mgwr preserved railway Connemara Railway project.

[Northroader]

Great to see things happening over there, the thing that really stood out for me in those pictures is how the sky changed through the sequence. Any one of them would look great on a model backscene, and yet they’re all very different. A day for staying close to the pub.

[leslie10646]

I can almost see a Midland K Class steaming into the place. Very well done everyone involved.

Re the Ukrainian ladies, you have a ready-made team for the "Tearoom" when it opens.

It'll be the only railway food outlet West of the Polish frontier offering good hot nourishing Borsch and Blinis.

[ttc0169]

The cattle bank siding has now been relaid with standard gauge track…

More rolling stock is due to arrive hopefully before the Christmas. 
 

Note-the signal cabin has gained “new”windows and a name board. 
 

[murphaph]

Fabulous effort. We'll done to all involved. 

[John-r]

Brilliant work and great credit to all involved, well done.

[Flying Snail]

Great to see the progress thats being made: well done to you all. This is going to be something very special (it already is)!!

[ttc0169]

5 hours ago, Flying Snail said:

Great to see the progress thats being made: well done to you all. This is going to be something very special (it already is)!!

Yes it certainly is something special

[226 Abhann na Suire]

On 19/8/2022 at 9:52 PM, jhb171achill said:

GSWR 837 of 1902, sister of the DCDR's restored 836. Previously prvately purchased by a now-deceased RPSI member and, i understand, given to the RPSI in his will.

The other coach in there, 813 (GSWR 1910), had been privately owned too by a group of about half a dozen RPSI members (it was never actually owned by the RPSI), but as these folks were the regular Mullingar work squad 30/40 years ago, 813 ended up based in Mullingar shed as a tarry / restroom for volunteer workers there. The group of owners recently agreed to let the vehicle go to Maam Cross on condition that it be kept under cover and looked after. It appears to be inside the shed there now.

Just catching up on the thread after a while, progress looks absolutely unreal!!

Does this mean that they’ll have two carriages soon enough? And of the same type..?

Is there plans as well to rebuild the station building or is that more of a long-term goal?

As I said the work looks absolutely amazing, everyone involved you’re all a credit to yourselves and the Irish Railway Community! Keep it up and Merry Christmas all  

 

[ttc0169]

The first visit of 2023 to the Maam Cross Connemara Railway Project took place earlier today when a hardy bunch of volunteers braved the weather to get back to work in preparation for what is promised to be an exciting year ahead,

Work included the building of work benches and storage areas in the main shed,

Preparation of the up Galway platform ahead of resurfacing later in the year,

Signal cabin internal lighting and CCTV fitted,

My pet project is the refurbishment of ballast plough van 24853, I began today clearing out the debris inside which was associated with the internal fire that took place a few years ago while stored in North wall ,thankfully after advice from some woodwork specialists who were on site,they advise that the damage is not as bad as was thought so internal and external refurbishment will get underway early this year   

 

On 19/12/2022 at 2:27 PM, 226 Abhann na Suire said:

Just catching up on the thread after a while, progress looks absolutely unreal!!

Does this mean that they’ll have two carriages soon enough? And of the same type..?

Is there plans as well to rebuild the station building or is that more of a long-term goal?

As I said the work looks absolutely amazing, everyone involved you’re all a credit to yourselves and the Irish Railway Community! Keep it up and Merry Christmas all  

 

Apologies for the late reply,

Yes two coaches will be arriving at the site over the next couple of weeks-with a possible unique vehicle at a later date. 
 

There are plans to rebuild the station building-but that’s more of a long term goal. Thanks

Edited January 14, 2023 by ttc0169

[226 Abhann na Suire]

On 14/1/2023 at 8:23 PM, ttc0169 said:

Apologies for the late reply,

Yes two coaches will be arriving at the site over the next couple of weeks-with a possible unique vehicle at a later date. 
 

There are plans to rebuild the station building-but that’s more of a long term goal. Thanks

Happy New Year to all! Much to be looked forward to then by the looks of it! Work for the new year looking very good soo far! It’s an amazing and extremely admirable project and while I would love to volunteer and help out, living in the opposite corner of the country and still being in secondary level education means I wouldn’t likely be much help, but keep up the outstanding work to all involved! 

[Westcorkrailway]

5 minutes ago, 226 Abhann na Suire said:

living in the opposite corner of the country and still being in secondary level education means I wouldn’t likely be much help, but keep up the outstanding work to all involved! 

That makes 2 of us  but I try to donate when possible!

some drive from cork to maam cross…..I can watch in admiration of the dedication 

[226 Abhann na Suire]

12 minutes ago, Westcorkrailway said:

That makes 2 of us  but I try to donate when possible!

some drive from cork to maam cross…..I can watch in admiration of the dedication 

Hahaha indeed, that’s my plan exactly! 

[Mike 84C]

I love the moody sky, very interesting cloud formations and quite emotive.

How far is Cork from Maam Cross? When I volunteered on the FR I drove from Banbury to North Wales. 162 miles each way, up on Friday and back on Sunday night! Friday was always a crazy trip to be there before the pub closed!  And sleep in a skanky old caravan.  

So come on you lads! 

[ttc0169]

12 hours ago, Westcorkrailway said:

 

some drive from cork to maam cross…..I can watch in admiration of the dedication 

We have approximately 10-12 members  in Cork that drive up to Maam cross whenever there is a work day announced. 

1 hour ago, Mike 84C said:

I love the moody sky, very interesting cloud formations and quite emotive.

How far is Cork from Maam Cross? When I volunteered on the FR I drove from Banbury to North Wales. 162 miles each way, up on Friday and back on Sunday night! Friday was always a crazy trip to be there before the pub closed!  And sleep in a skanky old caravan.  

So come on you lads! 

236 KLM’s is the distance but it’s no obstacle to the members that do it on a regular basis-and they return the same evening-that’s dedication

[leslie10646]

Now, that's dedication! Mind you it should be worth it to see trains of some kind run in that fabulous scenery.

When I took the Great Rail Journeys Irish tours, I always looked forward to the Connemara day.

Could you get a modern diesel out there on a low loader? Only thinking out loud ........

[228RiverOwenboy]

Apparently someone (somewhere online) said that a shunter will be making it's way to Maam Cross at some point...

 

 

 

Would I be correct in saying that it'll be this? Or will 230 be given a new lease of life? 

Edited February 5, 2023 by 228RiverOwenboy

[Westcorkrailway]

12 minutes ago, 228RiverOwenboy said:

Apparently someone (somewhere online) said that a shunter will be making it's way to Maam Cross at some point...

 

 

 

Would I be correct in saying that it'll be this? Or will 230 be given a new lease of life? 

Yes, the “Halfway Ruston” as I call it is 100 percent going to maam cross it’s a locomotive very real attachment too being the last stand of the CRRS and being located a couple of KMs from my house….hard to believe it’s been over 10 years since I last saw her move….although it may not be the only shunter west bound! 

[228RiverOwenboy]

1 minute ago, Westcorkrailway said:

Yes, the “Halfway Ruston” as I call it is 100 percent going to maam cross it’s a locomotive very real attachment too being the last stand of the CRRS and being located a couple of KMs from my house….hard to believe it’s been over 10 years since I last saw her move….although it may not be the only shunter west bound! 

D'awww, no 230 in Connemara; haha!

 

I wonder if they'll do her up into something like the RPSI's "Carlow" Ruston...

[Westcorkrailway]

1 minute ago, 228RiverOwenboy said:

D'awww, no 230 in Connemara; haha!

 

I wonder if they'll do her up into something like the RPSI's "Carlow" Ruston...

It’s being done up by the apprentice welders in the core….big issue is the breaks….

 

The CSE liveries we’re a bit all over the shop. So it’s hard to know what it will look like come the end of restoration….tbh I’d hope for some of the more out there 

 

thiis thread breifly discuses those liveries (I wish Hornby would hurry up and release this model!)

 

 

[228RiverOwenboy]

1 minute ago, Westcorkrailway said:

It’s being done up by the apprentice welders in the core….big issue is the breaks….

 

The CSE liveries we’re a bit all over the shop. So it’s hard to know what it will look like come the end of restoration….tbh I’d hope for some of the more out there 

 

thiis thread breifly discuses those liveries (I wish Hornby would hurry up and release this model!)

 

 

Oh my, if they picked a livery like that, I'd be certain that it'd look more stylish and classy than no.1 "Carlow"!

 

...I'm excited to see more of the Maam Cross project, I've been constantly checking for more updates haha... Very exciting for me! 

[Colin R]

48 minutes ago, 228RiverOwenboy said:

Apparently someone (somewhere online) said that a shunter will be making it's way to Maam Cross at some point...

 

 

 

Would I be correct in saying that it'll be this? Or will 230 be given a new lease of life? 

Just wanted to check is this an 88DS model?

Edited February 5, 2023 by Colin R

[228RiverOwenboy]

Just now, Colin R said:

Just want to check is this a 88DS model?

I'm not too sure... I came across it in person during the opening day in May 2022, but I didn't take much notice of it - I honestly wish I did though!

I think it may be an 88DS model by the looks of it...

[Westcorkrailway]

5 minutes ago, Colin R said:

Just wanted to check is this an 88DS model?

Yes I believe so, the only difference is the CSE ones are 5’3 and have accommodations for that 

 

hence why the Hornby model is pretty good ….if it ever ******* releases 

Edited February 5, 2023 by Westcorkrailway

[Colin R]

If you can't wait but fancy a brass kit see this one

https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/catalogue/judithedge.html

4mm scale £110.00

[Westcorkrailway]

15 minutes ago, Colin R said:

If you can't wait but fancy a brass kit see this one

https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/catalogue/judithedge.html

4mm scale £110.00

I see they also have 165 DS. CSE Had 7 or 8 88ds but had 1 165DS in tuam 

[Colin R]

This could get expensive again, thanks for that I should add they also do a NNC loco kit as well as  Harland & Wolff 0-6-0DM LMS 7057/NCC 22

 

Edited February 6, 2023 by Colin R

[228RiverOwenboy]

I must wonder though... Is this

On 5/2/2023 at 9:00 PM, 228RiverOwenboy said:

Apparently someone (somewhere online) said that a shunter will be making it's way to Maam Cross at some point...

 

 

 

Would I be correct in saying that it'll be this? Or will 230 be given a new lease of life? 

I must wonder... Is this the shunter that was cosmetically restored in Belturbet station in Cavan? Or is there another origin of this shunter...

[Westcorkrailway]

9 minutes ago, 228RiverOwenboy said:

I must wonder though... Is this

I must wonder... Is this the shunter that was cosmetically restored in Belturbet station in Cavan? Or is there another origin of this shunter...

This shunter is CSE mallow number 1 or 2 (can’t remember) both Mallow 88DS were preserved. One is in “Clonakikty Model railway village” pretending to be a steam engine! 
 

This locomotive however was at “the ramble inn” halfway. Along with many other vintage things in storage. About a 15 minute walk from where I live at the moment 

 

it had a short stretch of track which it would on occasion run up and down. There was a bullied beet wagon (as you can see in Inchicore) an EX MGWR/GSWR sleeper 6 wheeler coach (not sure which company as reports are conflicting!) which is still close to home and a CIE 30 ton brakevan (I believe it’s now in moyasta) 

 

long ago it was intended to buy Ballinhassig railway station and run trains from ballinhassig to halfway viaduct….this also allowed the future possibility of trains to run through goggins hill tunnel. As yo can see they managed to get a loco and some stock to halfway but when ballinhassig  station was sold to somone else that plan fell through and this loco stayed below until around 2018 when it was moved 

 

[228RiverOwenboy]

1 hour ago, Westcorkrailway said:

This shunter is CSE mallow number 1 or 2 (can’t remember) both Mallow 88DS were preserved. One is in “Clonakikty Model railway village” pretending to be a steam engine! 
 

What a way to be preserved...

I remember coming across it in person, and it felt really weird seeing such a shunter being disguised as some goofy steamie!

Edited February 7, 2023 by 228RiverOwenboy

[Galteemore]

Agreed - looks a bit daft. On the other hand, it’s well cared for and much more feasible to preserve properly in future. And beats looking like this: 

[Westcorkrailway]

50 minutes ago, 228RiverOwenboy said:

What a way to be preserved...

I remember coming across it in person, and it felt really weird seeing such a shunter being disguised as some goofy steamie!

I’m glad it made it. I think this loco was sitting in a siding in fenit until the mid 1990s before being moved here….funnily enough armed with Thomas the tank engine knowledge, when I first got there around 4 years old I knew it was not a steam engine….as I suspect many kids did that’s to oul Thomas the GNR engine 

 

The right job would be C202/227 but it would require a bit of cash and hard work which im not sure would be worth in in the eyes of the model village…both those Park Royal’s have since been cosmetically overhauled.

 

it’s a shame I wasn’t old enough to get down to halfway and give the loco one final inspection before it left….although I’m fair certain people have pictures of it being moved….recently I got donated the only photos I know of the coach being moved 

[Mayner]

2 hours ago, Westcorkrailway said:

….funnily enough armed with Thomas the tank engine knowledge, when I first got there around 4 years old I knew it was not a steam engine….as I suspect many kids did that’s to oul Thomas the GNR engine 

 

As a volunteer Guard on a UK Hertiage Railway during the 1990s many of our adult customers thought our Ruston diesels were steam locos!

The vast majority of customers were family groups often with small children who wanted a short affordable train ride who had no particular interest in railways and could not recognise the difference between a small diesel shunter with a cab at one end and a small steam loco.

[minister_for_hardship]

I guess you could say it identifies as a steam loco now.

Clonakilty is not really a museum or a place to learn anything about the West Cork, it's a railway theme kids birthday party venue.

Edited February 8, 2023 by minister_for_hardship

[StevieB]

10 hours ago, Galteemore said:

Agreed - looks a bit daft. On the other hand, it’s well cared for and much more feasible to preserve properly in future. And beats looking like this: 

What have we got here? It looks like a G class in the middle of the countryside.

Stephen

[Westcorkrailway]

3 hours ago, minister_for_hardship said:

I guess you could say it identifies as a steam loco now.

Clonakilty is not really a museum or a place to learn anything about the West Cork, it's a railway theme kids birthday party venue.

You can go in and watch 20 minutes of a dvd, there is 2 cases of decent artifacts and there is occasional info on the wall. The real intention is seen through Recent additions are mini excavators, RC boats (both of which you have to pay extra for). You can now book the Park Royal’s for parties! The main way they make money is season passes to families 
 

I believe that Jeremy clements has built some new locos for the model village. Based on S&SLR, CBPR and CMLR prototypes as can be seen in new irish lines. There also has been a CIE 6 wheeler spotted in recent times 

Edited February 8, 2023 by Westcorkrailway