Rush and Lusk

While we read/hear about, and perhaps experience, various negative stories about the national rail transport system, there is much to be positive about, and I'd like to very briefly share my own immediate experience. Yesterday I took a DART from a Dublin suburban station to Connolly, walked straight on to the LUAS red Line, 15 minutes directly to Heuston, Main Line service to Westport - today I did the same journey in reverse. The experience was excellent, and very easily achievable with minimum planning. I fully accept that this experience is not available to all, but this is just to illustrate how an integrated service, across three different rail systems can work. Small footnote: we had to wait a while at Manulla Junction to facilitate a failed timber train (Locomotive 086 I think).

Fantastic photographs Jonathan, not to mention the amazing skill of Mr Fry. For Bob229 - also lots of parking down around the Marina if full nearer the Museum and Castle park - unfortunately there are parking charges (as it seems almost everywhere now). Finally, there is always the train - the station is almost next door to the museum, very short walk.

Excellent innovation BosKonay.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the exchanges arising from this post - the wealth of knowledge is extraordinary including the witty observations. I have learned so much, especially from Jonathan. No doubt this map and topic will feature again as we inevitably muse on this complex subject. Thank you all. George

Hi Folks, I picked this up in my Twitter Feed and feel it's worth sharing with the knowledgeable members of this forum. It builds upon the 1906 railway network map, assumes no closures and adds a variety of speculative/fantasy dimensions. For a wide variety of reasons, many of these lines would not have survived and/or not be built, but nonetheless it illustrates elements of what possibly might have been. The map can be expanded to read more easily when you click through the link. George https://theoditsek.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/ireland-crayon.png

This is fabulous Paddy - very well done. I love your "railway room" - great pictures and excellent videos with the superimposed sounds - lots to learn from. George

lovely modelling Jonathan - I particularly like the second picture from August 13th. George

Great picture once again - now getting busy in the sky over Tara Junction, joining the Are Lingus 747 - a so much nicer livery than the rather anonymous current EI livery conforming to the corporate style of the wider IAG group.

Lovely model - order already placed !

I really like all the new initiatives - Congratulations BosKonay and all the IRM team

Those ESB Anglia vans are delightful

Great to see - nice video clip ttc0169 - moving at a fair pace there !

Trains and cars - a glorious cocktail of youthful interests (irrespective of actual age !), of I suspect, quite a few on this forum - best of luck with this great project.

Looks really attractive in that retro green livery - another "station" for a bite to eat for anyone even vaguely interested in trains - I wish the new owner well.

Thanks John - an interesting and encouraging read. George

Fabulous bus collection Noel - it does indeed look and feel like the quays around Bachelors Walk, Perhaps predictably, progress being impeded by the orange BMW ! - although it's quite a rare and collectable vehicle in "real life" - a BMW 2000i !

Superb story-telling video, wonderful modelling and of course your outstanding layout - excellent Noel. George

Hi, Just in case this is of interest to anyone, Hattons are offering Hornby SR green composite coaches for £16 compared to the RRP of £29.49. May be of value to someone.

Beautiful Modelling Paddy - well done. George

Excellent pictures jhb171achill. I regularly watch Mark on "Donegal Dad" and follow the great work though his output. I hope to visit this summer.

Superbly detailed atmospheric modelling Patrick - congratulations. I spotted your placement of the "more sporty" or "premium" versions of cars - the cream/white & green striped Cortina - was the livery of the special "lotus" version, while the orange Austin 1300 (guessing here) has the sports wheels and special colour of the better versions. Lovely memories - (I also like older cars !). George

Thank you "connollystn" for the compliment - much appreciated. Thanks also to Warbonnet, Galteemore, BosKonay, enniscorthyman and Rob. I note some temptation from WRENNEIRE ! - actually I bought a couple of perfect MM 181's from him recently, very pleased. Regards, George

This lovely model arrived and is in situ in a typical disused siding setting - congratulations IRM on another excellent product.

Tremendous changes taking place in the wider Barrow street are for almost two decades now - mostly for the better. Great recent pictures, and as for the traffic "log-jam" - amazing collection. Well done

lovely story telling - that low level shot in the cutting is fabulous.