ttc0169

A few photos of the ballasting operation involving road/rail machinery and the two axle ballast hopper train.....

Phase two of the installation of a new crossover at the west end of Tara junction was completed last weekend with final ballasting and tamping being completed last night, Here we see a video of tamper 751 packing the crossover. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZohBKsflNaM

Some weekend engineering work is currently taking place on Tara junction involving some road rail and other machinery, Retro 073 arrived at the worksite earlier hauling the Donelli relaying gantries which were put to work removing some track panels, The area is been cleared to facilitate the installation of a new crossover...…. here are a selection photos from todays operation.

Friday evening freight sees a pallet cement train arrive behind 190+184 at the Lakeview freight yard and is in the process of being shunted to the siding for unloading to begin. The yard pilot locomotive 181 prepares to shunt the BELL and B&I bogie liner train into position for departure/

087 passes through Tara junction hauling the laden fertiliser...... Yes- Maximum load for laden fertiliser trains.....and for the IRM A/001 class with a growling sound chip fitted for added effect

The view of 181 passing on the laden fertliser from the drivers cab of 161SA...….

The factory siding Class 08 shunter developed a fault earlier and was driven to the up siding to await fitters attention, Meanwhile super shunter in the form of the class 20 has temporarily replaced the 08 at the factory sidings.

The 10:30 Foynes to Ballina ten wagon heavy fertiliser liner passes through Tara junction station hauled by locomotive 181

Thanks Robert, sense does prevail from time to time at the junction..

The last of the superb RAWIE buffer stops were installed into position over the last few days on Tara junction, Here are a selection of photos of the operation including the new road rail machine with interchangeable attachments, Locomotive 074 is seen also having arrived from the lower level permanent way yard to move the weed spray/Sperry train for storage to that yard. The useful MPV was used to lift out the old buffer stop in the bay platform and install the new one into position.

The inspection saloon gets a run behind 20 063...and visits the factory sidings for the first time while the 08 shunter moves some wagons around.

Another useful addition to the ever increasing wagon fleet on Tara junction, The wheel carrier wagon is a modified 42' bogie wagon that is adapted to carry various types of wheelsets and is confined to operate between Inchicore works and Limerick works, I photographed two over the course of a few years 30141 and 30174 having observed them at Inchicore works I recently finished scratch building the model version which is now in service at the junction, Here are a few photos of 30141 being loaded at the MPD, I have included a photo of the real wagon so that those modellers who are not familiar with it can see what it is like,

A new arrival at Tara junction during the week-a serious piece of model engineering.... Crew familiarisation is currently taking place...

Thanks for the useful update Fran...It gives me more time to concentrate on the 121s, It will be well worth the wait

Good to know, thanks Stephen,,,looking forward to the Ferts..

I have always wanted to have a go at scratch building a model of the Irish rail relaying train with its impressive Donelli relaying gantries, So after some research I set about constructing the gantries and as can be seen I am delighted with the results, Here we see retro 073 hauling the relaying train through Tara junction

https://www.hattons.co.uk/60467/oxford_diecast_76krs001_konecranes_reach_stacker_for_freight_containers_in_konecranes_blue_fully_posable/stockdetail.aspx This one is identical to the current reach stacker that they use in Ballina freight yard

After a marathon operating session this afternoon we see a few rare locomotives work various liner trains through Tara junction, Highlights were 201 C class locomotives 226 and Sulzer locomotive 107...…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEwoYjQEUY4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFXR5CZmaHU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp_xfRPyTcA

HSTs at speed..... IMG_3749.MOV

Two recent videos of the Mk3 push & pull set on Tara junction being pushed by locomotive 234

Voted...

Quite fancy the APT..... I was always sorry that I never had one when they first released during the 1980s.

When fitting the vacuum brake pipe, ensure it is the right way up-not as seen in the photo....the circular dummy plug is always located to the bottom.

Thank you gentlemen ,your kind comments are much appreciated.

Happy Christmas to all fellow bus modellers from the management and staff at Tara junction CIE bus depot.