IRRS London Zoom Meeting with Jonathan Beaumont

[leslie10646]

 

Folks

Something to do next Friday evening?

I'll be Chairing the meeting as JB expounds on the subject of his next book.

I'll put the Zoom info up later in the week.

Leslie

 

ZOOM : 18.00 Friday 17 January 2025

“Loughrea – The Last Branch Line” by Jonathan Beaumont

Railway historian and author, Jonathan Beaumont, describes the origins, construction and history of the Attymon Junction to Loughrea branch, closed in November 1975, the last traditionally-worked branch line in Ireland – or, indeed, much further afield. The Loughrea branch was one of the last locations where steam was in regular daily use before CIE steam finished in early 1963. Early dieselisation saw the diminutive “G” class locomotives used until the line closed, usually with the “C” class (in both Crossley and GM form) as companions. The talk should hopefully coincide with the launch of the author’s latest book on the subject.

 

[jhb171achill]

In that pic, I look like I've stuck my finger into a live electrical plug.........

Thanks, Leslie, for the (non-live) plug, and many thanks for your usual expert job of organising these events.

Unfortunately the book isn't QUITE ready yet, but it's with the publisher as we speak. The delay was due to computer difficulties in getting all the images together to send off.

I am hoping it will be published in late spring. It will be called "Farewell to the Dunsandle Express" - a reference to graffiti written on the back of a seat in the carriage when I travelled on the line two weeks before it closed. Publisher will be Colourpoint Creative Blackstaff of Newtownards, Co Down.

Despite being virtually ignored by enthusiasts until the mid-1960s (largely due to the late Padraig O'Cuimín's excellent book published in the late 60s by Transport Research Associates (of whom he was one), highlighting its uniqueness due to having G class locos on passenger trains), it had an interesting history, with some little-known facts, such as being the home for some 20 years of two ex-WLWR 2.4.0s.....

It saw quite a few unusual types of locos in its time - you'd expect MGWR 0.6.0s and 2.4.0s of G2 and J18 / J19 classes, but apart from the WLWR locos, an "Achill Bogie" worked there for a time in the very early 50s.

It saw a trial run by the Sligo railcar, but since this was unsuitable for mixed trains, that was the solitary visit of anything not steam until the G's took over in spring 1963....

It had cattle traffic until its last summer, though had the line remained, the cattle was gone anyway - but it also had mixed trains to the end, even though by then they rarely had more than the one coach. The train I travelled on, behind a C class, to my disgust (I wanted a G!), was technically mixed, but on its way both in and out, no goods wagons that day at all.

Sure ye can get an oul C class out to Howth or Bray any oul day..............

Fun fact: during the troubles in the 1920s, Loughrea station was raided and an incoming consignment of timber was torched by members of the Irish Volunteers. They handed the stationmaster a receipt for the consignment!!!

We'll probably have a book launch for it which I will mention here nearer the time. Probably in the Spa Hotel in Loughrea, but we'll see. IRM readers will be offered a pass out of our self-imposed asylum for the day!!

[Galteemore]

Isn’t that your ‘someone has just shown me a wagon with an underframe painted black’ look JHB? 

[leslie10646]

Guys

We had a rehearsal last night with Jonathan to try and get the Zoom aspects working.

In the course of which I saw and we chatted about the contents of many of the illustrations he will use - many in the "Write an essay" category. 

This is going to be a Good One, so tune in at 6pm on Friday - you can eat "your tea" while watching. Only Jon and I have to eat early to avoid being caught talking with our mouths full.

All meetings will be streamed by Zoom. Just load Zoom (it will probably update itself before loading, so give yourself an extra ten minutes!).

Follow the instructions! The "Button" won't copy from the IRRS message, so use the cut and paste method at the bottom of this message! It works, I've tried it!

Hi Leslie McAllister, This is a reminder that your webinar will begin in 1 day: “Loughrea - The Last Branch Line” by Jonathan Beaumont Date & Time Jan 17, 2025 18:00 London Webinar ID 835 6719 2002 Participant ID 504658 Passcode 329657     Add to:  Google Calendar    Outlook Calendar(.ICS)    Yahoo Calendar . . . NOTE 6pm START TIME . . You can cancel your registration at any time. Please submit any questions to: IRRSLondon@hotmail.com Thank you! WAYS TO JOIN THIS WEBINAR   Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android     Join Webinar     If the button above does not work, paste this into your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/w/83567192002?tk=azMVaLo9eprKakIvHoxOUA1Ou4TwhTqS7aU4lMXZwNY.DQcAAAATdP4nwhZBRm1lM2NXaVFCLWNsT0dSaE1FUzhBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&pwd=vaJbJ3E50tpW0CLNYGNQNhu23Tlfvb.1&uuid=WN_h28wmoulSmOuF7PFABYQQQ To keep this webinar secure, do not share this link publicly.

 

See you on Friday!!!!

Leslie (Acting Chairman)

Edited Thursday at 19:05 by leslie10646

[Mol_PMB]

Just now, leslie10646 said:

Guys

We had a rehearsal last night with Jonathan to try and get the Zoom aspects working.

In the course of which I saw and we chatted about the contents of many of the illustrations he will use - many in the "Write an essay" category. 

This is going to be a Good One, so tune in at 6pm on Friday - you can eat "your tea" while watching. Only Jon and I have to eat early to avoid being caught talking with our mouths full.

All meetings will be streamed by Zoom. Just load Zoom (it will probably update itself before loading, so give yourself an extra ten minutes!).

Then:

Webinar ID 835 6719 2002
Passcode 329657

See you on Friday!!!!

Wonderful - I look forward to joining.

On 14/1/2025 at 6:06 AM, Galteemore said:

Isn’t that your ‘someone has just shown me a wagon with an underframe painted black’ look JHB? 

I will have to prepare some photos of wagons with black underframes to see if we can re-create that expression

 

More seriously, I'm planning to attend some of the Manchester IRRS meetings in person. Does anyone on this forum go to those - would be nice to put a face to a name.

Cheers,

Mol

[Galteemore]

3 minutes ago, Mol_PMB said:

Wonderful - I look forward to joining.

I will have to prepare some photos of wagons with black underframes to see if we can re-create that expression

 

More seriously, I'm planning to attend some of the Manchester IRRS meetings in person. Does anyone on this forum go to those - would be nice to put a face to a name.

Cheers,

Mol

Too far north for me sadly. @jhb171achilldoes other expressions too. His face when someone mentions the first and last trains on the Achill line carrying the dead is a classic. 

[leslie10646]

 

Folks

I've updated the Zoom info. this should work, I've tried it!

 

Follow the instructions! The "Button" won't copy from the IRRS message, so use the cut and paste method at the bottom of this message! It works, I've tried it!

Hi Leslie McAllister, This is a reminder that your webinar will begin in 1 day: “Loughrea - The Last Branch Line” by Jonathan Beaumont Date & Time Jan 17, 2025 18:00 London Webinar ID 835 6719 2002 Participant ID 504658 Passcode 329657     Add to:  Google Calendar    Outlook Calendar(.ICS)    Yahoo Calendar . . . NOTE 6pm START TIME . . You can cancel your registration at any time. Please submit any questions to: IRRSLondon@hotmail.com Thank you! WAYS TO JOIN THIS WEBINAR   Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android     Join Webinar     If the button above does not work, paste this into your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/w/83567192002?tk=azMVaLo9eprKakIvHoxOUA1Ou4TwhTqS7aU4lMXZwNY.DQcAAAATdP4nwhZBRm1lM2NXaVFCLWNsT0dSaE1FUzhBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&pwd=vaJbJ3E50tpW0CLNYGNQNhu23Tlfvb.1&uuid=WN_h28wmoulSmOuF7PFABYQQQ To keep this webinar secure, do not share this link publicly.

 

See you on Friday!!!!

Leslie (Acting Chairman)

Edited Thursday at 19:08 by leslie10646

[LNERW1]

On 14/1/2025 at 2:26 AM, jhb171achill said:

In that pic, I look like I've stuck my finger into a live electrical plug.........

In fairness the photo is absolutely shocking…

(I’m far too deep into this forum now to not be making awful puns. To be honest I’m surprised no one else got there first!)

Is the webinar for all IRRS members?

[leslie10646]

For ANYONE.

We do ask for a small voluntary contribution but that is down to the attendee.

All part of the IRRS service!

[LNERW1]

Great. I am (well my mam is on my behalf, being under 18 is a bit of a pain sometimes) an IRRS member but that’s great, thanks for the fast reply Leslie.

[Mol_PMB]

I'm really enjoying this talk - some great tales as well as the historical facts. Looks like there are some great photos to come as well. Thanks JHB!

 

On 14/1/2025 at 6:06 AM, Galteemore said:

Isn’t that your ‘someone has just shown me a wagon with an underframe painted black’ look JHB? 

I'll just put this here...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/54251291181

 

[leslie10646]

Yes, I hope that some of you tuned in to Jonathan's excellent talk. 

A good run through nearly a hundred years of history in a hundred minutes, punctuated by relevant photos, maps etc which helped to set the scene. Add to that JB's inimitable style, anecdotes  and it was a memorable evening.

We heard (and saw)a line laid with short second hand rails on minimal ballast, barely maintained over the next ninety years. A remarkable survivor which served the locality well.

Thanks just aren't enough, Jon.

The book will be a best seller!

Leslie McAllister, acting Chairman, IRRs London

On 16/1/2025 at 9:21 PM, LNERW1 said:

Great. I am (well my mam is on my behalf, being under 18 is a bit of a pain sometimes) an IRRS member but that’s great, thanks for the fast reply Leslie.

Hi LNERW1 

I hope that you got logged on and enjoyed the talk.

[LNERW1]

I misread the initial post- thought it was next Friday- ah well, there’s always next time. Realised after tye webinar was over and watched Blues Brothers to cheer myself up. As I said, there’s always next time but Loughrea would have been a great reference for my layout. Sorry I ended up missing it after you were so helpful, Leslie.

[NorthWallDocker]

19 minutes ago, LNERW1 said:

I misread the initial post- thought it was next Friday- ah well, there’s always next time. Realised after the webinar was over and watched Blues Brothers to cheer myself up. As I said, there’s always next time but Loughrea would have been a great reference for my layout. Sorry I ended up missing it after you were so helpful, Leslie.

Ah, only seeing now -- from the South Side of Chicago -- that Jonathan presented yesterday.  LNERW1, your backup choice was not in vain.

[Brendan8056]

Jonathan's presentation was superb, 400,000 cattle a year, from one station on a branch line! I will be buying the book. Thanks Leslie and the IRRS London area for organising the meeting.