IRM A Class Now In Production! Here's why you should get your pre-orders in sooner than later...

[Noel]

14 hours ago, seagoebox said:

From the Archives!!

Yea back then we all thought this was like an Irish TGV, little did we know 75mph was more typical, but on the old jointed rails it felt like the sound barrier had been breeched. Still the cushy air con coaches dulled the noise from outside.

19 hours ago, leslie10646 said:

I must agree with Noel - I have in my possession an official CIE photo (in black and white!) of the Supertrain on Bray Head - and yes, it did look like futuristic.

But, that said, a bit late for me from a modelling standpoint. Still contemplating a green "stripped" one!

I must sell my hoard of Super Train coaches! It'll help pay for all these goodies!

Fortunately have A46 on order as well. August will be A great month.

[JasonB]

11 hours ago, RedRich said:

The Supertrain looks amazing.

A little outside my era of interest, Rich. Although saying that, it does look fantastic. I have to admit, I'm seriously tempted by the version carrying the points logo.    

 

 

 

 

Edited July 10, 2021 by JasonB

[Mayner]

15 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

"A"'s were never used in traffic in West Cork, but a trial run was carried out once or twice.

The traffic didn't warrant them, nor would it ever have been likely to have done, and in places it's possible bridges or track - which by 1955 was indifferent at best - mightn't have been keen on them.

However, had, for example, the Bantry oil terminal required oil trains in the 1960s, and the line survived maybe until the 1975 closures, it's likely you'd have got "A"s on the oil trains and inevitably 141s on passenger.

The C Class may have been used for operational convenience, the Cs seems to have been worked quite intensively on the West Cork with two main line goods trains each way daily & the loco of the "Drimoleague Goods" working some of the Skibbereen & Baltimore passenger/mixed trains & the loco of one-of the Up Goods swapping over with the Clonakilty C for its weekly examination and maintenance. 

The main draw back of using an A on a daily West Cork goods there wouldn't have been another A to take over and haul the goods when it broke down, when a C broke down they could always rob a C off the second goods, a branch passenger train or a beet or a cattle special.

Certainly a C in its original or B233-4, B201/201 Class for would be an ideal follow up for the IRM A Class, as much as I like the Sulzers they did not have the same wide sphere of use or variety of liveries to support a rtr model as the Metrovicks

[Westcorkrailway]

7 hours ago, Mayner said:

The C Class may have been used for operational convenience, the Cs seems to have been worked quite intensively on the West Cork with two main line goods trains each way daily & the loco of the "Drimoleague Goods" working some of the Skibbereen & Baltimore passenger/mixed trains & the loco of one-of the Up Goods swapping over with the Clonakilty C for its weekly examination and maintenance. 

The main draw back of using an A on a daily West Cork goods there wouldn't have been another A to take over and haul the goods when it broke down, when a C broke down they could always rob a C off the second goods, a branch passenger train or a beet or a cattle special.

Certainly a C in its original or B233-4, B201/201 Class for would be an ideal follow up for the IRM A Class, as much as I like the Sulzers they did not have the same wide sphere of use or variety of liveries to support a rtr model as the Metrovicks

In my mind, the west cork would jave been a dumping ground for crossely C class locos if it made it to 1963. Perhaps the rocksavage works would have been able to keep them running consistantly

 

Ill take C202 in silver, C212 in green (may as well be black!) And C206 In black and tan!

[Newtoncork]

I was lucky enough that my dad took me to the last transfer in 1976, I remember being scared about the cutting near Kent Station and if a train came along when I was in it! I was also lucky to be young enough to see the whole of Albert Quay from the old wrought iron bridge when it was a storage yard for all sorts of stuff, I remember ESB trucks and lots of pallets It was all gone by the early 1980's. My dad worked near the snotty bridge and told me about the teatime railcars and the beet specials.  

[jhb171achill]

1 hour ago, Westcorkrailway said:

In my mind, the west cork would jave been a dumping ground for crossely C class locos if it made it to 1963. Perhaps the rocksavage works would have been able to keep them running consistantly

Yes, just like in steam days!

Had the lines survived, you’re going to have C’s on the goods for a few years more, then almost certainly a takeover by 141s. Half a dozen would have replaced everything, including the railcar. By 1970 you’re looking at a passenger set consisting of three laminates and a tin van, with 141 haulage. Goods the same.

A self contained system with nothing but 141s actually has quite an appeal about it!

[RedRich]

13 hours ago, JasonB said:

A little outside my era of interest, Rich. Although saying that, it does look fantastic. I have to admit, I'm seriously tempted by the version carrying the points logo.    

 

 

 

 

I agree Jason it looks really good with the points logo also.

Rich,

[Warbonnet]

Happy Monday, everyone!

Today it's time to show off the remaining black and tan locos, A15 and A39r with their full band livery. 

A15

And A39r....

As you probably already know, A39r (and A23r for that matter) are already sold out, but we do have a limited supply of A15 remaining. So, if you are looking for one, you know what to do...  https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/a-class-locomotive/products/a15-a-class-locomotive

Cheers!

Fran 

[Patrick Davey]

One of mine right there - A15 looking great!

[Westcorkrailway]

1 hour ago, Warbonnet said:

Happy Monday, everyone!

Today it's time to show off the remaining black and tan locos, A15 and A39r with their full band livery. 

A15

And A39r....

As you probably already know, A39r (and A23r for that matter) are already sold out, but we do have a limited supply of A15 remaining. So, if you are looking for one, you know what to do...  https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/a-class-locomotive/products/a15-a-class-locomotive

Cheers!

Fran 

Of course, as prototypical the crossely model are not preforming as well (in sales) as the GM ones!

[popeye]

I see the fan grills are different, one black and the other one silver.

I think black would have looked more normal in everyday use.

[Warbonnet]

26 minutes ago, popeye said:

I see the fan grills are different, one black and the other one silver.

I think black would have looked more normal in everyday use.

Correct, they should be black and the factory is correcting this on the final models. Simple things like this can pop up but it's why we get these samples so we can tweak what is finally delivered. 

Cheers!

Fran

[popeye]

That's good.

Do you know if the fan will be black too.

If not, it might be a bit bright.

[Warbonnet]

The fan is correct, it's just the colour of the grille that needs correcting. 

[jhb171achill]

On 10/7/2021 at 9:20 PM, Newtoncork said:

I was lucky enough that my dad took me to the last transfer in 1976, I remember being scared about the cutting near Kent Station and if a train came along when I was in it! I was also lucky to be young enough to see the whole of Albert Quay from the old wrought iron bridge when it was a storage yard for all sorts of stuff, I remember ESB trucks and lots of pallets It was all gone by the early 1980's. My dad worked near the snotty bridge and told me about the teatime railcars and the beet specials.  

"Teatime railcars".... interesting.

I am guessing that the railcar set used on the Cork - Bantry service was swopped for maintenance purposes at this time with another set from Glanmire? The evening service left Albert Quay for Bantry at 18:30, I think, so if they were swopping them it would make sense for the set coming in from Bantry earlier, to have crossed the tramway to be replaced by another in late afternoon, in time for the evening down departure? Does that sound about right?

I only saw the place once myself, and that was just weeks before it closed. I wandered in, took a few pics, and wandered back - no signs of life that day in the place, and few wagons.

[iarnrod]

Unsure if this has been asked already or not, but will the A Class be available from the likes of Marks Models and/or other retailers or is it just exclusively available from IRM?

 

[Warbonnet]

5 minutes ago, iarnrod said:

Unsure if this has been asked already or not, but will the A Class be available from the likes of Marks Models and/or other retailers or is it just exclusively available from IRM?

 

Hi @iarnrod,

Our usual IRM stockists of Marks Models as well as Messrs Bracken and Dyer will be stocking them too!

Cheers!

Fran 

[iarnrod]

Just now, Warbonnet said:

Hi @iarnrod,

Our usual IRM stockists of Marks Models as well as Messrs Bracken and Dyer will be stocking them too!

Cheers!

Fran 

Thanks Fran.

[Patrick Davey]

The B&T's top the lot in terms of livery I think!  Although the silver livery has grown on me recently.....

Interesting that A15 doesn't have a logo anywhere nor does she have numbers on the side - I wonder why that was?

[jhb171achill]

The light green paint wore off the silver underneath it very quickly! It would be there, but maybe worn or weathered away entirely, usually leaving a nondescript "shadow" behind it.

[Patrick Davey]

1 hour ago, jhb171achill said:

The light green paint wore off the silver underneath it very quickly! It would be there, but maybe worn or weathered away entirely, usually leaving a nondescript "shadow" behind it.

JB I was talking about A15 in B&T, not the silver livery?

[jhb171achill]

20 minutes ago, Patrick Davey said:

JB I was talking about A15 in B&T, not the silver livery?

Oh...ok!

[Warbonnet]

Hi everyone,

A personal favourite of mine today, and a condition I have early memories of the As in, filthy dirty and noisy. That is of course Super Train with IR branding. 

(please note the front handrail got mangled on these two, but it is getting sorted on the production models)

007

And 056

This livery has never been done before RTR but was quite prevalent on As and baby GMs from 87 into the early/mid 90s. They will look awesome weathered up to reflect the twilight years of the Metrovicks. Order yours here: https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/a-class-locomotive

Cheers!

Fran 

[DJ Dangerous]

Yes, yes, yes!

I need more of these in my life!

Now getting to the pinacle of the A Class, the golden era of Irish railways!

[DB JOE]

Be eating doc leaves and dandelions for the next year!!!!!!   Now where did i put my wallet!!!!    Beautiful models!!!!

 

[flange lubricator]

35 minutes ago, DB JOE said:

Be eating doc leaves and dandelions for the next year!!!!!!   Now where did i put my wallet!!!!    Beautiful models!!!!

 

Dont forget the nettle tea ! IRM doing wonders for our BMI and helping us shed the extra covid pounds .

[ttc0169]

3 hours ago, Warbonnet said:

Hi everyone,

A personal favourite of mine today, and a condition I have early memories of the As in, filthy dirty and noisy. That is of course Super Train with IR branding. 

(please note the front handrail got mangled on these two, but it is getting sorted on the production models)

007

And 056

This livery has never been done before RTR but was quite prevalent on As and baby GMs from 87 into the early/mid 90s. They will look awesome weathered up to reflect the twilight years of the Metrovicks. Order yours here: https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/a-class-locomotive

Cheers!

Fran 

Superb

[Edo]

So......are they on the way yet?

[scahalane]

Personal favourite of mine too...

[Warbonnet]

15 hours ago, Edo said:

So......are they on the way yet?

Well, going through these samples we have asked the factory to make several corrections to make them acceptable. They are currently working on this but it will take another 2 weeks to finish, after that they head our way so will now land with us in late August. We're probably getting very pedantic at this stage, but we just want them to be the very best they can be. 

So, now for one variant which we reckon will be super popular; IR with dayglo panels...

036

And 054

One thing we missed on the initial design and tooling for the As was the cut out for the fuel gauge along the side, which many members of the class including 036 and 054 gained later in life. As you can see, we went back and corrected this to ensure we offer a clean sweep of A variants. 

These are endangered species, with 054 already sold out. So, if you want to get 036 for some dayglo loveliness, don't hang about! https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/a-class-locomotive/availability_pre-order?

Cheers!

Fran 

 

[murphaph]

Fantastic. The 4 IR Tippex ones are the ones I ordered. They look the absolute dogs you know whats.

I never really liked the A or C classes in real life but the models have drawn me that bit closer to them.

[Blaine]

Caved in finally, will be as I remember them - Filthy

[iarnrod]

Actually viewing these latest IR liveried model photos on a full sized computer screen, and it's actually hard to tell from certain angles that it isn't a real loco. How good is that? Absolutely amazing offering from the IRM lads.

Edited July 14, 2021 by iarnrod

[gm171 kk]

1 hour ago, Warbonnet said:

One thing we missed on the initial design and tooling for the As was the cut out for the fuel gauge along the side, which many members of the class including 036 and 054 gained later in life. As you can see, we went back and corrected this to ensure we offer a clean sweep of A variants.

Seriously impressive. I've ordered 054.

[DJ Dangerous]

4 hours ago, murphaph said:

Fantastic. The 4 IR Tippex ones are the ones I ordered. They look the absolute dogs you know whats.

I never really liked the A or C classes in real life but the models have drawn me that bit closer to them.

They were fugly in real life, although they did sound nice when re-engined and with their wierd exhaust. They kind of had a face for radio.

But in model form, they look savage!

Can't wait to order a few!