jhb171achill

Indeed - I initially referred to the narrow gauge, forgot to put the BG on the list. So that’s another. Locomotives?

Compared with the island between us and mainland Europe, with its massive andn varied industries in Victorian times, we had very little in the way of industrial railways, and what few we had were often just short sidings operated by the adjacent railway company. But there were some; the large Guinness and even larger Bord na Mona systems are well known. However, on the 5'3", I'm trying to jog my memory on what there were in the way of privately-owned steam locos working on their own tracks in or near industries. So far, I've got: 1. Courtaulds, Carrickfergus 2. Derry Harbour Commissioners 3. Allman's Distillery, Bandon - the loco of which eventually went to the GSR to shunt the sharply curved quay sidings adjacent to Albert Quay station 4. Carlow, Tuam, Thurles and Mallow sugar factories 5. Shell, Alexandra Rd., the little diesel shunter now at Whitehead Anything else? I'm not counting the 1 horsepower, eco-friendly fuel, green-friendly emission units at Loughgilly, Co. Armagh, and Shannonvale Mill in Co. Cork.... What I have in mind is whether I should get one of those little Peckett 0.4.0STs for a mill near Dugort Harbour.... there's a small scenic corner which could take a siding into it....

My thoughts exactly. I just hope that this whole thing isn't a false dawn; the answer appears to be that all in the know insist that the line very definitely WILL reopen; but equally, not a solitary credible freight flow appears to have been identified. If there is one in the making, one would think that it would be in the public domain by now. If they complete it and run an 071 in, to much fanfare and ribbon-cutting, will it then be quietly abandoned? I hope not. The government's attitude to supporting rail freight in the last decade has not been impressive, and what happens if the next government doesn't include any Green Party in coalition?

Interesting. I've seen / heard locomotives and other things passing by at maybe midnight or 1 am, but never that late. This thing, whatever it was, had tail lights that I could see.....

Absolutely!!!!!

Correct. The GNR often used their own stock on this line as well as the ageing DNGR six-wheelers.

And the real thing didn't have that enormous hand on it either........

If only! I think they’d sell well….. Answer is no, not at the moment. There’s a kit, but it’s only suitable for a highly skilled kit maker.

Something’s just passed through Malahide southbound, 03:23. Unlikely to be the Enterprise, but sounded like an 071, not those yellow things. So - what was it? No, I have not been on the drink tonight, more’s the pity……

WOW!!!

Wow! Open door - looking through the building.... I can just see the cobweb behind the door, the dank smell inside, since it hasn't been open since last September when Clogherhead Parish went off to Lough Derg, courtesy of a train to Omagh and a bus from there... Oul creepers up the building too - CIE, get someone out to clean the place up a bit! Excellent work as always!

The main line stuff is owned by the ITG and stored across the road.

I could be wrong on this - maybe someone more knowledgable on modern image will comment - but I have certainly seen a 7-car at Heuston on several occasions, and I just THINK there might have been an 8 or 9 car one time some years ago on a Cork train?

I've been thinking about just such a thing, but in a rural setting with a G class or 0.6.0 and half a dozen old goods vans.........

I'm not familiar with what it is, but yes, they do seem to move stuff like that about at night. Saw lights at 1 am in the quarry siding a few weeks ago....

Rockall?

Today the Enterprise had 216 and one of the zebras - didn't catch which one. By the way, as I type this at 00:23, I've just heard an 071 passing through Malahide. Anyone know what's happening? Presumably it's towing some sort of yellow thing about the place?

This site is owned and operated, like several Irish heritage outfits, by a sole private owner. The Achilles' heel of such operations, without an actual preservation society set up, is that when the owner becomes elderly or infirm, the whole thing often folds up. I have not been in touch with the owners for a while, so I am not in a position to comment on whether this is the situation with them, but what I do know is that Jackie and his good lady are indeed elderly, and other than that there's just their son involved; plus, they have not been trading frequently in recent years, which could suggest that those involved don't have the time. It's a pity, but it is reflective of the overall low level of interest on this island in railway heritage. As you say, let us hope they are in good health.

They look better on your layout than on hattons website - did you touch them up a bit?

Love the stone walls at the side of the road on the bridge. How did you make those?

Oh, indeed - no ill reflection on railway staff intended; quite the reverse; it's they that have to contend with the daily vagaries - the "challenging conditions" - more so than the public. But it does seem that timekeeping and reliability has declined overall.

I’ve heard of coarse gritty soil, sieved and washed, being used for ground cover and ballast. Cost: €0.

Will there EVER again be a mechanically reliable, prompt service which reliably runs to time, on this line ever again? The Belfast service is getting more like the West Clare in Percy French’s time with every passing week….

Superb!

Eleven (not nine as I initially posted) livery variations, in fact!