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071 to do the Claremorris-Ballina-Westport-Claremorris leg of the tour, 075+082 will be stabled on the Ballinrobe siding nearest the station in Claremorris while 209 is allocated to work the North wall-Ballina IWT liner at it will be stabled on the lake siding which is directly behind the Ballinrobe siding.

The Test train arrives at Tara junction....

With less than 24 hours to go until the RPSIs West awake rail tour we see a test run of 075+082 together with the Cravens set of coaches, 071 was used to shunt release the coaches to allow the 2x071s return back to the MPD. Here are a selection of photos and videos of the operation...…

175 hauls the heavy ballast hopper train through the station.

With an intensive couple of weeks ahead for ballasting both sets of ballast trains are now a regular sight on Tara junction, Here we see 071 arrive from the south with a fully loaded HOBS set containing 300 tonnes of stone, while across the platform 175 is also coupled to the two axle hopper train which has roughly the same tonnage of stone available, Johnny the ballast guard keeps an eye out on proceedings in the rear plough van 24853. Also seen is the rare sight of the Mk3 push/pull set stabled in the bay platform having been pushed in there by 234,it is covering for one of the 2600 railcars which is undergoing some maintenance to one of its engines.

Locomotive 175 awaits the signal to enter the permanent way possession to discharge ballast from the two axle ballast hopper train which is now complete with the superb plough vans-well done gentlemen for taking the time and effort to bring us the fantastic models..

Looking great gents,Thank you for the valuable updates..

And the motive power was nice too....

Here's one I done earlier...…..

Hi Bren, I'm not sure if there is, however some Dublin buses can pop up on eBay from time to time so you could check it out.

A case of now you see it......and now you don't......

Yes you are correct about the previous layout-after arrival of the last passenger train from Heuston on the main platform, the train would be propelled back out towards the Manulla end and driven to the loop where the Mk3 set was stabled for the night, The locomotive was then uncoupled and operated to the ''dock' 'siding

As Westport station lies on a steep gradient falling towards the station, the catch point is situated facing where the timber train and Belmond train locomotives are stabled and in the event of the train running away it would divert the runaway from fouling or colliding with any rolling stock which may be stabled on the opposite line. The same applies for the two other catch points which are located at the Manulla end of the station on the main and loop platform roads.

Superb modelling well done

With the increase in passenger numbers of late on Tara junction, It was decided to reinstate a Mk3 push pull set to traffic, Here we see a few photos of 221 hauling control car/DVT 6104 back from an internal refit and a repaint to the MPD where it was lifted off its bogies, While stopped at the station the opportunity was taken to test the push pull equipment between 221 and 6104. The CME keeps an eye his team as the fitters inspect the underneath of the control car, When the operation was complete the bogies were transported by road to be overhauled at the works bogie shop.

I am delighted to be involved with this ongoing project, and I'm looking forward to the future with considerable interest.

A rare locomotive to be allocated to work the empty timber train is NIR locomotive 112 which is seen here arriving light engine from the MPD,after coupling to the train it worked it forward to the Lakeview freight yard where it is seen shortly after arrival.

Thanks Noel-much appreciated.

Thanks Jason,It should be a great tour and with the gradients on the Mayo line it should make for some impressive power and sounds.

In preparation for the forthcoming RPSI 071 double headed West awake rail tour on the 13th April 2019,the CME at Tara junction MPD selected six 071 class locomotives to undertake some multiple working trials, The locomotives selected were 076+078, 072+080, and 077+083 with all locomotive's fitted with a blue multiple working jumper cable. So on Saturday morning the trials commenced with the exception of 071+073 which were not used because these were successfully tested a few years ago. Here are a few photos from an enjoyable operating day...….

Passed through Tara junction earlier too.....

The Sperry train had a first today when Belmond liveried locomotive 216 hauled the train from Cobh back to Cork after 083 had hauled it to Cobh and Midleton earlier, Here we see the train being hauled by 083 through Tara Jctn and later on hauled back by 216.

The Sombre et Meuse type bogies are interchangeable, the ones with the extra sets of brake blocks are normally used under the bogie timber and the air braked track panel per way trains, and are normally confined to these types of wagons now, They were formally used on the bogie shale and bogie bulk cement wagons, I was fortunate to visit Limerick wagon works a few years ago and observe a bogie swap take place between a Tara wagon ,a shale wagon and a CPW-the CPW getting the Tara bogie, the Tara got the shale bogie and the shale got the CPW, Here are a few photos of that visit..

Some welcome visitors to Tara junction in the form of sound fitted 001 class locomotive 011 and steam locomotive 372,both received some works attention and were both given trial runs before returning south to their home depot. IMG_8650.MOV IMG_8643.MOV

Noel-Is it the same type-(kadee no18) coupler that is fitted to locomotive 222? I have no experience of kadee couplers on my layout but I feel they are ideal for my MK4 end coach set.