ttc0169

Even during the late 1990s and 2000s...…it was some place....

As the factory security guard keeps an eye on proceedings at the gate, the driver of the Class 08 prepares to shunt the tanker wagons around so the unloading can be completed, 37 251 rests on the head shunt and will be fired into life later on to return the tanker train for reloading.

When the HOBS set of ballast wagons were introduced into service by Irish rail during 2010, It was suggested that a few ballast plough vans be retained to be used with the HOBS until such time that crews got familiar with the remote control system of discharging stone-rather than having an on track machine spread the stone behind the train, This of course never happened due to the cost of converting the plough vans to the air braking system, However over on Tara junction-(where anything is possible)-plough van 24853 was converted to a duel braking system-(air and vacuum)-and is seen here undergoing a trial run on the rear of the HOBS set with Johnny the ballast train guard supervising operations.

Well done Enda and Siobhan, looks fantastic...

It was a busy evening at the factory sidings for the driver of the Class 08 shunter, a late departure of the class 56 hauled freight seen the class 37 hauled tanker train unusually held on the down mainline for the freight to clear, once out of the section, the 08 came out of the sidings to shunt the train back into the yard and release the class 37, Meanwhile passenger traffic continues on the up mainline with the procession of DMUs and HSTs pass.....

Looking fantastic Eammon, best of luck with it

Great photos....A pack has been ordered.....

You could always do the 071 tour to Sligo on Friday 10th May-with a stopover at Dromod of approximately 90 minutes to visit the Cavan & Leitrim railway on the way down and a fast spin back to Dublin...

Thanks Dave for your continuing and informative updates

Thanks Rich. Its much appreciated. I am in the fortunate position to have an insight into the workings of the real railway and try to mirror them in the miniature world of Tara junction.

Here you go.....Castlerea, Claremorris and Ballina

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