Niles

Indeed, and the yo-yo thing doesn't even make sense. They go up and down? Like, every train? I'll admit ICRs don't do much for me as an enthusiast but can't fault them on performance and comfort. As much as I prefer locos, generally anytime I've got them on the morning Belfast lately we've got into Belfast ahead of time.

100%. Preservation/railtours have given rise to all sorts of weird and wonderful combinations that weren't seen in service. Be it 201s hauling laminates and Park Royals on transfers, double-headed 071s, Gs hauling ballast hoppers, 141s and Cs in multiple... It's all canon, as they say in fiction.

Beyer with me while I think of more...

Anymore puns? I Deutz it.

Indeed, far superior...

Good idea, the same tooling could be used to make Paddy from the West Cork system.

In my RPSI days I recall having to excort a few northern colleagues down from Heuston to Inchicore. One of my Dublin teammates suggested 'take them down on the 79, it will be a cultural experience for them'.

and sounds from the back 'any smokes bud?'.

They should make a Finger too though. I need one for my Fenit Pier diorama.

No idea if a G ever met a plough van in CIE days, but they sure look well together (I suppose it possibly happened when a G was the unofficial Limerick Wagon Works pilot?). The pair have already had a few wanderings together. Plough van 24582 was preserved by the Downpatrick & County Down Railway back in August, along with ballast hoppers 24122, 24145, and 26633.

Pretty certain I've seen a pic of a MV/C and a Hunslet double heading on one of the early ITG tours (I presume two drivers).

At least one DSER 2-4-2T tank seems to have wandered to West Cork in GSR days; a photo of same adorns the cover of Ernie Sheperd's book on the Cork, Bandon & South Coast Railway.

Ah, didn't realise it predated the GSR itself. Interesting background there on the benefits for clerical staff.

Some Sunday afternoon book browsing reveals it was 118.

Lovely. And interesting how the numerals are placed over the 'fold', a tricky modelling proposition with transfers.

Always wondered by the GSR chose I for 0-6-2T when it otherwise followed the LNER convention (which would be N). I think, unless there were other examples. (Or did the LNER follow them?) Edit: it occurs to me that G didn't follow LNER convention either.

The most handsome too.

Interesting, didn't realise non-preserved CIE steam locos lingered on in existence as late as 1966.

Someone will know the exact number, but I'm pretty certain I've read of a J15 being used as a stationary boiler in Cork after steam had officially ended.

We're planning on making a formal announcement on this over the next few weeks once the final batch of badge sales come in and the last few invoices are settled—stay tuned!

It certainly is!

Loving the cat chorus in the background.

Just a quick update, the No.36 and Enterprise 201 badges are now practically sold out. Still some stock of the 800 class and mkIV DVT available, message me for details or email hello@tailtetours.com Or order here: https://www.tailtetours.com/shop

Kinda reminds me of the Campbeltown and Machrihanish Railway locos even if not quite the same.

The September Zoom meeting of Irish Railways Present, Past and Other Interesting Railways features preservationist and Irish industrial railway expert Seán Cain return, this time to give us a talk on the Stradbally Woodland Railway (Ireland's oldest heritage railway). We'll open the (virtual) doors from 19:45, all very welcome. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3040263673 Meeting ID: 304 026 3673 One tap mobile +35361639031,,3040263673# Ireland +35312408941,,3040263673# Ireland Dial by your location +353 6 163 9031 Ireland +353 1 240 8941 Ireland +353 1 536 9320 Ireland +353 1 653 3895 Ireland +353 1 653 3897 Ireland +353 1 653 3898 Ireland Meeting ID: 304 026 3673 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kZF472fpc