jhb171achill

The reality is that this island, as a whole, apart from having only one tenth the population of Britain, simply does not sustain anything CLOSE to the level of interest in railways as themmuns over there do. Oft-heard, over the years, be it close to Whitehead, close to the Wisht of Ireland, or waay down south, were murmurings to the extent that a Severn Valley, Keithley or Festiniog type operation would be "bound to be a success", often accompanied by that tiresome old canard "sure look at all the tourist revenue it would bring in". Such notions were, are and will be in my lifetime anyway, as divorced from reality as a tooth fairy. The ones that survive are the ones that were set up with - and retain - very modest cost bases, which will thus be able to operate with a very low level (by British or other standards) of visitor numbers. Moreover, again compared particularly with our neighbouring island, enthusiasts here are pathologically glued to their closed wallets (with a few notable exceptions) any time an appeal goes out for something. This type of stuff just isn't - unfortunately - in our culture. I can count at least ten possible preservation schemes which were either stillborn, or in four cases tried to get off the ground but ultimately faltered due to a number of reasons. Of those existing today, two appear to be struggling, while another will, I strongly suspect, not last the course. We have Dromod, Kilmeadan, Stradbally, RPSI and DCDR / ITG as going concerns. Each one of those, in their time, benefitted from financial aid no longer available. Places like Finntown and Moyasta are also deserving of our support (the former is publicly funded, otherwise it couldn't survive). However, put bluntly, an attraction like that, if placed in such a very remote location where there is no market but one of unrealistic pipe dreams - I would not be optimistic about. Yes, I do - very much - wish those two well - but, but.... Realism and practicality are often seen as "negative" by the dreamers and, eh, "enthusiasts" among us. But realism and practicality are what make things happen, not dreams. The "takeaway" is therefore that we must accept what we have, be grateful to the volunteers who make the operational lines happen, and support them on foot and by wallet in every way we can.

I'm actually astonished that this hasn't been done years ago.

A very disappoiting day, indeed. I consoled myself with Guinness.....

Yup Brand new, straight out of stores, never used.

Update here; Headhunters Railway Museum in Enniskillen has a number of very clean GSR enamels from (or for) doors - bilingual “Waiting Room”, “Gentlemen” etc.

That cattle wagon - yes! Only seeing that now myself.... sure the track down there hasn't been properly relaid since long before oul Johnny Mac retired,,,,

80 year anniversary indeed - maybe something with a flying snail on it!

CIE 1950s green please!

Ah - that famous Egypt, Bunclody & Singapore Railway, who had those unique 0.7.0s…..

And that was 24 years ago!

In the 1950s and 60s, I recall meeting several English gentlemen in the west of Ireland who had retired there in twilight years. Some of these had been involved in the Second World War - recall one with a very grand accent and handlebar moustache. He had been an RAF pilot, who boasted in very un-PC terms about the people he had dropped bombs on…. In reality, people like this often privately flew for enjoyment well into their older years. Here we see a picture taken by former Wing Commander Sir Tarquin Smythe-Plumley-Chumley (7th Marquis of Castletown) from his Cessna 3-seater in summer 1966, as the 11:40 local leaves Dugort Harbour…..

Plain wagon grey at that stage. With extremely few exceptions, departmental stock at that time was standard wagon grey. The running number would typically end in “A”, thus 456A or 207A on the side, in standard wagon-style font. Chassis same colour as wagon; if it was a crew coach, same plain grey (green with red ends later on), but with dark grey / black roof. Flying Snails sometimes painted, usually stencilled, in white. After 1963, roundels which could variously be all-white or tan surround. Many or most wagons had “PWD” stencilled on sides. Steam cranes either wagon grey or black.

“Oh, brilliant, just brilliant. How’d it happen? Where’s Phil? Anyone told PJ yet?”

“Did you get the eggs?” ”Yeah, they’re up here with me - want a lift into town?” ”What time will you be back?” “I’ve only to bring this van up, coming back light. Sure ye can hop up here, and Margaret can come too…” ”OK, get down and give me a hand liftin’ the messages up….”

09:30, methinks. Ye on it?