Wexford70

Can't understand why no national transport museum has been founded in the south given the rich industrial history on the island. Cultra is a fine example of what is possible. Would love to see somewhere like the MGWR Broadstone site used.

Happily, in Ireland at least, charitable status is not dependent on being a registered museum, though establishing a museum may potentially give access to other grant funding channels. But, is the limited potential funding worth the effort. Cafes are also not really a big earner these days with the level of overheads unless staffed primarily by volunteers. It really is about having a balance of offerings that best match the capabilities and location / market of the railway. Volunteers remain an essential element.

I agree the benefits of the charitable status. It also provides a higher lever of trust when fund raising with members of the public I think. The key funding bucket though is actually for charities which are social enterprises. Some of the recent funding has been specifically for these types of organizations such as the last call under the Dormant Accounts Fund. However, in order to be an official museum as awarded by the Heritage Council, the heritage artifacts must be static / cannot move under the current interpretation of the Heritage Act 1995. So, in my experience, heritage railways in Ireland cannot go down this route unless they have a separate static collection with a preservation plan and appropriate facilities for these items. The WSVR raised this with the Heritage Council, and the Minister for Heritage in the last government, and was not the only organization to do so.

2nd most expensive country in Europe it seems. I think it is something we all feel in our pockets.

Hi folks, Was looking at websites today. Is it not usual to display prices including VAT? Items were displayed with a price but the tax was only added when I went to pay.

Any more information on who they were or what the plan was?

Not possible, the WSVR founders looked at that and the road development had made the line restoration unfeasible. Hence why the railway now operates on the Waterford Dungarvan line as the track bed was still in fairly good condition.

Industrial heritage is still the poor relation in terms of heritage funding and expertise in the government bodies charged with preservation.

Track sale on at the Hornby site.

What type of loco is pulling them? J15?

Drinagh in Wexford had its own industrial railway for a time linking the cement works to the main line. "The Waterford & Wexford Railway (W&WR) was extended southwards along Wexford quays in about 1877. The line to Rosslare Harbour was completed in 1882. But the pier at Rosslare Harbour was no more than a 500-yard-long breakwater, not yet suitable for large ships. The Wexford-Rosslare Harbour line was proving to be unprofitable and a major dispute between the Dublin, Wicklow & Wexford Railway and the W&WR erupted in May 1889. Services were threatened to be suspended if the W&WR did not guarantee to make immediate payments of monies owed to the DW&WR. At a meeting in the Town Hall in Wexford, the W&WR asked that the service be kept open at least during the bathing season but the line was duly closed. It remained so for the next five years. With the loss of the important train service into Wexford, the ever-resourceful Harry Cooper came up with a solution. He built his own steam engine to run on the railway line between Drinagh and Wexford, calling his invention the ‘Puffing Billy’. It had a boiler and a tall chimney, and ran on four wheels. It must have been a curious sight rolling onto Wexford quays, where it became known as the ‘Donkey Engine.’ Presumably he hired wagons to carry his limestone and cement." (from ‘Fascinating Wexford History - Vol. 5)

Would love a brake van in different liveries with working lamp(s) and, who knows, even smoke from the pot belly boiler???

Is there anything worth moving? I was really saddened by the state of rolling stock the last time I was there some time ago.

@A. K. I believe it is closed permanently. A new home is being sought for the steam loco. Too big to go to the likes of WSVR. Hopefully the items in the collection can be preserved.

Thanks for this. This community is an amazing knowledge resource.

Are these numbered differently to the first runs?

What batch of oil wagons would this remnant n Ferns belong to?

This was an example of the tin vans and 6 wheeler in New Ross.

Thanks for the excellent clarity on the rolling stock. The lack of carriages would be the one reservation I would have about purchasing one of these amazing models.

What coaches would they have pulled and which configuration?

Some old new IRM stock on sale at Marks.

Dispatch emails received Friday. Thanks @BosKonay

@BosKonay any updates on the heljan deliveries?

My Heljan order is showing fulfilled on IRM but I received no dispatch email, not wagons obviously. I too have had difficulty getting through to IRM so I wonder if there is an issue with the email system? I'm sure IRM appreciate people get anxious when the only communication channel does not seem to be working well. I hope the live chat returns soon or the ability to phone.

What year was the publication @WRENNEIRE?