Westcorkrailway

Kinsale railway “cutting of the sod” ceremony 1859

I agree with you, but in certain other places the livery does come through!

I like the idea of a Sligo-Galway passenger Service… would Waterford-Westport/Ballina goods be re-routed down the corridor? Would require a run around at limerick Colbert ect. or they could run all rail freight to Foynes…

Learning CAD will make you want to chop your head off with a rusty hatchet, but it’s incredibly worthwhile skill. (and I’m in my early 20s, I’m supposed to be good with computers) I still have no idea how to print stuff. I just send a 3MF file to a friend of mine!

So I have written out some information on the world “Ballymartle” inherits. please note for any future historians: This is an alternate reality crackpot pipe dream, do not take it seriously. The kinsale branchline finished construction in 1865, The line was heavily subsidised by the Army who wished to make use of it for troop transport. Because of this. It was built to a very decent standard. The main differences between this version of the line and the real Kinsale line is the junction is at Ballinhassig, a Huge viaduct over the river owenabue and a kinsale station build right in the town. Ballymartle is built across the road from its real life counterpart. Ballymartle station was built to serve the village of Ballymartle which was a 50 minute walk away. A nearby firing range was established some years earlier so the station was built with facilities to accommodate troop transport from both Cork and Kinsale. Which did occasionally make use of the station. The war of Independence and Civil war damaged parts of the line and post reconstruction, the line and the station was under threat. The Cork Kinsale road was the longest stretch of paved road in the country at one stage. The bus could complete the service more directly and quickly. the Irish army had all but departed from Kinsale….But during the 60 odd years prior the railway had encouraged development. A small settlement had spurred around Ballymartle station including a shop/Pub. Later named after the townland “Ballynaloughy” in 1927 a quarry was established near Ballymartle station. 1928 a rail connection was established. Wagons of stone were propelled using the company’s own locomotive to Ballymartle. This quarry employed many locals and helped the railway survive the 1920s and 1930s. The post 1927 timetable was 2 passenger trains and 1 Goods Train. during the Emergency services were cut down to 1 mixed train a day. Post war the original timetable would return, a relief to many in the area as many of the West Cork Branches in this new era of CIE were clearly winding down. Baltimore-Skibbereen and the schull and skibbereen closed outright in 1947. The T&C lost its regular passenger and most of its goods, the Macroom line would close a few years later ect. Ballymartle would see its first deisal traction in 1950, the quarry strengthening its loco fleet with a Ruston 88DS to assist with the aging Ex Allmans Distillery peckett 0-4-0. With Steam Locomotives being displaced all over the country, the Kinsale branchline would see C class Deisal locos take over the Goods Workings from steam. The 2 passenger services direct to Cork remained Steam hauled, almost exclusively by Bandon Tanks. On the 31st of March 1961, a huge rationalisation of the West Cork Railway Took place which included the closure of the Skibbereen branch, closure of the T&C branch and reduction of the Clonakilty Branchline to Goods only. The Kinsale Branchline would be reduced to 2 mixed trains per day. This too would not suffice and in 1963 further reductions occurred. Many of the rural stations on the remaining network closed. The Clonakilty branchline closed entirely. The Kinsale Branchline was now reduced to 1 Goods Train Per day. The people of Ballynaloughy were not even given a bus service! The quarry had ceased in 1959 and the last stone left by rail in 1960. The main traction post 1962 was the GM 121 class, its reliability and haulage capacity was needed for the steep gradients of the kinsale line. Post 1963 occasional passenger specials would make there way down the Branchline, particularly mystery trains, seaside excursions and a few Enthusiast Excursions. It was clear the line was living on borrowed time and in 1967, it closed outright. The track lifting commenced but hit a snag and never resumed as due to local pressure. CIE committed to never selling the track bed. 1967 would also see the Passenger services West of Bandon Suspended. Bantry essentially being treated identically to youghal. The former Clonakilty Junction site had become a Beet Loading platform form local farmers during the season. Drimoleague, Dunmanway and Ballineen also remained open for goods, particularly beet. The West Cork network was constantly under threat 1989 saw the Bantry Line official closed, the last train running in 1987. Albert Quay would go into the 1990s as the only remaining section of the CB&SCR open..

That would be a nice resource on here. I’d gladly upload some of the stuff I have made as 3MF files if anyone wants. Think a selection of stuff free for anyone to print would be a revolutionary game changer for Irish modelling, particularly in the niche Pre-CIE stuff!

There is a free version of fusion 360 for personal use (even if they make it hard to find to try trick you into paying) and it’s done me wonders. I haven’t ventured into locos/Rolling stock yet. Only helping with the production of a Bandon Tank as of now. Always wanted to do a CBSCR short bogey coach in 3D. Some of I can keep honing in my skills I’ll be able to do it one day

Ballymartle goods shed printed. Hoping to have it black with certain details picked out in green

How’s does the sugar beet factory factor into mallows pilot situation. As I assume it would have been way busier

They got it without anything on the tender so I assume (as they didn’t really care about the significance of the paintjob, which I can’t blame them entirely) they stuck in the GS to make it look better and call it a day. But to have something 60 years in virtually untampered paint from service is fascinating. Some of the things in cultura are getting touch ups paint wise. The longer 800 avoids this the better. speaking of original paint. I was with the ITG the day 134 was being moved out of Moyasta. Some paint was naturally peeling off revealing its old liveries including the 1960s original GM Grey colour Most interestingly of all though was a Dart Green. Part of an experimental livery only 124 wore w probably for the best that this colour scheme never took off

Even though the lighting dosent show it off to well, I think maebh is still in the original CIE green paint…just with GS on the tender

Not that it matters. That coach is misssing in action! Might never be seen again at this rate

I was thinking those wagons looked familiar!

Wait until he sees 802 tailte on the 10:45 mixed train Ex Trá na Gréine… Was tempted by one of these, after all plenty of Great Northern stock got to the West Cork lines before closure. But a GSWR 10 tone brakevan will suffice, many thanks to Provincial wagons. best of luck with your retirement @leslie10646 !

How mad is that. You could have a model layout set in the future!

That’s something with the 800s they may not be your era but I reckon many here will be won over by the sheer proportions of it. The Tailte Bright Green livery also looked much nicer in person, really pops!

I wonder will the model be out before the real equivalent ! IMG_3813.mov

Will be driving for once as I have other jobs to do where public transport won’t suffice

Before the current owners of the site. There was a plan to buy that station and run a heritage line from halfway viaduct to somehere out the other side of Goggins hill tunnel.

Not in my budget!!!!

Reverse engineering trying to find out what points were previously installed has been tough. But the closest definetly appears to be standard right point with a few 1st and 2nd radius curves. However it’s not a perfect fit. Any tips on modifying track? IE cutting it down to size

Another one of the 3 schull and skibbereen survivors I knew about, and another one that didn’t make it to 2025. gangway coach had been turned into a porch in this house!

At Macroom. CIE own a yard there that was once part of the extensive terminus of the CMDR. So nice to “Iranrod Eireann” at a station that closed in 1953! thankfully I know for a fact that CIE do care about the history of the site, particularly the old goods shed, the only real remnant of the station