IRM Tara Mines bogie ore wagon
The prototype has been around for over 40 years, but these wagons show no signs of wear.
Tara, in Ireland, is Europe’s largest zinc mine, where over 2 million tons of ore are excavated from beneath County Meath every year. Iarnród Éireann moves a good proportion of that ore in specially built bogie wagons. The journey to the docks at Dublin is only 40-odd miles, but this is one of the most famous freight flows in Ireland. It even involves quite a bit of street running (along Alexandra Road in the docks) as the wagons are shunted into the tippler for unloading. Traction on the Tara Mines’ trains has changed as IÉ’S 071 Class Bo-bos replaced the Metrovick ‘A’ Co- Cos. But the bogie wagons, built by CIÉ, have remained a constant sight since operations started in 1977. It was surely only a matter of time before Irish Railway Models (IRM) added the Tara Mines bogie wagons to its rapidly expanding and exciting range. Despite it being a relative newcomer, you already know what you’re going to get with an IRM product. Wagons are offered in multi-packs with individual running numbers, and there are different packs to choose from. That means that you can assemble a train and no wagon numbers are repeated. We reviewed Pack E with wagons 31020 and 31024 in post-1990 oxidised red livery: the original blue colour didn’t last long and was deemed to be affected by corrosion. You also know that with an IRM project you’ll get a good-looking model, and the Tara Mines’ wagons don’t disappoint. IRM has captured the distinctive lines well, especially the hoods, which are designed to prevent dangerous dust from contaminating the environment. The underframe detailing is superb. A particular highlight is that the brake gear features two incredibly tiny springs. Most modellers probably wouldn’t have noticed if it comprised just plain, plastic rods, but IRM has done the job properly and it really does make a difference. These wagons feature a first for a ‘OO’ gauge model – rotating axle bearing caps. It might only be a small thing, but it looks really effective – strangely hypnotic, in fact – and you’ll find yourself looking at them every time the train comes past. The bogies are made to the same high standards as the rest of the wagon. It’s no fault of IRM but by designing the bogies to be easily converted to correct 21mm gauge Irish track, there’s a lot of exposed axle visible and the brake blocks are a long way from the wheel treads. It must be nearly ten years ago when ‘N’ gauge wagon manufacturer Mathieson Models produced Rapido couplers in clear plastic to mask their impact. No one else has tried to do anything similar – until now. IRM has produced its tension locks in the same red oxide as the body. It really does make them much less noticeable when in action. Close coupling bars are supplied in the bag of accessories and easily clip into the NEM pockets. The wagons performed flawlessly around our test track, navigating our tight pointwork without any difficulties being both pulled and pushed. Couple that with crisp and clear printing – not to mention great attention to detail – and these new wagons really do the distinctive prototype justice. H( Ciggh) ly recommended.