mgwr preserved railway Connemara Railway project.

[Mol_PMB]

I suppose it's ultimately down to what the promoters want and/or have committed to in their planning application, business plan etc.

Well done to all concerned for what has been achieved so far, not just a working narrow-gauge line but saving some interesting and unique standard-gauge stock too.

My gut feel is that now there's a (smallish) functioning railway with locos, carriages, track and signalling, it would be a good idea to focus resources on buildings and infrastructure. It can be a wild part of the country in bad weather, and being so isolated also means that security may be challenging.

After the storm damage, repairing/restoring the existing structures to a more robust standard would be a good priority, possibly extensions/alterations to the existing factory buildings to provide more secure covered storage and/or workshop facilities. If the 5'3" is the long-term goal then at least one shed large enough for a complete 5'3" gauge vehicle would be a necessity, and such a shed would have plenty of other uses in the meantime, even if the line were to remain 3' gauge. Sheds aren't actually that expensive compared to the cost of deterioration and damage to equipment left out in the open.

 

[Westcorkrailway]

I can’t speak on their behalf. Though Infairness. Standard gauge has to go in as that was the original plan and with all this rolling stock and motive power due in, I can see why they would be eager to put it down. Many of the volunteers there also have a fondness for the standard gauge stuff.