ttc0169 Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 https://www.connemararailway.ie/ More progress yesterday with the temporary narrow gauge tracks being laid towards the Galway city direction, Exciting times ahead when after the open day (TBC) the standard 5' 3'' track will replace the temporary narrow gauge and will permit the use of former MGWR and CIE rolling stock to be used at this scenic location. There is a go fund me page in the link if you would wish to donate to this worthy cause. A few photos from relaying operations over the last few weeks 9 2 Quote
leslie10646 Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 Wow, Rails in the Wild West. Good luck with the relaying - I was amazed at how much of this line (which must have been SERIOUSLY scenic) you could still see, as I led tours for GRJ here. Good luck James and the lads (and lasses!). 1 Quote
Lough Erne Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 Hi ttc0169 Great progress. Out of interest what is the logic of laying the 3ft stuff first, if it is to be replaced by 5ft3? I assume that it is to get something on the ground quickly to draw the crowds? Regards LE. 1 Quote
jhb171achill Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 8 minutes ago, Lough Erne said: Hi ttc0169 Great progress. Out of interest what is the logic of laying the 3ft stuff first, if it is to be replaced by 5ft3? I assume that it is to get something on the ground quickly to draw the crowds? Regards LE. Exactly. And wait until you see what it is! 1 Quote
ttc0169 Posted June 21, 2020 Author Posted June 21, 2020 18 minutes ago, Lough Erne said: Hi ttc0169 Great progress. Out of interest what is the logic of laying the 3ft stuff first, if it is to be replaced by 5ft3? I assume that it is to get something on the ground quickly to draw the crowds? Regards LE. Hi LE, Lets just say there will be something coming to the line soon that hasn't been in operation since its closure 85 years ago......keep watching here for updates. 1 Quote
Lough Erne Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 Great, I await with interest and look forward to hearing more. Meanwhile I'll let my imagination wander as to what 'it' could be ! 1 Quote
Midland Man Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 wow super stuff. Real good stuff . Keep it up. 1 Quote
Georgeconna Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 Maybe a Silly question but why lay all the NG Track only to take it up again and relay the larger Track at a later stage, Seems like a lot of extra work? Quote
jhb171achill Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 4 minutes ago, Georgeconna said: Maybe a Silly question but why lay all the NG Track only to take it up again and relay the larger Track at a later stage, Seems like a lot of extra work? As the late, great Baldrick might have said "there's a cunning plan!" 2 Quote
Midland Man Posted June 22, 2020 Posted June 22, 2020 I have 3 engines that be okay at Maam cross. 1. The GNRI 2-4-2 at Cultra. 2. RPSI number 184 0-6-0. 3. RPSI Lough Erne 0-6-4. Probally Lought Erne would be two big but if you got the SLNCR rail bus it could look like a nice scene. Good luck lads MM 1 Quote
Midland Man Posted June 22, 2020 Posted June 22, 2020 13 hours ago, ttc0169 said: Hi LE, Lets just say there will be something coming to the line soon that hasn't been in operation since its closure 85 years ago......keep watching here for updates. Just now, Georgeconna said: & 90 I hope it's a barn find unrebuilt LM class. Number 90 is nice but I think it's at home at Downpatrick. Quote
Mayner Posted June 23, 2020 Posted June 23, 2020 Reading the newspaper article the 3' gauge is to have a 3' gauge steam loco up and running for the launch of the Connemara Railway Project. The promoters are keeping the identity of the 3' gauge loco under wraps. I suppose the question is what working 3' gauge steam locos & a train suitable for Maam Cross are currently available in Ireland and the UK, rather than what broad gauge locos could be made available to the project. A short Irish Narrow Gauge train ride in conjunction with a museum with some restored Broad Gauge stock & restored station may be more achievable and attractive to the tourist market than a full blown 5'3" restoration project. 2 Quote
airfixfan Posted June 23, 2020 Posted June 23, 2020 There are least two 3 Foot gauge steam locos restored and available to my knowledge. 1 Quote
Midland Man Posted June 23, 2020 Posted June 23, 2020 There is about five they are. 1. West Clare 0-6-2 number 5 2. The new Cavan and Leitrim railway 0-6-0 Nancy 3.NC&L 0-4-0 Dromod. 4/5. 2 out of the 3 Bord Na Mona engines Edit: Are all 3 in working order? I think the might be. If the Tralee and dingle was open they could probally use that engine. The a lot of engines at Cultra. I would like to Phoenix run again or even an original C&L 4-4-0T engine. Quote
DoctorPan Posted June 23, 2020 Posted June 23, 2020 13 minutes ago, Midland Man said: There is about five they are. 1. West Clare 0-6-2 number 5 2. The new Cavan and Leitrim railway 0-6-0 Nancy 3.NC&L 0-4-0 Dromod. 4/5. 2 out of the 3 Bord Na Mona engines Edit: Are all 3 in working order? I think the might be. If the Tralee and dingle was open they could probally use that engine. The a lot of engines at Cultra. I would like to Phoenix run again or even an original C&L 4-4-0T engine. Dromod is not in the country anymore, stored pending overhaul in the UK. Shane is in store in Giants Causeway with no boiler ticket and due an overhaul. That leaves 5, Nancy and Roisín as the 3ft steamers in Ireland with a valid boiler ticket. 1 Quote
Garfield Posted June 24, 2020 Posted June 24, 2020 On 6/23/2020 at 10:46 AM, Midland Man said: ...I would like to Phoenix run again or even an original C&L 4-4-0T engine. 'Phoenix' is a diesel loco. It only received that name on the CDR after being rebuilt. Quote
Midland Man Posted June 24, 2020 Posted June 24, 2020 Just now, Garfield said: 'Phoenix' is a diesel loco. It only received that name on the CDR after being rebuilt. I know it's a diesel and I would like to see it run again. I probally should have said in a manor that tells that Phoenix is a Diesel engine. MM Quote
minister_for_hardship Posted June 24, 2020 Posted June 24, 2020 On 6/23/2020 at 10:46 AM, Midland Man said: There is about five they are. 1. West Clare 0-6-2 number 5 2. The new Cavan and Leitrim railway 0-6-0 Nancy 3.NC&L 0-4-0 Dromod. 4/5. 2 out of the 3 Bord Na Mona engines Edit: Are all 3 in working order? I think the might be. If the Tralee and dingle was open they could probally use that engine. The a lot of engines at Cultra. I would like to Phoenix run again or even an original C&L 4-4-0T engine. I would assume, judging by the state of steam towards the end, the Belfast based C & L loco is likely to be clapped out. No one is getting their hands on 5T as long as the current Blennerville stalemate persists. Quote
ttc0169 Posted June 28, 2020 Author Posted June 28, 2020 Some more progress at Maam cross yesterday when the last of the temporary narrow gauge track panels were laid into position,this area is being shared by users of the nearby bog so there was more intensive work needed here to ensure an even transition between rail and road, Also seen in the photos is the first rail mounted vehicle to work to the end of the line in 85 years and some more vegetation clearance work which has opened up more of the spectacular scenery along the route of the railway. Thank you for all your kind comments about the project so far from Jim Deegan. 5 1 Quote
Lough Erne Posted June 28, 2020 Posted June 28, 2020 Great to see that so much progress has been made in such a short period of time. What's the total length of 3ft laid now do you know? Quote
Midland Man Posted June 28, 2020 Posted June 28, 2020 It looks amazing. Can not wait to see this place opened. It will be a great attraction. lovely scenery 1 Quote
Georgeconna Posted June 28, 2020 Posted June 28, 2020 Remember a few years back a Few lads, some on here did a preservation project about feasible sites, I wonder was this area included at the time and how it featured on the report? Quote
Mike 84C Posted June 28, 2020 Posted June 28, 2020 Wonderful wild, bleak scenery surrounded by bogs and the scudding clouds. I do hope that when this b---y cv stuff is over I can get to see this project. Is it the sort of thing that civil engineering students/graduates would be interested in getting into? Thats how the Festiniog got its extension back to BF built. Please keep posting those brilliant photographs. 3 Quote
ttc0169 Posted June 29, 2020 Author Posted June 29, 2020 22 hours ago, Lough Erne said: Great to see that so much progress has been made in such a short period of time. What's the total length of 3ft laid now do you know? Just short of a half of a mile from the entrance gate to the cutting. 21 hours ago, Georgeconna said: Remember a few years back a Few lads, some on here did a preservation project about feasible sites, I wonder was this area included at the time and how it featured on the report? The site may not have been available then George as it was being used by a company as a storage area up to about two years ago. Quote
jhb171achill Posted June 29, 2020 Posted June 29, 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, ttc0169 said: Just short of a half of a mile from the entrance gate to the cutting. The site may not have been available then George as it was being used by a company as a storage area up to about two years ago. On 6/28/2020 at 7:08 PM, Georgeconna said: Remember a few years back a Few lads, some on here did a preservation project about feasible sites, I wonder was this area included at the time and how it featured on the report? Yes, firstly, that site was not then available. The study was done some ten years ago. Secondly, the terms of remit were related to a 5'3" gauge set up, very much along Downpatrick lines, within a 45 minute drive of Dublin, as such a market is essential to any 5'3" gauge project if it is to be financially viable without external help from either a funding body, local authority, tourism body or private individual(s). Edited June 29, 2020 by jhb171achill 1 1 Quote
leslie10646 Posted June 29, 2020 Posted June 29, 2020 An amazing sight to see. I hope I survive to get over to ride on it! Congratulations all round. 4 Quote
DiveController Posted July 2, 2020 Posted July 2, 2020 On 6/29/2020 at 2:58 PM, leslie10646 said: An amazing sight to see. I hope I survive to get over to ride on it! Some of us are banned from visiting the EU at the moment, so ditto Quote
Brack Posted July 2, 2020 Posted July 2, 2020 On 6/24/2020 at 1:51 PM, minister_for_hardship said: I would assume, judging by the state of steam towards the end, the Belfast based C & L loco is likely to be clapped out. True, but Lady Edith has steamed in preservation.... Quote
jhb171achill Posted July 2, 2020 Posted July 2, 2020 On 6/22/2020 at 5:34 PM, Midland Man said: I hope it's a barn find unrebuilt LM class. Number 90 is nice but I think it's at home at Downpatrick. Ah! You know about the barn....... don't tell anyone! 31 minutes ago, DiveController said: Some of us are banned from visiting the EU at the moment, so ditto Travel to the Provincial Principality of Michelle & Arlene and take a drive on down - nobody will stop you north or south.... Quote
Barl Posted July 28, 2020 Posted July 28, 2020 There's an Irish Times article on it incase anyone hasn't seen it. https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/railway-revival-steam-trains-set-to-return-to-connemara-almost-a-century-on-1.4311951?mode=amp 1 Quote
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