Irish Railway Models Launch

[patrick]

The tooling costs are simply too high to justify any alternative hopper, be that magnesite or any other variant. The minimum run is 1000 units to start with, so I have been researching ways of getting alternative hoppers produced in either resin and/or brass for all variants to be produced at low cost. I've asked China about the possibility of getting unassembled and undercorated parts, effectively the sprues in a bag, ala Dapol Prestwin kits, but I've had no response as yet.

 

I was't suggesting or expecting that accurate variations be produced but hoping that a painted unlettered model of the ballast hopper be made available or painted and lettered as dolomite and gypsum wagons. I imagine many of us would accept the detail differences between the prototypes. Sprues in a bag! Great idea. Lets hope it works out.

Edited July 24, 2016 by patrick

[Glenderg]

I was't suggesting or expecting that accurate variations be produced but hoping that a painted unlettered model of the ballast hopper be made available for those of us to finish as dolomite or gypsum wagons with appropriate decals.

 

Apologies if I came across as "slamming the door", not my intention. Kind of what I was thinking about from the beginning of this process back in March of 2015. Try and design a chassis that's as adaptable as possible and also provide alternatives so that the likes of yourself and Dive (and myself) would have a way of making up rakes of alternative wagons, without diluting the accuracy of the chassis. (Hence why we're not using this chassis for earlier beet/molasses/bauxite/spoil/ etc.wagons) The bizarre thing is it's sometimes easier to produce brass & resin parts at home than it is as injected moulded plastic in China, so this methodology makes sense given the low volume of hoppers, and having established relationships with specialists.

 

I imagine many of us would accept the detail differences between the prototypes.

 

We don't, but we try and work it so that those who want to bodge, can

 

Sprues in a bag! Great idea. Lets hope it works out..

 

I'd be chuffed to bits if this worked out. A ready to run 20 ft chassis, with wheels, NEM pockets, couplings, the whole shooting gallery... and please god, dirt cheap too...

 

Richie.

[DiveController]

From memory, and subsequent photos, the dolomite wagons had no large numbers or lettering stenciled on the sides, so I'm hoping removing the print from the models along with some weathering will be all that's needed..... Unless anyone knows different about numbers or letters they may have carried?

Dolomite Ore Wagons 26612-26627 were built in 1970 & 26632-26635 Dolomite ore wagons at some point, I do not know when. Six of the dolomite Wagons were converted to Magnesite wagons in 1977 but I don't know which ones if applying numbers for a model post '77. They were out of use by at least 1987 probably due to cessation of traffic but I'm sure you're aware of the date. Otherwise as per Wrenn's/Glenderg's superb shot above. I presume this is the hopper being emptied through the grille below?

Edited July 24, 2016 by DiveController

[Warbonnet]

Latest news from Irish Railway Models including artwork for all three wagon packs https://irishrailwaymodels.com/index.php/2016/07/27/artwork-complete-on-the-irish-railway-models-cie-ballast-hopper/

[richrua]

Looks great folks. A grand endeavour and almost there now!

[Warbonnet]

Looks great folks. A grand endeavour and almost there now!

Cheers Rich, finishing line is getting closer! I imagine one of us will write a book on it some day. You wouldn't believe how much work has to go on behind the scenes but we're truly grateful and delighted by the support from you all in the hobby. Without it this wouldn't be possible! Edited July 27, 2016 by Warbonnet

[josefstadt]

Latest news from Irish Railway Models including artwork for all three wagon packs https://irishrailwaymodels.com/index.php/2016/07/27/artwork-complete-on-the-irish-railway-models-cie-ballast-hopper/

 

[NIRCLASS80]

looking good. Great work from you lads. I think a big thanks is in order.

[Railer]

Only looking just there, you have more info on your Facebook page than on your main website or here. Just discovered all the bubble cement CADs and only one teaser was posted here, same with the tooling parts for the hoppers.

 

Not being a fan or user of Facebook myself that a bit of a pain that that's where most of the info on this project is.

[scahalane]

All the hard work is truly appreciated lads, well done and very excited in anticipation.

[Warbonnet]

Only looking just there, you have more info on your Facebook page than on your main website or here. Just discovered all the bubble cement CADs and only one teaser was posted here, same with the tooling parts for the hoppers.

 

Not being a fan or user of Facebook myself that a bit of a pain that that's where most of the info on this project is.

 

Hi Railer,

 

Thanks for the feedback. Both the forum and Facebook are important channels for us, as well as the website. We did share a number of bubble CAD pics on the forum previously http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/5516-IRM-Cement-Bubble-CAD-Preview?highlight=Cement+bubble and the early tooling of the ballast wagon http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/5634-Irish-Railway-Models-Announce-Additional-Packs-of-CIE-Ballast-Wagons-in-4mm-Scale/page2

 

We'll do our best to make them stand out more and update our website further. As you can appreciate we're doing this on top of our day jobs so sometimes things can slip through the cracks.

 

We will say now however, that you should all keep an eye on the forum next Wednesday evening (Aug 3rd) for some IRM related news

[richrua]

I am intrigued that the cement bubbles are at 85% . will it be necessary for me to sell some camels sooner than I expected ???

[Warbonnet]

The development of the bubble is progressing quicker than expected, but is still a bit behind the ballast. When we get an update from the factory on timelines etc we will let you all know

[Railer]

The development of the bubble is progressing quicker than expected, but is still a bit behind the ballast. When we get an update from the factory on timelines etc we will let you all know

 

And of course the livery/era options one might assume?

[Warbonnet]

And of course the livery/era options one might assume?

 

Of course! However, research for the artwork is one of the areas that's slowing us up a little. So if anyone has any photos and other reference material on the bubbles please PM me. All reference material will be used for research only, will be returned and not published publicly. The sooner we get them, the sooner we can make them!

[DJM Dave]

I am intrigued that the cement bubbles are at 85% . will it be necessary for me to sell some camels sooner than I expected ???

 

You know camels can't buy you the kind of love a set of cement bubbles can!

[RedRich]

Hugely anticipating the news. I say that the lad's are doing a fantastic job at updating us with news and all the pics on the facebook page have been on here. From a modellers and customers point of view IRM and Dave have made this a very exciting time and thanks for sharing lad's.

 

Rich,

[Railer]

From a modellers and customers point of view IRM and Dave have made this a very exciting time and thanks for sharing lad's.

 

And they haven't even announced what Project 3 is yet.

 

Hoping for the Tara wagons myself.

[Warbonnet]

And they haven't even announced what Project 3 is yet.

 

Hoping for the Tara wagons myself.

 

We're planning to make that announcement at the October show in Dublin but we will confirm closer to the time

[NIRCLASS80]

Great to see things progressing. Ballast wagons 98%, Bubbles now 90%, Project 3 25%, and Project 4 5% underway. Super time to model Irish railways, I will certainly be selling some North American stock.

[Railer]

, I will certainly be selling some North American stock.

 

Was only thinking that to myself over the weekend. Might try and sell some of my North American stuff at the October show to fund more Irish purchases. Don't know how hard it will be to sell on though.

[Arran]

HI All

 

A container flat would be good for all those Bells out there.

 

Regards Arran

[WRENNEIRE]

Was only thinking that to myself over the weekend. Might try and sell some of my North American stuff at the October show to fund more Irish purchases. Don't know how hard it will be to sell on though.

 

Theres a lad at the Bray Wheeler gig who buys and sells American outline bits

Phil McHugh is his name

PM me if you need a phone number

[Noel]

Great to see things progressing. Ballast wagons 98%, Bubbles now 90%, Project 3 25%, and Project 4 5% underway. Super time to model Irish railways, I will certainly be selling some North American stock.

 

Yes looking forward to getting the Ballasts in October.

 

Would be great if projects 3 or 4 were either Bulleid corrugated beat wagons, or H-Vans. Both along with the double height beat wagon were the most numerous and quintessential stock that ever ran on Irelands railways. Probably the most hauled goods wagons by 141/181 and A class locos. Apologies for my interest in these wagons, they were the essence of Irish freight stock from the 50s through to the mid seventies, every siding or passing loop was full of them. It would be great to have 'quality' RTR stock of either or even both one day.

[NIRCLASS80]

I would love to see container flats or fertilizer bogie wagons myself but I'm sure we will buy whatever the projects are if they are as good as the ballast wagon!!!

[Garfield]

We'll be unveiling the identity of Project #3 on Saturday morning at the October show.

 

Project #4 is still a closely guarded secret in development at IRM's Skunk Works...

Edited September 8, 2016 by Garfield

[NIRCLASS80]

We'll be unveiling the identity of Project #3 on Saturday morning at the October show.

 

Project #4 is still a closely guarded secret in development at IRM's Skunk Works...

 

What about project 3??

[Garfield]

Yep... project #3.

[NIRCLASS80]

Yep... project #3.

 

Yep what???????????????

[BosKonay]

Yep what???????????????

 

We'll be unveiling the identity of Project #3 on Saturday morning at the October show.

 

Project #4 is still a closely guarded secret in development at IRM's Skunk Works...

 

[Noel]

Think these famous wagons share almost similar chassis to the ballasts and bubbles:

 

 

Hint IRM

Edited September 10, 2016 by Noel

[NIRCLASS80]

Think these famous wagons share almost similar chassis to the ballasts and bubbles:

 

 

Hint IRM

 

Hint, Hint!!

[Garfield]

The chassis, while similar, has enough differences to warrant an entirely new tooling.

 

And to paraphrase Scotty... "We can'nae go any faster"

[NIRCLASS80]

The chassis, while similar, has enough differences to warrant an entirely new tooling.

 

And to paraphrase Scotty... "We can'nae go any faster"

 

You are all doing just great, plus it will give us some time to save!!

[Noel]

The chassis, while similar, has enough differences to warrant an entirely new tooling.

 

And to paraphrase Scotty... "We can'nae go any faster"

 

You are all doing just great, plus it will give us some time to save!!

 

+1

 

Btw, its "Captain, the engines cannae take much more of this"