cheesy_peas

Maybe a Fry commission?

Turning the Broken Wheel into a life ring

What was the deal with stationary boiler locos? What were they supplying steam to? I assume they were withdrawn locos used in that capacity until they needed major attention and then replaced with another off the scrap line and cut up?

If the moribund Tralee Blennerville is the way it is, and it located in a large town, connected to public transport, at a gateway to a major tourist area, I would be inclined to agree there is 0% hope for a railway in the actual middle of nowhere, esp without even a small committed group driving the thing.

The A class is only held together with many coats of paint.

I have a feeling it's neither. It was owned by CIE/Irish Rail when plinthed, I'd say it may be on long term loan to JW or WCR Co. Nua.

The promoter of the first Cork trams was certainly an interesting chap. Peculiarly, the rails were not flush with the street surface so cannot have been popular with horse and cart operators. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Francis_Train

"Active travel" is corporate speak for greenways or paths for walking and cycling. Travel that takes physical effort.

https://www.radiokerry.ie/news/consultants-analysing-of-section-of-former-tralee-and-dingle-light-railway-to-identify-potential-future-uses-476293 At the recent Tralee Municipal District meeting, Fine Gael councillor Angie Baily.... said (the route of former railway) could enhance biodiversity, recreational amenity, flood mitigation, and active travel connectivity. Basically anything but a railway.

Yes there's plans afoot for the inevitable greenway. https://nigreenways.com/downpatrick-to-ardglass-greenway/ The lack of support from councils/govt must be galling for the DCDR. They seem to be able to move mountains when it comes to greenways.

That was the original intention of what is now the DCDR. Things got in the way I imagine.

Basically, it was a giant, expensive garden railway Tralee UDC/KCC got tired of playing with. You could argue that things like playgrounds and greenways make no returns either but these appear to be appreciated by the public. As far as I can see in online discourse, I see no great appetite among locals to do anything with the railway, apart from the occasional "won't someone do something with the railway/it's a disgrace, Joe" type comments every few months. I would agree 5T would be better off reassembled, cosmetically restored, ideally in GSR era condition reflecting the Inchicore rebuildings, and put in covered and secure public display, whatever about economics, the likelihood of it leaving Kerry for Dromod would be somewhere between slim and none.

Expensive can-kicking. A firm of architects? Really? Are they the best people to advise? The bit about councillors questioning if the line could be moved closer to a wetlands centre, wondering if a steam locomotive would "attract tourists" just goes to show the sort of imbecile holding the reins of power in KCC. Reading between the lines, with my cynical hat on, I'd say the council would rather make a greenway out of it, as that is all they can understand, (miniature) roads. Rebuilding is the easy bit. Keeping it going, another matter entirely.

Yet another look at getting things moo-ving, don't hold your breath... behind paywall, but unusual traction pictured. https://m.independent.ie/regionals/kerry/tralee-news/unique-kerry-railway-has-consultancy-firm-appointed-to-assess-future-viability/a2141523569.html The line has been in a decaying state in recent years with strong calls for it to be restored and linked to the Tralee Bay Wetlands as part of an interactive tourism feature. Kerry County Council (KCC) has announced the appointment of Feeney McMahon Architects to conduct an analysis of a section of the former Tralee and Dingle Light Railway. The analysis will focus on the rail corridor between the Aquadome in Tralee and Blennerville Windmill. The appointed consultant’s role is to carry out a survey and detailed condition assessment of the existing infrastructure, concentrating on structural decay, infrastructure deterioration, and the impact of coastal erosion. This includes the railway track and corridor from the N86 to Blennerville Windmill, the Blennerville train shed depot and sidings accessed via Kearney’s Road, and the access point from the Aquadome. Additionally, the consultant will explore feasible options for repurposing the railway line and its associated infrastructure, assessing the viability of potential future uses. In 2024, Tralee Municipal District councillors suggested the rail line be moved closer to Tralee Bay Wetlands with a view to linking it with Blennervile. This would make a connection between two tourism hubs. Other suggestions include leasing out the railway line to local steam train enthusiasts. A key motivator for restoration is to assess the viability of the old tracks and determine whether the steam engine could attract tourists, encouraging them to stay and experience the beauty and history of Blennerville.

It's the lead they were after, to sell on as scrap metal.

Appears someone has been helping themselves to the roof.

I dare say that would be an absolutely microscopically tiny lunatic fringe.

Hard to find old photos of, and no offence to the inhabitants of such places, unimportant wayside stations as opposed to those at junctions and termini.

Putting on my finger-wagging jhb hat, Kilmainhamwood of course wasn't a GNR station!

Early 60s(?) RTE van. EDIT: on second glance RE van presumably for broadcasts "down the country", may predate setup of the Telly Éireann? Quite a nice livery.

iirc this book has some info and photos, think one was a Sulzer in silver at Attanagh. Hard to find as it's long out of print, IRRS library should have it as would libraries in the Tipperary area. http://www.industrialheritageireland.info/BookReviews/Railway/Signalman’s Memories Railway Life in Rural Ireland.html

https://www.clareecho.ie/planning-bid-for-first-section-of-west-clare-greenway-expected-in-q3-2026/ I guess this is another nail in the coffin of the West Clare Railway project, the current greenway mania. Apart from the photo opp, no mention of the railway or of any accommodation for same.

Thankfully, they're Nordie things, my wallet is safe. For now!

Way earlier than that. Did a little digging, Murphy Brothers Limited changed name to Murphy & Company Limited in 1909 upon the death of one of the brothers, it seems it did not last too long more after that due to poor management. The wagons themselves may have ended up being sold off to one or more of the railways upon the demise of Murphy & Co. Ltd., most likely the GS&W, the ornate lettering disappearing under a coat of generic goods wagon grey.

A similar design to that of the MGWR, imagine it was for the horse 'n' hounds set. Horse boxes here were quite possibly the very last vehicles to use oil lighting, long obsolete in passenger stock, for internal lighting.