AEC railcars

[Garfield]

I dearly would have loved to travel on these railcars. Not my photos, just ones I came across online... feel free to contribute!

 

Tramore - Waterford from the train. Bridge no. 14. 10.9.60 by Roger Joanes, on Flickr

 

Waterford Manor. Train for Tramore. 10.9.60 by Roger Joanes, on Flickr

 

Waterford Manor. Train from Tramore. 10.9.60 by Roger Joanes, on Flickr

(Note the Park Royal DVT in the centre!)

 

December 19, 1959 by National Library of Ireland on The Commons, on Flickr

 

Railcar set (CIÉ green) at Clara:

 

Railcar set (CIÉ green) at Castlerea:

 

Railcar set (CIÉ black & tan) at Fairview:

 

Railcar set (CIÉ black & tan) at Rosslare Strand:

 

Railcar set (CIÉ black & tan - ex GNR) at Howth Junction:

 

Railcar set (CIÉ black & tan) crossing the Tolka at East Wall:

 

Railcar set (CIÉ black & tan) at Dun Laogahire:

 

Railcar set (CIÉ black & tan) at Dun Laoghaire:

 

Railcar set (CIÉ black & tan) at Connolly:

[Weshty]

Wow, great resource of photos there! Mucho thanks Garfield for uncovering these.

[Garfield]

Wow, great resource of photos there! Mucho thanks Garfield for uncovering these.

 

No worries, Des... I'm enjoying digging them up.

[Garfield]

Colourised photograph of a GNR set: https://flic.kr/p/dJLw4B

 

GNR set at Clones:

Edited December 3, 2015 by Garfield

[WRENNEIRE]

Used these a lot back in the day

Raheny into town or out to Howth

Dont remember much about them though, just a means of getting from A to B

[Warbonnet]

Love them in the GNRI livery, just oozes class.

[Garfield]

2636 in CIÉ green at Inchicore, 1954:

 

Another CIÉ unit at Inchicore in the same year:

 

2638 and 2639 at Albert Quay in 1954:

 

2600 heads a set in CIÉ green at Wicklow Murraugh in 1957: http://eiretrains.com/Photo_Gallery/Railway%20Stations%20W/Wicklow%20Murrough/IrishRailwayStations.html#WicklowMurrough_20080309_002_CC_JA.jpg

 

Shanganagh Vale Dublin 1960's by MajorCalloway, on Flickr

 

Four-car set in CIÉ black and tan at an unknown location: http://s0.geograph.org.uk/photos/85/03/850376_ed571b1e.jpg

 

Four-car set in CIÉ black and tan hauling a tin van at Waterford West in the early 1970s: http://eiretrains.com/Photo_Gallery/Railway%20Stations%20W/Waterford%20West/IrishRailwayStations.html#WaterfordWest_20101105_001_CC_JA.jpg

 

CIÉ's last AEC set, 2616 and 2651, pictured in CIÉ black and tan livery at Howth: http://www.geograph.ie/photo/2438842

Edited December 2, 2015 by Garfield

[Eiretrains]

Don't forget about the wasp one too, one of two I think which had that short lived feature

Claremorris. Train for Sligo. 22.9.60 by Roger Joanes, on Flickr

[Garfield]

Don't forget about the wasp one too, one of two I think which had that short lived feature

 

Excellent! Thanks, Ciaran.

[Garfield]

An eight-piece set in CIÉ green headed by 2611, pictured at Tullamore in 1962: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000306086

[Noel]

An eight-piece set in CIÉ green headed by 2611, pictured at Tullamore in 1962: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000306086

 

"8 piece set" - I presume the coaches were dedicated railcar coaches (i.e. with the bi-directional control gear cables, etc), or could they haul other coaching stock in the middle of a formation?

[Garfield]

"8 piece set" - I presume the coaches were dedicated railcar coaches (i.e. with the bi-directional control gear cables, etc), or could they haul other coaching stock in the middle of a formation?

 

The coaches were modified but were not solely used on railcar services.

[Garfield]

Nice shot of one of the Bulleid-bodied units receiving attention in the diesel shop at Inchicore in 1960: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000304878

 

Another shot of AEC units undergoing maintenance in Inchicore: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000305443

 

Railcar body being fabricated at Inchicore: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000304879

 

Powered intermediate coaches at Inchicore in 1961: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000305631

 

A former GNR set(?) in charge of an IRRS tour at Inniskeen, Co Monaghan, in 1959: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000304755

 

The same set pictured under the station roof at Carrickmacross: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000304562

 

And at Castleblayney: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000304757

 

And again at Clones: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000304761

 

And once more at Dundalk: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000304560

 

At Bantry, 1959: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000304738

 

AEC set operating an express service through Hazelhatch, 1960: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000305041

 

Passing through Glasnevin while working the 'Cu na Mara' service in 1960: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000305183

 

2633 pictured at Limerick in 1967: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000306151

 

Railcars being converted to push-pull units at Inchicore: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000308277

[Dhu Varren]

"8 piece set" - I presume the coaches were dedicated railcar coaches (i.e. with the bi-directional control gear cables, etc), or could they haul other coaching stock in the middle of a formation?

 

If you look closely at the picture, you can see that the train is formed of two four car sets.

[Weshty]

Oh my giddy aunt. Some quality shots in there!

[Mike 84C]

I think I would have liked to see a set being transfered down the street at Waterford. I wonder if my mental picture was the reality.

[jhb171achill]

No two sets had the same type of centre cars - CIE, GNR or UTA / NIR.

 

Unlike the bland characterless modern equivalents.....

[Noel]

No two sets had the same type of centre cars - CIE, GNR or UTA / NIR.

 

Unlike the bland characterless modern equivalents.....

 

Interesting, were mainline coaches such as laminates, park royals, or even cravens ever used with them?

[Old Blarney]

The Park Royals were certainly used in these formations.

 

I have a book with photographs of railcars sets in Harcourt Street Station with Park Royals used as intermediate coaches with both AEC and the Bullied Sets. The AEC railcars were built by Park Royal. GNR(I) 601-619. CIE 2600 - 2659. Bullied Cars 2660 - 2605!

 

When the railcars were introduced to CIE, there was a shortage of coaches, this shortage resulted in the first sets having old clearstory coaches attached to the sets as trailer coaches. Shortly after that some clearstory coaches were wired for intermediate use within railcar sets.

 

I not aware of any Cravens having been part of a Railcar Formation.

[jhb171achill]

Other than Cravens, everything ran with them. I've seen a picture of one towing an old 1880 era Midland six-wheeler!

 

Within a set, wooden bogies (ex-GSWR in any pic I've seen), Bredins, Park Royals and Laminates of various batches, all had their time. In the north, ex-GNR loco-hauled stock was usual. While wooden ex-NCC stock was used as railcar intermediates, this was only with MED or MPD cars, not ex-GNR BUT or AEC stock.

 

No Cravens though.

 

Old Blarney - the CIE constituent companies (and indeed all Irish railways) had very fee clerestorey coaches indeed. While I've seen several varieties of old wooden stock both within AEC railcar set, and trailing behind them, I never saw a picture of any clerestorey stock behind one. That would be interesting for its rarity; any pictures?

Edited December 2, 2015 by jhb171achill

[Garfield]

Another shot of the 1959 IRRS special, this time at Monaghan: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000304770

 

And at Ballybay: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000304760

 

Driver and foreman beside an AEC railcar at Tralee, 1960: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000305070

 

'Mr O'Flahety in BFP Tractor, Amiens Street, 1960: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000305292 - you can catch a glimpse inside the first class compartment in this one.

 

A view of an AEC cab from the passenger compartment at Athlone, 1962: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000305933

 

Driver Mick Keaveney peers out of his cab window, Athlone, 1961: http://catalogueEx.nli.ie/Record/vtls000305310

 

Ex-GNR railcars withdrawn from traffic and cannibalised at Sallins, 1970: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000307671

 

Ex-GNR set in CIÉ green at Dromin Junction: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000305068

 

Driver's eyeview at Bandon, 1961: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000305384

 

And elsewhere on the journey: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000305385

 

Watching the driver at work from the first class compartment, Portarlington, 1960: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000305069

 

Evening train for Bantry stands at Albert Quay, 1961: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000305399

 

Former GNR units still wearing blue and cream livery on Enterprise duty in 1966: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000306832 (edit: actually, per the eagle-eyed Dhu Varren in the post below, these are BUTs)

 

At Straffan, 1961: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000305580

 

Railcar in Inchicore paint shop, 1959: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000304460

 

'Cu na Mara' at Clara, 1961: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000305513

 

'Cu na Mara' at Tullamore, 1962: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000306548

 

'Cu na Mara' near Kingsbridge, 1962: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000306045

[Dhu Varren]

Former GNR units still wearing blue and cream livery on Enterprise duty in 1966: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000306832

 

 

Not AEC units, but BUT units.

[Garfield]

Not AEC units, but BUT units.

 

Ah, well oberved... I've gone goggle-eyed after trawling the entire digitised O'Dea archive!

 

I'll move that link to another thread... along with the pics of the GNR articulated railcar set.

[Dhu Varren]

Ah, well oberved... I've gone goggle-eyed after trawling the entire digitised O'Dea archive!

 

I'll move that link to another thread... along with the pics of the GNR articulated railcar set.

 

The railcars are actually in the early NIR maroon and ivory livery, not GNR blue and cream.

[Garfield]

The railcars are actually in the early NIR maroon and ivory livery, not GNR blue and cream.

 

That would make sense alright... was going on the information contained within the photo's caption. Should have known better, though, as there are frequent inaccuracies.

[Dhu Varren]

The railcars are actually in the early NIR maroon and ivory livery, not GNR blue and cream.

 

Actually, looking further into it, the livery is in fact the NIR blue and cream livery used on the GNR section for a while. The leading railcar is 131 of which there is a colour picture of it, in this livery, in 1966 on P22 of Norman Johnston's excellent book 'Parting Shot'.

[Garfield]

Actually, looking further into it, the livery is in fact the NIR blue and cream livery used on the GNR section for a while. The leading railcar is 131 of which there is a colour picture of it, in this livery, in 1966 on P22 of Norman Johnston's excellent book 'Parting Shot'.

 

Thanks for that, Dhu Varren. I moved that link to the 'GNR railcars' thread as it's more appropriate there.

[Noel]

The Park Royals were certainly used in these formations.

 

I have a book with photographs of railcars sets in Harcourt Street Station with Park Royals used as intermediate coaches with both AEC and the Bullied Sets. The AEC railcars were built by Park Royal. GNR(I) 601-619. CIE 2600 - 2659. Bullied Cars 2660 - 2605!

 

When the railcars were introduced to CIE, there was a shortage of coaches, this shortage resulted in the first sets having old clearstory coaches attached to the sets as trailer coaches. Shortly after that some clearstory coaches were wired for intermediate use within railcar sets.

 

I not aware of any Cravens having been part of a Railcar Formation.

 

Other than Cravens, everything ran with them. I've seen a picture of one towing an old 1880 era Midland six-wheeler!

 

Within a set, wooden bogies (ex-GSWR in any pic I've seen), Bredins, Park Royals and Laminates of various batches, all had their time. In the north, ex-GNR loco-hauled stock was usual. While wooden ex-NCC stock was used as railcar intermediates, this was only with MED or MPD cars, not ex-GNR BUT or AEC stock.

 

No Cravens though.

 

Old Blarney - the CIE constituent companies (and indeed all Irish railways) had very fee clerestorey coaches indeed. While I've seen several varieties of old wooden stock both within AEC railcar set, and trailing behind them, I never saw a picture of any clerestorey stock behind one. That would be interesting for its rarity; any pictures?

 

Thanks guys. Were Park Royals always usually placed inside the formation, or sometimes towed? Were laminates used the same way?

 

Thanks for the pics Garlfieldsghost, I have vivid memories of looking forward in the direction of travel behind the driver compartment on the western lines in the early 60s. I can't remember if it was 121 pushed, or a railcar formation.

Edited December 3, 2015 by Noel

[Mayner]

There is evidence that AEC railcars hauled ex GSWR clerestory stock.

 

There is an April 1953 photo of an newly introduced 2616 & 2617 with what looks like an ex GSWR clerestory roofed diner as intermediate coach on an up Waterford passenger at Portarlington in Anthony Burges "Chasing the Flying Snail" colour point books. The railcar set is also hauling a 6w van.

 

The supply of engine and transmission parts for the AEC railcars became a major problem that eventually lead to their withdrawl.

 

Leyland seems to have failed to understand railway asset life and the potential market for spares, New Zealand Railways had to re-engine a class of 52 heavy shunting locos with Cummins engines when Leyland ceased to supply engine parts after less than 10 years

[Mayner]

Thanks guys. Were Park Royals always usually placed inside the formation, or sometimes towed? Were laminates used the same way?

 

QUOTE]

 

 

Intermediate coaches could be ex-GSWR, CIE MK2 Bredin stock, Park Royals or laminates or potentially a combination of all four in an 8 car set with 4 power cars.

 

Coaches were usually marshalled inside the set, but a single coach, van or wagons could be hauled if traffic demanded. This seems to have been more common on secondary lines like the West Cork or the lines from Limerick to Waterford and Sligo.

 

Used to enjoy the drivers cab view on summer holiday trips in the late 60s early 70s from Tara or Connolly to Bray, Howth and Mosney. Some railcars still had 1st Class seating and we would often hop in at Connolly or Tara even if the train was only going to Pearse.

 

On one journey the cooling system on the leading car boiled over on the climb from Sandycove to Dalkey and the interior filled with steam, soon the AEC cars had all gone mutated into uncomfortable, poor riding push pull sets.

[Garfield]

Thanks for the pics Garlfieldsghost, I have vivid memories of looking forward in the direction of travel behind the driver compartment on the western lines in the early 60s. I can't remember if it was 121 pushed, or a railcar formation.

 

If it was the early '60s it would have been a railcar formation, Noel. The conversion to push-pull took place in the early '70s and it was the re-engined C class which became synonymous with providing the motive power for them.

[Noel]

If it was the early '60s it would have been a railcar formation, Noel. The conversion to push-pull took place in the early '70s and it was the re-engined C class which became synonymous with providing the motive power for them.

 

Thanks, that makes sense. The 121 hauled trains I travelled on back then were single loco travelling cab end 1st, Black'n'tan, so they must have still been using the turntables at Amiens Street and Galway. On the AEC it was fab as a child to be able to see forward as the train proceeded west, past haycocks into stone wall country, and tiny walled fields alive with people working the land.

[tonybonneyba]

Did the ACE / 2600 class have the exhaust attached to the rear beside the gangway like the BR 105 or underfloor?

[jhb171achill]

A few at the front - one anyway - but normally on the back.

[Old Blarney]

JB,

 

Your question regarding documentary proof of Clearstory Coaches in use with CIE AEC/Park Royal Railcars has been answered in John's post. Would you like me to scan the photograph and have it forwarded to you?

 

David.