cheesy_peas

Hand hold for clambering up to access tank filler. Presume they got removed when tank removal and repairs were carried out and just shoved on in a different place. Perhaps it was less liable to get snagged on something placed on the inside?

Try North Cork Railways on Facebook, there's a few on there.

Tried out part of the Trans Pennine Trail once (former Woodhead Route) was surprised to see horse riders using it. Horses are expressly forbidden from the greenways here. It was quite mucky in some parts, a maintenance issue rather than horse by-product. But yes, people with busy lives and kids just want a plug and play venue, with easily followed signs, cafes and bike hire places.

There's quite a vocal cycle lobby and road running is very popular. You would be made mincemeat of if you attempted cycling, running or walking on many of the regular roads the way people drive these days, so there's that. Hiking/cross country walking is niche by comparison and hamstrung by having no "right to roam" legislation here. Greenways are seen, rightly or wrongly, as free* to use leisure facilities which bring visitors and their money to an area**. *yes I do know they cost money to build and maintain. **results may vary.

A source told me they were made up for the IRRS and sold as a fundraiser around the 60s.

The IRRS cap badge is a strange one, something someone made up themselves for working specials? Or a souvenir from the sales stall?

Design dates from 60s, post flying snail era, but used as staff cap badges until the break up of CIE into IR, BE and DB so could be 1980s just as well. Early ones were made by Quinn of Dublin, got a couple of Caxton of Kew badges from a staff member who probably was still in nappies in the 60s!

Back in GS&WR days there were railway police, I have seen a reference to a company policeman with regard to an 1870s murder case. I'm not certain if Irish railway police would have worn "custodian's helmets" as their British railway police counterparts did.

That would beat the record for shortest lived station, Meelick (3 months)

I guess seaside excursion goers would have been supplied with hampers and cases of beer and the empty bottles got thrown out of the windows. The one time I wouldn't be mad at people littering if I found one!

LMSNCC bottles are quite plentiful, the MRNCC ones are scarce. Any other Irish railway bottles are like hens' teeth.

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.