mgwr preserved railway Connemara Railway project.

[DJ Dangerous]

Excellent stuff, amazing to see so much progress, and see it all happening so quickly.

Wonderful that it can be documented as it happens, here on the forum, too.

[226 Abhann na Suire]

Looking amazing lads!! Can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2024 and hopefully lend a hand over the summer if ye’re looking for it!

[ttc0169]

Maam Cross Connemara Railway Project continues at pace with an early summer opening date to be confirmed in due course. 

The volunteer’s erected a wooden fence today to improve the appearance at the entrance to the station,

Some more 804 gravel was spread on the down platform and preparation was made for the arrival of on site WCs which will shortly be delivered to the station. 

In the last photo the section signal has been connected and can now be worked by pulling No3 lever in the signal cabin. 
 

[Gabhal Luimnigh]

Great progress Noel, fair dues to you and the gang, I'm looking forward to seeing it open, great pictures too, dramatic looking sky.

[ttc0169]

  On 23/3/2024 at 9:45 PM, Gabhal Luimnigh said:

Great progress Noel, fair dues to you and the gang, I'm looking forward to seeing it open, great pictures too, dramatic looking sky.

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And you are more than welcome to join us Denis.

[Bob229]

Great work by all the group Noel well done it is progressing nicely, hoping to visit during the summer

[ttc0169]

A standard gauge buffer stop has been installed on the end of the goods loop siding at the Clifden end of Maam cross station and WC cubicles have been delivered to the station. 
 

[Gabhal Luimnigh]

Brilliant progress, well done all involved again, it's exciting to see.

[DJ Dangerous]

Every week, more and more achieved!

Out of curiosity, who else on the forum is chipping in with a bit of manual labour?

[ttc0169]

  On 6/4/2024 at 9:11 AM, DJ Dangerous said:

Every week, more and more achieved!

Out of curiosity, who else on the forum is chipping in with a bit of manual labour?

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The clue is in one of the recent photos…..

[DJ Dangerous]

  On 6/4/2024 at 9:12 AM, ttc0169 said:

The clue is in one of the recent photos…..

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Found it!

You're up s**t creek without a paddle!

 

 

[LNERW1]

I’ve a question- can I volunteer in July? Family goes to Ballyconeely every summer for at least a month and, apart from a workout schedule for rugby, I don’t have much to do. The biggest potential roadblock here is that I’m only 13. I know my local railway’s minimum volunteering age is 16, but I’m not sure whether that’s law or just their insurance. Be happy to hear back from you as this is a project I am very much interested in.

[ttc0169]

  On 16/6/2024 at 2:28 PM, LNERW1 said:

I’ve a question- can I volunteer in July? Family goes to Ballyconeely every summer for at least a month and, apart from a workout schedule for rugby, I don’t have much to do. The biggest potential roadblock here is that I’m only 13. I know my local railway’s minimum volunteering age is 16, but I’m not sure whether that’s law or just their insurance. Be happy to hear back from you as this is a project I am very much interested in.

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You’re a bit too young at the moment,you are correct minimum age is 16. 

[Colin R]

  On 16/6/2024 at 2:28 PM, LNERW1 said:

I’ve a question- can I volunteer in July? Family goes to Ballyconeely every summer for at least a month and, apart from a workout schedule for rugby, I don’t have much to do. The biggest potential roadblock here is that I’m only 13. I know my local railway’s minimum volunteering age is 16, but I’m not sure whether that’s law or just their insurance. Be happy to hear back from you as this is a project I am very much interested in.

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Yes I agree you are sadly too young at present, but that does not stop you from enjoying this hobby of railways, one bit of advice that I wish I could have given myself when I was your age was to read what is known over here in the UK as the Blue Book or to give it its full title 'The Requirements for passenger lines and Recommendations for Goods lines and the other book which is just as rare is the Festiniog Railway Volunteers Manual.

I mention the first book since it is what most of the operational UK heritage lines have based their operational rule books on.

The first book is on line the second one however (the FR book) some times comes up on ebay and is a bit dated H&S wise but still useful to read up and to start your jounery on to becoming a much sort after volunteer.

Regards

Colin Rainsbury

[LNERW1]

  On 18/6/2024 at 9:40 AM, ttc0169 said:

You’re a bit too young at the moment,you are correct minimum age is 16. 

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I see, I’ll be sure to support the railway by going there often. Thanks anyway.

[ttc0169]

Connemara railway project. 

The revival continues at Maam Cross Connemara Railway Project,

Public toilet facilities now on the site

Signal relocated and connected to the cabin interlocking frame

Cosmetically restored beet wagon

Former Bord na mona wagon master locomotive LM 284 on driver training duties.
 

The junction bar is being prepared for service…. 

 

[ttc0169]

The Connemara railway project will feature on RTE Ones Nationwide programme on Friday 22/11/2024 at 19:00. 

[LNERW1]

  On 17/11/2024 at 8:45 AM, ttc0169 said:

Connemara railway project. 

The revival continues at Maam Cross Connemara Railway Project,

Public toilet facilities now on the site

Signal relocated and connected to the cabin interlocking frame

Cosmetically restored beet wagon

Former Bord na mona wagon master locomotive LM 284 on driver training duties.
 

The junction bar is being prepared for service…. 

 

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Love a good Wagonmaster! Which BnM line did you get it from?

  On 17/11/2024 at 12:01 PM, ttc0169 said:

The Connemara railway project will feature on RTE Ones Nationwide programme on Friday 22/11/2024 at 19:00. 

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Will be sure to watch. Hopefully heritage railways get featured more on Irish TV, I would say it’d be really helpful and get your name out there. I’d have to ask the lads at Stradbally whether getting on Nationwide helped, but again I’d say it’d help a bit. Best of luck lads.

[Bob229]

Great progress well done, like the beet wagon and BNM loco

[irishrailways52]

absolutely fantastic work. its soo good to see a group like this develop

[DERAILED]

It's Monday's Nationwide at 7pm for the railway slot.

[Gabhal Luimnigh]

Fabulous work, it's a credit to the crew on site, well done Noel.

[ttc0169]

  On 22/11/2024 at 10:50 PM, DERAILED said:

It's Monday's Nationwide at 7pm for the railway slot.

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Yes-initially we were told Friday by the film crew on site last Saturday but as I seen earlier-it’s on Monday evening at 19:00 now.

[Colin R]

I wonder if it will eventually be uploaded to YouTube for those of us who won't be able to watch it on TV.

[Flying Snail]

  On 23/11/2024 at 2:56 PM, Colin R said:

I wonder if it will eventually be uploaded to YouTube for those of us who won't be able to watch it on TV.

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It'll be on the RTE Player https://www.rte.ie/player/

[irishrailways52]

  On 23/11/2024 at 2:56 PM, Colin R said:

I wonder if it will eventually be uploaded to YouTube for those of us who won't be able to watch it on TV.

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id be tempted to put it up but who knows the trouble i could get into with RTE

[ttc0169]

For those who may have difficulty viewing the piece on RTEs nationwide programme earlier.  

[Colin R]

Yay thank you for that guys so interesting

 

Colin

[Darrman]

I watched the section live on TV tonight.

Whenever Maam Cross opens for business, I'll be there. Good luck!

[LNERW1]

Great piece lads. Jim did a great job explaining everything and really conveyed how impressive the project was. Best of luck to all of ye now, and let’s hope Santa trains aren’t too far out of reach- id definitely travel all the way from Laois for it.

[Flying Snail]

Congrats to everyone involved in the project - that was a nice piece. Great to see whats been done in Connemara. Looking forward to when it's open.

[ttc0169]

All aboard….the Santa express from Maam cross station….this Sunday. 
 

[LNERW1]

Brilliant! Hopefully the first of many trains to come.