ttc0169

BS = Brake serviced,brake blocks changed,and adjusted and any other brake components replaced as required I did work on the real EGVs mainly on GAA spls but unfortunately never took any photos of the interior but they were similar format to Mk2 and Mk3 EGVs.

The EGV was given a brake test and exam at IC-(Inchicore) in week 29 in 1998-week commencing 13/07/1998. All types of GSVs and Mk2 EGVs were stencilled like that during the late 1990/early 2000s, It is the fuel tank filler marked in while and the restricted to 30mph was used when the EGVs were taken out of passenger service and were used for empty stock transfers to and from Inchicore/Heuston-they hauled Mk3 coaches for attention at Inchicore and returned them to Heuston where they were added to passenger trains, A similar BR GSV 3189 was also to transfer both Mk2,Cravens and the odd Mk3 coach as it was duel brakes with air and vacuum pipes fitted

Thanks DJ

Another view of EI-BED on final approach over the bus garage-a real 1970s feel to this scene.

Aer Lingus 747-EI-BED is seen here on final approach to the airport with a flight arriving from JFK. Thanks to Ray at Die cast models 4u in Galway for selling me this fine model.

Of course Jhb…another excuse to operate big trains.

37 251 comes to the rescue of an ailing five car DMU.

A cavalcade of 071s pass through Tara junction on a positioning movement. 078 is seen here hauling 077,080 and 083.

Both routes would have been used.

Typically during the 1980s and early 1990s the block ferts would operate mainly on a Saturday arriving in Ballina after 12:00, having left Northwall using the 06:25 path in the WTT, the Athlone crew returning home on the 13:20 passenger If the fert was operating from Foynes then it would have used the 09:00 path from Limerick via Athenry and Claremorris to Ballina,arriving there just after 15:00, After being unloaded in Ballina the empty fert would use the 16:50 path from Claremorris to Limerick departing Ballina at 14:30. As the fertliser operation was seasonal-it was common to send a fert once a week or as demand dictated.

Ok, you may encounter derailments with the 001 class locomotives as I have found when traversing Hornby points.

I would suggest using PECO points as they are far more reliable than the Hornby rubbish.

Throughout the 1990s block trains operated to Ballina and while there is no mention of actual fertilizer paths in the WTT, they could and did operate on the liner paths that are in the WTT, Fertilizer trains would be advised locally through a ''running notice'' issued a few days in advance of the working. Again two or three fert wagons would be attached to the regular 19:00 Asahi or 20:45 Guinness liner on weeknights to Ballina during the later years-1998-2001 period.

Back in the days of the fert operation,a block train of ten laden wagons would operate to Ballina from either Foynes or Shelton abbey,after being unloaded-(on overtime normally on Saturdays)-the train would work back empty to either location, During the weeknights,two wagons would be attached to the 19:00 or 20:45 liner trains to Ballina,the formation was; Locomotive(s)-fert wagons,bogie container or Guinness wagons, On arrival in Ballina the laden fert wagons were shunted off and two spare LX or LP wagons were added to make up the eighteen wagon return to North wall, When the morning branch passenger set arrived from Manulla Jctn the locomotive was used to shunt the fert wagons to the Crossmolina road siding behind the bus Eireann garage where a local farm supply business (Barrett’s),unloaded the wagons, The wagons were then collected in the afternoon and pushed up the down siding at the Manulla end of Ballina freight yard for collection by the 22:10 or 02:50 liner that night. Great memories,and thanks to IRM they can be recreated now in miniature.

Ten bogie fertiliser was the normal formation as a block train They operated as an “add on” to other liner trains which conveyed containers,Guinness,oil and cement wagons, e.g-a typical formation during the late 1990s were-two bogie fert wagons,five bogie container,two bogie Guinness wagons,then a mixture of two axle cement,Guinness,or oil wagons, I intend to get a pack of two wagons to add on to my Bogie Guinness and oil/cement liner

As DJ has said.....well done Rob.

The class 108 is held at signal AG 101, waiting line clear ahead as a southbound HST passes at speed.

Thanks George

An unusual load for the CIE AEC flatbed truck…,

Friday evening rush hour on the High street

When 056 developed engine failure a few weeks ago,it was hauled back to the MPD at Tara junction for attention, In the following video and photos we see the locomotive being hauled out of the MPD by 027 and after the refurbished power unit has been installed,027 pushes the locomotive back into the shed for final checks and a start up While in the shed the opportunity was taken to affix the IR logos to the body side and relocate the 056 numbers to underneath the cabs. Enjoy

Locomotive 001 passes through Tara junction hauling the 12:00 Tivoli-Ballinacourty empty magnesite/laden oil train earlier.

Watch this space….!!!!!

Yes Jhb…that was 071 on the Tara earlier-I allocated it to the Tara after its service at the running shed last night.

Retro liveried locomotives 071 & 073 receive an A exam at the running shed at Tara junction.