IRM A Class Sales Leader Board - Which Ones Are About To Sell Out??

[Colin R]

55 minutes ago, DJ Dangerous said:

Think it's A39R in as-preserved BT livery?

 

your right, I was getting worried, it is the preserved one at Downpatrick and it should have been A39R. which makes it the third most popular model in this range, I also have the two green ones on order as well.

If I had the money I would also order the other silver one A30 I think it is, but money being what it is and as I have a few other model railway items to get in the next few months I might end up buying one second hand.

Colin

 

Colin

Edited April 10, 2021 by Colin R

[DJ Dangerous]

5 minutes ago, Colin R said:

your right, I was getting worried, it is the preserved one at Downpatrick and it should have been A39R. which makes it the third most popular model in this range, I also have the two green ones on order as well.

 

Colin

I also have one of these on order to haul some RPSI Cravens in a ficticious world.

[jhb171achill]

 

On ‎09‎/‎04‎/‎2021 at 8:45 AM, connollystn said:

Yeah! Lets get back to the topic at hand. Looking at the chart it seems the early diesels are at the bottom, this may have something to do with there being no prototypical wagons to run with them. All said, anything around 50% on pre-order is very good. It reminds me of the Celtic Tiger when people were buying property off the drawings (before the houses/apartments were completed) [getting side tracked again!].

I would guess that over a period, once six-wheelers are to be had, tin vans and more of Leslie's wagons (there are actually more than enough already), and maybe a RTR wooden bogie coach, that might change - hope so, anyway. We had nothing from the "black'n'tnan" era a few years ago, now we've a good bit; roll on an expansion of the "grey'n'green" era!

[Noel]

Not surprised to hear A23r is sold out, the CIE stepped Black'n'Tan livery was iconic

On 9/4/2021 at 2:34 PM, BosKonay said:

Just a quick update, A23R is now completely sold out on preorder.

IMHO best livery of the lot with the stepped band.

[DJ Dangerous]

1 minute ago, jhb171achill said:

 

I would guess that over a period, once six-wheelers are to be had, tin vans and more of Leslie's wagons (there are actually more than enough already), and maybe a RTR wooden bogie coach, that might change - hope so, anyway. We had nothing from the "black'n'tnan" era a few years ago, now we've a good bit; roll on an expansion of the "grey'n'green" era!

Tin Vans, Tin Vans, Tin Vans!!!

[Colin R]

Just as a side issue here what would make up the following:-

1) A typical passenger train set behind an A class in the 1950's

2) A typical local mixed train in the Midlands area lets say Dromod Station in the 1950's

Colin

[jhb171achill]

7 minutes ago, Colin R said:

Just as a side issue here what would make up the following:-

1) A typical passenger train set behind an A class in the 1950's

2) A typical local mixed train in the Midlands area lets say Dromod Station in the 1950's

Colin

This is a very good question and well timed, with the release of these things imminent.

The "A"s were used on main lines entirely - they were never branch engines. When they were delivered, AEC railcars sets monopolised main line passenger trains - at the risk of giving DJDangerous a fit (!), they're as totally essential as tin vans. The AECs were the ICRs of the day, or the 80 class of 1980s NIR. Without them, a main line scene simply isn't right. So, they were used on goods trains probably somewhat more than passenger trains.

(1). Goods trains

So let's take that first. The "H" vans were appearing then too, so goods trains were TYPICALLY (MANY variations) composed of a mixture of "H" vans, and various older wooden vans, even a few old "soft-tops" still being seen. Open wagons were almost all wooden - with the Bullied corrugated ones beginning to appear about the same time. Cattle trucks were to be seen - the odd one in a goods train, but on fair day huge numbers of them still coming out of the woodwork. Some were fitted, some not; some were the quite-new CIE standard design, but a good few older ones (mostly ex-GSWR) were still about at first.

Goods brake vans of the wooden-planked type currently being developed by Mayner of JM Design (seen on IRM) were almost universal on main lines. Nothing ex-GNR, other than a visiting van the odd time, was to be seen, as CIE had not yet absorbed the sorry rump of the GNR that Stormont had been unable to slash to pieces. A realistic goods train might have a ratio of three vans to each open wagon.

Flat wagons and tank wagons appeared, but were few and far between numerically, and the latter absolutely limited to a very few routes or locations.

One of our English friends once asked me what sort of milk tankers we had, presumably with visions of a GWR Devon branch line, where a Pannier trundled along with one coach, three milk tankers and a brake van. We didn't have that - our milk traffic was carried in churns in goods vans.

Livery - literally everything grey. You take every model, throw them all in a bucket of grey pain, hang out to dry and apply numerals and "snails". 

Up to some time in the early to mid 1950s, about the time the A"s were seeing the light of day, the numbers and "flying snails" were painted on in the "eau-de-nil" light green, but were now being done in white (or off-white). Some "snails" were painted on - especially if they were painted in Limerick or Cork, by the look of it, but stencilled ones, and then stencilled numerals would have completely taken over by the turn of the 1960s.

Now; (2) - passenger trains.

As I said, many areas - especially ex-MGWR lines and Sligo - limerick - Tralee - Mallow, were either almost, or indeed literally, monopolised by AEC railcar sets - often with a very eclectic selection of centre cars, including one 1898 dining car. However, steam and hauled stock ruled on secondary lines. The "A"s were to be seen on some secondary routes, but main lines were where they would be seen primarily on passenger trains, thus with hauled carriages. These were a mixture.

CIE had built a large number of carriages in 1951-3, outwardly (to modern eyes) similar to the later "laminates", and often incorrectly labelled as such today - but they had solid timber frames rather than "laminated wood". These were basically a continuations of Edgar Bredin's 1935-7 GSR "steel-sided" coaches, most of which were also running into the 1950s and beyond, albeit repainted green. So, first into the pot are the several types of "Bredins", plus their CIE cousins. Next, at the same time the "A"s were appearing, we have the "Park Royals" appearing. Now add them to the pot.

Laminates - proper ones that is, started appearing in large numbers shortly after delivery of the "A"s. Hardly two batches were exactly the same, and as their lives wore on, many were altered, often becoming "one-offs" like 1909, the "Loughrea Coach". Now, we have four ingredients to our soup.

However, these were all "modern". A very large number of bogie coaches of MGWR and especially GSWR origin were in front-line use, though not so much DSER; there seems to have been an early purge of these between 1949 and 1951. Most, though not all, were corridor stock but many GSWR non-c types remained, usually found on the Cobh and Youghal lines and DSER suburban routes. How many more "ingredients" does that make to our carriage mix? Think of a number and add a zero or two.

Six-wheelers were still to be seen, though these would be more familiar to steam engines at that time, and a few years later would become well acquainted with "C"s on branch lines. main line mail trains could be guaranteed to include - yes, DJ - brand new tin vans alongside ancient six-wheel full brakes and mail coaches - one on the Galway run being an 1877 antique.

And yes, it does have to be said these new 4-wheel heating and luggage vans were necessary on ALL diesel trains, unless neither heating nor lighting was needed (Youghal summer excursions perhaps). Steam engines heated their trains with steam; diesels did not.

So what ran with an "A" in a passenger train in the silver or green period? Any or all of the above. Too early for cravens, too early for 6-wheel heating vans.

Liveries: The older carriages would have the older green with full lining, while anything repainted from the mid-50s got the lighter green with single line. This would also apply to Bredins and 1951-3 CIE equivalents. (Around 1952 a rake of these was introduced in plain unlined green). Some secondary stock had the dark green with no lining at all, though these were more likely to be seen in the obscure recesses of Ballinascarthy than on main lines.

The Park Royals and post-1955 "laminates", plus the earliest of all varieties of tin vans and mail vans started life without a livery - as they were unpainted "silver", to match the new locomotives. This was an unmitigated disaster, so all were repainted at first opportunity - like the "A" class themselves, after 1958, though some remained like that, in an exceptionally shabby state, until the mid 1950s - especially the tin vans. Most were repainted green.

So, what's a typical passenger train behind an "A"? First, if typical, it's a main line train. That being the case, we might say six coaches and one or two vans. In 1955, three newer coaches are silver or light green, three older ones in dark green, and the two vans (one luggage, one heating) in already-filthy silver. If it's the main line to Cork, you're upping the number of coaches, but maybe only be one old wooden one - inevitably the dining car.

Whew. Hope that helps!

I can smell the dinner. I'm off downstairs.

[Georgeconna]

On 9/4/2021 at 2:34 PM, BosKonay said:

Just a quick update, A23R is now completely sold out on preorder.

Sold out on IRM Pre Orders or are they available from other retailers?

Luckily one of the ones I chose!

[Mike 84C]

Looks like the old marketing acronym FOMO is working a treat! And good luck to the lads at Irish railway models. I hope their success is repeated with the Accurascale models.

[Mayner]

7 hours ago, Colin R said:

Just as a side issue here what would make up the following:-

 

2) A typical local mixed train in the Midlands area lets say Dromod Station in the 1950's

Colin

CIE did not run "mixed" trains as such on the Sligo line, but non-passenger coaching stock and "fitted" wagons was a regularly attached to Midland section passenger trains during the 1950s.

There are a number of photos of Dublin-Sligo passenger trains in Anthony Burges book "Chasing the Flying Snail" (Colourpoint 2005)

There is a Mar 1953 photo of a steam hauled  9:25 am Westland Row-Sligo at Longford and Dromod the train is hauled by 550 and ex MGWR "Celtic "Class 4-4-0 the train consist appears to be a post 1900 MGWR 6w main line Full Brake, an ex-MGWR Side Corridor Coach, two ex-GSR/GSWR Side Corridor Coaches and 3-4 Non-Passenger Coaching Stock or Fitted Vans. The author travelled on the footplate his main experience of the trip was the crews struggle to adequate maintain boiler pressure due to the poor standard of coal and briquettes supplied.

There is a 1957 photo in the same album of A5 departing Dromad for Sligo with two coaches visible an ex-GSR/GSWR Side Corridor Coach and a CIE (Bredin) Side Corridor (possibly composite).

'Night Mail" trains were a feature of the Midland until the traffic was discontinued in the early 1990s

I have a photo of the Night Mail being prepared in Sligo in the late 1950s. An ex MGWR 2-4-0 659 made up the train at Sligo with an A Class hauling the train to Mullingar to connect with the Galway-Dublin Night Mail

The trains consist included.

A Bulleid 4w H&LV and ex-MGWR 6e TPO dating from the 1880s (complete with mail pick up apparatus) , an ex-MGWR Meat/Fish Van & a Bulleid 4W Luggage van and possibly a CIE Bredin Side Corridor Coach and a string of fitted H vans.

I have a photo of the "Night Mail" arriving at Ballysodare in the early 1960s behind B149.

The train consisted of a Bullied 4w H&LV in the new Black & Tan Scheme and ex-GSR/GSWR side corridor and a GSR/GSWR bogie van both in the late 1950s CIE green scheme followed by a string of 4 H vans.

 

[Warbonnet]

Hi everyone, 

Many thanks for the feedback. Here are some further pics of the As in production over the past week, with painting and printing in full flow. Once this is complete in the coming days its onto final assembly!

Exciting times!

Cheers,

Fran

[Noel]

14 minutes ago, Warbonnet said:

Hi everyone, 

Many thanks for the feedback. Here are some further pics of the As in production over the past week, with painting and printing in full flow. Once this is complete in the coming days its onto final assembly!

Exciting times!

Cheers,

Fran

Excellent the achievement of a dream and a light bulb moment idea only 7 years ago. What a milestone to achieve.  This is not the end of a journey, surely just the end of the beginning and just the beginning of greater success. 

[connollystn]

Not saying that I'm an impatient guy but I'd take one of them as they are now and use the chasis from my Lima A/C class.

[murphaph]

Is there an assembled example in each box to help the staff orient themselves with the different variants or why do they do that? 

[Warbonnet]

27 minutes ago, murphaph said:

Is there an assembled example in each box to help the staff orient themselves with the different variants or why do they do that? 

There is. 

[WRENNEIRE]

In Chinese!

[enniscorthyman]

It's very interesting to see the process of model loco manufacturing.

[connollystn]

Hi guys, what's the latest on the A Class locomotives? Nothing has been posted on this thread in over 21 hours.

[Warbonnet]

Hi everyone,

Time for a score update! As you can see, a couple have joined the "endangered species" list and are close to selling out. 

Overall sales have been increasing steadily ahead of delivery. Thank you to everyone who has placed an order with us so far and for your patience too!

Don't miss out on those about to sell out. Order right here: https://irishrailwaymodels.com/collections/a-class-locomotive

Cheers!

Fran

[Patrick Davey]

Great stuff - fantastic to see that all models are at 50% or above, looking forward to receiving my two!  Interesting to note that all 3 B&T models are above 70% and all are in the top 4.  Maybe that period remans the nostalgic time for most of us!

Edited May 24, 2021 by Patrick Davey

[connollystn]

The 007s shouldn't feel too bad, it's a lot more popular than this years UK's Eurovision entry.

[Mayner]

1 hour ago, connollystn said:

The 007s shouldn't feel too bad, it's a lot more popular than this years UK's Eurovision entry.

007 a hero of a locomotive should never feel bad!

007 came to the rescue in 76 or 77 when a north bound passenger failed near Templemore. 

An IRRS special from Youghal to Dublin was blocked at Thurles, 007 was on Pilot Duty at Thurles worked wrong road around the obstruction.

Thurles shed was still in operation complete with a 26000 series pallet van loaded with spare parts and stores in the Bay Platform, presumably the shed would have been very busy in the Beet Season, a base for Lisduff Ballast trains and  Pilot Loco for shunting and Thunderbird duties although that term did not evolve for another 20-30 years!

Not sure what would happen these days if a loco hauled MK4 set failed on the Main Line no pilots or locos to rob off Cork Line freights

[jhb171achill]

4 hours ago, Mayner said:

 

Not sure what would happen these days if a loco hauled MK4 set failed on the Main Line no pilots or locos to rob off Cork Line freights

First, a risk assessment would be carried out on the matter of holding an enquiry. Protective hats, dayglo, PTS, PPE & steel-capped boots would be needed for the people who wrote the report, with a three month line closure if the report exceeded the normal seventeen 2000-page volumes. 

Secondly, (do you have an hour?)........

[DoctorPan]

4 hours ago, Mayner said:

 

Not sure what would happen these days if a loco hauled MK4 set failed on the Main Line no pilots or locos to rob off Cork Line freights

 

Happened recently enough, failed near Adamstown. Set limped to Adamstown and passengers transferred to a replacement ICR set.

[connollystn]

I'm fed up waiting for the IRM As to arrive. Think I'll get myself a few Accurascale 37s instead.

[Noel]

40 minutes ago, jhb171achill said:

First, a risk assessment would be carried out on the matter of holding an enquiry. Protective hats, dayglo, PTS, PPE & steel-capped boots would be needed for the people who wrote the report, with a three month line closure if the report exceeded the normal seventeen 2000-page volumes. 

Secondly, (do you have an hour?)........

Desk jockeys, don't you love it   

[Edo]

That Leaderboard is a more lethal call to action than anything the Cyber criminal community has come up with!!!

A39R duty ordered before they are all gone............I think thats its now as regards the A's ...................I think 

Now the anticipation!.......only weeks left......might have to take a couple of days off when they arrive.

 

 

 

[ttc0169]

44 minutes ago, Edo said:

 

Now the anticipation!.......only weeks left......might have to take a couple of days off when they arrive.

 

 

 

I think I will be doing the same....

[WRENNEIRE]

Just in case anyone missed out on their favourite loco I have a few of these bad boys knocking about! 

 

 

 

[Warbonnet]

Hi everyone,

054 is now sold out. Thank you to everyone who ordered! A39r not too far behind!

Cheers!

Fran 

[connollystn]

At the rate the IRM As are selling Wrenneire will soon have a buyer for his Q-Kits version.

[skinner75]

A39R just ordered!

[John-r]

Hi Guys.  Any last minute updates of the endangered species on the leaderboard, feel the need to get a few more of there beauties

Cheers John.

[Colin R]

Was it my imagination but didn't NIR buy some class A locos a few years ago or was it a different class I am thinking about

 

Colin

[Galteemore]

They bought some C class, Colin, and repainted. Didn’t last that long. As Wikipedia says…..

After withdrawal from CIÉ, six locomotives were sold to Northern Ireland Railways, which designated them 104 Class. They entered traffic for NIR in 1986–1987, except 105. Originally, CIÉ 224 was intended to become 105, but it was subsequently rejected by NIR and replaced by 218, which only entered traffic in 1991. 224 was left stored with NIR until it was scrapped in January 1996.

Of those that entered service, some had very short lives working for their new owners. They were stored as soon as any problems arose (e.g. a seized engine or traction motor), and the whole class was formally withdrawn in 1993 (107/109) or 1995 (the others). The locomotives involved, their new numbers and their withdrawal are set out below:

NIR number	Ex-CIÉ number	Stored	Scrapped
104	216	September 1994	August 1997
105	218	November 1993	August 1997
106	227	March 1995	Preserved (see below)
107	228	June 1987	January 1996
108	230	December 1994	August 1997
109	234	August 1987	March 1993

Edited June 26, 2021 by Galteemore