MidlandDeltic2

Maximum in normal service is nine cars - although there, are length limitations at certain stations (eg eight at Ballybrophy) and routes (four or possibly five on Rosslare IIRC). Apparently in emergencies they can operate as 18 - ie a nine car rescuing a nine car. Only seen eight and nine cars in special circumstances like reduced frequency onbCork line during engineering works, but seven is quite common.

Looks good, but the price of accommodation in Cork is seriously insane. More per night in October for a three-star or a B&B than I paid for a four star hotel in Jersey in June. It's actually a lot cheaper (75% chraper!) to get the train back to Portlaoise on the Saturday and back south on the Sunday - but thay means missing Cobh and, more importantly (for me at least) Midleton. Will keep looking, but it looks like a no. Adding two nights hotel in Dublin will also affect GB bookings I suspect! MD

My gallery from this great event can be found here : https://midlanddeltic.smugmug.com/Trip-Sets-Ireland-Rail/2023/Downpatrick-County-Down-Railway-Diesel-Gala-Rail-07-01-2023

Murphy's might not be too happy if Hattons have let a cat out of the bag!

I strongly recommend the book Diesel Dawn by Colm Flanagan. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Diesel-Dawn-Contribution-Development-1931-1967/dp/1904242081