thewanderer

Photos from the Irish Railway Record Society "The Har-stone Explorer" railtour in conjunction with Transdev Ireland from last Sunday 18th May. The route the tour took was: Broombridge Depot – Broombridge Depot West Gate - Broombridge outbound platform (Rev) – Beechwood – Beechwood Emergency Crossover (Rev) – St. Stephens Green – St. Stephens Green emergency refuge siding (Rev) (photo stop) – Brennanstown (unopened station) (photo stop) – Brides Glen inbound platform (Rev) – Broombridge Depot East Gate – Broombridge Depot. The tour was narrated by Dave Rooney (Director of Operations, Transdev) and driven by Kevin Kavanagh, with key contributions from Luas Trainer and first-ever Luas driver Eddie Byrne, Lorraine Anderson (Communications), Deirdre Miller (TII), and many others who brought the rich history of Dublin's tram and rail network to life. As tour manager on behalf of the IRRS, our thanks go to Transdev for providing a first class experience on the tour. Pictures from the day can view viewed at: https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/RailtoursPreservedRailways/2025/IRRS-The-Har-stone-Explorer

This weeks updates include: Wednesday 14th May 2025: Photos from Nenagh, Limerick and Ennis. Thursday 15th May 2025: A late afternoon trip around on the South Western Commuter line between Park West and Hazelhatch observing the start of the evening peak. Also earlier in the day the 1005 Ballina - North Wall was captured at the Phoenix Park Tunnel. Friday 16th May 2025: The 2nd movement of 2700's for scrapping, which included the hybrid set 2609 + 2716 from Cork to Inchicore operated today running as a 1240 Cork to Inchicore. 082 had been sent down from Inchicore on Thursday evening to work the movement back up. Loco 234 which was failed in Cork was also added to the consist at late notice to trip it back to Inchicore. With a senior FTS person onboard to jockey the unusual movement the opportunity was also taken to multi 234 and 082 to conduct some fault finding on 234 for the trip to Dublin. With 5650hp between the 2 locos I imagine getting up to the 60mph limit for the movement was effortless! Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/May-2025/i-FDRz8GX to view all the 50+ images.

Good morning all, Two updates to the website today. First up is images from the excellent RPSI Diesel Railtour "Premier Branchline" to Waterford and Limerick on 10th May featuring three 071 Class locos, 077, 071 and 081 in that order. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/RailtoursPreservedRailways/2025/RPSI-Premier-Branchline-Railtour to view. Second up is images from May so far featuring images from Cahir and Thurles areas. Highlights being a private RPSI Charter between Limerick and Heuston for Odyssey Travel and the Waterford to Portlaoise Steel train which unusually operated via Limerick Jct, both of which operated on Monday. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/May-2025 to view.

The April gallery comes to a close with images from Heuston, Kishoge and Hazelhatch on Monday 28th April to photo the 9000 Class BEMU on test on the down fast line. I played a bit of a game of cat and mouse with the test unit on this night as it was only running between Park West and to a point west of Kishoge, instead of going all the way to Hazelhatch, but I eventually got it passing Kishoge. Photos can be viewed at https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/April-2025/i-wbNgTKn

The April gallery has been updated with: Wednesday 24th April 2025: A few images from around Dublin including Heuston, LUAS Red Line, Connolly and Harmonstown. Thursday 24th April 2025: Even though it opened at the end of August 2024, I hadn't managed a visit out to Kishoge Station yet. That was rectified on this day with a lunchtime visit to the new station on the Portlaoise Commuter route and an added bonus was also photographing 22010 which has just been reformed from a 3ICR to a 4ICR with the addition of vehicle 22402 from disbanded set 22002. 22402 has been renumbered to 22810 to reflect the new set it is formed into and is expected to remain as such until late 2025 while collision damage repairs are carried out to car 22139 at Laois Depot. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/April-2025/i-8kknmPL to view.

The April gallery has been updated with images from Thurles, Portlaoise, Portarlington, Athlone and Roscrea. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/April-2025/i-kSH3ZBc

An infrastructure update today with the official opening of the new platform 6 and extension of platform 5 at Cork Kent Station by the Taoiseach, EU Commissioner and Transport Minister. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/Officialevents/2025/Official-opening-of-new-platform-6-at-Cork to view.

An infrastructure update today with the official opening of the new platform 6 and extension of platform 5 at Cork Kent Station by the Taoiseach, EU Commissioner and Transport Minister. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/Officialevents/2025/Official-opening-of-new-platform-6-at-Cork to view.

The April gallery has been updated with images from: Sunday 6th April 2025: Views of the 1735 Limerick - Ballybrophy at Roscrea. Wednesday 9th April 2025: While travelling from Clonmel to Limerick, I stopped off to photo the 0945 Limerick Jct. - Waterford. Thursday 10th April 2025: While in Athlone for the day, the Ballina - Waterford XPO Liner and North Wall - Ballina IWT Liner crossed in the station. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/April-2025/i-zKJqCbz to view.

Pictures from the Tailte Tours The Eyre Lee Bird railtour from Cork to Galway via Limerick bringing a 4 car set of 2600 Class DMU's back to the City of the Tribes for the first time in several years. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/RailtoursPreservedRailways/2025/Táilte-Tours-The-Eyre-Lee-Bird to view all the images from this excellent day out on the rails with what can now be considered classic traction with the 31 year old 2600 Class fleet. Another highlight from the day was getting to photograph the retro liveried 201 Class loco, No. 220 at Limerick Jct.

Pictures from the Tailte Tours The Eyre Lee Bird railtour from Cork to Galway via Limerick bringing a 4 car set of 2600 Class DMU's back to the City of the Tribes for the first time in several years. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/RailtoursPreservedRailways/2025/Táilte-Tours-The-Eyre-Lee-Bird to view all the images from this excellent day out on the rails with what can now be considered classic traction with the 31 year old 2600 Class fleet. Another highlight from the day was getting to photograph the retro liveried 201 Class loco, No. 220 at Limerick Jct.

Over 300 pictures from a visit to the UK last week with images from: * London * Derby * Nottingham * Beeston * Lincoln * Grimsby * Cleethropes * Doncaster * Darlington * Stirling * Glasgow Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/International/2025-International-Trips/UK-Trip-24th-to-29th-March-2025 to view all the images in a day by day gallery. While in Darlington, I paid a visit to Heighington Station for a guided tour by Niall Hammond, Chairman of the Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. The station is now recognised as being the earliest railway station in the world and the society is fundraising to buy and restore it. More details on this exciting project can be found at https://www.sdr1825.org.uk/save-heighington-station/

The April gallery is updated with: Wednesday 2nd April 2025: A few photos taken while on the way from Limerick to Thurles. Later in the evening we see 220 in its new retro livery passing near Holycross with the 1700 Heuston - Cork. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/April-2025/i-NTqtSCq to view all the images.

Updates to the March and April galleries tonight. The March 2025 gallery comes to a close with images from: Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd March 2025: Pictures from a weekend in Dublin. Monday 24th March 2025: An early morning trip to Cork to head to the airport for a flight to London Heathrow. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/March-2025/i-vPgxMFX to view all the images. The April 2025 gallery opens on April's Fools day with some pretty interesting events! 083 brought a six car transfer of 2700 Class vehicles from Cork to Inchicore Works for scrapping. 071 Class loco 083 brought vehicles 2717 + 2718 + 2713 + 2714 +2710 + 2709 on their final rail journey. Meanwhile, retro liveried 220, after its stint on freight work after re-entering service was released to passenger work, being allocated to the work Cork MK4 services from the 1100 Heuston - Cork onwards, later working the 1425 return and 1800 back to Cork. All in all, an interesting day and the photos can be viewed at https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/April-2025/i-QSjDCbh

Wednesday 19th March 2025: Images from the Tralee line between Rathmore and Banteer showing the latest progress on the new footbridge and also the 1725 Mallow - Tralee and 1705 Tralee - Cork services. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/March-2025/i-r5MBSpg to view.

Saturday 15th March 2025: A Saturday morning trip to Monastervin to capture the latest Iarnrod Eireann retro-liveried scheme to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 201 Class locomotives. 220 has been painted into a near original version of its as delivered livery in 1995 and today was its first working since completion of its overhaul and repainting when it worked the 0940 North Wall - Ballina IWT Liner. A few other bits and bobs feature at Monastervin during the 60 minutes spent there. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/March-2025/i-848ZNxc to view all the images. https://photos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/March-2025/i-848ZNxc/0/NBXLRwggRz5PQZ2HFSDNxd6P2r9G32rjcskMhmTHc/S/DJI_0930-S.jpg

Saturday 15th March 2025: A Saturday morning trip to Monastervin to capture the latest Iarnrod Eireann retro-liveried scheme to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 201 Class locomotives. 220 has been painted into a near original version of its as delivered livery in 1995 and today was its first working since completion of its overhaul and repainting when it worked the 0940 North Wall - Ballina IWT Liner. A few other bits and bobs feature at Monastervin during the 60 minutes spent there. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/March-2025/i-848ZNxc to view all the images.

The March gallery has been updated with pictures from Heuston, Thurles and Limerick during the week. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/March-2025/i-cjRQMJw to view. Also updated is the Foynes Line rebuild gallery with images from the Limerick City end. Rails and Sleepers have now been completed along the complete route. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/Officialevents/2025/Foynes-Line-Reconstruction/i-jkwqqNc

After the excitement from earlier in the week with the 30th anniversary photos of loco 220, the March gallery has been updated with images from Heuston, LUAS Red Line trams in the city centre and Clonmel Station on Friday evening. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/March-2025/i-SgqJVq4 to view all the images.

Both outings are now sold out.

The 201 Class were introduced to Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail service between 1994 and 1995. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the class, Iarnrod Eireann have repainted locomotive 220 in a variation of the original as delivered livery following a staff suggestion. This new retro livery complements the other retro liveries already carried by locomotives 071, 073 & a railcar set 2601+2602. The gallery contains photos of the loco being released from the paint shop last July, after which it entered the loco overhaul shop at Inchicore for its 1 million kilometer overhaul. Following completion of the overhaul the loco is currently on pilot duties at Inchicore works before returning to service later in March 2025. 220 entered service on 4th March 1995 and on this date in 2025 the loco was posed in Inchicore for photographs to be taken of her before returning to service. See the gallery for all the images and a brief history of the 201 Class locomotives. https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/Officialevents/2025/201class-30years

The February gallery has been updated and the March gallery started. February finishes off with images from Cork, Mallow, Killarney, Portlaoise, Kildare and The Curragh - photos can be viewed at https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/February-2025/i-kHncj9G March starts off with a day trip to Dublin with images from Thurles, Heuston, Clontarf Road and Pearse - photos can be viewed at https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/March-2025

The February gallery has been updated with images from Thurles, Mallow, Heuston, Connolly, Broombridge and LUAS Red Line in Dublin City centre. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/February-2025/i-2B8SLmD to view all the images.

The IRRS have announced the first of their outings for 2025. “The Har-stone Explorer” – 18th May 2025 A tram tour has been arranged to transverse the Green Line on Sunday 18th May 2025, covering a variety of non-passenger track and one of the unopened stations on the Green Line. The requested itinerary is: Broombridge Depot – Broombridge Depot West Gate – Broombridge outbound platform (Rev) – Beechwood – Beechwood Emergency Crossover (Rev) – St. Stephens Green – St. Stephens Green emergency refuge siding (Rev) (photo stop) – Brennanstown (unopened station) (photo stop) – Brides Glen inbound platform (Rev) – Broombridge Depot East Gate – Broombridge Depot. Tour passengers are to meet at Broombridge Depot at 1030 hrs for a 1100 start time. Bookings for this outing open on Friday 7th March at 09.00 Fares Member Non-Member Adult €20.00 €25.00 Children (under 16) N/A €10.00 For further details please our booking page at Irish Railway Record Society Outing to Belfast Grand Central & Adelaide Depot – 28th May 2025 An outing has been arranged to visit the new Belfast Grand Central Station and Adelaide Depot on Wednesday 28th May 2025. The outing will travel from Dublin Connolly at 07:40 hrs on a Iarnrod Eireann 22000 Class Intercity Railcar set via the new hourly “Enterprise” to Belfast. Travel between Grand Central and Adelaide will be via local Northern Ireland Railways services. Bookings for this outing open on Friday 7th March at 09.00 Fares Member Non-Member Standard Class Return Ticket from Dublin Connolly €55.00 €60.00 1st Class / 1st Plus Return Ticket from Dublin Connolly €81.00 €86.00 Persons joining at Belfast Grand Central €20.00 €25.00 Persons with free travel (Standard Class) €25.00 €30.00 Persons with free travel (1st Class / 1st Plus) €46.00 €51.00 For further details please our booking page at Irish Railway Record Society

A bit of a Cork fest again this week with a number of images from the City and County over the past week. Monday 10th February 2025: The 1200 Heuston - Cork calls at Thurles. Tuesday 11th - Thursday 13th February 2025: Pictures from around Cork including Cobh and Mallow including images of the new platform 6 in Cork. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2025-Photos/February-2025/i-nNb8Mzh to view.