thewanderer

Following on from the first Irish Railway Record Society visit in June, a repeat visit was arranged by the Irish Railway Record Society to the new National Train Control Centre and Heuston Valeting Plant, on Saturday 19th August 2023 to view the new Control Centre for the Iarnród Éireann network and the new ICR “B2 cars” at the Heuston Valeting Plant. Also on display at Heuston V.P. was 3ICR 22001 which is the head of series for the European Train Control System (ETCS) fitment. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/Officialevents/2023/IRRS-NTCC-HeustonVP-Take-2/ to view. See https://irrs.ie/upcoming/ for the upcoming IRRS outings.

The August gallery has been updated with: Monday 14th August 2023: Pictures from a lunchtime visit to Portlaoise. Tuesday 15th August 2023: A ramble from Nenagh to Limerick and Cork before heading to Dublin for the night. Wednesday 16th August 2023: The journey home from Dublin was topped off nicely with a nice surprise from Limerick Depot tonight with 2611 + 2612 on the evening Ballybrophy. With the set now missing its front gangway I thought it was 2811 + 2812 at first glance. Friday 18th August 2023: A ballast HOBS train has been employed on the Nenagh line between Monday and Friday dropping ballast at various locations each day. The train left Ballybrophy at 0855 and returned to Lisduff via Limerick, but on Monday it did it in reverse. 071 & 073 were employed Monday to Thursday but on Friday 085 had replaced 073. Pictures of the train at various locations between Nenagh and Birdhill. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2023-photos/August-2023/i-MJM5x63 to view them all.

Saturday 12th August 2023: A nice sortie over to Goolds Cross this lunchtime to view the 0937 North Wall - Limerick wagon transfer consisting of 7 Container Pocket Wagons for overhaul at the wagon works in Limerick. Also photographed was the 1100 Heuston - Cork & 1125 Cork - Heuston. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2023-photos/August-2023/i-PsrRwMp to view all the images.

The August gallery so far. Tuesday 1st August 2023: Photos from Nenagh and Limerick and showing the latest works on the creation of a new rail and bus interchange. Thursday 3rd August 2023: While on the way to Kerry, a stop off at Adare to see the latest work at this location on the Foynes Line reconstruction. Saturday 5th August 2023: An unusual sight at Rathmore Siding was a HOBS train on Saturday 5th August. The train had been dropping stone between Millstreet and Rathmore on the Friday night but was unable to return to Mallow due to a fault at the Level Crossing Control Centre in Mallow where none of the barriers could be lowered. The decision was taken to stable the train in Rathmore for the weekend. Wednesday 9th August 2023: The first 7 Container Pocket Wagons to be overhauled for the increased requirements for the XPO liner between Waterford and Ballina were released from the wagon works at Limerick and tripped to Inchicore on the weekly wagon transfer movement which left Limerick at 0755 hauled by 072. All the images can be viewed at https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2023-photos/August-2023

Evening folks, Several updates to the website tonight clearing out a backlog of images from the past few weeks. - July 2023: The July gallery concludes with pictures from Thurles and Dublin. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2023-photos/July-2023/i-nh4qKPd to view. - UK Trip: 26th to 30th July 2023: My 2nd UK trip in July, mainly based around the Derby area with a detour to Llangollen for one night and also a visit to the Great Central Railway. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/International/2023/UK-Trip-26th-to-30th-July-2023 to view.

There has been several updates to the website over the past couple of days. - July 2023: Tuesday 11th July 2023: Photos from Rosslare Europort. Monday 24th - Wednesday 26th July: A handful of photos from trips between Thurles and Heuston. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2023-photos/July-2023/i-dgWdb3p to view. A week in the UK, mainly in Devon and Cornwall with a day in London between the 12th and 18th of May. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/International/2023

Good morning all, Two gallery updates this morning at the start of a UK trip to Devon, Cornwall and London. Farewell to the Stena Europe - After 21 years serving the Rosslare - Fishguard route, the Stena Europe is due to be retired from the route on Thursday 13th July 2023. Eager to get one final trip on the old lady, on what is my favourite irish Sea ferry, I timed this trip to the UK to get a last trip on it. The Stena Nordica will replace the Europe on the route. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/FeaturedGallery/Farewell-to-the-Stena-Europe/ to view. UK Trip: Wednesday 12th July 2023 We picked up the 1350 Fishguard Harbour - Cardiff Central for the trek to Cardiff. Our overnight base was Exeter for the night, but Cross Country cancellations saw us continue onto Reading but late running saw us miss the connection. We decided to stay on the Cardiff to London train as far as Paddington, got our Oyster Cards renewed and head to Exeter on the 1904 departure to Plymouth, which happened to be the Pullman Restaurant Car service. With no reservations booked we were lucky to get a table as it was rather busy and we enjoyed a delightful meal to Exeter and the 135 minute journey flew by. A later arrival into Exeter than we had intended but very enjoyable. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/International/2023/UK-Trip-Wednesday-12th-July-2023/ to view.

Friday 7th July 2023: After the excitement of a Cork based 2600 Class on the Nenagh branch last Wednesday, normality had returned to the branch when 2804 + 2803 were provided for the 1710 Limerick - Ballybrophy on Friday. 41 passengers were on the train leaving Limerick which is just under a 50% load factor for a 2 car 2800. The return working from Ballybrophy at 1905 had 45 passengers. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2023-photos/July-2023/i-QrFJXBD to view.

The July gallery kicks off with a selection of photos from Wednesday 5th July 2023: Thanks to a tip off last night, I ventured out this morning to see the unusual sight of a pair of 2600 Class units on the Nenagh Branch covering for unavailable 2800 Class. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2023-photos/July-2023/i-SMtdSCn to view.

Monday 26th June 2023: The unusual sight of a MKIV set in Laois Depot greeted me this morning and also some pictures from around Portlaoise & Limerick during the day. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2023-photos/June-2023/i-bHfptZV to view.

Thursday 22nd June 2023: 085 returned with the Kirow Crane from Waterford to Portlaoise on Thursday 22nd June 2023 and I managed to photograph it passing Clonkeen on the approach to Portlaoise running about 45 minutes early. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2023-photos/June-2023/i-LB4ztTc to view.

Wednesday 21st June 2023: The Kirow Crane No. 900 was out for trials again today. Instead of the planned trip from North Wall to Wexford it operated a 1055 Portlaoise - Waterford via Limerick Jct. trial. To round up the day, pictures from Grange LC of the 1200 Heuston - Cork and 1225 Cork - Heuston passing. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2023-photos/June-2023/i-xvG5Dq5 to view.

The June gallery has been updated with: Tuesday 20th June 2023: A lunchtime trip to the Curragh and Kildare today which produced plenty of interest. First up was 215 passing the Curragh Mainline Station with the Ballina - North Wall IWT Liner, then it was back to Kildare to view 076 departing with the 1130 Waterford - Westport Ety. Timber. As soon as that left, its place on the middle road was taken by 085 hauling the new Kirow Crane No. 900 on its first outing on the IE network. It had earlier operated a 1030 trial from Portlaoise to North Wall and returned at 1320. A final nice surprise was seeing MPV 790 departing Kildare on a retimed Weedspray run to Waterford. All in all a productive 45 minutes or so. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2023-photos/June-2023/i-Q5NSkpn to view.

Afternoon all, The new updates to the website contain: Saturday 17th June 2023: Pictures from Thurles and Heuston while heading up to Dublin for an Irish Railway Record Society Outing. Also an unexpected visit to Templemore rounds out the day. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2023-photos/June-2023/i-7Br8Sn5 to view. A visit was arranged by the Irish Railway Record Society to the new National Train Control Centre and Heuston Valeting Plant, on Saturday 17th June 2023 to view the new Control Centre for the Iarnród Éireann network and the new ICR “B2 cars” at the Heuston Valeting Plant. Also on display at Heuston V.P. was 3ICR 22001 which is the head of series for the European Train Control System (ETCS) fitment. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/Officialevents/2023/IRRS-visit-NTCC-HNVP/ to view.

A long weekend? It was a week The June Gallery has been updated with images from last Wednesday with pictures from Thurles, Limerick Jct. and Portlaoise. It proved an interesting 45 minutes at Limerick Jct. as services were delayed due to the earlier failure of the 0745 Thurles - Limerick at Dromkeen. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2023-photos/June-2023/i-LVXGQKP to view.

Another update to the June gallery. Wednesday 7th June 2023: Pictures courtesy of Matthew Wilson of 22003 in Belfast Great Victoria Street on the Railtours Ireland Charter. Thursday 8th June 2023: A lunchtime at Ratheven outside Portlaoise produced 072 on the Limerick Works Wagon Transfer which today consisted of 4 Tara Mines wagons and a short while later 084 on a PWD Materials train from North Wall to Portlaoise. Plus the usual passenger traffic with MKIV's and 22000's. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2023-photos/June-2023/i-bgWzvsX to view.

There have been numerous updates to the website over the past week: May 2023 gallery: Photos from Dublin of the LUAS system and at Heuston Station on the last day of May. https://tinyurl.com/26p248jy June 2023 gallery: Saturday 3rd June 2023: A ramble on the Tralee line from Killarney to Banteer onboard the Railtours Ireland Emerald Pullman and then into Tralee on the 0900 from Cork, returning to Killarney on the 1105 from Tralee. All the passenger trains were at near capacity between Killarney and Mallow. Later in the day we see the 1505 Tralee - Mallow at Killarney. Sunday 4th June 2023: A visit to Quagmire Viaduct situated at the 31½ MP near the former station of Headford Jct. on the Tralee Line. Monday 5th June 2023: While visiting Foynes to see the latest work on the reconstruction, we see Bus Eireann's LF444 passing by on the 1350 Limerick - Ballybunion Route 314. To see the Foynes pictures go to the Network improvements 2023 section. Tuesday 6th June 2023: A few evening time pictures at The Gullet outside Heuston. Click https://tinyurl.com/yckr23hv to view Foynes Line reconstruction: A visit to Foynes to see the start of work on the rebuilding of the railway. The contractor is on site and some track lifting has occurred between Foynes and Robertstown Viaduct. Click https://tinyurl.com/yx26xd2e to view All the images can also be viewed from the home page at www.thewandererphotos.com

The May 2023 gallery has been updated with a bunch of new photos from the past week. Thursday 25th May 2023: Pictures from Thurles and Heuston while on a day trip to Dublin. Highlights include a visit to the Valeting Plant at Heuston to view the new ICR B2 intermediate vehicles and some pictures from the roof of the NTCC building during an escorted tour. Saturday 27th May 2023: While in the Banagher area on Saturday, I ventured over to Clonfert to see the famous railway through a canal lock, a Bord na Mona narrow gauge railway running through the former lock chamber at Kylemore on the disused Grand Canal to Ballinasloe. Sunday 28th May 2023: Pictures from around the Limerick and Limerick Jct. areas on this fine sunny day. Click https://tinyurl.com/3md6fzbw to view all the images.

Evening all, The website has got new pictures into the May gallery and Connemara Railway. May: Some drone photos of the evening Nenagh branch trains at Nenagh and Southill in Co. Tipperary on the 16th May. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2023-photos/May-2023/i-rm5Q6p8 Connemara Gallery: I paid a visit to Maam Cross last Saturday which has had some new arrivals of rolling stock, including a former Caledonian MK3 Sleeper carriage 10598. Click https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/RailtoursPreservedRailways/2023/Connemara-Railway/i-RzX8XfR www.thewandererphotos.com

The May gallery has been updated with new photos from the past few days. Thursday 11th & Friday 12th May 2023: One turn on the 72 bus route between Limerick and Athlone is now booked to be LF operated, which are double decker coaches. Sunday 14th May 2023: While in Dundrum, Co. Tipperary for the afternoon, I launched the drone to get some photos of passing Cork trains. Click https://bit.ly/3IcgCka to view all the pictures.

Over the end of April and start of May, I've spent a total of 10 days in the UK on two separate trips. I've finally finished going through over the 650 photos from the two trips and they are all available to view at https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/International/2023 The photos cover many areas of the UK, as far as Stirling in the north to Brighton in the south, Newport in the West and Barking Riverside in the east (I didn't venture too far east!). Some of the highlights from the trips: - BREL trains around Glasgow. - The former Belmond Grand Hibernian train which operated in Ireland is now stored at the Belmond Depot at Hamilton West. - New Meseryrail Class 777's. - The Class 313 farewell tour by GR and the Branch Line Society. - London Transport Museum 1938 tube stock. - GWR Pullman Dining. I was only going to Swindon, but ventured as far as Newport so as not to rush things. - The retro liveried Class 323, 323221. - The Coronation in London with over 5000 troops travelling by train into Waterloo. - A trip over the North Downs railway between Guildford and Redhill.

The May gallery kicks off with: Tuesday 9th & Wednesday 10th May 2023: Due to other commitments and spending most of last week in the UK, I missed most of the RPSI / Steam Dreams Emerald Isle Explorer 8 day tour of Ireland. However I managed to get 85 "Merlin" passing Portlaoise L.E. on Tuesday and ventured up to Kildare the following day to see the tour heading from Muine Bheag to Wexford via Connolly. A few other bits and bobs also feature including the IWT liner. Click https://bit.ly/42FEGUR to view.

Photos from last Saturday's RPSI Diesel Railtour from Dublin Connolly to M3 Parkway, Sligo and Grand Canal Dock have now been posted to the website at https://bit.ly/3Nf6qKO The tour featured a number of 1st times, with the first 201 class locomotive hauled passenger train to Sligo, M3 Parkway and Grand Canal Dock. Haul backs were carried out by an 071 class loco from M3 Parkway and Grand Canal Dock to Connolly. The tour had been scheduled to visit Docklands but operational issues arose with the shunting of the train at this location and the tour was diverted to Connolly. Overall a very enjoyable day out with a lot of hard work by IE and RPSI staff to ensure the tour operated to the revised plan.

The April gallery has been updated with: Saturday 15th April 2023: A few pictures from Limerick Jct. and Cork while travelling to Cork to travel on the Tailte Tours "Suir Lee Knot" railtour from Cork to Waterford. Monday 17th April 2023: Pictures from Portlaoise in the afternoon. Click https://bit.ly/3UXDokP

The Táilte Tours: The Suit Lee Knot Railtour 15th April 2023 gallery has now been uploaded to the website at https://bit.ly/43R29TY The 2nd mainline tour operated by Táilte Tours was on Saturday 15th April 2023 with the Suir Lee Knot railtour from Cork to Waterford operated by a pair of 2600 Class DMU's offering the rare chance to travel north of Mallow on a 2600 Class DMU and onwards to Waterford.