[Heritage] ITG: 141 Farewell and A39 Launch. Who is going?

I see from a recent RPSI bulletin that their 'Heritage Diesel' project is proceeding as follows - they envisage ownership of 3 to 4 locomotives. 'The now renumbered B141 and B 142 are already destined for Society ownership' (their quote). They mention class number 134 and another 141 class loco as the other two.

They also mention the possibility of leasing 'Charleville goods shed' as the the maintenance and overhaul base, with two of the locos being based there.

Apparently, a significant number of the interested members are based in the Limerick and Cork area, and, in general, there is presently a large number of enthusiasts interested in diesel preservation, including the preservation of these locomotives.

Transportuser09 wrote: »

Thats the GSRPS, which were a different organisation altogether, they're long gone, some of their stock is now preserved by the RPSI and Downpatrick.

It was said in jest but some of those involved are the same individuals. As one who was intimately involved with the GSRPS I'm well aware of where their collection has gone - some of it without payment or permission! That said, I wish the future occupants of Charleville goods shed all the best, but previous experience of the weasel ways of CIE would suggest that the future does not bode well for them.

Transportuser09 wrote: »

Any account I've seen indicates that it was actually CIÉ who owned the items now passed on to the groups mentioned (Downpatrick and RPSI), loco 131, railcar B and two six wheel coaches.

Anyway, its good to see theres now a chance for mainline heritage diesel operations, indeed lets hope they have success.

Indeed, as I said, I wish them all the best - seriously. Loco 131 always belonged to CIE as did railcar B but almost everything else that came out of Mallow/Tralee etc was the property of the GSRPS or private individuals. As I said on another thread to expect 'the nordies' to acknowledge the efforts of anybody else on their websites or in their literature would be expecting far too much. :rolleyes:

Transportuser09 wrote: »

Well to be fair the Downpatrick site only seems to deal with the vehicle's actual service history than its preservation one, I'd imagine thats what most of their clients would be interested in. The RPSI site does actually mention the GSRPS on their 131 page, although I suppose they're only 'half nordie'.

I think you will find that most enthusiasts prefer to know the full history of a vehicle rather than a sanitized one - certainly most enthusiasts that I know. I am afraid despite their southern membership, and activities, the RPSI are the real McCoy when it comes to being a 'nordie' organisation. I well remember the hospitality extended to myself and others who made the effort to make our way to Whitehead in the 1980s. :rolleyes:

Transportuser09 wrote: »

I know what you mean, I personally would be too, but what I meant was that the general public, if they're interested at all, would probably have little interest in what group owned what. I see what you mean though, theres very little info out there on some groups like Westrail and GSRPS, slightly more on the former probably because they did manage to run trains.

As for the RPSI being nordie, well, I sometimes travel on their specials to Wexford and it seems to be mainly Dublin accents you here doing the onboard entertainment and the like - including singing believe it or not!

Ah yes, that would be par for the course as there have always been a lot of 'Uncle Tom's' in the preservation movement down here. Anyway, it has been a long day on the laptop so I'm off to watch a movie before I really say something that I regret.

lord lucan wrote: »

And you're right about the RPSI having a better relationship with IE. Not sure why but they seem to have a lot more pull with IE than the likes of the ITG do. Not sure if the ITG dirtied their bib with IE in the past but the RPSI seem to get a better deal from IE.

Hmmm.... I'm tempted.......but no, I won't.

What I will say though is this. ITG did not dirty their bib. In fact they were never even given a bib.:D

Transportuser09 wrote: »

I recall reading a few years ago when IÉ brought in a railtour ban that the RPSI have a slightly higher status as they are whats known as a 'guest operator' due to their safety case, while the ITG/IRRS/MRSI simply hire locos and carriages from IÉ, they're not clasified as 'operators' but 'hirers'. I could be mistaken but I think it was something like that.

You're wrong. Sorry.

Does anyone know if any of the ITG locos in Clare are operating? I was thinking of going down for a look over the summer to see the narrow gauge anyway.

kingstapler wrote: »

Actually I think he's right. I remember they ran a steam tour to Waterford and Clonmel about two years ago, not often you see them down this way. The ITG wanted to run a railtour to Carrick on Suir last year but couldn't because of the ban. I do remember there being something about the RPSI being a guest operator on a different site, which is probably why they could run but the ITG couldn't. It would be nice to see a special down in Waterford with the old diesels. Theres one in a few weeks alright with an 071 though.

Your both wrong as to the reasons why the ITG do not court as much favour as the RPSI with IE. my apologies for not being able to tell you why, at this moment in time.

steamengine wrote: »

I see from a recent RPSI bulletin that their 'Heritage Diesel' project is proceeding as follows - they envisage ownership of 3 to 4 locomotives. 'The now renumbered B141 and B 142 are already destined for Society ownership' (their quote). They mention class number 134 and another 141 class loco as the other two.

Does it say what the other 141 class loco is? They used to be down here in Waterford alot, its good to see a few are being kept.