Branchline121

Thomas the Tank Engine suddenly looks a lot more realistic!

or a dreamy Kingscourt…

It seems consideration was given to a CIÉ standard fleet of steam locos (perhaps similar to the BR Standards?), but full-on dieselisation was chosen instead, probably not that smart considering the reliability of the A & C engines…

The railways of Eden sound great!

Also, the 121’s livery doesn’t nicely line up with the DVT. Either they were experimenting, or they were going to have a low green band on the loco and high one on the coaches, which would make the colour not the worst thing about the livery!

Not to jump the gun, but… Judging by the design of the locomotive it seems IÉ are planning on buying a fleet of electric Alstom Traxx engines, and the mountains and freight signify that the Kilkenny line is going to be electrified!

Here’s the mock-up — on a parade float!

Compared to the UK, not a lot of Irish lines have names. Example: the lines in Britain have many names, like the Tees Valley Line for the Bishop Auckland-Saltburn line, or the East Coast Main Line for the London-Edinburgh line. I could go on with examples, but the point is, the lines aren’t just the “A-B line” or whatever company built the railway (some are, but that’s besides the point); so, which Irish examples have names? All I can think of is: Derry Road (Portadown-Derry) Great Northern main line (Dublin-Belfast) Meath Road (Dublin-Navan) Western Railway Corridor (Limerick-Collooney) Branches (Youghal, Kingscourt, Oldcastle, Fenit, Castleisland, Ardee, Foynes, Ballina, etc.) Can anybody think of more?

All we need is a 5ft 3 version of that and take it to the Kingsc- oh wait, that’s a greenway now; maybe the Foyn- wait, that’s being lifted; how about Yough- greenway also; Feni- ditto. I guess there’s no abandoned tracks in Ireland to ride a yoke like that down anymore… Apart from the WRC! Hopefully that doesn’t get greenway’d.

Never seen a WT with the NIR logo. I assume this was short-lived?

I heard somewhere Irish Rail were looking for a(nother) mid-life refurbishment tender for them, so it looks the old DARTs won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

Playing Train Simulators a good bit, I’ve learned setting up a standard American EMD consists of starting the engine, flicking on yer ‘Engine Run’, ‘Field Generator’ and ‘Fuel Pump’ on. All you have to do then is set the cut-off and MU-2A valves, charge the automatic brake by using the handbrake until you got ~90 PSI, set the reverser forward (or backward), then put throttle up (not too high or you’ll put stress on the engine) and you get your loco moving! Simple!

The Clinchfield RR also painted their EMDs in a grey and yellow livery (albeit without the stripes):

What would its TOPS code even be? 01-31 is already taken, and 32 is into the 1,500 hp range!

The Glanmire Road photo has the perfect rural ‘60s crew, with a J15, J26, and C201! Excellent!

They did it on the Cork service so there’s still a chance!

A Tesla 121, eh?

Or a video https://youtube.com/watch?v=_f14V9s-7s0

Which Kells? Also, I thought the Kingscourt line had very few pictures for a line that lasted 126 years.

The Navan negative may be shaky, but it’s the only image I’ve found so far of Navan Junction’s yard! Cool!

Did driver training ever happen or is B134 still dormant in Inchicore, or even a run of the engine? Is it almost time for B134 to be back on the main line or is it still a while till we see any activity? I hope it’s out soon ‘cuz I can’t wait to see it!

Is the train in the lower picture on the main line or Navan branch?

This is sort of random, but does anyone have a photo or diagram of a Dublin & Meath or Navan & Kingscourt loco? Thanks in advance.

On the topic of the D&MR brake vans, anybody know where he got the drawings for them, or additional drawings of other stock?

I never knew classic coaches could look so good in a cider-branded livery!