Wexford70

Amazing photos!

Anyone remember Let's Pretend in Dun Laoghaire shopping centre on the top floor in 70s / 80s? I remember them stocking Lima Irish train sets. Always wanted one but they were not cheap. Used go in just to check to see if it was still there.

Brief discussion on RTE. https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22420059/ Money and political will needed to deliver rail plan (rte.ie)

Does the fact there is an election coming influence the timing of the release of this aspirational plan? Without significant EU grants, I cannot see these coming to fruition given the level of national debt. (Statistics | NTMA)

Happy to say mine arrived also.

Saw this photo on Facebook and was wondering if there was any news of Marks Models or IRM doing a new run of Autoballasters. Would love to be able to complete a rake. Just need 4 more unpowered wagons.

Am afraid to ask but is there any dispatch date for the diesel wagons?

Would I be correct in thinking red = home, yellow = distant?

Hi folks, Could any of the knowledgeable group confirm that the signal indicator of the type shown below was used in Ireland? I believe it is a Sykes Pattern Home Signal Repeater in a mahogany case. I thought it may have been UK GWR but the signal arm would have been v shaped I believe. Is there any possibility it is from Northern Ireland? Thanks.

How can we order when all sold out???

From https://www.railmaponline.com/

Small section of tram track on North Brunswick Street. I believe the tram sheds are still in use but now for ambulances.

Any DSER or WDLR?

FOI Reponses from Kerry Co Co: May 2021 In your reply you state the locomotive is the responsibility of a private company. Can you confirm that the ownership of the locomotive does not currently sit with Kerry County Council? Correct When the locomotive was returned to Ireland, was the ownership of the locomotive not transferred to the Council? No If the council has ever owned the locomotive, when was the ownership relinquished? Not ever owned by Council. What is the formal relationship between the private company and Kerry County Council in terms of operation in of the heritage line? ? The Council was part of the broad group of supporters who helped restore the railway as well as a number of other tourism projects. The Council is very anxious that the steam railway, including the locomotive and carriages, is restored and still hopeful that this can be achieved. This company worked closely with the Blennerville Windmill Company, Kerry County Museum and Aqua Dome Waterworld (a PLC) If the Council leased the track what was the operating model with this private company for the operation of the line? The line can only be used as steam railway and if the railway company goes into liquidation then the property reverts to the council.

PIS?

Even a small smoke generator for the pot belly stoves? Anything seems possible these days.

@Mayner from whom was it on loan?

Same for me. DPD dropped my parcel in the unenclosed porch and ran. Never even checked I was home

I have asked previously under FOI for any records confirming that. None were available. They certainly have a claim arising from long term possession but the original payments for its return to Ireland were not, as far as I can see, paid out by the Council but rather a supporters group. If further details of that original payment were available a counter claim to ownership might be made which would be supported by the evidencable neglect in my opinion. In the first instance a smaller amount might be sufficient to secure the loco's ownership and once secured, it could be removed to a safer location to halt further deterioration. Often these groups are set up as charitable trusts and these can avail of any tax reliefs that are going and such structures would likely have easier access to government aid such as the rural development grants.

The 1995 Heritage Act has a grey area regarding what is deemed a heritage object. The Heritage Council's voluntary Accredited Museum scheme will not award museum status to an organization that only has mobile heritage objects. If 5T was put on a plinth by the existing or any new owner they could access Heritage Funds but not if operating. What would be useful would be if the community were able to encourage the Heritage Minister to update the Heritage Act 1995 with a Statutory Instrument, just one line that states clearly the term heritage objects is intended to include static and mobile industrial heritage objects including, but not limited to, boats, planes, railway carriages, wagons and locomotives which are preserved and operated. He could sign that himself and then Finntown, Cavan and Leitrim and the current or any new owner of 5T could immediately request and access existing funding through Heritage Ireland. Board members of the Waterford & Suir Valley Railway raised this in a meeting with the Minister, and they were the second group to meet him on that issue that day! With elections looming, probably not the top of the Department's agenda. https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1995/act/4/enacted/en/print.html

Don't think so. I think it means when the company had share capital at one stage amount to about 260k. With one share awarded for each euro put in. But I may be mistaken. Only thing left now is the paper value of the loco and the scrap value of the tracks and carriages.

If information on 5T is required, the company that has possession of 5T is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2014 as the local council had significant input into its running. This was confirmed by the Office of the Information Commissioner about 2 years ago. Sadly most the directors of the company seem to be no longer active according to the CRO. Any information requests for records relating to 5T, the track, etc. can be submitted, free of charge to FOI@kerrycoco.ie. Note: you cannot ask questions per se, but you can ask for any records related to any public funds received, documents relating to ownership, reports on the state of the track, business cases created and discussions in council chamber (example attached). These are all public records. If submitting, do take time to read the guidance at How do I make an FOI request? | Freedom of Information The council MUST answer you, even to say they have no records matching your request. If they fail to do so within 4 weeks you can appeal to the OIC automatically as it is considered a 'deemed refusal'. You will have to pay a fee but this is reimbursed if the OIC upholds your concern. The OIC are very helpful and well used to dealing with reluctant councils Happy to share what information I have if anyone needs it. Blennerville Steam Railway- references at Tralee MD Meeting.pdf Shareholding information.pdf

Consultants have been appointed to oversee the construction of eight new commuter rail stations to the northwest and east of Cork city. https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2024/0524/1450928-rail-stations-cork/

People are willing to travel to see steam, less so diesel. Assuming the metal track and chairs are ok, second hand sleepers are available from Irish Rail and are about 10 euro each if bought in bulk. You will likely need new ballast. A suitable diesel engine would be available from Bord na Mona as they are selling off their railway stock. Biggest cost will be labour and insurance. You'd need a good band of volunteer labour to survive. Running it with a fully paid workforce as the Council tried is doomed to failure.