thewanderer

Wednesday 22nd September 2021: A very late start to the September collection! A few images from a trip from Thurles to Cork. Click https://bit.ly/3o3Bhxu to view.

Evening folks, A big bunch of images from the past week has just been uploaded to the website into two galleries. August gallery: Thursday 19th August 2021: While travelling northwards on the N55, I got unexpectedly stopped at Ballymahon Level Crossing outside Edgeworthstown for the delayed 1710 Connoly - Sligo. Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd August 2021: While visiting Northern Ireland for the weekend, I got pictures from Castlerock, Downhill Beach, Bellarena, Portrush, Whitehead RPSI and Dundalk. Monday 23rd August 2021: The CCE division of Iarnrod Eireann have hired the RPSI Generating Steam Van 3173 to work with the Sperry Train on the next tour of the IE Network, as their own Departmental Van 3187 is not available for traffic. The unusual pairing is seen at Carn being hauled by 082 on the 1230 Inchicore - Portlaoise PWD Yard movement on the Monday afternoon. Click https://bit.ly/3Dbm6Y9 to view them all. Belturbet Heritage Railway Station: In addition to my weekend trip to Northern Ireland, while on the way up I called into the Railway Museum at the former railway station in Belturbet. Click https://bit.ly/3De2Hpz to view these images. Both galleries can also be accessed from the home page at www.thewandererphotos.com

Some weekend wanderings between Limerick, Cork and Kerry. Friday 13th August 2021: A visit to Cork City allowed a quick visit to the Station to view the 1215 to Midleton and 1225 to Heuston depart. Sunday 15th August 2021: While heading back to Tipperary from Kerry today, I stopped off at several locations between Killarney and Charleville. Click https://bit.ly/3iQeIJq to view. Also on the Friday evening, I stopped off at Barnagh to walk the new bit of the Limerick Greenway from the viewing point to the old railway station through the tunnel. If you go back earlier in the collection you can see how the route looked in 2016 prior to being fully refurbished and the western end of the tunnel brought fully back into use. Click https://bit.ly/3AICNbf to view.

The August gallery has been updated with: Saturday 7th August 2021: With the Limerick Hurling team playing in Croke Park today, IE provided an 8ICR for a 1130 Limerick - Heuston Spl. and 2115 return. The special carried the Limerick team and fans travelling to the match. I went to Loughmore Castle near Templemore to photograph the Spl. and the 1100 Heuston - Cork. Click https://bit.ly/3fCL7RS to view the images.

A rather interesting movement occurred this evening. After the 1500 Connolly - Sligo was failed at Enfield, it was rescued by 29010 which was sent from Maynooth off the 1800 Connolly - Maynooth service. This is the first time a 29000 has rescued a failed 22000 since 2008, when a 29000 hauled a failed set back to Connolly from Mullingar. Click https://bit.ly/3jqsUbd to view all the pictures.

The July gallery has been updated tonight with: Friday 30th July 2021: While having a few free hours to myself at the start of the Bank Holiday weekend, I decided to take a ramble up to Ballybrophy on the evening branch passenger train from Nenagh. Click https://bit.ly/2TLiESj to view all the images from the trip.

Evening folks, Two updates to the website tonight. The first is a small update to the July gallery with pictures from Friday 23rd & Sunday 25th July 2021: * Castleconnell photographing the 1655 Limerick - Ballybrophy. * Knockdromin Level Crossing on the disused Foynes Branch * Farranfore photographing the 1905 Tralee - Cork. * Maddams Hill outside Killarney photographing the 1350 Tralee - Heuston. * The 1720 Limerick - Ballybrophy crossing UBN59 at Ballycahill. Click https://bit.ly/3x94O9H to view. The 2nd update is to the Silvermines Branch & Kilmastulla Siding gallery which are two disused freight lines off the Limerick to Ballybrophy railway line between Birdhill and Nenagh. The new update features more images of the Silvermines Branch. The latest pictures start at https://bit.ly/2V6yHua Both galleries can also be accessed from the home page at http://www.thewandererphotos.com

The July gallery has been updated with images from Monday 19th & Tuesday 20th July 2021: The Iarnrod Eireann MPV No. 790 operated over the Nenagh Branch on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th July to weedspray the branch. Click https://bit.ly/3BpFDDf to view.

Nice shots of Drogheda JB. Afternoon folks, Last weekend I was in Maam Cross at the Connemara Railway project to volunteer for the day. A lot of work was completed in advance of some of the site being used for overspill car parking for the adjacent mart on the Sunday. While I didn't get a chance to take any photos on the Saturday (a first?!), I managed to grab some photos and a video on the Sunday morning. Click https://bit.ly/3rf8zsW to view.

Thursday 15th July 2021: The Nenagh Branch had unusual traction this morning when 2606 + 2615 covered for a shortage of the regular 2800 Class on the 0630 Limerick - Ballybrophy & 1008 Ballybrophy - Limerick. Click https://bit.ly/3xJ0UWv to view all the images.

Evening folks, The latest update to the July gallery has been posted with photos from a trip from Nenagh to Thurles via Limerick and Cork. Click https://bit.ly/36AhawT to view. [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/July-2021/i-78PbngN/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/July-2021/i-78PbngN/0/bd1b795f/S/DSC_6078-S.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/July-2021/i-KxGgWCx/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/July-2021/i-KxGgWCx/0/76e17150/S/DSC_6097-S.jpg[/img][/url]

Evening folks, Two updates to the website this evening. The first is some pictures of the Bord na Mona narrow gauge railway at Coolnamona outside Portlaoise. After a gap of several years, rail ops have once again started on the northern part of the system to Coolnamona Bog itself. Click https://bit.ly/3wpCmjG to view. The second update is in the July gallery showing Thursday evenings 1905 Ballybrophy - Limerick passing Nenagh. Click https://bit.ly/3k1iWz2 to view, Both galleries can be accessed from the home page at www.thewandererphotos.com [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/IndustrialRailways/Railways-of-Bord-na-Mona/i-Jm3RRWg/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/IndustrialRailways/Railways-of-Bord-na-Mona/i-Jm3RRWg/0/97ac1f9c/S/DSC_5982-S.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/July-2021/i-bsWGBpT/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/July-2021/i-bsWGBpT/0/4af42791/S/DSC_5970-S.jpg[/img][/url]

Afternoon folks, July is now upon us and the gallery for this month starts off with: Saturday 3rd July 2021: A few images from Ardrahan and Clare Abbey outside Ennis of Western Rail Corridor services while on a trip to the Clare coastline. Click https://bit.ly/3ylQMCJ or the image below to view. [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/July-2021/i-ztpL9sg/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/July-2021/i-ztpL9sg/0/60f4c71e/S/DSC_5885-S.jpg[/img][/url]

Would agree totally with you there, it's a different world at a different pace. I can only really recall passing one ESL boat which would you call a "party boat" in all my time hiring, often chatted to plenty of families / couples on ESL boats while moored up or passing through locks. But would agree SL is a far better spec especially on their premium boats.

Indeed I have admired Silverline for a while but have been a loyal Emerald Star customer until this year, the prices were crazy. Silverline offerings were far more competitive and I got a 12 night deal at a cheaper price than a 7 night offering from Emerald Star! Originally supposed to go last May on the Silver Ocean but had to cancel that due to a family illness (and lockdown did drag on well into May), rebooked for end of August and as the Ocean wasn't available we are now on the Silver Shadow. However their diesel prices leave a lot be desired! Currently charging 1.65 per litre! ES in Portumna (and I assume Carrick) are only charging 1.40 which is very good.

Saturday 26th June 2021: A ramble into Limerick this morning on the 1008 Ballybrophy - Limerick and returning to Nenagh via the recently introduced Bus Eireann 323 service which operates between Limerick and Nenagh via Ballina (Tipperary) and Portroe. All the images from the trip have now been posted in the June gallery at https://bit.ly/3dhvkXn [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-6DG56j7/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-6DG56j7/0/b88b2300/S/DSC_5795-S.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-TKjkghL/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-TKjkghL/0/17b35d3c/S/DSC_5873-S.jpg[/img][/url]

Evening folks, The June gallery has been updated with: Tuesday 22nd June 2021: A few images of the 1008 Ballybrophy - Limerick at Ballinteenoe. Wednesday 23rd June 2021: I had to head to Dublin today so I have a variety of images from: * Nenagh * Ballybrophy * Heuston * North Wall / IFSC (featuring IWT Liner and LUAS). * Docklands. * Broombridge * Connolly * Pearse * Park West Click https://bit.ly/3qmjAZ8 to view the 40+ images. [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-fnsNVfq/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-fnsNVfq/0/7b78b5a8/S/DJI_0786-S.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-csjtDzv/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-csjtDzv/0/52f13475/S/DSC_5681-S.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-6b6jsFN/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-6b6jsFN/0/4db7efca/S/DSC_5712-S.jpg[/img][/url]

Evening folks, The latest update to the June gallery features. Sunday 20th June 2021: The pictures from the day start off at Garrykennedy Marina before heading out to Ballygibbon to photo the test train over the Nenagh Branch in advance of passenger services resuming. Monday 21th June 2021: After a break of 162 days due to COVID19 travel restrictions and enginnering works on the route, rail services between Limerick - Nenagh - Ballybrophy resumed on Monday 21st June 2021. Photos come from Nenagh Station and Ballinteenoe. Click https://bit.ly/2UqV5hy to view all the images. [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-dv9Fb3Q/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-dv9Fb3Q/0/2abc16ad/S/DSC_5555-S.jpg[/img][/url]

Evening folks, Popped out again today for the relay train on the Nenagh Branch which featured celebrity retroliveried 071 in it's fresh coat of CIE orange and black livery. Click https://bit.ly/3cPx1Lu to view all the images. [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-9kWC8xG/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-9kWC8xG/0/a5bbd789/S/DJI_0624-S.jpg[/img][/url]

The latest update to the June gallery has just been posted. Wednesday 16th June 2021: 60+ photos of the relaying project on the Nenagh Branch between Nenagh and Cloughjordan and also pictures from near Borris-in-Ossory and Lisduff featuring 079 and 071 on the perway trains. Click https://bit.ly/3zxzhRl to view all the images. [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-M2fpR53/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-M2fpR53/0/414fccd9/S/DSC_5192-S.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-4vRBbHV/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-4vRBbHV/0/71e0a60a/S/DJI_0486-S.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-WxLzF3F/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-WxLzF3F/0/ee5fabfa/S/DSC_5252-S.jpg[/img][/url]

As I wasn't able to get out today for the final (in its current form) IWT Liner, I made an effort to get out yesterday for the penultimate IWT Liner from Dublin Port to Ballina and managed to picture it at Cloncoher, Co. Offaly between Geashill and Tullamore. Plans to get the last up working from Ballina to Dublin were scuppered by other issues cropping up sadly. Click https://bit.ly/3gpUq7g to view all the images.

As I wasn't able to get out today for the final (in its current form) IWT Liner, I made an effort to get out yesterday for the penultimate IWT Liner from Dublin Port to Ballina and managed to picture it at Cloncoher, Co. Offaly between Geashill and Tullamore. Plans to get the last up working from Ballina to Dublin were scuppered by other issues cropping up sadly. Click https://bit.ly/3gpUq7g to view all the images. [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-bz9RZ2Q/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-bz9RZ2Q/0/15899611/S/DSC_5153-S.jpg[/img][/url]

E. Ryan isn't the CEO of Dublin Port. That was the point being made.

It should be noted that this appears to be solely a Dublin Port decision and slagging off the Transport Minister isn't really helpful to the debate. No doubt this will be raised at a political level and I'll expect some heads to be knocked together. If nothing happens, then feel free to slag off the transport minister! For reference to the original post https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-JbT4fnS

Latest update: Tuesday 8th June 2021: Pictures from various locations between Clonnydonnin and Athlone, the main highlight being the IWT Liner which is shortly to "be suspended until further notice" due to Dublin Port Company refusing permission for the train to operate into the Common User Container terminal due to congestion issues. It is estimated that the suspension will add 120+ trucks each week to the Dublin - Ballina road. The final liner is scheduled to operate on Thursday 10th June. Click https://bit.ly/3x8Jkum to view all the images. [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-JbT4fnS/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-JbT4fnS/0/9852931d/S/DJI_0392-S.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-wSzbStq/A][img]https://photos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-wSzbStq/1/998616cd/S/DSC_5139-S.jpg[/img][/url] JB: It didn't hyperlink for some reason https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2021-Photos/June-2021/i-55cgM5M