Popular Post Warbonnet Posted September 30, 2019 Popular Post Posted September 30, 2019 Well folks, today is a very special landmark for us here at IRM, as we received the first pre-production prototype of our highly antcipated A Class! We've already given it a quick spin around our layout, and we are blown away by the crispness of the detail, the etched grills, the shape, and that performance! It's beautifully heavy and very, very smooth! There are some snags required such as lighting functions, roof details and fit, but overall it is most encouraging! It will take pride of place on our stand at the forthcoming South Dublin Model Railway Show this October Bank holiday weekend, so make sure you drop by for a closer look! We will soon send our feedback to China and then get some firm delivery details. In the meantime check out this video and place an order if you havent already. These beauties promise to be special! https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collectio…/a-class-locomotive 18 7 Quote
popeye Posted September 30, 2019 Posted September 30, 2019 OMG Beautiful, you must be over the moon with it. It really is the loco we need for all these great wagons we are getting. When painted and a bit of dirt they will look fantastic. You should be so proud of yourselves. Thank You. 4 2 Quote
Galteemore Posted September 30, 2019 Posted September 30, 2019 What a fantastic production - well done. It’s not my scale, it’s not my kind of loco, but all Irish modellers have to doff their caps here! 3 2 Quote
NIRCLASS80 Posted September 30, 2019 Posted September 30, 2019 (edited) Looks fantastic. Can’t wait now. I think I might need another after I have sold my kidney! Well done again, the slow running looks a treat. Mileage tests are always available on Ballyercall! Edited September 30, 2019 by NIRCLASS80 3 2 1 Quote
ttc0169 Posted September 30, 2019 Posted September 30, 2019 Superb slow speed running, you have really captured the distinctive shape of this unique locomotive, well done gentlemen, looking forward to a closer inspection at the exhibition 2 2 Quote
Wexford70 Posted September 30, 2019 Posted September 30, 2019 Really impressive guys. Congrats. 1 2 Quote
aclass007 Posted September 30, 2019 Posted September 30, 2019 It looks amazing! All we were promised, and more! I didn't really notice until after the sixth time of watching....but that's a magnificent layout! 2 2 Quote
scahalane Posted September 30, 2019 Posted September 30, 2019 A work of art. Simply beautiful. 1 2 Quote
RedRich Posted September 30, 2019 Posted September 30, 2019 It looks amazing it screams A Class it runs beautifully. It's such an important part of railway history in the modern era and was the one model that really needed to be produced maybe more so than the GM 201 Class. Can't wait to see a painted example and more of the cab interior. IRM have every reason to be excited as this will set a new standard. Rich, 2 2 Quote
BosKonay Posted October 1, 2019 Posted October 1, 2019 Bearing in mind this first sample does not yet include complete detail, all rivets, roof details, etc Quote
Noel Posted October 1, 2019 Posted October 1, 2019 Wow. An idea, a dream was born only 6 years ago and now look what you guys have managed to produce. Looks truly stunning and better looks a stunningly precise runner. Love the low speed clips. Well done guys, what a journey. 1 Quote
BosKonay Posted October 1, 2019 Posted October 1, 2019 32 minutes ago, Noel said: Wow. An idea, a dream was born only 6 years ago and now look what you guys have managed to produce. Looks truly stunning and better looks a stunningly precise runner. Love the low speed clips. Well done guys, what a journey. Thanks Noel, Actually next March is just the 4th anniversary of us 'going for real' into model making, after the ballast hopper adventure Quote
irishthump Posted October 1, 2019 Posted October 1, 2019 (edited) Lads, The detail is stunning! From the tiny marker lights, the bogie detail right down to the rivets on the windscreen surround. A masterpiece! No to mention the silky smooth running.... Edited October 1, 2019 by irishthump 2 Quote
spudfan Posted October 1, 2019 Posted October 1, 2019 I have pre sold so many internal organs that I'll be on life support in bed watching my layout with the A class being controlled by the Mrs..... 1 2 Quote
Warbonnet Posted October 1, 2019 Author Posted October 1, 2019 Hi everyone, Thanks for the awesome feedback! We're very humbled by your feedback, and it was a proud day for us. Hats off to @Glenderg who put his heart and soul into the design of it. Locos are a massive project, both workload and financially, so it's great to see it pay off. We reckon they will look the part on your layouts and in your collections. 20191001_161822_1 (1).mp4 Testing has been ongoing, and so far so good. We have gone big on the internals with our friends at ESU, so as you can see here, should your A Class hit some points, or dirty track or a dead spot, it wont stop! We timed it being off the track for 9 seconds before the wheels stopped turning! All wheel drive and pick up certainly helps too, and as you can see, on the GM variants rotating axle caps will be present and regauging to 21mm nice and handy. We will be at the South Dublin Model Railway clubrooms tomorrow evening from 8:00pm with our As and Ferts so please drop by for a look and say hi. All welcome! Back to the testing! Cheers, Fran 6 2 Quote
Edo Posted October 1, 2019 Posted October 1, 2019 It looks great and it moves great. But then I knew it would! - ye guys have set high standards for yourselves. I've worked for more than a few start ups in my time and i know the time, resources ,effort, frustrations and the rest that goes into getting a product from an idea , to a plan, to a cad, to that first physical sample in your hands...... Well done and dont forget to enjoy the moment of accomplishment - hope the rest of the production process goes to plan. Now I must really get my own plan going regarding a layout to showcase this wonderful model....the kitchen table doesnt really cut it anymore! 2 2 Quote
mmie353 Posted October 1, 2019 Posted October 1, 2019 @Warbonnet dude, any idea on quantities of each for the A class? With the 121's coming out, and I have to get an order in for the ferts, I would like to add if I can to my order for the A class 1 Quote
BosKonay Posted October 1, 2019 Posted October 1, 2019 34 minutes ago, mmie353 said: @Warbonnet dude, any idea on quantities of each for the A class? With the 121's coming out, and I have to get an order in for the ferts, I would like to add if I can to my order for the A class The run, with all 17 versions, will still be somewhat limited, we're looking at probably 250 locomotives per variation. Quote
Robert Shrives Posted October 1, 2019 Posted October 1, 2019 Wow and as all say above ! looking forward to a look at Warley B46 in November. Robert 2 Quote
spudfan Posted October 1, 2019 Posted October 1, 2019 (edited) Update. As I was blessed with only two kidneys I headed to the local butcher shop. I managed to pick up a few more kidneys for Ebay…. As an aside I do carry an organ donor card (female members please exert some self control) so I do feel some pangs of guilt. Also the JCB has arrived and has been suitably camouflaged..... for the St Patricks Day parade. Anyone else any good ideas, or are you keeping them to fund your own requirements? Edited October 1, 2019 by spudfan 2 Quote
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted October 1, 2019 Posted October 1, 2019 I've had one of these ugly wee feckers on order since May. Now I'm thinking with the ferts, flats, an A class and the 121 all on order the Mrs Dr G-F may well be serving me with divorce papers as I spend the Junior Dr G-Fs inheritance on toy trains. Am I worried? Heck no, But if you fellas don't announce a MK3 push pull set soon I may cry like a week gurrl 1 2 Quote
spudfan Posted October 1, 2019 Posted October 1, 2019 10 minutes ago, Dr Gerbil-Fritters said: I've had one of these ugly wee feckers on order since May. Now I'm thinking with the ferts, flats, an A class and the 121 all on order the Mrs Dr G-F may well be serving me with divorce papers as I spend the Junior Dr G-Fs inheritance on toy trains. Am I worried? Heck no, But if you fellas don't announce a MK3 push pull set soon I may cry like a week gurrl Methinks you and I will be moving in together!!!! 1 2 Quote
Glenderg Posted October 1, 2019 Posted October 1, 2019 @warbonnet has been generous enough to tag me as having some responsibility here, but I need to expand on that slightly. Myself , Fran, and Pat all went to DCDR to survey and spent the day snapping and measuring. It might be my job to convert that data to plastic, and it near killed me to make the 3D model, but it wouldn't have been possible without Pat's middle of the night conversations with China, nor his understanding of the prototype, nor Fran's queries of "Did this version not have this type of yokemedoo*", and "can we have this DCC functionality", nor Bosko's "I want a meellion of these for meself, so they'd better be right" (I may be understating Bosko's input here for some poorly executed comedy effect, but IRM wouldn't exist without him. Simple as.) In summary, this is a joint effort, based on the work of all 4 of us, and there's still some work to be done, we'll all chip in to make it as fantastic an A - Class as it deserves to be. R. *I don't do technical speak at all! 10 4 Quote
Bentleypat Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 Awesome lads! Be justifiably proud as you’ve set the new benchmark! Congratulations! 1 1 Quote
Warbonnet Posted October 2, 2019 Author Posted October 2, 2019 Thanks everyone. Some close up pics to continue to whet the appetite! 7 2 Quote
Noel Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 That looks so good, you’d almost want to have one in that pre-production finish and colour with the brass buffers as a collectors item. 3 Quote
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 I'm thinking there couldn't have been any fat drivers on the CIE back in the day - how did anyone fit through those narrow doors? 2 Quote
Warbonnet Posted October 2, 2019 Author Posted October 2, 2019 58 minutes ago, Dr Gerbil-Fritters said: I'm thinking there couldn't have been any fat drivers on the CIE back in the day - how did anyone fit through those narrow doors? My luxury upholstered backside managed to fit and the cab itself is quite roomy, 141s on the other hand are tiny, both in access and the cab itself! 2 2 2 Quote
RedRich Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 The underframe detail in the second clip is truly museum level. It could be a trick of the light in the second clip but is the cooling fan spinning. One of the trains that I have fondest memories of growing up in the eighties and nineties before the GM's took over is an A Class pulling Beet wagons to and from Wellington Bridge, I hope you are taking note men a double height Beet wagon to accompany the A's and to the level of the already released wagons is a must. We need to get you scanned by Modelu in a seated position for the cab Fran with Richie and Pat scanned in measuring the real loco pose to be able to recreate the Downpatrick visit in model form when the measuring and research took place.with A39. Rich, 5 Quote
Broithe Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 55 minutes ago, Dr Gerbil-Fritters said: I'm thinking there couldn't have been any fat drivers on the CIE back in the day - how did anyone fit through those narrow doors? There comes a point where a driver is promoted to the post of Controller... 2 Quote
NIRCLASS80 Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 Ok,ok,ok I give in! I will buy another so could you stop this torture! 2 Quote
spudfan Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 Normally, to get this excited about photographs on the internet you have to click on the "Yes I am over 18" caption. The type of site that you hit EXIT when the Mrs enters the room...and hope that it doesn't freeze. But that is another story...... 2 Quote
ttc0169 Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 3 hours ago, RedRich said: The underframe detail in the second clip is truly museum level. It could be a trick of the light in the second clip but is the cooling fan spinning. One of the trains that I have fondest memories of growing up in the eighties and nineties before the GM's took over is an A Class pulling Beet wagons to and from Wellington Bridge, I hope you are taking note men a double height Beet wagon to accompany the A's and to the level of the already released wagons is a must. We need to get you scanned by Modelu in a seated position for the cab Fran with Richie and Pat scanned in measuring the real loco pose to be able to recreate the Downpatrick visit in model form when the measuring and research took place.with A39. Rich, Well said Rich.... 2 Quote
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