Garfield

I finally got around to uploading photos I took during my trip to France back in June... These first two shots are of BB 22000 electrics at Gare de Bercy in Paris, which I took while waiting to take a loco-hauled Intercités service to Clermont-Ferrand: A quick snap of some TGVs I took from the train window shortly after departure. I'm guessing the left-hand set is a Reseau rather than an older (but almost identical) Atlantique, while the other two are Duplex sets. The 'Lyria' branding on the centre set denotes that it's used on services to Switzerland. A few minutes later, my train was overtaken by this BB 22000 heading a push-pull set of Corail coaches on a TER Bourgogne (Burgundy regional) service... Three-and-a-half hours later, I stepped off the train in Clermont-Ferrand and took the this quick (poor) photo of a RRR push-pull driving tailer: While in Clermont-Ferrand, I took a visit to the nearby Puy du Dome, an extinct volcano which has some spectacular views from the top. I've been there quite a few times, but this was the first time I used the rack railway to the summit, which was built just a few years ago. Check out the V-shaped sleepers... Meanwhile, back in the town of Clermont-Ferrand, there's a tram system which is fitted with pneumatic tyres and guided by a central rail - a direct influence of Michelin, whose headquarters are in the town! It's the first tram system in the world to use this particular set-up... After a few days in Clermont, it was time to take 'Le Cevenol' south to Nimes. Although its name sounds grand, it's a rather down-at-heel service consisting of a veteran Sulzer-powered BB 674000 diesel and three unrefurbished Corail coaches. The journey took over five hours, but it was completely worth it because of the spectacular scenery on its route through the Cevennes... definitely worthy of its place in lists of Great Railway Journeys! Unfortunately, SNCF neglected to wash the windows, so although I could see through them OK, the film of dirt ruined any photos I tried to take. While waiting to depart from Clermont, this Y8000 locotracteur (shunter) appeared on pilot duties, releasing a loco which had just arrived with some Corails a regional service. The interior of an unrefurbished Corail coach. Surprisingly, I found it more comfortable than the modernised version... although like a lot of SNCF stock, including some TGVs, the air conditioning is mediocre (I'd much rather have a 22k on a hot day!)...

Hopefully printing will proceed this week...

Hi John, I would be interested in getting some of these etches too...

Any chance you could provide Jim Poots' contact details for anyone interested in buying a kit?

Hi Joe, site rules state that you must name a price, so could you please provide details? Sorry to hear you have to sell your collection.

This series was broadcast a few years and has been repeated since. All told, it's pretty disappointing.

Hi John, Great news! I'd be interested in a couple of TPOs and a tool van.

The thread is about a DART derailment, and while some users drew funny comparisons to the Garth Brooks concerts, your post had nothing to do with the derailment at all, and so was veering off-topic. There are links to the forum's rules all over the site, so you really have no excuse not to be familiar with them at this stage... but then again, seeing as you chose to ignore PMs from mods in the past, and how you're just back from a ban for verbally abusing another mod, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Do not respond to this post on the thread. If you have a grievance, take it up via PM.

Wow! Just... wow! The concrete slabs look fantastic, as does the wagon.

'Trains, Coal and Turf: Transport in Emergency Ireland' by Peter Rigney has a few photos of such trains... including an overhead shot. The vehicle in the foreground of the above photo is one of the GSR's Drewry railcars.

Mod: Irrelevant to this discussion.

Wouldn't mind this: http://www.platinumfighters.com/#!ta-4j-skyhawk/masterpage_37 It's a tad more expensive, mind you!

Great stuff! I'm currently uploading photos from my trip to France last month...

Details here: http://newirishlines.org/about/

New Irish Lines subscribers will no doubt be aware that the May 2014 edition is now well overdue. However, it should be ready to go within the next couple of weeks. I recently came on board to look after the design of the newsletter, and we encountered a few snags which pushed back the deadline. However, that's all sorted now, so here's a sneak peak of what to expect...

Ah here, already used that one!

It has definitely run out of steam...

It has definitely run out of steam...

Caught this having a nap in Longford about 20 minutes ago... it's the second time I've seen the weedsprayer on the Sligo line in recent weeks.

Great to hear! Must get a few more 40fts...

Shem, try uploading to tinypic.com, then copy the link and paste it into your post... He already acknowledged that above.

Mod: Not really relevant, Steven... they're entitled to hold it whenever they want. No need for that...

Oh, go on so... PM me your PayPal details and we'll take it from there.

The postman delivered this on Friday morning... an old Joeuf DU 65 'draisine'. These little permanent way vehicles can still be seen scurrying along on railway lines over France. The model is showing its age, the 'windows' are grey plastic to hide the motor inside, and there's some bad overspray on the factory paintjob. Should make an interesting detailing/upgrade project at some point, though...