John M

After 10 years our on-line store is finally up and running!!!!!!!!!!!!!! https://jmdesignmodelrailways.com/ . July is turning out to be a momentous month with the completion of the first batch of 20T Brake vans and the arrival of components allowing the release of the 52 Class locomotive kit, the etched parts are currently on order for the second batch of "Tin Vans" with an expected release in Aug/Sep 2021. Railtec Models are preparing graphics for the second batch of brake vans and the bulk grain wagon and we expect to complete decorated samples of these wagons by late August 2021. Hopefully I will get round to setting up a OO or 21mm module/layout for displaying the models! We will set up a thread in the Small Suppliers/Manufacturers forum to announce new models and provide progress updates.

Bachmann used a variant to the Klien-Linder principal with its 1:20.3 scale DRGW K27 Class loco or "Mudhen" The driving wheels were fitted to hollow axles that were free to move sideways on an inner axle to allow the loco to run round curves. The outside cranks remained in a constant position to avoid problems with the coupling rods and outside valve gear and the driving axles were self centering to avoid problems with hunting. The only problem was ensuring all 8 driving wheels and the trailing truck axle are on the track when re-railing the loco after a de-railment usually splitting a set of points. Driving wheels normal position for running on straight track. 2,3,4 wheelsets offset with packers to illustrate sliding effect. The low slung DRGW Mudhens may look odd to British eyes but don't quite fit into the Worst Looking Loco category

Great modelling very much in the spirit of ingenuity of the UTA engineers re-using parts from existing coaches to build the AECs and groundbreaking MED diesel trains. I am looking forward to seeing your MPD railcars.

I commissioned York Modelmaking to produce a laser cut model of a GSWR hip roof signal cabin for use on my own layout. I was asked by a member of the group if he could order the kit direct from the manufacturers. I am accepting expressions of interest for a minimum of 10 signal box kits which are likely to be priced in the £45-50 price range. The kits are laser cut from MDF and Rowmark plastic parts and include York Modelmaking slates and ridge tile sheets. The kits will be supplied direct from the UK and may be subject to customs and local taxes upon entry to the EU or other countries. The model was completed with Wills Materials sheet slate roofing and ridge tiles as the slate and tile sheets were not included with the original set of parts. I mitered the corners of the MDF brickwork wall panels as it gives a more realistic effect than tab and slot joints sometimes used in laser cut stone or brick buildings. While I am fairly satisfied with the staircase, etched windows would look more effective and may be offered as an option. If there is sufficient interest in the signal box, I will certainly look at other buildings and structures including a typical WLWR Sligo Road & Thurles Branch station building, goods shed and platform shelter.

Having completed the test build we are planning to release the kit in June-July 2021 at $290NZ excluding shipping, import charges and local taxes The majority of the kits have been pre-sold or reserved, but we will continue to accept expressions of interest on a 1st come served basis in the event of cancellations. No 93 arriving at Keadue on the daily passenger. Not sure what a broad gauge train is doing on the narrow gauge. No 93 is OO the coaches 21mm and the track 12mm, I desperately need to build OO & 21mm modules of layouts. 93 broadside the number plate is temporary fixed with double sided tape as the model is based on 59. Boiler fittings and tender are SSM, boiler/firebox step ring, buffers, tender toolboxes are JMD brass castings.

My first "proper" trainset was a Triang-Hornby "South African Goods" which I selected as a Christmas present when I was twelve. Oddly enough the set was steam age British Railways with the recently introduced M7, two green open wagons, an "Ice Blue" fish van and a 20T goods brake, the set was battery powered as the budget did not stretch out to a mains controller. I think I was attracted to the set having seen the M7 advertised in Model Railway News and a reasonable number of wagons. The set did not last terribly long I traded the M7 for a Hornby diesel shunter about 12 months later, goodness knows what happened to the wagons and track, at the time I was very good at taking models apart to modify or rebuild into something else, but never quite completing the models.

Received a decorated sample of the brake van, with graphics by SSM & an Auckland based pad printing business, one of the final steps in producing the van as a rtr model. We are planning to produce the van using 3D printing technology as injection moulded plastic and resin casting were not viable options. We expect to start marketing the van by on-line media and the model press during the first quarter of 2021 for potential release in mid-late 2021.

A German 0-6-0 diesel shunter from Fleischmann or Roco is probably the best option for a free lance loco in terms of reliability and smooth running. I ordered a custom built Bull-Ant chassis from Hollywood Foundry for my E421 class, expensive but probably the best option apart from scratchbuilding a chassis.

There is a piece on the CIE hopper containers in a late 1960s IRRS paper on CIEs containerisation programme. They were used for grain/malt traffic during the 1970s, there are several photos of cuts of wagons with hopper containers in Tralee North Kerry Yard. It likely that road transfer was used at each end of the journey. The paper indicates that CIE would have preferred to use a standard bulk container with end tipping discharge (by truck) but the hopper container was developed because of height restrictions in the customers premises.

There was a similar issue with the non-availability of Markits driving wheels approx. 12 months ago. The change in the hobby from manufacturing a small range of generic Romford Wheels to the current larger prototypical range has probably contributed to the current problems with supply and availability. Interestingly I am experiencing similar problems with the supply of wheels from a non-UK manufacture, who have been unable to source nickel silver tyres from their usual manufacture during the past 3 months because of Covid 19 restrictions.

I am currently looking at the viability at producing a ready to run OO gauge brass steam loco in conjunction with a Far Eastern OEM manufacturer of high quality brass locos and rolling stock for the American, European and British markets. I am considering the Midland "Cattle Engine" as a first batched produced model of an Irish steam locomotive as it fits in with my own personal interests and its a good example of a large modern (1920s) mixed traffic design in contrast to the smaller Midland and GSWR "standard" goods types. The model would be produced as a limited edition with each model individually certified and are likely to be a sound investment. I am open to considering some of the larger GNR express passenger classes if there is insufficient interest in a Cattle Engine https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HD3TB6Z

Several Luggage vans were sometimes marshalled together with a Post Office van and Heating and Luggage van in mail trains. In the mid-late 1970 rake of Parcel vans lost their gangways and were re-painted in an all-over "Tan" livery (similar to the newly introduced Van Hools buses) for use on Connolly-Dunlaoire parcel trains. I don't know the numbers the vans were lettered to "Run between Connolly & Dunlaoire-Pier" "max speed 35mph". SSM produced decals for the Silver, Green & Black & Tan liveries for the original batch of kits, though the "1.5t evenly distributed" section of the decal would need to be re-sized.

2128N is an ex-GNR(I) bulk cement wagon built for Boyne Road (Drogheda) to Tegral Athy bulk cement traffic. One of the ex GNR bulk cement wagons 2134N survived into preservation and may even survive at Dunsandle. The van was sent to Mullingar for scrapping but CIE staff were unable to scrap the wagon with ordinary cutting gear as cement had solidified inside the hopper. Guards would not travel within a 4w Luggage van unless there was nothing else available, CIE guards were really impressed when the BR vans arrived in the early 1970s complete with decent seating.

The model is a prototype, we are are currently revising the design to address the issues identified during assembly including the appearance of the roof. Extending the roof at each end in addition to reducing the edge thickness should help.

I just completed the assembly of the prototype build and everything fitted together thanks to the good work of our designer Ben on his first model railway project. The assembly was a bit of a rush job to make sure that everything fits, I haven't fitted grab irons or couplings (Bachmann tension lock in NEM pocket mount). Chassis is designed for OO or 21mm gauge It was touch and go on whether our printers Clone 3D https://www.clone3d.co.nz/ could get the prototype SLA prints for the model out this week under the Covid restrictions, but did a very good job considering the number of small parts in the design. I am planning to make a decision on the manufacturing phase of the project during the next 4-6 weeks and expect to be able to make an announcement in connection with whether the brake van will be produced as a rtr model or a kit, price and expected availability before Mid-October. We expect to have samples for review/inspection in Ireland from late September onwards. The lamps and the brakes are non working but we might consider it if we blow the model up to O or Gauge 1.

I built a number of EM gauge locos using DJH kits about 20 years ago with rigid chassis retaining the original wheels, frames, valve and brake gear. The underframes are fairly basic by todays standards but excellent layout locos bomb proof mechanically with heavy brass frames Romford/Markits wheels, Mashima can motors and 2 stage Branchlines gearboxes.

Fairly convincing. The V8 would not look out of place in a small GM or B201, the straight 6 in a B101 Sulzer

Preview of the latest version of the CAD work for the brake van. Its planned to supply the van with NorthYard NMRA RP25 Code 110 plated brass wheels with acetal centres on blackened brass axles set to OO gauge and Bachmann tension lock couplers with NEM pocket. The next stage is to produce a SLA printed pre-production prototype to check fit and durability of parts before progressing to the production version.

Approaching another milestone in the design process as we finalise the CAD work before we produce the prototype for the production model. There are a few final tweaks to be made to the CAD work including trimming the stove pipe to fit within the roof and adjustments to the buffers and brake gear and fitting the side lamps. All going well we expect to have a pre-production sample ready in approx two to three weeks. Photo of our initial SLA test prototype, to check durability, fit and component shrinkage before progressing with the detailed design.

Does anyone know if Markits are currently processing orders or experienced problems in contacting Mark by e-mail? Mark is generally good at responding to e-mails, but has not responded to a number of e-mails in connection with a recent quote.

To provide clarification I am planning to update the Heating & Luggage and Luggage Van kits with an additional set of sides to allow a different variation of the model to be assembled in a similar manner to the Post Office/"Heuston Van" Kit. The kits are etched brass with whitemetal and resin detail castings and include OO Gauge NMRA RP110 wheels on 28mm pin point axles to simplify conversion to 21mm Gauge. Heating & Luggage Luggage Post Office Van. At this stage the estimate price of the kits is $150 excluding local sales/purchase tax. The Post Office Van was designed to be assembled in its original form or in their rebuilt for as P.W. Tool/Riding Vans which were used with Weedkiller & track re-laying trains in the 80s & 90s one of these vans survived as the "Heuston Tool Van" and now resides at Downpatrick. The main difference between the Post Office and PW version of the van are re-located doorways and blanked off gangway connections. Heating & Luggage Variations. The kit includes alternate sides to assemble the model as a 3101-3124 series van or as 3134 with a number of boiler room and luggage compartment windows replaced by plain panels. 1. 3101-3124 As built 1955 with bottom edge of outward opening doors flush with bottom edge of floor and sides. 2. 3101-3124 With modified outward opening doors late 1950s onwards. I have incorporated a half-etched line on the inside edge of the doors, to allow the bottom edge to be neatly snapped off for this modification. 3. 3134 with blanked off boiler & luggage compartment doors. I don't know if 3134 was built in this form or the blanked off windows were a modification as 3134 appears to be from a later series of vans. The final (1959-60?) batch of Tin Vans" were built with recessed inward opening doors, but have the same window and vent details as the original 1955 vans. Luggage Van Variations. The kit includes alternate sides to assemble the vans in their original form or as 2749 with a number of windows replaced by plain panels. The replacement of glazed with plain panels appear to have been ad-hoc repairs to keep the vans in service. There is a photo of one van (2727) single plain panel. The 4w Luggage Vans were withdrawn from service in the early 70s following the introduction of the BR Vans & the conversion of older coaches into Vans (BSSGV & Parcel/luggage) A small no of 4w Luggage Vans were retained for Connolly-Dunlaoire Pier Mail and Parcel trains, these vans were restricted to 35mph lost their gangways and were re-painted in all over "Golden Brown" similar to the contemporary Dublin City bus scheme. Some redundant Luggage Vans had a final main line fling, rebuilt into two rakes of "coaches" for the First Great Train Robbery movie with main line steam running behind 184 & 186 on the Mullingar-Athlone Line.

MTK appears to have produced the 001 or A Class Co Co for Model Irish Railways (MIR) as a body line kit during the late 80s early 90s. I built a 21mm gauge 001 Class about 30 years ago using the MIR/MTK body kit in combination with a scratch built brass chassis with Athearn SD9 mechanism. The design of the kit, fit and quality of the castings was similar to other MTK diesels. The finished loco just about passed the 2' rule, but the combination of whitemetal body and Athearn mechanism 019 had good haulage capability and operated smoothly and reliably at several exhibitions.

The Covid 19 Pandemic continues to severely disrupt international airmail and courier services, particularly where there are transfers between international or domestic flights. I had a two weeks difference in transit time between packages shipped on the same day by courier between New Zealand and destinations in the British Isles, one package appears to have gone through with little delay while the other spent two weeks in airports waiting for flights. Its possible one was routed Eastwards via the United States and the second Westwards via Asia or Dubai in the Middle East.

It looks like 171 was running with the tender from a scrapped GNR Vs 4-4-0

I regularly traveled in AEC railcar sets on family seaside trips to Bray and occasional trips to Butlins as a teenage in the late 60s early 70s, some cars still had 1st class seating thought the majority had 3+2 bus seating in the standard class saloon. The majority retained were fitted with 3+2 bus seating when originally converted to push-pull use, the bus seating was removed and replaced with plastic seating to increase standing capacity as CIE was acutely short of passenger stock. The Push Pull stock were less steady than the AEC railcars at speed and swayed noticeably while running at speed through the reverse curves south of Killiney where the railway was diverted inland from the original coastal route between Killiney and Bray The majority of Push Pull sets were marshaled into rakes of 5 coaches usually a 2+3 set made up of a Push Pull Driving car ex 1951 2600 Railcar, 2 Push Pull Intermediates ex 1951 2600 railcars, 1 Push Pull Intermediate ex 2660 series Powered Intermediate car, 1 Push Pull Connector Car ex 1951 2600 Railcar. the majority of the powered intermediates had a higher roof profile than the 2600 series railcars. Push Pull work took a heavy toll on the AEC cars and many sets had a patch work appearance a mixture of worn and newly painted cars with detail differences as individual coaches were cycled through Inchacore for repair to keep the trains in service. Although freshly painted repaired cars took on an increasingly spartan appearance with plain glass replacing sliding lights as Inchacore used up its stock of suitable spare parts. The most positive legacy of the Push Pull sets despite their limitations was in establishing that there was sufficient demand for a rail commuter service to justify the investment in the DART at a time there was little political support for investment in rail passenger services.