jhb171achill

Absolutely professional job, Ken! Yes, the profusion of grey would indeed have been less than colourful, from the mid 1910s until the mid 1970s... But we’ve gone right back to it - from orange, black and “tippex” 071s to plain grey ones!

Can you get those in 00 scale?

The postcard above is indeed a “colourised” one. The wagons would all have been plain grey in that pic, standard GSR ones. Since the loco doesn’t look to be lined, though more importantly when this line was opened, it too will be plain grey, albeit a much darker shade, looking almost black when dirty. The multicoloured wagons are a fiction for Ireland, in all of the very few places coal was handled.

Amazing place indeed, and Sean is a gentleman. Not sure if he’s into models though, but I’m sure he’d be extremely welcome here.

CIE didn’t have actual dedicated coal wagons, other than some GSR or GSWR built loco coal wagons. Out in traffic, ordinary open wagons were used - wooden bodied until early 60s, but from the late 50s the corrugated Bullied opens were used.

Yes, brake dust thrown up on the ends of the wagon. Given the lighter shade of grey used on H vans & “palvans”, it was even more apparent. But four wheeled railway vehicles were more likely to show it up.

Yes, one went to the Tramore line for bikes and prams. Ends & chassis black. Roof either black or a very dark grey. A van like this would be very heavily weathered in real life, as they rarely saw a paint brush!

Well, a van like that is absolutely appropriate for such a scenario; indeed, it's likely its the same one that was on the opening train in 1899! The livery will be well shabby by then - the light green lines in that livery were lined in thin black and gold lines, and the "snail" in gold only. The logo I use beside my name on this site is a photo of an actual flying snail transfer, so use that; the green it is mounted on is authentic Inchicore paint, as now seen on "Maedb" and various preserved buses. Ends black and roof dark grey; both weathered, though, to a nondescript dark greyish dirty colour.... Superb work.

Now that is an absolute beauty! Will it be finished in Midland, GS or CIE livery?

Absolutely superb! The clip in Mayo referred to above was, I think, between 1949 and a few years later.

RIP! It just left the Wisht Clare..... Pitt that didn’t survive (apart from Moyasta, of course)...

It was the pre-55 green, as seen today on 800 in Cultra and several preserved CIE buses. An exact sample (actual CIE paint) is on the “snail” on my logo on this site, which is a good quality (in terms of light) photo of the mounted flying snail displayed in Headhunters Railway Museum in Enniskillen. Jhb171 Senior got this done in Inchicore about sixty five years ago. Lining was the same EDN with black & gold lining, as on carriages and buses. i stand to be corrected on this, but I’m nearly sure that ends were plain unlined green, as you suggest, with the lining on sides only (despite the whole vehicle being like a biscuit tin on wheels). Carriages, on the other hand, had black ends.

I detest that term "international" that the RPSI has used for years - why not call it the "May Tour" like just about everyone does!

It's an NIR 80 class railcar acquired from NIR, for long term restoration. The one to its left is another. the remaining two-car set is now restored and the interior being worked on. The four 80 class cars are all at Downpatrick. The reason this one is yellow is that after withdrawal from passenger use by NIR it was used as part of the sandite track maintenance train, spreading this compound on rails in autumn to prevent wheel slip. NIR now have a new machine for this purpose, hence its withdrawal. The 80 class were introduced in 1974 and 1978 and withdrawn from normal passenger use about ten years ago.

Interesting, I didn't know that! A bit of Isle of Man, Lough Swilly and CDRJC practice in the south east.......

No - the border didn't exist until after all the railways were built. Having said that, the introduction of the border in 1922 would have killed it stone dead, had it been built. Its new cross-border status would have stopped it becoming part of the GSR, though, unless the actual bit that went across the new border had already been closed after only a few years (like the Welsh Highland). This would, of course, have been entirely possible!

I’ll take the beer any day, Wayside....!

I think the above quote wasn't mine.....! I am known here for posting photos upside down and sideways. My interests in tech skills in reformatting things etc etc etc etc etc are nil.....and will probably remain that way!

I like the finish on that old bricked-up goods shed. What's the finish made of? Is it, and the red brick station building, based in Kingscoùrt, by any chance?

This layout continues to fascinate - all too often scenery is incidental to a baseboard crammed with more tracks than Victoria station, which is art-form to operate but not necessarily to look at. I knew Barrow St & surrounding area well as a child, and this captures it perfectly.

Yes, the cattle wagons were the standard CIE design. After the GNR lines in the west were closed, The was a massive drop in cattle traffic everywhere. It almost vanished in the north overnight. In the south, CIE inherited many ex-GN cattle trucks but few were ever used (and do the modeller, I believe that none were ever re-liveried as CIE. Add to that a lot of GSWR and MGWR types that were worn out. CIE was embarking on a huge wagon building programme anyway, so CIE standard types took over quickly and completely. And this is what's needed for the RDS if depicted in a layout. Most horse boxes remaining were standard GSR designs, with origins in GSWR design. I'm unaware of CIE ever designing any. There's a kit of a GSR horse box, but a CIE cattle wagon is an absolutely essential part of 1955-75 CIE-based layouts. Maybe one of our excellent manufacturers will produce one?

I'll be out in daylight tomorrow..... got it all outta me system.....!

I had a trawl tonight in the Catacombs and far from finding anything, it occurs to me that I've never seen any such thing anywhere! I suspect that the IRRS is the best option. For some reason CIE seemed to want to dispose of DSER stock with indecent haste, as few locos or coaches were still extant within the 1950s. This won't help the research, as vans from other companies, locos from as far away as the Bandon, and GSWR and MGWR coaches were commonplace even on the Harcourt Street line by the mid 1950s. I have eyewitness accounts of MGWR six-wheelers appearing on that line as early as about 1928. Presumably you've seen the various types of GSWR ones, several of which survived in traffic into the early 1960s. In Ernie Shepherd's book, he mentions only about 10 goods brakes, all apparently gone by the 1950s. We may assume only GSR and possibly GSWR vans had been used on the DSE section for years...!

Type Introduced Last operated (as opposed to official withdrawal date, which could be months or years later) Usual* location & use after 1968 (* In most cases this is absolute, e.g. IE’s 201 class never worked to Larne, nor Tara wagons to Loughrea. In a few examples, a one-off or trial run might have worked outside the area described) Notes NIR – GNR origin AEC / BUT Railcars 1950-9 1974 G V St. – Portadown (– Dundalk) Never used on NCC section. (Prior to 1965, used on “Derry Road”, and AEC cars got as far as Newcastle (Co. Down), Clones, Enniskillen & Bundoran). Withdrawn when 80 class stock arrived. Very comfortable, if noisy. GNR-built loco-hauled wooden-framed coaching stock 1930s-40s 1974 Within period 1969 onwards, only excursions and very occasional extra summer services. Withdrawn when 80 class stock arrived. Stock in use in this period dated mostly from late 1930s – 1949. Common fleet with ex-NCC stock. NIR – NCC / UTA origin “WT” Class 2.6.4T “Jeep” 1947-50 Last examples 1970 Within post-1969 period, spoil trains on Larne line, plus ballast duties only. Very occasional passenger excursion in summer on NCC section. In ballast use, GN section also. Built 1947-50, thus earlier ones originally carried NCC markings, later UTA only. On spoil trains, a loco each end. BCDR Diesel No. 28 1935 1972 Shunted Grosvenor Road goods yard only post-’69. Elusive, as it was never seen elsewhere, thus rarely photographed. MED Railcars 1951 c.1982 Built for the Bangor line. Confined to there until Central line reopened 1976, then to be seen on GN section and occasionally Larne line. Not to Portrush or Derry. One set with cars 6 & 7 was on the GN and NCC sections, either as a 2-car or with a centre car. VERY uncomfortable and stuffy to travel in, on cramped bus seats. Ghastly inventions, rivalled only by the dreadful “Castle Class”! One set had a beautiful old NCC 3rd class coach (526) as a centre car until about 1981. MPD Railcars (several designs, corridor and non-corridor; latter usually Larne line) Various 1950s – early 60s Last c.1980 Ex-NCC lines, also briefly on the Lisburn-Antrim line when reopened in 1976. Occasionally ran as single car units on locals on NCC. Used in multiples to haul CIE goods trains from Lisburn to Derry until mid 70s. A mix of new builds and conversions from corridor and non-corridor NCC coaches, some as old as early 1920s. A single car often used to shunt York Road or Derry Loco-hauled wooden-framed coaching stock 1920s-1951 1974 Within period 1969 onwards, only excursions and very occasional extra summer services. Withdrawn when 80 class stock arrived. Stock in use in this period dated mostly from early 1920s – 1951. Included three of the five North Atlantic Express carriages, one now preserved at Whitehead (No. 91), and a couple of UTA “Festival” stock from 1951. Common fleet with ex-GNR stock in UTA / NIR days. 70 Class railcars 1966 1986 Initially, NCC main line, then “Enterprise” late ‘60s until Hunslets arrived. Then back to NCC. From 1976, in use on locals Bangor – Portadown also. Centre cars were a mix of new-builds delivered with them, and several converted ex-GNR and NCC stock (K15 727 was the last GN coach in use until about 1981) “DH” class 0.6.0 Diesel shunter 1969 Mid 1980s Ballast & shunting only. One was allocated to York Road with another there spare, the third to G V St. Underpowered and max speed 25mph. Rarely used after c.1978. Rarely seen north of Ballymena (if ever?). Initial idea to use on locals to C’fergus too, but a trial run was unsuccessful. NCC & UTA built loco-hauled wooden-framed coaching stock Various 1920-51 1974 NIR inherited a stock of old “steam” coaches. Post-1969, these were used for very occasional summer excursions on the NCC section. Perhaps no more than 2 or 3 outings per year as such. Joined about 1971/2 by several old AEC railcars, with engines removed as secondary coaches. IN last few years, some repainted all maroon, rest remained UTA green. UTA Cravens Spoil Wagons 1967 1970 / 1980s Magheramorne – Belfast Shore Road until spoil contract finished, then most scrapped. A few retained as ballast wagons until 1980s. Side tipping, high centre of gravity, thus unstable when loaded, on poor track, or at speed! NCC / UTA “Brown Vans” Mid 1930s – Early 1950s 1980s Fitted vans with almost main line side profiling, used initially on NCC main line and Larne line for parcels and mail. Slightly longer wheelbase than normal. Examples preserved at Whitehead and Downpatrick. Not seen in normal goods trains too often. Ran behind steam originally, latterly railcars, mostly MPD type. Rarely seen on GN section, not ever used on Bangor line at all as far as I know. NIR – Ordered new 101 Class “Hunslet” locomotives 1970 Various* The trio built new for the “Enterprise”. A poor and underpowered design, they were plagued with unreliability, especially 103. When the 111 “GM” class arrived in 1977 *withdrawal varied. 103 stopped in1980s. 101 last ran about 1994. 102 shunted Adelaide (only!) from then until about 2002 111 Class “GM” locomotives 111 & 112 – 1977 113 - 1981 In use Enterprise duties from new. In 1980s 113 was rarely in traffic. Used on ballast all over NIR since 1990s. Since De Dietrichs arrived, little used – ballast only. 112 was lent to IE for several years, though, in early 2000s and was used on Ballina passenger and beet trains among others. Last passenger use was the early Newry – Central commuter service with “Gatwick” coaches, until c.2000(?) NIR Mk 2 passenger stock 1970 on Early 2000s Original set for Enterprise, later acquisitions. Used on Enterprise mostly, but very briefly a push-pull set on the Derry line late 1980s. Latterly early commuter services Newry – Central. Joined by Gatwick stock, which was the last of this type of stock in use until, the early 2000s, when its solitary use was Dublin rugby specials and the 0700 Newry – Central. I think this ended about 2009? 80 Class Railcars 1974 & 1978 (2 batches) Early 2000s Entire NIR network, with occasional forays to Dublin and beyond. Three sets lent to IE in early 1990s for Greystones shuttle, one working for a short time on the Cork-Cobh suburban line A few held onto until 2017 as the Sandite train; several preserved at DCDR. Absolute mainstay of NIR services for almost 40 years. “Castle” (or 450) Class Railcars 1986 Early 2000s Entire NIR network, with occasional forays as far as Dundalk. I’m unaware of any in Dublin but it’s possible. Latterly didn’t go often to Derry, as this would have left NIR open to claims for torturing passengers… a run in one of these things from Lambeg to Hilden was bad enough. NB: These were never known as “thumpers” by NIR, and only referred to as “450” towards the end of their life: staff and enthusiasts alike called them “Castle Class”…. In this writer’s opinion, by far the most uncomfortable passenger vehicle ever to run on this island – a title shared with MED sets. CAF 3000 & 4000 Class Railcars 200? In use All NIR network plus Dublin Open wagons & Guard’s vans c.1915 1940s About 2 ex-NCC and 2 ex-GN guard’s vans plus a motley collection of dilapidated open wagons used only for ballast trains. Most of the open wagons were ex-NCC stock latterly used for coal traffic to Courtaulds in Carrickfergus. CIE / IE A Class 1955 1996 All duties as new. Unreliable until re-engined 1968-72; so mostly goods in 1960s. Back to main line duties 1972-76, when gradually displaced by 071s back onto secondary passenger and goods. Last six retained on Tara Mines until 1996. One made it to Monaghan. Other locations visited were Harcourt Street, Mallow-Waterford, Tralee – Limerick – Sligo, Ardee, etc. Several preserved (A3, A15, A39, A55). B101 Class 1956 1976 Mostly Cork – Waterford and North Kerry; seen as “southern engines”. To be seen on the Limerick-Sligo line very occasionally on the goods, and the main line Dublin – Cork. After 1976, little used except occasional ballast trains, yet many were repainted in “Supertrain” passenger livery. Unknown on GN section or DSER. However, the last in use (106) did an IRRS special to Bray in 1976 – the last run of one. (My one and only cab ride in one!). B121 Class 1961 Early 2000s These, the 141s and 181s operated as a common fleet, all fitted to run in multiple with each other. All over system, all duties. The 121 class rarely ran “nose-first”, though in later days occasionally did so if on the Belfast goods, when it shunted Barrack Street Yard. B141 Class 1962/3 Early 2000s All CIE system, all duties Several 141s reached Omagh on several occasions in 1963. Other locations included Foynes, Ardee, Loughrea, New Ross, Castleisland, Kingscourt…you get the idea. B181 Class 1967 Early 2000s All CIE system, all duties Last in use - 187 as Connolly Pilot C Class 1956-8 1986 Built for branch lines – which then closed! Used on the West Cork system when new, also places like Birr where there could be heavy cattle and goods traffic. Unreliable until re-engined in late 1960s. Spent 1960s on light goods and shunting, only passenger when absolutely necessary, and on Dublin suburban. From early 1970s until withdrawal increasingly Dublin suburban, push / pulling old AEC railcars and clapped out old Park Royals and laminates until DARTs came along. Six sold to NIR 1986, for ballast and shunting. One never ran with NIR. Others withdrawn (some seeing almost no action) by mid 1990s. Two preserved. D Class 1947 Early 1970s Shunting Dublin area only First Irish built diesels. After 1968/9, only one operational, but did little work beyond an occasional shunt in Inchicore. E401 Class 1956? By 1985 Shunting Dublin area, North Wall, Cork & Limerick – Dublin only within post-1969 period Post 1969, Heuston Yard was the usual haunt. E421 Class 1961/2 c.1986 Shunting Dublin area, North Wall, Cork, Galway & Limerick – Dublin only after late 1970s. Occasional visits elsewhere. G601 Class 1955 c.1962 Three built. Initially allocated to Newmarket, Banagher and Mitchelstown branches, which would then close, leaving them no work, as no vac brakes. Thus couldn’t be used on Loughrea passenger trains. Hung around Inchicore until G602/3 scrapped in 1970s, not used. G601 had fallen into a pit where it remained until the ITG rescued it. Saw occasional shunting service about Cork, Tralee areas, I think. The ONLY revenue was 4-6 wagon trains on goods only branches for a very short few years. I include these (the ones with 3 square windows on the cab) just to illustrate the apparent confusion between them and the later seven G611s. This initial trio are only appropriate for a layout in the 1955-62 period, as they did virtually nothing after that, bar a little bit of shunting within Inchicore. Basically useless purchases. G611 Class 1961 1975* Seven built, this time WITH vac brakes. Used at various times to shunt and Dundalk, Ballina, Tralee, Fenit, Castleisland, Tuam Beet Factory, Cork (Coaching), Galway, Limerick. For three months in 1963 G613 worked the one-sixwheeler Foynes passenger / mixed train, and from 1963 to closure in 1975 they monopolised the Loughrea branch – passenger, goods and mixed. The Loughrea branch closed in November ’75 – last place in Ireland with mixed trains, cattle traffic, traditional branch services and atmosphere, and the only place the G class were ever the “main” traction. And the day I travelled, G613 was away shunting Tuam; I was furious at the sight of a C instead on the mixed train! These were the ones with two larger cab windows. *G611 used unofficially as Limerick works shunter for many years afterwards, following return from Sugar Co. 071 Class 1976 In use Front line main line passenger when new, gradually on goods too, main passenger fleet until replacement by 201s from 1996. Now goods and PW only. Some in use from ’77 only 201 Class 1995 In use Replaced 071s in front line duty from arrival in 1996. Ran with Mk 2, Mk 3, Craven and Mk 4 stock. When large numbers of railcars, especially the ICRs from 2002, started arriving there was little for such a large fleet to do. Thereafter used on Enterprise and Cork Mk 4s, and goods. Underused now, many in store. Some in storage for almost twenty years now, a few having seen barely ten years use. K Class 1954 1974 Ex GNR MAK Diesel No. 800. Spent most of the post-1969 period stored in Inchicore. Briefly ran on Cork-Cobh, then withdrawn. Suitable for a layout where “what might have been” is more important than “what actually happened”! SLNCR Railcar 2509 1947 About 1972 Used within this period only on a few IRRS trips and crew training. As above! 2600 Class Railcars (AEC / BUT) 1951 1972 Used initially on main line & Dublin suburban, including Cork (Albert Quay) – Bantry, and Tralee – Limerick – Sligo. Relegated to Dublin locals only as diesel locos arrived. BUT cars ran little after late 60s and may be outside the scope of this table. Some AEC cars converted late 60s / early 70s to push / pull for Dublin suburban, last examples withdrawn c. 1990. (NB: I saw a CIE AEC set at Hilden on the Enterprise about 1965…) 2600 Class Railcars (modern) 1996 In use The first of the “new” railcars, used when new on Heuston suburban services and the Cobh line. Ran in 2, 4 or 6 car sets usually. Now used entirely in Cork area. Nicknamed “Fanta Cans” when new, due to their version of the orange & black livery. Later became “Lilt Cans” when in the grotesque navy and lime green livery. So I suppose they must be 7-up now…… 2700 Class Railcars 1998? Stored Later versions of above, latterly used in Cork & Limerick areas …….and they LOOK like tins on wheels. 2800 Class railcars Late 1990s In use Similar story to above, currently based round Limerick, with examples seen in Cork too, and used on the Ballina branch. 29000 Class Railcars In use Dundalk – Dublin – DSER, and MGW suburban route. I’m unaware of these going anywhere else – maybe someone can add to this. 22000 Class Railcars (ICR) In use All IE main lines now – they’ve even done the Enterprise DART 1984 on In use Various batches Malahide – Greystones. Initial route (1984) Howth – Bray only Older wooden-bodied carriages 1915-30 1974 CIE kept a stock of ex-GSWR carriages for excursions in the Cork & Dublin areas until 1974. Used on peak suburban services very occasionally, and in complete sets summer excursions to Greystones, Howth and Cork – Youghal. The last six-wheelers (based in Cork) had been withdrawn from service in 1963, though one was used in 1964 for an IRRS jolly over to Albert Quay. Bredin carriages 1933-37 Last c. 1977 Used as a common fleet with the four varieties below, and the three varieties of vans mentioned below. All CIE system. For the modeller it is important to remember that it was only when Mk 2 & Mk 3 stock appeared that “uniform” trains were the norm. CIE 1951-3 carriages 1951-3 Last c. 1980 All CIE Bredins, Laminates, Park Royals, old CIE stock, and Cravens all operated together, and rarely was there a train with two carriages the same beside each other! Laminates 1956-61 Last c. 1990 All CIE Other than Cravens, the other types would have been in West Cork, Tralee – Sligo, Mallow – Waterford, Loughrea, North Wexford, etc etc. Park Royals 1955-6 Last 2 – 1996 All CIE Cravens 1963-4 Last c. 2006? All CIE after 1963/4, thus not some branches There was at least a single occasion which brought a Craven coach into Loughrea on a special. “Tin vans” Mid 50s Last c.1977 All CIE Earlier examples all over branch lines, ran behind steam, and all over Wisht Carrk too. Initially 4-wheeled luggage vans built, then 4 and 6 wheeled genny vans and about 4 x 4 wheeled TPO vans, one of the latter now rescued at DCDR from recent weedspray duties. Last time I saw a “tin£ luggage van on a passenger train was Limerick – Ennis in 1976 or 1977. “Dutch” Vans Mid 60s 2000s All CIE So called as they were built with Werkspoor parts. Last railway vehicles built in Dundalk Works. BR Vans c.1970 2000s All CIE Converted from ex-BR Mk 1 stock, acquired for the purpose of replacing the “tin vans” on main line services Mk 2 “Supertrain” carriages 1972 on 2000s Main lines: Limerick – Claremorris on exceptionally rare excursion Never ran with all the above carriages; nor did anything subsequent. The deathly dull era of trains of all the one type of stock had arrived! Mk 2 AB (second hand BR) carriages 1990s ? All IE Clapped out BR MK 2’s acquired in the mid-1990s as a stop-gap measure until the ICRs and other new railcars arrived. A coat of orange and black, a little sealing wax and sellotape and a 201 up front and it’s grand…. Mk 3 carriages 1986 on 2005/6? IE Main Lines Several sets of these were non-a/c push-pulls, used in conjunction with 121 class locos usually. Mk 4 carriages Late 1990s? In use Dublin - Cork Have been trialled to Killarney “Galway” International carriages 1990s After trials, settled into existence on Heuston – Galway line. Beautiful coaches, very comfortable. Timber-bodied covered vans Mostly 1940s Last c.1971 Seen in every corner of CIE system, and as far as Derry and Belfast up to about 1970. The last examples were GSR / early CIE from 1940-50 period, with an occasional all-wood ex-GN type, inherited from the GNR in 1959. GNR Cement vans 1951-4 Last c.1975 Seen in every corner of CIE system, and as far as Derry and Belfast up to about 1972. “H” vans Mid 50s on Last 1977 Seen in every corner of CIE system, and as far as Derry and Belfast up to about 1972. Palvans Early 60s Last c.1976 Seen in every corner of CIE system, and as far as Derry and Belfast up to about 1972. CIE cattle wagons Early 60s 1975 Seen wherever cattle trains operated in period covered. Mostly Cabra, Loughrea. Cattle declined severely in 1960s. Last was Loughrea, 1975. All wagons then taken to Cork for burning and recovery of metal parts. Ex-GNR cattle wagons were all withdrawn by CIE almost immediately after 1958, and are thus inappropriate for a CIE layout. Bullied designed open wagons Mid 50s on 2002? Built as standard opens for all uses, latterly beet only after goods went fitted from 1977. Seen in every corner of CIE system, and as far as Derry and Belfast up to about 1972. Doubled up and fitted in final years. Last four wheelers in use (beet). As doubled up, Wellington Bridge to Mallow only Wooden-bodied open wagons 1940s on Last c.1971 All CIE, plus Dundalk – Derry & Adelaide goods. Also Derry Road prior to 1965 – but rarely seen in north after 1970 “Lancashire Flats” Late 60s? 1990s?? The first “fitted” container flats – all CIE system plus Belfast / Derry goods. I think NIR got hold of one or two for Larne mail containers. Long wheelbase four wheelers. CIE 20 & 30 Ton Brake Vans Late 50s on 1977* Used for all types of goods trains. From the mid 1950s, early examples built with vertical wooden board sides, sheet steel from early 60s. A concentrated build programme 1959-63, plus branchline closures, eliminated all older types within a very short time. *In traffic, 1977 – but two or three retained for PW, empty stock and other shunting movements well into 2000s. One in some sort of PW train with ends removed, now stored in Limerick without, as far as I know, ever having been used in this guise. Older Brake Vans Various c.1963 See above; a small number (two ex-GSWR, for example) survived into the 1960s but by our period (post 1969) nothing but CIE standards were in traffic. CIE inherited a couple of GNR vans, but these saw little use although one or two received the CIE grey livery and “flying snails”. Withdrawn long before 1969, though NIR retained two at this time on ballast duties. A number of GSWR plough vans survived in PW trains until well into this century, albeit the last two were like Trigger’s Brush; so many newer parts, their originality was suspect! Important to note that plough vans were ONLY for ballast, never used as brake vans. (Someone asked me that recently). Cement “bubbles” Mid 60s on 2000s Ask IRM! Original bubbles 4-wheel, later cement wagons were bogie. Bogie container wagons Early 70s on In use Everywhere there has been fitted freight since the early 1970s Other bogies (Ammonia, Tara, Fertiliser, etc) Various Various Specialist traffic on specific routes only A story in itself; another day! RPSI Whitehead carriages 1960s In use RPSI excursions to all points north of Connolly (except the Navan branch, though RPSI has taken Cravens and wooden stock in there in the past…) These carriages come from three sources, though all are 1960s BR design. 1. Ex NIR 1970 Enterprise (built new then) 2. Later NIR acquisitions for the Enterprise, but 2nd hand BR 3. Vehicles acquired by RPSI direct from England, which never ran here in company service. De Dietrichs (JOINTLY OWNED IE / NIR) 1996 In use Dublin – Belfast (Lanyon Central Maysfields) Spare parts now hard to get, I hear; what will they be replaced with? Maintenance vehicles Various These are a subject in themselves and are not covered. Earliest tamping machines were trialled on Dublin – Dundalk and parts of the Irish North in the mid 50s, and same time on CIE. “Yellow” machines were originally grey. Ballast wagons, plough vans and other “proper” railway vehicles were normal railway livery until the late 1980s, i.e. all grey to about 1970, all brown afterwards. As Wrenn says, they didn't exist. Very few private owner wagons ever ran anywhere in Ireland. Even when a railway set aside stock for a specific customer's traffic, is was almost always just ordinary vehicles from stock. The GNR did have some vans marked "GUINNESS", as did the MGWR - but Guinness' never owned them. Those seeking accuracy on a layout would avoid the all too common Hornby or Bachmann open wagons or vans with anything at all written on them.....as well as the gaudy colours....

Discovered I omitted the Castle Class railcars..... just wrote that lot out last night "off the top'o'me'ead"..... Working on a better version now. Should have done that first, I suppose! Absolutely right. I should have added that the intention was to show normal spheres of operation, leaving occasional one-offs or trial runs out. I'll make this clear in an edited version!