hurricanemk1c

Will the Belmond model have a little guard hanging out of the EGV? Great work!

Whilst on the subject of the Inchicore pilot loco, which one is undertaking this task at present?

 

Stephen

An 071. Not sure which one (084 possibly, as I haven't seen a photo of it out recently and it still works)

Thanks Noel. Hadn't noticed it before

Evening all,

As mentioned above, the RPSI moved their diesels from Inchicore to Connolly today in two moves. Click on the photos below to view them full size

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Quick question - why does 175 have that coupling on her?

Regards,

Kieran

Evening all,

Today the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland transferred their 3 'Baby GM' locos from Inchicore Works (where they have been stored since 2009/2010) to their shed in Connolly station. The day certaintly wasn't straight forward! Originally going to be one transfer, a last minute fault prevented this from happening and the transfer was cancelled. Luckily I bumped into another gricer who had heard the transfer was back on! Photos from the day can be seen below, with the normal railway running around as well. Click on any of the photos below to view them all

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Regards,

Kieran

Having checked some photos, 7 out of the 8 have "CLRR" on the axleboxes. The other one doesn't have anything on it

Bloody hell - I oiled them and did the pre-service exam on them on Sunday and can't remember what the axleboxes say! Been under it and can say some of the brake hangers are still there

As far as I am aware the basic chassis and bogies is from 7L, the Cavan and Leitrim coach. The body is actually a Stradbally production, having been the bus body from 1953-1972 (1959-1972 in Bórd na Móna service)

Morning all,

A few shots from Stradbally on Sunday, where (with the help of the WW2 Re-Enactment Club) we staged a 'War' day with various uniforms and weapons on display. We ran with steam loco LM44 all day and another first was done - the carriages entering the pit road in the shed for an exam.

Ablum link -

Regards,

Kieran

If you need any detail photos of the couplings at Stradbally (of all types) give me a shout via PM as I have got them all (I think!)

I thought it would be running as far as Coleraine where the passengers would be transferred to a CAF set?

Last I heard it was luxury coach from Coleraine to the Giant's Causeway and Bushmills. Of little interest until they are approved for NIR running

Currently only one loco (spare would be the standby loco at Heuston/Cork/Connolly/Belfast).

Rumours going around that it is late, not got RSC approval and won't operate to Northern Ireland this year. Although 216 is fitted with at least the mounting for the Enterprise DMI

Wrenneire - Yep, into the paintshop next week as far as I know for painting into the same colours as the Mark 3's

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Evening all,

A triple update from me tonight as I have been rather lacking in posting here!

The first one is from Stradbally, featuring a number of unusual moves for line clearance and vegitation clearance along the line. Plus the chance to get underneath LM44 / Number 2 and getting a few photos

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Back in the land of heavy rail, a quick trip to get the Spray Train returning to Portlaoise

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And finally for the moment, yesterday's antics waiting for the Spray Train to head out of Portlaoise, which it did 150 minutes late!

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Regards,

Kieran

Overall, 1200 Heuston - Cork arrived at Cork +50 minutes. 1300 Heuston - Cork arrived at Cork +5. 1520 Cork - Heuston (next booked working of the 1200 set) departed Cork +20

I'm afraid I know little of what's happening on that side of things (being handled by two others volunteers), but do know some of the operational side, which hsould be different!

Anyone know the old Irish Rail number for the observation coach by chance?

7104

It should indeed be a good day - all being well I should be there as well

I don't think the staff are recruited yet - make sure the 'Business name' is Belmond Grand Hibernian, and a list for the following comes up:

Steward/Stewardess

Housekeeping Supervisor

Travelling Technican

Food and Beverage Supervisor

https://www.belmondcareers.com/career_list.asp

Although interviews were supposed to be mid-May and contracts for June 2016-October 2016. So they may have been filled, but would of expected the jobs to have gone from the website!

Morning all,

A few shots from yesterday's double excitement

In the afternoon there was 216 in the unfinished Belomnd livery (the green is an undercoat to protect the bodywork whilst trials are going on). Having missed it by 5 minutes on Thursday, I was there in plenty of time for it on Monday!

In the evening there was the 2045 North Wall - Ballina 27 wagon (54TEU) liner trial (as seen above). It was a great sight to see and hopefully will continue, even though it is likely to result in less liner photos overall!

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Regards,

Kieran

Heard The Flying Snot as well

233 got out oiver the past week or two - kept a low profile. I think it's either the second or third day on passenger work though

Evening all,

A double update from me tonight

Shots from Thursday at Portarlington from an attempt to see 216 (see The Wanderer's post above). I managed to miss it by 5 minutes due to poor traffic around Portlaoise town. At least there was 3 071's in at the time

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And shots from Saturday. Due to the replacement of points MW579 just north of Mallow station, Cork line services were terminating at Charleville, with the result of crossing at Portlaoise. To make things more interesting, both of the Enterprise spare Raccoons were out and about, and luckily managed to cross at Portlaoise during the day

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Regards,

Kieran

With the re-engining of the 201's near certain now, and Dublin Port remodelling the Tara Mines reception area (removing the length issue of the traverser there), I'd say a lot more freight will go 201 only. I think it has been said elsewhere that these longer freight flows will be 201 only as they are surer footed than the 071s

The HOBS trial recently was only 1300 tonnes not over 2200 tonnes. Class 66's in the UK (geared for 75mph not 100mph, so more suited) start to struggle over 1700 tonnes. Geared for 60 they can just get up to 2000

Evening all,

A few shots from today at Stradbally, where we were operating for 2 groups as a private charter. Both groups seemed happy. As there was a considerable time between the two groups, some more work was undertaken on the stored stock and as a result ESB Number 4 'Ellie' moved a considerable distance with rolling wheels, the first time the wheels have fully rotated since 1994. Click on on any of the photos below to view them full size

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Regards,

Kieran

Afternoon all,

A few shots from Ratheven again, this time out for the "Emerald Isle Explorer" special.

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Regards,

Kieran

Evening all,

A quick double update from me, featuring the weekend so far. As always, click on any of the photos for them full size with descriptions

A few from Stradbally, Co. Laois whilst volunteering there. We successfully moved the tool van out of the way, allowing LM167 to be moved under her own power in preparation for the final move onto the running line / shed. Plus my first proper drive around!

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Saturday saw the continuation of the Ballast Cleaning programme, this time on the Down line between Mileposts 48 and 50 (Portarlington - Portlaoise). As per normal, Single Line Working was in use between those two stations and with the worksite a nice walk away I went up. Shame about the rain

All shots here -

Regards,

Kieran