Niles

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 ).

Only seen it there a few weeks ago, glad I snapped it now

Weird thing is the Hunslets were actually quite young then when you consider the 201s are pushing 30...

Edgeworthstown maybe? The lack of a water tower suggest it's not Dromod alright.

Out of curiousity, does anyone know how late the 'IR' variant livery lasted on carriages? It seems to have been done away with pretty quick once the IÉ variant came in, when you consider there was still the odd pre-1987 livery Craven knocking about as late as 1996. The logo lasted on locos up until 2005 (147 being the last carrier). I suppose it was probably an easier thing to change as it was just a logo versus a whole livery, I haven't come across photos of 'mixed' rakes with different logos (unless I wasn't paying attention which is likely).

Restaurant car 5411 too. But given the silly prices these go for it's no harm...

Sounds like a handy source

There were some on display at the Raheny show last October, definitely some with the 'IR' branding (like this one https://flic.kr/p/x8cNNf )

A plethora of 141/181s have bubbled up on Adverts lately too... be interesting to watch how the prices fluctuate over the next while.

no but a nice thought for a 'might have been'. Even as a 3ft scheme. Incidentally, there was a proposal for a Gorey to Courtown line branching off the main south of Gorey, one imagines it would have been popular in the summer but died a death in the 60s if not killed off earlier by the GSR when they culled Achill and Clifden.

Saturday also saw our Treasurer David Walsh hand over our donation to Jonathan King, board member and fireman at the Downpatrick and County Down Railway, towards their fundraising project to restore Inchicore-built tank engine No.90. Built in 1875, once restored she will be the oldest operational engine in Ireland, and quite older than a lot of operational other engines worldwide too. This little engine originally ran on the Castleisland Railway in Co Kerry, later spending a lot of time in West Cork. It was restored by the former Westrail Tuam group in the late 1980s and operated in on the Tuam-Athenry line among others. It moved to Downpatrick in the 2000s and after a number of years on static display her return steam is once again on the horizon. In addition to the donation, Táilte Tours will also be assisting with another aspect of the 90 fundraising campaign in due course... https://www.downrail.co.uk/rolling-stock/gswr-90/

Interesting that MM appear to be re-running the Galway restaurant and EGV, a win for consumers but perhaps not for ebay dealers.

A few quick snapeens from today's ramble, including a bus for those of that persuasion. The live tour commentary by @jhb171achill from the journey up will be available as an audiobook on download and CD.

2419 is preserved too https://www.downrail.co.uk/rolling-stock/cie-2419/ Although strictly speaking they're not laminates.