Photo Thread.

Jamie2k9

thewexman93 wrote: »

I'm not sure any of the new roads in Wexford crossed old railway paths.

A link from Portlaoise to Kilkenny would add a lot of versatility to Irish Rail, considering how good the service is from Portlaoise to Dublin, Limerick and cork. It would link them to Kilkenny and Waterford.

These links shouldn't have to be economically viable, public service should be reason enough.

Same goes for Waterford to rosslare, athenry to Sligo via claremorris, Mullingar to athlone, Tralee to limerick and Limerick to cork.

Well not Wexford but Co. Klkenny.

https://www.bamppp.com/en/our-projects/n25-new-ross-bypass

The Project’s distinguishing technical feature is the Barrow Bridge, a seven-pier extrados bridge with an overall length of 887 m and two main spans of 230 m which are 10 m longer than the next longest concrete-only extradosed box-girder section spans in existence.

The scheme’s other principal features included:

* three at-grade roundabout junctions at Glenmore (N25), Ballymacar Bridge (N25), Corcoran’s Cross (N30), and a compact grade separated junction at Landscape (R733);
* one overbridge of the disused New Ross/Waterford railway line near Glenmore;
* 11 road bridges; and
* 13 minor structures, such as accommodation underpasses.

Losty Dublin

91wx763 wrote:

There are shunt signals but some of the moves are "doable" but unsignalled. UHF radios were used but this is no longer deemed acceptable.

IE 222 wrote: »

Sounds like someone got carried away with the red tape. Seems like an awful waste of resources as there is actually two run around points there. They should at least alter the crossover from the main to the branch to avoid the bay.

With due respect but it's 100% right that such a manoeuvre on a main running line be entirely controlled and monitored by the controlling signalman, especially on busy sections. Indeed experience has borne this out to be the case on CIE turf.

One of the prime causes of the Buttevant crash was a set of points on the running main line that was out of control of the signalman and entrusted to staff on the ground. A few years later, a flaw in Rule 55 which allowed a driver to legally proceed past a stop signal was a leading factor at Cherryville.

The two worst disasters on CIE tracks; both easily preventable if traffic is controlled by a signalman.

tabbey

Losty Dublin wrote: »

With due respect but it's 100% right that such a manoeuvre on a main running line be entirely controlled and monitored by the controlling signalman, especially on busy sections. Indeed experience has borne this out to be the case on CIE turf.

One of the prime causes of the Buttevant crash was a set of points on the running main line that was out of control of the signalman and entrusted to staff on the ground. A few years later, a flaw in Rule 55 which allowed a driver to legally proceed past a stop signal was a leading factor at Cherryville.

The two worst disasters on CIE tracks; both easily preventable if traffic is controlled by a signalman.

My sentiments entirely.

The_Wanderer

Some good comments generated from my last post.

Anyway, the round up from this week and to bring February to a close:

Tuesday 25th February 2020::
Today's batch of images come from Ballybrophy, Thurles and Limerick and include seeing failed 22033 at Thurles in the middle of a snow storm.

Thursday 27th February 2020:
The Limerick based pilot locomotive, 085, rescued 22033 which had failed at Thurles on Tuesday and hauled the unit back to Laois Traincare Depot. Rescue by a locomotive was deemed the most viable option as the unit was placed at the Dublin end of Thurles loop which prevented easy rescue by another 5 car 22000 unit which would have blocked the down line at Thurles. Pictures from later in the day come from Portlaosie, Hazelhatch, Drumcondra, Coolmine, Connolly and Heuston.

Click https://bit.ly/2T6tizR to view.

91wx763

Losty Dublin wrote: »

With due respect but it's 100% right that such a manoeuvre on a main running line be entirely controlled and monitored by the controlling signalman, especially on busy sections. Indeed experience has borne this out to be the case on CIE turf.

One of the prime causes of the Buttevant crash was a set of points on the running main line that was out of control of the signalman and entrusted to staff on the ground. A few years later, a flaw in Rule 55 which allowed a driver to legally proceed past a stop signal was a leading factor at Cherryville.

The two worst disasters on CIE tracks; both easily preventable if traffic is controlled by a signalman.

Very well said David. I have done the reversal from the loop to the bay aboard locohauled railtours over the years, we might have liked it from an enthusiast point of view but it was always inherently unsafe.

It still begs the question-with a multiple unit railway, a facing crossover from the down into the bay would not be a huge issue. No runarounds needed.

Makes you wonder but it seems the same prejudicial attitude exists towards the branch today as did when the 1985 remodeling was done creating the silly layout.,....

IE 222

Losty Dublin wrote: »

With due respect but it's 100% right that such a manoeuvre on a main running line be entirely controlled and monitored by the controlling signalman, especially on busy sections. Indeed experience has borne this out to be the case on CIE turf.

One of the prime causes of the Buttevant crash was a set of points on the running main line that was out of control of the signalman and entrusted to staff on the ground. A few years later, a flaw in Rule 55 which allowed a driver to legally proceed past a stop signal was a leading factor at Cherryville.

The two worst disasters on CIE tracks; both easily preventable if traffic is controlled by a signalman.

Completely agree safety is paramount but does the signalman not have full control of the area? They could also do the run around on the up line. The train is going to have to come to a stop on the main line either way. Regardless were they do the run around there is going to have be a reserval.

The_Wanderer

Afternoon all,

Two updates to the website today.

First up is the March gallery with a visit to Ballycar on the Limerick to Ennis railway. After a prolonged spell of heavy rain the, railway has been closed due to flooding at Ballycar Lough near Newmarket on Fergus. It is reported that the water levels are still rising and the railway is expected to remain closed for several weeks as the Lough fills up a lot quicker than it drains out. Pictures appeared on facebook earlier in the week and it didn't look too bad, a few days later and it's a lot worse.

Click https://bit.ly/2Tz4noX to view the images.

The second update is from a visit to Spain in the first week of March. The pictures in this gallery are a mixture of travel and transport featuring the local commuter network around Malaga and a day trip on Wednesday to Madrid using the high speed AVE service to explore the capital city on a whistlestop tour, which included visiting the Madrid railway museum.

Click https://bit.ly/2TMd5z0 to view all the images.

Both galleries can also be accessed from the home page at https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/

Losty Dublin

IE 222 wrote: »

Completely agree safety is paramount but does the signalman not have full control of the area? They could also do the run around on the up line. The train is going to have to come to a stop on the main line either way. Regardless were they do the run around there is going to have be a reserval.

But the layout in Ballybrophy means fouling a running line, or even two, to allow a runaround. If shunting signals are used a signalman doesn't have full control over the line. All told it's safety, easier and quicker to do it down line where the layout favours it.

The_Wanderer

Losty Dublin wrote: »

If shunting signals are used a signalman doesn't have full control over the line.

I assume you mean "aren't" instead of are?

The_Wanderer

The March gallery has been updated today with:

Tuesday 10th March 2020:
A liner trial operated from Ballina to Waterford's Belview Port on Tuesday 10th March for XPO Logistics. XPO is a top ten global provider of transportation and logistics services. The trial only contained 3 x 40ft refrigerated reefers and the purpose of these was to see how well they kept the contents cooled on the journey from Ballina to Waterford.

Click https://bit.ly/3cJu11P to view.

Thedarkb

I couldn't believe my eyes when I passed it on the bus home!

Jamie2k9

Trail run and even better a 201 in charge. Could count on one hand the number of 201s in Waterford over last few years.

Hopefully it resumes again and doesn't face other challenges beyond IE control!

tabbey

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Could count on one hand the number of 201s in Waterford over last few years.

Do they not come into Waterford with timber from Mayo?

Jamie2k9

tabbey wrote: »

Do they not come into Waterford with timber from Mayo?

No usually only 071s, depending who you talk to some are only 071 cleared now so rostering might me be more complicated for a 201s without more training.

91wx763

Having drivers trained on either class of locomotives is often an issue in Waterford....

The_Wanderer

Evening folks,

Friday 20th March 2020:
As the COVID19 crises deepens, travel has been severely restricted of late, but I had to venture out to Kildare and Laois today and stopped off at the Curragh for 25 minute interlude which saw six trains passing in the space of that time. Social Distancing at its best!

Click https://bit.ly/2J6fHmq to view all the images.

0lddog

Very off topic but hopefully good for a giggle or two in these dark days

( Mods please feel free to zap it )

The_Wanderer

Evening all,

Friday 27th March 2020:
Updates continue to be irregular due to the COVID19 pandemic. With travel restricted and working from home, the opportunity for wandering is few and far between. After finishing work today and being cooped up in the house for the week, I ventured out to photograph the 1655 Limerick - Ballybrophy service at a couple of locations around Nenagh.

Click https://bit.ly/3dxxjW9 to view all the images.

Del.Monte

Enniscorthy Station: 7am Friday morning 3rd April 2020.

The currently disused Up platform lit up like a Christmas tree - presumably on all night? Not that they should be on at all given that the platform is no longer in use. Taking this a micro-aspect of all that's wrong with CIE/IE it's not surprising that the company is in a permanent state of bankruptcy. Multiply this sort of waste across the 147 stations on IE and the electricity consumption must be off the charts. Thoughts?

Jamie2k9

When you say not in use are you just referring to the fact no services cross there or signed out of use by IE?

They used to turn lights off in Ballybrphy and Templemore once the last service stopped at them but I think they may have rowed back on this. I am assuming for health and safety.

Credit Checker Moose

There are rusty rail movements that involve that platform which take place regularly.

Del.Monte

Credit Checker Moose wrote: »

There are rusty rail movements that involve that platform which take place regularly.

Not sure why the platform lights would need to be on for that.

tabbey

Del.Monte wrote: »

Not sure why the platform lights would need to be on for that.

Perhaps for security?

Eiretrains

Two recent additions added to the IRRS film archive on youtube:

Sugar Beet trains on the Youghal branch during the late 1970's and early 1980's.

Audio documentary on CIE (Part 1), recorded in 1961, covering passenger services.

The_Wanderer

Wednesday 15th April 2020:
Nenagh saw a train today for the first time in two weeks when 079 hauled a ballast train through the station while on a circular trip from Lisduff to drop ballast at the 2MP on the Nenagh Branch. The train returned to Lisduff via Limerick and Thurles.

Click https://bit.ly/2K9DZw4 to view.

Del.Monte

I always thought it would be CIE/IE that killed the railway not a damn virus!
Below, the 13.36 departure from Connolly arriving at Enniscorthy this afternoon - one passenger disembarked (a lady with a tiny baby) - nobody waiting at the station to travel or meet the train and no staff in evidence. Will this route ever recover?

dowlingm

Be a good time to have refitted 2700s running around doing two car diagrams while the 29000s got a chance to get some of their maint backlog seem to but NTA nixed that... I assume IE hedge their fuel so aren’t even seeing the benefit of lower pricing as a result of diesel demand generally yet.

Jamie2k9

All routes are like this, would have taught the downgrade to 29s would have concerned your more!

Del.Monte

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

All routes are like this, would have taught the downgrade to 29s would have concerned your more!

Actually, the last day that I travelled I was relieved to see a 29000 as with opening windows and doors that suck the air out at every stop there's theoretically less chance of getting the bug.

91wx763

Eiretrains wrote: »

Two recent additions added to the IRRS film archive on youtube:

Sugar Beet trains on the Youghal branch during the late 1970's and early 1980's.

Audio documentary on CIE (Part 1), recorded in 1961, covering passenger services.

@Eiretrains have you any idea how long it takes for access to the IRRS Flickr archive to come through if someone signs up for a membership ?