thewanderer

Evening folks, Just one update from earlier today at Craughan Cemetery in Cratloe of the 1805 Limerick - Galway. Click https://bit.ly/30tiC1D to see the full size version. [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/October-2020/i-s2srhtH/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/October-2020/i-s2srhtH/0/accf6abe/S/DSC_3217-S.jpg[/img][/url]

Afternoon folks, A few updates to the website from travels around the country the past week or so. The September gallery has been updated with pictures from a visit to Donegal (before local lockdown!), Derry, Monaghan and Louth, featuring old railway infrastructure in Donegal, Louth and Monaghan and the new Waterside Station in Derry. Closer to home a failed loco + MKIV set being hauled back to Dublin from Cork and Belmond Grand Hibernian liveried 216 heading L.E. in the other direction. Click https://bit.ly/30hfcPj to view. Also uploaded to the website is pictures from: - Foyle Valley Railway Museum. While passing through Derry on Saturday 20th September, I called into the museum site to have a look around. Sadly the museum wasn't open when I visited but was able to take a walk around the exterior of the site. - Donegal Railway Heritage Centre. A visit to the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre on Tuesday 22nd September 2020. This museum celebrating Donegal’s railway heritage, is based in one of the few remaining original station houses, which opened in 1889. The recently refurbished museum comprises of railway rolling stock, interesting artefacts, displays, a video presentation, model railways, a reference library, a shop and much more. Both galleries can be viewed at https://bit.ly/2GcYqKn All three galleries can also be quickly accessed from the home page www.thewandererphotos.com Enjoy! [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/September-2020/i-mjN55LC/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/FeaturedGallery/Road-trip-Donegal-Monaghan-plus-a-bit-in-between-/i-mjN55LC/0/ba82a4a2/S/DSC_2830-S.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/September-2020/i-wmZJ4sW/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/FeaturedGallery/Road-trip-Donegal-Monaghan-plus-a-bit-in-between-/i-wmZJ4sW/0/d6e9bff2/S/DSC_2840-S.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/September-2020/i-DLHnDqM/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/FeaturedGallery/Road-trip-Donegal-Monaghan-plus-a-bit-in-between-/i-DLHnDqM/0/c1dd4507/S/DSC_3061-S.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/September-2020/i-zZ4Sxjj/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/FeaturedGallery/Road-trip-Donegal-Monaghan-plus-a-bit-in-between-/i-zZ4Sxjj/0/380aaec4/S/DSC_3122-S.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/September-2020/i-9jkNqCz/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/FeaturedGallery/Road-trip-Donegal-Monaghan-plus-a-bit-in-between-/i-9jkNqCz/0/0dfff338/S/DSC_3155-S.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/RailtoursPreservedRailways/2020/Foyle-Valley-Railway-Museum/i-t6mpPW5/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/FeaturedGallery/Road-trip-Donegal-Monaghan-plus-a-bit-in-between-/i-t6mpPW5/0/39e1ebdb/S/DSC_2814-S.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/RailtoursPreservedRailways/2020/Donegal-Railway-Heritage-Centre/i-BRq8G6n/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/FeaturedGallery/Road-trip-Donegal-Monaghan-plus-a-bit-in-between-/i-BRq8G6n/0/c2f17ae2/S/DSC_3078-S.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/September-2020/i-fQS5sV8/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/September-2020/i-fQS5sV8/0/34e17110/S/DSC_3187-S.jpg[/img][/url]

Afternoon all, The next batch of pictures from this week have just been uploaded to the website. Featuring: Tuesday 15th September 2020: While out on an errand, I stopped off at Cappadine to photograph the 1005 Ballybrophy - Limerick passing. Wednesday 16th September 2020: Today I ventured on my first long distance rail trip since March (ignoring the short hop from Limerick to Limerick Jct. I did in August), travelling from Nenagh to Killarney with a few detours along the way! Pictures from the day come from: * Nenagh * Limerick * Limerick Jct. * Waterford * Kilkenny * Kildare * Heuston * Mallow * Rathmore * Killarney It was a good to get back out on the rail network again after several months away from it and also see how passengers numbers have been affected by the COVID19 pandemic. Highlights from the day include 075 at Kildare on the Waterford - Westport timber. Thursday 17th September 2020: Pictures from today come from Killarney, Mallow and Thurles. The main highlight being the visit of a MKIV Trial train consisting of MKIV Set 4004 and loco 222. The trial was for the IEHS project which will replace the CAWS & ATP incab signalling systems in due course. Click https://bit.ly/2He3Yo4 to view the 100+ images from the three days. [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/September-2020/i-f4tR9Xg/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/September-2020/i-f4tR9Xg/0/559230ec/S/DSC_2568-S.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/September-2020/i-mvJhZ4Z/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/September-2020/i-mvJhZ4Z/0/61dbb370/S/DSC_2664-S.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/September-2020/i-Rr5tnSB/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/September-2020/i-Rr5tnSB/0/1d52fc03/S/DSC_2783-S.jpg[/img][/url]

Evening folks, The latest images have just been uploaded to the September gallery featuring a day spent in the Athlone and Roscommon area to photograph the West of Ireland Freight services. Click https://bit.ly/3c20K2b to view. [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/September-2020/i-NffbJvz/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/September-2020/i-NffbJvz/0/4b08eb99/S/DSC_2495-S.jpg[/img][/url]

Evening folks, A small update to kick off the September gallery. Wednesday 9th September 2020: Following vandalism to a 3ICR set in Limerick on Tuesday night, the next day the 3ICR Limerick - Limerick Jct. diagram was covered by a 2800 Class in the morning and unusually a 2600 Class in the afternoon. The 2600 was just released from a B Exam and awaiting transfer back to Cork for Commuter services there. The 2600 was photographed at Woodfarm and Pallasgreen. Later in the afternoon the evening Nenagh branch service was photographed at Annacotty. Click https://bit.ly/2FrMjYV to view. [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/September-2020/i-4m7g5Wn/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2020-Photos/September-2020/i-4m7g5Wn/0/d4eb688c/S/DSC_2475-S.jpg[/img][/url]

Evening folks, The final update for August has just been posted to the website at https://bit.ly/34RleJE Sunday 30th August 2020: While in Kilkenny, I ventured to Commons to photo the 1240 Waterford - Heuston passing. Monday 31st August 2020: With the reintroduction of the full Iarnrod Eireann timetable on Monday 31st August, services on the Nenagh Branch and South Tipperary line were reinstated. The morning Nenagh branch services were worked by 2803 + 2804 and 2819 + 2820. Unfortunately due to a train failure at Waterford the 0720 Waterford - Limerick Jct. and 0945 return was a bus transfer. The afternoon 1625 Waterford - Limerick Jct. and 1840 return was operated by 22009. Pictures from the day come from Nenagh in the morning and Castleconnell in the evening.

Afternoon all, The latest pictures have been uploaded to the August gallery featuring: Wednesday 19th August 2020: While on a River Shannon boat trip I snapped 22026 crossing Drumsna Viaduct with the 1105 Sligo - Connolly. Wednesday 26th August 2020: A HOBS train operated over the Nenagh Branch. Departing Limerick at 1010 with retro Irish Rail liveried 073 in charge. The train stabled in Lisduff for reloading. Saturday 29th August 2020: Passenger services have been suspended on the Nenagh Branch and South Tipperary Railways since Sunday March 29th when an emergency timetable was introduced which saw service reductions across the board. From Monday 31st August the last remaining services not restored were reinstated. A proving train operated on Saturday morning from Limerick to Ballybrophy departing at 0700 and returning at 0930. Click https://bit.ly/3ltjvzP to view all the images. For those interested in viewing the River Shannon pictures they can be viewed at https://bit.ly/3gD28sY

Today was my first trip on a train since the 12th March, a total of 5 months, when I took a short spin from Limerick to Limerick Jct. to meet the Railtour Ireland "Emerald Pullman" charter which is spending eight days touring Ireland. The tour is aimed at the domestic market and visits Rosslare, Waterford, Cobh, Killarney, Galway and Belfast over the course of the week. Two tours are scheduled to operate this year with the final departure from Dublin being the 23rd August. Other images from the day saw 074 heading LE from Limerick to Waterford and 4004 + 217 at Limerick Jct. on the 0925 Cork - Heuston. Click https://bit.ly/3gTbxxg to view all the images.

Thursday 6th August 2020: There was lots of perway work on the Nenagh Branch this week with a HOBS train and a Tamper plus a Ballast Regulator working on the branch. On Thursday the HOBS train operated to the 51 milepost to drop ballast near the Mulkear River Bridge. Click https://bit.ly/2XFQU09 to view all the images.

Evening folks, A small update from yesterday. Thursday 30th July 2020: We bring the July gallery to a close with some images of Limerick Station including the new EU flag display for European Expo 2020. Click https://bit.ly/3gdojGC to view all the images.

Evening folks, A small update from yesterday. Saturday 25th July 2020: I had to venture back to Oranmore on Saturday morning, so I called up to the station to see the 1030 Galway - Limerick, 0920 Limerick - Galway and 1100 Galway - Heuston calling at the station. Click https://bit.ly/3g267jl to view all the images.

A small update to the July gallery today: Tuesday 14th July 2020: While on an afternoon sortie to Oranmore, I called in at Craughwell to photo the 1345 Galway - Limerick WRC service calling at the station. All customers onboard appeared to be wearing masks which are a legal requirement since Monday 13th July 2020. Click https://bit.ly/2ZqCwdq to view all the images.

The July gallery has been updated with: Thursday 9th July 2020: MPV 790 operated over the Nenagh Branch on weedspray duties. Friday 10th July 2020: A visit to Killonan Jct. on Friday evening to see the last day of the manually operated level crossing before conversion to 4 barrier CCTV crossing. Click https://bit.ly/326RKpO to view.

Evening all, The final batch of images from Kerry have been uploaded to the July gallery. Saturday 4th July 2020: After the previous update, some images from Killarney Golf and Fishing Club. Sunday 5th July 2020: Images from around Kenmare Pier. Monday 6th July 2020: Due to operational issues at Cork, the Tralee line service was in the hands of 2600's instead of the booked 22000 Class. Tuesday 7th July 2020: A HOBS train visited the Tralee line on Tuesday night hauled by 080. Click https://bit.ly/2AE8F7A to view to view all the images.

The July gallery has been updated with images of Tamper 744 in and around Killarney, with 22016 working the Tralee services on the Saturday. The Tamper returned to Portlaoise on Saturday morning. Click https://bit.ly/3giICSK to view all the images.

Evening all, On Wednesday 1st July and Thursday 2nd July, Iarnrod Eireann operated the Weedspray Train over the closed South Wexford Railway between Waterford and Rosslare Strand. Rumours persist that this will be the last rail movement on the route as the 10 year contract with the National Transport Authority expires this year for maintenance of the route, however I heard today from a local person that this contract has been extended by five years. While I treat this as an unverified rumor, time will tell. I chased the train today between the Barrow Bridge and Wexford and the selection of images come from: * Barrow Bridge. * Taylorstown Viaduct. * Wellington Bridge. * Bridgetown. * Killinick. * Rosslare Strand * Wexford. Click https://bit.ly/2VE3hc7 to view all the images.

Morning all! With the end of travel restrictions last Monday, I decided to venture to Ballinara near Clonnydonnin on Wednesday to view 081 passing on the 1130 Waterford - Ballina XPO Liner trial. Afterwards, a quick stop off at Shannonbridge and saw my first hireboat of the year. Later in the evening I eye spied Tamper 743 and Ballast Regulator 704 stabled in the yard in Nenagh. Click https://bit.ly/3inwTnC to view all the images.

Evening folks, The latest updates to the June gallery are now online at https://bit.ly/3hUhUS2. Click the link to view all the images. Friday 19th June 2020: Two metres social distancing markings were applied at Nenagh Station during the week ending 21st June. Plus a handful of images from a visit to Garrykennedy Harbour on the Friday evening. Tuesday 23rd June 2020: After the recent track relaying norh of Nenagh, the track is now being ballasted by the HOBS train. On Tuesday, 084 and 085 were employed on the train in top and tail mode and a mini photographic chase of the train from the worksite at Moanfin to Roscrea was carried out, adhering to the travel restrictions as laid down by the Irish Government for county only travel during the COVID19 pandemic. However, it was disappointing to see other enthusiasts from Dublin and outside the jurisdiction flaunting this travel restriction for the sake of another couple of days of lockdown restrictions.

Afternoon all, A small update to the June gallery with images from Thurles Station on Tuesday evening featuring 2 out of the 3 MKIV sets in service and 2817 + 2818 arriving with the 1750 Limerick - Limerick Jct. which is extended to Thurles during the emergency timetable. Also some of the social distancing measures which have been implemented on trains and at stations are shown. Click https://bit.ly/2N5LWnF to view all the images.

Hi Noel, Yes it is a great camera. I accidentally dropped it last year just before I was due to go to the USA and had to send it away for repairs. I had to take my old camera, the D90 to the USA instead. The difference in quality was substantial and back in the day i thought the D90 was a great camera. It's bolted together with rail clamps.

Afternoon folks, A ramble around Co. Tipperary on Saturday 13th June, taking advantage of the first weekend of County travel, allowed under the Government Roadmap for COVID19 reopening. Images include several views of the South Tipperary Railway route including track relaying at Nichlostown Level Crossing. Click https://bit.ly/2CcThj6 to view.

Evening folks, A round up of images from the past week: Wednesday 3rd June 2020: Some more pictures and videos of the ongoing track relaying work on the Nenagh Branch. Thursday 4th June 2020: I ventured out to Lisbunny this morning to photograph 085 arriving into Nenagh with the relay train. Friday 5th June 2020: By the end of the first week, 1 mile of track had been relaid north of Nenagh. Monday 8th June 2020: A number of service changes took place on Monday 8th June with the reopening of Ireland moving to phase 2 of the COVID19 roadmap. While DART services were restored to a full timetable, on Intercity a number of services were reinstated, including the 0520 Athlone - Heuston, 1530 Heuston - Limerick and 1710 Heuston - Athlone. Also a number of Cork services which had been 3ICR for a number of months were changed to 5ICR sets to allow the 3ICR's to be used to strengthen services to/from Heuston. Finally after a break of 61 days, two MKIV sets were returned to traffic working the 1500 & 1705 Heuston - Cork, 1825 & 2025 Cork - Heuston. Click https://bit.ly/3cFk9EN to view all the images.

The June gallery starts off with a week of track relaying on the Nenagh Branch between the 26 and 28 MP's. For the outward working today from Portlaoise, I went to a bridge south of Nenagh but the train never showed hence I thought I missed it, or did it turn back at Nenagh in the sidings?! A drive back into the Station found 081 in the process of running around the train, this involved splitting the train into two halves as the loop is too small for the entire train. Later photos from the day show the train heading past Lisbunny and at Rathnaleen. Click https://bit.ly/2Asjd9v to view all the images.

On Wednesday 20th May, 086 brought two of the stored Container Pocket Wagons from Waterford Sally Park Yard to Belview Port for loading trials for XPO Logistics. Also on Thursday 084 revisited the Nenagh Branch with the CWR Train. Click the image below or https://bit.ly/3gkUS6b to view.

In preparation for relaying between the 26 & 28 mileposts on the Nenagh Branch, a CWR train visited the branch on Tuesday morning. The train departed Portlaoise PWD Yard at 0810, running to Lisduff to run around in the sidings, before retracing its outward journey as far as Ballybrophy. Upon entering the T3 Possession on the Nenagh Branch the CWR train headed to Birdhill for locomotive 084 to run around the train. On the trip back from Birdhill to Ballybrophy it dropped its load of rails, a process which took well over two hours to drop a total of 30 strings of rail. All photos were taken while adhering to Government restrictions on movement during the COVID19 pandemic, limiting you to a maximum of 5 km from home. Click shorturl.at/HJLMU to view all the images and video.