Old Blarney

Branchline 121 Thank you for your rebuke. My wording was clumsy. Perhaps I should have written - The building of the railway line from Armagh to Castleblainey put a stop to any future expansion of this line by the Midland. Mayner Thank you for your explanation on the politics behind extending the Dublin and Meath to Armagh and further north. OB.

"The line was supposed to have made it to Kingscourt, if that had came to fruition that part of the railway probably would have lasted a bit longer. The Dublin and Meath Railway Company way back in 1865 had reported an increase in their traffic of 19%. At that time they had plans to extend their line from Navan to Kingscourt and even for an extension to Castleblaney, where it was hoped to join the Irish North Western Railway. The Navan and Kingscourt Railway Act was passed in July (1865) to run from a junction with The Dublin and Meath at Navan to Kingscourt. Move forward to November 1887 when the Dublin and Meath sold their company to the Midland Great Western who purchased it provided there was also an agreement to purchase the Navan and Kingscourt railway. The Great Northern built the Armagh to Castleblainey to stop the midland gaining access to Armagh. For a detailed history I recommend reading -- The Midland Great Western railway of Ireland --An Illustrated History -- Ernie Shepherd

DSER Sections of Double Track Harcourt Street - Shanganah Junction. Newcastle to Wicklow - 19th July 1887

A very good question. My excitement had got the better of me! I discovered that which did not exist! Having looked at the photograph again, I should have observed the wheel position. Had I done so, your explanation would have become apparent to me. Thank you.

ERNIE'S PHOTOGRAPHS Perusing Ernie's photographs today, I found this image of GNR No800 at Dundalk. Whilst she certainly caught my attention - there is something else in this photograph, that caught my eye and my attention. What might this be? Look to the right-hand -side of the photograph and to the rear of the shed. There sits Cattle Wagon 4872. What is unusual about Cattle Wagon 4872? The loading ramp is at the end of this Cattle Wagon. Was this a one off? Our Font of knowledge, young Mr Beaumont may well have the answer? Jonathan, can you or others on our Forum provide further information? Why is this wagon or any companions different to the standard Cattle Wagon; the ones with their doors in the centre! IMAGE (Copied from Ernie's massive collection of Railway Photographs)

Athlone, Great Southern and Western Station and Yard? Looking to the right-hand-side of the signal, between the two sets of Telegraph Poles there is a Railway Line. The Midland Great Western line from Mullingar met the Great Southern and Western Line from Portarlington East of the Shannon Railway Bridge. This junction was a short distance West of the Great Southern and Western's Station on the East Bank of the Shannon River.

I know it's Christmas and that we are supposed top believe in Miracles! Well that picture has to be a Miracle if it were taken in Inchicore or, anywhere in Ireland! Why? The picture is showing a Glasgow and South Western Railway Locomotive. The location, St Enoch Station, Glasgow. This was a location I knew well as I travelled to it on a daily basis prior to its closure. It was demolished after its closure and replaced by a Shopping Centre. A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our members of this forum.

Dear Mr Holman, Please see attached. This is a Quay building in Rathmelton. It has a plaque - L&LSRWayCo - 1864. I have viewed it whilst visiting relations, resident in the area. So, you have the building. Just need to get tracking, eh! Thank you for your interesting posts, excellent modelling. Image from Google Maps. White.

CIE Dark green. 1st and 3rd Class CIE Lighter Green. 1st and 2nd Class.

Mr Beaumont, CIE Liveried Coaches Thank you, yet again, for your contributions on the vagaries of our Irish rolling stock, and for covering so thoroughly - the variety of consists, the era in which they ran, the locomotives that they were paired with, as well as the geographical lines they ended their days upon. I placed my order this afternoon for these. I chose the four pack, individual 3rd, 2nd Class, composite, 3rd and 2nd Brake Vans in both liveries, and to finish things off, a couple of B&T Vans too. All to remind me of my days when I watched and travelled on 1950s CIÉ, in a coach that had six wheels, a half compartment partition, and bounced its merry way from Sydney Parade to Killiney, without stopping at Booterstown Station. Even better, a train from Harcourt Street to Bray and sighting GSR Maroon six-wheel coaches at Foxrock. Perhaps, Hattons may consider a Great Southern version of these too. Would this be unlikely as it is too far in the past? I just hope I'm still alive and able to run my Model Railways when deliver of these coaches takes place. This is really a comment for you young McAllister!! Oh, coach numbers and possible duplication. I believe, unless I misunderstood the conversation, I held with Hattons, the four pack numbers are not duplicated by any of the other coaches. Jonathan, again, thank you for all your contribution and time on this matter and others too. White.

Not the best image of a U Class.

Ah well, young Beaumont. Now there is a tale to tell, is there not! Look at photographs of CIÉ, Class U, single deck buses. The Country bus and Dublin City ones. U 51 to 88. built at Spa Road, Works in 1954. The front on this batch of bused is as near as "Identical" to the front of your Railcar. I know and loathe the expression as near as identical. Something is or is not identical. Your story could be along these lines. CIÉ discovered they were in possession of an additional front panels for a bus, but they had no other materials available for its completion. Thus, the Railway Works, at Inchicore were approached and asked if they may have a use for the surplus bus front. Remembering the Bus side of CIÉ had delivered a former Dublin United Tramways "A Class" bus to the Railway. This was converted into a Rail-bus. Not very successful. So, there is precedent!! I'm sure someone will be able to add a photograph of the city, or country, U Class Bus for your perusal.

Good evening young Sir, What a pleasure it is to read your reply to my comment. From memory, now I don't know that reliance may be placed upon it (my memory) at my advanced years; I believe the date was shortly after the commencement of the DART Services: - Bray - Howth - Bray. If you can find the date for the commencement of that Shuttle Service. and the withdrawal of all of the former Push-Pulls sets, excluding the Shuttle Service Stock. you will be close to the date I referred to. From memory, "My driver, that day, was to take-up duties on the Bray-Greystones-Bray shuttle the following week. I believe from memory; this was the commencement of the shuttle service between Bray and Greystones." I may be incorrect? If the Push-Pull stock continued in use used on serviced out-with the area served by the newly electrified DART Services, I'm up-the creek. However, I remember the statement made to me by my driver that day when I travelled to Maynooth and back to Connelly. (See quotation above) Give me a "bell" and let us have a natter. Far too long since we conversed. Kindest regards, White.

Push-Pull to Maynooth. I travelled on a Push-Pull train (Former AEC Railcars and a B201 Locomotive) from Connely to Maynooth to Connely. My driver, that day, was to take-up duties on the Bray-Greystones-Bray shuttle the following week. I believe from memory; this was the commencement of the shuttle service between Bray and Greystones.

Edinburgh. Travelling through Princes Street Gardens. The direction of travel is from Waverly Station to Haymarket Station. East to West. The far end of this train is exiting the tunnel under The Mound. It has a steep incline, is heating during inclement weather to prevent it from icing during cold spells. It is one of two thoroughfares connecting the New Town to The Old Town.