Niles

I know of one instance in 2005-ish when Cravens substituted, hauled by a pair of 141s of all things. By that stage substitutes tended to more mk2ds (often resulting in one of the Rosslare links getting the standby Cravens instead of mk2s). fmnut has footage of it here:

Ha. Though in fairness, I believe they were the first railway outside America to use bogie carriages, so marks for innovation.

I believe a potential stickler for sending 29000s (back)* to Limerick is that they're too long for the sheds. *Back, well they were based there for testing back in 2003. Who remembers that?

@jhb171achill will know better, but I think some of the former May Three Day tours may have offered trips to Cobh for the locals? Though arguably they weren't "Cork based" as a whole. Technically the 2014 Blue Train tour started in Cork but it was really a balancing working off the one way Web Summit charter from Connolly to Midleton.

Looks fresh out of the box - I think the smaller numerals were changed early enough.

Everything has its time... if you suggested a 2700 class tour 20 years ago you'd have been laughed out the door, I guarantee one would sell out now though if by some miracle it was even possible. Even the much lamented mk3s were uncommon on tours until the very late 2000s, bar the annual IRRS Executive Train tour.

Táilte Tours CLG are happy to announce their first mainline railtour of 2025, “The Eyre Lee Bird” from Cork to Galway and back via the Western Rail Corridor. This will be worked by a classic Iarnród Éireann 2600 class railcar set, these days very rare visitors to the west of Ireland. Heritage livery “Arrow” set Nos.2601+2602 has been requested as part of the formation. It also hoped to cover the various passing loops between Limerick and Athenry. Passengers will have plenty of time for lunch at their own leisure in Galway; the station is conveniently located in the heart of the city at Eyre Square. Bookings now open at https://www.tailtetours.com/event-details/the-eyre-lee-bird-railtour Dept Cork 08:45 (back 19:20) Dept Mallow 09:10 (back 18:45) Dept Limerick Junction 09:52 (back 18:00) Dept Limerick 10:24 (back 16:23)

At Downpatrick, volunteers are now laying the first section new of track (as opposed to a relay or extension of existing headshunts) since 2015... The timbers come from the recently closed Great Victoria St station, so a little bit of modern NIR history shall live on. More at https://www.downrail.co.uk/2025/01/new-siding-at-railway-museum/

My Ps arrived yesterday and couldn't resist giving them a quick run up and down my WIP layout. Lovely little things.

Interesting to note JCB had a hydrogen combustion engine licenced this week, so there is potential in this to be developed further but I suspect the 071 will be a proof of concept at best.

In some cases yes. I'm pretty certain it's not the case for sites like Fotopic though.

Hacksaw, but your definition of neat is more generous than mine...

more or less, cut into ramp like shapes were needed, then coated over with brick sheet. We'll see how it lasts, but a guy's allowed to experiment...

A bit of scenic work started just to get a feel for it and how the area will look.

After a few months of inactivity, work has recommenced on Tragreany's platforms.

I always thought Limerick station itself would make a relatively compact (for a city terminus) layout (obviously without including the loco depot or it would be quite long!).

E.E. thumping, cakes, tea, what more can one want in life.

Sunday 29th December only. Enjoy a journey in our ‘Derry Girls’ heritage 450 class railcar No.458 to Inch Abbey before enjoying our special Christmas Afternoon Tea. We offer a mouthwatering selection of fresh handmade sandwiches, luxury home scones with jam & cream and some special Christmas treats. To drink there is a choice of teas and coffees, quality soft drink, and something alcoholic for the 18+ non-drivers in your group Dates & times This event is running on Sunday 29th December 2024 with the first train departing at 1pm (SOLD OUT). A second train will depart at 15:30, still seats available for this. Prices & tickets £40 per adult for tables of two £35 per adult for tables of three or four. Children can be added at £20 each. Tickets available now at: https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/christmastea/

I didn't see this coming but it seems so obvious now with the powering Britain connection.

I'll be honest, this is the most excited I've been about a carriage model since the MM Cravens back in 2009. Moreso even.

basically - that and they need to keep descriptions short. Also have found a few more of these in a stocktake https://www.tailtetours.com/product-page/modern-enterprise-livery-201-class-gm-loco-enamel-pin

Confirmed times for anyone thinking of travelling or chasing (bonus points if you manage both!) Confirmed times, for the track bashers Sallins loop as been added for the return leg, while we'll also be traversing Millstreet loop (no scheduled services) and Mallow platform 3 (had a few requests for that one!). A lot of work has gone into this across IÉ, not to mention my own team, hats off to all indeed. DUBLIN Heuston 09.10 Inchicore 09.14½ Hazelhatch 09.21½ Sallins 09.27½ Newbridge 09.32½ Kildare 09.36 09.38 Cherryville Jctn. 09.42 Monasterevin 09.45½ Portarlington 09.50½ 09.52½ Portlaoise 10.01½ Ballybrophy 10.13 Lisduff 10.17 Templemore 10.20½ Thurles 10.27 Limerick Jctn. 10.43½ 10.53½ Dromkeen 11N06 11N11 Killonan Jctn. 11.18 LIMERICK 11N25 (A) *the train is not operating into Limerick station proper, stopping between just after Limerick Check where the Foynes line diverges) LIMERICK (A) 11N35 Killonan Jctn. 11.42 Dromkeen 11N49 11N54 Limk. Jctn. Pk. Loop 12.05 Limerick Jctn. 12.07 Charleville 12.24 Mallow 12.35 12.40 Banteer 12.52 Millstreet 13.02 13.12 Rathmore 13.19 KILLARNEY 13.38 KILLARNEY 17.15 Rathmore 17.34½ Millstreet 17N42 17N52 (loop) Banteer 18.01½ Mallow Plat. 3 18.15 18.30 Charleville 18.44½ Limerick Jctn. 19.01 19.03 Thurles 19.21½ Templemore 19.27½ Lisduff 19.31 Ballybrophy 19.35½ Portlaoise 19.46 Portarlington 19.53 19.55 Monasterevin 20.00½ Cherryville Jctn. 20.03 Kildare 20.06 20.08 Newbridge 20.13 Sallins Up Loop 20.19½ Hazelhatch 20.27 Inchicore 20.34 DUBLIN Heuston 20.40

Following their launch at the Mount Temple show, the 8100 DART and Antonov-201 enamel badges are now available, both commemorating important Irish railway anniversaries this year. https://www.tailtetours.com/shop