Irish Railway Models (IRM) has selected the CIE Magnesite hopper wagon as its next ‘OO’ gauge project.
Built specifically for transporting processed magnesite from Ballinacourty, near Dungarven in County Waterford to Tivoli (Cork), these distinctive covered hopper wagons were introduced in 1970 and remained in daily use until the traffic ceased in 1982.
IRM’s new ‘OO’ gauge models are set to benefit from the chassis previously designed for the company’s ‘OO’ gauge ballast hopper wagons, allied to a newly-tooled body with correctly-profiled hopper, loading hatches and discharge mechanism.
The new hopper wagons will also feature separately applied ladders, grab handles, pipework and fine etched metal walkways, while the manufacturer has also taken the opportunity to refine the chassis detailing further with improvements to brake levers, ratchet/pin down points, plus the addition of correct style axle boxes.
Tooling is complete and Engineering Prototype (EP) samples have already been received by the development team, with production set to get under way after Chinese New Year.
Four triple-wagon and one single wagon pack are planned for this production run. The single wagon will reflect the decoration applied to one end of the real thing for its final working in 1982 and will be limited to just 350 models.
Prices are set at €124.95 for triple wagon packs and €44.95 for the special edition single wagon.
Release is anticipated during the third quarter of 2022.
Visit www.irishrailwaymodels.com for more information.
