Wexford70

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 Sadly most the directors of the company seem to be no longer active according to the CRO.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.

https://www.irishtimes.com/video/video/2024/05/04/inside-dublin-port-youre-falling-over-the-heritage/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0h930h82YPq6b93tFDC9dY8a5oiz7W_MSL2aweEhDEho1IbLhrTYj1Lz4_aem_AbHunnhvvVy87ZE2SGQno3UIbESnqVJpj-GB8aTFDXryydbdjUaeEdCoFnFE1TvJz2rAxoTtQ7de_Ew7fbI0WfwM Spot the H vans being pulled by tractor

Will the grey 071s have the handles on the front of the cab like the previous run or will they match the prototype?

Would these be different to the ones on the siding at Limerick station? The support plate between the tank and body looked different. Great looking model guys.

Happened to me also.

So only one has survived?

Did the bodies survive? They looked very fragile. What happened to the Callan site?

Was wondering of anyone knew what happened to the Tralee and Dingle carriages in this RTE video? https://www.rte.ie/archives/collections/news/21425584-railway-museum-in-cahir/

My understanding is that they have no volunteers, all staff on state employment schemes. Nice people but a long way from any tourist traffic. They even had EU funding to help restore Fair Maid of Foyers for operation but could not complete the project due to lack of funds.

About the same cost as a new diesel locomotive from my understanding. I assume the amount will be raised from a mixture of sources including corporate sponsorship, grants if any are available, as well as interested individuals like myself. Once it is in operation, the loco should also contribute to its own upkeep. Is this not how all heritage railways work?

Hopefully people who have those skills will share with the railway and help them to pass these skills on to the next generation. I think the management are well aware of the challenges but also see the opportunities if handled correctly. A lot of aligned skills exist among the steam tractor engine community also I believe.

Original article called it a Welsh tourist train. Slight improvement in the new version. And the quotes from a Mr Clarke are taken off Facebook. No mention of that source!!! Top journalism indeed.

This Welsh vintage train may see new lease of life in Waterford | Independent.ie Article in the Indo.

No tracks left when the charity took a lease on the track bed some 20 years ago. They relayed 10km of bullhead track and rebuilt the platforms in Kilmeaden. The council permitted building of apartments / houses on the track bed some time later at Bilberry, despite an appeal, and blocked up the tunnel which means any extension into the city would now need to be via tram track in the road. The request to purchase the extra 6 feel of pathway when the greenway compulsory purchase of land was being undertaken a few years back, was rejected out of hand. Waterford News & Star — Bilberry rail extension off the tracks for now | Waterford News & Star (waterford-news.ie)

Council unable to facilitate the expansion into Waterford: Not extending the Suir Valley Railway is a "mistake" for Waterford | WLRFM.com Waterford News & Star — Bilberry rail extension off the tracks for now | Waterford News & Star (waterford-news.ie)

Unsure how much tighter as I know the bank was removed on the right. But definitely an 0-4-0 would be optimal.

Do think it should be preserved somewhere even cosmetically restored. The National Museum should have some remit to at least store locos like 5T and even those in private ownership if owners wish to loan them to the museum. It is strange that the Heritage Act 1995 does not mention any type of vehicles, not just railway stock, mainly just buildings.

WSVR has been around for 20 years so odds look good it should have a future, in part thanks to the footfall from the greenway. No press release from the charity yet so no info on the business plan released either.

I think size of 5T would be an issue for the WSVR line.

Waterford Suir Valley Railway being gifted a stem engine by the National Trust. 040 Black Hawthorn works number 501 of 1879.

Not much of it left to restore versus replace from what I have heard:

May he rest in peace. @WRENNEIREWhat models were Lexie and the late John Byrne responsible for?