IRM 1960s wish list

[mfjoc]

On 3/6/2026 at 12:55 PM, Mol_PMB said:

Other locos?
Well Accurascale have said that no range is complete without a shunter*. I think a G611 or an E421 are the more likely options, on the basis that some still exist. 
For any future steam loco it would make sense to choose a preserved class in the RPSI or DCDR fleet as that would suit both historic and modern modellers. J15, Jeep, or GNR 4-4-0? 

 

*in their publicity for the class 08 model

I'd love an E421 class but I am not sure how many they would sell. It would be very hard to make a reliable model of a Deutz that would be heavy enough to pull anything, they were so small.

Most likely could be a D 301 class which would probably be able to share a chassis with an 08 and had a somewhat similar body. Again I am not sure how well it would sell as all were out of service by the 1970's.

[Mol_PMB]

7 minutes ago, mfjoc said:

I'd love an E421 class but I am not sure how many they would sell. It would be very hard to make a reliable model of a Deutz that would be heavy enough to pull anything, they were so small.

Most likely could be a D 301 class which would probably be able to share a chassis with an 08 and had a somewhat similar body. Again I am not sure how well it would sell as all were out of service by the 1970's.

As you say, I think the market for a D301 would be much smaller owing to their early withdrawal. Also more difficult to make 21mm-friendly.

The D301 has a different wheelbase and wheel diameter to the 08, and is also shorter in the body (though wider and taller). So if working to Accurascale / IRM standards, it couldn't use the 08 chassis, though it might be able to use design elements of it. Actually, the Heljan class 11 may be a closer match now in the AS stable, though still not spot on.

[Colin R]

Well, someone has to put it up, but how about the West Clare bogie diesels or the railcars, both for 12mm gauge, not sure how many would sell, but I bet some would get them just to try them out.

[Mol_PMB]

15 minutes ago, Colin R said:

Well, someone has to put it up, but how about the West Clare bogie diesels or the railcars, both for 12mm gauge, not sure how many would sell, but I bet some would get them just to try them out.

This exists in the IRRS Archives…

With the popularity of TT-120 and HOm, they might do well. With minor tweaks the railcars would also suit the CDRJC and the Isle of Man, even the BnM. 

[west_clare_wanderer]

On 4/6/2026 at 4:26 PM, mfjoc said:

It would be very hard to make a reliable model of a Deutz that would be heavy enough to pull anything, they were so small.

Look at what Hornby did with the Ruston 48ds in 4mm scale. So a Deutz is easily possible. I'd trust IRM to make a great job of a G611. 

 

On 4/6/2026 at 8:41 PM, Colin R said:

Well, someone has to put it up, but how about the West Clare bogie diesels or the railcars, both for 12mm gauge, not sure how many would sell, but I bet some would get them just to try them out.

I'd love to see it, but I just doubt the market is big enough. I want to be proved wrong though! I suppose there's opportunity to get a market from us here, but also from 009-ers who fancy something different. 

Mind, one thing I have always thought is that a problem arises with the majority of (Irish) standard gauge modellers using 16.5mm gauge track... If paired on the same layout with 12mm gauge for our narrow gauge, it will just really accentuate the narrowness of the standard gauge. 

Look at photos of anywhere where they interchanged and the difference in gauge is striking. That would be lost if 16.5mm track is used. 

Just a minor inconsequential musing.... 

 

[Colin R]

On 8/6/2026 at 12:26 AM, west_clare_wanderer said:

Look at what Hornby did with the Ruston 48ds in 4mm scale. So a Deutz is easily possible. I'd trust IRM to make a great job of a G611. 

 

I'd love to see it, but I just doubt the market is big enough. I want to be proved wrong though! I suppose there's opportunity to get a market from us here, but also from 009-ers who fancy something different. 

Mind, one thing I have always thought is that a problem arises with the majority of (Irish) standard gauge modellers using 16.5mm gauge track... If paired on the same layout with 12mm gauge for our narrow gauge, it will just really accentuate the narrowness of the standard gauge. 

Look at photos of anywhere where they interchanged and the difference in gauge is striking. That would be lost if 16.5mm track is used. 

Just a minor inconsequential musing.... 

 

I would agree about market share, but what is stopping them from being made for both 009 and HOm, like the Bemo ( V51/52)

https://www.bemo-modellbahn.de/produkt/db-v51-902-diesellokomotive/

Bo-bo locos, which had the wheel sets pushed out to 12mm gauge, or you could move them in for 009, just a thought

[west_clare_wanderer]

1 hour ago, Colin R said:

I would agree about market share, but what is stopping them from being made for both 009 and HOm, like the Bemo ( V51/52)

https://www.bemo-modellbahn.de/produkt/db-v51-902-diesellokomotive/

Bo-bo locos, which had the wheel sets pushed out to 12mm gauge, or you could move them in for 009, just a thought

 

Definitely. I've got a good stash of 00n3 stuff, built from Ninelines and Dundas kits (CDR and T&D wagons). Although mine are 12mm gauge, they work equally well as larger 9mm gauge stock, matching the Welshpool and Llanfair and other bigger lines. Nothing to stop RTR locos being similarly capable of both. It's much easier with diesels though. So I'd suggest the big West Clare ones are a prime candidate.

Just musing out loud...

[Colin R]

The same principle could be used on a WCR/CDR/IOM Railcar model, which again could increase sales volumes.

Speaking of which, has anyone measured up the Worsley Work Donegal Railcar? As I am convinced that he uses the WCR drawing and not the Donegal drawing, since there is a difference between the two of them.