Mike Beckett

There’s madder than that, someone on the official page saying it was deliberate fires started by some sort of activists in a campaign to get 85 back on the mainline.

It’s hard to tell satire from tinfoil hattery these days.

1 hour ago, B141 said:

You say that as if there wasn’t a coordinated mass arson attack against Irish rail’s infrastructure last Sunday 

I sense sarcasm.

55 minutes ago, B141 said:

I don’t know, Noel’s theory of a coordinated arson attack sounds much more plausible than sparks from the loco causing the fires

A drone attack from Internet Trolls? They spoil everything for the genuine enthusiast, you know.

Maybe if we had snowflakes falling they could put the fires out.

The maddest one I saw was someone on Facebook on the official RPIS page saying that it was carried out by activists in protest at wanting 85 back in traffic.

I mean good grief. People have lost the run of themselves over this. 

45 minutes ago, B141 said:

If you look closely at the photo you’ll see that some of the grass is dry and yellow along the track. I assume most of the fires involved gorse which burns much more readily than grass.

If the fires were man-made, it would involve setting alight to brush just as the steam loco passed. This would be particularly difficult in areas which have no lineside access and would involve climbing up cliffs or walking along the track for some time like in this photo. Do you think this was a coordinated arson attack against the RPSI? I have seen some people suggest that on social media.

I didn’t see any photos of the damaged equipment, I’m going off what RPSI staff and Irish rail staff told me, and the RTE news article.

B141, that fella on the beach looks like he could be an ITG fire starter.

Gotta love the combination of tinfoil hattery and faux science on this thread!

9 hours ago, 226 Abhann na Suire said:

Is there an official timed service…? Surely the RPSI would run a special you’d think? Awful shame that the 111’s are no longer passenger-stock-certified, would’ve been the perfect outing for them

All they could run is a CAF. I am sure NIR would talk to any reasonable body about hiring one for an event.

The wheel profiles are pretty good. The only thing worth conserving inside is some particularly amusing graffiti.

You’d think railway fans/enthusiasts/people would welcome a railway getting its first kettle, but not in Ireland, there’s always a miserable side who assume they know better.

20 minutes ago, Niles said:

If you look on certain Facebook groups, there are a few who seem to love posting about the ITG/Moyasta's alleged failings without offering anything positive to help.

"It's too far to volunteer at Carrick/Downpatrick" - but will drive to Moyasta to take pictures they can post up and moan about.

One actually blatantly admitted to wishing he'd stolen bits off an A class... some "enthusiast".

 

Pretty much this. Some people just hate us for trying. No, I can’t explain why.

Imagine the joy in some quarters if Moyasta does indeed collapse completely.

Staff, blimey, I wish we had staff.

22 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

Ghastly news. Commiserations - hope things get sorted out as well as they can, as soon as.

 

Thanks JB. It’s hard to be positive at this time, just a feeling of being totally and utterly screwed, and no energy left to fight after all our other fights.

This event has sadly had to be cancelled. Every diesel loco and railcar we possess has been immersed in deep water, some worse than others. 

Everyone who has booked has been contacted by email. More information on the website and Facebook pages soon.

We’re devastated. Both mentally and physically.

We know his name… unfortunately!

The good old days before the internet could pile on to the ITG for daring to try.

11 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

That would never catch on.............

Actually looks fantastic!

Jebus JB, this thread is so old most of the original posters are dead now! You been on the harpic again!!

1 minute ago, 228RiverOwenboy said:

Though I do wonder where 226 will go after the careful restoration is complete...

I don’t.

Looking forward to driving two Cs in multiple some day…

On 14/5/2023 at 5:46 PM, irishrailways52 said:

I could be wrong but I suspect the ITGs 226 will be used for Connemara. similar livery and all. 

You’re wrong.

On 8/5/2023 at 8:36 PM, jhb171achill said:

The first two, RPSI; other three ITG, of which 146 is operational at Downpatrick.

Someone mooning at it?

 

That’s a bicycle park, JB.

On 22/3/2023 at 4:11 PM, jhb171achill said:

the much-loved RB3 at Downpatrick.

You nana.

1 hour ago, Westcorkrailway said:

Fair enough, although I suppose that’s bad news for 6111 (I guess I’ll have to drive up the downpatrick every weekend personally for that one )

611111111 will also be tarped. So £2000 on tarps and straps. 

13 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

It was already at Downpatrick but nothing short of a total rebuild will sort that one out - PLUS a new engine.

This year we might get new tarps over the wreck. That is the limit of what we can afford for manpower and expense.

£900-£1000 to properly cover it. This might give insights into the challenges facing a small railway with eff all support. We have to focus on rolling stock or locos that will actually carry passengers sometime in the next X years.

It’s coming on well there. The point rodding has my interest pricked, as a signalling nerd (through necessity), is there going to be a run round /engine release turnout in the platform?

9 minutes ago, jhb171achill said:

Is there enough damp in it yet to keep my goldfish in?

You would have to weld up the doors.