Niles

Neither actually... it's one of the early 1950s builds that came after the GSRs* but before the laminates. *(I'll refrain from calling them Bredins as technically they were a Harty design ).

We've upgraded to a bigger coach so have a few more seats free now if anyone fancies joining us this Saturday. One or two surprises in store for Saturday too... https://www.tailtetours.com/event-details/downpatrick-county-down-railway-day-tour

^ This. The need to change at Greystones won't make it attractive to daily commuters either. As it stands there's two bus operators running direct to the city centre, I commuted the route for years and an additional hassle like that wouldn't win me over to rail...

I remember back in the 2000s online forums (who remembers the MSN groups?) people joked about the idea of a 450 being preserved one day, yet, here we are (and it's really come into its own too). I know @jhb171achill loves 450s... Similarly 2600s were once seen as "just railcars" but our jaunt from Cork to Waterford in one proved more popular than even its organiser (eejit I hear) envisaged. Everything has its time...

If anyone is looking for a heritage railcar fix, 458 will be operating regular services at Downpatrick on Sunday August 13th. https://downrail.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/10462?catID=9235& (Sound on for a taste) VID_20211010_123246.mp4

If you've a family of superhero fans you won't want to miss this event at Downpatrick on Saturday 11th August. https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/supertrain2/

One thing I love about preservation is that sometimes you see odd stock movements unlikely be found in "service" days. Here we have 146 hauling ballast plough 24582, UTA "Festival Express" carriage 728, CIÉ Park Royal 1944 and G class G617 acting as another brakevan. So if anyone wants an excuse to run IRM plough vans with their Park Royals...

Oddly enough it's one of the few routes that has actually since reverted to loco haulage.

On comfort, one of the most comfortable train journeys I've ever been on was a Danish IC3 railcar/multiple unit set from Hamburg to Copenhagen (standard class btw). Dispelled any notions of railcars being less comfortable than hauled stock by nature. Personally I find the 22000s quite comfortable for what they need to do, I don't have much interest in them as an enthusiast but that's a non-argument. You also have to consider the output of each individual engine in a railcar set versus a loco hauled set (factoring in a huge loco engine and generator van). It's not quite as simple as 6 railcar engines is the same as 6 locomotive engines.

Ssshh...we can't spoil the Greenway Galavanter tour destination.

I suspected it would get that reaction. Everything happens in time but it's not an immediate plan. (Now I know how @Warbonnet and co feel ).

The latest Táilte Tours blog article celebrates the first 20 years of the 29000 class railcars. Maybe one day we'll see them work one of our railtours... https://www.tailtetours.com/post/celebrating-20-years-of-the-29000-class-irish-railcars

nothing wasteful about those photos!

Had it back in the day, I can't actually remember if York Road was on it... if I recall the rather flat-fronted 121 was the same freeware model that predated the game. I'll admit I tended to get bored on the longer runs and tended to stick to DART and 80 class suburban scenarios. (Funny, when I first got MSTS itself (21 years ago ) I couldn't actually play it for a longtime as the family computer wasn't powerful enough.

And just as many born since...

There's a preserved GNR Dundalk-built six wheeler awaiting restoration at Downpatrick, albeit on a MGWR underframe but should give you an idea: https://www.downrail.co.uk/rolling-stock/unidentified-gnr-six-wheeled-carriage/

Having grown up watching 071s & mk2s in Gorey it would have been normal for the rear carriages to trail over the points and off the platform, so wouldn't be too worried about making them fit 5...

I've never seen a layout that looks so like a painting, wow.

lovely stuff... rather smart livery.

Robert Phibbs, author of the new book “ The Adventures of a Fighting Railway: The Belfast Central Railway Company (1864 - 1885)” is giving us a Zoom talk on Tuesday, May 30th, 2023 08:00 PM. All are welcome on the night. Log in details are as follows (no need to register in advance). Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3040263673 Meeting ID: 304 026 3673

If anyone's looking for some badges, Martin Hoey will be there representing Táilte. The 2600 and signal badges continue to be popular, these were a lower production run than normal so don't delay... https://www.tailtetours.com/shop

Excellent idea. You could probably justify a Tara Mines flow too had it survived into the modern day.

. A selection of some of the wares my co-conspirator David will have for sale tomorrow.

Touché