ballast and ploughs

[heirflick]

 

 

saw these babys fully loaded in the depot sidings in portlaoise twice this week. since i saw some of the wagons cut up at the north wall, i assumed they were all out of service waiting the same faith .......any info on why they are still being used? great to see them still in service!!

 

 

 

 

 

lastly, anyone explain what div 42 stands for on the side of this one?

[ttc0169]

<img src="http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2117"/><img src="http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2118"/><img src="http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2119"/>

 

saw these babys fully loaded in the depot sidings in portlaoise twice this week. since i saw some of the wagons cut up at the north wall, i assumed they were all out of service waiting the same faith .......any info on why they are still being used? great to see them still in service!!

 

<img src="http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2120"/>

 

lastly, anyone explain what div 42 stands for on the side of this one?

 

Great photos there HF-and great to see the two axle ballast wagons still being maintained and in use,I see Limerick wagon works are still doing exams and brake tests on them which means they will be around for a while yet,

It seems that it is cheaper for IE to use the wagons as they are more flexible to use than the autoballasters,e.g-the autoballaster wagons can only be used in a Perway possession on some lines-and normally after the passenger service has finished-and would have a road/rail machine behind them to spread the ballast evenly,

The two axle wagons can be used in between the passenger train operation as has been seen recently between Mallow and Tralee,they run to a particular station,after running around the train it works back into the section dumping the ballast at a designated spot on the line,returning empty to Mallow to reload-it's even better to have two plough vans and either end for spreading the ballast,

I have no idea where division 42 is-as CIE/IE have only 28 permanent way divisions across the country.

[MOGUL]

Only 28 divisions but their numbering isn't sequential.. Have a breakdown here somewhere will post a list up when I find it

[Kirley]

Great pictures Heirflick, thanks for sharing.

Edited August 6, 2012 by Kirley

[RedRich]

More great photos Seamus and thank's for sharing. It's great to see them still in service.

 

Rich,

[heirflick]

i have to be honest and say that these wagons have a lot more character and appeal that their new big brothers! tt-you are a good one!-great to know that and thanks for sharing, and mogul...keep seartching!

[MOGUL]

Found it, Div 42 isn't one of the perway ones listed though.. Could be a new works division?? or else my list is out of date... 1 to 28 only with no 4 or 20

[Broithe]

Is it 42 or 4? ?

[heirflick]

tried to enlarge the pic but still cant make it out! at first glance- there appeared to be a sliley face drawn above the 4. but after enlarging it it seems not:confused:.......have a look. a pint of the black stuff to anyone who figures it out!!

 

 

 

mogul- where is div 4?

Edited August 6, 2012 by heirflick

[MOGUL]

There is no div 4 which deepens the mystery

[Broithe]

Perhaps this is the Ultimate Question - and the answer really is 42.....

[ttc0169]

There is no div 4 which deepens the mystery

 

According to a good and reliable friend-Division 42 was the name given to a per-way gang that was involved in the relaying and upgrading of the Belfast-Dublin route during the 1990s-a ballast train was allocated to the route for the duration of the work and a few wagons had the Div 42 wrote on the side so that the train wouldn't stray too far away from the route,

Thanks T for the info,there will be a few pints paid for you when we meet up in a few weeks time.

[Garfield]

Great photos there HF-and great to see the two axle ballast wagons still being maintained and in use,I see Limerick wagon works are still doing exams and brake tests on them which means they will be around for a while yet,

It seems that it is cheaper for IE to use the wagons as they are more flexible to use than the autoballasters,e.g-the autoballaster wagons can only be used in a Perway possession on some lines-and normally after the passenger service has finished-and would have a road/rail machine behind them to spread the ballast evenly,

The two axle wagons can be used in between the passenger train operation as has been seen recently between Mallow and Tralee,they run to a particular station,after running around the train it works back into the section dumping the ballast at a designated spot on the line,returning empty to Mallow to reload-it's even better to have two plough vans and either end for spreading the ballast,

I have no idea where division 42 is-as CIE/IE have only 28 permanent way divisions across the country.

 

The story I heard from a per way guy I know who has been working with the new auto-ballasters is that they're using 4-wheelers for some jobs because the autos were built to the existing 4ft 8.5in guage specs, meaning they don't dispense ballast in the correct position. Guess the older wagons have a stay of execution until they can devise a modification...

[ttc0169]

 

The story I heard from a per way guy I know who has been working with the new auto-ballasters is that they're using 4-wheelers for some jobs because the autos were built to the existing 4ft 8.5in guage specs, meaning they don't dispense ballast in the correct position. Guess the older wagons have a stay of execution until they can devise a modification...

 

Good info there Garfield which makes sense....the only modification IE can do to the autos is bring back the machinery truck wagons add air brakes-couple them to the rear of the autos-and put a machine on them to spread the ballast-problem solved....!!!!!!

[MOGUL]

Heard mention of this when I was working actually, A session between the parties was due to take place the week after I left.. Would have been interesting to sit in on..

[Garfield]

Heard mention of this when I was working actually, A session between the parties was due to take place the week after I left.. Would have been interesting to sit in on..

 

I'd say that would've been a meeting full of robust language!

[MOGUL]

Like a good few of the meetings I had the pleasure of attending in there:)

[heirflick]

mystery solved...thanks lads! tt - look like u get the pint!

[108]

Perhaps this is the Ultimate Question - and the answer really is 42.....

 

Lol. Someone out there is watching!

[Broithe]

Lol. Someone out there is watching!

 

Phew! I thought that was wasted....