Irish Railway Uniforms

[Westcorkrailway]

Hello all

 

I'm just researching the various uniforms and such that various companies would have worn (not that there was much variation between most of them) But do think it’s deserving of a thread 

below are a pretty definitive look at Railway Cap Badges throughout the years which as you can see have actually changed throughout the years 

 

[leslie10646]

To this impressive collection you should add photos of the staff at work. 

Not really for the modellers, but again as a record of the past. The old railway companies used to attire their people very elegantly - it was "statement" of the greatness of the concern and gave the people pride in their job.

[minister_for_hardship]

This was for many years the definitive book on badges and buttons, long out of print. 

There is an Irish section down the back, but mainly detailing buttons.

[minister_for_hardship]

A Guard Of The Great Southern and Western Railway. (Ireland)

'Our Home Railways' - W.J. Gordon (1910)

Early uniforms owed much to police and military wear, gradually becoming civilianised over time. I suppose they're nearly "athleisure" wear now, suit jackets and waistcoats still hanging on with clerical and some on board staff, traditional uniform caps have almost disappeared in favour of beanies and baseball caps.

There's one garment that was unique to the railways, the sleeved waistcoat.

[Galteemore]

Has to be said that a great deal of military and police wear now also goes down the ‘athleisure wear’ route. Baseball caps and beanies are fairly routine outside ceremonial duty. In the UK only the Guards and various categories of donkey-walloper really bother with ‘barrack dress’

[ttc0169]

30 minutes ago, Galteemore said:

Has to be said that a great deal of military and police wear now also goes down the ‘athleisure wear’ route. Baseball caps and beanies are fairly routine outside ceremonial duty. In the UK only the Guards and various categories of donkey-walloper really bother with ‘barrack dress’

That’s rumoured to be the new 2026 uniform issue for front line Irish rail staff

[Mol_PMB]

On 27/2/2025 at 10:50 AM, leslie10646 said:

To this impressive collection you should add photos of the staff at work. 

Not really for the modellers, but again as a record of the past. The old railway companies used to attire their people very elegantly - it was "statement" of the greatness of the concern and gave the people pride in their job.

The O'Dea collection at the nli has a good selection of railway staff at work, some of which also show uniform details. Here are just a few:

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000304867

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000306073

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000306058

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000303702

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000306734

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000306905

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000306401

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000307857

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000305044

If you search the O'Dea collection for keywords like driver, guard, master, foreman etc they will come up.

[Westcorkrailway]

4 hours ago, Mol_PMB said:

The O'Dea collection at the nli has a good selection of railway staff at work, some of which also show uniform details. Here are just a few:

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000304867

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000306073

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000306058

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000303702

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000306734

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000306905

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000306401

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000307857

https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000305044

If you search the O'Dea collection for keywords like driver, guard, master, foreman etc they will come up.

Turlogh cott folder on IRRS Flickr has good ones too

8 hours ago, ttc0169 said:

That’s rumoured to be the new 2026 uniform issue for front line Irish rail staff

Camo with High vis is that right?

[David Holman]

Love how ornate the early ones were, with fancy lettering and buttons. Shades of footmen for the rich and well heeled.

 From a modelling point of view, it is the basic colours that matter most. Don't suppose there's a list/guide available?