thewanderer

The last update from my journey to Belfast has now been uploaded and features photos from Yorkgate, Central and Cultra. Also some images from today at Heuston, Carn Bridge, Portlaoise and Ballybrophy. Click http://smu.gs/2hpYvMP to view all the images. As an aside, Thursday night turned out to be the last night of the 80 Class Sandite runs as it was cancelled on Friday night. It was good to witness the sights and sounds of these classic trains for a final time. The Sandite season for next year will be in the hands of a MPV.

Morning all, My trip to Belfast last night was to photograph the 80 Class Sandite on its penultimate night of operation. A bonus was also catching the VMT Water Jetting machine. Pictures are from: - Belfast Central. - Yorkgate. - Portadown. - Moria. - Adelaide. - Sydenham. - Whiteabbey. - Carrickfergus. Click http://smu.gs/2hmxDgq to view.

Evening all, Thursday 8th December 2016: Some pictures while heading from Portarlington to Belfast at Hazelhatch and Connolly. Click http://smu.gs/2h1w4E2 to view.

Evening folks, Some pictures from a trip to Dublin last night. Which was eventual in places! Click http://smu.gs/2gDvSra to view. Locations include: - Kildare, - St. Stephen's Green, - Sandyford, - Carrickmines, - Dalkey, - Connolly.

Evening all, The rest of the images from the weekend have now been uploaded to the December Gallery. - A trip to Greystones with 075 on the Diesel hauled Santa Train. - LUAS Photos from Busaras, The Point and Brides Glen. - Sunday Santa Specials at Whiterock and Bray. Click http://smu.gs/2g3oDYK to view.

Afternoon all, A few pictures from around Dublin today. - The Gullet between Heuston and Inchicore with loco transfers and the transfer of the RPSI Wooden Bodied set from Inchicore to Heuston V.P. - The RPSI Santa Specials. Click http://smu.gs/2gT3S41 to view.

Evening all, Some pictures from a very foggy Portarlington this morning. Click http://smu.gs/2gQMZXL to view.

Evening all, Update to the website from Wednesday 30th November 2016. A day trip to Dublin with photos from: - Smithfield (LUAS). - Tara Street. - Connolly. - Killbarrack. - Portmarnock. - Malahide. - Balbriggan. - Hazelhatch. Click http://smu.gs/2g8nqjH to view.

Evening all, Tuesday saw Belmond 216 being let loose on a rescue mission from Dublin to Mallow via Cork to retrieve failed 215. Other highlights from the day include 224 and 229 on Cork MKIV services. Pictures and a video from around Portlaoise and Monasterevin. Click http://smu.gs/2gu7EjL to view.

Evening folks, The updates from the weekend comprise: - Book Launch: Rails of North Kerry by Jonathan Beaumount & Barry Carse Click http://smu.gs/2glciAB - Small update to the North Kerry Railway collection with photos from Listowel. Click http://smu.gs/2fG2GSw - 22013 passing Maddam's Hill outside Killarney. Click http://smu.gs/2g7Vlvz

Morning all, Just been catching up on photos from the past few days. Latest update to the website contains: Friday 18th November 2016: Some pictures from Portarington, Heuston and Busaras while heading to Dublin Airport. Sunday 20th November 2016: One photo from The Point while waiting for a tram to Heuston. Tuesday 22nd November 2016: A ramble to Dublin via the Phoenix Park Tunnel. Photos from: - Portarlington, - Park West / Cherry Orchard, - Grand Canal Dock, - Tara Street, - Connolly, - Drumcondra, - Heuston. Click http://smu.gs/2fmYCmK to view.

Nothing like a good rumour. No truth in it what so ever.

Evening all, Iarnród Éireann launched their new commuter services connecting stations between Newbridge and Parkwest with Connolly to Grand Canal Dock via the Phoenix Park Tunnel line on Monday 21st November. The introduction of the new services follows an investment of €13.7 million in upgrading the Phoenix Park Tunnel route, funded by the National Transport Authority. Seven new morning peak trains to Grand Canal Dock, and eight new evening peak trains from Grand Canal Dock begin on Monday 21st November, with limited stop services in the opposite direction. Passenger loadings on the two inbound services this morning which I travelled on were very healthy and it is a good indication that it will be a popular service in the coming years. This is the first phase of services to operate via the Phoenix Park Tunnel. Iarnród Éireann and the National Transport Authority plan to expand services in the future to include off-peak and weekend services. Click http://smu.gs/2gvoIZS to view. There will also be a video uploaded to the gallery and pictures of one of the evening peak workings later this evening (all going to plan).

Evening all, Iarnród Éireann launched their new commuter services connecting stations between Newbridge and Parkwest with Connolly to Grand Canal Dock via the Phoenix Park Tunnel line on Monday 21st November. The introduction of the new services follows an investment of €13.7 million in upgrading the Phoenix Park Tunnel route, funded by the National Transport Authority. Seven new morning peak trains to Grand Canal Dock, and eight new evening peak trains from Grand Canal Dock begin on Monday 21st November, with limited stop services in the opposite direction. Passenger loadings on the two inbound services this morning which I travelled on were very healthy and it is a good indication that it will be a popular service in the coming years. This is the first phase of services to operate via the Phoenix Park Tunnel. Iarnród Éireann and the National Transport Authority plan to expand services in the future to include off-peak and weekend services. Click http://smu.gs/2gvoIZS to view. There will also be a video uploaded to the gallery and pictures of one of the evening peak workings later this evening (all going to plan).

Evening all, The latest update to the website is pictures from a weekend in London. The reason for the trip was to visit the London Transport Museum Depot at Acton Town for a guided tour called "Cab it" where you can visit all of the cabs of the Underground cars on display here. Pictures from that visit are online at http://smu.gs/2gtippu - well worth a visit if your in London and there on a weekend that it is open. The other update tonight is the other pictures from London on Saturday and includes: - Acton Town - Hammersmith - Euston - Camden Town - Waterloo - Clapham Jct. - Feltham Click http://smu.gs/2gtbdtJ to view. Pictures from Sunday will be posted online with the next few days. Enjoy!

Evening folks, Some updates from the past few days. Saturday 12th November 2016: An hour spent at Ballykillane. Sunday 13th November 2016: Two pictures from around Portarlington. Monday 14th November 2016: A trip to Dublin today with photos from: - Portarlington (IWT Liner). - Heuston. - Connolly. - Bayside. - Howth Jct. - Pearse. Click http://smu.gs/2gbwZC4

Evening folks, A flying visit to Dublin tonight to capture 5ICR "Premier Class" 22036 working one of the peak hour only Docklands - M3 Parkway services. This was the first visit of a Premier Class set to either Docklands or M3 Parkway. Also some pictures from Kildare, Connolly, Busaras and Heuston. Click http://smu.gs/2epwN1I to view.

Evening all, Some photos from a trip from Portlaoise to Nenagh today. Click http://smu.gs/2eK74Nl to view.

Morning folks, Some images from Saturday have now been uploaded to the website. Pictures from The Curragh (for Ballast Cleaner 781) and The Iron Bridge near Sallins (for the IWT). Click http://smu.gs/2dUIzAV The Model Railway Society of Ireland exhibition at Raheny. Click http://smu.gs/2fw7URX

Pictures of the RPSI "Semaphore Finale" Spl. from Whitehead to Castlerock have now been uploaded to http://smu.gs/2e2cSkp I chased the train from Belfast to Castlerock and got it at several locations en-route. The loop at Castlerock is due to be closed and then removed next Wednesday.

I hope IE appeal the judgement. Madness. Man gets on a train in a hurry and falls over. Negligence on his part I would say.

Evening folks, Some photos from the past few days. Sunday 23rd October 2016: Pictures from Pearse, Portarlington and Killonan Jct. Includes the Ballast Cleaner 781 passing Portarlington. Wednesday 26th October 2016: Belmond Grand Hibernian operated a Staff Special from Heuston to Thurles on Wednesday 26th October as a thank you to the IE Staff involved in the operation. Click http://smu.gs/2ebpVkc to view.

RPSI: "The Western Explorer" Dublin - Athenry - Ennis - Limerick - Dublin Continuing the theme of celebrating 40 years of the magnificent and iconic 071 class diesel locomotives, this Dublin-based one-day excursion featured diesel haulage on a trip along the Western Rail Corridor. There were photostops at Monasterevan, Tullamore, Athlone, Attymon and Athenry, Ennis and Limerick. As usual a big thanks to the IE and RPSI staff who make these tours possible. All proceeds from today's tour will go towards restoring the RPSI Diesel fleet to mainline running. The next tour is scheduled for Saturday 8th April 2017 and the planned routing is: Connolly - Portarlington - Athlone - Galway - Kilkdare - Kilkenny - Kildare - Connolly. A tour very much in the mold of the iconic ITG tours which has high mileage and will probably have three different locomotives during the day. Photos from the tour yesterday are now online at http://smu.gs/2dLLxWt

Afternoon all, Pictures from this week include : - Belfast early on Monday morning prior to travelling to Dublin, and onwards to Sligo. - A stroll around Dublin yesterday evening visiting St. Stephens Green, Pearse, Connolly and Heuston. Click to view.

Monday 17th October was rather a strange day, seeing a BR Southern Region EMU in Co. Sligo in the North West of Ireland. Quirky Nights Glamping have purchased 3CIG 1498 from the Epping & Ongar Railway in Essex and plan to convert it in to sleeping accommodation in their transport themed glamping village. The brainchild of David Mc'Gowan the village currently contains a Boeing 767, Double Decker Bus and Taxis. Other items yet to arrive include a Helicopter and a Yatch. The train made the move from Ongar on Thursday night and travelled across the Irish Sea with Seatruck from Heysham on Sunday afternoon. The move to Co. Sligo took place during the earlier hours of day morning. Click http://smu.gs/2enkhv8 to view all the images from the day in Sligo, plus some of the movement in Dublin City.