Photographic Website Updates

[Sean]

its a prime candidate for the "powered item"

[thewanderer]

Branch Line Society: Emerald Isle Explorer

After a two year break thanks to Covid enforced travel restrictions the Branch Line Society returns to Ireland for one of their tours covering unusual routes in Ireland.

The tour started at 0730 from Connolly and over the course of the day would visit Dundalk, Dromod, Grand Canal Dock, Adamstown, Heuston and returning to Connolly at 1737.

Highlights of the trip included:
- Connolly Wash Road
- Skerries Loop and the Bi-directional working between Skerries and Balbriggan.
- Dromod Siding.
- Killucan Loop
- Maynooth Siding.
- Newcomen Jct. to Connolly.
- Operates in the down direction over the up line between Connolly and Grand Canal Dock.
- Heuston Platform 10
- Adamstown Bay Platform
- Heuston Wash Road.
- Heuston Carriage Siding 2

Click https://bit.ly/3PGminq to view all the images from the day.

 

Edited August 22, 2022 by thewanderer

[thewanderer]

On Saturday 20th August, a new railtour organisation operated their first railtour in Ireland, Tailte Tours is a new, voluntary led fundraising initiative. Their aim is to assist Ireland's voluntary run heritage railways and museums raise extra funds to further their projects. 

Their first tour, named the Premier Rose operated from Dublin Connolly to Tralee using an IE MKIV set and 201 class locomotive. This tour claimed a number of firsts, with the first passenger operation between Connolly and Islandbridge Jct. and between Killarney and Tralee. 

Pictures of the Premier Rose Railtour at various locations in and around Killarney can be viewed at https://bit.ly/3pC2O8N

 

Edited August 22, 2022 by thewanderer

[hurricanemk1c]

On 20/8/2022 at 4:01 PM, DJ Dangerous said:

 

Those 2600's must be the guts of 30 years on the go by now? Definitely a good model for IRM to release!

 

 

What livery are the 29000's being painted into?

The two tone green livery, after a long long painting programme the last 10 or so have been vinyl wrapped

[Niles]

On 20/8/2022 at 2:01 PM, DJ Dangerous said:

 

Those 2600's must be the guts of 30 years on the go by now? Definitely a good model for IRM to release!

 

Funny, I was only chatting to someone on Saturday about the merits of preserving one of these when the bell does toll (we also decided there and then that it'll be in Arrow livery, we'll worry about little things like storage, cost and logistics later )

[DJ Dangerous]

2 hours ago, hurricanemk1c said:

The two tone green livery, after a long long painting programme the last 10 or so have been vinyl wrapped

Maybe we'll have buses to match them, one day!

2 hours ago, Niles said:

Funny, I was only chatting to someone on Saturday about the merits of preserving one of these when the bell does toll (we also decided there and then that it'll be in Arrow livery, we'll worry about little things like storage, cost and logistics later )

Only one?

[hurricanemk1c]

Good afternoon all,

In July I took my first trip to Germany, primarily for the Iron Maiden concert in Stuttgart but also travel around the general area, visiting Sinsheim, Amstetten, Rastatt and Göppingen. Click on the photos below or this link - https://flickr.com/photos/hurricanemk1c/albums/72177720301100720/page1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regards,

Kieran

[Georgeconna]

HS that lcoo in the Dazzle Scheme!

[hurricanemk1c]

1 hour ago, Georgeconna said:

HS that lcoo in the Dazzle Scheme!

Kriegslok in winter camo!

[hurricanemk1c]

Afternoon all,

Late August saw me visit Lithuania for 10 days, flying in and out of Vilnius with Air Baltic on their Airbus A220-300s (a very nice flight both ways!). A fascinating, clean and on-time railway (although I suspect some routes could have increased services, looking at it with my timetable hat on), and still a mix of Soviet-style and modern rolling stock. Well recommended for a visit!

 

 

 

 

 

 

All photos here - https://flickr.com/photos/hurricanemk1c/albums/72177720302094465/page1

Regards,

Kieran

 

[thewanderer]

Evening folks,

Two updates to the website tonight.

The first is the latest update from the Connemara Railway which is aiming to restore a section of the Galway to Clifden Railway which closed in 1935. During the latest work party day, sections of the "pop up" 3ft Narrow Gauge railway were removed to allow future laying of 5ft 3in gauge track. Construction of the replica signal cabin is also nearing completion, with internal fitting out yet to be done.

Click https://bit.ly/3E34yjR to view.

 

The 2nd update is photos of loco 223 on a driver training run from Cork to Laois Depot today and later in the day a stop at Borris in Ossory to see one of the last remaining sections of jointed track on the Nenagh branch before it is relaid soon.

Click https://bit.ly/3fodRk6 to view.

 

[thewanderer]

The October gallery starts off with a day trip from Thurles to Dublin with pictures from Thurles, Heuston, Dublin City and Portarlington. Due to engineering works the return trip to Thurles was a bus transfer as far as Portarlington for a train forward.

Click https://bit.ly/3SF6xPO to view all the picts.

 

 

[thewanderer]

The October gallery has been updated with pictures today from Ballybrophy, Portlaoise, Limerick Jct. Mallow, Rathmore and Killarney.

Click https://bit.ly/3T5hsSu to view.

 

Edited October 6, 2022 by thewanderer

[hurricanemk1c]

Evening all,

 

September 2022 wasn't busy but had a significant event, in the delivery of 9 (out of 41) new ICR intermediate vehicles, which I was lucky enough to be permitted to observe and record. Additionally, I visited Paris for a couple of days although it was mainly a non-enthusiast trip.

 

 

 

 

All photos - https://www.flickr.com/photos/hurricanemk1c/albums/72177720302963051Regards,

 

Regards,

Kieran

[thewanderer]

The November gallery has been updated with a few pictures from near Lisduff in Co. Laois of the 1425 Cork - Heuston and 1500 Heuston - Cork passing. The purpose of the trip today was to view the new quiet coach branding on the MKIV Standard End carriages which is being launched on Monday 7th November 2022. 

Click https://bit.ly/3zNoFjd to view.

[thewanderer]

Tuesday 8th November 2022:

Cork Drivers Depot arranged another one of their unusual routes training trips on Tuesday 8th November for two trainee drivers. A 0945 Cork - Laois Depot operated via Limerick Jct. Pocket Loop, Thurles Loop and Down Platform, Ballybrophy Loop and Portlaoise Station Loop to reverse before visiting Laois Traincare Depot. 226 was provided for todays trip and pictures of it are at Laois Depot and Clonkeen.

Click https://bit.ly/3fPsL3q to view.

 

[Rob]

On 6/11/2022 at 9:14 PM, thewanderer said:

The November gallery has been updated with a few pictures from near Lisduff in Co. Laois of the 1425 Cork - Heuston and 1500 Heuston - Cork passing. The purpose of the trip today was to view the new quiet coach branding on the MKIV Standard End carriages which is being launched on Monday 7th November 2022. 

Click https://bit.ly/3zNoFjd to view.

Cheers for this- l was looking to find some photos of this

[thewanderer]

Sunday 14th November 2022:
While in Co. Kilkenny on Sunday I called into Thomastown Station for a look around, later in the day I stopped off at Dromkeen just as darkness fell to see the 1645 Limerick - Limerick Jct. & 1647 Limerick Jct. - Limerick crossing.

Click https://bit.ly/3hIWoUH to view all the images.

 

[thewanderer]

The latest update to the November galley at https://bit.ly/3guFlFu features:

Tuesday 15th November 2022:
Photos from around the Ballybrophy and Portlaoise areas.

Wednesday 16th November 2022:
Pictures from this day mainly come from a trip out along the LUAS Green Line to Cherrywood and Brides Glen to see recent developments along the route.

Thursday 17th November 2022:
A visit to Heuston and Inchicore.

Friday 18th September 2022:
The Sperry Train visited the Nenagh Branch travelling from Limerick to Portlaoise via Nenagh.

Monday 21st November 2022:
The Nenagh Branch reopened today following further track upgrading.

Tuesday 22nd November 2022:
Just a single photo from Portlaoise on this day.

 

 

 

 

[Lev Pavliuk]

just a few pics of irish rail, if anyone interested I can upload more

Edited November 28, 2022 by Lev Pavliuk

[thewanderer]

Foynes Line Reconstruction

Work is due to commence on reconstruction of the Limerick to Foynes for freight traffic in the coming weeks. In advance of phase one of the project, vegetation clearance is already underway and it appears that the route has been fully cleared. The last train operated over the route in 2001 and the line has gradually fallen into disrepair over the last 21 years. The current phase of work that is about to begin and the subsequent phases will facilitate rail freight services, but will not preclude the possibility of passenger services being reintroduced on this line in the future, but this would require further infrastructure upgrades and funding. The Ryder Cup Golf tournament is to be held at Adare, which the railway passes through in 2027 and it is mooted that a passenger service will be reinstated for this between Adare and nearby Limerick City. 

I undertook a photographic survey of the route on Sunday 27th November from Limerick City to Foynes. With the route being upgraded to modern standards no doubt many of the features of the route at stations and level crossings will vanish over the next three years.

Click https://bit.ly/3UhlSGj to view all the images.

 

[thewanderer]

The December gallery kicks off today with a ramble around the Limerick area with photos from:
Limerick Jct.
Dromkeen.
Oola.
Limerick Station.
Cratloe.

Click https://bit.ly/3XV79nC to view all the images.

 

[thewanderer]

Evening folks,

The December gallery has been updated with images from:

Ballybrophy, 
Portlaoise, 
Limerick Jct. 
Limerick,
Nenagh, 
Heuston, 
The Point
Pearse,
Mallow,
Rathmore,

Click https://bit.ly/3uLSwFx to view all the images.

 

 

[thewanderer]

Afternoon all,

 

I've just published my 2022 year in review. Life returned to normal in 2022 with the lifting of COVID19 restrictions which meant the welcome return of railtours and more extensive travel around Ireland and the UK.

 

The highlights from the year in review contain:

* Tom Ryan retires.

* Continued investment in the Nenagh Branch which resulted in a 15 minute journey time improvement in December 2022.

* A selection of images from the outstanding Inchicore 175 Open Day event in May 2022.

* IE Infrastructure Manager Showcase event at Portlaoise PW Depot.

* Towards the end of 2022 clearance work for the Foynes Line reconstruction was completed.

* RPSI East West and Shades of Grey Railtours

* Branch Line Society railtour.

* Visits to Waterford and Suir Valley and Cavan & Leitrim Railway.

 

 

Click https://bit.ly/3GuKpE4 to view over 300 images.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[thewanderer]

Tuesday 3rd January 2023:

We kick off the 2023 gallery with pictures from Nenagh, BNallybrophy, Portlaoise, Limerick Jct. and Limerick. The highlight of the day was 3ICR 22060 working the 1710 Limerick - Ballybrophy in place of the normal 2800 class set due to heavy loadings as the North Tipperary Rail Partnership had a day trip to Limerick from Nenagh.

 

Click https://bit.ly/3Q8zCCV to view.

 

 

 

[thewanderer]

The latest update to the January collection is a ramble from Nenagh to Greenisland with photos from 

Nenagh,
Heuston, 
Connolly, 
Dundalk, 
Belfast, 
Antrim, 
Greenisland.

Click https://bit.ly/3vI2WGX to view.

 

[thewanderer]

On Saturday 7th January the Downpatrick & County Down Railway held a diesel gala in conjunction with the Irish Traction Group. The gala featured locos 146, A3r, G617 and DEMU 458 all running a trip between Downpatrick and Inch Abbey throughout plus Ballast Plough Train rides and photographic run pasts. Thanks the Downpatrick and County Down Railway and the Irish Traction Group for facilitating a great start to 2023.

 

The photos can be viewed at https://bit.ly/3WYh3nm

 

 

 

 

[thewanderer]

The January gallery has been updated with the last of my pictures from the trip to Belfast last weekend, plus a day trip to Dublin during the week.

Click https://bit.ly/3GzIk8N to view.

 

 

[thewanderer]

Evening folks,

The January gallery has been updated with images from the past week.

 

Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th January 2023:

Just a picture and a video from Killarney while I was visiting there for the weekend.

 

Tuesday 17th January 2023:

Just a single picture from Ballybrophy of the morning Nenagh branch train connecting into the Limerick - Dublin service.

 

Wednesday 18th January 2023:

Pictures today come from a very chilly Thurles and Portlaoise.

 

Saturday 21st January 2023:

A ramble around south County Galway today with pictures of the Western Rail Corridor services at Ballymaquiff Castle and Gort.

Click https://bit.ly/3QTOOnH to view all the pictures.

 

 

 

[thewanderer]

A varied selection of images this week from as far south as Limerick Jct. to the far flung outpost of Larne Harbour in Northern Ireland with shots from Ballybrophy, Portarlington, Dublin, Dundalk, Belfast, Carrickfergus and Whitehead in between.

Click https://bit.ly/3Hz9XR1 to view the 100+ photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jhb171achill]

Seen in Malahide tonight, while on me way into town to perform the Great and Ancient Ceremony of the Imbibulation of Falling-Down Liquids.

 

.

 

In recent times, the following:

(Spot the odd one out. The winner gets to buy me a pint later this evening).

[Niles]

15 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

Seen in Malahide tonight, while on me way into town to perform the Great and Ancient Ceremony of the Imbibulation of Falling-Down Liquids.

 

.

 

In recent times, the following:

(Spot the odd one out. The winner gets to buy me a pint later this evening).

Obviously it's the 29000 with the brown patches.  

[jhb171achill]

9 hours ago, Niles said:

Obviously it's the 29000 with the brown patches.  

The brown patches were fitted there by that well-known Inchicore fitter, Hu Flung Dung.

[thewanderer]

Sunday 29th January 2023:
Some pictures from around the Athlone and Ferbane areas today featuring mid-afternoon trains on the Galway route, plus the long disused stations at Ferbane, plus Belmont and Cloghan.
Click the image below to view all the images.

 

[thewanderer]

Tuesday 31st January 2023:
22063 returned to service on the 1525 Portlaoise - Heuston today. The set has been out of service since April 9th 2021 for rebuilding with the new MTU Stage V powerpacks, plus ZF EcoWorld transmission and after extensive testing, re-entered service. I travelled on it from Portlaoise to Kildare and on arrival a nice surprise was seeing 073 in its retro Irish Rail livery on the XPO Liner which had a decent loading on it for once.

Click the image below to view all the pictures.