Barl

Very comprehensive and informative list Darrman, thanks for putting it together. 

Just to add to it, the bridge numbers may not represent the actual number of bridges/culverts/underpasses on that section. For example, you can have OBC274 (an overbridge) then UBC274A, UBC274B and UBC274C - all culverts after OBC274 in the high mileage direction. 

The Limerick Junction loop line appears to be undesignated as you say, but there are no structures or level crossings on this stretch. The mileposts follow the Heuston to Cork numbering but are designated LN (Limerick North) to LW (Limerick West).

On 24/2/2024 at 12:57 PM, Broithe said:

Track Safety Coordinator..?

Full marks 

You can have a group TSC or solo TSC. Either is required for red zone working (live trains) without a lookout. Group is responsible for setting up a safe systems of work and designating the position of the lookout/s, where required, and the position of safety. 

It looks like 216 has been getting around. It was on Mk4 duties the week before Christmas looking badly in need of a wash!

3 hours ago, derek said:

Yes, quite the difference in heights. When you say inspecting the platform........? For what purpose?

Platforms, like other structures such as bridges and culverts, have to be inspected every two years. 

During platform inspections a track gauge is used to check the clearance and height of the platform relative to the top of rail. The track gauge/width and cant (angle) is also checked, as well as the 6 foot's (distance to next track) where applicable. 

A structural inspection of the platform face and the copings also forms part of the overall inspection. 

As the lads have said a new platform should aim to be 915mm above top of rail but in reality this can vary greatly depending on whether you're modelling an older platform or a lesser used platform. More attention tends to be given to platforms with greater foot traffic. .

Whether or not the track has been relaid and/or tamped can also impact on the platform height.

I took the photo below during a platform inspection I was carrying out recently and you can see the variation in the height of the copings and the height of the new vs old coping stones.

It's probably fallen through the cracks with everything else being announced at the SDMRC exhibition but I see that Marks Models are collaborating with Hornby to produce a model variant of the NCC 3F 'Jinty'.

Did anybody manage to get any further information during the show? I only saw the small drawing on a page behind their stand. 

The Kirow crane was being stabled in the sidings at Clonmel today. It was an interesting sight as 088 pulled it from the Limerick direction, then ran around the loop at Clonmel to push it into the sidings. 088 had to wait close to an hour for the inspection car to pass, which was returning to Limerick Junction via the loop at Clonmel. 

The 22k set with the MTU powerpack rebuild trial was on the Limerick Junction to Waterford service this morning - I didn't get to hear it leaving but wonder if there's any difference in sound after the rebuild. 

14 hours ago, thewanderer said:

 

A long weekend? It was a week  

The June Gallery has been updated with images from last Wednesday with pictures from Thurles, Limerick Jct. and Portlaoise. It proved an interesting 45 minutes at Limerick Jct. as services were delayed due to the earlier failure of the 0745 Thurles - Limerick at Dromkeen.

Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2023-photos/June-2023/i-LVXGQKP to view.

 

Good to know why the 2800 set was sitting in the sidings, I thought it was a bit strange!

The manouvre to get it out was interesting to watch with the 'twin' set having to head south towards Cork before switching ends and heading back towards Limerick.

8 hours ago, Flying Snail said:

No passengers on board and thankfully it appears that there's no serious injuries to driver or others. Assume the bus is a write off but that damage to the railway bridge is likely to be minimal?

Luckily this bridge is fitted with protective beams on both sides to protect the bridge structure itself from damage in such an event! 

I drive under this bridge on a regular basis and it's tight enough in a car so I can't see how it was so badly judged!

I was only just after reading about a similar scheme in Mayo! 

https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2023/0608/1388194-changing-track-velorail-to-open-in-co-mayo/

I remember these were very popular in some parts of New Zealand, one I witnessed was in Whangamomona which used both pedal cars and converted golf carts on the line.

20 hours ago, Westcorkrailway said:

 

 

 

 

 

When growing up. My nostalgia for railways came from Park Royal’s too. Although probobly not the same as the rest of you guys who actually got to use them in service 

 

in 1994, 2 Park Royal’s landed at west cork model village. They were subsequently painted in green and paired with CSE mallow number 1 or 2 Ruston locomotive (I can’t remember) which came from the GSRPS at fenit. It’s sister from halfway Co.cork with a bullied wagon, CIE brake and WLWR coach. 

 

We were only there on Monday funnily enough, had a good look at the coaches given the announcement the day before! 

From what I hear it could be a long time before the final report is published, as it relies on ministerial approval north and south of the border - not likely to happen any time soon with no sitting government in Stormont. 

Maybe it will be published sooner with a 'TBC' section for the north! 

Some interesting outcomes from the report (draft) of Ireland's rail review. Be interesting to see if anything comes of it.

Link to article here; 

https://www.thejournal.ie/rail-review-network-5991337-Feb2023/

15 hours ago, Broithe said:

The ICE made representations about it over several years and, as nobody ever included themselves in the 'Boring' category, however specialised they were in mining, tunnelling or well-drilling, it was eventually abandoned.

I find 'Directional Drilling' sounds far more exciting!

At least we're not as bad as structures!

Glad I managed to get 3 packs when I did! I missed out on the first run of Tara's so was happy to get some to run, I don't mind the tiny fault with them! 

4 hours ago, Mike 84C said:

Barl, you say Irish Cement are looking to burn residual recovered waste, what is that product? Not something I ever hauled to our local cement works!

Hi Mike, as far as I know it's a mixture of organic material and non-recyclable material left over after the waste recovery process (non-compostable and non-recyclable) so it can burn to a high temperature.

I think I read somewhere they had applied to the EPA to start using it at Mungret but when that happens I have no idea! I'd imagine it would be mixed with coal for a while to start but not sure of the process exactly.

This link has some good information https://www.irishcement.ie/sustainability/alternative-fuels/

54 minutes ago, murphaph said:

It's insane that bulk cement goes entirely by road in Ireland. It's the thing that makes most sense to transport by rail, right into the cities where most of it is consumed.

It's not only the finished product that could go by rail. Some of the raw materials used are imported into Limerick Port and transported by road to Mungret - which is located beside the Shannon! 

Irish Cement are also looking to replace fossil fuels used in their kiln with residual recovered waste, this would seem like a good opportunity to utilise rail in and out of the plant again.

Very interesting to see a line reopening these days, rather than turned into a Greenway! I was actually only working adjacent to the line last week around Dooradoyle for a separate project.

It's a pity there was never a branch to Ted Russell dock given that SFPC operate this and Foynes Port.

Is there any mention of what will happen to the Mungret (Irish Cement) branch? I take it that's being left as is.

These were definitely a welcome surprise from IRM. With the hints about a powered option, I suspected a Tokyu 2600 but never the 22k so soon in the IRM journey! 

As much as I'd love the 6-car set, I think it wouldn't look realistic on my layout (once I've gotten around to rebuilding it that is). I've gone down the middle and ordered the 4-car set.

I have to give credit (excuse the pun) to the lads again for offering the Partial.ly option as I don't think I could manage to get any otherwise! 

The proposed new port and container terminal at Ringsend has no plans for a rail connection either - seems to go against any 'green' initiative! 

Apologies if slightly off topic but I used the Partial.ly incremental payments option for the first time recently and found it very slick and handy to use! It's a great option to have and hopefully it continues to be an option going forward with IRM. 

On 11/6/2022 at 1:55 AM, Sean said:

Half expecting Lance Vance to hop outta that van......

As old as VC is, I didn't think many would get the reference 

The models look great and even though I wasn't planning on getting any as they're not my area of interest, I'm seriously considering getting two packs of the Corporate Intercity livery to run behind 112 (with some modeling licence!).

I'm not very familiar with NIR coaches so was wondering if anyone could help with which 2 packs would be best? Could the driving trailer run with the bar/grill or world I need the generator van either way? I couldn't justify a 9 coach train on the new layout I'm planning unfortunately!! 

Very interesting George, I didn't know anything of that line still existed.

Not a million miles away from where I'm now living in Kilworth either. 

Something else I just noticed last week, there's an old Bell container alongside the M8 at Junction 13 Mitchelstown, something you don't see too often anymore.