Robert Shrives

I like the title! But no mention of cakes in the banner!!!! Luckily the poster keeps up the pretense that this is an undercover cake show and tell operation masked by brilliant layouts and learned chat. I have booked day off already I have a 4 foot by 1 foot N gauge layout Poldeen if of use as a corner filler. Robert

"Panad" is a good name chosen by the group , basically " cup of tea" ideally suited to a vertical bolier - here it falls a part as they are oft likened "coffee pot" but why let that get in the way ! It is good that some of the "volunteers" are full time staff on days off, says a lot on the motivations and satisfactions of the railways human core. To say nothing of the skills learnt and exchanged - all good future proofing the TLC. Robert

Hi I saw ad for show and the 3mm layouts but work in the way! So have a good show. Hopefully a few pics might make their way on to the site. TIA Robert

Indeed, Splendid date in diary and looking forward to my annual march south! Robert

I hope York goes well, just bought the MR april issue to get a view of Bluish -and indeed a good write up and photos. Showing the blossoming blue banger era so well, thanks. Robert

My RSPI Mk2 rake now complete and very impressive - just need the loco at the front!

That sounds a good performance and matches the T22 buses in Porthmadog! Removable battery probably good engineering to make replacement easy. Buffer charging sounds fun but will you end up with a mini contact tazer with potential for unintended discharge. I did wonder if it would mean shinny buffers at point of contact - in reality point of contact is often a dirty greasy area. I guess having pin point contacts on fixed buffer beam would work given the uber small area on modern phone chargers, to cut through any grime. Thanks for showing another innovative way to run model railways. Robert

Good pic of the coach, IIRC the curtains were subject to quite a bit of abuse being used to wipe hands or worse in the latter days - slipping in social standards !! The first comp looks to have a declassified sticker - a standard stock item among some hoover followers back in the day, other loco classes available!!

The last pic does say a lot about the railways view of road vehicle operatives ( driver might be a bit strong!) with end to end double barrier protection... a small wonder costs off the top end of the sensible.

As noted very sharp work and progress rapid to a mature prototype state, I would love to see a circuit diagram. The availability of small power cells and micro electronics to end up with dead rails is certainly a way forward for tomorrow. I have been for quite a few years been meddling in gauge one where battery power and RC has been an option for many years but it is all quite big stuff. Thanks for showing this avenue in the smaller scales and look forward to the 37 coming to life. I guess you can now build a little bit of central Scotland, Mossend north, Thornton yard. I would have to look at overlap of 17 and 37 timelines. Millerhill might give overlap with 17s on Waverley route and 37s via ECML and the 24/26 as Scottish staples Railbus could have been seen on Edinburgh Sub routes as well. Robert

Really like the 80 and 450 models such work is bound to result in a rtr model! Robert

Last of the packs arrived today - the blue/grey NIR Enterprise catering car set - really lovely. Thanks. Dry bread and water for a month now. Looking at MK2s in CIE on IRM web, just waiting on news of a Dutch EGV to match.

All this publicity for MTK must be making its mark, I was at Princes Risborough show today and on one stand was an unmade Derby lightweight 2 car kit for £70... great work on the 4- GRI Robert

Hi At previous shows I organised 350 resting seats and NEC catering contractors supplied twice as many. It was a shame that folk hogged seats with belongings on the resting chairs , NEC seats are based on catering contracts let and show numbers and at other shows seem to do the same, I think NEC did not grasp the ageing profile and act suitably - but then no profit in that. I really hope the Warnley show catches on and margins work to see it have a long life, 30 years? Robert

indeed, getting the gen brake would be of sublime joy - having nearly started again after a painting farce !!

I was thinking long the lines of NIR 904 ..... as well for this body moulding. - it would get two liveries?

https://www.Bachmann.co.uk/product/category/164/br-commonwealth-coach-bogies- accessory item so does not link to spares website - would be good if there was a back link. Robert

Darius, Indeed stunning models from the get go and the door board in Enterprise livery is a great touch. It will be fun to add light weathering and some of the add on parts supplied. I had forgotten to order the blue/grey buffet pack so sorted this am and already told its is being sent out. It was your first two phots that reminded me to act, and given some packs already sold out at warehouse then I think we will see some great long trains and 111s soon.

While looking at my blue /grey sets I realised I had omitted to get the buffet/first set so ordered this morning and the merry dispatch gang have noted it has been dispatched already! Good to see for IRM that the first sets of bumble bee livery sets sold out. I can guess the blue 111/2/3 models will get used now and on our favourite sales sites go through the roof more than normal! Robert

The MK2 coach history book by Colin Harris also has a good section on both CIE and NIR coaches along with 80 class . IIRC The middle cars were a varied bag with "augmentation" trailers converted from 800 series vehicles when needed to replace or strengthen fleet. The original and second batch middle coaches had doors and windows shuffled about being a toilet less MK2b TSO so currently etched, 3D printed or cut and shut are only options. All of which I have done so ensuring and rtr will land in 2025 along with the Hunslet thus inspiring the current "missing link" in the IRM range - but it will allow the funds to be restored to the accounts ... Robert

Well I think the twins work well with Midland and Southern regional operations in most liveries offered. The correct coaching stock is in the range so a good choice. I am sure the chassis will have other uses if interoperability with other chassis is possible - EM2 ? I look forward to future discounted models to allow a banger blue fictional model. As is my want for rule 1 fun. Mk3 does offer entry level models and defo a royal train before it becomes history. And yes the missed op of a farish based land cruise- but for sake of uniformity you would need to use older farish flush sided models - ok at normal viewing distance arguements but a Dapol sleeper and these latest Mk1s would offer at a price the high fidelity option Robert

Well my Irish Bumble bee sets collected from PO - lovely models the BR folk are in for a treat. Great models and with 3 coach boxed sets good value and great documentation on fleet and diagrams. There is a lovely touch with what at first glance is an OLE notice but is in fact a set of details about coupling options and buffers provided in the detail packs. Another great leap forward for NIR / Irish modelling thanks to all involved around the globe, especially the factory staff for taking a massive pile of kits and parts and with some hard work creating rtr for us to use/play.. Robert

Wire for me but is a folded over etched affair possible to allow for the way the hand rail ends beyond the fixing point. Robert

Great work all round good to see history of build and what caused it Robert

The 158 looks the part, have you tried coupling the outer ends or two a 156. Mine runs ok but not match 156 speeds, for paired workings which would have been fun. I turned saloon lights off as the tinted windows dull it down in real life. Even after dark and with new lamps model is a tad bright for me.