Niles

That last one is likely the "Suir Thing" railtour 9th October 2004.

Late Oct/early Nov saw a rainstorm and unprecedented flooding levels at Downpatrick, with many businesses in the town horrendously affected along with the railway. Unfortunately the town lies on a flood plain, though flooding to this extent has not been seen in the railway’s time.

Further to @GSWR 90's post, and for those of you not on Facebook:

Second one looks like the Docklands Pioneer tour on 31st March 2007, 152+190 worked Connolly-Limerick Junction via Kilkenny and Waterford. Oddly both locos ended up in the ITG fleet.

I must check, I never copped that in over 20 years of having one.

Also on the GSR motive power front, a Bachmann N painted in GSR grey as a Woolwich wouldn't be the most complicated of repaints either... ideally would need a smokebox door wheel to finish it off but that's the case for the MM CIE versions too.

I'd go for a few certainly...

ITG "Docklands Pioneer" tour date was 31st March 2007.

Something quite stunning about this, don't know if it's the angle but very evocative.

This is me speaking up

As of now we have just 4 combined bus/gala tickets left https://www.tailtetours.com/event-details/downpatrick-diesel-gala-6th-jan-2024-including-bus-transfer-from-dublin For those making their own way to Downpatrick, there are gala only tickets available here https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/dieselgala/ (however these too are selling at a fair pace!)

Interesting that they've gone with the UTA livery, the Murphy-Bachmann collab was NCC.

Picked up one of each today, lovely pieces, prompting one of my Táilte coconspirators to invest in a set too. Excellent initiative @leslie10646

This reminds me of LOST

We'll have these new badges (and two more yet to be revealed) available on the Táilte stand (card or cash accepted ). The remaining two will be a collaboration with two preservation groups, but, spoilers...

Might be of interest to some here, as part of our public education remit, we've added an article to the Táilte blog on the history of Dublin's city termini (already we've gotten a few 'I didn't know there was a station in North Wall' responses!). https://www.tailtetours.com/post/a-tour-of-dublin-s-seven-railway-termini-or-is-it-eight

Táilte will have a stand at Bray on Sunday, with muggins running it this month so do say hi if you're there. Have a few new 2600 class mugs and copies of Darragh Connolly's Memories of the Bord na Móna Railways for sale, proceeds of this book to the Cavan & Leitrim Railway.

Probably a matter of time, there's precedent for it too.

I've dealt with Boliden in a day job role, they're now very, very tight on security and who can access the site (I know of cases where delivery drivers have to make sure everyone in their van is approved to go in, etc. I can't see them entertaining a request for entry for photos etc.

Connolly-Drogheda is scheduled to be closed it would seem https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/news/irishrail-engineering-works (handy link for checking ahead).

Táilte Tours announced the second of its fundraising collaborations yesterday, this time towards the overhaul of the Cavan & Leitrim Railway's Kerr Stuart tank engine, "Dromod". Read more here: https://www.tailtetours.com/post/táilte-tours-makes-contribution-towards-cavan-leitrim-loco-overhaul When completed, Dromod's return to service will allow the sight of two locomotives in steam on an Irish narrow gauge line for the first time since 1959, exciting stuff indeed. This follows on from our contribution towards the Downpatrick & County Down Railway's GSWR 90 locomotive back in August. We'll be announcing a few more such donations to other groups over the coming year, this is where the profit from our badges and tour events go so thank you to everyone who has supported us so far. It's been a trying effort at the times but we're delighted to finally see some results we can pass on to the wider heritage railway community in Ireland. (We'll be at both the Wexford and Dublin shows, so do come up and say hi, we might even have sweets!).

Even more stock in action this time round... so much for it being a 'mini' gala. (and running on two different branches, how many other preserved railways can offer that?).

Headboards, plural.

Aer Táilte has a nice ring to it...

Bookings for this event are now open (yes it's only September but last year's sold out in record time, you have been warned!) Planned traction for the event is: A class A39R B class 146 G class shunter G617 450 class Railcar 458 80 class railcar 90+749 (running, on display only - not carrying passengers) Wickham railcar 713 Even a steam loco, back by popular demand - O&K No. 3 will be providing cab rides up and down the loco yard, and may take part in a demonstration run if demand is there. Trains will use the North Line from Downpatrick to Inch Abbey and the South Line towards Magnus Grave. The day should feature: At least one out and back run with each locomotive/railcar Some mix-ups and shunts to watch A loco/railcar start-up or two Ballast train with the Irish Rail hoppers Brake van rides Wickham rides Limited and strictly controlled lineside photo/video opportunities If you're making your own way to Downpatrick book here: https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/dieselgala/ If you're travelling from Dublin, Táilte Tours will be running a coach from Connolly Luas stop (also picking up at Dublin Airport) https://www.tailtetours.com/event-details/downpatrick-diesel-gala-6th-jan-2024-including-bus-transfer-from-dublin. (and trust me, it's cheaper than the regular public transport fares and more direct ).