Photographic Website Updates

[thewanderer]

A quick visit to Portlaoise to see 084 hauling 22027 through the station. It had hauled the set from Rosslare Europort on Wednesday / Thursday after it was declared a failure last Saturday.

 

Click http://smu.gs/2chrCOG to view the full size image.

 

[hurricanemk1c]

Evening all,

 

A triple update from me tonight, featuring this week's movements. As always, click on any of the shots of links to see them full size

 

Photos from Monday, when the Belmond service arrived back into Heuston after a successful second week of operation

 

 

 

Album link -

 

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On Wednesday, I had a brief stop over in Kildare

 

 

---

 

And finally, the big event

 

22027 failed in Rosslare Europort on Saturday 10th September before departure of the 1755 to Connolly. Despite best efforts, it was decided to drag the set to Laois Traincare Depot for rectification work. A move done in two parts, 084 is seen arriving into Hazelhatch with the failed set as the 0850 Inchicore - Laois Traincare Depot. This is the first time since 11 March 2014 (082+22014 from Inchicore to Laois Traincare Depot). Shots feature Inchicore, Hazelhatch, Sallins and Kildare, with normal traffic as well

 

 

 

 

 

Album link -

 

Regards,

Kieran

[finnyus]

Hi,

 

I have uploaded some photos taken during a recent trip to Wales: https://www.flickr.com/photos/finnyus/

 

Landore, Swansea

 

Pembrey & Burry Port

 

Pembroke Dock

 

Finbarr

[thewanderer]

Evening all,

 

Latest updates to the September Gallery include:

 

Friday 16th September 2016:

While in the North West Dublin area I popped over to Clondalkin to photo the 0935 North Wall - Ballina IWT Liner with 084 in charge.

 

Saturday 17th September 2016:

I was lucky enough to catch the new Aer Lingus A330 EI-FNG taking off from DUB with flight EI123 to ORD. Then the next stop was Kilcoole in Co. Wicklow to photo 22019 passing on the 1336 Connolly - Rosslare Europort. Then it was over the Sally Gap to head for home.

 

Click http://smu.gs/2cnpbKi to view.

 

EI-FNG wasn't the only other aircraft I saw yesterday. Click http://smu.gs/2cJFXAQ to see what else I got up to.

 

 

[thewanderer]

Evening all,

 

Latest update to the website now online.

 

Wednesday 21st September 2016:

A visit to Portarlington to see the 1652 Tullamore - Cork "National Ploughing Championship" Spl. reversing at the station. Plus a few other odds and sods.

 

Click http://smu.gs/2cuq1oE to view all the images from the evening.

 

Edited September 21, 2016 by thewanderer

[hurricanemk1c]

Morning all,

 

A few updates from me. As always, click on any of the photos to view them full size

 

Firstly photos from a training day at Stradbally, where we were using the diesel loco 'Rusty' rather than the normal LM44. This gave me the oppourtunity to take a few different photos of the place

 

 

 

Album link -

 

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Photos from Monday showing the Belmond Grand Hibernian arriving into Heuston

 

 

Album link -

 

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And finally shots from Thursday, with a morning stop-off at Monasterevin, followed by a crawl home with stops at Kildare (for the DFDS Liner) and the Ploughing Specials

 

 

 

 

 

Album link -

 

Regards,

Kieran

[thewanderer]

Evening folks,

 

Latest update has now been uploaded to the website.

 

Thursday 22nd September 2016:

Some recent improvement works to the former Kilkenny line at Portlaoise PWD Yard.

 

Friday 22nd September 2016:

A visit to Birdhill Station to see the 1724 Birdhill - Ballybrophy depart. There was a bus transfer from Limerick at 1655 serving Castleconnell enroute. This was due to Engineering Works at Limerick Station.

 

Click http://smu.gs/2czuN4k to view.

 

[thewanderer]

I was in the West Clare area on Saturday and called in to the West Clare Railway at Moyasta. Despite their website saying the museum was open, when I arrived there wasn't a soul around and all locked up. Not very conductive to attracting visitors.

 

On the other side of the N67 road, the site of the long mooted transport museum holds a decaying bunch of locomotives and rolling stock including A class, 121, 141 and 181 Class plus Mk2a, MK3 and MK3 Push/Pull carriages.

 

Draw your own conclusions.

 

To see the pictures from the visit click http://smu.gs/2d9jBc3

 

[Kirley]

A sad sight indeed but I suppose it's better than the results of a cutters torch which was the end for the majority of the rest.

[GSR 800]

A sad sight indeed but I suppose it's better than the results of a cutters torch which was the end for the majority of the rest.

 

Indeed, I went there this summer and it was very interesting, but much of the rolling stock has been neglected, unfortunately

nonetheless seeing the 141s A's and C's was great , and better to have them preserved than scrapped

We watched a movie, cant remember the name, but there was trains, drink and a hurling team involved.....

[minister_for_hardship]

A sad sight indeed but I suppose it's better than the results of a cutters torch which was the end for the majority of the rest.

 

"Preservation" Irish-style.

Might meet the cutters torch yet, nothing stopping anyone torching them.

[Garfield]

"Preservation" Irish-style.

 

The biggest stumbling block facing Irish preservation is a lack of manpower. Everyone wants to see the likes of A3R, C226, 124, etc. in working order. Everyone wants to see facilities like Moyasts open regularly and manned. Very few are willing to put in the effort to make it happen, though, and those that do end up being judged unfairly as a result.

[Noel]

A sad sight indeed but I suppose it's better than the results of a cutters torch which was the end for the majority of the rest.

 

+1

 

"Preservation" Irish-style. Might meet the cutters torch yet, nothing stopping anyone torching them.

 

It is sad we don't seem to have operational 'preserved' lines in ROI, where this stuff could be viable to preserve properly and run due to visitor traffic. Also in ROI we have a poor history of local authority support of such projects unlike NI where LA grants and support is part of the scene. With all the line closures in the 60s and disused track beds still owned by CIE, surely there is somewhere closer to population centres or existing main lines where 'preserved' stock could one day run again. I can't see anything on outdoor static display surviving long term. At least this stuff while rotting has escaped the torch so far - but what future? If the 'Ballybrophy/Limerick' lines closes in the future it might be a candidate for partial preservation either at the Ballybrophy end (i.e. visitors via mainline rail), or the Limerick end (footfall from Limerick city and visitors by rail). BTW, I hope that line does not close, but if it does get axed it would seem a crying shame to lift all the track. Is there any sections on the old disused Mullingar/Athlone line that would suit an operational preserved line (i.e. not covered by the new cycle way).

[Noel]

The biggest stumbling block facing Irish preservation is a lack of manpower. Everyone wants to see the likes of A3R, C226, 124, etc. in working order. Everyone wants to see facilities like Moyasts open regularly and manned. Very few are willing to put in the effort to make it happen, though, and those that do end up being judged unfairly as a result.

 

That's a very fair point. Is location a factor (i.e. not being near a large population centre, motorway, etc).

[thewanderer]

Evening folks,

 

Saturday 23rd September 2016:

A day around West Clare including a visit to Loop Head Lighthouse.

 

Sunday 25th September 2016:

Pictures from Limerick Station showing the Single Line Working in operation between the station and Limerick Check due to the renewal of points No. 70. The final pictures from the day show 071 at Portarlington after working Ballast Trains over on Saturday.

 

To see the pictures from Saturday (non-railway) and Sunday click http://smu.gs/2cXNQFl

 

To see just the pictures from Sunday click http://smu.gs/2cG9u13

 

[Noel]

Evening folks,

 

Saturday 23rd September 2016:

A day around West Clare including a visit to Loop Head Lighthouse.

 

Sunday 25th September 2016:

Pictures from Limerick Station showing the Single Line Working in operation between the station and Limerick Check due to the renewal of points No. 70. The final pictures from the day show 071 at Portarlington after working Ballast Trains over on Saturday.

 

To see the pictures from Saturday (non-railway) and Sunday click http://smu.gs/2cXNQFl

 

To see just the pictures from Sunday click http://smu.gs/2cG9u13

 

Fabulous pics of the Clare coast. The skipper of Shannon Breeze has a barge up river on the inland Shannon. Nice guy, some years ago he actually stopped the ferry mid channel at tarbert race for us when the ebb spring tide was running at 7kts and we were pushing hard against it coming upstream at the race. A helpful call over the VHF "Gentlemen take your time, the lane is yours, don't worry about the two Ferries, we will steer around you".

 

Photo 194 of 'The Bridges of Ross' in profile is absolutely stunning in that light. Loop head lighthouse is always a welcome sight when making for the Shannon Estuary after some Atlantic rock'n'roll. Love the shot 203 north from the top of the tower. Its an amazing part of the world, and yet I know Irish folk who've been to exotic places all over the world like Fiji, Kenya, the Galapagos island, Yellowstone, New Zealand, but have never been to native beauty spots like the cliffs of Moher, the Skelligs, parts of Mayo, nor even parts of Kerry. Thanks for the pics.

 

PS: Please don't shoot me Richie, but photo 209 in Limerick shows cement bubbles in the distant siding that still look very white/ivory in colour despite the dirt.

Edited September 26, 2016 by Noel

[thewanderer]

Evening folks,

 

Day two of the Emerald Isle Express by Railtours Ireland and using the RPSI Cravens Carriages operated from Waterford to Cork via Limerick Jct. 078 took the train to Limerick Jct. where it was swapped for 083 to Cork.

 

Click http://smu.gs/2dhAjGf to view.

 

Also I photographed the Belmond Grand Hibernian plus a few other odds and sods near Rathduff in Co. Cork.

 

Click http://smu.gs/2cILytQ to view.

 

[Noel]

Some super photos of the RPSI train. That livery is fabulous. What is the first Craven coach with fewer windows? The restaurant seems to be the 4th coach in the rake. The GSV looks great in LMS maroon.

[Broithe]

Every now and then I feel obliged to acknowledge how privileged we are to have this remarkable archive delivered straight to us, hot off the press.

 

Thanks to all the contributors on here.

[John-r]

Every now and then I feel obliged to acknowledge how privileged we are to have this remarkable archive delivered straight to us, hot off the press.

 

Thanks to all the contributors on here.

 

 

 

Very well said broithe ,couldn't agree more. I know I enjoy looking at what's happening

On the network, thanks for all the photos. Now a question anyone any idea when the emerald

Isle express or the Belmond Hibernian will be in Killarney what day. Thanks guys.

[Railer]

Some super photos of the RPSI train. That livery is fabulous. What is the first Craven coach with fewer windows? The restaurant seems to be the 4th coach in the rake. The GSV looks great in LMS maroon.

 

The first Cravens is 1508 Noel, used as the crew coach for this tour.

[Noel]

The first Cravens is 1508 Noel, used as the crew coach for this tour.

 

Thanks Railer. Did it have some of the windows filled in for internal storage was was the coach originally some sort of brake coach? The uniform livery now looks stunning.

[Railer]

Thanks Railer. Did it have some of the windows filled in for internal storage was was the coach originally some sort of brake coach? The uniform livery now looks stunning.

 

It was always like that on one side as 1508 was a bar coach with Irish Rail along with 1509. MM 1508 is out there still and 1509 is due some time next year from Murphy, it was due this year but got delayed.

[thewanderer]

Thanks gents.

 

EIE due in Killarney at 1305 tomorrow with the Belmond GH due in at 1500.

 

W

[John-r]

Thanks gents.

 

EIE due in Killarney at 1305 tomorrow with the Belmond GH due in at 1500.

 

W

 

 

Many thanks for the info wanderer, are they there for a few hours? It would be about 6pm before

I get to Killarney .

Cheers John.

[finnyus]

Evening all,

 

some photos from County Cork yesterday: https://www.flickr.com/photos/finnyus/

 

Includes

- Belmond Grand Hibernian

- Railtours Ireland Emerald Isle Express

- normal services

 

Lissard

 

Blarney

 

Finbarr

[thewanderer]

Morning folks,

 

The latest updates to the website include:

 

- Emerald Isle Express.

Photos from the Cobh to Killarney (Wed) and Killarney to Ennis (Thurs) legs have now been uploaded. This is the end of my Emerald Isle Express this year as I have other commitments for the remainder of the week.

Click http://smu.gs/2cP5j2U to view.

 

- September 2016 gallery.

Photos from Wednesday and Thursday include:

- Cork

- Mallow

- Killarney

 

Killarney was interesting as the two luxury touring trains, the Belmond "Grand Hibernian" and Railtours Ireland "Emerald Isle Express" both visited the busy tourist town on Wednesday afternoon.

 

Click http://smu.gs/2d9KrTE to view.

 

Both galleries can also be accessed from the home page at http://www.thewandererphotos.com

 

 

[Gordon71]

28.9.16. Photos at Portadown Station of the first 2016 night runs of the NIR Sandite Train.

 

[thewanderer]

Evening folks,

 

231 was decked out with IWT logos for a PR event in Dublin Port this morning. The loco then operated the 0935 North Wall - Ballina IWT liner. I captured a photo of it passing Portarlington.

 

Click http://smu.gs/2dFPRUn to view the full collection.

 

[Glenderg]

Looks like a pro job, eh!

[Noel]

Looks like a pro job, eh!

 

LOL - Yes looks like a graphic designer from the 70s came up with that

[thewanderer]

This evening had an interesting turn of events. I photographed the 1700 Heuston - Cork and 1705 Heuston - Tralee at Carn. Little over an hour later I was in Portarlington Station waiting to travel on the 1700 MKIV set to Kildare. Due to a smashed windscreen on 229 the train terminated at Ballybrophy and 3ICR 22047 worked the service forward 30 minutes late.

 

229 and its MKIV set worked the 1825 Portlaoise - Heuston calling only at Portarlington, Kildare and Newbridge to return it to Dublin for repairs to be carried out on 229 at Inchicore.

 

Click http://smu.gs/2d3YdYv to view.

 

[Noel]

Any idea what hit the windscreen? Bird strike, debris from passing train, thrown/dropped object, etc?

[Broithe]

Rock thrown near Newbridge, I believe.

[Noel]

Rock thrown near Newbridge, I believe.

 

Jeepers - Lucky the driver wasn't badly injured. Does that sort of serious criminal act happen often on the railways? Its borderline terrorism. Surprised it didn't make the news. If somebody was caught shining a laser torch at the cockpit of an airliner they could get 10 to 20 years.