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Early morning at the Lakeview servicing point we see locomotives 148 and 127 in for fuelling and examination, This deport provides the motive power for the nearby freight yard-so it is kept busy all day....

They got a dusting of weathering powder.....

No-the orange set of bubbles are part of another set.

Looking well so far-do you intend to ballast the tracks?

126+132 work the Lakeview freight yard-Sligo liner train through Tara junction station.

Me too......

Many thanks Fran great to see progress,well done IRM.

Nice one gents-order has been placed..

Very true Jason-you can add the future to the past and present as Ballina has recently undergone substantial investment to the freight yard-both tracks have been relaid and concreted over along with the addition of new tower lighting and an extension for loading containers and timber at the Manulla end of the yard. See photo below.....

Originated in the UK, so no idea who owns it...Built in 1995 according to the plate located on the door. Yes it is.

I have seen them lying around road haulage yards with the BELL logos painted out...but this was a first for an active load carrying BELL bulk to appear.

Welcome on board-A recent driver training run on locomotive 129 sees 130+133 follow us while hauling the branch passenger train which is formed by two Park Royal coaches and an ex BR GSV.

After an absence of over twenty years it was great to see the BELL lines bulk thirty foot container on Irish railways in March 2021, 218 is seen here hauling the IWT liner about one mile south of its destination of the freight yard in Ballina Here are a few photos of the occasion. I did Arran..... and see above photos for the result......looking forward to the model version......

The passengers on board the branch set enjoy the comforts of the Park Royal coaches which are being hauled by 130+133 in a recreation of the Ballina branch set of the early 1990s.

As a matter of interest how is production coming along ? Are we still “on track” for a May delivery?

Likewise Eamonn, I do hope that Paddy Murphy considers fitting interior lights to the Mk3s as an added bonus, it would be a nice touch.

Or maybe even nine years-like the 121 saga

It’s a very welcome announcement and one which I will support when the products are released I'm sure that Paddy Murphy has taken into account the slight changes that have taken place to the 201 class locomotives since the initial release of the models all of ten years ago now, All of the active 201s have received a bodywork overhaul and in particular to the marker lights have changed to a curved profile, The Enterprise and common user liveried locomotives have an additional socket on cab 2 for the MMI on the De Dietrich coaching stock, See attached photos, It’s a common user livery with locomotives 231 and 233 able to work both the Enterprise and Mk4 trains.

134+124 hauling the relay/panel train returning from the worksite are looped at Tara junction station to allow a following train overtake.

George-I have enough to do with two layouts on the go....I’m happy just to drive the Maam cross version when I get the chance...!!!

Yes not much to report from the worksite due to COVID restrictions, Here are a few photos from an aerial perspective of the site taken prior to the full lockdown, We all hope to be back at the site as soon as the restrictions are eased, Lots of new items and work to continue whenever possible,and it’s great to see various railway magazines giving us the necessary and useful publicity

Late night shunting at Lakeview freight yard,CIE 121 class locomotives have shunted four bogie wagons into position for loading-out of sight B131 is shunting two axle bulk cement wagons to the rear of the liner ready for the 23:00 departure to Sligo.

Less than 24hrs after placing the order the coaches have arrived at the destination, Thanks gents for the excellent customer service

Its coming along nicely Edo- the point work looks great.

Put me down for one please Robert to span two tracks on a platform