thewanderer

Pictures from the Irish Railway Record Society's "Time's Arrow" railtour on the 18th/19th May when we brought a 2600 Class, celebrating their 30th anniversary in service and repainted into its original livery, from their current base in Cork back to their old haunts in Dublin when we visited Hazelhatch, Grand Canal Dock, Dundalk, Howth, Maynooth and the first visit of the class to the M3 Parkway Branch. After an overnight in Dublin, the tour returned to Cork on Sunday with a non-stop run from Heuston to Cobh, completing the 176 1/2 miles in 2 hours, 55 minutes and 49 seconds. We were delighted to welcome onboard, representatives from the IE senior management team and the vehicle builders Mitsui & JTREC who travelled on the railtour from Heuston to Dundalk and back to Dublin. All the pictures from the weekend are available to view at https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/RailtoursPreservedRailways/2024/IRRS-Times-Arrow-Railtour-Saturday-18th-Sunday-19th-May-2024/i-cd6X2fJ

Pictures from the Irish Railway Record Society's "Time's Arrow" railtour on the 18th/19th May when we brought a 2600 Class, celebrating their 30th anniversary in service and repainted into its original livery, from their current base in Cork back to their old haunts in Dublin when we visited Hazelhatch, Grand Canal Dock, Dundalk, Howth, Maynooth and the first visit of the class to the M3 Parkway Branch. After an overnight in Dublin, the tour returned to Cork on Sunday with a non-stop run from Heuston to Cobh, completing the 176 1/2 miles in 2 hours, 55 minutes and 49 seconds. We were delighted to welcome onboard, representatives from the IE senior management team and the vehicle builders Mitsui & JTREC who travelled on the railtour from Heuston to Dundalk and back to Dublin. All the pictures from the weekend are available to view at https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/RailtoursPreservedRailways/2024/IRRS-Times-Arrow-Railtour-Saturday-18th-Sunday-19th-May-2024/i-cd6X2fJ

Never say never. The 2600s return to Limerick for B Exams (approx every two weeks) and sometimes Limerick put a set out on their local services instead of a 2800 before they return to Cork. Likewise. When I went up to Inchicore to see the progress during repainting, 2602 was mostly completed and in the finishing bay. Walking in the door and seeing the orange body (approached it from the inner end first) the memories came flooding back as I slowly walked around it to the front end. It's a moment I won't forget. I still remember my first trip on a set, 2610+2613 on the Cobh in June 1995. So while I will admit that is was favourite set, its just got bumped to 2nd favourite!

Wednesday 15th May 2024: While the in-service trial of the retro-ARROW livered 2601 + 2602 was a success yesterday, Limerick Depot decided to give the pair another spin today, before it is sent to Cork for its big weekend railtour adventure to Dundalk. It worked the 0645 Limerick - Ballybrophy & 0900 return with sister unit 2615 + 2606 paired up with it as far as Nenagh, where it split to work the 0747 back to Limerick. I got photos of it at various locations between Nenagh and Ballybrophy and also met a handful of other enthusiasts who either were out to photo it or travel on it. The class will celebrate their 30th anniversary tomorrow (16th May) and expect to see some content on the Irish Rail socials about the launch of the Dublin - Kildare ARROW service which the class were built for. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2024-Photos/May-2024/i-Zw4j24R to view all the images.

Wednesday 15th May 2024: While the in-service trial of the retro-ARROW livered 2601 + 2602 was a success yesterday, Limerick Depot decided to give the pair another spin today, before it is sent to Cork for its big weekend railtour adventure to Dundalk. It worked the 0645 Limerick - Ballybrophy & 0900 return with sister unit 2615 + 2606 paired up with it as far as Nenagh, where it split to work the 0747 back to Limerick. I got photos of it at various locations between Nenagh and Ballybrophy and also met a handful of other enthusiasts who either were out to photo it or travel on it. The class will celebrate their 30th anniversary tomorrow (16th May) and expect to see some content on the Irish Rail socials about the launch of the Dublin - Kildare ARROW service which the class were built for. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2024-Photos/May-2024/i-Zw4j24R to view all the images.

Wednesday 15th May 2024: While the in-service trial of the retro-ARROW livered 2601 + 2602 was a success yesterday, Limerick Depot decided to give the pair another spin today, before it is sent to Cork for its big weekend railtour adventure to Dundalk. It worked the 0645 Limerick - Ballybrophy & 0900 return with sister unit 2615 + 2606 paired up with it as far as Nenagh, where it split to work the 0747 back to Limerick. I got photos of it at various locations between Nenagh and Ballybrophy and also met a handful of other enthusiasts who either were out to photo it or travel on it. The class will celebrate their 30th anniversary tomorrow (16th May) and expect to see some content on the Irish Rail socials about the launch of the Dublin - Kildare ARROW service which the class were built for. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2024-Photos/May-2024/i-Zw4j24R to view all the images.

Tuesday 14th May 2024: An early start to head into Limerick this morning to photograph the retro-ARROW 2601 + 2602 which was working a single trip to Limerick Jct. as part of an in-service trial following its return to service after repainting, and the completion of modifications including CCTV fitment and seating reupholster. The set is planned to be used on the Irish Railway Record Society Railtour on 18th / 19th May from Cork to Dundalk. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2024-Photos/May-2024/i-mFLJSPD to view all the images from Limerick and Limerick Jct.

Tuesday 14th May 2024: An early start to head into Limerick this morning to photograph the retro-ARROW 2601 + 2602 which was working a single trip to Limerick Jct. as part of an in-service trial following its return to service after repainting, and the completion of modifications including CCTV fitment and seating reupholster. The set is planned to be used on the Irish Railway Record Society Railtour on 18th / 19th May from Cork to Dundalk. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2024-Photos/May-2024/i-mFLJSPD to view all the images from Limerick and Limerick Jct.

Tuesday 14th May 2024: An early start to head into Limerick this morning to photograph the retro-ARROW 2601 + 2602 which was working a single trip to Limerick Jct. as part of an in-service trial following its return to service after repainting, and the completion of modifications including CCTV fitment and seating reupholster. The set is planned to be used on the Irish Railway Record Society Railtour on 18th / 19th May from Cork to Dundalk. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2024-Photos/May-2024/i-mFLJSPD to view all the images from Limerick and Limerick Jct.

Afternoon all, Two updates to the website on this Bank Holiday Monday. First up is the latest progress on the Limerick to Foynes line rebuild with the first track now laid at Glenbane between Askeaton and Foynes. Also we have a photographic update from between Adare and Limerick where rebuilding work is less advanced. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/Officialevents/2024/Foynes-Line-Reconstruction-/i-fXgv7qr to view all. The 2nd update is photos from the Limerick Jct. area including aerial views of the Limerick Jct. direct curve. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2024-Photos/May-2024 to view. All the photos can also be viewed from the home page at https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/

Friday 26th April 2024: 2602 + 2601 returned to their home depot of Limerick on Friday 26th April for further attention before a return to service in the Cork area. The retro-liveried pair were photographed at Kishyquirk outside Killonan Jct. Later in the day we see the new footbridge at Banteer and the 1705 Tralee - Cork passing Rathcoole. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2024-Photos/April-2024/i-v4MjrVr

Friday 26th April 2024: 2602 + 2601 returned to their home depot of Limerick on Friday 26th April for further attention before a return to service in the Cork area. The retro-liveried pair were photographed at Kishyquirk outside Killonan Jct. Later in the day we see the new footbridge at Banteer and the 1705 Tralee - Cork passing Rathcoole. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2024-Photos/April-2024/i-v4MjrVr

It's back to the 1990's for Iarnrod Eireann as they have repainted 2600 Class, No. 2601+2602 back into a modified version of the ARROW livery they originally carried from 1994 to the early 2000's to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the class. The work was completed to an outstanding quality in house at the paint spray facility in Inchicore Works and the team poses in front of the completed set on Wednesday 25th April for official photos to be taken before the set returns to service in Cork working the commuter services to Cobh, Midleton and Mallow. An IR£19.5 million order was placed in 1992 with Mitsui, who subcontracted the order to Tokyu Car Corporation of Yokohama, Japan. This was quite groundbreaking on a number of fronts; not only was it the first Irish order placed with an Asian firm, but they were also the first railway vehicles built in Asia for the European market and the vehicles are still held in high regard by their manufacture 30 years later. The Irish Railway Record Society are arranging a 30th anniversary railtour over the weekend of the 18th & 19th May and it is expected that 2601 + 2602 will work the tour throughout. See https://irrstimesarrow.eventbrite.ie for more information and booking. For photos of the launch click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/Officialevents/2024/ARROW-30-years-1994-2024/

It's back to the 1990's for Iarnrod Eireann as they have repainted 2600 Class, No. 2601+2602 back into a modified version of the ARROW livery they originally carried from 1994 to the early 2000's to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the class. The work was completed to an outstanding quality in house at the paint spray facility in Inchicore Works and the team poses in front of the completed set on Wednesday 25th April for official photos to be taken before the set returns to service in Cork working the commuter services to Cobh, Midleton and Mallow. An IR£19.5 million order was placed in 1992 with Mitsui, who subcontracted the order to Tokyu Car Corporation of Yokohama, Japan. This was quite groundbreaking on a number of fronts; not only was it the first Irish order placed with an Asian firm, but they were also the first railway vehicles built in Asia for the European market and the vehicles are still held in high regard by their manufacture 30 years later. The Irish Railway Record Society are arranging a 30th anniversary railtour over the weekend of the 18th & 19th May and it is expected that 2601 + 2602 will work the tour throughout. See https://irrstimesarrow.eventbrite.ie for more information and booking. For photos of the launch click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/Officialevents/2024/ARROW-30-years-1994-2024/

It's back to the 1990's for Iarnrod Eireann as they have repainted 2600 Class, No. 2601+2602 back into a modified version of the ARROW livery they originally carried from 1994 to the early 2000's to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the class. The work was completed to an outstanding quality in house at the paint spray facility in Inchicore Works and the team poses in front of the completed set on Wednesday 25th April for official photos to be taken before the set returns to service in Cork working the commuter services to Cobh, Midleton and Mallow. An IR£19.5 million order was placed in 1992 with Mitsui, who subcontracted the order to Tokyu Car Corporation of Yokohama, Japan. This was quite groundbreaking on a number of fronts; not only was it the first Irish order placed with an Asian firm, but they were also the first railway vehicles built in Asia for the European market and the vehicles are still held in high regard by their manufacture 30 years later. The Irish Railway Record Society are arranging a 30th anniversary railtour over the weekend of the 18th & 19th May and it is expected that 2601 + 2602 will work the tour throughout. See https://irrstimesarrow.eventbrite.ie for more information and booking. For photos of the launch click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/Officialevents/2024/ARROW-30-years-1994-2024/

Just a reminder that tickets are still available for Time's Arrow railtour on 18th - 19th May from Cork & Dublin to Dundalk, Howth, Maynooth, M3 Parkway and Cobh. Full tour details and booking at https://irrstimesarrow.eventbrite.ie with multiple different ticket options available (single day ticket for Saturday from Cork or Dublin or Sunday day ticket for the non stop run from Dublin to Cobh or a 2 day ticket for best value). And IE are also getting in on the act with the 30th anniversary with a retro repaint of a 2600 into ARROW livery. It is planned that the ARROW liveried unit will feature on the IRRS tour. They released a sneek peek on social media last Friday with a full reveal to come this week. See https://fb.watch/rCI9oIS9mU/

In a further update from the weekend just gone, earlier on the Saturday I paid a visit to the Limerick - Foynes Railway which is currently being rebuilt for freight traffic. In my latest update (no. 7) we see a selection of photos from various locations between Foynes and Adare showing recent progress on the rebuilding of the railway. Work is well advanced at the Foynes end of the railway (excluding the railway station itself) with the trackbed for several miles now ready to have track laid on it, the further you go towards Limerick the work is less advanced. All the photos can be viewed at https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/Officialevents/2024/Foynes-Line-Reconstruction-/i-fh7FVB4 To see all the photos in the collection (starting in November 2022) click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/Officialevents/2024/Foynes-Line-Reconstruction-/i-J27B2SK

Saturday 20th April 2024: The first train since the 18th March rolls though Ballycar with the 1725 Ennis - Limerick at 1737 earlier this evening with 22001 in charge. Great to see this important regional route reopened to our customers once again after the enforced closure. The train later returned as the 1815 Limerick - Galway which I caught near Cratloe. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2024-Photos/April-2024/i-2Bb4zb2 to view all the images.

Saturday 20th April 2024: The first train since the 18th March rolls though Ballycar with the 1725 Ennis - Limerick at 1737 earlier this evening with 22001 in charge. Great to see this important regional route reopened to our customers once again after the enforced closure. The train later returned as the 1815 Limerick - Galway which I caught near Cratloe. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2024-Photos/April-2024/i-2Bb4zb2 to view all the images.

An bit of an update to last Monday's posting with new photos in the April gallery containing. Tuesday 16th April 2024: Photos today come from Thurles, Dublin Heuston & Blackhorse on the LUAS. Wednesday 17th April 2024: The Tara Mines transfer which was terminated at Ballybrophy on Monday was eventually moved to Limerick on Wednesday afternoon after repairs had been carried out at Ballybrophy to a wagon defect. The train was pictured at Killonan Jct. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2024-Photos/April-2024/i-cn4z6P3 to view.

Good morning all, Pictures from last Sunday and Monday have just been uploaded to the April gallery. Sunday 14th April 2024: A Sunday evening "chase" on the Nenagh Branch between Birdhill and Cloughjordan photographing the 1735 Limerick - Ballybrophy. Monday 15th April 2024: Iarnrod Eireann have started to move the Tara Wagons from Dublin's North Wall yard, where they had been stored since Tara Mines halted production in Summer 2023, down to Limerick for further storage. The first movement of 11 wagons occurred on Monday 15th April when 075 brought them towards Limerick as a 0937 North Wall - Limerick transfer. Unfortunately the service ran into difficulty after Portarlington and was eventually terminated in Ballybrophy to await a visit from Limerick Maintenance Depot due to a wagon defect. The train remained in Ballybrophy overnight. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2024-Photos/April-2024/i-Jb4wKMd to view.

Evening all, Latest update from yesterday with an afternoon spent between Thurles and Templemore photographing Dublin - Cork and Limerick trains. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2024-Photos/April-2024/i-326VK8Z

The April gallery starts off with pictures from Ballybrophy, Portlaoise and Heuston. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2024-Photos/April-2024

Afternoon all, Latest update to the March gallery includes photos from Limerick Station and a visit to Ballycar Lough, which has flooded the Limerick - Ennis railway at this location resulting in services being suspended between these two locations for the next several weeks until the flood waters subside. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2024-Photos/March-2024/i-2dSjnPT to view all the images.

Monday 18th March 2024; Pictures of the new station under construction in Waterford and the 1335 Connolly - Rosslare Europort running along the quayside at Wexford. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2024-Photos/March-2024/i-nxPXTvN to view all the images.