spudfan

There's life in the old EMD 645 yet! http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/traction-rolling-stock/single-view/view/locomotives-for-israel-on-test.html

Thanks to all. It'll be August when I hit Mullingar so I was just planning ahead. I've already told the Mrs that a trip to Kildare will be on the agenda!

Thank you.Looks like a pilgrimage will be in order this summer.!!!!!

Thanks, that's the PW yard on my summer list! Is it easy to get to? I saw it in the distance from Portlaoise station. I've never seen any freight or PW trains going through Mullingar station.

I have ten Murphy Models locos which is a fair investment in Mr Murphy's products. If Paddy is waiting until every last item in storage is sold before the next loco is released then we are in for a long wait. People will only buy a model that they want and not to help someone move stock. There can't be that much left in storage judging by the amount of locos that are out of stock with retailers. If the 121's were released they would be bound to sell very well owing to the fact that most people will buy more than one model as they frequently ran in pairs. Maybe there are just too many headaches dealing with overseas partners when you don't have eyes on the ground to supervise how things are progressing. I am happy with what Paddy has released so far and anxiously await his next loco or even locos. Maybe the locos released so far are all that we will get who knows? I had thought that another manufacturer was to enter the Irish market and piggyback the Irish rtr stuff onto their own orders to help reduce costs but that does not seem to be the case.

I'll be in Mullingar this summer can anyone suggest places to go to view freight activity? Is the permanent way yard in Portlaoise worth a visit? Is it worthwhile making the trip to Kildare station? As an aside the disused platforms and lines at Mullingar station would make an ideal stabling point for the proposed luxury touring train. It would be nice if they put that disused line back in service for freight and the touring train.

The Avengers?

Compared to the loco pictured below the underframe does seem very light. I could not see any number on it to look it up to get some details on it.. I also have no idea what the tractor body mounted on the wagon frame is for but I suspect it's a power source but I probably am wrong. I posted the photos of the track to show the underlay which was only recently put down. The track was lifted and put back on the underlay. Maybe it's to stop it sinking into the soft ground. The mainroad runs right by the site as you can see from the level crossing. I posted these photos as they seem like local designs to suit local conditions, Could'nt see Irish Rail staff using a mobile canteen like the one featured above in the original post! Here are some close ups of the loco Standard loco - if there is such a thing! It was made by Hunslet in 1984, works number 9256. It weighs 9 tons and it has a Ford 2725 6 cylinder engine. Transmission is hydraulic with Clarke 28000 series torque converter. Horse power is given as 115hp. Here is a close up of the Massey on the wagon

Yes it is.

These were taken at Coolnagun Co. Westmeath. The first two are newly relaid track. This looks like a mobile canteen Loco with side jacks. This is an odd looking wagon. It has a Massey Ferguson engine and chassis bolted to it and a trailer body on the same frame. Level crossing

yep a really good day was had by all concerned. Did Kiltimagh on way up (see earlier photo) and Foxford. Got more photos but some will not load as the files are too big. This includes a better photo of the wheel chocks on 083 and a road/rail vehicle at Foxford. Might try photobucket with these. Well worth the trip up from Galway and back. Only drawback is that the station toilets at Ballina close until a passenger train is due, so be warned!!! The site at Ballina definitely seems too small for the amount of goods traffic going in and coming out of the yard. At one time there were four container trucks queueing to get into the yard. Trucks loaded with timber were allowed to jump the queue as they were able to self discharge at the far end of the site. Anyway back home to Donegal today so no more trains for awhile!

083 chocked and turned off having deposited the DFD's through the level crossing on to the Killala branch DFD's being propelled by 083 218 prior to running round the Acryno's to the far end of the train A busy day at Ballina

kiltimagh in March 1975 and today July 2014

If I can't master the wife's camera she'll have to do the necessary for me. Imagine me shouting "Quick, get a photo of the grey 071" and the Mrs turning to me with a blank stare on her face as the aforementioned 071 trundles by in the background. Looks like it'll be a crash course in loco identification for the Mrs with Mr Murphy's finest. If I end up hitching back to Galway you'll know that the Mr and Mrs trainspotting team came off the rails.

All being well I hope to get to Ballina on Monday 7th July. I intend to spend a few hours there in the afternoon. So whatever is happening I intend to soak it up and just enjoy it.

Thank you very much. I'll definitely do Ballina. Thanks for the offer of the PM. When I get the date I'll be in touch. Much appreciated.

Thanks. Is it best to just sit on the platform and wait? Any idea what day of the week would be most productive? Also would it be worth the drive from Galway to see whats going on at Ballina freight yard?

I will be in Galway city in July. I'd like to see and photograph freight action. Would I get some decent freight flows at Claremorris or would I need to go up to Ballina?

Rolling stock for sale. Note would suit large layout. http://www.hgpauction.com/auctions/54351/comsa-rail-gmf/

Maybe an overseas manufacturer like Heljan might enter the market and produce one of the types not tackled by PM yet. They would be guaranteed sales as no other model would exist and I would hazard a guess that PM's success with his Irish models has not gone unnoticed. The numbers involved would be well within Heljan's remit for limited edition models. I do not think that PM is waiting for every last 201 or 071 to be sold before he commits to a 121. No matter how much you like or want them there is only so many models you can buy. If another model were available i.e. the 121 or "A" class it would be bought to complement existing models. Anyway I'd say we could see another model sooner than people think and not necessarily from the PM stable.

Thanks for that.Would be happy enough to get a close up view.

Fitted at the construction stage by GM. 59001 also had a bell.

That would have been the PHA's from Procor.37 were ordered in 1984 but all were withdrawn in 1988/1989 and broken up.Suffered from structural cracks.

Modeller's Den off Astons Quay used to stock Lima HO, mainly SNCF locos.I remember the layout beneath the bubble too.

Have 14 class 59 locos.Kind of fond of them myself!!