Belmond Grand Hibernian

GM228

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

071 not up to the job with 10??

Well up to it, an 071 has worked the full rake a few times with no issues, 9 coach set will be this weekend only.

GM228

end of the road wrote: »

they must have hauled that amount in their lifetime surely? if not on services then specials at least?

Prior to the Belmond a MkIII never operated over 9 coaches.

GM228

Captain Chaos wrote: »

071s and 2x141s have hauled 13 piece Mk2 specials in the past no problem. I suspect the Mk3 coach limit on the 071s is due to their air compressors and brake performance, I believe it takes a while for 071s to build brake pressure on long airbrake rakes.

Correct regarding the MkIIs (also the Cravens), yes 071s do take a while to build air pressure but they are cleared to operate the 10 coach set. The 9 coach set operating this weekend isn't due to an 071 being used.

The_Wanderer

Carriage 87004 "Down" was removed from the set this morning for wheel flats.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

GM228

Fred Swanson wrote: »

How do wheel flats happen?

Wheel spin/slide.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_spot

Jamie2k9

Is it back to a 10 coaches for tomorrow?

The_Wanderer

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Is it back to a 10 coaches for tomorrow?

Been 10 pce since Monday night.

GM228

Something a little different for the Belmond today as 209 is taking over from 216 for the run to Belfast.

216s gremlins returned today and she decided to throw her toys out of the pram this morning when working the Belmond ex Rosscommon with traction issues, she managed to limp into Heuston and retired to Inchicore after repairs in Heuston were unsuccessful.

The_Wanderer

080 passing Cabra today.

https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2017photos/June-2017/i-4HjCF7s

With 209 following L.E. a few minutes behind.

https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/2017photos/June-2017/i-wZckF9J

GM228

An interesting few days ahead for the end of the Belmond season.

Like the first Saturday of the season, this coming Saturday (the last Saturday of the season) will see the train operate to Gorey vice Belfast - same timings.

Like the last time the Gorey-Greystones-Gorey run is omitted. This also means that this Sundays Waterford leg will once again be in the hands of 216 instead of an 071.

Monday however is more interesting...

The initial itinerary for the 2016 season (until a week before launch) for Wednesday and Thursday was:-

Wednesday
Morning Charleville to Cork
Afternoon Cork to Killarney
Evening Killarney to Thurles

Thursday
Morning Thurles to Limerick
Late morning Limerick to Galway (via WRC)
Evening Galway to Athlone

This was adjusted to a Wednesday evening stabling at Charleville instead of Thurles and the Thursday run to Galway via Portarlington instead of Limerick and the WRC due to route clearance issues including issues at Limerick itself.

This is set to change.

On Monday after the 08:00 ex Muine Bheag brings the season to a close 216 will be heading off to Limerick with the full set and accross the WRC to Athenry and back to Inchicore via Athlone for a clearance run.

goingnowhere

Bit curious any clearance is required, the Mk3 actually ran in public service over Limerick Ennis countless times and has crossed the Ennis Athenry section at least once with passengers onboard since reopening

GM228

goingnowhere wrote: »

Bit curious any clearance is required, the Mk3 actually ran in public service over Limerick Ennis countless times and has crossed the Ennis Athenry section at least once with passengers onboard since reopening

Indeed, in fact the very last MkIII run in IE ownership ran over the WRC.

However as part of the safety case and the CRR operating licence requirements a trial run and re-certification on any route it is to operate over is required, that is why the set did proving runs on all routes it was to operate over last year and the trial run to Gorey earlier this year despite the fact that all the routes had previously had MkIIIs on them.

Jamie2k9

So why change the route now?

I'm told it's a challenge to get certain route drivers to do it.

The_Wanderer

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

So why change the route now?

I'm told it's a challenge to get certain route drivers to do it.

There has always been an aspiration to operate from Killarney to Galway via the WRC. But this couldn't happen until the remodelling and resignalling at Limerick was completed.

Also I do believe that some Limerick Drivers have been on the 201 class simulator at Mallow for refreshing purposes.

wrenneire

Hi
Would anyone have the names and designation of the various coaches on this train please?
Pics would be nice!
Cheers

The_Wanderer

wrenneire wrote: »

Hi
Would anyone have the names and designation of the various coaches on this train please?
Pics would be nice!
Cheers

The BGH is composed of the following carriages.

87104 (ex 7601) - EGV / Crew Mess (Carlow)
87110 (ex 7130) - Crew Sleeper (Donegal)
87001 (ex 7116) - Guest Sleeper (Fermanagh).
87002 (ex 7158) - Guest Sleeper (Leitrim).
87003 (ex 7129) - Guest Sleeper (Waterford).
87004 (ex 7149) - Guest Sleeper (Down).
87005 (ex 7137) - Guest Sleeper (Kerry).
87101 (ex 7171) - Restaurant (Sligo)
87102 (ex 7169) - Restaurant (Wexford).
87103 (ex 7104) - Observation Lounge Car (Kildare).

wrenneire

Cheers
Is it possible to get individual pics of these coaches?
I have looked at your site and lovely as they are there are too many Yanks blocking the coaches!!!

tabbey

There is an article in the IRRS Journal (Feb 2018) on a passenger experience on Belmond.

There are internal photos from Belmond, one presumes they are of the Grand Hibernian, but may be of some other Belmond train, although the rear observation lounge must be GH.

islanderre

On a slightly related note; is their any more Mk III's in storage or were all bar the Belmond ones scrapped?

Just think (Wishfully) that with the success of the Belmond refurbishment that any other MK III's that may be in storage could be refurbed for normal passenger use and used with the Loco's that are rumoured to be refurbished too.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Jamie2k9

islanderre wrote: »

On a slightly related note; is their any more Mk III's in storage or were all bar the Belmond ones scrapped?

Just think (Wishfully) that with the success of the Belmond refurbishment that any other MK III's that may be in storage could be refurbed for normal passenger use and used with the Loco's that are rumoured to be refurbished too.

BGH have 1, Irish Rail 1 and 3 in Co Clare one of which is a buffet and NIR have a spare EGV AFAIK.

Jamie2k9

Is running via Limerick/WRC officially confirmed once it starts next Tuesday?

GM228

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Is running via Limerick/WRC officially confirmed once it starts next Tuesday?

Not running via the WRC initially at least, but may break new ground this year on another route.

GM228

2018 Schedule

Tuesday - 201 Class
14:25 Heuston to Cork
20:30 Cork to Charleville

21.25 light engine Charleville to Charleville via Limerick Jnc to facilitate run around


Wednesday - 201 Class
07:45 Charleville to Mallow
08:35 Empty Mallow to Cork
12:55 Cork to Killarney


Thursday - 201 Class
Option A
07:00 Killarney to Galway (via Portarlington)
18:35 Galway to Athlone

Option B * subject to certification
07:00 Killarney to Limerick (**via a reversal at LJ Direct Curve)
10:45 Limerick to Galway (via WRC)
18:35 Galway to Athlone

**second engine required LJ-Limerick.


Friday - 201 Class
06:15 Athlone to Westport
18:45 Westport to Roscommon


Saturday - 201 Class
06:15 Roscommon to Heuston

Option A
12:10 Heuston to Belfast Central
20:26 Belfast Central to Dundalk

Option B1 - during engineering works
13:30 Heuston to Gorey

Option B2 - during engineering works * subject to certification
13:30 Heuston to Rosslare Strand
18:35 Rosslare Strand to Gorey

Option B3 - during engineering works
13:30 Heuston to Gorey
17:00 Gorey to Greystones
18:35 Greystones to Gorey



Sunday
Option A - 201 Class
08:20 Dundalk to Connolly

Option B - during engineering works - 201 Class
08:15 Gorey to Connolly

10:05 Connolly to Waterford - 071 Class (201 if options B on a Saturday)
19:10 Waterford to Muine Bheag - 071 Class (201 if options B on a Saturday)


Monday - 071 Class (201 if options B on a Saturday)
08:00 Muine Bheag to Heuston

Jamie2k9

21.25 light engine Charleville to Charleville via Limerick Jnc to facilitate run around

Well this makes more sense than taken the train to Thurles to turn around the locomotive.

GM228

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Well this makes more sense than taken the train to Thurles to turn around the locomotive.

It's no longer currently possible to run around the train at Thurles.

Fred Swanson

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Del.Monte

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Nothing new. With every foot of track CIE remove they slide ever nearer the abyss.

dowlingm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

They cost money to maintain and there isn't enough need for them to justify the expense vs occasional LE movements?