NoelG

CIE B121 gets another trail run

Chuffed to finally have a 121 class to run on the layout. She looks better after the coat of matt varnish. I spent ages yesterday playing trains with B121 and B181. She is a 3D print from Shapeways and turned out better than I had expected. The athearn SW1500 chassis is super smooth AWD/AWP.

Video Clip: CIE 121 class no B121 operational trials on layout today leading consist with B181. B121 is a Shapeways 3D print on an Athearn chassis. Detailing to be completed in due course. I just could not resist a little 'play' session with this new loco earlier today. Now I'm going to have to weather B181 Video [video=youtube;ab7VTOv5W6U] Lightly weathered in consist with B181. It will take another few weeks to finish detailing. Holes drilled in front and sides ready for hand rails and guard rails Replacement bogies sides are in paint shop and will be replaced in a week or so. May I take this opportunity to thank those on RMWeb and especially on IRM forum who gave me advice, tips and encouragement over the past few months, and in particular 'master model engineer' Richie (Glenderg) for the time he generously gave me two years ago on air brush painting, advice on recommended equipment and paints, and general modelling tips.

Tea for two! CIE 121 Class no B121 and CIE C class no B233 both nearing the end of their visits to printshop before detailing and fitting of chassis. The 121 class has an Athearn SW-1500 donor chassis and the C class has a donor chassis from a Murphy Model 141 loco. Had lightly weathered both before varnishing with Humbrol acrylic gloss aerosol can prior to application of decals. Now will seal with Humbrol acrylic matt aerosol varnish to get the shine back off both of them and hopefully make the weathering as visible as it used to be before the gloss. Detailing, glazing and hand rails will be added after they have been sealed. These are my first loco kits so taking it easy and not being to adventurous with specs, but both have really fine running DCC chassis and both will have sound. Need to learn to walk before I run.

Sublime modelling that oozes atmosphere

Hi Kieran. They look really well. Love the tractor on the flat wagon. Interested to read over on the other channel that you successfully and creatively used aerosols for the paint work. I like the idea of 'taking the edge' off the red with a dusting of the grey, it worked really well. I use halfords aerosol for priming, but I seem to waste an enormous amount of primer due to the 'fire extinguisher' control of the halfords cans. Like you I find cleaning airbrush tedious, but I can now do it in about 2 mins after using water based acrylics. I find masking the most tedious aspect of paining, it takes forever, e.g: 50mins of masking last night, 10mins airbrush, then clean up. How do you apply decals? Do you use gloss varnish and then finish in matt or satin after the decals have been applied to seal, or direct to matt finish? Cheers. Noel

I have spent quite a bit of time recently trying to learn how to use an airbrush for the purpose of weathering and resprays. It has been a journey of discovery requiring patience but very enjoyable if not even slightly addictive, once I finally got started after months of avoiding picking up the airbrush I bought over 18 months ago!!! As a 'trainee' I tried reverse masking for the first time A relief when masking was removed!!! Respray experiment no 1 complete - Hornby LMS Stanier resprayed to CIE Black'n'Tab 'Bredin' look-a-like Light weathering of about 30 goods wagon was ongoing - used airbrush for this - will try washes and powers as future learning exercises Experimental 'Brandenberg' railway livery just for fun as Irish Rails new freight loco liveries look a bit 'militaristic' Far from perfect, but for a first weathering attempted am content with these goods wagon.

CIE Goods train circa 1968 - Murphy Model CIE 181 class - Wheeltappers DCC/LokSound

Hi Richard Firstly I just want to say a truly massive thank you for your incredibly informative, educational and inspiring videos on youtube. Your work on Everard Junction has inspired me to try new methods and learn new things, especially air brushing, track ballasting, resprays, weathering, scenic work, etc. You probably have no idea how many people have learned from and been inspired by your work, and their depth of gratitude for the immense amount of time it takes to setup, shoot and edit each of your videos. Wishing you the very best with the re-construction and I admire your courageous decision to redo Everard Junction. It was, and I'm sure its off-spring will continue to be a source of knowledge and inspiration. Thank you for sharing your journey and your constantly evolving expertise. Noel

Kingsbridge Terminus is in its early stages with track and platforms laid out but unfinished. Today my 30 year collection of BR outline stock was repositioned to storage, and CIE/IE/IR Irish stock moved in. View down platform 2 as train departs, with EGV stabled in platform 3 nearly 20 years later View down platforms 3 and 4. AEC driving trailer on P4, Craven set behind 141 on P5

Really enjoy looking at those photos - it's almost life like

A great achievement Kieran. Hats off to you. They look superb.

This layout started in 1993 and a few years after starting the project stalled. It was designed at a time when I ran British outline stock, mainly LMS and GWR, as there was no quality Irish RTR stock back then other than my 1970s collected Hornby Slainte express, and Lima class 33, Br mk1s and Vent vans. I only got back into the hobbey three years ago and have very slowly started to process this layout again. The track was laid 23 years ago on peco foam underlay on the assumption that one day it would be re-ballasted. Since then in recent years I have converted it to DCC (quicker job than I had expected, two wires connected to by DC section switch panel and all sections turned on), and collected Irish RTR stock from Murphy Models, Silver Fox, Irish Freight Models and some kits from Provincial Wagons and Studio Scale Models. Any of you on IRM will have seen most of this before, but for the benefit of those not on IRM heres a few pics and videos. Reverse engineered track plan Original track plan drawn when I was a teen Recent DCC sound demo of upper level station LokSound demo on baby GMs Early video of bare layout with lots of trains running Kingsbridge terminis (Heuston) with poetic license Freight roads Lower level mainline through station with branch line junction Loco yard + shed CIE Maunsell amongst big four BR stock CIE Black'n'Tan 141 class from Murphy Models displace BR steam locos from shed Knock specials at 'Woodvale Junction' Murphy Models 071 class arrive on layout Busy 'Woodvale' Junction MIR cement bubbles built by George Conna arrive Oil wagons arrive from eBay Weathering school for beginners Light weathering experiments with Bachmann and Lima wagons - Irish'ization Track ballast experiments continue in preparation for replacing Peco underlay Weathering experiments continue - lots to learn Time machine - its 1965 It feels like it is only the beginning and I have an enormous mountain of scenic work to do, but its great fun taking it one step at a time.

Very impressive. Prolific building Kieran and to a very high standard. In the future Richie may have to look over his shoulder. Do you print your own decals or buy from sources such as railtec, des, etc?

Wheeltappers LokSound project supplied by DC-Kits. Irish CIE 181 class hauling passenger train with 'Power Drive' which seems to be a variation of ESU LokSound 'Full Throttle' feature. Loco is a Murphy Model 181 with a standard 40x20mm speaker, coaches are all RTR from IFM. The start of the clip demonstrates 'Drive Hold' which is toggled on and off repeatedly, and while on the throttle controls notching instead of speed. Allows driver to simulate heavy trains starting off as loco trashes.

Thanks for letting me know. I didn't realise these excellent Irish DCC sound projects were produced by Wheeltappers http://www.wheeltappersdccsounds.co.uk https://vimeo.com/user44816521 I'll update the credits in my clips in due course

Two videos of General Motors (baby GMs) CIE 141/181 class locos on Kingsbridge layout (under construction). Both LokSound by DC Kits. Models are Murphy Models CIE 141/181 class. In the middle of the first clip there is also a Black 141 with a MrSoundguy Zimo project and realdrive.

Like you JST I have a lot of old steam model locos, 30% are Hornby Dublo dating from early 60s, and the rest Hornby and Bachmann dating from 1980s and some early 90s. After trails and tests I have come to the conclusion that it is not worth converting the old Hornby Dublo, nor many of the old Hornby and Bachmann. The split chassis Bachmann steam locos have been a particular nightmare, most needing to be run in again after I had to temporarily separate the chassis halves to electrically isolate the motors. It is tricky to get the chassis halves back in perfect alignment and despite a few successes, some never mechanically ran as freely again. I have decided to retire the old specials to display cases, but occasionally run them on DC because our layout was originally built for DC with block sections, so I can flick a few switches and convert it back to DC again. When on DCC mode we just turn every block and isolation section on.

With the growth in use of sound decoders perhaps function buttons should be touch screen icons with labels indicating their function rather than physical buttons, but throttle remain physical buttons or knobs for tactile feedback which touchscreen doesn't give. Also physical throttle control allows one handed use without looking at the cab. One of the things I don't like about smartphone throttle apps is its difficult to control throttle without looking at the phones user interface.

Interesting. These is no doubting the quality of lenz electronics. Do folk prefer using the rotary knob for throttle OR +/-1 +/-4 speed step buttons? NCE also seem to be stuck in the dark ages with no notable innovations in recent years, but at least their dog bone cab makes DCC setup easy. Some woefully inconsistent software UI though (eg you can't change functions while looking at EXPN function status). Also its 2017 and you think they would have a colour display with some of ESU's new UI ideas.

Just stumbled upon this thread now. Very disappointing looking cab. Stale looking ergonomics that ignores DCC sound on the assumption quick access to only 10 functions will do in 2017!!! No hi-res colour display - positively out of the ark - Jurassic. It seems innovation has bypassed DCC. At least ESU are making an attempt to put a veneer of a modern user interface upon ageing DCC, which is really based on early 1980s electronics rather that 'smartphone' electronics. DCC needs a second generation re-invention but not holding my breath for any change.

Your layout looks fabulous. Love the long platforms, the lighting and realistically long trains. I've just started to put Keith's (MrSoundguy) Zimo sound chips in my fleet of 141/181s and really like the 'real drive' system. Took some getting used to and initially I found it strange, but now I would NOT go back to the more direct driving style of the LokSound. MSGs Zimo 'real drive' is just such a more authentic way of driving a passenger or freight train with coasting and braking. I just love it. Don't get me wrong, I like the LokSound too and its very good, but the Zimo is just so much more fun to drive and the intelligent notching sounds the biz. PS: for precision quiet motor drive I find the Zimo and LokSound both excellent, right up there with Lenz if not better.

They look great Kieran. Your modelling output capacity never ceases to impress.