Mol_PMB Posted January 6 Posted January 6 (edited) I'd originally thought of building a smallish shunting layout because it would be easily portable and fit in various possible spaces, but I already have an O gauge 'inglenook' style layout and to be honest it gets very little use (although it looks quite pretty). So now I'm thinking that for the Irish option I'd perhaps rather watch trains passing through the scenery. I do enjoy scenic modelling. This is perhaps also influenced by the reliability of a 21mm gauge shunting layout and the choice of couplings in 4mm scale that enable effective shunting. I am mulling over ideas for a built-in layout in the loft space. This would require some work on the loft first, which has been part of the general plan for the house for a while. Perhaps a layout plan would spur me on to fitting out the loft? The sketch below shows the plan view of the loft-space and an end elevation. The basic space is 3.6m (12') wide and 3.75m (12'6") long, extending a further 0.25m between the chimneys. This alcove would favour a traverser-style fiddle yard which could be 1.8m (6') long. It looks like it's quite feasible to have a circuit 3.3m (11') across in each direction, with 1m radius curves. Obviously it could be more complex and with a more natural trackplan, but it gives an idea of what's feasible: The space is too small for a worthwhile 7mm scale layout (which is my main scale for non-Irish stuff), which is probably why it has remained unused. However, I think it looks quite reasonable for 4mm scale. The fiddle yard length would allow realistic length Irish passenger trains of 5 coaches (Cravens/Park Royal etc); alternatively freights of 8 bogies or nearly 20 traditional 4-wheelers. Potentially up to 8 tracks on the traverser would give scope for a couple of passenger trains and a good mix of freights. I think I could fit in a station with passing loop and simple goods facilities on any of the 3 sides not occupied by the fiddle yard, although the ends of the station would have to bend round the curves. The remainder of the layout could just be single track through scenery, allowing a view of the whole train. Having spent a lot of my childhood visits to Ireland in and around Ennis, I'm wondering if a representation of that station and yard (in early 1980s state) could be squeezed in. Station on the left side of the plan, north end road bridge at the top, the south end throat would have to curve round in the bottom left corner. I think it would need only 5 or 6 points. Scenery-wise, Clare Abbey bottom right and the Fergus bridge middle right? Some trains would run through, others would stop and shunt before continuing in the same direction, while some would come from Limerick direction, terminate at Ennis and later return to the fiddle yard. Of course there are a load of practical issues to deal with including fitting out the loft and the temperature fluctuations. Operations at Ennis I am mulling over ideas for a layout based on Ennis in the 1970s/1980s, so I thought I’d have a look at the traffic and operations there and record my notes here in case anyone else might be interested. This is based primarily on the CIE Working Timetables in my collection, though in due course I will try and cross-reference them with photos. I’ll look at several different dates over a 15-year period. My earliest CIE Working Timetable is dated November 1975. This was a significant edition for rail services in the west of Ireland because the ‘Burma Road’ from Claremorris to Sligo closed at the start of that month, as did the Loughrea branch. The pattern of freight traffic was changing under the “Rail Plan 80” with loose-coupled vans being superseded by containerised general freight and special wagons for bulk freight. Wagonload freight was concentrated at regional hubs, with freight facilities at many smaller stations being closed. Ennis was a winner here, becoming a regional hub with a new goods store and container gantry. 1975 is also a significant year for me as it was the first time I visited Ennis, albeit as an unborn foetus. It was to become a familiar place with family holidays there every year until the early 1990s. On weekdays, the trains at Ennis in winter 1975 can be summarised as follows: Train Arr Dep Dir’n Days Loco Limerick – Claremorris loose-coupled goods 05:51 06:15 NB Tues-Sat 001 Limerick – Ennis loose-coupled goods 07:58 09:05* NB Mon-Sat 141 Cork – Galway/Tuam/west fertiliser path 08:25 08:25 NB As req’d 001 Ennis – Limerick light engine 08:50 SB Mon-Sat 141 Athenry – Limerick light engine 11:41* 11:55* SB As req’d 141 Limerick – Ennis passenger mail 11:52 NB Mon-Sat 141 Ennis – Limerick passenger mail 12:40 SB Mon-Sat 141 Limerick – Ballina passenger 14:42 14:45 NB Mon-Sat 141 Claremorris – Limerick loose-coupled goods 16:15 17:30 SB Mon-Fri 001 Galway/Tuam/west – Cork empty fertiliser path 16:37 16:37 SB As req’d 001 Ballina – Limerick passenger 17:08 17:11 SB Mon-Sat 141 * Path for this train to continue to Athenry if required, and LE return It’s hardly Clapham Junction, but there are some busy moments; there are potentially two trains present at 08:25, 11:52, 16:37 and 17:08. Some trains run though, some pause and shunt, and others terminate, run round and return. Most of the action is in daylight. A mix of freight and passenger, and 001s and 141s. Quite interesting. No Sunday trains are shown. Edited January 6 by Mol_PMB forum merged two replies which I didn't want. Quote
Mol_PMB Posted January 6 Author Posted January 6 (edited) Moving forward to summer 1978 which is my next Working Timetable, the regular passenger service had been withdrawn although the line was still popular for special trains including pilgrimages to Knock, GAA and other sporting fixtures, etc. The pattern of freights had changed significantly – the loose-coupled freights had vanished except for a seasonal beet path, replaced with paths for pallet cement and fertiliser trains. There was a Dublin-Ennis Liner via Limerick which ran 5 days a week, otherwise it was just paths as required. On weekdays, the trains at Ennis in summer 1978 can be summarised as follows: Train Arr Dep Dir’n Days Loco Dublin – Ennis Liner 01:22 NB Tues-Sat 001 Ennis – Dublin Liner 02:05 SB Tues-Sat 001 Mayo – Limerick empty cement path 03:39 03:39 SB As req’d 001 Beet Special (loose-coupled) 09:55 09:55 NB As req’d 001 Limerick – Mayo bagged cement path 12:27 12:27 NB As req’d 001 Limerick – Tuam/Galway bagged cement path 12:27 14:30 NB As req’d 001 Mayo/Galway – Cork empty fertiliser path 15:19 15:19 SB As req’d 001 Empty Beet Special (loose-coupled) 20:49 20:49 SB As req’d 001 Tuam/Galway – Limerick empty cement path 23:22 23:22 SB As req’d 001 Cork – West fertiliser path 23:17 23:27 NB As req’d 001 This is rather less interesting than 1975. Only one daily service, the rest are paths as required. A solid diet of 001s, and most of the action is in the middle of the night. The only time when two trains might be present at the same time is at 23:20. However, on Sundays, four paths for Knock Specials are provided; no traction is specified but I think these were usually a pair of baby GMs: Train Arr Dep Dir’n Days Loco South – Claremorris special passenger 09:45 09:45 NB As req’d South – Claremorris special passenger 10:22 10:22 NB As req’d South – Claremorris special passenger 10:59 10:59 NB As req’d South – Claremorris special passenger 11:35 11:35 NB As req’d Claremorris – South special passenger 19:28 19:28 SB As req’d Claremorris – South special passenger 20:05 20:05 SB As req’d Claremorris – South special passenger 20:43 20:43 SB As req’d Claremorris – South special passenger 21:29 21:29 SB As req’d I do wish the forum would stop automatically merging replies when I'm trying to space them out to tell a story in chapters. And then making it difficult to edit the merged result. anyway... Edited January 6 by Mol_PMB Quote
Mol_PMB Posted January 6 Author Posted January 6 My next Working Timetable commences January 1985. There was still no regular passenger service but the freights have become a little more interesting with the addition of bulk cement to Athenry, the return of a rostered 141 turn, and it all runs in daylight. The Galway – Ennis bagged cement path is a little mysterious as it’s not clear what happens when it arrives at Ennis, or indeed whether it is laden (which is implied in the WTT because it doesn't say empty, but seems to be the wrong direction for a laden cement train). Perhaps it continues to Limerick combined with the liner? There are no occasions where more than one train is present. On weekdays, the trains at Ennis in 1985 can be summarised as follows: Train Arr Dep Dir’n Days Loco Limerick – Mayo bagged cement path 06:27 06:27 NB As req’d 001 Limerick – Athenry bulk cement path 07:27 07:27 NB As req’d 001 Limerick – Ennis Liner 08:30 NB Mon-Fri 141 Ennis – Limerick light engine 08:45 SB Mon-Fri 141 Limerick – Mayo fertiliser path 10:37 10:37 NB As req’d 001 Athenry – Limerick empty cement path 12:49 12:49 SB As req’d 001 Galway – Ennis bagged cement path 14:01 SB As req’d 001 Limerick – Ennis light engine 15:20 NB Mon-Fri 141 Ennis – Limerick Liner 15:45 SB Mon-Fri 141 Mayo – Limerick empty fertiliser/cement path 19:17 19:17 SB As req’d 001 Galway – Farranfore fertiliser path 19:29 19:29 SB As req’d 001 On Sundays, three paths for Knock Specials are provided; no traction is specified but I think these were usually a pair of baby GMs: Train Arr Dep Dir’n Days Loco South – Claremorris special passenger 09:45 09:45 NB As req’d South – Claremorris special passenger 10:38 10:38 NB As req’d South – Claremorris special passenger 11:37 11:37 NB As req’d Claremorris – South special passenger 19:28 19:28 SB As req’d Claremorris – South special passenger 20:23 20:23 SB As req’d Claremorris – South special passenger 21:15 21:15 SB As req’d Quote
Mol_PMB Posted January 6 Author Posted January 6 My next Working Timetable commences January 1986. There was still no regular passenger service and many of the freight paths were similar to the previous year, but the addition of the Foynes – Ballina coal and oil train and some extra cement paths adds some interest. There are few, if any, occasions when more than one train is at Ennis. This is the period that's clearest in my memory and it was rare to see a train at Ennis. The one I did photograph was a fertiliser train serving Ennis itself, which had possibly run in the path of the Limerick-Mayo fertiliser. Certainly it was towards the middle of the day, and the wagons of the Ennis Liner were also present under the container crane. On weekdays, the trains at Ennis in 1986 can be summarised as follows: Train Arr Dep Dir’n Days Loco Limerick – Mayo bagged cement path 06:27 06:27 NB As req’d 001 Limerick – Athenry bulk cement path 07:27 07:27 NB As req’d 001 Limerick – Ennis Liner 08:30 NB Mon-Fri 141 Ennis – Limerick light engine 08:45 SB Mon-Fri 141 Limerick – Mayo fertiliser path 09:57 09:57 NB As req’d 001 Athenry – Limerick empty cement path 12:49 12:49 SB As req’d 001 Foynes – Ballina coal and oil 14:42 14:42 NB Mon, Thurs 001 Galway – Ennis bagged cement path 14:01 SB As req’d 001 Limerick – Ennis light engine 15:35 NB Mon-Fri 141 Ennis – Limerick Liner 15:45 SB Mon-Fri 141 Galway – Limerick empty cement path 16:17 16:50 SB As req’d 001 Ballina – Limerick empty coal and oil 18:05 18:05 SB Wed, Sat 001 Mayo – Limerick empty fertiliser/cement path 19:17 19:17 SB As req’d 001 Galway – Farranfore fertiliser path 19:29 19:29 SB As req’d 001 Westport/Tuam – Limerick bagged cement path 20:52 20:52 SB As req’d 001 Around this time there were occasional passenger excursions from Ennis to Dublin, and I travelled on one of them. Probably in the path that would be used for the resumption of regular passenger services as we'll see in my next post. On Sundays, three paths for Knock Specials are provided; no traction is specified but I think these were usually a pair of baby GMs: Train Arr Dep Dir’n Days Loco South – Claremorris special passenger 09:45 09:45 NB As req’d South – Claremorris special passenger 10:38 10:38 NB As req’d South – Claremorris special passenger 11:37 11:37 NB As req’d Claremorris – South special passenger 19:28 19:28 SB As req’d Claremorris – South special passenger 20:23 20:23 SB As req’d Claremorris – South special passenger 21:15 21:15 SB As req’d Quote
Mol_PMB Posted January 6 Author Posted January 6 My newest Working Timetable commences July 1990. By this time, there was a twice-weekly passenger service as far as Ennis, in addition to the freights. There are clearly some freight paths which wouldn’t work on Tuesdays and Thursdays when the passenger train runs, although in most cases this isn’t explicitly stated in the WTT. There are few, if any, occasions when more than one train is at Ennis. On weekdays, the trains at Ennis in 1990 can be summarised as follows: Train Arr Dep Dir’n Days Loco Limerick – Mayo bagged cement path 06:27 06:27 NB As req’d 001 Limerick – Ennis empty passenger 07:10 NB Tues, Thurs 141 Ennis – Limerick passenger 07:45 SB Tues, Thurs 141 Limerick – Athenry bulk cement path 07:27 07:27 NB As req’d 001 Limerick – Ennis Liner 08:30 NB Mon Wed Fri 141 Ennis – Limerick light engine 08:45 SB Mon Wed Fri 141 Limerick – Ennis Liner 09:30 NB Tues, Thurs 141 Ennis – Limerick light engine 09:45 SB Tues, Thurs 141 Limerick – Mayo fertiliser path 09:57 09:57 NB As req’d 001 Athenry – Limerick empty cement path 12:49 12:49 SB As req’d 001 Galway – Ennis bagged cement path 14:01 SB As req’d 001 Foynes – Ballina coal and oil 14:42 14:42 NB Mon 001 Limerick – Ennis light engine 15:50 NB Mon-Fri 141 Ennis – Limerick Liner 16:00 SB Mon-Fri 141 Galway – Limerick empty cement path 16:17 17:00 SB As req’d 001 Ballina – Limerick empty coal and oil 18:05 18:05 SB Fri 001 Mayo – Limerick empty fertiliser/cement path 19:17 19:17 SB As req’d 001 Limerick – Ennis passenger 20:30 NB Tues, Thurs 141 Ennis – Limerick empty passenger 20:40 SB Tues, Thurs 141 Westport/Tuam – Limerick bagged cement path 20:52 20:52 SB MWF As req’d 001 The evening passenger train may be an extension of the 17:40 Dublin-Limerick, or a connecting train out of that service. A decade later, the Dublin train definitely ran through to Ennis, often with a pair of 141s hauling the long rake of Mk3 coaches. The morning passenger train would connect with the 08:30 Limerick-Dublin and might be formed of the same set, or just be a connecting train. On Sundays, three paths for Knock Specials are provided; no traction is specified but I think these were usually a pair of baby GMs: Train Arr Dep Dir’n Days Loco South – Claremorris special passenger 09:40 09:40 NB As req’d South – Claremorris special passenger 10:35 10:35 NB As req’d South – Claremorris special passenger 11:35 11:35 NB As req’d Claremorris – South special passenger 19:28 19:28 SB As req’d Claremorris – South special passenger 20:23 20:23 SB As req’d Claremorris – South special passenger 21:15 21:15 SB As req’d Overall, in the period that interests me there is some good variety of freight and passenger workings at Ennis. The ‘best’ years are probably the two extremes of the dates I’ve looked at – 1975 and 1990, because they include some regular (if infrequent) passenger trains, as well as a good variety of freight with a mix of 001 and 141 haulage. Over the years I've looked at, freight traffic to or through Ennis included: Traditional loose-coupled freight Beet specials (loose coupled) Fertiliser in bogie wagons Pallet cement in 4-wheel wagons Bulk cement in 4-wheel wagons Liner trains with a variety of containers Containerised coal and oil trains 1978 was definitely the worst year for modellable operations as there were very few trains, all block freight paths booked for 001 haulage, and mostly operating in darkness. In more recent times (well still over 20 years ago to be honest) I have also seen log trains and ballast trains at Ennis. But now, I think there's just the passenger services which have become vastly better than they were before. Quote
Mol_PMB Posted January 6 Author Posted January 6 My childhood memories of Ennis in the mid 80s to early 90s, not all the same year but don't ask me exacly when! 14 Quote
StevieB Posted January 7 Posted January 7 Some lovely work there Paul. I actually find this aspect of modelling more interesting than actual modelling itself, letting the imagination have free rein. My particular interest is the unbuilt Cork & Waterford Railway that would have run through Youghal, Dungarvan and Tramore. I have produced timetables for what might have happened at Youghal, Youghal Junction (if the line hadn’t actually run through Youghal) and Waterford South. One day I’ll put it all together into a model of one of these. Stephen 3 Quote
LNERW1 Posted January 7 Posted January 7 To be honest I’ve never really considered Ennis at all a broad gauge operation-my introduction to it was by a book on the West Clare- but this seems fascinating and more than worthwhile. Of course you have memories of the station as well which would seem to help. Best of luck- I would love to see you make a layout as you have demonstrated nothing but skill, talent (are they the same thing?) and supreme knowledge of the prototype since you’ve joined the forum- at least from my perspective as a young, new and relatively inexperienced modeller. Plenty of potential and I can’t wait to see the final product. Will it be 00 or 21mm gauge? 1 1 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted January 7 Author Posted January 7 Many thanks for your kind words! I think there are lots of interesting stations in Ireland and a personal connection with somewhere is certainly a strong influence. My intention is that it would be 21mm gauge. By using a traverser fiddle yard I can avoid a lot of points, and perhaps would only need 5 or 6 points on the scenic part of the layout. Of course, the trackplan at Ennis evolved over time, and as you say there was once the narrow gauge side too. That disappeared pretty quickly in the early 1960s. Ennis had a significant rebuild in the mid-1970s which involved closing the north signal cabin and simplifying the remaining layout, while adding a new container gantry and goods store to suit large quantities of palletised traffic. Affter that it didn't change much until the 'Western Rail Corridor' rebuilds in the early 2000s. So the infrastructure could represent a range of periods from the end of the loose-coupled freight era in the mid 1970s up to the 1990s. Later I'll collate some photos and plans to show the basic layout at that time. To add to my previous analysis of the Working Timetables in my collection, today I found this interesting description of the gradual re-introduction of passenger services at Ennis in the 1980s: https://branchline.uk/rail_chronology/Ennis.html As well as giving details of dates and workings, this confirms that some of the trains ran direct through to Dublin, others to/from Limerick Junction or Ballybrophy. Some of the direct Ennis-Dublin services comprised lengthy Mk2 AC stock sets, although the one I travelled on was a Cravens set. From looking at photos, there was another occasional freight traffic throughout the 1970s-1990s period - individual fuel oil tankers to the Ennis bus depot in the old loco shed. These could be added to the Ennis liner or other suitable freight. Also, in the mid 1970s the fertiliser trains could be formed of 'back-to-back' swapbodies on 4-wheel flat wagons, rather than the more familiar bogie fertiliser wagons. 8 hours ago, StevieB said: Some lovely work there Paul. I actually find this aspect of modelling more interesting than actual modelling itself, letting the imagination have free rein. My particular interest is the unbuilt Cork & Waterford Railway that would have run through Youghal, Dungarvan and Tramore. I have produced timetables for what might have happened at Youghal, Youghal Junction (if the line hadn’t actually run through Youghal) and Waterford South. One day I’ll put it all together into a model of one of these. Stephen Thanks! You're right, I do really enjoy the research as well as the modelmaking. It's fascinating to learn about what really happened, as well as about what nearly happened, and sometimes the 'might-have-beens' are more appealing than a model based on a real station which will inevitably have compromises. I look forward to seeing what you come up with! 1 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted January 7 Author Posted January 7 Here are some diagrams I've drawn to show the evolution of the track layout at Ennis in the 20th century. They are not to scale, but I think they are topologically correct. I have deliberately excluded the narrow gauge lines, and what occurs north of the road overbridge, as that would be the scenic break on my proposed model. The 1904 layout is taken from signalling diagrams for the South Cabin and part of the North Cabin's area too. The North Cabin also controlled the convergence to the single line in the Athenry direction (beyond the bridge) as well as some more sidings in that area. The main passing loop has a platform on each side. Behind the main platform is the loco shed and turntable, while on the other side is the goods store and various other sidings. This layout remained largely unchanged until the 1960s, although there were some minor rearrangements of the goods sidings. The narrow gauge side (not shown) was removed in 1961. In the mid-1970s the layout was substantially altered. The North Cabin was abolished along with the sidings beyond the road bridge; this end of the layout just became a simple convergence of the two loop tracks into the single running line, and was altered to be controlled from the South Cabin. There was no longer any connection to the goods yard at the north end of the station. The goods facilities were modernised with two long sidings, connected at the end to form a run-round loop. A new container gantry crane ran over one of the sidings, while the other served a large new goods store for palletised produce. Initially the old goods store was reconnected (in a different way to previously) and remained in use for traditional goods wagons for a couple of years. This layout remained much the same through the 1980s and 1990s, except that the old goods store was disconnected, and the sidings by the engine shed (now acting as the bus garage) were simplified. The remaining sidings on this side were now used by the PW department, and for the occasional tank of diesel for the bus depot alongside. This is roughly how I would plan to model it, although some compression would be needed. This official IE plan, posted by Fred Dean on Flickr, is dated early 2000s and shows the same basic layout (albeit presented the other way up, and properly to scale): 3 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted January 7 Author Posted January 7 Let's look at some photos from the late 1970s and early 1980s period. Firstly, from John Law on Flickr, we're standing on the road bridge looking south towards Limerick. Passenger station on the right, note the footbridge and station building. The buses mark the position of the former narrow gauge platform. Freight yard on the left. A fertiliser train is on the outer siding, and some container flats on the inner siding under the gantry crane. Also from John Law, now standing on the footbridge looking north towards the road bridge. A southbound bulk cement train is passing through. Note the buffer stop just in front of the bridge, where the goods yard tracks converge and terminate: Stepping down from the footbridge and looking south again (thanks to Loose Grip on Flickr), we can see the line towards Limerick and the various sidings converging on it just beyond the signal box: Walking down the platform and thanks to Ernie on Flickr, here a short liner train arrives at Ennis, with the container gantry crane visible in the yard behind. The old goods store siding is still connected with the points visible just behind the brake van: Now doing a little light trespassing down to the station throat, here's a view of the same area looking north, thanks to Andrew Pullar on Flickr. The loco stands by the signalbox, the former loco shed is on the left with a big steam crane stabled on the former turntable road. Note the disconnected track to the old goods store on the right: Walking a little further south along the tracks, this photo linked from Jonathan Allen on Flickr gives a better view of the throat, former engine shed on the left and the goods facilities on the right: Again from Jonathan Allen on Flickr, we have stepped across into the yard with a nice view of the container handling facilities as well as the modern goods store on the right: And stepping across a bit further into the shadow of the modern goods store, we can see the outer siding (not under the gantry) which was used for palletised freight such as fertiliser and cement: Hopefully that gives a feel for the place! 5 Quote
David Holman Posted January 8 Posted January 8 If you haven't already, check the Patrick's Layout thread, on page two of this section. Shows just how well a simple track plan can work by putting the railway in the scenery. Certainly lots to inspire in those photos posted yesterday! 2 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted January 8 Author Posted January 8 1 hour ago, David Holman said: If you haven't already, check the Patrick's Layout thread, on page two of this section. Shows just how well a simple track plan can work by putting the railway in the scenery. Certainly lots to inspire in those photos posted yesterday! David, you're right and a smaller layout is definitely more likely to get finished (or even to get started!) It could also be made portable, though I confess I've never really been tempted to show my models at an exhibition. Patrick's layout looks superb, very inspirational. What I'm struggling with at present is that in my preferred 1980-ish period for Irish modelling, it's hard to imagine a plausible prototype for a small layout with good operating potential. Freight traffic was either containerised (so the shunting is with a crane not a loco) or in block trains usually of one or two commodities. Passenger trains tended to be long and infrequent. I still think that my earlier idea of modelling part of Limerick wagon works is a good one, quite compact and an excuse for any type of wagon or loco to turn up. But ultimately it would be just shuffling wagons around rather than with having sort of purpose to the operations. I am also somewhat nervous of the reliability of visually acceptable autocouplings and shunting through handbuilt 21mm gauge pointwork. My alternative space for a small layout is 1750mm long and 450mm wide, and would be in the living room. Potentially a 600mm long sector plate with 2 or 3 tracks could be added to one end, but this is in a constricted space which does not favour other fiddle-yard options like traverser, turntable or cassettes. I'll mull over some ideas. Maybe a harbour scene with facilities for containers and bulk cement exports? Quote
StevieB Posted January 8 Posted January 8 The other layout to look at is Noel’s Gort, small but with plenty of operational activity. Stephen 2 1 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted January 8 Author Posted January 8 9 minutes ago, StevieB said: The other layout to look at is Noel’s Gort, small but with plenty of operational activity. Stephen Many thanks, yes, absolutely, just one station further north from Ennis. I'm familiar with his very impressive layout on RMweb. I'm just mulling over an alternative idea for the Fenit harbour line surviving into the 1980s to serve the oil prospecting activities (assuming that they found more oil than they actually did). It seems there was even a modern crane installed, though the railway had closed by then: ARCHIVES: Norwegian ship arrives for Fenit oil | Irish Independent 1 Quote
Patrick Davey Posted January 8 Posted January 8 Great ideas and impressive research, love the historical photos! Looking forward to watching the progress!! 1 Quote
StevieB Posted January 8 Posted January 8 Another alternative would be the CB&SCR, assuming it stayed open to deal with the oil discovered offshore thereabouts. We could go on. Stephen 1 Quote
jhb171achill Posted January 8 Posted January 8 9 hours ago, Mol_PMB said: David, you're right and a smaller layout is definitely more likely to get finished (or even to get started!) It could also be made portable, though I confess I've never really been tempted to show my models at an exhibition. ................................ Maybe a harbour scene with facilities for containers and bulk cement exports? A perfect potential location is a place called Inishlyre in Co Mayo, just north of Westport. There was a serious proposal in the 1890s to construct a small branch off the Achill line to serve a proposed new harbour there (which never materialised). Had the line been built - and it nearly was - it would have ended in nothing more than a run-round loop and a single adjacent siding, which would have continued onto a new pier. Pulling together references to this proposal, plus an on-site survey by me last year, it would appear that it would have ended up something like this - if anything, the perfect small-space shunting layout. Add another siding for the craic and away ye go. There is nor reference in MGWR papers to any proposed buildings at all, but it's likely there might have been some sort of small rudimentary shed. 1 Quote
MOGUL Posted January 8 Posted January 8 7 hours ago, Mol_PMB said: Many thanks, yes, absolutely, just one station further north from Ennis. I'm familiar with his very impressive layout on RMweb. I'm just mulling over an alternative idea for the Fenit harbour line surviving into the 1980s to serve the oil prospecting activities (assuming that they found more oil than they actually did). It seems there was even a modern crane installed, though the railway had closed by then: ARCHIVES: Norwegian ship arrives for Fenit oil | Irish Independent Stretching rule 1 a little, you could have Fenit handling exports of harbour crane parts from Liebherr in Fossa.. It still handles these to this day, and I’m fairly sure Liebherr did make use of rail at one stage, just not to Fenit obviously.. A look at the rail freight to the far north of Scotland for the oil industry gives a good idea of what could be handled -Pipes on flat wagons - Drilling mud in tank wagons or offshore tanks(think tank containers but smaller) - Drill heads in open wagons, with Cameron in Longford the destination for these 1 Quote
David Holman Posted January 8 Posted January 8 Or extend the life of the Burma Road for a few years, maybe? Loco hauled trains, often only a couple of coaches long. There again, fictional locations can be anything you like. 1 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted January 9 Author Posted January 9 I've now acquired a June 1967 WTT so I can backdate the Ennis timetable by a few years. There is one passenger train which does a daily round trip from Ballina to Limerick, which is a worse provision than in 1975. However, there is heavy freight traffic on the line, with 3 or 4 northbound freights from Limerick to Sligo, Claremorris, and 1 or 2 to Athenry. Two of these are balanced by return freights, while the other two are balanced by light engine movements, suggesting that northbound traffic was heavier and southbound trains were mostly empties. There is no distinction between types of freight train, and they all paused at Ennis to shunt. However, it was the Claremorris services which had the longest time at Ennis for shunting so they may have carried most of the Ennis traffic. Just after lunch the southbound passenger passed through Ennis station while a northbound freight was shunting. The situation was reveresed in late afternoon as the northbound passenger crossed a southbound freight while it was shunting at Ennis. There was also a southbound light engine around this time. Train Arr Dep Dir’n Days Limerick – Sligo loose coupled goods 04:40 05:30 NB Daily Limerick – Athenry goods path 06:51 07:15 NB As req’d Limerick – Claremorris loose coupled goods 08:06 09:30 NB Daily Athenry – Limerick light engine path 10:30 10:30 SB As req’d Ballina – Limerick passenger 12:51 12:54 SB Daily Limerick – Athenry loose coupled goods 12:08 13:15 NB Daily Claremorris – Limerick loose coupled goods 14:50 17:30 SB Daily Limerick – Ballina passenger 16:17 16:20 NB Daily Athenry – Limerick light engine 17:13 17:13 SB Daily Sligo – Limerick loose coupled goods 20:17 20:40 SB Daily No Sunday trains are shown. This lovely photo from Ernie on Flickr shows a southbound freight in mid afternoon; this is probably the arrival of the Claremorris-Limerick freight at 14:50: 2 Quote
Horsetan Posted January 9 Posted January 9 On 6/1/2025 at 8:50 PM, Mol_PMB said: My childhood memories of Ennis in the mid 80s to early 90s, not all the same year but don't ask me exacly when! I first went to Ennis in the August of 1988, staying at the O'Donohues' place on the Kilrush Road, so can just about remember this view, although I remember Slieve Callan as being painted black and under her own canopy on the old platform line formation by that time. Ennis was a relatively quiet town in 1988 - nothing like the bustling, expanding and industrious place I returned to 10 years later, and certainly not like it is now. Sadly I only recently learnt that Mrs O'Donohue had died in February last , so one of the links I had with Ennis is now gone. 1 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted January 9 Author Posted January 9 Most of my Ennis memories are from the 1980s too. Currant buns from the bakery, or on a sunny day eating chocices while looking for fish in the Fergus. Climbing on 5c, initially in the old place in green and later under the canopy in black. Bunratty castle. There was another historic village place with iron age ring forts and stuff like that, at which I remember playing in the Sousterrain (tunnel). We always stayed at Trinaderry Farm in Barefield, with the McMahons. Lovely old place, etched on my memory. 1 Quote
Horsetan Posted January 9 Posted January 9 (edited) 24 minutes ago, Mol_PMB said: Most of my Ennis memories are from the 1980s too.... My fondest memories of Ennis are from the late 1990s/early 2000s. By then I had embarked on my career, was earning my own money and had developed an attachment to as much Guinness as I could absorb. In the winters I was mostly exercising random horses at the Burkes' Clare Equestrian Centre over in Doora, and being sent by them to meets of The Clare at Ballynacally, Lisseycasey, Tulla, Corofin, etc. The looks I got in '99 when some of the hunt followers realised that the fella on the horse from Burkes wasn't white was gas . One of the hunt members was a local Solicitor, Darragh Hassett, who later became MFH of The Clare and is still in practice at his Firm. "The Chinese. A great bunch of lads." Edited January 9 by Horsetan 3 Quote
Horsetan Posted January 10 Posted January 10 39 minutes ago, Mol_PMB said: Mmmm - Guinness in Ennis I never had a bad pint in Clare. I forget which bar it was in Tulla but there was one Sunday meet where we had a couple of pints before riding out around lunchtime, then came back at about half past the five, boxed the horses up to send 'em home, by which time we had a bit of a thirst going on. Straight into the same bar we'd started the day in, only this time we didn't come out again. There was even a bit of a sing-song during the evening. The previous MFH had given us a rendition of "The Oul Horse Died" and others had given some trad songs as well. Anyhow, some way past licensing hours, the bar was still full and none of the riders or followers showed any sign of going home. Pints were still being poured and sunk, some of them by me. By half one Monday morning I was heading for the door. In the words of the Eagles song "I had to find my passage back / To the place I was before" and I was vaguely conscious of Darragh Hassett guiding me out into the street.....and nobody else leaving. Darragh had had a fair few himself but still somehow had the presence of mind to make sure I wasn't driving home but, to be fair, by this stage I couldn't even remember where I'd parked the car. It was a long night, my legs were unsteady, and I don't remember seeing any sign of the Guards anywhere. The last time I'd had contact with Gardaí was some weeks before on the other side of the country, when I was breathalysed on the Shankill Road going towards Bray. Mrs O'Donohue gave me a very knowing look later that morning. I was still in hunting kit, with mud splattered over it, and all I could hope for was that I hadn't disgraced myself. Looking back on this over 20 years later, I think I'd do exactly the same again. Ireland was a grand place to be, and nobody knew that Tíogar na hEireann was walking on quicksand. 3 Quote
Horsetan Posted January 10 Posted January 10 On 6/1/2025 at 8:50 PM, Mol_PMB said: ... ... "The name's Bond. Seamus Bond." 3 3 Quote
Mayner Posted January 10 Posted January 10 2 hours ago, Horsetan said: "The name's Bond. Seamus Bond." I first heard 007 being nicknamed James Bond while travelling on a IRRS special to Youghal in 77-78. The return leg of the special was blocked at Thurles as a result of the evening Cork-Heuston failing near Templemore. 007 on Pilot duty was dispatched 'wrong road" to Templemore and hauled the crippled train to Heuston. 007 seems to have been in fine fettle, after an initisl delay of about half an hour we had a clear run without a signal check all the way to Islandbridge Junction. At the time Ballybrophy was the fringe box for Cork Line CTC, Thurles still functioned as a loco depot (beet season) and pilot workings & Pilot Loco's were available at several depots to cover failures. 3 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted January 10 Author Posted January 10 Once I've finished the current crop of wagons, regauging and weathering 007 is my next task. It will also have the IR logos replaced with roundels to match the photos above. I must confess I have also acquired 2 more IRM A class and there's a danger that the black one may also become A7. It's a favourite of mine, being the first A class I travelled behind. A11 would be another option (which I also travelled behind), but I haven't yet found a photo of A11 in black although I think it did carry that livery. 1 Quote
Horsetan Posted Saturday at 18:20 Posted Saturday at 18:20 On 10/1/2025 at 6:53 PM, Mayner said: I first heard 007 being nicknamed James Bond while travelling on a IRRS special to Youghal in 77-78. The return leg of the special was blocked at Thurles as a result of the evening Cork-Heuston failing near Templemore. 007 on Pilot duty was dispatched 'wrong road" to Templemore and hauled the crippled train to Heuston. ... CIE Another Day 2 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted Saturday at 18:27 Author Posted Saturday at 18:27 7 minutes ago, Horsetan said: CIE Another Day From Roscrea with Love 2 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted Saturday at 18:43 Author Posted Saturday at 18:43 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Galteemore said: Laois and Let Die Quantum of Sallins A View to a Kildare: (Illustration from Kevin Lane on Flickr) Edited Saturday at 18:47 by Mol_PMB 2 Quote
Broithe Posted Saturday at 18:53 Posted Saturday at 18:53 And, of course, out of the mainstream, there was Never Say Navan Again. An actor, retiring to live in his hometown, finds himself involved in a real-life race against time to save the world. There is a real cliff-hanger part, where a critical website becomes unavailable for a few hours, but all is well in the end. 5 Quote
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