Barl

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/

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!

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/

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.

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.

I was trying to find a photo of the roof I had seen before when scratch-building a Dutch Van but of course I couldn't find it anywhere! From what I can remember the roof was black but a more matt black then the sides so a very dark grey would probably look similar to a matt black. By coincidence I was just flicking through my copy of 'Irish Railway Rambler' I found in a box of stuff from home and on Page 86 and Page 88 there's pictures of Dutch Vans and they certainly look matt black - being behind a loco a lot of the time would probably make them black over time anyway I suppose!

It looks like there's a small few of the A Class locos back in stock on the IRM site if anyone's interested.

I finally bit the bullet and ordered A30 last week and have to agree with the lads, it's even better in person! I didn't even realise the level of detail on the bogies until I had a quick look at it when it arrived on Friday, the silver really helps to make the details stand out compared to the other liveries. Now all I need to do is start my new layout so I can run them!

Spotted this on YouTube and hadn't seen it before. The video is as old as myself but very interesting to see, particularly the work on the MK3 coaches. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s9XrLwA6_3c&feature=youtu.be

It does look mad to see coaches being disposed of like that but there was probably a lot worse dumped around the country! As Mayner has said though it was probably deemed the lesser of two evils - asbestos is only considered dangerous when the fibres become airborne where they can enter the lungs. This is why it's normally better to leave it undisturbed or bury it if possible, with removal being the last option if necessary (given the increased risk that it could become airborne). I'd be more concerned about the leachate from the other materials breaking down and entering the groundwater than the asbestos. There's no evidence that asbestos (AC) water mains are harmful to human health so they are also retained and only replaced if absolutely necessary.

A hotel I stayed in just before Christmas had a nice LGB Christmas set-up in the lobby which was getting plenty of interest from kids young and old! They were using a proper Gaugemaster controller too I was surprised to see!

Apologies if this has already been posted. Interesting video of Inchicore Works and it's history. https://youtu.be/dqSZoUpsjCA

Looks like more Alstom stock for the network and the return of battery trains! https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2021/1213/1266432-dart-carriages/

That's definitely true! One of the reasons these reports are 'simplified' with colourful charts or provided with non-technical summaries is so those who provide the funding can understand them easier.... Not sure if it makes much difference really though as you say

There is currently an all Ireland rail review being undertaken by ARUP. It would seem this is to be a detailed study of the network as a whole, rather than just freight. I would imagine this will inform some of the strategies outlined in AECOM's report - a strategy report is always going to be high level and not overly detailed so criticising it for being simplistic is a little harsh - you wouldn't expect a county development plan to give details on individual planning applications before, during or after the duration of the plan. I would imagine the target audience for this document isn't those who have a good understanding of the railway network and it's operations, but rather the normal person who would like to see how rail-freight could be used to reduce carbon emissions and provide other benefits and what IE's intentions are going forward.

Spotted this interesting video of Cork City in 1902. It has some good footage of trams and narrow gauge lines also - I'm not sure of the area/station (possibly Blarney Castle?) but others might know. https://youtu.be/XTLDuFSDP38