exciecoachbuilder

The silver key on the left was a more modern type of key used for opening smaller interior doors, with smaller locks ( budgie locks) and electrical boxes on carriages. They were also used for opening removable panels , doors etc on C.I.E buses and other road vehicles... Paul...

It's definitely a carriage key, the 'side bar' is very similar to the key for locking/ unlocking locomotive doors. But if GSWR is stamped on it, then I'm not sure? There were a few different types of keys around years ago.

Regardless of the Dart running or not, you are spoiled for choice with the amount of buses going out that direction from the city centre. I mean you are in the real capital city of Ireland in fairness

Thank you, you're welcome.....

Hi, back in the 70's and the early 80's only one red lamp was used on both wagons and carriages. They were paraffin lamps, so they never changed colour. I'm not sure about the side lamps on the guards van? Because I've never seen them lit in my experience in the railway, and I can't ask anyone anymore because any of the older guards and shunters that I knew, are all gone to the great shunting yard in the sky. I know during the MK3 new carriage building program( 1983 -89/90) that drivers at the time had an issue with the red lights that were on the MK3 carriage skirts ( under the body). They were being mistaken for signal lights seemingly, so they changed them to clear/ white lights. Paul......

This is brilliant Paul, and very interesting too. Well done sir... Paul.

I like sidings, and these photos are just brilliant. The photo with the overgrown laneway and the abandoned wagon is superb.

I love photo all the same. It captures perfectly the absolute mess that railway yards etc were before the health and safety rules came in. Inchicore works was very similar, if not worse in the 1970's.

I hope so? It's been a long wait

Great photos.

I Im sure that these carriages were the only CIE carriages that had single louver windows, ( I'm open to correction) . Also, windows on carriages were never called windows in the workshop. They were called side lights. The window that Jonathan is referring to is a single louvre that is closed. I'm fascinated with the front of this coach, it really is a home made job.

A great photo. I knew absolutely nothing about these coaches. The coach looks a bit clumsy imo, and about as aero dynamic as my shed door. But well done to the lads in the carriage shop.

That's them alright, thanks for the photo. That's certainly a flashback.

Speaking of beds on railway vehicles, I remember back in the late 1970's when the new ballast plough vans were being fitted out in the carriage shop. That there was a bed base made from plywood fitted in the van for staff? If someone has further information? My claim to fame on the plough van ,was doing some glazing with another guy on just one of the vans. Paul.....

Here you go JB, 1977, the good oul days.