to see and hear everything come together.
I love Christmas, but in this case, roll on January!
Thanks again, Fran!
Regards,
85 Merlin

[Broithe]

11 minutes ago, 85 Merlin said:

I love Christmas, but in this case, roll on January!

The Orthodox Christmas is on January 7th. You should still have time to convert - and eliminate some, or even all, of the time discrepancy? 

 

[Warbonnet]

18 minutes ago, 85 Merlin said:

Hi Fran @Warbonnet

That is brilliant news! I'm absolutely delighted to hear that the 800s are nearly finished and will soon be on their way from China. I'm so hyped for their arrival!
I love Irish steam and DCC sound, and these models are exactly the kind of thing I've dreamed of owning. Thanks to you and everyone at IRM/Accurascale, you're making that dream a reality, and I can't thank you enough for all the work that has gone into this project.
I live my life with my heart on my sleeve, so please forgive me if I sometimes come across as a little frustrated or overly enthusiastic! It's simply because I'm so passionate about this project and can't wait to see and hear everything come together.
I love Christmas, but in this case, roll on January!
Thanks again, Fran!
Regards,
85 Merlin

Hi @85 Merlin,

Don't worry about it. We love the passion, and it's what we try to put into each model we make. 

Once we get the production samples for sign off we will show them, along with a sound demo. 

Just be glad you're not awaiting an ICR. It's beyond embarrassing for us that folks are waiting for so long, but we're finally, almost there! 

Thanks,

Fran

[85 Merlin]

Thanks Fran @Warbonnet

I look forward to see them when they are ready and I hope you enjoy the show this weekend, Look like it going to be a good one.

Regards

85 Merlin 

[irishthump]

22 hours ago, 85 Merlin said:

@Blaineit probably took you 2 minutes to put up something smart instead of a constructive reply.The young person you are replying is my son and has needs and extreme anxiety and it has taken him a long time with alot of encouragement to participate on this forum because of people who like to be smart and unhelpful, indeed my Mother used to say if you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all,maybe in the future you might take the time to realise there are real people behind these comments fighting battles everyday and something as simple as your comment can set them back #be kind always!

Par for the course from this particular individual. Best ignored tbh.

[jhb171achill]

Anything of this level of importance is worth the wait. If IRM had not taken the decision to make it, we'd be waiting for all time instead!

It'll arrive when it arrives.

[Louth]

Could the "small new announcement" be a C Class? Wishful thinking perhaps....we will know tomorrow

[Mol_PMB]

3 minutes ago, Louth said:

Could the "small new announcement" be a C Class? Wishful thinking perhaps....we will know tomorrow

We’ll have to wait and C. 
Though if it’s only a small announcement it might be a G…

[jhb171achill]

15 minutes ago, Mol_PMB said:

We’ll have to wait and C. 
Though if it’s only a small announcement it might be a G…

It could "B" a "C".  But "A" different thin"G" would also go "D"own w"E"ll. We will "K"now tomorrow.

 

[Signal Post]

1 hour ago, jhb171achill said:

It could "B" a "C".  But "A" different thin"G" would also go "D"own w"E"ll. We will "K"now tomorrow.

 

I now realise why I was never any good at the cryptic crossword (or is that Crossword?).........

Edited 1 hour ago by Signal Post

[DJ Dangerous]

2 hours ago, Louth said:

Could the "small new announcement" be a C Class? Wishful thinking perhaps....we will know tomorrow

The last time @Warbonnet used the phrase “small announcement”, THIS happened…